A Stunning New Commission "Metamorphosis"

Hi friends, I have a very special new commission to share with you all! “Metamorphosis” is my newest painting that was requested by a collector who purchased one of my very first double exposure portraits back in 2020. She was looking for a companion piece to compliment her first one with similarities in composition, color palette and lighting but with a different subject.

This painting took about 4 months to create from the first brushstrokes but that doesn’t even include the hours and days of Photoshop work that I did just to come up with the reference image! But I have to say it was especially nice creating a commission that fits so nicely into my established style and theme. I’m so passionate about creating these paintings of humans merged with nature that it really supercharges my motivation to paint everyday.

This has become such a popular piece on social media that I think I want to have prints available for those of you who really love it. So please stay tuned for that! Below you will find pictures of the two paintings side by side so that you can see the similarities and differences and hopefully an improvement in skill!

Here is the painting description that was lovingly crafted by my older sister:

Change isn't always beautiful. It can hurt to break apart, shatter into a million pieces, only to put yourself back together as something new. There is somewhere deep inside ourselves that we have to traverse when we are called on to transform. A path we must walk alone, and who we meet in that darkness is for only us to know. But who we return as, and what we bring back with us, can be our greatest offering to the world. 

Within this moment, she surrenders to this internal process of change, finds the grace in it. Her inner transformation can be felt as a warm glow, emanating from that place deep within, turning everything to gold. She embraces the glow of her new existence, reflecting on everything it took to get here. 

Our journey to the depths of ourselves, to our underworld, is ours alone. And it can be vulnerable to be seen amidst this great change. But sometimes, just allowing others to bear witness to our transformation is enough. It is a gift to tell the story of the darkness we face in order to return to the light, as someone and something new. 

My Latest Commission!

I'm excited to share with you my latest commission! And this piece is extra meaningful because it is for my elementary/ middle school teacher who greatly influenced my passion for art at a young age. And to top it off he plans on hanging it in his classroom! It just warms my heart to think of this painting inspiring other young artists and academics to follow their passions.

 
 

This teacher encouraged me to draw, paint and create whenever I could but most of all he was a kind, respectful and empathetic person for me to look up to during my formative years. I was really excited when he contacted me about this commission especially when he mentioned the the bee imagery serving as the representation of the natural world. Bees are such an important part of our ecosystem that we often take for granted. So the image of gracious hands that appreciate and respect the natural just seemed like a perfect theme to explore.

I feel so honored to have had the opportunity to make this painting for a teacher and school that did so much for me growing up. And I love imaging this painting hanging in one of the small Waldorf classrooms in Maui inspiring young students who are trying to find their way in this world.

Here is the full description for the painting: In this painting we see humans and nature in complete harmony. We have done the work to understand our role in this world and now seek to preserve the important balance of nature. We now understand that every tiny insect and microscopic creature plays a part in our world and though we as humans are capable of many incredible things this does not diminish the significance of any other life on this planet. When we choose to coexist with and not dominate the natural world we find that it provides so much more than we ever thought. And we can have room in our hearts to give back to the planet that has given us everything we could have every wanted.