Stephanie West

In 1983 I made this sketch of Christian. The drawing is in pen and ink and half a face. Sketching children, adults, and both men and women helps the noticing of distinct characteristics.

This event was spectacular! Robert, the manager for Jo Malone at Bloomingdale’s in San Diego CA created two themed rooms for the fragrance and art show. One titled “Kohdo Wood Day” in white, black, and lime green furnishings and the other “Kohdo Wood Night” illuminated entirely with tea lights. Guests enjoyed a relaxing atmosphere, entertaining conversations, and the hospitality at Bloomingdale’s. A Giclee print of “Swimming in Love” was purchased by one of the guests for her family law office.

I created this little sketch in 1978. I imagined a vial that would hold a scent. The top would have a metal bolt with a stone dome and the tip would be crystal.

When painting, the artist gets to choose what to put in and what to leave out. I decided to focus on the face and abstract the background.

My recent encounter with Jo Malone’s Blue Agave and Cacao Cologne inspired me to work on an image I wanted to paint of Agave.

Agave americana have broad leaves that arch and curl with a green central band and yellow to white stripes along the leaf margins. It is one of the most graceful and largest of the variegated Agave americana varieties… many of which are near my home in San Diego, California.

FUSION 3: A collaboration between ADAI/SDAD and the Japanese Friendship Gardens Society of San Diego.

Books on Personal Mastery I feel have value:

The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success: A Prac…
by Deepak Chopra

Mastery: The Keys to Success and Long-Term …
by George Leonard

Deep Yoga: Ancient Wisdom for Modern Times,…
by Bhava Ram

The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enli…
by Eckhart Tolle

Now, Discover Your Strengths - Marcus Buckingham and Donald O. Clifton

I feel these books on Productivity have value:

Getting Things DONE, the Art if Stress Free Productivity - by David Allen
Now, Discover Your Strengths - by Buckingham & Clifton, Ph.D.
The Passion Test - Janet Attwood and Chris Attwood
First Things First - Covey
One Minute Manager (series)
Who Moved My Cheese (series)

Books on Relationships I feel have value:

Passionate Marriage - by David Schnarch, Ph.D.
How to Survive the Loss of a Love – Meba Clgrove, Peter McWilliams, Harold H. Bloomfield
A Return to Love – Marianne Williamson
The Mastery of Love - Miguel Ruiz
Mars and Venus On a Date, also Starting Over - Dr. John Gray
A Woman’s Guide to Spiritual Divorce - Debbie Ford

Reviewed - not necessarily recommended:

The Love you Deserve, A spiritual guide to genuine love - Dr. Scott Peck and Shannon Peck
Falling in Love for all the Right Reasons - by Dr. Neil Clark Warren, founder of eHarmony
He’s Just Not That Into You: The No-Excuses Truth to Understanding Guys
- by Greg Behrendt & Liz Tuccillo
Be Honest - You’re Not That Into Him Either: Raise Your Standards and Reach for the Love You Deserve - by Ian Kerner
The Art of Seduction - by Robert Greene
Romantic Intelligence – Valentis & Valentis
Keys to the Kingdom - by Alison A. Armstrong
Dr. Laura Schlessinger
If Men Could Talk – Translating the Secret Language of Men – Alon Gratch, Ph.D.
Wild at Heart, Discovering the Secret of a Man’s Soul – by John Eldridge

Paintings Purchased by Art Collector in Phoenix, Arizona:
“Swimming in Love” - was inspired by an illustration by Kitagawa Utamaro (ca. 1753 - 1806). I wanted to see if I could expand on what I saw in his work by creating a yin yang with color in the man and woman. I also wanted to integrate the ocean. In addition to the koi fish a stylized seaweed is in the man’s kimono. In the woman’s dress I first thought I would do coral and then changed it to a rooted tree.

In “Koi Grouping” I wanted to explore different angles and different colors of koi. In the interior the fish swim in a moss green. The exterior is a texture window into their environment.