Sierra Nevada Bounty

Title: Sierra Nevada Bounty

Oil on canvas

Size: 18 × 18 inches

This piece began with a sketch with my non-dominant hand— a shocking and uniquely-calming technique I started after my brain injury. The oil painting and gouache study I based it on took me back to a time of recovery. I had traveled hundreds of miles from home to a psychologist’s office to complete a day of testing to determine the extent of my brain injury. Anxiety and stress plagued my being.

Seeing a whimsical landscape painting with bright colors in the therapist’s office calmed my mind, providing an escape from my anxiousness. That experience and my feelings as I painted this piece helped me clarify my overall intention for my paintings. With each painting I intend to offer my viewers a joyous experience and respite from tension while inspiring them to appreciate nature and life.