Handpainted ornaments

From time to time I take a break from the pencils and pastels to hand paint ornaments for two local shops.  The ornaments pictured here are on their way to The Victorian House in Millersburg, OH for their gift shop. I also paint ornaments with messages like, "Our First Christmas", "Happy Anniversary", "Baby's First Christmas" and other Christmas sentiments. These are available at 'Tis the Season   , an all year  Christmas shop in Berlin, OH.

lakeside sketches...

We recently spent a week at a friend's cottage by Lake Erie. During our stay I took some time to sketch a few  memories. I find that a page of sketches in my sketchbook can take me back to the time and place much better than an album full of photographs. On this page are, a hibiscus that was blooming at the cottage, an unidentified fish washed up on shore, a sand sculpture sculpted by a man who kept us entertained several days at the beach, some shells and a leaf from a tree that lined the beach path.
     We also experienced some of the most wonderful sunrises while we were there. We took so many photos which should keep me busy painting for a long while...painting one of my favorite places to be...