UPDATE: This shop was live for the month of October only,
and is now offline.
The remaining SOLO pieces are available for sale
through Columbia City Gallery (Seattle).

.     .     .     .     .

Today is day 30 of 30!!! So grateful for this daily studio and writing practice that helped me stay grounded through this challenging week…

Now that my online store has launched, I want to find new ways to use my art in service to my activism. So I’m excited to share that I will be donating 20% of the proceeds of my SOLO sales to the Coalition Ending Gender Based Violence.

So you can treat yourself to a color-filled painting that lifts your spirits while buying direct from the artist, and know that a portion of your money will go to support survivors of sexual and domestic violence.

Thank you for kindly for your consideration.

And with that, I give you my final painting ~ #30 of 30:

SOLO #28 – 9″x12″ Oil & cold wax on Arches Oil Paper (2018)

I can’t believe how many creative adventures have resulted from my seemingly random, last minute decision to jump on this bandwagon.

Painting and writing every day breathed new life into my flailing blog, produced much-needed inventory for my first art market, developed the scaffolding for my new talk, and helped me overcome some creative blocks.

Thank You for all your encouraging online and in-person comments about my posts! Many of you sweetly asked whether these paintings are available for purchase. And so, to show my gratitude for your joining me on this creative journey, I AM LAUNCHING MY ONLINE SHOP!!!

I have loved making these SOLO pieces. Every painting is original, and impossible to duplicate. There are even additional paintings here that didn’t make it onto my blog.

If you see something you love, please use the Coupon Code 30in30 to get 15% off your entire order. Free shipping on all orders in the US.

And so, with gratitude, I give you painting 29 of 30:

SOLO #26 – 9″x12″ Oil & Cold wax on Arches Oil Paper (2018)

Yesterday was hard, I won’t lie.  I’ve been listening a lot, and bearing witness to what my loved ones have been holding.  And today, I intend to do more of the same.

With love, I give you painting 28 of 30:

SOLO #25 – 9″x12″ Oil & cold wax on Arches Oil Paper (2018)

Watching Christine Blasey-Ford’s testimony, I’m feeling inspired by her composure and bravery. As a fellow Holton-Arms alumnae (and survivor), today’s painting is in our school colors of blue & white.

Inveniam Viam Aut Faciam ~ I will find a way, or make one.

Here is painting 27 of 30:

SOLO #24 – 9″x12″ Oil & cold wax on Arches Oil Paper (2018)

One of the greatest gifts of the digital age is the removal of barriers between artists/creators and their audience.  No longer is there a singular path to (or definition of) “success”, with gatekeepers at every milestone.  The floodgates are wide open — and while not always to my liking, I think we ultimately benefit from seeing the breadth and depth of work being created around the world every day.

So chart your own course.  And be smart about what/who you give your time, attention and energy to. Focusing on the people right in front of you who are moved by your work will open more doors than banging on that One Door that refuses to let you in.

Go Where the Energy Is.

Here is painting 26 of 30:

SOLO #23 – 9″×12″ Oil & cold wax on Arches Oil Paper.

Show up.
Pay attention.
Speak your truth.
Let go of the consequences.
And tomorrow, begin again.

That is what this practice of art calls me to do.

Here is painting 25 of 30:

SOLO #22 – 9″x12″ Oil & cold wax on Arches Oil Paper

As I get ready to return to the lecture circuit, I have been thinking about how to articulate why making art that is deeply personal feels so politically charged.

Even if the themes in my art aren’t overtly political, daring to believe that my perspective — as a queer, mixed-race, black-skinned daughter of immigrants, as a rape survivor and a middle-aged mother — would matter to anyone but me is a revolutionary act.

Daring to believe that the world through my eyes is relevant and beautiful and worthy of consideration, of being framed and beautifully lit, hung on gallery walls or in people’s homes is an act of defiance, especially at a time when social/cultural/political forces are hell bent on eradicating all that I embody and love. This ‘daring to believe’ is precisely why I create art…

Here is painting 24 of 30:

SOLO #21 – 9″x12″ Oil & cold wax on Arches Oil Paper

My heart is full after the COCA Auction yesterday. My artist community grew exponentially, literally overnight. And friendships that started at the Art Marathon deepened last night as we got to appreciate, with fresh eyes, the stunning array of work we collectively produced in 24 hours.

I had the pleasure of meeting collectors who loved my work, and people who have been following my creative journey online. Who knew??! And both my paintings found new homes. Imagining my works living in spaces where they are loved fills me with so much joy!

While I relish the solitude of my studio practice, this event was a welcome reminder of how interdependent our lives are. My ability to thrive is inextricably linked to you living your best and fullest life. My work needs your love to exist. Feeling this truth deeply today…

Here is painting 23 of 30:

SOLO #20 – 9″x12″ Oil & cold wax on Arches Oil Paper

I am relishing the rigor of my experiences this month — the Art Market, the 24hr Art Marathon, daily blogging, and the “30 paintings in 30 days” challenge.  Having numerous opportunities to present myself and my work prompted me to find a way to introduce myself that doesn’t conflate ‘who I am’ with ‘what I do’.

I know from experience that it takes a lot of energy to change people’s perceptions of who/what you are once it’s fixed in their mind. So I’m grateful to have finally found a more expansive, inclusive way to describe who I am and why I do what I do:

I am a creative storyteller who will learn whatever medium it takes to tell the story that is emerging.

Here is painting 22 of 30:

SOLO #19 – 9″x12″ Oil & cold wax on Arches Oil Paper