Reaching out during a journey
(acrylic on masonite —1994)


The smell of lavender is intoxicating, the first time I smelled it's fragrance was in Northern California at a garden out in front of a winery, I immediately became an addict to it's smell, it's hues & it's many varieties.

When I paint with oils I will sometimes pour lavender oil onto the palette & mix it into the paint, not only to smell it while painting but also to slow the drying time of the paint. This allows me to follow a thought when painting for several weeks.

Sometimes while on journeys I'll set up the paints, canvas', journals, pencils & attempt to communicate or translate the sights & emotions of what I am experiencing onto the canvas or writings.
— victor m maldonado