Monday, December 30, 2013

With Heartfelt Thanks

I am so blessed to have a loving and supportive group of friends and family whose encouragement helps me to continue to improve my artistic gifts. As I look back over the years of posts that I have not yet deleted, I do believe that I've shown a positive direction in my work. Thank you to all the people who have helped me to grow as an artist! I have fought with and cried over many of these works, but every one of them was completed with love.

There are many paintings that I haven't shared. Some of them are so personal that I wouldn't share them without permission. I was recently given permission to share this one. Ashley lost her life to suicide, but she continues to touch lives and hearts. The loving memories that her family and friends share can soften the pain of this great loss, but will never replace her. I cried for her family when I painted this. No parent should lose a child, yet I know a number of people who have. God Bless You!

My prayers are with you. I wish you all a very happy, healthy, and prosperous New Year!




Thursday, December 26, 2013

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

I hope your Christmas was filled with love! After all, it's not the gifts we give or get that is most meaningful, but the love we share with each other. As we usher in the New Year, I'll be thinking of you and wishing you a healthy, happy, and prosperous 2014!

Time to party!!!

Sometimes I Surprise Myself!

Wednesday, December 18, 2013

Preserving History

I get very emotional when I paint portraits. I cry when painting posthumous portraits, and feel the joy of a newborn child. The emotion I most experienced in doing this painting was the love that this couple has for each other. This was painted on the occasion of a milestone anniversary. I don't always post the portraits that I paint because they are so personal, but I was given permission to post this. The actual size of this painting is 24" x 36."


Portrait artists paint for a variety of reasons, but I think the most important one is that we can preserve an image for "eternity." Sometimes this image is a moment in time, a memory of a loved one, or the "freezing" of a special life experience, like a wedding or the birth of a child. In this case, this couple enjoys experiencing Victorian life, and dresses the part beautifully. They participate in a variety of events, including fashion show fundraisers for various charities. I'm honored to have been asked to preserve this moment in time for them.

Wednesday, December 11, 2013

Hitting the Wall


My sincere apologies to those who are offended by this. This poor bird flew into my window and left its mark. I was compelled to memorialize it in a painting. I call it Hitting the Wall because I sometimes feel like this. You may call it The Holy Spirit if you prefer.

Hitting The Wall