Description
A trip to San Francisco sparked the energy for this vibrant, abstract interpretation of the Golden Gate Bridge. Layered with oil, acrylic, and charcoal, the piece captures the iconic movement, fog, and structure of the bay area. During that time, I happened to see a simple abstract painting that completely captivated me. It wasn’t an image of a bridge at all, but it perfectly mirrored how I was feeling inside, and I used it as the spark to reinvent the scene into my own bridge landscape.
I had just come back home to Gunnison pretty sad because I got my heart broken. It was an awful time—I literally cried every single night for eight months straight. Because of that heavy sorrow, I intentionally wanted to channel those raw feelings into my brushstrokes, turning the composition into a powerful stage of pure light on the page.
In my children’s book, Wackadoodle the Poodle, this background serves as the triumphant setting for when Wackadoodle is riding high on Moe’s back. They are filled with so much happiness and pride after successfully escaping the wolves, and this radiant scene leads them straight into the very beginning of their upcoming fame. It beautifully bridges a raw personal heartbreak and a simple abstract spark with the ultimate celebration of joy and storytelling.