Summer has been a wonderful time for me recover from a very trying school year. It was my first time teaching K-8, general and special education all in the same year. I’m grateful to have had this break to catch up on reading, personal work, and time with friends and family.

Meanwhile, it took me a lot longer to sketch out this 20×24 oil painting on canvas board. I’d been rereading a lot of X-Men. This went from an image of a robotic Sentinel to a mystical statue ala Ray Harryhausen. It’s also inspired by Tina Turner’s admitted ‘salvation’ from struggles through Buddhism. I’m hoping viewers will make their own story with the final piece. I’ve included the two albums I was listening to that helped me work through this initial process. Music is my fuel and I can’t explain its importance while I create.

“Pavement”, 20×24”, oil painting on canvas board.