Cho La Pass ala Birukov

In my recent painting of the Himalayas, I aimed to convey the duality of nature; harsh and grand. It is the roof of the world, oxygen is limited, and a misstep in ascending the peaks could be fatal. Yet the crystal air and vast horizons are breathtaking - nearly divine.

I gravitate to these landscapes because I feel a transcendence in them. Human life is not at the center. We are dwarfed in the beauty.

I became a painter after I became diagnosed with a rare neurological disorder with significant chronic pain, and had to end my career in development finance. Pain is constant presence for me - which is why I look outside of the body for beauty and tranquility. Sweeping mountain landscapes provide such peace. Diving into the details, while setting aside others, provides distractions in the best, most therapeutic sense of the word.

I collaborated with the photographer Yury Birukov, who captured the reference image in the Nepali Himalayas, and has collaborated with me on a series of alpine photographers from the region. I am grateful to have working partnerships with several alpine photographers worldwide; through their eyes, I can travel and celebrate parts of the world I never otherwise would be able to explore.