My Florida Series Is Here!
“Florida Wave”
Mixed media on canvas, 30x40”. 2021.
I’m delighted to unveil my latest body of work, inspired by one of my favorite places on Earth: Florida. After more than a year creating this series, my complete Florida Series collection is now available!
Although I didn’t grow up in the Sunshine State (I was, however, born in Clearwater, FL), Florida has always captivated me for multiple reasons. Of course, the stunning beaches and year-round warm weather have continually fascinated me; I love the rhythm of the ocean and the instant calming influence it has. Much of the work in this series is dedicated to that soothing experience that results from standing beachside.
My passion for Florida is personal, too. Growing up in the Midwest meant I didn’t visit my grandparents at their home in Largo, Florida, very often, but I cherished every trip down there as a chance to see family and live in my bathing suit for a couple weeks. My childhood was defined by poverty and the substance abuse I witnessed at home, but Florida represented a temporary break from those tough realities. More than just a vacation, a trip to my grandparents house was a taste of a life I always wished I had.
A portion of this series is also dedicated to beachgoers, the unfamiliar faces you encounter at the beach whose stories are unknown but who form an indelible part of the ocean experience. I was inspired to create these pieces in the midst of a Florida beach trip last year where I was among large groups of people for the first time since the beginning of the pandemic. The comfort of feeling safe in this setting while experiencing human interaction in a way I hadn’t in such a long time was lasting and inspiring.
I hope you enjoy this series and I thank you for taking time to look through the collection. I can’t tell you how much it means to be able to share my life through painting and having people follow along with me is why I make this work.
I’m on my way home to Texas from Florida today feeling inspired by the all the beauty here and eternally grateful for the journey that art continues to take me on.
Oil and acrylic on canvas. 36x36”. 2021.