Retirement allows time to explore my creative expression. I never dreamed that I would be able to tap into a well of imagination and inspiration in the visual arts. But the time spent in the garden watching things grow and evolve together, the miasma of soil, creatures, rain, and wind, brings about a compulsion to create. I am exploring many creative avenues, but painting feeds my soul in a way nothing else does. Below are some paintings influenced by photographs I have taken and my experiences in the quiet wild.

Poppies in the Dark.

The black background gives this piece a deep, thoughtful sensibility. The dark red of the blooms illustrates the brashness of poppies to raise their heads on their spindly stems.

The painting below is Call Me Cosmos. I like the contrast between the two sides of the piece, which gives a sense of movement.

I call the painting below Moody Blooms. I wanted to create a feeling of background darkness and bold blooms. The sharp brush strokes are meant to evoke a feeling of adventurousness and daring.

Below is Seaside Cottage. I wanted to create a calm scene of a small cottage along a body of water, with colorful flowers growing along the sandy shore. I continue to work on showing shadows in a painting. The sun is coming from the left side, making shadows under the eave and flower box. It is a struggle, but I will keep practicing!