Small Gilded Series & ProcessGilded Animals
The Gilded Animals series began as an exploration of gilding on watercolor paper, in contrast to my more typical use of wood panels. Working on paper allowed the natural texture of the surface to remain visible beneath the metal leaf, creating a softer, more organic interaction between material and subject. By keeping the background white, the gilded animals emerge crisply from the page, their forms activated by light and shadow. Each animal is framed by a subtle gilded halo, functioning as both a visual anchor and a quiet frame that further separates the subject from the surrounding space.
By gilding the animals themselves, the series highlights their quiet presence within shared landscapes and everyday life. The reflective surfaces shift with changing light, inviting slow looking and repeated engagement. Through this process, each animal exists between realism and abstraction—rooted in the natural world while momentarily lifted into a space of contemplation and care.
Gild by letters
Mapping out the gilded metals color to visualizes the composition
Selecting the Subjects
For my small gilded series, I began by carefully selecting animals that are widely recognizable across many regions of America. These familiar species create an immediate point of connection, allowing viewers to engage instinctively with the work before noticing its material and conceptual layers.
Equally important was each animal’s natural coloring. I chose subjects whose tones and markings would interact harmoniously with gold, copper, silver, and variegated metal leaf. The metal is not decorative alone, it is used to amplify the animal’s presence, reflect light differently throughout the day, and create a quiet contrast against the surrounding painted space. Through this process, each animal becomes both grounded in reality and elevated through material transformation.
The Difference is in the paper
The paper used for the Gilded Animals series was purchased in Greece on the island of Syros and is sustainably made in Europe. It traveled with me throughout my time in Greece before returning home to become part of this body of work. Carrying both physical and experiential memory, the paper connects place, movement, and making. Its journey—across landscapes and borders—became integral to the final pieces, grounding each gilded animal in a material history that extends beyond the studio and into the places that shaped its creation.
The Watcher of Light
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Imitation Gold, Silver, Copper and Variegated Green Metal Leaf
Watercolor Paper
Gold Gilded Wood panel
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Width 8”
Height 8”
Depth 3/8”
Bearer of the Light
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Imitation Gold, Silver, Copper and Variegated Green Metal Leaf
Watercolor Paper
Gold Gilded Wood panel
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Width 8”
Height 8”
Depth 3/8”
The Listener
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Imitation Gold, Silver, Copper and Variegated Green Metal Leaf
Oil Paint
Wood Canvas
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Width 24”
Height 24”
Depth 1.5”
Gatherer of Light
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Imitation Gold, Silver, Copper and Variegated Green Metal Leaf
Oil Paint
Wood Canvas
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Width 24”
Height 24”
Depth 1.5”
Keeper of Light
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Imitation Gold, Silver, Copper and Variegated Green Metal Leaf
Oil Paint
Wood Canvas
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Width 24”
Height 24”
Depth 1.5”
Crowned in Light
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Imitation Gold, Silver, Copper and Variegated Green Metal Leaf
Oil Paint
Wood Canvas
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Width 24”
Height 24”
Depth 1.5”
Certified Original
Each painting is individually stamped and certified, bearing my name, the year of creation, and the materials used in its making. This mark serves as both a record of the work’s origin and a commitment to its authenticity. The certification reflects the care taken throughout the process, from material selection to final execution, and ensures that each piece is documented as a unique, original work. Together, the stamp and certification create a lasting connection between the artist, the artwork, and its future collector, offering clarity, provenance, and confidence in the integrity of the piece.
Collect a Gilded Animal
This series represents a moment of material exploration and refinement within my studio practice, where process, surface, and subject are intentionally held in balance. Each gilded animal carries the texture of the paper, the presence of light, and a sense of quiet familiarity, offering a small but deliberate pause for the viewer. For those who feel a connection to these works, a selection of the Gilded Animals from this series is available to collect through the studio shop below.
