Hi all! 
I recently completed an art commission for a dear friend and I must say it is definitely one of my all-time favorites. This latest piece is titled Otonarashiku Naru–meaning “becoming like an adult” in Japanese. He wanted me to document in 2-dimensional color and imagery a pivotal timepoint in his life that has marked his tremendous personal growth. I was so excited to get started with this project that I had taken countless notes on what he envisioned it to be like. I’m glad to have been able to learn so much about my friend’s experience and be the one to help see it told on canvas.
The painting’s color palette was dominated by shades of cobalt blue, cobalt teal, cerulean blue, cadmium oranges, burnt sienna, and burnt umber. The brush strokes were all fully intentional and organically placed in moments all over the canvas. The effect of swift, steady sweeps created by the mixture of wet and dry brushwork gave the image a depth that could only be made with patience and time.
Click to view slideshow.But for this art piece to make more sense to viewers who are better in learning via multi-modal capacities, it would be worth noting that the artwork was further guided and inspired by the beloved quote below from Haruki Murakami:
And once the storm is over you won’t remember how you made it through, how you managed to survive. You won’t even be sure, in fact, whether the storm is really over. But one thing is certain. When you come out of the storm you won’t be the same person who walked in. That’s what this storm’s all about.
-Haruki Murakami, Kafka on the Shore
As you can see, there is a lot of emotion, movement, and force applied to this piece. The twists, turns, and crashes continuously propel the viewer to shift their glance from one corner of the painting to another, creating the effect of an inner conflict. The colors–although appearing to be complementary, are caught in a dynamic dance that appears to be struggling to wash away the grit and grime, hoping to gain control.
Otonarashiku Naru (2017). 30″x30″, Acrylic on canvas
This. I cannot reiterate enough how honored I am to have had the opportunity to learn about the most difficult time in a person’s life. I get asked tons why I pursued clinical psychology if all I really wanted to do was paint or do art. And to each and every one of them, I have always said, that my passion and interests in art and psychology go hand-in-hand. I love learning about people, what makes them unique, and who they are today because of their experiences. I love art and the ability to convey something ineffable (ie., feelings) in a way that transcends all spoken languages. My passions fuel each other and create a synergistic effect that is always renewed and continuously perfected over the years. I guess I just wanted to say that I am grateful to be able to be able to do both. 
So with that, if you or anyone you know is interested in some mindful, abstract expressionist artwork, let me know! I would love to work with you within your budget range, no matter how big or small. When it all comes down to it, my ultimate goal is to create artwork for others that is purposeful and cherished.