The Art of an Open Heart

The First Thing You See

What is the first thing you see when you wake up? Is it a blank wall? Is it a pile of laundry? Or is it something that makes your heart skip a beat? I believe the first image you see should set your soul on fire. It should be a window into a world of pure color. It should inspire you before your feet even touch the floor.

For me, creating that feeling for others starts with my own morning. Art begins long before I pick up a paintbrush. It begins in the quiet hours of dawn. Every single morning, I dedicate time to meditation. This is my absolute favorite ritual of the day.

Meditation helps me find my center. It grounds me. It connects me to a deep sense of inner peace. To me, meditation is not a selfish act. It is about sharing. It is a desire to cultivate peace within myself so I can spread that joy into the world.

The Opening of the Heart

After my meditation, I love to do something a little unconventional. I take a short morning nap. It sounds simple, but it is vital to my creative process. This nap lets me dive straight back into my dreams. My subconscious works on a deeper level during this time.

When I wake up from that nap, the clutter of the world is gone. I feel a physical sensation in my chest. It is a lightness. It is a softening. I can truly say: my heart is opening up now. This opening is the “green light” for my creativity. When my heart is open, I stop looking at the world as a series of tasks. I start seeing it as a series of possibilities.

My Second Studio: Rooted in Joy

Right now, I am creating from my second studio location. I am visiting my parents at their home. Being here brings me immense happiness. My mornings here are full of real, human connection. Before I ever sit down to paint, I spend time with my mother.

I love helping her with various projects around the house. We fix things, we organize things into the right places, and we share programs on YouTube, which brings us closer.  Most of all, we spend time together in the garden. We get our hands dirty in the soil. We check on the blooms. Helping my mother is its own form of creativity. This acts as my secondary meditation. It fills my emotional cup.

Once our projects are done, I transition into my own world. I step onto the spacious back patio. This is my open-air sanctuary. There is so much physical room to move and breathe. Flowers and a gorgeous garden surround me. The transition from family time to commissioned abstract art feels seamless. Both actions come from a place of love and service.

The Colors of Inner Peace

When I meditate, I am not looking for a vision. I am looking for a feeling. I sit quietly and wait for my heart to settle. Once that door is open, my eyes see differently. I take that openness to my patio studio.

Every time I dip my brush into the paint, I am dipping it into that peace. I carry the “inner colors” of my meditation to the canvas. I want the gold of my subconscious to dance with the designer’s palette. Each layer of paint is a layer of breath. By the time I finish a session, the canvas is a map of my morning. It is a record of the stillness I found at dawn.

The Power of the Right “Yes”

It hasn’t always been this effortless. There was a time when commissioned abstract art felt heavy. I used to struggle with the weight of trying to please everyone. I would take on projects that didn’t quite align with my soul. Back then, the pressure to “get it right” sometimes stifled my creative spark.

But growth comes from those difficult moments. I learned a vital lesson through that struggle. Now, I have found a new way to embrace the challenge.

I have learned the power of how to say yes to the right project now. I wait for what truly resonates and speaks to my heart, since that is when I do my best work.

This is a very important message: Each project must bring me joy. If the joy isn’t there, the work isn’t right for me. My best art is a reflection of my internal state. By saying “No” to the wrong things, I save all my “Yes” energy for the masterpieces.

The Designer’s Vision

Recently, a very exciting new commission arrived. This project is a dream collaboration. The client sent over their preferred canvas size and color preferences. Even better, their interior designer sent me a complete home presentation.

Loved getting a peek behind the curtain! Reviewing the color palette and fabric textures really showed the designer’s genius.

It is fascinating to see a room built from the ground up. Seeing their mood boards immediately gets my creative energy flowing. It makes me excited to get to work.

My job is to take that designer’s vision and elevate it. I lay those swatches out on the sunny patio next to the flowers. A bridge forms between the client’s home and my current environment. The creative spark is officially lit.

A Sensory Symphony in the Garden

My parents’ garden is my greatest teacher. As I sit on the patio, my senses are wide open. I smell the sweet, heady scent of blooming jasmine. These scents tell my mind: It is time to create. Nature is the master of color and light.

I closely observe the flower petals—capturing backlit colors and sparkling dewIt looks just like the pearl finish I use in my paint. When a painting gets difficult, I just look up. I watch a butterfly move through the roses. The garden reminds me to be patient. It reminds me that beauty takes time to grow.

The Energy of the Setup

A great table is just as vital as a great brush. My environment directly affects my energy. To create, I must feel completely comfortable in my space.

I learned a lesson tonight about the flow of the paint. Without the right table setup, the paint moved in ways I didn’t intend. It led to a lot of extra cleaning!

This reminded me that my setting must be perfect. When my tools are right, my spirit feels free. A stable foundation allows the paint—and my creativity—to flow exactly where it needs to go.

Reimagining Dahlia

The foundation for this new piece is based on my painting, Dahlia. For this version, I wanted to capture something truly magical. I used a special pearlescent finish within the paint layers. This “pearl” effect is pure wizardry on canvas. It interacts with the environment.

This iridescent finish makes the painting a living object. It changes throughout the day. When morning light hits the canvas, the pearl comes alive. It reflects a soft, metallic glow. The colors shift as you move. It feels like the art is waking up right along with you.

The Texture of a Vision

Working with a designer’s presentation is a tactile experience. I love to feel the fabric swatches. I run my fingers over the velvet samples. These textures tell me a story about the home. For this project, I added more physical texture to the work. I didn’t want the surface to be flat.

The Ultimate Morning View

I used palette knives to build up the paint. These ridges catch the morning shadows. The texture and pearl finish create a three-dimensional effect. The commissioned abstract art becomes part of the architecture. It feels like it grew specifically for that room.

Imagine waking up to that view every single day. You open your eyes. The sun hits your custom painting. The pearlescent undertones begin to shimmer. Suddenly, your bedroom is an experience. A joyful dance of shapes greets you.

Waking up to art like this is a daily gift to your mental health. It reminds you that the world is beautiful. It sets a baseline of joy for the rest of your day. When I paint on this patio, I am pouring everything into the canvas. I am pouring in my meditation and the joy of the garden.

Bringing the Magic Home

Every single brushstroke is a deliberate wish for the client. I want them to feel the peace I felt while making it. I want my art to be the key that opens the door to their inner peace, too. Painting becomes a form of worship when my heart is opening.

Soon, I will share the final photos from this journey. You will see the original Dahlia next to this brand-new creation. You will see how the designer’s fabric colors blend with the iridescent paint. Thank you for stepping into my garden studio with me today.

From My Garden to Your Home

Once a piece is finished, I want to ensure it arrives at its new home perfect.

To protect the pearl finish and texture, I un-staple and roll each canvas with archival paper. This keeps worldwide shipping safe, secure, and cost-effective.

From Laguna Beach to across the world, your painting arrives pristine and ready to re-stretch—the perfect end to a journey that began with my morning meditation.

Start Your Creative Journey

Would you like to inquire about creating a special custom commissioned work for your home?

I would love to help you bring a unique energy into your space. To get started, I invite you to share a few details with me:

• The Specifics: What colors and canvas size are you envisioning?

• The Style: Which of my existing styles or series resonates with you most?

• The Feeling: What emotion do you want to experience here? Peace, vibrant energy, or a joyful awakening?

Let’s discuss the details and create a piece that speaks to your soul.

Inquire About Your Commissioned Abstract Art 

The Poetry of Creation I am often inspired by the words of Kahlil Gibran, who said that “work is love made visible.” This is why I only say “yes” to projects that bring me joy.

As Rick Ruiz beautifully wrote, “Art is the whisper of the soul.”

On my patio, I capture the whisper of inner peace and turn it into a visual echo for your home.