4th of July

This used to be such a fun holiday, but after living in a lake community for a few years, I’m no longer a big fan. The fireworks and influx of cabin renters has made this a time to just tolerate rather than enjoy. There is sometimes a sense that “anything goes” when visitors come in for the weekend. And I’m not trying to be the big grouch here. But because we have dogs (now just one dog) that are terrified of fireworks, our evenings are often spent inside with the AC and TV on for background noise. O.k., I’m done with this rant!

This past two weeks have been extraordinarily difficult. On June 21, my mom fell and broke her hip, resulting in hip surgery that evening. Then less than 24 hours following surgery, she was discharged from the hospital back to her room at her care facility. It still seems unbelievable that after a surgery of this magnitude on a 90-year-old, insurance companies can dictate to health care professionals that it is time to discharge so quickly. (Is this another rant?!)  And then due to the ensuing and unmanageable level of pain, mom was moved to hospice care as of last Tuesday. It seems surreal that we should be at this point, but here we are. Life offers no guarantees, and we are so grateful for loving family and friends, and caring and supportive staff.

But today was a paint day. I’ve been holding on to and thinking about this photo since we came across this scene on our trip to North Carolina in early May. After almost 7 months of gray and snow in NW Wisconsin, the green of Kentucky, Tennessee and North Carolina seemed almost magical. It was our first visit to this area of the country, and we were astonished at the incredible beauty of this region. We traveled a myriad of narrow, winding roads through the Great Smoky, Blue Ridge and Appalachian mountains. Rounding one especially rugged corner, we came out on this open meadow with a spectacular view of the mountain ranges in the distance, and this single shotgun-style cabin. A perfectly charming spot!

This week’s painting, Blue Ridge Home, 8” x 11” on 300 hot press watercolor paper, features this narrow cabin with symmetrical windows and a vista view up into the blue of the mountains.

Summertime!

Is there anything as nice as a day in June? The hot temperatures of a few weeks ago broke a couple of days ago and we are enjoying an absolutely perfect week. Thanks to the wonderful dragonflies, the mosquitos have diminished and our first meals on the deck have been so lovely. And the pontoon is in, so summer on Big Blake Lake is officially here!

One of my favorite photographers is Jan Swart and her photos of birch trees on the North Shore never fail to inspire me to paint these amazing trees . . . one more time! This week’s painting, Spring Woods, 9” x 12” on 300 lb. cold press watercolor paper, features the wonderful range of colors of a woodland in Spring.  

Coming out of the Gardens!

It’s been a long time since I’ve posted on this blog and much has happened! The past month has been filled with digging in the dirt, cleaning up gardens, and planting flowers along with a couple of small patches of flax. Yes, flax! I’m hoping for a moment of those lovely blue flowers in our back yard! It’s also been a time of healing – the effects of my fall in March resulted in a concussion that I’m still recovering from. While I’m back to painting – which is a great relief for me – I’m having peripheral vision issues in my left eye, so Paul still won’t let me drive. The docs feel that I’m on the right road to a full recovery – it just takes a bit of time.

This week’s painting, Woodland Stream, 9” x 13” on 300 lb. cold press watercolor paper, celebrates the light of an early Spring shining in a wooded glade.

Inspiration

It’s often an elusive thing – what inspires us to choose one path over another and pursue our passions? I believe it may come down to simply following our hearts and doing what feeds our spirit. Lately, my paintings seem to be focused on the areas of lovely free-grazing sheep or the complex colors encased in the trunks of birch trees. What does that mean? Not sure, but this week is no exception. Birch Grove, 9” x 12” on 300 lb. watercolor paper, reflects the myriad of colors in a woodland glade.

ArtReach St. Croix Exhibit - Apil 1-May 6, 2023

In celebration of the ArtReach of St. Croix exhibit, you’re invited to an Artist’s Reception, to be held on Sunday, April 23, from 12-1 p.m. at the Washington Co. Historic Courthouse, Stillwater, MN. The exhibit, titled “Caregiving, Aging, Death and Dying," features incredible artwork filling unique spaces within this historic structure. For example, my watercolor, “Through Her Eyes,” is hung in a wonderful light-filled space in the original courthouse vault! And the stories behind the artwork reflect the distinctive life journey of each individual artist. The exhibit is displayed in two locations - at the Historic Courthouse and in the ArtReach St. Croix Gallery in Stillwater, MN - from April 1 through May 6, 2023. Plan now to attend this special event!

Madelyn Rose

We said goodbye to our sweet Maddie yesterday. She was our much-loved black cocker spaniel, Madelyn Rose, and we are feeling lost. At almost 16 years of age, she gave us a lifetime of adventures and so much unconditional love and happy times. She totally trained Paul and I and quickly established her feeding times, rightful place in the back seat of the pickup and unquestionable spot on the bed. She lived happily with our critters: tolerating Zach (18 years and alpha cat); ignoring Bailey (5 years and still the newbie cat), and last year, making room in the house for Kirby Puckett, our rescued 13-year-old cocker spaniel. About two weeks ago, we realized Maddie was blind and our mission became to make her comfortable and safe and to help her live with dignity. On Monday, April 3, she let us know that it was time to let her go. We are so grateful for Doc Springer and the wonderfully caring team at Interstate Vet Clinic, and for all the sweet family and friends who made each day of Maddie’s life special.

Hopes for April

March has been a banner month of cold weather and yesterday it went out with snow, hail, rain, thunder and lightning! We woke up this April Fool’s Day to 9” of new wet-heavvy snow. They say Midwesterners spend a lot of time talking about the weather, but it’s hard not to when it’s changing every 5 minutes and the Winter of 2023 just won’t go away. 

I’m dealing with the ongoing effects of missing a step and falling face first on the way up to a shop in Door County a couple of weeks ago. My incredible black eye has healed, but I ended up in the ER at Stillwater this week because of bouts of lightheadedness. Everything checked out o.k. but the symptoms continue so I’m going to try PT next week. This winter, for the first time in my life, I had vertigo due to an ear infection, and I think maybe the fall triggered some of those effects again. As you can imagine, we are so ready for the wonderful healing of sunshine, fresh air and green grass of Spring!

This week’s painting takes us back to the Gaellic hills - thanks to a photo sent by our lovely Scot/Irish cousin. Roving Free, 8” x 12” matted and on 300 lb. watercolor paper, captures Highland lassies enjoying the view from a country lane.