Sometimes it takes a while for a photograph to “speak” – in other words, to inspire me to take up the brush and paint. However, if it’s sheep or birch trees, you can be pretty sure that it will only be a day or two or three before the image begins to emerge on my easel!
This week’s painting, is surely one of my favorites – Band on the Road, 9” x 12” on 300 lb. watercolor paper, captures a much-loved scene of the sheep taking the perfect route – right down the road – to the next green pasture.
It’s been an astonishing winter already. Typically, we have a bit of snow in December and then cold, cold in January followed by major snows in February and March. Well, this year, we have had a massive amount of snow . . . and it’s only January. Paul has shoveled paths/tunnels around the yard for Maddie and Kirby and we’re rapidly running out of places to pile up the snow. But the scene outside our door balances out the exercise we’re getting – the surrounding woods are gorgeous with every tree fringed in white.
And it’s the perfect time to paint! This week’s Liltie Series painting, Afternoon Paddle, 4” x 6” on 300 lb. watercolor paper, captures a special moment of a kayaker floating on quiet water.
As we move into this new year, we are thankful for so many blessings. We got to be with most of our children and families during the Christmas season, although we missed seeing Jack, Ryley and Mychal. And then we gathered on December 24 to celebrate my mom’s 90th birthday with family and dear friends.
I’m honored to be selected by Phipps Art Center of Hudson, WI, to have two art exhibits this summer, so I’m busy painting! And in the heart of winter, it’s always fun to paint the warm days of summer! This week’s painting, Before the Dawn, 8” x 11” on 300 lb. watercolor paper, captures an early morning paddle.
It seems early in the season but in the past 24 hours, 16 new inches of snow have filled our yard and totally bejeweled the trees and bushes in the woods. And the forecast is for another 6-8 inches tonight. YIKES! It’s absolutely gorgeous, but totally wet snow and heavy as sin! We are fortunate that there isn’t ice underneath all the layers, and our old dogs are loving going in and out . . . and out and in . . . all day long to inspect and taste the newly fallen flakes!
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Supposedly a mountain of snow is coming our way this afternoon, but our supplies are well stocked and there’s a pot of chili is on the stove – yummy leftovers from our Christmas celebration on Sunday with Krista’s and Jenn’s families. I love days like this – with wide open spaces in our schedule and no reason to leave the house. It’s the perfect day for painting!
This week’s painting is back to the Lilties Series – Birch Light , 4” x 6” on 300 lb. watercolor paper, was inspired by a photo from a favorite photographer, Jan Swart. She takes amazing photos of birch trees all along the North Shore of Minnesota.
It’s a lovely day of snow – fluffy flakes coming straight down – and when you live with dogs, you are always thankful for the fresh covering of new whiteness across the lawn! We’re looking forward to celebrating Christmas with part of our family on Sunday and this year feels different. For the past two years, Paul and I have been participating in a ZOOM faith study every Monday night. With 16 to 20 others, living across the country, we’ve been studying spiritual practices and disciplines to help us grow in our faith walk with Christ. Also in the past few years of walking with my Mom in her life journey, I’ve learned (usually the hard way) that I really have no control over anything except my own attitude. I think these have all worked to make a difference in the way I approach things. I don’t feel the anxiety or the need to do over-the-top preparations this year. We’re having soup for our Christmas meal along with Heggies cheese pizzas (a family favorite) for the kidsies. And we’ll just relax and enjoy the few hours of being together and celebrating Jesus’ birthday!
This week’s painting reflects my spirit today. Off the Beaten Path, 9” x 12” on 300 lb. watercolor paper, captures an early snow on an abandoned covered bridge.
It’s an honor for me to begin my third year of being represented by Plum Bottom Gallery in Door County, WI. Their three gallery locations – on Plum Bottom Road and in Egg Harbor and Fish Creek – are filled with beautiful art. And thank you to all who support and encourage artists through the purchase of original art. These original watercolors are moving to new homes this month – Evening Paddle (4x6); Blue Letter Day (4x6); and Birches in Sunlight (11x15). Thank You!
