Still Flowing

"He who postpones the hour of living is like the rustic who waits for the river to run out before he crosses."
-Horace
This is the Pecos River just outside of Roswell, NM. My friend in New Mexico couldn't believe I wanted to stop and take pictures of the Pecos River. The light was perfect with the sky casting a silvery glow over the water. The river is calm here, as if conserving it's energy to finish it's course through the desert.
pastel on paper 8x8 (size is approximate)
$110.00 unframed +tax and shipping

All in a Row

This is more Vinalhaven, Maine houses, all in a row. I love the spaces between the houses and how the houses are so close together. This creates such wonderful shadows and light.
pastel on paper 5 x 5 approx.
$110.00 unframed + tax and shipping

Mostly Blue

I think this is the last of the bluebonnets until next year. Spring in Texas is already coming to a close just as it is beginning in other parts of the world. The cool blues and greens are so refreshing.
pastel on paper 5 x 5.
$110.00 unframed + tax and shipping 

Field of Dreams

Perhaps a true Texan's heart is really blue. As a "born and raised" Texan, bluebonnets will always inspire a special pride in my heart. It is an annual event to view the bluebonnet fields around Texas. This year the display is more spectacular than usual. Even the drought of 2011 didn't dampen the display. Texans wait with great anticipation each year for the happy blue lupines to show their lovely faces. News spreads quickly of the fields of dreams where families appear in droves to photograph the kids, dogs, mom, dad, and grandparents all dressed in their Sunday best.
unframed pastel on paper 8x8 inches(approx size)
$110.00 unframed + tax and shipping 

Rio Chama's Journey

8 x 8 inches pastel on paper unframed
"In rivers, the water that you touch is the last of what has passed and the first of that which comes; so with present time."
Leonardo da Vinci
The colors of the landscape seem to jump to life as the Chama River journeys through the desert. it courses through the thirsty landscape, sharing its life's force along the way. I love it here, just north of Abiquiu, New Mexico. The colors are subtle but become more intense to me as I spend more and more time in the area.
$110.00 unframed + tax and shipping

Vinalhaven Drive

I consider this more of an illustration than my usual paintings. I see a story in the works. I love these little houses that all line up with the wonderful light and shadow. I have more paintings planned from this image. This is a view that I plan to abstract more so that it becomes even more about the light and shadow.
pastel on paper 16 x 20 inches
600.00 unframed + tax and shipping
email me if interested.

Taking My Time, Enjoying My Time

I'm working on some larger artworks so in the meantime I am posting some things that bring me happiness.
I have seen lists by others of things that make them happy so I have compiled one of my own:
1. quiet and peacefulness
2. seeing my children laugh and smile
3. yoga
4. hiking
5. taking time to be present
6. finding ways to recycle more and having a positive effect on the earth
7. exploring words and writing
8. touch
9. discovering beautiful places in the world that cost nothing to appreciate other than just being there
10. creating beautiful and thoughtful things
11. learning ways in which to improve the existence of things
12. decluttering and becoming more minimal
13. enjoying delicious food with friends and family
14. meditation
15. a really good book
16. enjoying a vegetarian meal with a friend while "catching up" on life
17. creating art purely for the sake of creating something from the soul without concern for the opinions of others
18. energizing conversations over a glass of red wine

Winter's Water Garden

5x5 inches pastel on paper
This is Nature's version of the perfect water garden. I saw several of these little spots at Lost Maples Park in Vanderpool, TX . (Of course,  I would love it down there!) I always love going elsewhere for inspiration but then I am so grateful to come home again, my favorite place of all.
"It may be that the satisfaction I need depends on my going away, so that when I've gone and come back, I'll find it at home. " -Rumi

Hill Country View

"If you hear a voice within you say 'you cannot paint,' then by all means paint, and that voice will be silenced." -Vincent Van Gogh
Well, sometimes that voice is silenced! Sometimes, one just has to keep pushing through and keep painting. Usually that voice is eventually silenced. It sometimes helps to visit an inspiring place. There was so much inspiration in the Hill Country! This is a little spot off of Hwy 39 where the river crosses the road. We stopped for a little break to take in the beauty and a few photos. I knew I wanted to put this scene on paper as soon as I got back to my studio.
pastel on paper approx  7x7 inches
$110.00 unframed + tax and shipping

Enchanted

The Texas Hill Country in the Winter is a wonderful adventure. The once barely green grasses turn a golden brown to compliment the red and golden dirt and pink granite of the landscape. I spotted this little oasis on the walk up to Enchanted Rock. This was a little reminder to not overlook the journey along the way as it is just as rewarding and the final destination. Sometimes the beauty of the depths of winter can be as rewarding as the glory of spring.
8x8 pastel on paper.

Happy Fall

8 x 8 inches pastel on paper
"There is no blue without yellow and without orange." - Vincent Van Gogh
This little orange acorn squash just screamed "Happy Fall". I love the stem and hand carried it from the market to make sure it remained intact. I think the checker thought I was a little crazy! Orange and this blue are made for each other, the colors of fall with crisp blue skies and the ripening of fruit and changing of leaves. Change is in the air.

Lemons and Limes

pastel on toned archival paper. The framed image is 24x36
This was created as a commission. . I'm really excited how it turned out and how great it looks in the clients house!

Lemon in Blue

"Great things are done by a series of small things brought together. "
-Vincent Van Gogh
Just a color play to make me feel cooler. Dallas is hot this summer - really hot, not the normal Dallas August hot - abnormally hot. Painting lemons and limes makes it seem a little cooler. I'm working on a larger image with lemons and limes but I love this color combination and the simplicity of one lemon.
5 x 5 pastel on paper

Sea Turtle Obsession

"If there is magic on this planet, it is contained in water...Its substance reaches everywhere, it touches the past and prepares the future; it moves under the poles and wanders thinly in the heights of the air."

-Loren Eiseley

This is an excerpt from a journal I keep where I explore ideas, thoughts and feelings. I have been obsessed with sea turtles, the ocean and environment lately. I am venturing from my pastels looking for something between my usual pastels and my scientific illustrations. This page was created with a variety of techniques and watercolor. I may explore this further for a painting. It helps to explore other media and techniques to "escape the box".

Down the Road

6x6 inch pastel on paper
This is up the hill and around the bend just a short distance from town and the ferry. I love this little street with all of the Victorian era homes that have withstood the test of time. I am envious of the little gardens of sea roses and various other beautiful plants that absolutely will not grow in Texas. This is such a happy and proud street, a place where strong and courageous people have lived for centuries raising their families and spending time with their friends. Many of the people of Vinalhaven now support themselves as lobster fishermen and women. They brave the sea day in and day out even when the weather is not as beautiful as this summer Vinalhaven day.

Scattered

10 x 10 pastel on paper
I preferred this "aerial view" of the fruit to fill the space. I plan to use this as a starting point for a larger image. This is definitely a cool and refreshing image in preparation for the hot summer ahead. Limeade anyone?

Wind and Waves

24 x 36 inches pastel on Wallis paper
This was inspired by a day at the beach in Galveston. I guess all of the colors are in my head. The light bouncing off of the ocean, fish jumping through the waves and the cool breeze deceptively cooling the skin. What a great day! I always feel invigorated after time on the beach, listening to the waves rejuvenating my soul.

Cottage by the Sea

5x5 pastel on paper
This is a sketch of a little "house" in Vinalhaven, Maine. I love these little buildings with a view to the sea. Imagine the stories this cottage could tell. Life is harsh here but so incredibly beautiful. The cottage has earned it's place here.

I've got ...personality

It isn't eggplant season yet but I thought I would get started practicing. I can't wait for eggplants to be in the local farmers market. I think this little guy has some personality! The photo is a little overexposed so the green is somewhat washed out. This is pastel on paper about 6 x 8 inches. Eggplant parmesan anyone?

In the Distance

pastel on paper 5 x 5 
This is from somewhere around Abiqui, New Mexico - Georgia Okeefe territory. I love it out there. The colors are so subtle yet amazing. This day, I could see forever.