Acrylics

Hi! Welcome to our Acrylics page! Below, you will see a gallery of acrylic paintings by the DLV clan.

MDLV foreword: I started painting mainly as a therapeutic way to manage my anxiety. I wanted something I could immerse myself into and just be me without being judged. I love art and things of beauty. I have been in the design industry for almost 2 decades and am used to being surrounded by beautiful objects, colors, textures and compositions. So I started painting what inspired me, sometimes just for the sheer pleasure, sometimes I wanted art pieces that I couldn't afford, so I would try and replicate them and add some personal touches. While I have, at times, copied other artwork, it is never with intent to sell or claim as my own imagining. The challenges made me a better artist and allowed me to surround myself with beauty in my budget. I will give credit to the inspiration for all my work, if I remember what it was. Sorry in advance if I cannot recall the inspiration or original work. Below is a journey of my growth and process as an artist.

OAW= Original Art Work

MDLV OAW

"Adam and Eve"

2012

MDLV OAW

"Unnamed Abstract"

2012

Sometimes, I would just pull out a canvas and whatever paint colors I grabbed, I would work with. These quick paintings were not meant to really be "works of art", but exercises in technique, color combination or simply a release of energy.

MDLV OAW

"NYC"

2016

MDLV OAW

"Calcatta"

2016

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"Copper Patina"

2016

These three acrylics were my very first pours. In the first one, I used old, leftover paint, just to see what the process was like. It was an unsuccessful pour and some paint "skin" got fixed to the canvas, but once I stenciled the pigeon on, this became and still is one of my favorites. I tried again, experimenting with color and adding cells. The one in the center was inspired by marble. And the one to the right by beautiful copper patina. I know they are not great pours, but I love this process.

MDLV OAW

"Just to My Knees"

2016

The ocean and the beach are hands down my source of energy, peace, cleansing and rejuvenation. A recurring theme in my art. This pour started cracking when it dried, but I like it in this application!

MDLV OAW

"Bejeweled"

2017

In this pour, I began to test the swipe method. While I feel it was interesting, I wanted to try again because using white as my base color made me feel as though the painting was incomplete.

MDLV OAW

"Jungle"

2017

I tried the swipe again using black as my base and felt this was a better contrast.

MDLV OAW

"Unnamed"

2017

MDLV OAW

"Spirit on Fire"

2017

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"Unnamed Abstract"

2020

MDLV

"Bob Ross Follow Season 2, Episode 9"

2017

MDLV

"Bob Ross Follow, Season 2, Episode 2"

2017

These two were follow along paintings with the late, great, Bob Ross. As a kid, I always found something so inviting about his spirit. I would intently watch him paint and remember begging my mom to buy me the paint set they offered after the show. It wasn't until I was an adult that I finally purchased my first paint supplies and have not turned back since. Now that the episodes of "The Joy of Painting" have resurfaced, it is remarkable that I still love watching as intently today as I did as a child. The one on the right is one that Mia and I did together, so she has her own version of this painting too!

MDLV OAW

"Sugar Skull Commission Rejection"

2018

MDLV OAW

"Sugar Skull Commission Final"

2018

The two paintings above were "commissions" of a sugar skull. The one on the left was my first attempt, but I was not happy with the balance. So I tried again using another perspective. I painted these based on beautiful photographs I found on Pinterest. I've tried finding them again to source the photographer with no luck. I will keep trying and credit when I find them! While I look at these now, I wish I would have made some changes, I will say that I loved this process and hope to do it again!

MDLV OAW

"Shore, Cloud and Reflection Study"

2018

Again, the beach is my peace place. Above was a quick painting I did on canvas paper. This was born of my desire to work on clouds and water reflection. I used a photograph I randomly found online of a shore. No idea where the photo came from. 2018

MDLV & Corbin Drake (JDLV) OAW

"Garden of Eden"

2018

Jesus and I decided to work on something together. This is our first and only (so far) collaborative piece. We had no plan, no outline, no theme. We each picked one color, one at a time, until we had our pallet. Then, we started by each doing one stroke at a time, until we started getting into our own groove. This is the completed piece which I personally love. I can't wait to do this again!

MDLV

"The Calling"

2020

To know me is to know the significance and weight faith carries in my life. Many years ago, I heard the voice of God. He spoke the words "Fishers of Men" to me, very clear and distinct. I understand His words and wanted a piece of art in my home to depict this message. I searched online for something with the intent to buy, but nothing inspired a purchase. I did find a painting where the fish were going down instead of up. I used that painting to create my own version, where the fish swam up instead.

MDLV OAW

"Inhale"

2020

This painting was a study on textures. I used different materials to add texture to the grassy dunes, water, sand, wood path and fence.

MDLV OAW

"Freedom"

9.2021

In 2021, I did something bold and enrolled in a local art class. Our first big project was an unguided abstract painting. As I started this 36" x 36" piece in mid-August, the colors and strokes were quite peaceful. A couple of weeks into working on this, I was deeply engrossed in an emotional conversation with someone I had been estranged from for a couple of year and then days later, the sudden passing of my father. As I look back, I can see how this piece really exhibited the emotional journey I was on during that time period. I call this one "Freedom" because there is so much freedom in forgiveness and allowing yourself to let go of resentments. And as strange as it might sound, there is freedom in death. Not for us who are left behind, but for those who finally cross over. Amid the chaos, let your light shine through.

MDLV OAW

"Evolution"

2.2022

This piece started completely different from how it ended up. Seeing what it became compared to how it started reminds me of the changes we all go through in life. As we transform into who we are today, we can reflect on what's beneath. Some layers of our former self might peek through, some will forever be completely hidden, but the foundation will always be there. I celebrate and appreciate this never-ending evolution.

MDLV OAW

"Seasons"

2.2022

This painting reminds me of a forest floor where you might see all kinds of interesting things if you stop and look for a while. And maybe you can see remnants of each season. As you ponder some seasons in life you may look back and wonder how you made it through or you may miss it. Either way, time passes, each experience is a building block toward the next new season.

MDLV OAW

"Mushroom Fairie"

6.2022

We did a portrait exercise in art class and we had to select a subject to paint. I chose my beauty, Mia, in her Halloween Costume. I didn't get to complete it in class, but eventually got to finishing it at home. This started with acrylic paint and brushes and I completed it using Posca Markers.

9/2022 Update: This is still a work in progress. I find myself tweaking this often. I will post the final version when it is done.

MDLV OAW

"Reflection"

6.2022

I started this painting in September 2021 and it displayed in my home for months unfinished. I was unsure how to complete it. After much thought and consideration, I decided to try using gold leaf. I'm not sure this piece is finished yet, but I did enjoy this process and will be using it more now.

MDLV OAW

"She Is"

8.2022

In honor of breast cancer awareness, here is a powerful expression of every woman. Delicate, yet powerful, strong and resilient. Courageous and vulnerable. May God our his blessings on every one who has ever had to deal with any kind of cancer or illness of any kind. in any way.

MDLV OAW

"Dance On"

8.2022

As the one year anniversary of my father's passing approached, I wanted to paint something in honor of his memory. All my life, he was a big fan of Spanish guitar music and Flamenco dancing. I can still see his face as he would listen to music that brought him peace. I wanted to paint something I know he would love.

MDLV OAW

"Pop!"

9.2022

I don't typically gravitate toward clean lines or geometric patterns. I wanted to challenge myself with something out of the ordinary. We all have to conform to some form of society in one way or another. Hopefully, we can still find ways to be a pop of color wherever we are planted.

MDLV OAW

"Crossroads"

9.2022

This little 8" x 10" was a kitchen table experiment on texture. Once I was done with my experiment, I just decided to do a fly by painting on the canvas not to waste it. Probably one of my favorites to date.

MDLV OAW

"Gritty"

8.2022

Maybe I miss NYC. This one just reminds me of the old subways where graffiti was the norm. Knowing what I was going through at the time of this creation, I definitely released some emotion and energy into this painting.