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Steve & I are so proud of Clarice's latest artwork. She drew the cat and wrote "C-A-T" at the top all by herself and then came and showed me. This is her first word besides "Clarice, Mom" and "Dad" that she has written all by herself.
Then Our House has 3 doors: one for Mommy, one for Daddy and one for Clarice. Can you spot the steps (on either side of the house)? Then we have a big garage. Mom's car doesn't have any tires. But Daddy's truck has 3 tires. The "flowers" are actually supposed to be steering wheels.
Hope you enjoy these!

Here's something inspirational for me: a tree branch, elegant and vulnerable in the cold of winter. I digitally retouched this photo of a wild winter sunset. I'm doing a series of paintings now based on the initial photos. This is part of my goal to understand negative space better in order to make better compositions in all my paintings.



These 3 paintings will be entered in the TAG Gala art auction next week.
Large landscape: 24" x 36," acrylic on canvas, "Canon City, Colorado."
2 small mixed media works: 9" x 12," watercolor on watercolor canvas, gallery wrap, painting continues on sides, with bead embellishments (red teardrop; turquoise sphere), antique lace embellishments and gloss varnish (no need for glass or frame)
"Scarlet Starlets" and "Tea-Stained Tulips" from my Simple Pleasures series


I have finally finished all the illustrations for the upcoming Littlejim book, to be published this summer. Here are LJ & his sister going to get firewood on a cold, moonlit, winter's night at their farm; next is the day LJ learns of his winning entry written for the Kansas City Star. These are the final versions.

Just finished this new illustration for the children's young adult novel, Littlejim, written by Gloria Houston. Here Jim is speaking on "What it means to be an American." The 48-star flag denotes the Union circa 1917, when our story takes place in North Carolina's Appalachian mountains. Jim's mother and sisters are on the back row. Jim is standing on a platform at the front of the schoolroom to deliver his speech.
Because I am often asked to speak about careers in the arts, I thought a small sample of my normal Q&A session might be helpful to other women artists.
Q: How do you stay creative when you have a family to care for?
A: I look for creative things for us to do together. Go see a good family movie with inspiring art. Miss Piggy never fails to entertain or inspire! Then do an art project as a family. Drawing and painting are our favorite activities.
Q: What do you do when you are burned out?
A: I go to the symphony, watch films or read quality literature. That way, I'm away from visual art for a while, but I'm still reminded of the incredible depth of human creativity. It's amazing how fast I'm recharged to get back to my art projects.
Q: How else do you get fresh ideas?
A: I'm part of a local women's artist group. We meet to discuss business ideas, artist opportunities and to critique our work. When my "well is dry," these talented ladies inspire me. So it's important for mom-artists to take a break from the family and relate to other women artists.
Q: What's the most important thing to remember about balancing your family and your artwork?
A: To surround yourself with positivity AND to know how to refill your "creative well."
Q: How do you stay creative when you have a family to care for?
A: I look for creative things for us to do together. Go see a good family movie with inspiring art. Miss Piggy never fails to entertain or inspire! Then do an art project as a family. Drawing and painting are our favorite activities.
Q: What do you do when you are burned out?
A: I go to the symphony, watch films or read quality literature. That way, I'm away from visual art for a while, but I'm still reminded of the incredible depth of human creativity. It's amazing how fast I'm recharged to get back to my art projects.
Q: How else do you get fresh ideas?
A: I'm part of a local women's artist group. We meet to discuss business ideas, artist opportunities and to critique our work. When my "well is dry," these talented ladies inspire me. So it's important for mom-artists to take a break from the family and relate to other women artists.
Q: What's the most important thing to remember about balancing your family and your artwork?
A: To surround yourself with positivity AND to know how to refill your "creative well."

though i have closed myself as fingers,
you open always petal by petal myself as Spring opens
(touching skilfully, mysteriously) her first lily
from "somewhere i have never travelled"
e e cummings (with "lily" in place of "rose")
posted for my mother, Lili Marleen
photo from my dining room table at home
Thank you for visiting my blog. Check back here often to read the latest news about my children's books. I will update this blog with information about booksignings, new book releases, school visits, and work in-progress from my studio.