ESSENTIA: Reflections & Transitions

These are works from my most ambitious and personally important series of paintings yet, exploring and reflecting on the landscape from my current home in the Pacific Northwest, to my first home in the Southern California desert. And by extension, reflecting on the transitions of my life.

Over the course of several months I’ll travel up and down the West Coast (Washington, Oregon, and California), sketching, journaling and taking photographs as I go, to connect with the “essentia”—the essential nature—of those places. Then I’ll bring all of this inspiration back with me to my studio to create a series of spiritually evocative paintings so that others can experience the soul of those places the way I did.

To view more of my artwork, please visit www.angelawales.com

"I call Angela’s class “my color mindfulness class”. That frees me from trying to produce a work of art. Instead I just create and am present each moment that I am creating. During class, I have giggled, cried, and on occasion had strange conversations with my paintings, but whatever else happens, I am present with the paint, the paper, the color and most importantly with myself. Angela's teaching is wonderful and through this process I have expressed and learned so much about my heart, mind and creative spirit. And it’s always a lot of fun!!!" ~Linda Rubin, psychiatric nurse, Olympia, WA

"Angela has a way of teaching that allows the artist within to emerge and flourish. I highly recommend Angela as a teacher, and guide on the creative path." ~ Sharon Murphy, Tacoma, WA

"First night of Intuitive Painting at Painted Crow with Angela last night. It was so healing for me. Time to breathe, move, paint. Paint one color, one stroke, each layer arising from inside of me, gently setting the critic aside. Angela is a wonderful soul to be with in this process." ~Tracy Wiegman, Tacoma, WA

"Your classes are like the best counseling session I've ever had. It changed my heart and how I related to art. You have a real gift." ~Kelsi Finney, graduate student and artist, Tacoma, WA

"The process of intuitive painting continually teaches me to trust, to trust in each step, to trust in my dream, to trust in my unique light and beauty, but most of all to trust in the process. Here's to each moment we remember what all this is for!"

~Angi Donovan, Yoga instructor, Tacoma, WA

"...I had been given the mirror I needed to see what was always in me... Angela was able to find it and present it to me in way that made me feel safe and inspired."

~Courtney Laughery, writer & founder of prettyrx.co, Tacoma, WA

"I feel like all artists should experience Angela's class. Each painting becomes a journey guided by the paper, color, and brush itself...minus the Ego."

~Jennifer English, graphic designer and ceramicist (co-founder of SPUN) Tacoma, WA