A series inspired by struggles I faced in January of 2023. The figures in these paintings are painted nude to represent a person’s most vulnerable and natural state, while the nature symbolizes everlasting growth and change.
In the painting “Flower Girl” the figure sits alone surrounding herself by colorful bouquets. This particular painting was inspired by the song “Flowers” by Miley Cyrus. A song that embodies self love and empowerment. When I listened to this for my first time, the image of a woman softly smiling, with her head held high surrounded by beautiful flowers emerged in my head. I became obsessed and spent the next four weeks creating my first masterpiece of the new year. Painting has always been my therapy and this work became my savior.
“Grieving Girl” represents the aftermath of loss. The time that has passed and the feelings that finally rise to the surface. Grief is a funny thing and I finally began to learn about it this year. It is something most of us are not taught how to do, but are always expected of in our society. Like flowers, we all wilt and crumble for the things we do not have control over. But over time, if we are given the right kind of love and support from family, friends, or even ourselves, we can regrow together and reach towards the sun. This is when the healing begins.
Limited Prints will be available for purchase October 16th.
My grandmother, if you knew her, she was a woman of class. She had intelligence, poise, and style. She was incredibly sophisticated and was never underdressed, even at breakfast. When we lost her in January I wanted to start a concentration of works inspired by her. These artworks are based on a book her and I used to look at together, “Fashion Illustrations of the Twenties.”A book composed of carefully selected rare issues of the famed French Periodical “La Vie Parisienne”
When we would flip through these pages she would gasp, then point and smile in shock. Almost as if a recognizable trim or pattern took her back 70 years ago. Maybe it was a dress that took her back to a party when she was dancing with a handsome stranger. Or maybe it was the gloves she wore to her first class in college. Perhaps it was that hat she wore to church with her Father on Sundays who she had still missed so much. As I turned the pages for her my only thought was, timeless.
These drawings, these clothes, this art could never age. The 1920’s fashion embodied the seductive chic of a liberated and strong woman. I hope to continue to create artwork that resembles the feminine charm of all eras. I feel it is important to keep this spirit alive and find a way to connect to women today as we continue to find our space in the world. Whether you prefer T-shirts, birkenstocks, or dresses and high heels. This fashion became art and this art became fashion, eventually paving the road for all us to feel confident and free in whatever we chose to wear
Original paintings are available in shop
Original painting is available in shop.
Inspired by my grandmother ~ Felicia Bonelli Parlier
Was raised in Grenich village NYC during the 1920’s. She was a woman of class and lived through many eras of fashion history. She always loved my drawings of beautiful women dressed up in elegant gowns. She was a timeless lady and always will be.
Original artwork available in shop.
So the rumors were true, San Diego California was truly magic. For 6 weeks I experienced my first solo travel in a place I had only ever dreamed of being. During my journey I remained present in every moment, met incredible people, and felt inspired every single day by the endless energy of Pacific Beach. I found myself painting scenes of different things. Whether it was surfers in the ocean, paragliders or helicopters flying in the sky, sunbathing humans in the sand, or countless people cruising up and down the boardwalk. I always found myself painting a big colorful sky that melted it all together. I found true happiness in San Diego, and that is all I hope these colorful works bring you
The blue painting was made many years ago and she was created in only less than an hour. I don’t say this to brag but I say it because this isn’t my typical process in art. It feels good that my best work, in my opinion, is when I don’t plan, I don’t think, I just channel my emotions to the canvas.
When I finished her, I knew it was the start of something special, I just didn’t know what.
The yellow painting was inspired by the brave women of Iran. It was created soon after the murder of Mahsa Amini. Every night I read stories and watched videos online, disturbing yet eye opening. I felt so inspired, I decided to draw one night. Yet again without planning, I drew the same image, a woman with her head held high wearing a crown, softly smiling, with one tear glistening down her cheek.
Around the same time as the Iranian protests, American women were living in fear of losing their rights to their own bodies. Of course this is just a small taste of what other cultures face but all of it still felt so incredibly inhumane. That’s when I realized these images could stand together. Supporting each other in leadership and empathy.
I then created the second painting and had the figure cutting off her braid to honor the women of Iran. The two pieces are now called “Women, Life, Freedom” I hope to continue to make Queen paintings that resemble women of all countries, colors, and backgrounds. To inspire and empower women to become leaders of their own lives. Support one another, respect one another, and mostly love themselves as Queens should do.
My grandmother was the smartest person I ever knew. She graduated high school early at 17 years old. After her years in college she got a job working as a chemist. This was unheard of for a woman in the 1950’s since it was such a male dominated industry. She was extremely intelligent and wise. She read everything, fiction, non-fiction, biographies, current events, you name it. As a grandmother she set an example for me. She taught me that reading is power and knowledge is the greatest tool you can have in life.
Inspired by 1950’s vintage photography, I used the images as reference to create playful illustrations in hopes to give you a laugh or two. These humorous little artworks resemble an era where women were expected to behave like ladies, But behind all of the beautiful outfits, lipstick, and hair, we are so much more than that. We are WOMEN.
Only two left available in shop
