I also finished the garden scene a few days ago. Again, color isn't quite correct. The rocks are a bit darker in the shadow areas, and appear "brighter" along the sunlit tops. It is actually prettier than this, but this will have to do...

Puppies, Gardens and Latest Landscape Painting

I finished this several days ago but have been so busy with my puppies I just didn't have time to get it posted. I hope you enjoy it- it's a watercolor. I love the midwest scenes. They are so nostalgic and peaceful feeling.




Here are the latest photos of the babies. Widget, the black mama is very laidback. She's a wonderful mama. Pooka is much less stressed now, and she's a good mama, but not quite as devoted as Widget. Widget sometimes helps me out with feeding Tiny Boy. She would adopt him happily. Unfortunately her little "horses" (my name for her babies) are doing so well he would NEVER get a place at the table!


Here you can see a bit better how much smaller he is than his sister, and she is not that big. Both are smaller than Widgets babies. They are 3 days younger, but also will be smaller dogs.








Lastly- here is a new joy in my life! My small garden plot my husband dug for me. It isn't large and as you can see I've crammed as much in it as I possibly can and still get to the harvest! I am hoping next year to have another small plot added and that will be enough for me (and my back!) Fresh green beans and summer squash tonight! :-)

In The Heartland and in my heart.

Summer is here and that means BUSY! I've been away visiting my aunt, visiting BRIO, my gallery in Galena, camping with my family, etc. Been trying to fit in some painting around all this! Galena was beautiful and the gallery is filled with wonderful things- a number of which I'd have liked to bring home! I look forward to another visit hopefully before summer is over. Marsha, the owner is such a warm and friendly person. It was just a joy to get to meet her. I wish we had more time to visit and get to know each other. I am honored to be among her artists.
Here's what I've been working on lately...
Colored pencil, 2.5" x 6.5" Title: I'm Outta Here!
I finally got this piece photographed- it's been sitting around waiting... I learned alot working on this- my second piece in colored pencils. These are my "evening when I'm not too tired" pieces so they don't happen much or fast! But I really do enjoy the colored pencils. Had several people very surprised when I told them what the medium was. I intend to keep working and learning with these. It's a fun medium and very "transportable".

This next piece is casein, 2.5" x 6.5" Title: Summer in the Heartland
I just finished this piece this afternoon. I am feeling more comfortable with the landscapes and really, really enjoy doing them, although the buildings can give me "fits" at times- getting the lines right! These pieces of farm and country scenes are so nostalgic for me, and make me feel very peaceful. I love farm country- I don't think there's anything prettier than rich farmland filled with bounty. The midwest landscape speaks to my soul.

Latest mini- Field Work

I have been working on this one all week. Just finished a little while ago. This one is acrylic on board. 3"x5". I love the farm scenes- they're such a calm and "summer" thing.

As promised- WIP and completed Wolf

This is a bed and breakfast I photographed. It is a very interesting piece, but alot of work just even in the drawing.


Here is the finished wolf- a mixed media piece- acrylic and inks.


Following is something I ran across on a weightloss site I have joined. I asked permission to post it here- it is just too funny and too true!

The Real Enemy
In the beginning God created the Heavens and the Earth and populated the Earth with broccoli, cauliflower and spinach, green and yellow and red vegetables of all kinds, so Man and Woman would live long and healthy lives.

Then, using God’s great gifts, Satan created Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream and Krispy Crème Donuts. And Satan said, “You want chocolate with that?” And Man said “Yes!” and Woman said, “And as long as you’re at it, add some sprinkles.” And they gained 10 pounds. And Satan smiled.

And God created healthful yogurt that Woman might keep the figure that Man found so fair. And Satan brought forth white flour from the wheat, and sugar from the cane and combined them. And Woman went from size 6 to size 14.


So God said, “Try my fresh green salad.” And Satan presented Thousand-Island Dressing, buttery croutons and garlic toast on the side. And Man and Woman unfastened their belts following the repast.

God then said, “I have sent you heart healthy vegetables and olive oil in which to cook them.” And Satan brought forth deep fried fish and chicken-fried steak so big it needed its own platter. And Man gained more weight and his cholesterol went through the roof. God then created a light, fluffy white cake, named it “Angel Food Cake,” and said, “It is good.” Satan then created chocolate cake and named it “Devil’s Food.”

God then brought forth running shoes so that His children might lose those extra pounds. And Satan gave cable TV with a remote control so Man would not have to toil changing the channels. And Man and Woman laughed and cried before the flickering blue light and gained pounds.

Then God brought forth the potato, naturally low in fat and brimming with nutrition. And Satan peeled off the healthful skin and sliced the starchy center into chips and deep-fried them. And Man gained pounds.

God then gave lean beef so that Man might consume fewer calories and still satisfy his appetite. And Satan created McDonald’s and its 99-cent double cheeseburger. Then said. “You want fries with that?” And Man replied, “Yes! And super size them!” And Satan said, “It is good.” And Man went into cardiac arrest.

God sighed and created quadruple bypass surgery.

Then Satan created HMOs!

Hidden Homestead

I somehow forgot to post this a few weeks ago when I finished it. Hope you enjoy it. I am enjoying painting these landscapes. 3" x 5", acrylic

Iowa Farmscape

This is my first attempt from some of the photos I shot while on my Iowa jaunt with my aunt. I intend to give this to her as a memento of our time together and to say "thanks" for putting up with me. :-) She doesn't use computers, so this will stay a surprise until I give it to her- hopefully in Sept.
I redid this several times to get it more the way I wanted it. I hope I have the colors adjusted correctly- it's night and I can't see on the computer so may have to readjust tomorrow- if I have time!