This is how I work with my collectors and clients. We discuss the feeling or mood they want to experience for themselves, or their patients and clients in their place of business.

We let our imaginations merge without limits of style, technique, size, color or theme.
If you see something in my Gallery that you like, but want to customize it somehow; or you want something completely different, let’s do it!

The paintings or photographs that have been commissioned or custom ordered are mentioned here with a brief explanation of it’s origin.
***Dynamic Flowers was commissioned for an attorney’s home, based on her desire for jewel toned flowers and similar to Jazzy Flowers (red) style.
***Passion Flowers was commissioned for a retired professor, also based on her desire for purple and orange flowers and similar to Jazzy Flowers style. This same client has become a Collector of a few other original paintings. She also commissioned a painting ***Ole’ based on Jazz Alive. Their relative is a flamingo dancer, and wanted something just like Jazz Alive (guitar/keyboard), only with just the guitar and the word Ole’ on it.
***Bay Villas was commissioned for a home with a very large wall, and wanted something to convey a relaxing and simple image of a place they imaged to go.
***Freedom 40 Sail-Away was commissioned for a doctor’s home. He gave me the photo of this sailboat he had always wanted. He and his wife have a dream to sail-away to a remote island into the sunset with a ‘green flash’ experience as the sun sets into the oceans horizon.
***Purple Angel of the Lagoon photo was special ordered to the largest size it could be done and still have great solution (24” x 36”) for a collector of Angels. It was printed on metal for a most realistic 3-Dish dynamic image, stunning!

You can tell at the unveiling if someone is truly happy and satisfied with their new original and customized painting based on their vision, or photo image.  I love seeing the smile and glint in their eyes, I aim to please my clients.

Many of the original paintings have been sold, but you can still order a ‘giclee’ or print of most of them. There are also many original paintings still available for purchase, or photographs for special order sizes.

If you have a vision or dream, or just want something beautiful to put in your home or business; please contact me through my Fine Art America or Facebook links, thanks for your time and interest.

16 x 20″ Traditional wrap canvas. Acrylic. Sold, commissioned by an attorney for home.

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Phoenix The Moody Artist pairs up with Caffe Pergolesi for an August Art Exhibit!

See a full array of paintings and style expressing abstract, conceptual, metallic and 3-D with lots of bright colors and movement.

My Reception will be Friday, August 2, 2013 — 6 pm – 8 pm, during the First Friday Art Tour in downtown Santa Cruz at Caffe Pergolesi.

My Art will be on exhibit all of August!

All of these paintings are inspired by music, flavor, imagination and some whimsy. I love painting mostly with Jazz, but sometimes other music slips in to change ‘the mood’. Food and flavor are very exciting to me as images ‘pop’ and ‘explode’ their way onto my canvas. Sometimes images ‘just happen’ and demand to be expressed! You will see all of this eclectic style in the August Art Exhibit.

Caffe Pergolesi is at 418 Cedar Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
It has many rooms, each a different color. Enter by the Gold room, go left to the Blue, and go right to the Green to see Phoenix The Moody Artist paintings.

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Fourteen original paintings by Phoenix, The Moody Artist are now on view at Sweet Pea’s Cafe in Capitola, for the month of January 2013.

If you missed the ‘Paint by Flavors’ Show in October 2012 now is your second chance to bring a friend! Have you ever tasted something so bold or sensual it created an image to go with the flavor? That’s what happened to me from tasting sets of oil and vinegar.

Each painting is unique to a set of flavors that created an image so bold, beautiful or sensual it just had to be painted on canvas. Most of them are a mix of abstract with some realism collaborating in bright lively colors. I have a wonderful experience when I taste things, it brings about a visually entertaining moment as well.

My Art fills the walls for a visually tasty affair, I encourage you to bring friends for wonderful crepes, quiches and other wonderful food and drinks to Sweet Pea’s in Capitola at 2121 41st Ave. Suite 107, Capitola, Ca 95010. When you are there consider the flavors you are taking in and see if some image pops into your head, share your experience with me. Please read the tags for each painting, it states the flavor associated with it. The oils and vinegars that created such bold images for me came from The True Olive Connection in downtown Santa Cruz.

Additional Prints (metal and paper), Gift Tags, Greeting Cards and Labels (for most anything) are also available from many original paintings. Contact me for more information on these items.

Of course I’d be happy to paint a commissioned piece just for your home or office that would suit your environment and taste. Many of my paintings are also created for the best Feng Shui of space and energy too. Please contact for more information on personalizing your environment, it will make a colorful difference in mood.

Happy Tasting with smiles,

Phoenix, The Moody Artist

30″ X 40″ Acrylic on gallery wrap canvas-‘Paint by Flavors’ Series

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Phoenix The Moody Artist Tribute Painting to Jazz Great Dave Brubeck-Jazzy Flowers

My Visual Art Inspired by Dave Brubeck, Jazz Legend

Jazzy Flowers is a Tribute to Jazz great, Dave Brubeck.  Take Five and Time Out are synonymous with Dave Brubeck a Jazz Artist.  Many of my paintings have been inspired and colored by his music.  Before I even pick up a brush I set the mood; I load my CD player with Jazz of many great musicians.  Most often at least one of Brubeck’s discs are in to start me off.

Now he has passed on, today, December 5, 2012 in the morning.  This will make my canvas feel a little empty as I give space in his remembrance of someone who inspired me as a visual artist. Rest in peace Dave, you have given and shared your gift to the world with great generosity, color, sound and love.  We, who are so familiar with your unique and masterful magic of music as a pianist and composer are blessed.

One painting in particular comes to mind, it’s my expression in response to his continual complex and inspiring work (Brubeck) is my ‘Jazzy Flowers’.  All I listened to before and during brush strokes hitting the canvas was Brubeck.  I named the painting in honor of his music years before his passing today.  Now the original has long since been placed in a Private Collection, but I do still offer Metal Prints of the same painting.

I hope any of you reading this will find the music and musician(s) that inspire you in some creative form of expression for your own uniqueness.  You may even be the Artist of your form that inspires another to start something simple or profound.  Never underestimate the power of the connection people make with what you share of yourself and craft.

Thank you Dave Brubeck for sharing your heart and soul through your music.  Blessings to his family and friends.  He is already greatly missed, and yet I will celebrate his life and paint even more to the sounds of Brubeck.

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Get Your ‘Moody’ in gear with creative ideas for the coming holidays, special occasions or any time of the year.

Giving is from the heart without expectations of receiving.  Creating is a union between your heart and a ‘free’ mind playing with whatever you have available. ‘Moods’ are developed by the sensory impact of sound, image, taste, touch or smell of something brewing. Get your ‘moody’ in gear for creative splendor and fun.

It has struck me that earlier and earlier we are being commercialized for any and all holidays.  I am already seeing stores with Christmas decorations! We haven’t even had Halloween yet, if you are like me–enough is enough too soon. All year long you can make each day, week or month a celebration without the pressure of ‘sudden’ gift shopping.

Make something special and personal for the people you love and care about anytime of the year.  If it happens to be a holiday time also, make it even more festive with something you’ve put your heart into.  You can use simple things to make something that is store-bought look and be more personal with your own hand-made items, labels or tags.  I have greeting cards, prints and sticker-labels available with original artwork to personalize something special.  See About Phoenix and the Gallery for information and images.

Let’s get you started with one example.  One year I made very simple and inexpensive gifts from my heart personalized to each individual. Use a very nice quality and fairly thick paper (like parchment, not card stock) to make a card.  You can make this a fold-over card or simply all face-up and frame-able.  Consider using a match to slightly burn the edges for impact (or coloring pen, etc.) of creating a ‘mood’ or theme.

Next use a different type or color of paper for the inside (or insert).  Write your own words of gratefulness and appreciation of the chosen person.  Don’t wait to say what’s important and what matters to your relationship or friendship till later, that time may not come.  Either hand write the message, or type it and print it out.   Use a glue stick to adhere it to the thicker outer paper.  Leave space at the top/bottom, or on the sides for your own creative and personal design.

I took some acrylic paint (not to watery or it will warp the paper) and dipped leaves in it that I found in my yard.  Press the underside of the leaf with the paint, then onto the paper in a firm but steady hold to leave an impression of color from the leaf.  Use a different leaf for each dip and image.  You may want to do a couple of sample presses to see what effects you get doing different pressures and with different colors.  Be creative and be unique in your message and card; make it frame-able.  Make it remarkable, memorable and meaningful.

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Phoenix, The Moody Artist ‘Paint by Flavors’ Series in Santa Cruz Sentinel Article by Christa Martin

From my newest Series ‘Paint by Flavors’. This is the image produced by tasting the combined flavors of Herbs de Provence Oil with Lavender Vinegar and French bread. The flavors produce engulfing images ready for me to paint on canvas.

Phoenix, The Moody Art was interviewed by Christa Martin from the Santa Cruz Sentinel for the ‘Paint by Flavors’ Series.  It’s a great article and includes why Phoenix is called ‘The Moody Artist’ and how the Series got inspired. Follow the link for the complete article. The month of October is when all fifteen paintings will be up for display and purchase. October 5th, 6 – 9 PM is the Reception at The True Olive Connection, 106 Lincoln St., Santa Cruz, CA. 

You can also read the Post on the ‘Paint by Flavors’ to see a Featured painting for the Exhibition. All the Paintings will be posted on this Site once the Show has begun on October 5, 2012.

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Images born from tasting exotic flavors of oils and vinegar

by Phoenix, The Moody Artist

My Concept Art Series is called ‘Paint by Flavors’. On First Friday Art Walk in Santa Cruz in October begins the exhibit. Unique doesn’t begin to describe these bold and daring paintings. Have you ever tasted something and been overwhelmed by the colors and images it produced? That’s what happened to me when I tasted ‘pairings’ of oils and vinegar in The True Olive Connection a few months ago!

Each acrylic painting is an expression of a combination of two to three flavors from the oils and vinegar.  This makes each image on each canvas remarkably different from another. Some are strictly abstract and some are partial realism matched with abstract or surrealism, you decide.

There are fifteen original paintings in the Series. My Featured Post of ‘Blood Orange/ Honey-Ginger’ is a ‘taste’ of one painting till it gets closer to October. This is highly textured and partly 3-D, I’ll save the rest not to spoil the surprise show. This is a very exciting show since it is custom painted to the flavors in The True Olive Connection. These will be available to enhance any room, home or office.

Please stop by the exhibit the month of October, it is Open Studio month, but this event is not officially listed, come anyway! Phoenix, The Moody Artist will be available much of the time in the first three weekends of Open Studio at The True Olive Connection. Check back on this site, though scheduled times may change, or email me to set a time to meet there. Let’s taste together and have a visually tasty time! moodyartist@ymail.com

Don’t miss this truly unique style of Concept Art by Phoenix, The Moody Artist for the Series ‘Paint by Flavors’!

The True Olive Connection, 106 Lincoln St., Santa Cruz    831-458-6457   http://trueoliveconnection.com/category/events/

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Enjoy eating and sipping your favorites while enjoying a Phoenix, The Moody Artist Exhibit of original paintings and metal prints at The Kind Grind!

Step into a visually colorful scene at the venue, The Kind Grind in Santa Cruz, CA. Bold images surround you while eating and sipping at the beach. The month of August I’m exhibiting paintings of abstract – realism with lots of texture, 3-D and metallics. Metal prints of previously sold paintings by Phoenix are also available for show (and purchase).

You can have some culture, food, drinks and fun in the sand and surf all at once! Take time out and enjoy checking-out paintings like ‘High Surf’ expressed in acrylics.  ‘Jazzy Flowers’ is a print on metal with bright red-flowers with some blue and whites looking slightly wind-blown. These plus many other paintings and prints are multi-colored and guaranteed to cheer up any mood in a room.

Art can set the mood, bring joy and harmony to a space. Feng Shui is the art of space and balance to bring  you harmonious energy, healing and prosperity. Many of my works are naturally fitting for better Feng Shui in your home or office. Add some color to a wall and be entertained by the image. When you have creativity surrounding you, you feel more creative yourself! Go bold, go beautiful, go wild!

The Kind Grind at 2222 East Cliff Dr., Santa Cruz (at Yacht Harbor)
Phone: 831.476.9136, www.kindgrind.com

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New things presented on Metal Prints! Phoenix, The Moody Artist has

Nature Photography exhibited at the Davenport Gallery.

My love of photography began in my early twenties, and as I increased my work in painting I did less photography. I have renewed interest in viewing from a camera’s point of interest since moving to Santa Cruz a year ago.

The Central Coast of California has some of the most gorgeous coastline anywhere for a photographer’s delight.  The Davenport Gallery now has three of my photographs printed on metal, a stunning new medium for prints.

My featured photo, entitled ‘Purple Angel of the Lagoon’ was shot in a State Park by Natural Bridges in Santa Cruz. This is where the Monarch Butterflies migrate every year to cover the entire environment with their beauty and grace. The lagoon had some interesting effects with the sun rays shining between the trees onto the green-laden water. What a surprise when the photo uncovered (not seen to the naked eye) a purple light image resembling an angel!

One photograph taken off the back veranda of the Nepenthe restaurant along Big Sur. Some foliage has formed a heart shape with the ocean in the background. The title for this image is ‘Heart of Nepenthe’. This is one of my most favorite places to have a delicious meal while sitting outside overlooking the Pacific Ocean and hugged by trees with birds snatching up fries close and personal.

Getting the timing and clicking on cue when the wave crashed against the guardian rocks entrance of the beach was crucial for another photo. A State Park along Big Sur provided the perfect setting for this image, ‘Surging Wave of Big Sur’.

You can’t really get the true effect of these images printed on metal till you’ve seen them hung on a wall. This is my invitation to you to go see this exciting new medium with my images proudly exhibited at the Davenport Gallery for the month of August in 2012. The Davenport Gallery  located at 450 Highway One, Davenport, CA 95017, 831 426 1199 http://davenportgallery.org/

Once I saw the unusually dynamic effect of metal prints, I decided to also print some previously sold paintings of my art on metal. Look for my Post on The Kind Grind for more about my paintings and metal prints on show in August.

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