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.

  

Spring Snow

We took a day for ourselves yesterday and loaded Kirby Puckett and Madelyn Rose into the truck and headed south. We dropped off the cockers at their favorite boarding spot and then just relished the sun shining and the rambling road. We stopped for lunch in Hudson and then drove on though lovely communities of River Falls, Ellsworth to the river towns of Prescott and Bay City. We stopped at an incredibly organized woodworking shop and learned secrets from a lifelong, expert woodworker and his lovely wife. Brought home a wonderful copper sculpture that we decided is probably too nice to put outside in the gardens! It was a glorious day! 

This week’s painting, Spring Snow, 4” x 6” watercolor, captures a small band of sheep in a spring snow squall.

Dreaming of Open Sea

It's become a war of wills in our yard – the warm sunshine up against heaps of solid, almost iceberg-like snow. Spring is surely coming slowly this year, which may be a blessing given the sheer amount of snow and the huge potential for flooding. But my thoughts have already moved to open water. We spent four days last week exploring Door County – there’s always something new to discover – and it was such a glorious sight to see the open waters of Lake Michigan. For those of us raised in the aura of Lake Superior, there is something beguiling about Michigan. While the crystal-clear freshwater is the same, It’s not the familiar “iron ore” color of Superior but rather an amazing blue-green color.

This week’s painting is set in high summer on the waters of Lake Superior. Dreaming of Open Sea, 4” x 6” watercolor, captures a moored sailboat ready to launch out, anytime, into this vast inland sea.

Sunshine Moments

Even though we're continuing with almost daily snow showers, there is an underlying warmth of the sun that speaks of Spring! I’m trying to be patient, but the warm sunny moments of some days, the front and back doors are often propped open and the critters are loving the freedom going out and coming in at will! My painting is now focused on preparing for two upcoming shows – the first one launches in mid-June with an exhibit at the Gallery of Westfield Hospital and Clinic in New Richmond.

This week’s painting is a return to the Liltie Series – Sunshine Moments, 4” x 6” watercolor, captures a kayaker enjoying the first rays of the morning.