Here is a studio shot of this series in progress (among other paintings I worked on simultaneously) Despite the sloppy presentation, this photograph has a special place in my heart. It brings me back to a very painful and transformative chapter of my life. I love the raw energy of this moment in time I was able to capture. When life gets tough, I know I can always find peace by escaping into a new world inside of my art.
“Enchantress” A glance withinHave you ever smiled through the pain?
Been embarrassed to cry? Pretended to be someone else? What are you hiding? You are not alone… |
“Enchantress” CollectionHistory shows that mankind has always been fascinated by the feminine Devine. In my series, I flip the script and force the viewer to look past the glorious facade of external beauty. Framed in elegance and staring fiercely outward, these “enchantresses” are hiding a dark secret within. I urge you to look away from the eyes so you can really see past them and into the soul of these works. Join me on a journey inside the emotions often hidden behind the veil of the fairy tale femme fatale.
The Full SeriesThis series was started in 2023 and completed in 2024.
The collection includes 5 paintings; 24 x 36 Oil on Canvas Behind the Process-
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Take a Journey |
I urge you to look away from the eyes. I know that they are pulling you in, but trust me, don’t look at them just yet. Let them gaze at you, but do not look back. I want you to take a journey through the beauty of all that surrounds these eyes. First explore and appreciate the rolling arcs and smooth curves of the ornamental framework and wrought iron architecture. Let your eyes travel through the timeless gothic windows and imagine a portal through time and space. Ride the waves of hair and brush up against the smooth skin. For each painting, try and connect with “her” as though you are standing face to face. She draws you in. Imagine her moist plump lips against your own. Does she want this connection or is she reluctantly accepting your touch as to not disappoint? Now feel the cool shadows surrounding her eyes which are masked behind layers of cosmetic defense. Painted armor shielding against others being able to easily catch a glimpse into the fragility and despair she wishes would just go away. A splinter of light warms the faces sparingly. Illuminating highlights from the sun shine down on these women who are living in darkness. Only now do I want you to look at the eyes.
Now what do you feel? |
Be Enchanted |
Explore each painting with patience and discover more than meets the eye.
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“Turn the Blind Eye”
This is the first painting I started for the “Enchantress” series. The collection is reminiscent of some of my past works. I felt like revisiting the theme of lady faces surrounded by stone carved filigree and gothic architecture to create an environment of elegance and wonder. The smooth arks and intense stares were what drove me to continue creating paintings of this subject matter.
This collection expresses many complex emotions that can be hidden behind the perceived beauty of the female form.
I created unique narratives for each of the figures.
“Such a beautiful face’, one may say, “but what is she thinking?”
It is left for the viewer to interperet:
What’s really going on behind those eyes?
Emptiness was what came to mind during the designing process for this piece. I chose to leave the eyes empty so the viewer can perceive whatever emotion they feel looking at her. I have done some tattoos with the eyes like this and feel like it gives any face a haunting feeling. My typical design process is creating digital mock ups using photo references to build a collage of images. It helps me to have a clear starting point, but I always leave myself a little wiggle room for adjustments. I like to “let the canvas tell me what to do.”
The face I chose was meant to have a youthful charm and a mildly sinister smile. With one side of the lips pointed up ever so lightly with a smirk.
What tricks does she have up her sleeve?
This is the first painting I started for the “Enchantress” series. The collection is reminiscent of some of my past works. I felt like revisiting the theme of lady faces surrounded by stone carved filigree and gothic architecture to create an environment of elegance and wonder. The smooth arks and intense stares were what drove me to continue creating paintings of this subject matter.
This collection expresses many complex emotions that can be hidden behind the perceived beauty of the female form.
I created unique narratives for each of the figures.
“Such a beautiful face’, one may say, “but what is she thinking?”
It is left for the viewer to interperet:
What’s really going on behind those eyes?
Emptiness was what came to mind during the designing process for this piece. I chose to leave the eyes empty so the viewer can perceive whatever emotion they feel looking at her. I have done some tattoos with the eyes like this and feel like it gives any face a haunting feeling. My typical design process is creating digital mock ups using photo references to build a collage of images. It helps me to have a clear starting point, but I always leave myself a little wiggle room for adjustments. I like to “let the canvas tell me what to do.”
The face I chose was meant to have a youthful charm and a mildly sinister smile. With one side of the lips pointed up ever so lightly with a smirk.
What tricks does she have up her sleeve?
“Anticipation”
Sometimes the toughest part of the journey is the anticipation. One example that holds true to this idea from my personal experience, is jumping out of a plane. I’ve been skydiving a few times and it is truly an amazing experience that takes me through a rollercoaster of emotions. The moment you begin free fall and reach terminal velocity, there is a sense of peace and freedom, however, the ride up there is terrifying for me. I believe that we all can relate to the internalized terrors of waiting…
-waiting for the right moment to say how you feel to someone you care about.
-waiting for the perfect conditions to paddle out and ride that wave of a lifetime.
-waiting for your opportunity to show your boss how valuable you are to the company.
-waiting to feel like you have a purpose.
-waiting to feel loved.
It can often be a hellish experience when you’re trapped within the confines of your own mind, anticipating what’s to come next. Compulsively creating scenarios in your head, playing on repeat, worrying about tomorrow…
…forgetting to live for today.
Sometimes the toughest part of the journey is the anticipation. One example that holds true to this idea from my personal experience, is jumping out of a plane. I’ve been skydiving a few times and it is truly an amazing experience that takes me through a rollercoaster of emotions. The moment you begin free fall and reach terminal velocity, there is a sense of peace and freedom, however, the ride up there is terrifying for me. I believe that we all can relate to the internalized terrors of waiting…
-waiting for the right moment to say how you feel to someone you care about.
-waiting for the perfect conditions to paddle out and ride that wave of a lifetime.
-waiting for your opportunity to show your boss how valuable you are to the company.
-waiting to feel like you have a purpose.
-waiting to feel loved.
It can often be a hellish experience when you’re trapped within the confines of your own mind, anticipating what’s to come next. Compulsively creating scenarios in your head, playing on repeat, worrying about tomorrow…
…forgetting to live for today.
“Introspection”
This particular painting went through some drastic changes through its development. Originally designed with a completely different face, I felt it was missing an emotional connection so I chose to change things up midway through working on this canvas. Although I had the intention of using stone carved filigree to frame the women of this series, I was offered a suggestion from professor Robert Sanchez. He had given me a book that was a history of and encyclopedia of wrought iron in architecture. I used it as inspiration and chose to incorporate the design work in this painting.
I was able to decode some symbolism behind the wrought iron - signifying malleability since cast iron is brittle and easy to break under pressure. I see this woman to be trapped behind the framework; symbolizing societal expectations and objectification of her beauty. A distant, empty gaze may leave the viewer with many questions, because you will never know what is hidden behind the veil of these eyes.
Subconscious direction pushed me to paint this face in a way that she ended up in the likeness
This particular painting went through some drastic changes through its development. Originally designed with a completely different face, I felt it was missing an emotional connection so I chose to change things up midway through working on this canvas. Although I had the intention of using stone carved filigree to frame the women of this series, I was offered a suggestion from professor Robert Sanchez. He had given me a book that was a history of and encyclopedia of wrought iron in architecture. I used it as inspiration and chose to incorporate the design work in this painting.
I was able to decode some symbolism behind the wrought iron - signifying malleability since cast iron is brittle and easy to break under pressure. I see this woman to be trapped behind the framework; symbolizing societal expectations and objectification of her beauty. A distant, empty gaze may leave the viewer with many questions, because you will never know what is hidden behind the veil of these eyes.
Subconscious direction pushed me to paint this face in a way that she ended up in the likeness
“Transcendence”
After exploring the curves and heavy contrast of the wrought iron elements in my last canvas, I had some fun ideas for this piece. I wanted this woman and the painting as a whole, to have an elegant feel. I always enjoy the dark sunken shapes create when using gothic windows for background to my lady faces, and also used quite a bit of ornamental filigree for this design. I created a headpiece which may be interpreted as a tiara or crown for this diva to wear as she stares off into the distance, leaving the viewer wondering. “What’s on her mind?”
Essentially, this has been the theme for the entire series, and I have made it a point to create unique eyes for each of my ladies. I wanted a glassy look for her eyes and chose a more youthful woman to lend to the narrative.
it wasn’t until after completing the painting, did I begin to feel a story unraveling before my eyes.
Young and innocent,
After exploring the curves and heavy contrast of the wrought iron elements in my last canvas, I had some fun ideas for this piece. I wanted this woman and the painting as a whole, to have an elegant feel. I always enjoy the dark sunken shapes create when using gothic windows for background to my lady faces, and also used quite a bit of ornamental filigree for this design. I created a headpiece which may be interpreted as a tiara or crown for this diva to wear as she stares off into the distance, leaving the viewer wondering. “What’s on her mind?”
Essentially, this has been the theme for the entire series, and I have made it a point to create unique eyes for each of my ladies. I wanted a glassy look for her eyes and chose a more youthful woman to lend to the narrative.
it wasn’t until after completing the painting, did I begin to feel a story unraveling before my eyes.
Young and innocent,