Images from the South Pacific

"Life isn't about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself." -George Bernard Shaw

In January of 2001, I quit my full time job to travel around the South Pacific for three months with a couple of friends. This was a time of exploration, adventure, learning, and creativity. We had no set timeline or agenda and let our desires and wanderlust guide us.

The Images from the South Pacific represent pure adventure and fully immersing oneself into experiencing the smells, cuisines, and rituals of other cultures. The work is not about leaving something behind or escape—quite the opposite—it is about discovery. It celebrates getting out of your comfort zone and being open to all possibilities.

I was very influenced by the art in Bali, particularly the Sanur style of painting, known for its playful light and airy atmosphere. The imagery depicts its subject matter in rhythmic patterns, quite reminiscent of illustrator M.C. Escher. Sanur Painting uses black and white ink wash on paper, but many of the original works were later adorned with light pastel colors. I chose a golden hue as I thought it best reflected the spirit of my travels. From the glorious sun, to the gold leaf offerings pressed onto Buddha’s toes, to the beaches of Australia, the color gold seemed to encapsulate the journey perfectly.