I learned a lot about fluid art from Rinske Douna, she is a fluid artist in the Netherlands. The fluid art movement is very important to me. I was never able to express my creativity with paints until I discovered fluid art.

Each piece is painted on wood panel with fluid acrylics. I lay down a base layer of paint on the entire panel, then pour my colors on in the basic pattern I am wanting. Then I use forced air to blow the paints into a design. Each piece will cure for 4 weeks then I finish with resin to make them shine and bring depth. Each piece takes 6-8 weeks to complete so I work on multiples at a time.

My piece “Cosmic Tango” which is currently displayed at the ARTesian Gallery and Studios (and is sold). It is a beautiful celebration of movement with all my favorite colors and conveys my love for the cosmos and dance.

I really would like people to take away a feeling of freedom and joy from my art. I hope to encourage others to try an artform, any kind, to find what you enjoy doing in life and to be free to be who you want to be.

I describe my art as “dancing on canvas”. I have been a dancer for almost 30 years and I have taken that love and now convey it with paints as well. I love to incorporate beautiful, flowing, movement that makes you sway as you follow the momentum of each piece. I enjoy using black backgrounds with bright colors to create beautiful contrast and vibrancy.

I am completely self taught. I have learned a lot from fluid art. I always say it has a mind of it’s own. There is much less control over how a piece turns out than painting with brushes. I go in with a basic color scheme and design in mind. How the piece turns out sometimes, is not at all what I had envisioned. You have to have an open mind and work WITH the paint and release a certain amount of control over it and see where it takes you. This has taught me so much about life.

Taloa Oka’ means “singing water” in the Chickasaw language. I chose this name because I absolutely love the sound of rain. It makes me feel relaxed, peaceful and joyful and this is how I hope people feel when they experience my art. My work may not be traditionally indigenous in nature, but this year I plan to work on a series that involves the four elements: wind, water, earth and fire. I also plan to work on pieces incorporating nature and the seasons, so that I can celebrate my culture in these pieces while maintaining my signature style.

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Instagram: @taloa.oka.studio