︎

The Cold Moon Project

The Cold Moon Project is a series of paintings exploring the energy of water, tides, darkness, light, the moon, and what comes forth from the cosmos, as well as the depths of the human emotional condition. This series of paintings is planned for completion in December 2026.





“Cold Moon” (Available)

2023    36 x 36"   acrylic / vanta black / mixed media / graphite / enamel / india ink / indigo ink / granite sand / dirt / charcoal / on canvas


This painting began as a paint color study—but, ended up morphing into a “mad scientist” materials experiment. Mixing paints, materials, and solvents first led to mixing inorganic with organic materials, then further evolved to explore the effect on colors by chemicals. Soon, motifs began to emerge as the canvas flooded with liquids and solids, randomly pooling into circles, arcs, and directional movements.

The thematic exploration equally evolved with the materials. Nearly complete, it sat (and sat and sat...) idle and unfinished for months. In September 2023, at the peak of the Full Moon of Pisces (or known as the “Cold Moon”), I walked back to the studio late at night to get something. But I was taken aback how the moon illuminated this painting in the most haunting way. “Luminous in the dark” are the only words to describe the effect. The moonlight inspired lunar-colored, cosmos-inspired line work, smudging and shading with charcoal and graphite softened the piece and gently brought it to completion. It symbolizes an alchemization of a person’s connection with the moon, tidal and lunar cycles, the flow of one’s emotion, and deep color change. As the piece morphs throughout the days’ and nights’ waxing and waning of light, every minute of every day shows new facets of color and shape. In the deep of the night it’s most luminous, with minimal light—hopefully from the moon. 






Light at dusk

Light at dawn





Details










“Coming Up From Below, III.” (SOLD)

2023 - 24x4” / enamel / acrylic / matte gel mediums / 1.5” wood panel 

Part of a popular series of commissions, this third piece pushes the medium and the paint the hardest so far. Composed of dozens of layers of manipulated acrylic and enamel paint and mediums, the bubbling effect only increases the depth of color and meaning of this piece. The “Coming Up From Below” collection fits into The Cold Moon Project in that it explores the depths of the waters, literal and metaphorical. It’s the first view of the surface and the light above as we ascend from darkness. It’s rising from the depths, looking up. It’s surviving and ascending against and against. In its minimal composition, it communicates the literal and metaphorical beauty of depth, whether physical, emotional, or mental. 

This piece can be commissioned in sizes from 18x18” to 48x66” and is featured on wood panels only.