starry-eyed

Are there mornings where you wish all you had to do all day was go to a coffee shop, hang out and watch people come and go, daydream, then leisurely go home and do whatever your heart desired? Maybe paint for a while, fold some laundry, maybe sit on the porch and have an iced tea? Sounds heavenly. But maybe, just maybe if I had days like that I would actually accomplish less. I'm sure I would, but maybe, just maybe it wouldn't matter. Well, that's certainly not in the cards for me today. Just a starry-eyed dream. This original 8"x8" oil painting is available, unframed for $150 here.

This is a detail of my painting. I love the simplicity of a tiny piece of a painting. I would like to try painting one that is just a tiny abstract piece of something.

northern flicker

Just loving my new resources for bird reference, my Facebook friend Marvin Stauffer. Thanks, Marvin, for your endless inspiration! When life is too busy to go find your own inspiration, it's great to have friends who are willing to share. Inspiration is everywhere. 

Original 6"x6" oil painting is available, unframed, for $85 here.

happy-go-lucky

Primroses are a sure sign that spring is coming. With a beautiful week ahead it's easy to think that winter is behind us. Maybe not, but hopeful for sure. That happy-go-lucky feeling that comes with spring is so good for the soul! This original 6"x6" oil painting is available, unframed, for $85, in my Etsy shop here.

courage

Love the colors of this one.

This original 6"x6" oil painting is available, unframed, for $85. You can purchase it here.
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leaning in

Leaning in to listen. And enjoy the moment.

This original 6"x6" oil painting is available, unframed, for $85 at my Etsy shop. You can purchase it here, and check out other available pieces. Enjoy!

happy

Happy 2016. It was a long break from work, and painting. I had big hopes of free days to paint, but that didn't happen, as life got in the way, as it so often does. I always need to keep in mind that everything is just as it's meant to be. Right this very minute. So have you made any new years resolutions?  I always think that it would be such a fun challenge to write down my resolutions and see where it takes me. But I am afraid. I'm afraid to have more goals because one of my most challenging, never-ending goals is to slow down and be in the moment. That's what painting does for me. So my goal is to be in the moment this year. As often as I can. Happy 2016!

This original 6"x6" painting is available, unframed, for $85. You can purchase it here at my Etsy shop. 

warm light

Sometimes the challenge of having something to say is just beyond me. I am reading a great book called Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life when I am awake at night and can't sleep. Maybe I will sleep better if I have some instructions on Writing and Life. Maybe it will get rid of this writers block, or life block, that I seem to have more often than I'd like. Hope so. This original 6"x6" oil painting is available, unframed, for $85. Thanks for reading :) Click to Bid

thankful

This one was so easy and fun to paint. I did the same painting before and loved it that time, too. Maybe this would be a fun one to paint really large. I've been itching to paint some larger pieces. Definitely in the new year. Life is just too busy right now. It gets so overwhelming sometimes. But, of course, this past weekend made me thankful for all that I have. Very, very thankful. Hope you have a great start for your new week! This 6"x6" original oil painting is available for $85, unframed. Click to Bid

vintage ornaments

In the midst of painting some commissioned pieces for gifts, I spent some time Sunday morning painting a Christmas ornament. I love painting these. Love the reflections, matching the vintage color palette, not to mention getting into the holiday spirit. This 6"x6" original oil painting is available, unframed, for $85. Click to Bid

for a friend

I painted this for a friend. It's on my drying shelf right now. It could not have been more fun. Loved painting the gorgeous color in the wings. I had some iridescent white in my studio that really added some magic!

monday blues

I started off the week with the Monday blues, but not really. I'm never "blue" when I am painting (well, maybe my hands are, sometimes!). I watched a great show on OWN network last night and really love this video. Wishing you a week filled with gratitude! This original 6" x 6" oil painting is SOLD!

fun bunch

I am always looking for painting inspiration, either in my travels, in what friends post on instagram or Facebook, or when I get the opportunity to look through the photos on their phones (especially great when the friend is a photographer!). This is from my friend Lori's photos on her phone taken at a wonderful outdoor market, where she has a honey stand on Sunday mornings. I mostly paint from photos, just because it is so very time efficient...since I only paint for an hour or so at 5 or 6 am. Tomorrow I hope to try painting at a Plein Air event here in Lancaster. I am so looking forward to it, but I've never done it before...I think I'm up for the challenge. If what I end up with isn't awful, I will share it.

more and more gourds

Painting gourds has been such a fun adventure. No pressure, just pure fun. Gourds and gourds and more gourds. Each and every one is totally unique. Which adds to the fun. It's like a 3-dimensional canvas! And I love the mix of painting and design. These are a few for an order that I shipped out to a friend on Friday. I worked on more this weekend to take to Building Character later this week, just in time for First Friday in Downtown Lancaster!