On the Fence - How Far is Heaven

anywhere with you

12 x 12 acrylic

There are many layers to this painting. And in person, I don't think you notice the under-layer that you can see in this photo.

Guitars - Gold Guitar

6" x 9" acrylic

This piece started in the my Bob Burridge Workshop. It began as strictly a black and white piece that was a study in composition.

Flying Hearts - Give it Away

12" x 12" acrylic

Photo: Champagne Stems

At Rockin' Rhonda's Thanksgiving Girl Gathering
Photo taken on November 24, 2010.

Music Monday - (Sittin' on) The Dock of the Bay

I love music. It has a huge influence on my art. On some pieces you can you see lines of lyrics in my art. In others, I may converse with the lyrics.

Music Monday is for spot lighting the songs and artists that influence me. Or, it could just be a song I like.

If I only had one song to listen to for the rest of my life it would be (Sittin' on) The Dock of the Bay. Written by Otis Redding and Steve Cropper, recorded by Otis Redding shortly before his death in 1967. Redding died in a plane crash at the age of 26 on December 10, 1967. A month later, The Dock of the Bay was released and shot to the top of the charts in 1968.

I wasn't even born yet. I do like to sit in the morning sun. I'd love to live on the dock of the bay someday. Here's the perfect day: Wake up. Put bathing suit on. Make coffe. Sit in morning sun. Drink coffee. Paint. Listen to Dock of the Bay.



If on any Music Monday, the links to the songs don't work just go over to YouTube and google the song title and artist.

First Sunday

do not fear

what you

do not know

Journal - I was 30 and Now I'm 40 - One

I purchased this journal for my 30th birthday present to myself. I believe in giving myself a birthday present every year. Sometimes more than one, depending on the cost. I was hesitant to draw in my new journal. I had used journals for writing not drawing or painting. I was in a phase of using Letraset graphic pens and while they soaked nicely into the page they didn't blend very well and they left lines I didn't want.


It such a beautiful journal. I just love it.

On August 10, 1999 I reflected on my past, present and my hopes for the future. And though I did doodle and write in the journal, it mostly sat empty for the next 10 years. Actually 11 but who's really counting.

Bob introduced the workshop to Derwent Inktense pencils. Pencils that you draw with and then take a brush and add water to them to push around more like paint. I purchased a set after the workshop to try out. I actually had another brand of these same type of pencils that were a gift from my mom. They sat unopened for a long time. So now I have two sets of watercolor pencils and summer was upon us.

This past summer I would wake up, throw my bathing suit on, make some coffee and set up my lawn chair by the pool with my journal and my watercolor pencils and I painted. I had found a new love. I could enjoy the day by the pool, listening to my iPod and paint.

So, here I was with these pages documenting my life. A life that had changed. The words, "Stupid girl" were said more than once while shaking my head and rolling my eyes. Why did I feel the need to document some of those feelings? They were my feelings so I guess they are valid but so much has changed. So, I started covering the words up with my watercolor pencils. Some pages are better than others as are the days of our lives (ha, ha - soap opera) but I have really enjoyed rediscovering this journal. It's like a brand new gift all over again.

Something else I'd like to highlight. I am a member of House of Shine. A blog that promotes positivity and SHINE. Every Saturday at House of Shine, we nominate someone new for the Yellow Envelope Project. Click on over to the site and commit to sending someone that SHINES a note of appreciation. You'll shine in the process.

It only takes ten minutes and .44 cents.