Finding Balance

I've been at my new part-time job for two weeks now and I think it's going to work out. So far it is just the right balance of interesting and meaningful work with much less stress than other jobs I've had. I already feel more relaxed while painting and writing because I know that I have the means to pay the bills! Keep your fingers crossed for me.

I'm currently working on a series of paintings that use an electric substation as reference. I used to drive by this substation every day on the way to work and am fascinated by it. The painting above, that I did last year, was my first foray into the subject.

While I love beautiful scenery and started out painting traditional southwest landscapes, I am now much more interested in painting gritty urban landscapes. I'm drawn to rust and patina, I love the strange architecture of power plants, and abandoned, decrepit buildings really send me. When you take the time to look, there is so much beauty in the mundane.