Golden Paintings are a series of diverse mixed media paintings combining ink and acrylic paint with beeswax and glitter on board and gold prayer paper. My signature "kokeshi-cactus"—part spiny cactus, part Japanese kokeshi doll—represents the intersection of the Southwest's natural austerity with the East's rich culture. They capture the stunning natural beauty and intense textures of the Southwest landscape through application of beeswax drops and glitter splatters. Golden Paintings imparts the intensity of light by painting directly on dazzling reflective golden Asian joss paper. The synergy of all these elements is a playful hybrid of Southwest meets Far East by way of the imagination.
"They remind me of a pin cushion my mother had when I was a child. The pieces have some bead-like items attached, which serve to draw in the eye and give them a three-dimensional feel. I found myself staring intently into the images; the vascular system of one plant became more and more pronounced as I gazed upon it."
—John Bear, Weekly Alibi, Culture Shock, V.19 No.41
* Mixed media includes acrylic paint, ink, watercolor, house paint, wax transfer paper, bee's wax and glitter.