It sure isn't spring yet but I really have the Spring Cleaning Bug! I usually love being in my studio but it has become so full and unorganized lately that I don't have the same feeling when I walk through the door. It is time to lock myself in until it is clean. I am actually looking forward to my time in there. I usually find ways to part with items I thought I had to keep and I always find a better way to store this or arrange that. It makes me feel better to start new projects when all my supplies are put away. I know I need more storage solutions like shelving or cabinets but I will make due with what I have for now. I do have a wonderful built-in closet organization unit that has improved my space to the point I don't know what I would do without it! As you can tell in the photo, my idea board is so full I can hardly see my ideas. But I also keep notes of inspiration, photos I like and articles I want to remember. I would like to make the entire wall that the board is hanging on to be cork. Then I would have a huge idea wall instead of being confined to a small space. Ideas should have room to grow. I am getting excited just writing about it...time to clean!

I love what I do! I really enjoy the chance to meet new people. Last week I was called about a nursery. When we were discussing directions to her home we laughed when we found out we lived on the same street! Small world. Not only did I have the chance to paint another cute baby girl's room but I have gotten to know a sweet neighbor and hopefully made a new friend. The best part is, I am the one that feels thankful for being a working artist but I got a "thank you" card in the mail after the job was finished! How nice is that! Thank you neighbor! I had fun painting your nursery...and as much fun getting to know you! People like you are making my dreams a daily reality!

This is one of my newer quote paintings. I couldn't believe how fast the process went with this one...when I stepped back from it, I felt like it had painted itself. There is something very calming about it to me. I used a quote from a Sarah McLachlan song and I can almost hear her whispering voice when I look at this one. Her lyrics are true poetry in my life. I have always admired her as a song writer. I just find her to be brilliant on so many levels. If my painting could in anyway capture a visual moment of her emotion filled songs then I would feel pleased. I aspire to be a strong, honest artist like Sarah and so many others that allow themselves to live in the moment. Real and alive, succeed or fail, at least it is true.

This one was a challenge for me.



My father-in-law travels all over the world for work. He has had the privilege to see some amazing places. During one of his trips to London he saw an abstract painting that he fell in love with and came home to tell me about it. He kept saying, "It is this indigo circle that goes from very dark out to light." Naturally I said "Oh, so it is purple." He said, "No, blue." Ahh, and who said art was subjective...

I tried to get as much info out of him. Having a background in graphic design, I learned fast that a request for a "classy ad" could be about a million different things. So I asked as many questions as I could to get my own "image" of what this painting looked like. I hadn't ever re-created something I never had the chance to see. I could tell he loved that painting and I wanted to make it match what he saw. He knows when he sees something if he likes it or not and I wanted him to like it.

What is great about my father-in-law is that he loves abstract art. That is so cool to me! So I was looking forward to painting it but found myself so nervous at the expectation that came along with it. So, what else could I do but dive right in, the original wasn't going to clone itself. I had a lot of fun doing it, I always do when I paint abstracts. It is such a free feeling, like reliving youth where there are no lines to color inside. Creating it was great, it was the waiting for the reveal that caused me to be neurotic.

But he LOVED it! I can't tell you how relieved I was! I think there was a visible change in me when he jumped up and said "It's perfect!" I just think it is wonderful to have people inspired enough to return home still talking about a piece of art they saw that just stuck with them. So thank you Indigo painting in London...although I never met you, I was able to make one to fill the inspiration you gave my father-in-law.

This painting was done for my mother-in-law. She has a genuine love for the African culture, she has traveled there twice to bring medicine and food to people who can't afford it themselves. She has a wonderful testimony and her visits, along with the people she met, made a huge impact on her life. From her travels, she has brought back some beautiful sculptures, baskets, masks and fabrics. The influence can be seen in the two main rooms of her home. It feels different than someone who just chose to decorate with a "Safari Flair", it feels very authentic. All her pieces tell the story of her travels. I had talked with her about doing a painting of tiger eyes a while back. I found a photo that had a similar look to what I was going for and I sketched out my own version. I have had this since September 2004. I was able to complete it and give it to her for Christmas this year. It really excites me to contribute to a decorating theme that means so much to her. She really loved the painting and that still is the true reward for me. Knowing I can create something that brings another joy makes me extremely thankful for the gift of art in my life. Sidna, I hope you enjoy "Tiger Eyes" for years to come!

"Courage" is my favorite of the four new quote paintings. Not because I think it is my best but there is a combination of elements that feels very personal. The image does (since I use myself) but it is the image and color mixed with the quote.

"Whatever course you decide upon, there is always someone to tell you that you are wrong. There are always difficulties arising which tempt you to believe that your critics are right. To map out a course of action and follow it to an end requires...courage."

The quote is one I personally felt when I decided to start my own business. I had some critics who wanted me to know all the stats of small business failures in their first year, I had some critics who wanted me to play it safe. But more importantly, I had a strong support system of family and friends and they helped give me courage. While the girl in the painting is looking down, contemplating her future, I have since looked out onto the horizon. To all my critics, you didn't beat me down. I am going to pursue my dream until I have no more breath to give it. Thank you to all those who encouraged me and continue to believe in me. I have mapped out a course of action and I will follow it...with courage.

Sorry it has been a long time between posts. December was a very busy month for my business and for me personally. It feels good to be writing on my site again. Seven new works have been put on the site since my last post. Four of them are additions to my quote series. It amazes me how fun it is to add more paintings to my series. I have never been one to create a series, my work has always been on an individual basis. But this has been a really neat experience, almost like they are sisters, connected only like a family can be.



This yellow one, "Life Is In Your Hands", is my husbands favorite of the new four. I have heard that from some friends too. I always enjoy hearing the feedback of others. Mostly I enjoy hearing why it is their favorite. But if you know me, I like to know why we do everything. He feels it is very balanced composition wise but also the most realistic portrait I have done. Realistic is secondary to me, first I want to convey a single moment and emotion side by side with words that narrate your experience. This quote probably pertains to most of us from time to time;

Don't let your life slip through your fingers by living in the past or for the future. By living your life one day at a time, you live all the days of your life.

That would be my wish for all of you this new year, to live all the days of your life. Just like I hope to capture small moments of life on canvas, I hope you live each moment with all the breath and spirit you have inside.

I came to my computer tonight, checking my e-mail more so out of habit than anything, but I got a wonderful surprise. I received an e-mail from a college student majoring in Art History and Art Conservation. She had stumbled across my site and sent an e-mail filled with compliments. I felt like I was reading a note from a dear friend, but I was hearing from a complete stranger. My art work had reached another, left an impact and moved someone enough to write to me. I can't tell you what that means to an artist, at least to me. I appreciate it. So thank you. Thank you for taking your time to write to me and for taking the time to look through my work and read my journal. Our many similarities made me smile and I wish you all the best in your artistic future. May you live with the courage to pursue your dreams.

This Saturday, November 12 is the Mattie Rhodes Center Mask & More Auction. I was introduced to the Mattie Rhodes Center through my Regional Manager at my old graphic design job. She is on the board. Knowing my interest in art, she encouraged me to make a mask to donate to the auction. But more importantly to the cause. The history of the Mattie Rhodes Center is pretty fascinating. Mattie at a very young age died and left $500 to the children of Kansas City. Today, the center offers art exhibits and classes to the youth of our city that would not have those opportunities otherwise. Needless to say I was happy to make a mask, and find myself looking forward to it each year.

As I made my mask for this year, I found myself reflecting on the sad reality that art is no longer being offered to our kids. My sister is a first grade teacher and they don't have art. THEY DON'T OFFER ART CLASSES! I just can't believe it! If we stop the creative encouragement at such a young age, why do we think they'll pick it back up as young adults? How many studies need to be done to prove the importance of art and music in the development of our children. Although I sound like an angry parent, I am not, I don't have kids. But I do feel passionate about the arts being offered to our young future. I hope it changes. I hope that our schools can stop making cuts in the fine arts department. I hope we as a society will stand up and say it isn't ok, so if our kids need to be exposed in other ways, we will do that.

If you are free this Sat. I would suggest going to the auction. It is at Rees Masilionis Turley Architecture, 908 Broadway, KCMO. It is a wonderful evening of food, live music and art. What else is really cool about the auction is not only are local artists featured, but the children that attend the Mattie Rhodes art programs all make masks as well. You would be surprised at the talents and variety shown. The masks are wonderful and this year they have included paintings and jewelry as well. All proceeds go to the Mattie Rhodes Center to continue its outreach to the youth of our city. It is a wonderful cause and should be a great evening!

I am sure that my thoughts are nothing new. I am sure that many artists find themselves thinking about similar situations. Somedays I find myself more positive in my thinking. I believe that my paintings will be hanging in a gallery (hopefully my own at some point), that I will have a solo art show in New York City and that my paintings sell out in that show ( I have watched Great Expectations too many times; Ethan Hawke's first exhibit sells out). I have all kinds of thoughts like that. Good thoughts. And other days I struggle.

Sometimes I feel like I run an orphanage and my paintings are the children. I want to find them good homes, I want them to belong in someone's life and make a difference. I want them to touch their parents' hearts, to be an extension of themselves. I want someone to walk past one and feel like they can't live without that, they must take it home. Somedays I fear I will be surrounded by my paintings forever, that my "children" will never be "adopted". What if they don't touch someone's life? What if they don't find their match? What if I am Miss Hannigan and Daddy Warbucks only comes for Annie and the other 32 paintings surround me forever?

I know I need to move past the fears of those thoughts. Doubt stops the progress. Most days I continue to work on new paintings and ideas. I can only control my efforts to continue painting. I can only control the vision that I have and put it onto canvas. The safe part of my job is painting what others ask me to paint. I come into a home and paint the requested mural or painting to match an exhisting decor. The scary part for me is when I put myself out there with my personal work. What then? Who, if anyone likes that? Is it speaking to anyone besides me?

I will never stop painting, it is like oxygen to me. And I will keep my goals out in front of me, reaching toward them at all times. But if I haven't been heard from in a while, check my studio, the pile of paintings may have buried me alive. Until then, I look forward to the day my paintings hang in a gallery, and to my first solo art exhibit, and to my first entrance into the Plaza Art Fair, someday...