I'm so excited to show 25 recent paintings in my first solo exhibit: "A Prairie Perspective". The paintings, which range from 30x30" panels to small framed paintings on paper, are abstracted views that explore color, texture and line, inspired by landscape. The ESO Gallery is curated by artist Rachel Mindrup. The gallery is in a physician office, located in a strip mall just west of 78th Street on the north side of Davenport. The VFW is on the south side of the street. Brazenhead Pub is across 78th. Look for ESO or Eye Specialists of Omaha signs, and you'll know you've found it. The space offers large walls and intimate hallways to show artwork. We'll have a reception 1pm to 4pm Sunday. Details about the event are posted on Facebook here. I'm very proud of the work and would like more people to see it!
Barrio
Working on a series of paintings based on my winter trip to Costa Rica, I'm enjoying layering the vibrant colors. My intention is to make pieces that are loose and lively with a bit of whimsy.
Based on hillside neighborhoods in San Jose, Costa Rica, this is a section of a painting in progress.
Vivid
Because one of the most powerful elements of Costa Rica is color, I want my paintings to pulse with vibrant hues as a way to share some of that country's essence. Thirty panels have a first layer of cadmium red.
First layer of color on 30 panels for an upcoming show.
All the potential
Thirty 8x8" birch panels, sanded, taped, with a first coat of gesso. Through the spring and summer, I'll be working on a series of paintings based on my travels in Costa Rica. So many possibilities!
Rainy day and river rafting trip
The last full day I spent in Cahuita was a rainy one. Between showers, I walked around the town a bit and visited the shore. Most of the day I spent under cover on my cottage porch, reading while swinging in the hammock, writing and sketching. I proved that I'm out of practice using watercolors, but still enjoyed making a small depiction of the cottage.
After a rainy night, I woke early to be picked up for my last adventure -- a rafting trip. The driver took me to the Rios Tropicales lodge, where I had a lovely breakfast and coffee. Because of all the rains, we weren't able to go on the Pacuare River, instead going to a river managed by dams, the Reventazon, along a 10-mile stretch. Guides and rafters were divided between three rafts, with a safety guide in a kayak moving between the rafts. The safety talk gave me some reservations, but I forged ahead, clipping on a life jacket and helmet. It was thrilling to go through sections of rapids and welcome to float through quiet sections of the river and enjoy the scenery. Several people in the larger raft bounced out through a rapids and quickly climbed back in. Fifteen minutes later, I was the one flying up off the raft and into the water. I was terrified, and had already sucked in water before I could see a paddle being held out but couldn't reach. The safety guide got his kayak to me within moments that felt longer and I grabbed on. A guide from the larger raft pulled me up into it and I coughed and caught my breath. The young women in that raft said I did exactly as I should have, but it sure didn't feel like it in those scary seconds I was underwater and struggling to surface.
The remainder of the route was fine, and overall I'm glad I did it. I'll never feel the need to do it again.
After we banked our rafts, we climbed back into shuttles and went back to the lodge for lunch. The ride to San Jose was quiet, and the shuttle dropped me at a hotel where another driver picked me up to get me to the hotel near the airport before my flight out the next day. I took a long, hot shower, put on pajamas and watched the movie "Ghost" in Spanish before falling asleep.
Checking in for my flight went smoothly. I bought some rum in the duty-free shop and waited to board. Flying through Houston meant having to go through immigration, customs and back through security. Lines were long, but I made my connection and was very happy to get home and to see my husband and daughter waiting to greet me.
I so appreciate the ways traveling allows me to stretch and explore, and I am always grateful to return home to my family and friends. I'll continue to consider how this trip will inspire me in days ahead. The group of five Omaha artists have committed to an exhibit in September where we'll show the results of the trip's inspirations. So stay tuned!