"The Finer Things Club" Series
“The Finer Things Club” started out as a funny scene from one of my favorite TV Shows, The Office. A group of employees at a mundane company decided to form “The Finer Things Club,” where once a week they would meet together to discuss art, music, and literature. This sparked my curiosity. Why do humans need art to feel fulfilled? Over 30,000 years ago, a human’s only objective was survival. Yet, even today, we can still see the remnants of their art on the inside of cave walls. There has to be something in our DNA, or souls, that craves it. Some scientists believe that art creates order out of chaos, which is attractive to our survival instincts. However, some philosophers would say that art provides a way for us to gain a deeper understanding of ourselves and the world around us, to view things from a new perspective, and express emotions.
And when we think about the spectrum of art that humans create, luxury items are a controversial part of it. They are usually associated with negative concepts such as consumerism and social status. However, when I thought about what drew me to incorporating certain elements into my series, I realized there were feelings of nostalgia associated with them. When you see a designer purse, you may think of a surprise anniversary present or a gift to yourself after a major accomplishment. You see this item and feelings of love and excitement come bubbling to the surface. When you see a china pattern, your senses might become flooded with the sounds of a holiday gathering, and a sense of comfort that comes from standing next to someone you love as you hand-wash sentimental heirlooms over the kitchen sink. And when you look at a champagne bottle, you can hear the cork popping, you can taste the fizzing bubbles, and your memories of those special occasions with friends and family come rushing back. Sometimes wanting “The Finer Things” in life has nothing to do with vanity, and everything to do with sentimentally.
Through this series, I hope to spark curiosity about humanity’s need for art, as well as challenge people’s perspective concerning luxury. I want to leave the viewer with an overall sense of acceptance and love for the complexity of human desires. And lastly, as with all my art, I hope to bring joy to those who view it, because this transformation of sentimentally into a tangible piece of art creates a more integrated and enduring way for people to enjoy the “The Finer Things” in life.
And when we think about the spectrum of art that humans create, luxury items are a controversial part of it. They are usually associated with negative concepts such as consumerism and social status. However, when I thought about what drew me to incorporating certain elements into my series, I realized there were feelings of nostalgia associated with them. When you see a designer purse, you may think of a surprise anniversary present or a gift to yourself after a major accomplishment. You see this item and feelings of love and excitement come bubbling to the surface. When you see a china pattern, your senses might become flooded with the sounds of a holiday gathering, and a sense of comfort that comes from standing next to someone you love as you hand-wash sentimental heirlooms over the kitchen sink. And when you look at a champagne bottle, you can hear the cork popping, you can taste the fizzing bubbles, and your memories of those special occasions with friends and family come rushing back. Sometimes wanting “The Finer Things” in life has nothing to do with vanity, and everything to do with sentimentally.
Through this series, I hope to spark curiosity about humanity’s need for art, as well as challenge people’s perspective concerning luxury. I want to leave the viewer with an overall sense of acceptance and love for the complexity of human desires. And lastly, as with all my art, I hope to bring joy to those who view it, because this transformation of sentimentally into a tangible piece of art creates a more integrated and enduring way for people to enjoy the “The Finer Things” in life.
"Birth of Luxury." 36 by 48 inches. Acrylic painting on deep stretched canvas with metal leaf on the sides. 2024.
"La Vie En Rosé" Acrylic painting on deep stretched canvas. 2021 30 by 48 inches. *50% of the proceeds will be donated to the Texas Biomedical Forum*
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"Queen V x Queen E" acrylic painting on deep stretched canvas. 24 by 24 inches. 2023. SOLD
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"Queen's Flowers." 12 by 24 inches. Acrylic painting with metallic accents on deep stretched canvas. 2024.
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"Bright Like Glitter, Bubbly Like Veuve." Acrylic painting with glitter on deep stretched canvas. 30 x 48 inches.
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"Hermès" Acrylic painting on deep stretched canvas. 2023. SOLD.
Herend Bull - Burnt Sienna. Acrylic painting on deep stretched canvas. 12 by 12 inches. 2023. SOLD.
"Epitome of Good Taste." Acrylic painting on deep stretched canvas. 15 by 30 inches. 2024.
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"Botanical Bottles." Acrylic painting on deep stretched canvas. 12 by 24 inches. 2024. SOLD.
"Caviar" acrylic painting on deep stretched canvas. 6 by 6 inches. Custom yellow acrylic frame. 2024.
"The Art of Caviar." Acrylic painting on deep stretched canvas. 36 by 48 inches. 2024.
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"Imperial" acrylic painting with glitter on deep stretched canvas. Custom clear acrylic frame. 24 by 24 inches. 2024.
Herend Bunny with Monarch Butterflies. acrylic painting on deep stretched canvas. 4 by 12 inches. 2023. SOLD
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"My Kind of Secret Garden." acrylic painting on deep stretched canvas, gold metal leaf on the sides. 30 by 48 inches. 2021.
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"First Taste." Acrylic painting with glitter on deep stretched canvas. 24 by 48 inches. 2024.
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Herend Elephant - Cadmium Orange. acrylic painting on deep stretched canvas. 6 by 6 inches. 2023.
Herend Squirrel - Burnt Sienna. acrylic painting on deep stretched canvas. 6 by 6 inches. 2023. SOLD
Herend Pig - Pink. acrylic painting on deep stretched canvas. 6 by 6 inches. 2023. SOLD
Herend Bunny with Butterfly - Pale Violet. Acrylic painting on deep stretched canvas. 8 by 8 inches. 2023. SOLD
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"The Finer Things Club" acrylic painting on deep stretched canvas. 36 by 36 inches. 2022. SOLD.
"Head in the Clouds" Series
The “Head in the Clouds” Collection is an expression of my daydreams about traveling to Europe again. The beautiful masterpieces on display at museums like the Louvre and Rijksmuseum have always fascinated me. This series of acrylic and oil pastel paintings explores marble busts and statues and their dreamy, ideal world aesthetic. With each painting, this series is a tribute to the ingenious skill that goes into the medium of masonry. I aim to evoke a renewed appreciation for the timeless beauty those artists have so expertly captured.
One of my objectives with this series was to challenge myself with exploring an area of landscapes that I have always loved - clouds. Just as no two clouds are ever the same, no two paintings seem to capture clouds in the exact same way. Every artist has their own style, and I took this opportunity to explore what my own style with clouds might be. With each painting, I experimented with different methods; therefore, no two cloudy skies are the same in this collection, which enhances the theme of daydreaming, - of having your “head in the clouds.”
In keeping with my personal style, I love to mix traditional and modern elements, then add fun accents- like balloon animals - to my artwork. By inserting a pop of color or whimsy to a collection of stoic subjects, I strive to add some warmth to the restrained medium of masonry, thus stirring a more exuberant overall feeling in my audience.
As you view this collection, my hope is that it inspires a renewed appreciation for traditional art and delight in its reimagining in this contemporary context.
One of my objectives with this series was to challenge myself with exploring an area of landscapes that I have always loved - clouds. Just as no two clouds are ever the same, no two paintings seem to capture clouds in the exact same way. Every artist has their own style, and I took this opportunity to explore what my own style with clouds might be. With each painting, I experimented with different methods; therefore, no two cloudy skies are the same in this collection, which enhances the theme of daydreaming, - of having your “head in the clouds.”
In keeping with my personal style, I love to mix traditional and modern elements, then add fun accents- like balloon animals - to my artwork. By inserting a pop of color or whimsy to a collection of stoic subjects, I strive to add some warmth to the restrained medium of masonry, thus stirring a more exuberant overall feeling in my audience.
As you view this collection, my hope is that it inspires a renewed appreciation for traditional art and delight in its reimagining in this contemporary context.
"Pretty in Pink"
Acrylic paint and oil pastel on deep stretched canvas with glitter on the sides. 24 in by 24 in.
2022.
"Don't Be Such a Square." Acrylic paint on deep stretched canvas. 24 in by 24 in. 2022.
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"How Am I Supposed to Hold This ... ?" Acrylic paint and oil pastel on deep stretched canvas with a custom acrylic frame by FRAMED San Antonio. 15 in x 30 in. 2022.
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"Long Live the Queen." Acrylic paint and oil pastel on deep stretched canvas. 12 in by 12 in. 2022. SOLD
"Balloon Animal I." Acrylic paint on deep canvas with a custom acrylic frame by FRAMED San Antonio. 4 in by 4 in. (6 in by 6 in with the frame). 2022. SOLD
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"Golden Hour." Acrylic paint and oil pastel on wood board. 12 in by 12 in. 2022. SOLD
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"Pink is My Signature Color." Acrylic paint and oil pastel on canvas board with a lavender grass cloth border and white frame. 12 in by 16 in. 2023. SOLD
"Hubba Bubba David." Acrylic paint and oil pastel on deep stretched canvas with a custom acrylic frame by FRAMED San Antonio. 15 in by 30 in. 2022. SOLD
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"Balloon Animal II." Acrylic paint on deep stretched canvas with a custom acrylic frame by FRAMED San Antonio. 4 in by 4 in (6in by 6 in with the frame). 2022. SOLD
"Could I At Least Get Some Sprinkles...?" Acrylic paint and oil pastel on deep stretched canvas with a custom designed and hand painted pink frame with acrylic sprinkles. 24 in by 24 in. SOLD
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"Disco Daydreams." Acrylic paint on deep stretched canvas with glitter and oil pastel accents. Custom float frame by FRAMED San Antonio. 48 in by 30 in. 2022.
"Balloon Animals III." Acrylic paint on deep stretched canvas with a custom acrylic frame by FRAMED San Antonio. 4 in by 4 in. (6 in by 6 in with the frame). 2022.
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"Inner Workings." Acrylic paint and glitter on a wood board with a custom float frame from FRAMED San Antonio. 12 in by 12 in. SOLD
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"Delicate Beauty." Acrylic paint and oil pastel on canvas board with a black matte frame. 12 in by 16 in. 2022.
"Balloon Animal IV." Acrylic paint and glitter on deep stretched canvas. 4 in by 4 in. 2023. SOLD
"Insomnia." Acrylic paint with glitter on deep stretched canvas. 36 in by 36 in. 2023.
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"Side Effects." Acrylic paint on deep stretched canvas with silver leaf on the sides. 24 in by 36 in. 2023.
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"Cone of Shame"
A "Head in the Clouds" Sub-Series
"Party Animals" Original Acrylic Painting with acrylic sprinkles. 12 in by 12 in. 2023.
"Squirrels Love Sprinkles." original acrylic painting with acrylic sprinkles, in a custom hand painted frame. 12 in by 12 in. 2023.
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"Grumpy Monkey" Original acrylic painting with glitter and acrylic sprinkles. 24 in by 24 in. 2023.
"Captain Sprinkles." original acrylic painting with acrylic sprinkles and glitter. 36 in by 36 in. 2023.
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Past Collections
Viva by VC
Fiesta themed paintings
My vibrant Viva by VC Art collection is inspired by my time in San Antonio, Tx. In 2013, I participated as a Duchess in The Order of the Alamo's Fiesta Court. Fiesta is a beautiful and culturally rich tradition that started in 1891, where, for one week, the whole city of San Antonio celebrates with events, parades, and lots and lots of confetti. As a duchess, I experienced a whole year of these festivities and was immersed in the true depth of its cultural significance. WWhat inspired me was the use of vibrant colors, the dazzling jewels on every duchess, the artist brilliance behind each court’s theme, and the imagination behind every mind blowing, spectacle of a party! This is exactly what I hope to bring to my Viva collection - visual "snapshots" of the luxurious, exciting Fiesta culture!
