The individuals I paint come from my life. They are my aunties, my cousins, my mother, my friends; old and new. They are mothers, writers, dancers, singers, entrepreneurs, musicians, photographers, activists, painters, sculptors, scientists, biologists, funeral directors, goat farmers, book keepers, jewelry designers, coders, doulas, landscape designers, astrologists, fashions designers, actors and film makers. They are all of these things and more. These incredible people have given me the gift of vulnerability. They have shared their hearts, souls and bodies so that I can translate what I see and feel through paint into something neither of us could have done alone. I am eternally grateful for all they have given me and continue to give.
Besides being brave enough to model naked for an artist, these amazing people are doing incredible things in the world! Many of them want to stay anonymous, but some are open to being known. Below are a just a few.
Jumanji O Moritz
Apart from modeling bare-bummed in the woods for a dear friend, my main passion is plants. I design gardens for clients in the greater Seattle area, as well as own a small nursery on Whidbey Island, dubbed Rainy Day Flora, where I specialize in native plants of the Pacific Northwest but can't resist those (non-invasive) gorgeous colors, exotic textures and fragrant perfumes originating from plants all over the world, including those that can only thrive indoors.
For more information and photos of my work, please visit my website at: https://www.rainydayflora.com/
Emmett J. Lundberg
Emmett J. Lundberg (emmettjack.com) was recently honored on OUT Magazine's OUT100. He was the recipient of last year's "Triple Threat Auteur" Award from the Toronto Webfest. His series BROTHERS was one of Indiewire’s 10 Best Indie TV Series and has screened at the New Orleans Film Festival, Austin Film Festival and LA Film Festival, among others. He lives in Brooklyn with his creative partner.
MAUREEN MOMO FREEHILL
Maureen Momo Freehill, MFA is an internationally recognized professional in Butoh, Asian theater and dance with over 30 years teaching experience including 5 years in Japan with Butoh founders Kazuo & Yoshito Ohno. She founded Butopia: Pacific NW Center for Embodied Arts in Nature (www.butopia.net) on Whidbey Island and co-directs Boulder, Colorado based non-profit NatureMoves (www.naturemoves.org) WilderDance program. Momo regularly facilitates groups and mentors individuals in nature embodiment and soul-based creativity. She navigates self-illumination and embodied enlightenment experiences while using Gene Keys map of consciousness (www.embodygenius.net) and is Gene Keys Society Membership coordinator (www.genekeys-society.com). Her chapter on life with Kazuo Ohno will be published in Routledge Press "Companion to Butoh Performance" later this year.
Vicki
Vicki is an author, social innovator and community activist. She is 72.
claudia walker
A resident of Whidbey Island since 1990, Claudia first met Aleah when Aleah was about 10, at a folk harp retreat. Claudia is a music- thanatologist sharing music at the bedside of the ill and dying to create an environment of beauty and peace at the end of life. For more about Claudia: https://youtu.be/gihQCB2gJus, https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/claudiawalker
DEBORAH KOFF-CHAPIN
Deborah Koff-Chapin received her BFA from Cooper Union in 1974. She has been practicing Touch Drawing since it came to her in an inspired moment on her last day there. She recognized that this direct way of drawing had applications far beyond her personal use. She teaches this simple yet profound creative process internationally. Deborah is the creator SoulCards 1&2, timeless decks sold worldwide since 1995. She is currently at work on another set entitled Portals of Presence. Deborah is author of Drawing Out Your Soul and The Touch Drawing Facilitator Workbook. She has served as Interpretive Artist at numerous conferences including The Parliament of the World’s Religions and the Conference on World Affairs. Deborah works with individuals to bring subtle dimensions of their soul into form through Inner Portraits. She also works with sound and healing, using her voice and gemstone crystal bowls. Deborah is Aleah Chapin’s mother. Find out more at https://touchdrawing.com