Treasures

  ""One cannot collect all the beautiful shells on the beach. One can collect only a few, and they are more beautiful if they are few."    
 I've loved this quote from Anne Morrow Lindbergh since I first read it in her little book, Gift of the Sea. So often in our lives and even in our artwork it can be difficult to decide which treasures to choose. There are so many beautiful sunrises, flowers and scenes to paint. There are so many "places to go and people to see". I can't do it all! But as the quote seems to suggest I will live a more content and productive life if I concentrate on the important, the most meaningful, the most beautiful. ~~just a thought to begin the day.

Sketches from my sketchbook
pen & ink with watercolor pencil 

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...

Summer Sky over Gem Beach

As I prepare for 2 art shows next month and anticipate our Catawba Island vacation on Lake Erie, I've just finished painting another view of Gem Beach. This time with the focus being on the cloud formations from a photo taken from last year's trip to the Lake. Looking forward to days in the sun and water, the sound of the waves and seagulls and relaxation of the week soon to come. Hope to also do some exploring of the area for future paintings.

Clematis 'Nelly Moser'

The more I learn about botanical art, the more I like it. Something about the detail, the color, and the close attention to the small things in the world that so often get overlooked. In 'Nelly Moser', I have added a few leaves and vine along with the flower this time. The plant lives beside our front porch and was just covered in blooms this spring. Looking forward to it's second blooming in the fall.

Clematis 'Nelly Moser' ~ image size 9"x8"
colored pencil on bristol

Small Wonders

When I want to emphasize the intricacy and design of a small subject, I sometimes draw them with a sepia colored pencil on acid-free cream Mi Tientes paper. There is so much to be seen in these "small wonders". They are framed in locally handcrafted pine frames in sizes 5", 4" and 3" square. Other drawings in the works include pinecones, morel mushrooms, jack-in-the-pulpit and whatever else I might find on the forest floor.

Spring Flowers

The flowers in my gardens were so beautiful this spring I just couldn't resist painting a few. They are each 5"x7" framed in a 10"x12" narrow oak frame with a cream top and green inside mat.

These pieces are also available as giclee reproductions.

Dry Season

While with a group on a missions trip to El Salvador I passed this gnarled tree alongside the road. It was during the dry season, but I was struck by the beauty I found there. I thought this tree with its interesting branches in the midst of a hot and rugged environment captured the beauty of the landscape and the people of this mountain community.


This drawing takes on a dual meaning in its title, "Dry Season". We all, at one time or another, experience seasons of drought, be it creatively or spiritually. This is a reminder that these times can expose an inner beauty and strength we would have never found without them.


"Dry Season" ~ 18"x18" sepia colored pencil on cream paper.

Sailboats and Hollyhocks ~ 18x24 pastel on sanded paper

Two years ago I went with a good friend to Lakeside Ohio on Lake Erie for the weekend. We were to meet another good friend to celebrate as we all turned "50" that year. It was June and, apparently, hollyhock season. The walk by the lake was covered in color as the hollyhocks and daylilies were in full bloom. There were sailboats sailing in the distance along with a picture perfect sky and lake. All combined in this painting to remind me of the friendship I share with these two amazing women who have been a part of my life for most of my 50 years.

Sanibel Skies

A few months ago, while needing some inspiration for painting, I came across a photo that my good friend Vickie had taken and asked her permission to paint it. I have never been to Sanibel Island, FL but it is on my List of Places to Go. The sunshine, the sea, the shells along the beach, the scent of ocean air. While we were in the midst of the snowiest February I can remember, it just felt right to lose myself in this painting for awhile. I hope it brings you a little warmth as well.


Sanibel Skies ~ 5"x 7" pastel on sanded paper

Miniature Pastel Project

I am forever being inspired by the artists I meet on Facebook. This project is an idea I borrowed from an artist friend, Tennessee artist Paula Ford. I am hoping the small format will allow me to confidently experiment with the medium and help me to become a better painter. By painting small and quickly it forces me to not be obsessed with the details and in turn practice a more impressionistic style. The painting above is another scene from the local Wilderness Center. The first in the series of small 5x7 pastels.

Kids' Drawing Classes

I am again offering drawing classes for children. In addition to the class for 4th - 8th grade I have also added a class for children in grades 1 - 3. The classes will be held in Winesburg, Tuesday and Thursday afternoons for 6 weeks beginning in mid-February. Limit of 8 students per class.

As you can see from the photos, we had a great time with a fun group of talented kids. If you are interested and would like more information on the classes, please feel free to contact me through my web site.

Fruit of the Vine

"Fruit of the Vine" ~9x20 Colored pencil

We have grapevines planted below our garden. I walked by them almost daily, but one day the 'ordinary' caught my eye and I saw them as a painting. They are rendered in colored pencil with shades of gray and indigo, then several more layers of color are applied on top of this base.

Holmes County Courthouse

This is a graphite drawing of the Holmes County Courthouse in Historic Millersburg Ohio that I drew several years ago. It is a combination of photos I shot from the 3rd floor of a building across the street and an early print showing the way the building looked c. mid 1880's for detail reference. Notice "Lady Liberty" above the front entrance which is now housed inside the Courthouse on display.


Limited edition reproductions of this original graphite pencil drawing are still available.