Inspiration
Serendipitously, I found myself in the midst of encounters and experiences that woke up my hibernating creativity with a roar.
One of the most poignant moments of my life was painting a door in the "town of painted doors," Valloria, Italy, with my family by my side. The people of this dreamy Italian town, perched atop a hill along the Mediterranean, welcomed me and my family with open arms. Hundreds of people came by to watch me paint and admired my work. I have also been invited by Adriano Berengo to his worldrenoud art glass studio, Berengo Glass Studio in Murano, Italy. I have realized that all language barriers are broken by the common desire humans have to connect with each other over love, food and art.
There are also the experiences along my travels, the very fuel for my source. I find that travel resets my racing mind. My curiosity to understand the local culture takes me on walks armed with my sketch pad — admiring the architecture, landscape and art, as I connect with people, taste the food and become one with the place.
Pieces Inspired
Divine Grace
There came a time in my life when every cell in my body knew that the experience I was living was not in alignment with my quest for abundant joy and authenticity. I wanted to soar high, but felt that my wings were being tethered down. I had to be brave enough to speak my truth and let go with love. By some divine grace I did both, all the while remembering that there is no judgment, only unconditional love. This piece was inspired by my time on the breathtaking Isle of Man, a small island in the Irish Sea between Great Britain and Ireland, where my inner turbulence was surrounded by pristine beauty and several enriching moments that brought me immense joy. Painting the sunset off the beach of Kirk Michael was simply divine. I found myself wondering, "Have I died and gone to heaven?"
Reflections of the Soul
Sometimes you cross paths with individuals or experience events that mirror either an amazing aspect of your soul or your shadow side. I'm forever grateful for these reflections of my soul, as they either make me smile knowing I'm walking my destined path, or they catapult me into bettering myself. Inspired by my day strolling through the Plitvice Lakes National Park in Croatia.
Aegean Alchemy
The Greek Isles are surrounded by the mesmerizing blue hues of the Aegean Sea. Just like alchemy, the process of turning lead into gold, my soul was put through a great transformation as I voyaged the Aegean. It was there that I discovered a popular juice called Amita, an Indian name on a juice box in Greece! How is that for serendipity? It is no coincidence that this is where I embarked on the journey that has taught me the biggest lesson yet. Because of my Aegan Alchemy, I have begun to feel the glow of the golden light within me. Inspired in Crete, Greece.
The Montenegro Muse
Montenegro is a chest full of the most wonderful treasures of nature. Kotor Bay left me breathless. I felt that I was on top of the world, both literally and spiritually. I stood there, arms raised and wide open, fully absorbing the abundant joy and magic around me and thanking God for putting me on the path that led me there. Montenegro has been my muse ever since.
The Quest
It was no coincidence that I was walking the wall in Dubrovnik that day. It was there that my quest to master unconditional love began and continued as a result of a sequence of serendipitous events over the coming months. I shed many layers, healed an old wound, and, like a phoenix rising, I arose stronger from the ashes of pain. Inspired by old town Dubrovnik.
Serendipity in Santorini
There are so many stories to tell about Santorini, but the one that speaks most deeply to me is the day I serendipitously spent with a local potter in his studio. I started that adventure sketching the necklace you see here. With every stroke I took, I found myself wishing that I could sculpt a pot. For me the best souvenirs are memories and locally made items. Well, I got the best of both. My guide seemed to read my mind as he introduced me to a lovely young woman in a local pottery shop. Within a couple of hours, I was transforming clay on the wheel! I realized the power of manifestation in this moment. In my opinion, the best souvenirs are those filled with memories and those that hold the magic of the local culture. I received the best of both on that day.
AmiPar
Magic happens when two creative souls who are in sync with each other’s artistic language meet in New York City and are inspired by its boldness.
Magical Musings
Reflecting in Maui while painting on the beach, my magical musings were interrupted only by the infectious laughter of my children, the sightings of many blowhole sprays of whales in the distance, and the crashing of the waves. Moments like these make my world go around.
Dreamcatcher
Whether it is the stained glass and vintage tea cups at the Plaza or the crystal and zillion red roses at the Baccarat, it all just seemed like I was walking on clouds in a fantasy land. And then there were fantasy holiday windows at the iconic Bergdorf Goodman. I got lost in the dreaminess of it all, and as my mind floated away, I was reminded of all of my lofty goals for myself. Inspired by NYC, the land that for generations has held the promise of dreams coming true, I was infused with a new belief. NYC made me see the I.M. in I.M.Possible.
Oia Sunset
World famous for its romantic sunsets, picturesque architechture, blue-domed churches and fabulous views of the Aegean Sea, Oia was everything I had imagined and more. Bathed in the Oia sunset, I felt God's warm embrace. I was but a conduit for what happened next... more art. Inspired by Oia, Satorini.
Jaipur Necklace
Jaipur has had me swooning since my first visit when I was ten years old. The intricacies of the design and architecture intertwined with the richness of the culture makes Jaipur, India a quintessential marriage of art and heart. I tried to capture this union in the Jaipur Necklace. Jaipur, you make my heart overflow with gladness that India is my homeland. My artistic flavor is infused by the plethora of India's colors.
Enchantment in Éze
Éze is a medieval villlage in the Côte d'Azur region of Southern France. It sits atop a mountain with commanding views of the Mediterranean Sea – truly the stuff that fairytales are made of. I was lucky enough to enjoy dinner at Chateau Éze and felt called to create a necklace with an old world charm, inspired by the elegance of the evening in this enchanting village.
Soul Spice
Inspired by the intense, colorful, surprising. fascinating, puzzling, and overwhelming night markets in Phuket. Sometimes you have got to just roll with it. Sprinkle some spice on your soul.
Meandering Mind
Wandering aimlessly through the meandering streets in a small Greek town, past white stucco huses and blue windows, there are surprises that spark my creativity at every corner. Time stood still, and that is when the artistic magic happens and the creations pour out of me.
Fairytale
While drifting away in the Adriatic Sea, I stumbled upon a swing.. wait what?! Is this a dream? It was reflective of exactly how I was feeling in that moment. Having done some soul work, my heart was feeling light – like it had wings. I was flying high. The swing for me was a poignant sign from the universe that I had chosen the right path. Like they say, coincidence is God's way of staying anonymous.
C'est la vie earrings
Sometimes you just have to embrace life for all its glory, including the giddy highs and the hard lessons. As they say in France, "c'est la vie baby!" Inspired by the carefree feeling at the C'est La Vie night club in Singapore.
The Empress
She has taken the road less traveled, she has struggled, she has let the lessons transform her, she is strong enough to be vulnerable, she is fearless. She is the empress of her kingdom. Inspired at the Rambaugh Palace, Jaipur, India.
Serenity
My time spent in the Phi Phi and James Bond Island off Phuket, Thailand, was a testament to the magic that happens when one surrenders and lets the universe lead the way. It always brings you what you need, even though that might not always be what you want. But thankfully for me, it sure was what I wanted! So many epiphanies happened here, as well as so many laughs with my girlfriend who I was traveling with.
Côte d'Azur
This grand necklace was inspired by the glitz and glamour of the drive from Monaco to St. Tropez as well as the serene tranquility of the French Reviera. The morning after a particularly over-the-top party, I rememeber meditating on my hotel balcony, listening to waves crashing on pebble stones, and thinking to myself that this was a splendid way to wake up to the world. The Picasso Museum in Antibes was a significant highlight of my stay here.
Show Stopper
Inspired by my dear friend Isabelle who has touched so many lives with her show stopper of a smile and spirit, I made a similar necklace for her which she loved. She lived in Monaco and I go back there to connect with our common friends as we reminisce about our dear friend between laughter and tears. With all the city's glitzy pomp and show, I feel Isabelle's warmth embrace me in Monaco and it reminds me that a genuine soul like her is a real show stopper in life.
Athena
Inspired by the wisdom and prowess of the goddess Athena atop the Acropolis, within the city that would take her name. Legend has it that Zeus offered a contest between Athena and Poseidon for the possession of Athens. Poseidon raised up his three-pronged trident, smashed it upon the hard rock of the Acropolis, and out a salt spring sprang. On the other hand, Athena produced an olive tree whose rich fruits bountifully dangled from the branches. The Athenians chose Athena's gift and the olive tree has remained a central part of Greek life to this day.
The High Priestess
Intuition allows us to see what is hidden to the senses. The High Priestess knows that when your mind masters how to listen carefully and trust the soft whispers of your soul wholeheartedly, you will be able to effortlessly express the purpose of your soul in this lifetime. Inspired in Cabo, Mexico.
Miracle Worker
We are all souls having a human experience surrounded by our angels working daily miracles. Painting a door in Italy gave me a new perspective on life. I wasn't even capable of dreaming so big until my dear friend Isabelle Albertsen dreamt this dream for me. Now she's my angel in heaven and is orchestrating my life's events that I previously felt I was too small to accomplish or otherwise believed could never happen.
Lavender Blooms
Driving through Provence in southern France past lavender blooms, rolling wineyards and olive groves, I was captivated by the beauty of the land. Interspersed in this magical terrain were mesmerizing towns that drew me in and kept me walking through their enchanting cobblestone streets for hours on end. Saint-Paul de Vence is and has been home to many artists, including Picasso and Chagall. Visting the Ateliers of various artists was such an inspiring treat. And then there was Grasse, the birthplace of perfume. I became deliriously disoriented as I smelled scents at the various perfumeries. The gurgling fountains, picturesque squares, welcoming terrace cafes, freshly painted red and yellow ochre housefronts add to its charm
The Ethereal Poet
Inspired by Grasmere, a dreamy village in the English Lake District famously associated with the English Romantic poet William Wordsworth and the legendary Grasmere Gingerbread. I enjoyed scrumptious scones with tea at Baldry's vintage style tearoom located in the heart of Grasmere village.
Soul Explorer
Korčula Town is a stunner. Ringed by imposing defences, this coastal citadel is dripping with history and features marble streets rich in Renaissance and Gothic architecture. It is thought to be the birthplace of Marco Polo, the medieval Venetian merchant, world-renowned writer, and traveller. Marco Polo was amongst the first Europeans to travel the famous Silk Road trade route stretching from the Middle East to China. Being in Korčula, I felt compelled to reflect upon all the explorations of the soul I had been on recently. It was not always easy, but it was definitely needed to heal old wounds in order to fearlessly walk my life purpose.
Authentic Beauty
In Venice during the masquerade, the most elaborate masks are adorned by both locals and tourists alike. You embrace an alter ego, pretending to be someone different from who you are. I love Venetian masks. The art of making them from paper mache and painstakingly painting them moves me like great pieces of art do. I adorned an elaborate mask and costume too. How ironic then that during my stay in the city of masks during the masquerade, a festival of masks, I discovered through a series of experiences that I myself was wearing another mask, an invisible mask. This mask that hindered my growth and kept me from my authentic self. There was a huge shedding of my invisible mask that happened at the end of my stay in Venice. I finally let my inner core shine. I have not looked back. To be authentic and vulnerable are hallmarks of strength. Go ahead and say the words your heart is yearning to express and let your authentic beautiful self shine.
You will come across people who wear invisible masks. In fact you will see those masks more clearly when you start living your most authentic life. We all have been there so there is no judgement. We are each on our individual journeys and the mask comes off for people at different times in their individual evolution.
Butterfly Kisses
The lyrics of this song always bring tears to my eyes. They are a reminder of the fleeting nature of childhood. I hug my boys tight because as the lyrics of the song Butterfly Kisses say ....
“Oh like the wind, when the years go by
Precious butterfly
Spread your wings and fly”
Coral Reef
I grew up by the beach. The sound of the waves is ingrained in my soul. As I walked along the sandy shores of Grace Bay in the Turks and Caicos islands, I stumbled upon a piece of coral. “What a perfect creation of nature!” I thought to myself, as I picked it up. The waves were loud as if they wanted my attention. They reminded me to let in what comes in with integrity, and let go of that which is not aligned with my highest vibration.
The turquoise blue waters invited me in. I obliged. Swimming with sea turtles and playing hide and seek with fish amongst the vivid coral was so mesmerizing. Onto new adventures I went.
The Coral Reef was sketched and created on the beach in Turks and Caicos, with the coral I found on my walk earlier that day.
Divine Inspiration
There is so much to learn from artists who speak through the stories they leave behind in their art. One never knows when inspiration will strike, and that is why I take my art supplies with me everywhere I travel. I wait for the moment when my hand will begin to move over the page or the canvas. At times this moment eludes me, but when it does happen it is nothing short of magical.
This Water Grotto in the National Palace of Sintra captivated me. I sat here for hours, swooning at the beauty around me, imagining the enjoyable times that transpired in this cave thousands of years ago. Aptly, there was a motif of the creation of the world, on the grotto’s ceiling. It is nothing short of pure divinity when the energy around you is so palpable and it pours out through you to create. This bold creation, Divine Inspiration, was born that day.
Fragonard
Grasse, France is considered the birthplace of perfume. When I visited this famous city, I was dazzled by it’s yellow buildings with hand-painted red poppies. There is a historic perfume factory in Grasse named Fragonard, where perfume has been made since 1782. This necklace was inspired by this dreamy town that smells as divine as it looks.
Golden Aura Necklace
As I strolled through the Versailles Palace in France, I was mesmerized by its gold and ornate furnishings. I sat in the gardens of the palace later that afternoon and sketched The Golden Aura necklace and earrings, complete with hand strung beads, gold clay and pigments, and a golden aura fit for a queen.
It is said that a golden aura signifies divine protection, enlightenment and inner peace, indicating that one is connected to a higher power. These are my hopes for the one who adores this necklace.
Golden Aura Earrings
As I strolled through the Versailles Palace in France, I was mesmerized by its gold and ornate furnishings. I sat in the gardens of the palace later that afternoon and sketched The Golden Aura necklace and earrings, complete with hand strung beads, gold clay and pigments, and a golden aura fit for a queen.
It is said that a golden aura signifies divine protection, enlightenment and inner peace, indicating that one is connected to a higher power. These are my hopes for the one who adores this necklace.
Grandeur
There are times in life when we just have to stop and take in our mesmerizing surroundings. Hagia Sophia in Istanbul is one such place. The high ceilings adorned with gold mosaic tiles, candle lit chandeliers, gold motifs and marble floors all create a sensation of royalty.
I sat here and meditated over what it means to be a modern day woman who is grand. She is an evolved soul, beautiful in her heart, clear in her intention and one who is well aware of her worth.The idea for The Grandeur necklace was born in the Hagia Sophia. It is my hope that the woman who adorns this necklace unapologetically exudes the grandeur within her.
Istanbul
Cities such as Istanbul stand as a reminder of what makes us human, and that what we create lives on longer than we could ever dream. At the heart of it, I think this is why I feel compelled to create art. My jewelry tells my story, as well as the stories of others. It is never about the physical object itself, but about the meaning we place upon it by the way of memories the object stirs. It is for this reason that I continue to share not only my handmade creations, but my story as well, in hopes that my art will find its place with whom it needs to be in this world.
Madonna
The word Madonna signifies an idealized, virtuous and beautiful woman. Of my travels to various corners of my world, I have come across so many unique women. They each have inspired me to become a better version of myself. When I was in Peru, the effervescence of the women was palpable in their infectious smiles, but it was their quiet strength that i thought was unexpected. They worked from dawn to dusk, with their little ones strapped to their back, but had the sweetest smiles to offer.
My Madonna necklace is inspired by authentic and brave women in Peru, and all around the world.
Open Doors Earrings
You can open doors and manifest your dreams. For a long time I had imagined being in Venice at the time of the masquerade, adorning a Venetian mask. A serendipity of events catapulted me in Venice at the exact time of the masquerade. As I walked into the magnificence of St. Mark's Cathedral through its gigantic and ornate doors i was left feeling breathless by its stunning interiors. It was also symbolic because that trip to Venice opened the door to a whole other chapter of my life and gave my dreams wings. I realized I did indeed have the power to energetically manifest my dreams. The secret, I realized my friends, is to wish it and surrender it to the universe.
May the one who adorns the Open Doors earrings be able to be a master manifester of their life’s purpose.
Purple Passion
Purple combines the calm stability of blue and the fierce energy of red. Purple flowers make me swoon a little bit more than others. I have these purple Passion flowers in my garden. The vine grows profusely in the summer and is covered with numerous blooms that loyally open with the sun’s first rays every morning. To me, the flower symbolizes strength and power, beauty and grace. It is a reminder that we can carry each of one these qualities within us with elegance and poise just as the majestic Passion flower does.
Amethyst stones are believed to emit a calming and serene energy that works their way into the mind in order to promote mindfulness and focus. The inner and outer beauty of the Passion flower and the tranquility of the Amethyst is captured in the Purple Passion necklace.
Romance
The face of Venice, Italy, possibly the most romantic city in the world, is irresistible to me. For thousands of years, artists have captured every facet of this mystical city. All of my senses received constant stimulation as I walked among these beautiful streets. My time here has inspired me to explore arts and artisans, and I was in awe at the delicate beauty I came across.
Watching the Opera at the Teatro la Fenice made me swoon both at the romantic love story and the rich architecture. My mind lingered to a bygone era when women adorned their luxury jewels and couture gowns as they attended the latest opera in town. ‘Romance’ was inspired by the stunning Teatre la Fenice in the heart of magical Venice.
Romantic Road
The Romantic Road necklace was sketched in Rothenburg, a dreamy medieval town along the Romantic Road.The love affair between nature and culture along the Romantic Road in Germany makes me swoon. Picturesque villages are dotted along the way like a string of pearls. Castles along the countryside, flowers spilling from the balconies of timbered homes, rolling vineyards basking in the sun, and lakes sparkle against the grand Alps.
Hand in hand with my love I walk on the cobblestoned alleys in 12th-century medieval towns with their charming fairytale spires. Having a special someone to share the topsy turvy roads and winding lanes of life with is such a blessing. When you join hands with a significant other, it is the beginning of a road which may not always be romantic, but is certain to be an enriching experience.
Spiritual Doorways Earrings
‘Spiritual Doorways’ is my interpretation of my external and internal reflections while in Istanbul. There are times in life when you just know that a door has opened to take you on a spiritual path. It feels right in every cell in your body, and although you don’t know what the future holds, you know that you must walk through that door because that particular path will bring you what your soul needs.
In Istanbul, there were many ornate doorways all around me and it is no surprise that internally I faced a choice as to whether I should walk through a certain doorway or not. I reflected on it in Istanbul. I finally decided to open the doorway and step on the journey and have never looked back. It has brought me so much spiritual growth.
St. Paul de Vence
St Paul de Vence, a medicinal town in the South of France and once a haven for artists like Pablo Picasso and Mark Chagall, captured my heart. I visited this charming town in the summer when it was bursting with colorful flowers cascading from the many window baskets that line its winding cobblestone streets.
You may hear the pleasing chime of the bells as they continue to mark the pace of the village.You will stop to admire the works of art in its many galleries. The hand painted mailboxes will surprise you. The trickle of the fountains will calm your senses. You will rest your tired feet at a cafe over a cup of latte as you people watch. I did all this and more in this dreamy town. The St Paul de Vence is a reflection of my time spent in this creative abode. I hope it brings out the creative and artsy side of the lucky one it adorns.
Sublime
The dreamy village of Óbidos, Portugal, is without a doubt one of the most interesting walled settlements in the world. Strolling along the maze of cobble-stone streets, past white stucco houses with blue doors and clay tiles, was truly a magical feeling. I stumbled upon some green and yellow tiles here that were different from the typical Azulejos I have seen in Portugal, and immediately put pen to paper to sketch a necklace that I later named Sublime.
Sublime symbolizes beauty that inspires great awe. I sure did feel sublime that day in beautiful Óbidos. It is my hope that the wearer of this necklace feels sublime and is moved by people, places and all of God’s creations. It is a gift to feel this feeling.