I use numerous styles and techniques in my paintings. True to the symbols/calligraphy of the Incans and the calligraphy of the Chinese I paint with the movements, order, balance, and rhythms of these writing techniques. Some are with broad strokes and openness of movement while others are fine detailed lines but all honor the rules of calligraphy and the concepts of Feng Shui. On some my brush may carry more than one color to create a blend of colors. All of the colors I use are mixed by me from the five basic core colors of the color palate.

Some of my techniques are based on ancient techniques that I have revived in my paintings. Many of the birds, flowers, and butterflies are painted with what I call a high “stress technique” which is done by layering transparent paint over and over to create depth and dimension. Later with a very fine brush the tiny detail is painted. This technique is very time consuming but the result is unbelievably beautiful.

Other paintings I paint are abstracts that express a spiritual message and the beauty and harmony of nature while leaving it up to the mind to interpret the message.

I render an emotional tone of the rhythm of the Incan Indian life through my vibrant use of color. I use bright and radiant combinations of reds, turquoises, purples, and oranges, which characterize the textiles and ceramics of the Peruvian Andean. It is believed that the colors appease the spirits so that they will be happy and will not bring forth darkness. I employ simple swirling patterns to transmit a sense of the peace and harmony that radiate from the Incan Indians close interrelation to the land. It is this sense of the sacredness in nature that comes from deep within my works.

What has fascinated me about traditional Chinese painting when I studied it was the use of colors and lines from calligraphy. Calligraphy in Chinese tradition expresses feelings, harmony, rhythm, movement and balance. The Chinese say, “Let’s see how you write to see how you paint!” If you do not write calligraphy, you don’t paint. The Aztec, Mayans and Incans (symbolic writers) say the same in their philosophy, “to write is like painting and painting is like writing.” Thus from the writing come the discipline and precision of the trained artist, along with the rhythm, harmony, and movement that expresses the fragile side of human life and nature as they exist in a delicate harmonious balance.

I stay true to the Chinese ancient philosophy of nature, Feng Shui in most of my paintings. Feng Shui is mainly concerned with understanding the relationships between nature and ourselves so that we might live in harmony within our environment. Feng Shui is related to the very sensible notion that living with rather than against nature benefits both humans and our environment. Most of my paintings honor the traditions of Feng Shui.

In my western paintings demonstrate the themes, stripes, techniques and the use of natural colors and inks. I paint with natural inks, water colors, acrylics, and oils on rice paper, cotton paper and canvas. In my eastern paintings I use techniques and materials that span several dynasties, such as the Song, Tang, Yuan, Ming, and Qing. They are painted on rice paper, different color silks using natural Chinese inks and colors.

Rice paper is a very delicate medium with lots of natural imperfections that lend beauty and character to the painting. Some rice paper has flecks, sparkle, gold, and silver incorporated within the paper. After painting, the rice paper is mounted to another sheet of rice paper to form a backing.

Silk fabric is used as a medium for painting. It comes in various colors such as white, gold and greenish gold. It is very durable, but difficult to paint on. The painter must have lots of patience. He must paint over and over with the natural inks to create depth and strength of color. The fabric tends to absorb color rapidly. Silk is a medium of the Royalty; it creates a background of softness and elegance to any painting.

The ancient people of Aztecs, Mayans, and Incans all used natural inks. The Chinese also have used natural inks for thousands of years. Natural inks are non toxic, versatile and can be used to create different effects on various mediums such as rice paper, silk, and cotton paper. The colors are brilliant and as varied as nature. Even today it is possible to see these brilliant natural inks still well preserved in ancient artifacts of Central, South America, and Asian Countries such as China and Japan.

Paintings with natural inks can last for 1000’s of years. Natural inks are very color fast and resistant to the sun and water. Even if a painting with natural inks gets wet, the inks will not run. The black inks are prepared from the carbon of pine trees that are 400 to 500 years old mixed with distilled water and a binding agent. The color pigments are made from various insects or parts of plants like the bark or flowers of plants. For example, one type of red ink and turquoise ink are made from different parts of cacti. The use of natural inks revives an ancient tradition of many world cultures. The natural inks create dynamic and colorful pieces of art work that will hold their color and beauty for years to come.