Reflections on My Solo Exhibition at Axis Gallery

Jul 1

A little recap of my solo show this month — the people, the paint, the pieces that came together, and everyone who helped make it happen. Grab a coffee and enjoy the read. 🎨

*Photo by Arturo Solorio || This was a treat to paint because I just kept adding colors!*

The gallery was packed with so many people, and I felt so blessed that the weather cooperated too — gorgeous and sunny. When Seattle is sunny, she is glorious, and this day was just that. I saw so many faces I haven't seen in a while and loved catching up with everyone. Even the new faces, the ones asking about my artwork and what the colors and meanings behind it all are, were wonderful to talk to.

*Photo by Arturo Solorio || My little purple Crab.*

I showed a few older paintings alongside some new favorites. My friend Ego always likes to ask me what my favorite piece in an art show is, and for this one I would say the Crab was not just my favorite, but also a crowd favorite. I'm a July baby myself, so I naturally favor a water-sign mascot!

That painting, along with my rabbit painting, sat on the easel for the better part of a year. Since I specialize in murals, it's hard for me to stay in one spot for very long, which makes my painting process a little more challenging. And with life simply being life, it's not always easy to get to a place where I can spend time hyper-focusing on a canvas.

*Photo by Arturo Solorio || The rabbit that sat on the easel for almost a year.*

Since I specialize in murals, it's hard for me to sit still in one spot for very long, which makes the easel process a little more challenging for me. And with life being just life, it's not always easy to carve out time to hyperfocus on a canvas. Don't get me wrong, I love it and genuinely enjoy the process, but I'm reminded of Rick James in Give It to Me Baby: "How can I love you, baby, when your body keeps on moving?" I'm the baby that just keeps on moving!

Most of the paintings in this show are of animals. Painting them is part of how I connect to them — I'm paying tribute to what they represent to us as humans: strength, stewardship, survival. The colors I choose are like how you'd see them in a dream, or if you closed your eyes and just let them come to you. I'm one of those people who sees colors when I get a massage, so when I close my eyes and visualize, I see wisps of color and light. Painting is the only way I know how to share that with people. This show is a collection of how I see those colors, those animals, and the static that happens in between.

*Photo by Arturo Solorio || My sister Claudia of Seattle Paint Party and I. Photo by Arturo Solorio*

During the show, my sister Claudia hosted an art activation as Seattle Paint Party, where gallery goers could color images of my work. She set out markers and gems for people to use, and at one point I looked around and there were at least five different groups sharing supplies and working on their sheets together. I felt so incredibly proud in that moment — wherever we go, we cultivate community and a safe place to be creative. It kept people engaged and excited to learn more, not just about her services but about my art too.

Claudia and I also just started a studio practice together at Base Camp 2 called Wolf Sisters Studio, so come check us out for the Belltown Art Walk.

I showed a few older paintings alongside some new favorites. My friend Ego always likes to ask me what my favorite piece at a show is, and for this one, I'd say the Crab wasn't just my favorite — it was a crowd favorite too. I was born in July, so I naturally gravitate toward a water sign mascot. That piece, along with my rabbit painting, sat on the easel for the better part of a year.

*Photo by Arturo Solorio || Bipolar bear.*

I wanted to feel beautiful for my big day, so I went dress shopping at my favorite spot, Esme and Elodie in Renton. They carry such a beautiful range of clothing for all body sizes, and their social media is honestly one of my favorites to follow. I wish I'd had time to get my hair and makeup done too, but you know how it goes — one can only do so much.

Major shout-out to Bline Dot for curating this spectacular show. I own a piece of his art, and it's one of my most treasured pieces. He's an artist himself, and he takes such good care of the Axis Gallery space — always striving to showcase the best artists in Seattle.

For this show, I also had my two dear friends and lead assistants on the MIGRATION installation at SEA Airport there with me. There wasn't a single shape across all 80 pieces that they didn't personally paint, touch, or move. Big thanks to Arturo and Sammy, both photographers and adventurers, who hung photos of the installation and the final shots of the shapes once they were in place.

*Photo by Arturo Solorio || My family. Cousins Justin, Terese, and Jenny.*

I also released limited edition giclée prints: The Stallion, The Watcher, and Bipolar. They're printed on Hahnemühle Photo Rag Bright White, and I'm really proud of how they turned out. Thank you to Bellevue Fine Art for taking such good care of them.