I painted one of my favorite yoga poses, paschimottanasana, from an unexpected angle. I emphasized the flexed feet. The hands are central and emphasize the role they play in the pose. The deep and delicious hamstring stretch is implied. The bold blanket and background make the yogi pop.
Valerie Guth Boyd believes that, like exercise, creativity needs to be practiced regularly, preferably daily. In Minneapolis, she found oil painting provided a language to communicate the beauty and grandeur she sees around her. Color has become a means for her to articulate emotion and convey the reverence she holds for her subjects. Boyd moved to Dallas in 2013 and delved more deeply into her art and her creative flow. In 2017, she began a series of oil portraits and has highlighted 100 in her book Badass Women. When not in her studio, Boyd immerses herself in the rich cultural offerings in the Dallas Metroplex and leads a Museum Group who join her in this pursuit. She participates in various live model studios. The summers draw Boyd back annually to Missoula, Montana where she grew up. Accompanied by her husband, two adult children, and three loyal side-kick dogs, she draws creative inspiration from the mountains, rivers, and being in nature.