GNH

“We do not receive wisdom, we must discover it for ourselves, after a journey through the wilderness, which no one else can make for us, which no one can spare us, for our wisdom is the point of view from which we come at last to regard the world.” - Marcel Proust 

My latest series GNH, which stands for Gross National Happiness, grew out of extensive traveling to countries and places that are solemn and/or spiritual by nature; places like Bhutan with the majestic Himalayas as its backdrop, with prayer flags dotting the countryside, and Easter Island engulfed by 800 Moais ever present, protecting the landscape with their eerie yet spiritual presence. My photography aids in reminding me of the incredible imagery that I am bombarded by as I travel through these memorable surroundings. Creating collage studies from these photographs helps me to originate how the paintings will evolve. 

From my ever-expanding interest in Buddhist philosophy and its teachings, images of the Bodhi tree and the presence of Buddha high above and everywhere permeate the visual dialogue. My practice of yoga helps to form the union between mind, body, and spirit, so that my own individuality can play out with the divine intelligence of the universe. This practice in conjunction with meditation, which helps me to explore my inner world, calms the mind and allows space for a primal response to nature and spirituality.