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.

Updated Works In Progress

Last week was a total wash as far as getting anything done with having my mom here to take care of and this week has been almost as bad. I tried to work some on the turtles last week- the first photo of it was where it was previous to last weeks work.


I had a hard time trying to get the color corrected as you can see. I think the true color is "somewhere in between" these, although I believe it is closer to the bottom one. I have the sun coming in the window- directly in my eyes. Evening seems to be the only time I really have to do this sort of thing and it's always such a bad time to try and see the color.


I was able to do some painting today. When I go down to the studio I have hopes of getting further than I ever do. Today was no exception. I spent alot more time down there than it looks!!! These miniatures take alot of time to get them "right".
I've been "fighting" with that goose all afternoon, and now the duck has joined the fray! Persistence hopefully will pay off and I'll get them the way I want them!

Of Geese and Swans, Grebes and Turtles- a Day of Heaven

What a beautiful day we had yesterday. The sun was out, the ducks and geese and swans were out- it was just heavenly- a bit more wind than I liked but one can't have everything! I thought I'd show you just a bit of what we were able to enjoy- and I hope you enjoy as well... one of those "wish you were here" moments. :-)


We saw bluewing teal and grebes...





...Swans- I need to see if I can figure out if they were trumpeter or tundra swans-



...Canada Geese...





More geese...

...bathing geese...




...after the baths...


...swimming ducks...

...sleeping swans...

...a few of these type shots- don't ya just hate when that happens?!...



Not great, but have you ever tried to photograph a flying teal- they are FAST!!!

Some of my favorites- them little "turtle bumps" on a log...

This fellow was very exciting to see...





...and then there are always the good old mallards and woodies...
My husband and I had an absolutely wonderful time together. What more could you ask of a day than this? Good company, beautiful day, relaxing moments, exciting views, wonderful times in nature. It was a bit of heaven...

Mixed bag of Easter, Art, and Harp

I've started a new WIP piece of 2 of the cutest pugs ever. What characters they are! I also have a second small WIP going so will post both so you can see the progress. I just did the drawing last evening.


I have been working on the small piece in watercolor pencil. Believe I will be adding colored pencil as well, unless I finish the wc and decide to stop there! I just love turtles on logs sunning themselves- never get tired of watching them do that! Have no idea why, not exactly alot of action! :-)



We had a wonderful Easter- the day just flew by. My granddaughter had a great time hunting the eggs Mr. Bunny left. We did a "potluck" which ended up being quite fun and made it easy on everyone. LOTS of good food too.

Thought I'd give you an idea of the size of my harp...

Ducklings, Ducklings, Turtles and More!

WOW- What a gorgeous day I had Wed.! The weather was spectacular, the sights at Como even better! I went intending to try and find the ducklings- hardly was out of the car when I saw the cutest little boy with a HUGE hat playing in the dirt. Couldn't get to the camera quick enough so missed that shot but got a wonderful one of his "dandelion for mom". Would have loved to just follow him around the lake! But I was there for a purpose- ducklings, so... Ducklings I got! I can't believe the lovely shots I got- what fun they will be to paint. I even splurged and got some enlarged just to put up in my studio to enjoy when next winter hits! As always-turtles galore as well. They are so fun to watch, but so wary. You can't get too close- they're gone, ker-splash!
I had hoped to go out again yesterday in another direction but my back and leg just wouldn't let me. Perhaps next week. If so, I'll be glad I waited! This is the most beautiful time of year and so short.