This exhibition showcases 3 of my recent paintings together with works by 40+ artists who won grants and scholarships in 2024.
As the recipient of the Xavier Gonzalez and Ethel Edwards Spanish Travel Grant, I traveled and experienced Spain. This exhibition will include 2 plein air paintings from Spain.
I am also including a portrait of Katie, which is one of my favorite paintings of mine.
When I began this painting in Ibiza, I wished I didn’t leave my beach umbrella in Valencia before boarding the early morning flight to Ibiza.
Oil on Panel – 8 x 10 inches
The platja des Figueral was perfect for swimming and had these rocks that I painted while getting burned by the sun.
The color of the ocean really grabbed my attention as they were so blue, green, and yellow all over. Then when the waves moved just right by the rocks, all the colors would dance around the rocks that I was painting.
Pico Veleta — Oil on Canvas, 8 inches x 10 inches, August 5, 2025
To fully understand this particular painting, you have to know the legend of the virgen de las nieves. Three hundred years ago, on 5 August 1717, a priest and his assistant was caught on a storm while crossing the Pico Veleta. In desperation, the travelers prayed for Virgin Mary for a miracle.
According to the legend, Virgin Mary appeared before the travelers and calmed the storm. So in honor of this miracle, a shrine was built in her honor.
Snow Virgin — Our Lady of the Snows
From some distance from this Shrine, I sat down and painted two paintings at the Sierra Nevada on this day, unaware of the legend and the significance of August 5th. Honestly, the view from the mountain is so beautiful that it’s easy enough to forget about all the old tales, and just to admire the scenery.
Painting near the shrine of the snow virgin on August 5, 2025
From a few plein air paintings that I completed during this trip, this painting of the Pico Veleta is one of my favorite, full of good memories. And, a few days after visiting the snow virgin, and I also experienced an unexpected blessing, but that story is for another day.
This painting will be exhibited at the Art Students League of New York starting on 24 October 2025 through 23 November 2025.
