INDIA

Elephant
This is one of my most favorite paintings I have done. While in Jaipur, India, I spent several days studying miniature painting. I was utterly blown away by the skills of the artists and their techniques of painting historical scenes. While my paints don’t allow me the detail of true miniature painting, this image is based on that style which I admire so much.

Miniature Courtyard
While in India, I spent several days studying miniature painting. Someone told me that a miniature painter is considered a ‘beginner’ for 10 years. My teacher said he was not allowed to actually paint until after three years of practicing his technique. Although my few days of studying were nowhere near enough, they did give me an immense appreciation for the skills of these artists. Using only one hair of the paintbrush, their level of detail and patience is unrivaled. This painting is based on that style.

Women by the Lake
The decor of buildings throughout Jaipur, India is amazingly detailed. From temples to hotel lobbies, I was amazed at the scenes that decorated the walls. Oftentimes, historical or religious scenes were depicted inside painted on window frames. I combined several images I saw to create this scene of women by the lake – drinking, dreaming and relaxing.

Bathing in the Ganges
Haridwar, India is considered a very sacred spot as it is where the Ganges river emerges from the Himalayas and enters the plains. It is here that the river’s powers to wash away one’s sins is strongest and people come from all over to bathe in the clean, cold water. At sunset, flowers and candles are placed in leaves and sent floating down the river.

Blessings
While visiting Jaipur, India, I had the amazing experience of attending a wedding. The groom arrived on his white horse and at the entry gate stood a group of women holding plates of flowers and candles and carrying clay pots on their heads. I was told they were performing a blessing, after which the groom dismounted his horse and headed to the alter.

Jaipur
It is said that India overwhelms your senses. And nowhere was that more true for me than in Jaipur. I was astounded by the color of life in the streets – the markets, the people, the buildings, even the elephants were decorated with color. Never before have I visited a city where around each and every corner, was a colorful feast for the eyes.

India
This painting encompasses some of my best memories of India: elephants and camels, the forts, colorful groups of women, people bathing in the Ganges river, attending a wedding, the Taj Mahal and my time studying the amazing detail work of miniature paintings. India is a place full of marvels and an experience never to be forgotten.

 

JAPAN

Kamakura
I love how many traditional Japanese paintings depict tranquil, peaceful scenes. Nowhere did I feel this tranquility more while in Japan than in Kamakura, a town outside of Tokyo. Wandering through the temples and gardens in the drizzling rain, I felt so peaceful as I enjoyed the beauty of this wonderful place.

Colorful Kimonos
This painting is based on the colorful patterns of women’s kimonos. The colorful clothing, along with the hair adornments, makes for a beautiful picture.