SAND GARDEN

I paint and exhibit my art in an old auto parts space located on the Monterey Peninsula (open by appointment)

I affectionately know the space by its nickname SAND GARDEN. I can feel the energy of original sand dunes below the floor and quite literally sand drifts over the paved spaces, carried along by strong winds, typical in the area.

The Coastal Edge 

Sea overlays with Land

I am intrigued by the qualities and pattern language of plant communities adapted to these extreme coastal edge conditions.

These dune and crevice plants form awkward shapes, tortured by extreme weather conditions as they clamber over sand dunes and granite rock, securing their place with deep roots.

As the first waves, the first winds, touch down on land the waxy leaf coating with hairy (stomata) are adapted to shed the salt-spray withstand evapotranspiration. They are passed over, barely noticed, and often crushed under foot. 

My abstract paintings magnify these adaptation characteristics, the flowers and foliage unique to coastal ecologies - The colors, textures, and inherent characteristics all with pattern language related to their survival traits. I do wonder if my paintings will you get you down on your knees looking at something so often overlooked?