Tom and I are back on the road again, headed for home. We said our goodbyes to the adobe homes and mountains of New Mexico, and now the scenery has changed to amber waves of grain. I had a tremendous experience at the IAPS convention of pastel artists. As always, it was a wonderful time spent with friends both old and new, sharing techniques and stories and just soaking up the energy of fellow artists. In fact, I met a few whose workshops I can’t wait to take when this pastel party happens again in 2024. Each artist showcased their…

Tom and I finally made it to Albuquerque this week, and I must say we have driven through some amazing countryside! We love the big skies, the beautiful clouds, and dramatic sunsets, not to mention the many nice people we’ve met in our travels. We arrived in Albuquerque on Sunday night, though my workshops didn’t start until Wednesday. Five years ago, the last time I attended the IAPS conference for pastel artists, I visited the Los Poblanos lavender farm and took some fantastic photographs from their property. This piece was inspired by that visit. I spent about three hours getting…

I’m writing to you from the road as Tom and I are traveling out west for a painting trip. Instead of just flying into Albuquerque, we decided to make it a long-overdue official road trip! Our first stop was Chicago and the Navy Pier. We arrived just in time to watch a spectacular sunset over this amazing city. Chicago, I never realized how beautiful your skyscrapers are… I’d better not stay too long, or I just might have to paint you! Preparing for our journey, I spent a couple weeks getting all my supplies together for the pastel conference in…

I’m working on a new painting, and I’d like to share it with you today. It’s called “Pittsburgh at First Light.” It’s very much still a work in progress, and you may notice that some parts look a little awkward. It’s hard for an artist to show her work while it’s still unfinished… so please be kind! Some paintings go together a lot easier, but painting this city is a long and complicated process. Don’t get me wrong – I dearly love this painting already, but the other night I vented to my husband Tom, “This painting is doing me in!!!” I…

Despite all this crazy cold weather, summer is indeed on its way, and our thoughts are going to outdoor activities.  For me, that means long rides in the country, finding views with rivers or lakes, and going to amusement parks with my family.  One of our favorite destinations over the years has been Conneaut Lake Park. The park was built in 1892, and it’s had its struggles in recent years. According to their website (newconneautlakepark.com), there’s a lot going on there this summer, but there’s one thing that will be gone and sorely missed – the Blue Streak roller coaster.…

What an amazing week this has been! We are now up to 48 prints sold of “Unbroken – The Heart of Ukraine.” As soon as I got the first 33 prints from my printer, I signed each one of them in gold. Tom and I worked together to package everything, and then I was off to the post office. Well… let’s just say it’s not cool to show up at the post office on Tax Day with 28 packages! After waiting for the eight people in line ahead of me, I finally made it to the window. I felt guilty and…

Since I wrote last week, it’s been nonstop activity around here! My oldest and dearest friends have been in town visiting Tom and me for the last five days. Friendships like ours are truly golden, and my soul has been full of joy. While they were here, my friend Ron remarked that my original painting of Mingo Creek Park’s Ebenezer Bridge (“Evening at Ebenezer Covered Bridge”) may just be his favorite of all my paintings. So as we discussed where to go while they were visiting, it seemed like a perfect plan to take them and our grandgirls (who were on spring…

This is my new painting, “Unbroken – The Heart of Ukraine.” The symbolism in the painting represents the steadfastness and resilience of the Ukrainian people in the face of this brutal war. I was inspired to create it because I wanted to make a difference and do whatever I could to help support the Ukrainian people. Finally, all the details are in place! Now you can donate to humanitarian organizations in Ukraine by purchasing your own print of “Unbroken.” Each colorful print is 11 x 14 inches with an image area of 8 x 10 inches on archival paper. You can actually frame the piece without the…

Here I am, back at the Pittsburgh Home and Garden Show at the David L Lawrence Convention Center in Downtown Pittsburgh and loving it! I didn’t realize just how much I’ve missed this show. All day long, I’m visiting with customers I haven’t seen in two years, and it’s been so much fun! Did you catch the terrific article about the show that appeared in Sunday’s Pittsburgh Post-Gazette? Of course, I wasn’t the only one interviewed for the article, but I was thrilled that they chose my photos to illustrate the article in color. Sincere thanks to writer Kevin Kirkland and the editors for making…

The Pittsburgh Home and Garden Show is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year! Can you believe it? After the show skipped last year and closed early in 2020 because of the pandemic, I am super excited and more than ready to be back. I’m so full of adrenaline that I feel as if I could float off into the air! I pretty much have everything in order, which is a bit unusual for me. On Sunday, we will be renting our U-Haul truck and loading it up for a Tuesday morning move-in. Then it will be full days of set-up and organizing until the…