“Every time I have had a problem, I have confronted it with the Axe of Art.” ~Yayoi Kusama

Each day, in the studio, moves me into deeper connection. Like all artists, my work seeks to understand reality and how to create from the leading edge of dreams. The intersection of all forms of art and wisdom push my work beyond what I imagined possible.

All creativity, regardless of the source or method used, is designed to bring us closer to ourselves. So, who are we?

Prints or reproductions are available on Etsy or by emailing info@thesunshinemoment.com for more information.

The Five Colors Blind the Eye

Work in Progress 2024

The five colors blind the eye.

The five tones deafen the ear.

The five flavors dull the taste.

Racing and hunting madden the mind.

Precious things lead one astray.

Therefore the sage is guided by what he feels and not by what he sees.

He lets go of that and chooses this.

Lao Tzu : Tao Te Ching : Chapter 12

Night Shift

(2024 Acrylic Tryptic on Vinyl)

All artists struggle with a double life. The dreaming and the waking. At the time this was created, I was actually working a night shift at a data center. I found the world becomes stranger when we are moving in opposite to the rest. Stranger and yet more clear. My body was in pain, my sleep was disturbed, and still my practice deepened.

My first attempt at a tryptic canvas became another level-up in confidence for my work. Like my physical experience, I allowed what was to be, seeking a semblance of balance in a universe of chaos. This was also an interesting surface to paint on, a set of found printed canvases made of some sort of textured vinyl. When laying down the ground wash of magenta, the paint moved organically into the grooves, creating an ephemeral backdrop for the story to emerge from.

The 10 Thousand Things

(2024 - Acrylic on canvas)

The title and energy of this piece comes from the Taoist concept that all reality is a product of yin & yang - when we find true balance between our light and our darkness all is possible.

"The Tao begot one.

One begot two.

Two begot three.

And three begot the ten thousand things.

The ten thousand things carry yin and embrace yang.

They achieve harmony by combining these forces."

-Lao Tzu : Tao Te Ching : Chapter 42

'Power of Now'

(2023 - Acrylic on canvas)

"The present moment contains the whole of life."

-Thich Nhat Hahn

Stretching myself to do larger canvases (this one was 2x4x2ft) has been a welcome challenge. Moving the process of painting from subtle touches and sway of the wrist to full body and full presence.

I felt myself also expanding and deepening. Not only in my painting practice, also in the practice of Zen, manifestation, and self-compassion.

Learning and remembering the importance of being here in the present moment. Aware and Awake. Regardless of the perception of duality or passage of time.

'Lady Yoshitsune'

(2023 - Acrylic on rough board)

There is a Japanese Zen story of the feudal warrior Yoshitsune, who was sent to the front lines and perished. In a heartfelt poem, his lady love wrote:

"Just as you unreel the thread from a spool, I want the past to become present."

Dogen-zenji remarked about this poem; "This is not true in our logical mind, but it is in the actual experience of making past time present. There we have poetry, and there we have human life."

'Lady Yoshitsune' series

(2024 - Acrylic on rough board)

As I walked with Lady Yoshitsune through her heartbreak and discovery of boundless courage through Zen. Her story played out before me and I was determined to bring her to life. There was magic and meaning in the retelling and in the creation of these pieces. This was also a terrific opportunity to create a series with a consistent aesthetic and process.

Original Lady Yoshitsune for sale

'High Hāra'

(2023 - Acrylic on canvas)

Harā Bərəzaitī, literally meaning “High Watchpost”, is the name given in the Avestan language to a legendary mountain around which the stars and planets revolve.

Original High Hara for sale

Daddy's Dancers (2023 - Acrylic on canvas)

Based on "Dancer on Glass" (2016 - Short Film by Ron Hagell)

Full of energy and fun, this design brings you right into the celebration of dance. The original from 2022, which can be seen below and was sold at a charity auction, was taken to full jazz mode by extending the design from 4x6 to 12x20 and increasing to 17 colors from 8. Keeping the wrap around the side, since it was such a cool effect.

Original Daddy's Dancers for sale

Daddy's Dancers (2022 - Acrylic on canvas [SOLD]

Seen with the still frames from the short film Dancer on Glass used to develop the abstract figures and movement.

Daddy's Dancers: PRIDE Edition

(2023 - Acrylic on canvas)

Taking the leap into making a completely greyscale version of Daddy's Dancer with a wash of rainbow was a practice in non-attachment and joy.

Original PRIDE version for sale

F.L.Y. 1 (2022 - Acrylic on canvas)

In order to accomplish anything in life, one must First Love Yourself (F.L.Y.).

This series uses shape and color to augment the base abstract design. The series takes on the relationship with our 3 selves (physical, emotional, and spiritual). Using the duality and unity of the subjects, along with the relational aspects of the color wheel. This series is also my first departure from Gouache in several years.

F.L.Y. - Phoenix Emerges (2023 - Acrylic on canvas)

In order to accomplish anything in life, one must First Love Yourself (F.L.Y.).

This different color treatment of the F.L.Y. 1 image was an attempt to up my paint mixing and palette selection skills. The end-result became even more impactful with the swapping of the warm and cool colors.

Limited number (3 each) of originals available for each of these designs. F.L.Y. 1 and F.L.Y. Phoenix Rising

EVE (2023 - Acrylic on reclaimed MDF)

This MDF canvas board was gifted to me. Previously, it had on it a multi-media collage. So in prepping the canvas for reuse, there was old glue and oil based media to contend with. After cleaning and a layer or two of gesso, there was some oddly colored bleed through and textures.

By employing kind of a Rorschach method of looking at unformed, ghostly shapes, spinning the canvas, looking again for an emergence of story or dream, this figure appeared. Then, the snake in the tree, then their garden formed.

Staying in Flow

When working on a larger more planned project, it is invaluable for me to have, off to the side, an intuitive image produced on a small or used canvas. A 'free painting'.

I find that painting from pure freedom of flow helps me take a break from any expectations I may have. It allows me to simply have a nonsensical conversation with whatever media is in front of me.

In the case of used canvases, when there is interesting bleed through from reactions between the previous media used and the fresh layer of gesso, as the description of 'Eve' details.

More ore often than not, something really special happens.

Tears in Rain (2023 - Acrylic on Canvas)

What can I say? I am a child of the 80's. The works in film, art, and fashion of the time formed me today. Blade Runner being one of the most impactful to a young me. The anti-hero, Roy Batty, brilliantly played by Rutger Hauer is the epitome of our search for meaning. Why am I here? Is this really all there is? Is there more for me, to me?

"All those moments will be lost in time, like tears in rain... Time to die."

Walking Each Other Home (2023 - Acrylic on Canvas)

Inspired by the Ram Das quote, this 'free painting' conjures a scene of souls passing, ascending along a trail, perhaps onto the next life. We live with an illusion of separateness, born alone / die alone, yet in reality we are simply one, holding hands, moving through experience.

Tiny Canvases