After all the construction and traveling this summer, Tom and I took some time out this week to give our backyard some attention. While I was planting some mums this afternoon, my daughter Brittany took a photo of me. It occurred to me that the way I was holding the plant looked like I was holding a football, about to charge at her through the garden. Which reminded me of the news recently that Franco Harris, four-time Super Bowl Champion and Super Bowl IX MVP, will be honored by the Steelers retiring his number this year. It will be one of…

We had a wonderful summer, traveling, relaxing, and getting a lot of projects done around the house. Now that the girls are back in school, and after celebrating Aria’s 6th birthday on Monday, I was finally ready to get back to work. And… there is a ton of news!! It couldn’t have been a more perfect day for a road trip, and Tom and I headed up to Wendell August Forge in Grove City. We loaded up our van with hundreds of etched-metal ornaments with themes of Pittsburgh, Kennywood Park, sports stadiums, and (of course) Santa! It’s lovely to have everything back…

Is it just me, or did summer really fly by this year? Back in early summer when I finished painting “Pittsburgh at First Light,” its September 1st release date seemed so very far away. I couldn’t wait to unveil this majestic painting of sunrise from the South Side Slopes. Now suddenly September 1st is right around the corner – just one week from today! So this is the last week to take advantage of the one-time-only preorder discount of 15% off – the offer expires at 11:59 p.m. on August 31st. To reserve your print at this special price, just visit my…

Wow! I was really inspired this week by your comments and title ideas for the new painting I’m working on… one great suggestion after another, each one heartfelt and illuminating. I’ve put them all together in my head and rolled them around a bit, and now I’d like to run one by you… how about ”Santa’s Favorite Toy Shop” (or something like that). What do you think? I never know when I start a piece how it will touch the hearts of others and whether it will resonate with them or not. I promise to give it my best shot so that…

You would think by now I would have learned to expect the unexpected. There sure has been a lot of it lately… especially in the last couple weeks! It all started when Tom and I arrived home from our painting trip to Albuquerque, just in time for Brentwood’s Fourth of July parade. Everyone had a jolly good time. Not long after that, one of my twin granddaughters (Abigail) was playing with Aria, her big sister, and managed to sprain her ankle. Then, the very next day Aria was running across her living room and fell smack into the corner of…

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.…