Vibrant Colors

My color work

I do not shy away from color and my vibrant palette is proof.

Spirit of the Drums. Bomba

Spirit of the Drums. Bomba

18″ w x 24″ h

Acrylic on canvas

Price for Original: $700

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Music in the Campo. Bomba

Music in the Campo. Bomba

12″ w x 24″ h

Acrylic on canvas

Price for Original: $375 SOLD

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Gypsy Swirls. Flamenco

Gypsy Swirls. Flamenco

12″ w x 24″ h

Acrylic on canvas

Price for Original: $375

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Miss Anna Mae

Miss Anna Mae

20″ w x 20″ h
Acrylic on canvas
Price for Original: $800
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About the painting
The subject of this painting is Anna Mae Winburn. She was an influential, talented vocalist and bandleader of an all-female, racially integrated, jazz band named “The International Sweethearts of Rhythm”. The group flourished from the mid-1930s through the early 1950s. They performed often at venues on Indiana Avenue. I was impressed and intrigued by Anna and all that she achieved in a profession, dominated by men.

I found it encouraging that she had band members of various races and cultural backgrounds, in an era with such overt racism. The Sweethearts proudly advertised themselves as an integrated orchestra “in whose veins flow the blood of many races.” Posters from the time listed the ethnic identities of the group’s members, which included Indigenous American, Latina, Hawaiian, Chinese, White, and Black women.

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Getting My Rhythm On. Bomba

Getting My Rhythm On. Bomba

(Dance Series

36” w x 24” h
Acrylic on canvas
Price of original: $1,000 SOLD

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About the painting

After being awarded the Creative Renewal Arts Fellowship from the Arts Council and the Lilly Endowment, I experienced Puerto Rico’s traditional dance the Bomba y Plena.

Dance has played an important part in my life. Just like painting, dance allows me to express myself in a way that I’m not able to in words. I explored my Puerto Rican roots more deeply through the traditional dance of the island.

I use lines and shapes to provide movement in many of my paintings. In the piece, I am dancing our beloved Bomba.

Feel the Dance. Ole!

Feel the Dance. Óle!

(Dance Series

24″ w x 36″ h
Acrylic on canvas
Price for Original: $1,000
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Hear My Song

Hear My Song

9″ w x 12″ h
Acrylic on canvas
Price for Original: $175
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In the Moment

In the Moment

12″ w x 12″ h
Acrylic on canvas
Price for Original: $175
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Triumph Above Darkness

Triumph Above Darkness

(Part of Series: Seeing beyond the shadows)

24″ w x 24″ h
Acrylic on canvas
Price for Original: $750
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About the painting

I do my best to bring my feelings to life through my paintings. This piece holds a lot of emotions for me. I was not in a good place at the time and felt compelled to show it on canvas. All these emotions together give birth to this chaos we call life. And as they say “life is not easy, but it’s worth it”.

My painting is about empathy, hope, love, and inner strength overpowering the darkness I was seeing in the world and experiencing within. Though it may appear bleak, it truly is a hopeful painting.

I enjoy putting hidden images or symbols throughout my paintings. You never know what you will find. I hope this piece evokes feelings in those who view it, even if the emotions are different than those that inspired me to create it.

When I Leave I Can Stand

When I Leave I Can Stand

20″ w x 20″ h
Acrylic on canvas
Price of original: $800 SOLD

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About the painting

With most of my paintings I use a lot of symbolism. I wanted to try and encapsulate her life in one painting in a symbolic way. After the horrendous bus accident Frida Kahlo endured, death always seemed near. Her looking forward to the “winds of time” having her back towards us as if she’s left her life behind. The ribbons flowing around her body are indicating that she is no longer physically or metaphorically constrained. She is now free.

AOC, Taking Risks

Making Waves

24″ w x 24″ h
Acrylic on canvas
Price for Original: $500
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About the painting

I’ve been wanting to paint a controversial figure for a while. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, being a female and from Puerto Rican descent was a no brainer for me.

I’m not going to get into my political views however, I do believe she is “shaking” things up in Washington. People either lover her or hate her and that intrigues me. I find her very brave for being so young (and a woman), some people say she’s foolish but I will continue to say “brave.”

When she got on the cover of TIME Magazine she said… “all this attention gives me anxiety (my staff fought to get me to agree to the cover, as I was arguing against it!), and still doesn’t feel quite real, which maybe is why I remain comfortable taking risks, which maybe is a good thing.”

Inner Fire, I am Taina

Inner Fire, I am Taíno

(Part of Series: Seeing beyond the shadows)

24″ w x 24″ h
Acrylic on canvas
Price of original: $950 SOLD

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About the painting

The indigenous Tainos of Puerto Rico were friendly, kind and humble. In my painting I wanted to show a fighting spirit, a nobility within her, and resilient strength. I believe their unbreakable spirit can still be seen today.

Frida con Mariposas

Frida con Mariposas

(Part of Series: Seeing beyond the shadows)

12″ w x 12″ h
Acrylic on canvas
Price for Original: $275
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Looking Within

Looking Within

(Part of Series: Seeing beyond the shadows)

24″ w x 24″ h
Acrylic on canvas
Price for Original: $950 SOLD

Only half-size, limited edition giclee prints are available.
49 of 50 remaining

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About the painting

What a fascinating woman Frida Kahlo was. A passionate, strong, tenacious, and talented woman who fought for the things she loved. I cant imagine the physical pain she was in after the accident, nor the emotional pain of the turbulent relationship with her husband, Diego Rivera.

Frida is normally shown with her hair up. In this piece, her hair is down to show a wildness about her. She was a real life, free spirit. I painted her with eyes closed as she looks within herself, to her soul, to her strength.

Never Far Away

Never Far Away

(Part of Series: Seeing beyond the shadows)

24″ w x 24″ h
Acrylic on canvas
Price for Original: $950
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About the painting

The people in our lives, the people who are important to us are never far away. They may provide encouragement or challenges or both. Either way, we are stronger because of the richness of the experience and their influence in our story. The swirls in the background will show symbolic images.

Clothed in Strength and Grace

Clothed in Strength and Grace

(Part of Series: Seeing beyond the shadows)

36″ w x 36″ h
Acrylic on canvas
Price for Original: $2,100
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About the painting

For me, she embodies Black women and the richness of their story. I focused on illustrating the strength, courage, and grace that I’ve witnessed in my friends and in leaders at the local and national levels. The background hints at their ancestral history.

The Sol of Morocco

The Sol of Morocco

(Part of Series: Seeing beyond the shadows)

36″ w x 36″ h
Acrylic on canvas
Price for Original: $2,100
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About the painting

I’m still in awe of Morocco, even years after our visit. The amazing people we met and the friendships we formed will always remain with us. Especially the women. Their quiet dignity, faith, and strength through adversity is truly inspiring. We hope to go back and see more of the amazing country soon. I believe travel makes one aware that our differences are far outweighed by the things we have in common.

Hope Whispers

Hope Whispers

(Part of Series: Seeing beyond the shadows)

36″ w x 36″ h
Acrylic on canvas
Price for Original: $1,900
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About the painting

So many things around me inspired this painting. I focused on my belief that no matter what happens, we as Americans are a strong people. All I kept thinking was hope is so much stronger than fear. Fear bellows but hope whispers, always steady and true. If we lose hope, we are truly lost.

Cultura Nuestra (Taina de Puerto Rico)

Cultura Nuestra

(Taina de Puerto Rico)

30″ w x 40″ h
Acrylic on canvas
Price for Original: $1,900
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About the painting

When Cristóforo Colombo reached Puerto Rico on his second voyage to the New World it was inhabited by the Taíno (indigenous people of Puerto Rico). The Taínos were friendly and peaceful people who were farmers and fishermen. They called their island paradise Borikén.

Taínos spoke Arawakan. According to Cristóbal Colombo the Taíno tongue was “gentle, the sweetest in the world, always with a laugh”.

He also described the Taínos as a physically tall, well proportioned people, with a noble and kind personality.

Sadly, it didn’t end well for the peaceful Taínos. The Taino became nearly extinct as a culture following settlement by Spanish colonists, primarily due to infectious diseases for which they had no immunity.

Note that the painting background incorporates Taíno symbols.

Many Suns

Many Suns

(Part of Series: Seeing beyond the shadows)

12″ w x 12″ h
Acrylic on canvas

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Women of Substance

Women of Substance

36″ w x 24″ h
Acrylic on canvas
Price for Original: $850
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Lagoon Early Morn

Lagoon Early Morn

12″ w x 24″ h

Acrylic on Ampersand board

Price for Original: $350

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Escondido

Escondido

12″ w x 24″ h

Acrylic on Ampersand board

Price for Original: $350

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Pink Serenity

Pink Serenity

12″ w x 12″ h

Acrylic on canvas

Price for Original: $150
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Going Home

Going Home

33.75″ w x 22.75″ h

Acrylic on gessoed wood board

Price for Original: $950 SOLD

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About the painting

I normally don’t work with landscapes, but the inspiration for this piece came from a friend’s photo. It was taken while three of us explored Eagle Creek Park, and there was something about it that I found intriguing.

However while I was painting, it ended up being more than just a landscape. It has come to represent the way I see my mother.

Since my dad’s passing she’s found inner strength that she probably didn’t know she possessed. Her confidence has blossomed as she has learned how to manage things on her own.

She’s going on a journey. A life journey, if you will. Simultaneously walking to her future and to her beginning.

Like so many of us who are forced to reevaluate ourselves after the passing of a loved one or a divorce. We reinvent ourselves. We return “home”.

xZooberance Paint Out Fundraisers for Indianapolis Zoo

I have participated in this juried event each year since 2019. Local artists are selected to create plein air pieces on the zoo grounds. It’s a fun event and allows the public to see artists in action for a good cause.

Rudy Lady of the Savanna for Indy Zoo 2022

(Rudy) The Lady of the Savanna

Ostrich

8″ w x 24″ h

Acrylic on canvas

This was created for xZooberance 2022 and funds from its sale went to support the Indianapolis Zoo.

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About the painting

I’ve painted many different kinds of birds throughout the years. My appreciation of them grew after the eight years with our pet cockatiel. I began seeing them differently. I would sit in our backyard, watching the small birds and their fun antics. This time I wanted to paint the largest one of them all, the ostrich.

The African savanna is their home, and though ostriches can’t fly they are fast runners. When looking for an ostrich to paint I saw Rudy. She had the largest eyes. It was the first thing I noticed.

The background of my painting has abstract elements showing moths and butterflies which are part of the ostrich’s diet. Visit our wonderful zoo to learn more about these interesting birds.

Participating in the Paint Out fundraiser helps give artists the opportunity to learn more about the animals we paint and gives visitors a chance to interact with the artists.

Nature's Angels for Indy Zoo 2021

Nature’s Angels

Blue Morpho Butterfly

20″ w x 16″ h

Acrylic on canvas

This was created for xZooberance 2021 and funds from its sale went to support the Indianapolis Zoo.

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Tangled Web We Weave for Indy Zoo 2020

Tangled Web We Weave

Lorikeets

24″ w x 8″ h

Acrylic on canvas

This was created for xZooberance 2020 and funds from its sale went to support the Indianapolis Zoo.

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Pretty in Pink for Indianapolis Zoo 2019

Pretty in Pink

Flamingo

12″ w x 12″ h

Acrylic on canvas

This was created for xZooberance 2019 and funds from its sale went to support the Indianapolis Zoo.

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