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The Cool People mural, having a moment on Amazon Prime's “Life’s Rewards” in Ep. 4. In January 2021, I painted the inside of the Blur Nightclub, in Dunedin, Florida. Spending time in my hometown during the holiday, expanded into a extended visit due to painting work and family priorities. I loved being able to live on the walls of The Blur, and luckily it got a little feature on the Amazon Prime show. Always cool to have a cameo. Go to: The Making Of The Cool People Mural - Blog Post

I don't remember the last time I've thought, I'm bored . Often, I hear others say that, and I'm both envious and grateful. My new mantra is that everyday is the best day. And that's fucking cool. Even though there are some straight up shitty days; it's just another day I get to exist in my reality. Time is the most valuable currency, and this morning I'm rich. It's comforting to think that your worst day could be somebody's best day ever. Weird how that works. I've been thinking about the concept of the horizon . Most times we look at the horizon and wish to see our beyond or what comes next. But try to mentally stand ON the horizon, as though you are literally that. It's all perspective, man, and that's where it's at. Today is the best day, and I'm on my own horizon, like right now. Nobody cares and everyone cares. So, choose how you care about your own position in life. And together we all live out our day with the upmost positivity. Today is a mystery; so is tomorrow and next. But right now, I know I am on the horizon.

You down with Reiki ? You down with Rasta ? You down with the Ritters ? What a year 2020 was, but the start of 2021 has been ever so enlightening, grounding, and cherished. Luckily the start of this year brought me insight, a full vaccination, productive business sales, and a heart full of gratitude. You are exactly where you need to be — I heard this recently and it resonated perfectly with my current state of mind. Seems like we are always reaching and waiting for the next moment, instead of breathing in the now. I’m a fast paced, city gal, but with deep love for the slow beauty of time. Fortuna, the high priestess, is the goddess of fortune/luck, bad and good. Nonetheless, all luck is contributive to life. It’s how you see it. And how you handle it. January - December 2020 , I was 100% in quarantine in my NYC apartment, which of course I am incredible grateful for my safety and amenities. Plus, Velvet never ceases to amaze me as the most kick ass roommate. I was able to focus on mask donations and painting, nonetheless unbelievably isolating. Business was consistent but tough, as we all know. But of course, everyone was living out their hellscape of coronavirus, so no sob story here. January - April 2021, I was fucking lucky to be able to spend magical months at my childhood cave of cool, aka my purple house with the peace sign. I grew up in a kitschy tourist town in Florida in a little cottage-like house, including natural garden space, an outdoor studio, and treehouse (with electricity.) Eccentric is an understatement, but honest is the vibe. We love our trees and bees. Oh how I missed my parents and sacred home, as I often have the luxury to fly and visit at my leisure. But coronavirus changed 2020, leaving me vaguely existential and stress-y. So being able to spend time away from NYC in my paradise bubble gave me such an incredible perspective on my artistry, business, and self. My parents are hyper creative in a cornucopia of trades, but in the past years we have have had bad luck with health. My mom is physically hindered due to a car accident, and my dad works at home full time. But, we are very down with the simple things in life. So being able to spend time at home was an killer drug for all of our souls. Perhaps too much of a good thing can kill you, but cheers to pushing the limits with Lady Time. Circled by our sun, my cats, and my two favorite people, breathing fresh air. Maybe I have a gypsy mind mixed with a beach bum heart, but I guess that goes with my authenticity of self. I'm an Aquarius - what do you expect? A rebel with many causes, but also a overtly diehard family warrior. Either way, what an insane few months of painting freely, biking barefoot, running quietly, reading the unknown, cooking for more than just me, drinking with purpose, and smoking for the mind. Sounds like an epic vacation, right? I mean, yes, but also far from consistent reality. Karma is a bitch, but also a generous benefactor. It really depends on what you deserve. I like to believe I cashed in all my karma points for these months with my family. Since January ‘21, I have focused on my tattooing skills, painted 20+ canvases, completed indoor/outdoor murals, and learned about true nature. Rich hours spent just sitting and listening to the sounds of birds and wind. Watching bugs crawl and helping snakes relocated to safer ground. Velvet explored swampy greens, leashed of course, and learned to respect our native lizards. Irreplaceable hours binge watching shows with Mom while laughing far too hard at nothing. Working out and shooting the shit with Dad (while burning through too many bottles of Jose Cuervo,) this time was immensely valued. Days fueled by classic rock and gangster jokes, nothing beats the simple things in life. As I return to my daily life in NYC, I bring with my more peace than I thought I knew. More balance and positivity, strength and mental endurance. We all have our family problems, and most I’m not going to discuss on this platform. And why should you care anyway! But I learned (yet again) that the simple things in life are what we need to fulfill our souls. Not glitz, glamour, or fame. Social media can be a buzz kill, and at the end of the day, no one really cares what you do. Love yourself, your chosen people, and animals — just flow. I found that I took less photos than normal & posted little to none in the past months. I was enjoying real life, not virtual. Get off your phone, get off with experience. It’s all a balance. Live hard, attribute time to archive with purpose, then live harder.

The duality of being social while embracing solitude is a battle most fight. A single thought can overwhelm your soul. The chaos of our stream of consciousness can debilitate or enlighten. We juggle energies, toss up ideas, and reach for more, on a daily basis. But there is always a peep hole towards peace. This painting captures a single feeling of chaos in my head, where all of my internal people collide together in mania. Crazy busy, but surprisingly calming and unified in their motions. There is beauty in chaos; usually the root of the chosen topic is shared. We all yearn for answers, and it's acceptable to be filled with contradictions.

Venus, Orbit, Thunder, Jupiter, Luna, Lavender, Indigo, and Velvet. These eight cats have and had a massive impact on my life since 1993. Artists should have a confidant by their side, as we spend endless hours alone in our process. Velvet is my studio cat and best friend for the past six years, and she's a part of my soul. Growing up, my cats were/are my siblings, and they taught me how to have a soulful connection with animals of all forms. Recently, my family lost my feline brother, Thunder James. It was his time to pass on, and I was lucky to be home with my parents during his ceremony. This past year has been so overwhelming and filled with loss for so many. Not only have I lost close friends to COVID-19, but dealt with tragic personal changes. But ever so lucky to have my health and strength to continue moving forward. Our animals family members are so essential and cherished. When I paint The Cool Cats, they carry the emotion and love rooted from the felines in my life. And I know my clients can relate so very much. In memory: THUNDER JAMES 18 years of love. Adopted as a wee babe, we dressed his little ears in blue bows. Spent years venturing outside, always back home by calling his name. He returned gifts of snakes, birds and lizards. Fought a coyote, lost his back leg. Three-legged bad ass, nothing held him back. Climbed the highest tree on New Year’s Eve. We slept underneath until firefighters came (twice) to rescue him. Always ate, just enough to suffice. Maintained his GQ model physique with scratching post pull-ups and hearty sprints. King of his pride throughout the years: Venus, Orbit, Jupiter, Luna, Lavender, Indigo. And mentor to his godchild, Velvet. Known as The Zen Master, his diplomacy and empathy, unparalleled. My confidant and sweet lover boy. Thunder is my true brother. We love him madly forever. When his soul floated away, he‘s was off on his next adventure. We will always miss him. Thunder moved on to his next life March 29th in our arms at 2:30pm.

We carry our past versions of ourselves. Almost like we are building a community of personas inside our heads. I like to think some of them work together to help guide ourselves into our new versions. Perhaps they are casting spells and curating the future. Seeking out synchronicities in my day to day unconsciously creeps into my paintings. There's an air of mysterious and fortune-telling in my paintings. Therapy at it's best, the catharsis of paint to canvas with emotion crafts together a story. This painting, Inner Oracle , reminds me of the shell abalone, which I feel holds such power. Just finished this canvas today, but feel that in a month or two I'll look back at it and see what I was teaching myself. As for now, I trust my inner oracle is carrying me into a new phase of self.

I'm always thinking about a timeline . As years fly, I wonder why I spend so much time strategizing when life rarely plays out as planned. I don't have to please anyone, but myself. Obviously we all have bills and deadlines, bosses of all forms, and daily responsibilities coming from all angles, but at the end of the day, IT'S MY DAY! I've lost so many people in my short 28 years on this earth, and baffles me that I continue to blow matters out of proportions. What a luxury to live this day on earth, and all problems can be handled. I'm reminded how privileged I am, even if someone else has far more than I. Do what you want (and get away with it.) Although rebelliously aggressive, this motto rocks. Coming from a purely simple viewpoint, I'm learning to live my moments for my soul. Doesn't mean I'm selfish, as doing things with and for others turns my soul into a little smilie face. Confidence is an attitude as much as a personality trait. Recently spending time evolving my spiritual work with paint. The solace of falling into fabricated worlds, crafted by my own accord, is pure therapy. The Cool People in my head come to life, bringing self-realization that sometimes I'm a fucking nut, but I really love when I see a my own soulful divinity come alive before my eyes. Just today's thoughts.

Perhaps everyday we live our own heaven . I don‘t associate myself as a member of any particular organized religion, although I did attend Catholic school as a kid. That experience gave me a foundation in old world knowledge, but I abandoned the label. Alas, I never felt that I was a spiritual refugee — searching for a religion. There’s a higher sense of living previously or a calmness in the unknown. Not sure why, but that’s how I interpret my days. There’s a positive feeling of abandonment, moreover, freedom, in not tying myself to a a religious affiliation. In this painting, our spirits are venturing towards a place, a concept, a world. Perhaps set in a theatre or a silent film, the apparitions are left to their own accord — just moving through their own heavens.

The wheel in the sky keeps on turning. Up in the clouds, this painting shares a glimpse into a transcendental cycle of lives. The movement of souls and depth of light brings such warmth. The title, Iridescence (Cloud IX) comes from the gorgeous movement of reflection. Depending on where the painting is hung, the light reacts differently, exposes the layers of paint and gold leaf. There is great serenity and calmness amongst the lighthearted chaos of the dance in the sky.

It's now March 2021, a full year has passed, still processing our new world. Although the vaccines are slowly distributed, our transition into the 2020's is off at a pretty parallel start. I can only speak for myself, but I am sure I share the same emotions as most in that adjustment is a rollercoaster. Artists are supposed to reflect the times, but really need to reflect upon themselves first. In order to carry a message or share a story, an artist really needs time to dig deep unconsciously, letting life dictate. The past few months i've been studying the self -- moreover, spending time excessively painting (quite organically) and seeing what's in store for the future. My profession is rooted in retail, which continues, but I'm revealing more of the spiritual and explorative side of my work. I was speaking to another artist entrepreneur the other day, and we spoke about authenticity. Selling artwork in a retail setting strips so much of the authenticity from the artist. But do consumers always prioritize the need for authenticity in the art they buy? It's not 1960/70's anymore where artists have a raw chance of exposure, requiring more rebellion and hustle. Social media blurs a sense of reality, and everyone can have their 15 minutes of fame, like Warhol predicted. How does an artist surpass the madness? Do you even both considering these things? The eternal contradiction of a "struggling artist." As we move forward in time, the next ten years will be revolutionary in technology. As for me, I hope to delve deeper into a stripped down sense of self, sans social media fabrication. Perhaps focusing on the real, our reality will feel more realistic.   Included in this collection of visuals is the music video, Sister Morphine (1971) by Rolling Stones. My dad keeps saying he's ready to take the needle, aka get the vaccine. But there's such complication in doing such!! Bit of a heavy comparison, but I vibe.

A new painting from studio focusing on visualizing arpeggios and harmonious sonatas featuring The Cool People.

You got one life. Live it. Not to force that into your face, but take a second!! Or maybe you will have more than one life, but we have no tangible clue. Sometimes when a moment in my day is REALLY GOOD, I mean even if it's simple, I do a mental photo. Literally make a *click* in your head, and store it away in the brain file cabinets. Maybe a little Cam Jansen of me (any 80's/90's kid would recall) but regardless it's a promising practice. Few days ago I was running and noticed how trees were shaped like figurative people. When I passed trees, I imagined how body parts would extend from their twisted extremities, creating inviting shapes. Raising energies and lifting up. Transcending the ground. Not sure if that moment directly influenced this piece, but I feel a connection, somehow. Everything has a reflection, transcendence, and change. This moody painting captured my mindset that day, bringing a sense of safety in the unknown.

Jubilance and warmth can be found in drought. Sometimes you can be stuck between a rock and a hard place. Life seems to feel like that recently with the pandemic, governmental transition, and loss of life -- in many ways. Taking a deep breath, and pushing onward day by day is a triumph. This painting glorifies the rejoicing feelings even in a drained source of life.

You have one life; live it. It's the absolute most is that my new canvases have becomes rich talismans, pouring light into new homes and spaces. Surprisingly, the hellish insecurity of 2020 pulled me into a realm of my own. My color palette matured, and I'm painting exactly what's in my head and dreams. The landscapes and worlds embody the joy and chaos going down right now. Horoscope Horizon (Lift Up The Light) is a 4x12" canvas piece created January 2021. As we move into the Age of Aquarius, I'm trying to step back and change how I interact with my personal timeline. There's far too much pressure and stress in our lives, and this painting helped me remember to lift up ourselves while bouncing energy amongst others. You can share your energies, but always hold your light high. It's too easy for others to deduce the cool from your vibe. Share the energies, protect your warm aura, and move forward to a more balanced self.