Texas Landscapes and the Sustaining Power of Nature
A selection of Texas Landscapes from my Solo Show at Artrageous Art Hub from December 6th 2025 through January 6th 2026.
The natural world has always been a profound source of inspiration and reflection for me, especially in my Texas Landscapes Series. This body of work is my way of capturing the ever-changing cycles of creation, chaos, destruction, renewal, and restoration that shape both the land and human experience. Through my art, I explore these forces with a heightened awareness of time, place, and the universal elements of air, water, earth, and fire.
At the heart of my work is a deep personal connection to nature. Although I am limited in mobility, I embrace both direct observation of my immediate surroundings through plein air painting and photographic references of vast and rugged vistas across Texas, the Western United States, and the Appalachian Mountains. This approach allows me to communicate both the grandeur and the intimate details of landscapes that have shaped my life and artistic vision.
My Texas landscapes also reflect my complex understanding of hope. I was born into an era marked by conflict and societal upheaval, and I see echoes of the past repeating in today’s world — times when we seem to regress to outdated societal norms and oppressive systems. The plantation economy of old may now be transformed into a machine of mega data and information where human beings are often reduced to mere consumers or fodder. Still, within this framework, I hold onto hope because I believe in the power people have to overcome oppressive forces. Nature’s resilience serves as a powerful metaphor for human endurance — showing me that cycles of destruction give way to restoration and renewal.
My past work in technology and organizational leadership has influenced how I approach my artistic process. These experiences provide a spiritual and creative framework that helps me explore the interplay between nature and human creativity. Spirituality, nature, and creativity flow beneath the surface of my work and inform the energy in my brushwork, the shapes I create, and my use of light and color. This undercurrent allows me to develop a style that balances impressionistic realism with hints of the surreal, inviting viewers into a dialogue that goes beyond words.
I see art as a vital bridge between people and the natural world. My paintings are my language — a way to express ideas, emotions, and visions. When viewers engage with my work, they bring their own experiences, feelings, and perspectives, sparking a wordless conversation that fosters connection and reflection. Through this shared experience, themes of resilience, renewal, and hope come to life, grounded in the rhythm and chaos inherent to nature's cycles.
In my Texas Landscapes Series, recurring motifs include energy, light, geologic strata, native flora and fauna, and, at times, the peoples indigenous to these lands. Suns and moons often appear, and I manipulate scale and perspective to express vast geologic time and the layered histories wrapped up in place. These symbols create a visual language that invites viewers to contemplate their own place within the immensity of the universe.
Certain landscapes hold special meaning for me. The series features eight large-scale paintings inspired by locations like Dallas and Big Bend, and several smaller works depicting Caprock Canyon, Lost Maples, and other Texas and National Parks. From the lushness of the Big Thicket to the rugged Hill Country, wide-open plains, and dramatic vistas of Big Bend, I aim to capture the diverse environments that define Texas and reflect its unique cultural and geographic history.
My relationship with nature was deeply shaped by my father, who nurtured in me a sense of curiosity and keen observation. He shared stories and arcane geological facts — like how rainfall gradually increases from Grayson County to Texarkana, or how Grayson County was once part of a shallow inland sea. These experiences instilled a lifelong appreciation for geology, fossil hunting, and the storytelling power of the land.
As environmental and social changes continue, I see my Texas landscapes evolving in both scale and intimacy. Moving forward into 2026, I plan to create larger gouache landscapes as well as smaller gouache and watercolor pieces that explore sweeping panoramas and more intimate scenes. I believe that hope emerges when we can make an impact within our communities and networks. For me, art is a form of living evangelism — rooted in love and intention — that advocates for goodwill, equity, peace, and justice beyond the canvas and into everyday life.
I want viewers to engage with my art not just visually, but emotionally and intellectually. When my Texas Landscapes Series solo show opens on December 6th, I hope visitors will come away with a sense of the vastness of the universe and an awareness of our fleeting moment in time on this planet. My hope is that this awareness inspires actions that promote peace and justice, reflecting the sustaining power of nature’s cycles and humanity’s capacity for renewal.
In summary, my Texas Landscapes celebrate the energy and rhythm of a world in constant flux. I seek to illustrate the parallels between natural cycles and human experiences of progress, chaos, destruction, and reconstruction. Though our time scales differ vastly, both the earth and its inhabitants share a fragile endurance. Through careful observation, vibrant brushwork, and symbolic imagery, I offer a vision of hope grounded in the belief that restoration is always possible and that both nature and humanity can heal and renew.
