"Travel enriches my work in many ways. My recent trips to Vienna and Prague revealed the charm of weathered stone and marble surfaces adorned with touches of gold. These unexpected golden highlights caught the light in fascinating ways across paintings, decorative arts, and architecture, bringing a dynamic blend of rustic and refined beauty to the buildings. "This experience influenced the techniques I applied to the Starry Night Nativity, such as using gold leaf and color gradations. I added gold dots to symbolize light, energy, hope, and inner strength, aiming to create a piece of enduring value that could be cherished for years or even passed down through generations. "The Starry Night Nativity presented a challenge to convey a story and captivate the viewer within a compact space. The figures are housed in an 8" box that opens into a triptych, unveiling a starry night around an intimate scene. The deep blue hues and sparkling gold offer a jewel-like nod to historical art objects. "I designed this piece to be versatile, suitable for display year-round on a table or wall, whether open or closed. The exterior doors represent nature and the cycles of life—regeneration, renewal, and rebirth—reflecting the themes that influence my work." Name: Starry Night NativityMaterials: Resin, brassDimensions: Height: 21.6 cm, Width: 20.3 cm x 5.1 cm (When closed)Features: Hinged resin box with gold leaf; can be hung or used as a free-standing piece. Hanger style: 2 keyholes. Weighs approximately 5.5 pounds.Sentiment: "...and heaven and nature sing"
