Newest Work

I am delighted to be able to post my final product of a Stunning Bride named Merideth. I am hoping that I have correctly spelled her name. This painting was commissioned by a lovely woman named Janice. This is her daughter. I had the pleasure of meeting Janice while in North Carolina. She is a dear friend of a dear friend of mine!

This is the first painting I have worked on in a while. I have been busy doing more administrative things in my business rather than the juicy, fun part of creating. But I'm baaaaaacccckkk!

Please enjoy this site and my website! I am working on getting a business Page on Facebook!
Until next time!

A Wonderful Surprise!

I had a wonderful surprise this week! Larissa Cox wrote me a little note letting me know that I have been mentioned me on the blog Tack n Talk. http://bit.ly/TacknTalk_blog (boy I hope I got that right--if not I will correct it) Also, http://tackandtalk.wordpress.com can be tried.
Please visit this site! It is a wonderful, informative and fun site about Horses, Horse people and fun goings on around the Barn! The Authors of this blog are Larissa W Cox of Larissa Cox Training and Elizabeth Keenan of Libby's Sunhall Equestrian Centre.Thank you so much!!!

Watching the potential launch of the Space Shuttle Endeavour...There has been 2 previous scrubs of this mission. In fact my good friend Maggie Weakly (www.maggiesangels.com) was present at one of the scrubbed missions. This really demonstrates how important it is to do your homework, and all the preparation. This can be applied to so many areas in life. Isnt ist said that success is 5% genius and 95% preparation, persistance and hardwork. I am paraphrasing quite a bit--but you get the idea. I can apply this in my life to getting in and making it through PT school, succesfully riding a correct Dressage Test, to making it in the Art World. I think I have discovered that I have more of those traits than I ever thought. I wish the Astronauts God's Speed and much safety in their mission. 4 minutes to go!
They've launched!! So far so good. Looking out my east window hoping to see something, but sadly--too overcast here. On a rare occasion I have been able to see them go especially at night. Quite dramatic and very memorable!
Another week working on behind the scenes. I have worked on my website, mailing list, brochure, etc. I want to get back to painting! Hopefully soon. Will keep you posted!

Update

I have been working hard these last couple of weeks. However, it is all the behind the scenes type of work. I have really put alot of effort in to progressing the business end of my business. I have revamped and updated my website---WHEH! (That was a big job! But I really like it!! Let me know what you think.)I plan to create some nice brochures that are similar in theme and I am working on my mailing list. I also hope to get my Cafe Press store going more sucessfuly. My friend Maggie Weakly has been such an inspiration to me with this and has done such a professional job. And one more thing is to start and develope my Artfire site for smaller items.....

Upstairs/Downstair Antique Gallery is sadly suffering as collateral damage from the economy. I have exhibited my artwork there nearly 2 years and had done well. I made some nice friends in Mike and Pia Ernst. I wish them well on their new adventure and new life in Maryland. They put their heart and soul in to this business.

Oh yes, and here is the completed painting of Bella and Chloe #2. I am hoping to get going on #3 this week.

I hope this week bring you all good health and happiness this week!

Another start to a Work in Progress. Wanted to share with you all the beginnings. Bella and Chloe #2. I think I got a great start to it yesterday. I worked on it ALL day. Have a lot going on today so hope I can get some time to work on it. It has been a fun painting to work on!!

I get my painting of Emily today!!!! Will be visiting with Maggie Weakly who created it. Go to www.maggiesangels.com to see Emily, my Great Pyrenees!!!

Will be adding more as I go along!

Much love for now :)

Bella and Chloe #1

Here is my newest painting. These are Donna's two Golden Retrievers--Bella and Chloe. This is number 1 of 3. I am actually starting
number 2 today and wanted to make sure that I posted the first one in the series.

The month of June is now half over. How has that happened?! I am hoping to get these 2-3 paintings done by the 2nd of July. That will be when I head back up to North Carolina. How funny, James Taylor is now singing "In my mind I'm going to Carolina" on my ipod!!


Summer is now firmly established in the state of Florida. Once again my farm has become a mosquito, poison ivy and banana spider sanctuary--Not by choice! However it is all beautifully green all around me. There are truly trade offs for everything. there is no other place I would rather be in December through May. Florida is the best during that time. That is also when all the horses and riders come to Ocala. A really fun time!!!

Will post more hopefully by the end of the week! Have a Happy week everyone. Looking forward to connecting with you again!!!

Pretty Girl!

Just wanted to update a nice pic of Emily, my Great Pyrenees. She is lying on the
sofa next to me right now in the nice, comfortable airconditioning-dreaming. Her whiskers are twitching and and she is chasing after an imaginary squirel, legs moving and and contracting in perfect reciprocal motion.

I am between paintings at the moment. All week I have wanted to work in my studio but have sucessfuly found everything else to do. You name it, cleaned, vacumed, reorganized the back bedroom and my studio, messed around ALOT on the computer. Even had to have AAA come out to jump a dead battery in the Trailblazer. Have done no painting...argh! Tomorrow I go back to work at the hospital.....

Also, must postpone my trip to Greensboro, NC, for a couple of weeks. I look forward to getting up there. It will be so nice to see my dear friend Donna and the new friends I have met! I am excited to get the commissioned portraits to their homes!!

Till next time!!

99% done

Here is the nearly finished portrait of Oliver and Yoda. I need to set it aside for a few days and look at it---but I would say it is there. (maybe a little more tweaking...) They were fun to work on!!

I met a wonderful local artist today named Maggie Weakly. What a delight! It was nice to meet someone who shares similar interests and a desire to excel in the art field. She loves horses and dogs and doing artwork!! Her website is: www.maggiesangels.com. Please go take a look! I dare you not to smile! :) She will be creating a portrait for me of Emily, my Great Pyrenees. I can't wait!! She has a whimsical, colorful style that captures the personality of your animal. I was so proud of Emily today. She was such a good girl!

I have 2 portraits next--Duchess the warmblood with Ryan riding her and Merideth, a lovely wedding picture for Janice in Greensboro. Now I just need a good dose of self discipline and START THEM!! Until next time!!

WIP Oliver & Yoda

Happy Memorial Day to all! This is a special day to honor all those that have served our country. I was raised in a military family and came to appreciate the sense of duty and commitment that our soldiers have for our nation. We are Blessed to live here!!! We are Blessed to be free!! Thank You!!!

Here are Barbara's 2 boys. I met Oliver and Yoda on my trip to Greensboro, N.C.
I waited till I passed the "ugly" stage before posting this work in progress. They are a couple of Cool Guys!! This is pastel on suede mattboard, 11 x 14. I still have much to do but am starting to like it. I hope I can capture the personality of these two characters! They made me smile!!

Till next time!! My goal is to complete two of my 6 commissions from my N.C. trip this week. Wish me Luck!!!

Moses Done!

I am happy to report that Moses is done. I hope they like what they see!! Wanting to start a new one today. May have to tweak the background a little still. I have time.
Had to reschedule yesterday's photoshoot of horse and rider, so today is the day. Again, pending weather.
Going back to work starting tomorrow so limited time for artwork ahead.
Hope to chat with you all later!!

Moses part 1 "Squirel Alert"

Here is a work in progress of Moses. He is a black, tricolored, Australian Shepherd I met in North Carolina. He belongs to Lizzie's dad, Harold. She commissioned me while I was up there as a gift for her father. I am hoping to get this done in the next couple of days. I started this in interim while I gathered more information for the full body portrait of Duchess and Ryan.
Today, if the weather holds up I will be going out to Paloose Ranch www.pamlynnpalooseranch.com and observing and photographing Ryan riding Duchess. My sketch of Duchess looks good, I just need to have some better information about Ryan. However, for the first time in a long time it looks like it might RAIN! Very much needed, but the timing is not so good. We will see what happens...
Until the next installment!

Duchhess

Duchess is done! I am pleased with the results. I hope that Bobbie, (yup, her name is Bobbie too!!) loves it too. I am looking forward to the second portrait!! Pastels on suede mattboard is such a wonderful combination. You can create a soft and realistic painting.

Tomorrow it is back to work. The hospital is always there waiting for me to come back. For the next 4 days it is highly unlikely that I will be doing much artwork. I am just so wiped out after work. However, the yoga I have been doing on a regular basis has helped me have more balance and energy. Yeah! Now, if I can just get some weight off!!! My forever battle!

Until the next painting....Will check back with you all soon!

Here is a progress report on my current commissioned portrait. I would like to introduce you
to Duchess. She is a beautiful, bloodbay ,Warmblood mare. I feel very fortunate to paint her!! There will be another portrait of her with Ryan riding her. She is a lovely mover!!

This piece is a 16 x 20 Pastel on suede matt board. There is still much to do with both her and the background. Just wanted to get this out there for you all to see.

Having my day off. I have gone back to working Thursday through Sunday. This way I will have Monday through Wednesday off on a regular basis. Hopefully it will help me to get back in a better, more productive routine.

I have also taken the step --I have asked for help. Not something I do easily. In trying to keep my energy up for doing my artwork, and having only limited time I came to the realization that I can't do it all (well). Big surprise! I have met someone who will help me to keep the homefront a little cleaner and dog hair free so that I can free up my energy to keep up with my art work. Yeah!! Thank you Angela!

The finished piece will follow!!

Just a little note to let you all know what I am up to. I am starting a new comission of a beautiful Warmblood mare named Duchess. The first will be a more traditional portrait of her head. The second will be with the owner riding her. I have been waiting to get started and now is the time!! She is a lovely large bay mare with beautiful movement!

The second rough sketch is from my trip to North Carolina. I fell madly in love with my friends Donna's dogs and their friend. Her girls are Cloe and Bella
their friend is Moses. They all wanted that stick!! What a fun picture!! another one I can't wait to start.
Sigh....Too many pictures, too little time!
Much love till next time!

all is not lost

I was able to finish this picture of Marauder today. I was feeling sick this morning and couldn't make it to work, and feeling a little down about that. When I finally woke up I decided that I needed to finish this painting. It had been waiting for me since before my trip to N.C. I am happy it is done now! I hope my client likes it. He was such a handsome boy!!

My trip to Greensboro was so enjoyable and relaxing! I met and got reacquainted with so many nice people. I cant forget the animals!! Chloe and Bella are the most charming young Golden Retrievers!! LOVE THEM!! I am so excited to be doing a couple of portraits of them for my dear friend Donna. Moses is a young, black, tri-color ed Australian Shepherd. He belongs to Lizzie's dad Harold. Then, the cutest Corgis ever!! Oliver and Yoda!! I am so excited to have the privilege of creating portraits of these wonderful animals and also, last but not least, a portrait of a special Wedding day with a beautiful Bride!!

Thank You Donna for your hospitality!! I look forward to returning in June!!

New Work In Progress

Finally back in the studio!! Feels good, feels right!
This work in progress is of a young Golden Retriever named Marauder that left this earth way too early. My coworker, Tammy, was his owner. I have a ways to go with it yet but will be done soon. I hope she likes it!!

Getting geared up for my trip to Greensboro, North Carlina! The ticket is bought, arraingements are being made. Trying to decide what to bring and what not to bring. It will be so good to see my friend Donna again!! It has been too many years.

Emily--clean!!

Just returned from the groomer. Emily looks so beautiful! She is too much dog for me to bathe and groom my self--and they do so a great job (Vanity Fur)!! Now if she can only stay this way!!

I have been praying that my muse would come and inspire me. Being on Facebook and seeing all the beautiful artwork has been medicine for my soul. I have some commissions calling and am hoping to make a visit to North Carolina in a couple of weeks to meet some potential new clients. I love so much to create and especially to create something that really speaks to people. My challenge has been having to increase my hours at the hospital and watching my beloved Jake become ill and passing. It is now a time of deciding what is important. Digging down deep and acknowledging what is of value to me. Continual self evaluation, renewal and reinvention. Here is to the Journey!!

February Happenings

Greetings! February is here! How did that happen!?

I have been invited to a wonderful event. Tomorrow evening at the very lovely Golden Ocala Country Club, the second Equine Art Gala kicks off HITS (Horse Shows In The Sun).

I attended last year and it was a grand evening! I had the opportunity to meet the elite in the Hunter Jumper world. It was a wonderful opportunity to display my art and meet many people.

This last week, pre-flu, I met a nice woman that shares my name. She has commissioned me to create a portrait of her daughter and their gorgeous Warmblood mare named Dutchess. I am so excited to get started on the 2 portraits! Hopefully I will start feeling better and get back in the studio. I will post pictures as I get started.

I have something I am really looking forward to!! I will be heading up to Greensboro, North Carolina, in March, to my dear friend, Donna Phillips fabulous new Yoga Center and Retreat-Stillwaters-Retreat. We are hoping to create an opportunity for people and their animals to come together connected in the Healing Arts. I will be available to meet with people and set up the creation of a portrait of them and their loved ones--people and/or animals!

Much ahead for the year 2009!

It has been a while since I have posted. The holidays came and went in a blur between the commissioned art work and working at the hospital. Now, I am back to work at the hospital and have not been able to inspire myself to go back to the studio.

It is always a balancing act.

One that requires perseverence, self discipline and making a decision to create something or to follow through on a promised piece. (It is funny how I miss the creative process when I have been absent.)

But, I have to eat and pay the mortgage, not to mention feed the dogs, horses and put gas in the car, ad nauseum......

So, the striving for balance.


I also have discovered Facebook. Oh, boy.... it has been fun learning about about all the features. I have also connected with people I havent talked to for years and talking to people I have wanted to get to know better. It is a wonderful distraction!!

I will be photographing a NADAC dog agility trial this coming weekend. I will talk more about this in the time to come.