Every painting has a story, but sometimes the most powerful story is the one happening behind the brush. Today, I want to take you back to where it all started for me. To understand why I paint today, I have to go back to 2003.
Where I Started: Finding My Way Forward
In 2003, I was grieving, and I was depressed. It was a very dark period in my life, and I felt lost. But then, I found painting. Painting helped me to find healing.
What started as a lifeline in the dark eventually became my truest form of connection. Every layer of paint I applied was a way of processing what words couldn’t reach. Today, when I build up the heavy, tactile backgrounds on my canvases, I am physically layering that journey of survival, hope, and renewal.
You can feel that exact energy radiating from the core of my recent 60×48 mixed media piece, Heart of the Bloom. It represents the vibrant breakthrough that happens after the darkest winters of our lives—a piece I am incredibly proud to be bringing to Nantucket this July as part of our 3-women exhibition.”
In the beginning, my work was messy. I was simply letting the emotions out, trying to make sense of the chaos inside. I remember the heavy silence of the studio during those early days. The smell of raw canvas and wet pigment became my sanctuary. But as I grew, I felt the need to refine that energy. I started to study printmaking, and I loved it. The physical act of rolling the thick, tacky ink and the heavy, mechanical pressure of the printing press grounded me. It gave me a different kind of focus and allowed me to bring in collage and mixed media, layering my history directly onto the surface.
Looking back, those messy works of art and the structure of printmaking were the foundation for my career as a Contemporary Abstract Artist, Clara Berta. They taught me that you need both the raw feeling and the technical “bones” to create something that truly speaks. Painting helped me to find the colors that helped me move forward in my life.
The Power of Connection and Teaching
That healing wasn’t just for me alone. When I started teaching, I found that I was building deep connections with my students. Healing happened in our group as well. There is something so special about being in a room with others, using art to process life together. Those moments showed me that I am truly a people person.
Today, my deepest desire is to facilitate Art4Healing classes. I wish to make a real difference and help students move forward with the healing they desire. I know how it feels to be stuck in the dark, and I want to use my experience to guide others toward their own light through art for mental health.
“Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.” — Pablo Picasso
Fast forward to today. Standing next to Crystal Cove, I feel like I’ve finally stepped into the version of myself I was only dreaming of back then. This piece is all about flow and energy—and honestly, so is this dress! It’s a beautiful thing to look back and realize you’ve grown right along with your art.
The Mindset: Craving Abundance and Recognition
I’ll be honest—even with the successes, I do have difficulties at times.
I create art because it has the power to heal. I seek recognition and abundance not for applause, but to amplify that healing and pour resources back into my students and community.
For me, it’s all about the mindset. As a true people person, nothing fuels my energy quite like building meaningful connections. Because of that, I am making it a priority to get back out there and explore new options. I will be going to networking events very soon to meet like-minded people and build the partnerships that lead to that recognition. I know the right person will show up.
The Story Behind the Screen: “Clara Berta: An Artist’s Journey”
This journey of healing is what led to my documentary, Clara Berta: An Artist’s Journey. I met an amazing filmmaker in Palm Springs, Ayrton Carrazco, and as we talked, he asked me to share my story. We sat in the dry, golden heat of the desert sun, the air perfectly still around us. As the words poured out of me, the physical weight of grief seemed to lift. By the end of our conversation, we were both in tears. He looked at me and said, “You have a story. Let’s make a film about your life, your journey.” And my heart immediately said: “Let’s do it!”
This project, which received the Best Short Documentary award at the Silicon Beach Film Festival 2025, was a way to honor my late fiancé, Sandy. We shared 9.5 years, and I am grateful every day for those memories. He was so supportive of my career, and this film is a tribute to the life we shared.
3 Ways Art Supports Mental and Emotional Well-being
My journey from grief to joy taught me exactly why mental health artwork is so vital in our spaces:
The Visual Exhale: Soft, flowing colors bypass the logical brain and instantly lower cortisol (stress) levels.
Shared Connection: Creating and viewing art in a group setting breaks the isolation that often accompanies grief.
A Daily Anchor: Hanging a vibrant, joyful painting in your home provides a constant, daily reminder to focus on the present moment and future abundance.
Current Exhibitions: Beth Urdang Gallery
I am currently bringing that energy to the Beth Urdang Gallery in Wellesley, MA. I am part of the “Mostly Black & White” exhibition, which features my works Radiant Night and Energy.
My Solo Show at Beth Urdang Gallery, Recent Paintings, opened on March 18th. This exhibition will feature my calming abstract paintings. These are monumental, light-filled works that reflect the radiance of my California surroundings. I invite you to join me for the opening celebration from March 18th through April 18th, 2026, to experience the healing energy of these pieces in person.
New Horizons: Gallery Representation by Art4India
I am also so happy to share that I have recently received gallery representation by Art4India in Nantucket, MA. This July, The Gallery4India will host a special group show featuring three women artists, and I am honored to be one of them. Bringing artists together in a space like The Gallery 4 India is my way of celebrating the collective power of creativity and the way it connects us all across different backgrounds. The show will be July 3rd- 22nd, 2026.
From Laguna Beach to the Super Bowl Stage
It’s been a long journey from the “messy” work of 2003 to now. From receiving awards in Chiba, Japan, to having my work featured on Modern Family and N.C.I.S., I am constantly amazed at where these colors have taken me.
The highlight of this year was seeing my art in the 2025 Super Bowl commercial for Ray-Ban Meta, alongside Chris Hemsworth, Chris Pratt, and Kris Jenner. Sitting in front of the screen, watching the sudden burst of my carefully layered textures glow behind those iconic figures on such a massive scale, was surreal. To see a journey that started in a place of grief reach a stage that big is a testament to the power of staying connected to your passion.
Whether it’s on a screen seen by millions, as Hospitality Artwork in a gallery in Nantucket, or in a quiet room facilitating a healing class for a student, my goal remains the same: to encourage an emotional response that leaves you feeling soothed, recognized, and invigorated.
Thank you for being part of this journey with me. I hope to see you at a networking event soon, or at The Gallery 4 India in Nantucket this summer!
“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” — Maya Angelou
In Closing
Thank you for sticking with me through my creative process since 2009. The best is yet to come! 🥂
Let’s Connect. I’m so grateful to share these highlights with you. Looking back at the journey from 2009 to Crystal Cove reminds me why I do what I do—to bring energy and color into the world.
Ready to transform your space? Let’s connect to find your perfect large-scale abstract.
