My work normally lives in the spaces of our lives before a relationship is about to bloom. You can see its petals begin to unfold, a hand reaching toward another - the yearning. The moment full of expectation where everything is felt, but no words have yet been shared announcing the union. I decided to get out of my comfort zone with this painting however, and explore what can lie on the other end of that beginning. When the light of a relationship begins to wane.

Close up of What We Had, in progress.

My family and I walked into a local restaurant for dinner on a Friday evening when I snapped the photo that I would use as the inspiration for this painting. At the time, I had been taking an online painting class focused on interiors, led by an impressionist painter. I'm constantly striving to allow myself to be a little looser with how I paint and felt like I might benefit from learning from someone who works this way. Their class was focused on interiors, so I had been keeping an eye out for subject matter of that type that could make for an interesting painting. As we were about to be seated, I decided to take a quick photo of the inside of the restaurant as two guests were finishing up their meal. I immediately was drawn to the composition and decided to work with it and create a traditionally colored paint study in oils for my class. Although I couldn't help but feel that there was something more here worth exploring.

I returned to that photo by creating What We Had. This painting evolved over the course of several months, laying down its foundation using my signature swoosh of colors, then setting it aside to let it decide how it wanted to unfold. I contemplated changing the posture of the man at the booth to have an outstretched hand. Although the photo caught this couple at the end of their meal, perhaps I could flip it to be the start of their meal instead. But the more I tried to fiddle with what was already there, the more it felt like I was being called to honor what was before me and to simply let it be.

What We Had, 18 x 18 inches, acrylic on wood panel, 2026.

Shortly after completing it, I saw an opportunity to enter the work for an open call that was being organized by The San Diego Museum of Art Artists Guild. Submissions were juried by Maxwell Presneill, the Director and head curator of The Torrance Art Museum. I patiently waited two weeks to hear the results. After considering 613 artworks submitted by 249 artists, I learned that What We Had had been selected! The painting will be on exhibit starting June 5th, 2026 at Union Hall Gallery in San Diego, CA for the show, "The Art of Now: Pushing Boundaries." I'm so honored to have my work recognized and included in an exhibit that asks its viewers to discover what Contemporary Art looks like now.

The in person exhibition will run through June 28th and can be viewed online, here.

I'd love to know what this painting brings up for you when you sit with it. How does it make you feel? Share below!