changes are upon us

Change is good! Right? Well, around here, everything seems to be changing lately, and at warp speed!

My beautiful Hannah just had her 12th birthday and I swear it was just yesterday when I brought her home from the hospital. I know I'll still be saying that when she's 22, but for now I am in utter shock that she is already 12. I am watching her become a young lady...scary and beautiful all at once.

And then there's Nathaniel, my little man! 6 going on 26! He's graduating from Kindergarten this week, and as it looks, will be heading to 2nd grade. I am really going to have to get a new pair of roller skates to keep up with these guys. I really didn't know I could love anyone so much! They are my life.

For Hannah's sleepover birthday party, I had purchased some air drying modeling clay that I thought would be fun for the girls (6 of them) to create some little sculptures, pendants, etc with the clay, and then paint them the second day. Well, let's just say that when you get six 12-year-old girls together for a sleepover, getting them to sit still for a 'project' is a bit hit-and-miss. I missed! No biggie, more for me. It's been a while since I had played with the clay and it didn't take long before I was HOOKED...again! I sculpted several little figures and the owl is the only one finished so far. I am not exactly sure what I am going to do with him though. Thought I might turn him into a brooch or pendant, or some sort of mixed media piece, maybe. I have some 3.5"x3.5"canvas covered blocks I made a while back that might be fun to add the head and paint in the rest of the body on the canvas. Hmmmm. Many choices, but one thing for sure is...I LOVED making these. I LOVED working with the clay again. I so feel some changes happening.

'My Purple Purse' 8"x8" Acrylic and Gold Leaf on Canvas
Click here...Original ACEO in my Etsy Shop

This little painting I did last week. I have wanted to create a series of 'boudoir' pieces, of sorts, for a while now...like purses, shoes, lipstick, etc. I added the gold leaf which I think really makes it pop and interesting, too. I also have some fun ideas for the kitchen as well. So many ideas, 24 hours in a day....what's a girl to do?

And here is one more. A painting that I have been working on this past week that isn't finished yet. He is much bigger, 20"x20". The Bug-Eyed ACEO from my last post actually inspired this piece and I am considering some new ideas, so we'll just have to wait to see how it gets finished. I don't have the photos ready, but I have some pen and ink/watercolors to show you, too. It's been a busy, messy week and it really shows in my studio. My mind feels a little messy lately, too. Ultimately, I think I am headed for some CHANGE...but I will have to talk more about that next time. See you then......

aceo - 'bug eyed fish'

Just a quick post of a new ACEO. I did this one recently using my layered technique; one layer in watercolor, one layer in pen and ink, with the pen and ink cut out and adhered to the watercolor. I really think he is so cute!

'Bug-Eyed Fish' - Original Mixed Media ACEO 2.5"x3.5"
Pen & Ink and Watercolor on 140# Hot Press Fabriano Watercolor Paper
Click here...Original ACEO in my Etsy Shop

aceo's in amazing color

Here are a few more ACEO's that I did recently (mostly while I was under the weather). I really love these, especially the intense colors. I especially love creating them.

'Joyous Song' - Original Mixed Media 3.5"x2.5"
Pen & Ink and Watercolor on 140# Hot Press Fabriano Watercolor Paper

Click here...Original ACEO in my Etsy Shop

'Leaf and Berries' - Original Mixed Media 3.5"x2.5"
Pen & Ink and Watercolor on 140# Hot Press Fabriano Watercolor Paper
Click here...Original ACEO in my Etsy Shop

I also love the 3D effect....2 pieces of artwork that come together and become one. These images just do not do them justice. They are so cool to look at in person. The little bits of shadow the second layer creates really adds great interest.

'Flower on Green' - Original Mixed Media 3.5"x2.5"
Pen & Ink and Watercolor on 140# Hot Press Fabriano Watercolor Paper
Click here...Original ACEO in my Etsy Shop

I have several other ACEO's to post but looks like they are not prepped yet. Next time. Here is one to get started.

And here is a new 5x7 Pen and Ink that I did of a peacock. I think she's cute!

'Pretty Peacock' 5"x7" Pen & Ink on 140# Hot Press Fabriano Watercolor Paper
Click here...Original ACEO in my Etsy Shop

Everything can be found in my Etsy shop.

new old blue shoes

Just a quick update to post a recent pair of shoes I did that I just love! They start out as a normal pair of shoes, old or new, any color....and LOTS of scraps and embellishments.

I love the look of raw edges and jean material can really provide that. Not to mention, a simple pair of jeans can have great edges, seams, snaps, even the belt loops can be used as amazing design elements.

The 'text' was painted on scraps of fabrics for some artistic contrast and further embellishments came from huge stash of fun. They really turned out amazing and they look great with a pair of white capris. Gotta get back to more fun!

back in the saddle...

Time to do some catch up! Since our last meeting I have simply been trying to recover from my arm injury with physical therapy and recovering from two bouts of the flu. The most recent really kicked my....well, you know...and kept me in bed for over a week. I guess I just needed some overdue rest and, boy, did I get some! Feeling like a new woman again and ready to get busy!

'Wise Owl' 4.5"x6.5" Pen & Ink on 140# Hot Press Fabriano Watercolor Paper
Click here...Original ACEO in my Etsy Shop

During my time of forced rest, relaxation and antibiotics....I was able to finish a few small pieces. Even when sick, I just can't not create!! Impossible. Mostly pen and ink since I could easily work on them while in bed whenever I felt up to it. 'Wise Owl' was so meditative to create, as well as just plain fun. 'Three Fish' that I did a couple months ago was the same way...fun and meditative to do, fun and meditative to look at....I know there will be many more that follow this style. There are quite a few ACEO's that I did as well, but I still have to prep them. So, 'till next time.....

new work, new shows, new injury

It's time to do some catch up and there is quite a bit, so lets get started. Before anything else, I would like to take a moment and honor my good friend Christina Marie Coyle

who passed away February 18, 2011 at the young age of 44, from a long and courageous battle with Lymphoma Cancer. She was such a beautiful person and left behind her wonderful husband, Mike and beautiful 8 year old son, Danny. I can honestly say I was truly blessed to know her! I first met her when we were in our 20's, became immediate friends, had TONS of fun together and I was blessed to extend that relationship to her sister, Julie, whom lives in New York. Julie and I, through this horrible tragedy have been able to reconnect again and I am so thankful. Julie and I were very close for many years and I look forward to having her in my life again! We have come to realize the old saying IS true...Life IS too short and you just never know when someone you care about is gone. I do not want to ever regret not having the chance to let someone know how important they are to me. May God bless Mike and Danny and be with them during this most difficult time in their lives! My heart is broken but I know that she is with the Lord and at peace and no longer in pain.

After the emotional funeral, I was a mess and numb. I felt like I needed to stay busy so later that night, I decided to put some boxes in the attic. While I was on the ladder, the ladder gave way, shifted to the right and down I went. Trying to lessen my fall, I grabbed onto the door ledge with my right arm and came crashing down. Bruised from head to toe, I realized I had hurt my right arm pretty bad. No rotator cuff tear, but fluid, bursitis, tendonitis and in horrible pain for a month. I actually couldn't use my right arm at all until about 1 1/2 week ago! I had recieved some amazing prayer 2 Sundays ago at church and Monday morning, I was actually able to put on my clothes by myself for the first time since the accident. God is good! I continue to improve every day, and although not completely healed and still have some pain, God has provided me amazing strength and healing and I am grateful.

Somehow during all of this (and just prior) I have created many new works and many of these have sold. I am just loving every bit of it. It never gets old hearing that someone loves my work and better yet... purchases it...to be loved forever. It is an absolute honor.
I was also recently blessed with numerous stories written about me by Tom Hall from the Examiner.com. You can read them here. The press has been wonderful and again, I am more than honored!! I just finished a small art show at the Verona in Naples, Florida this past weekend and it was so exciting. The positive feedback was almost overwhelming for me. My sales were excellent (even though I felt like I wasn't completely prepared due to the recent shoulder injury and my printers' print heads deciding to die out this past week) and looks like there will be an outrageous amount of commission work I can look forward to. My work (I brought a wide representation) appealed to those of ALL ages and many returned to my tables repeatedly. It was a wonderful feeling and I can't wait for the next show!


This coming Friday, I have been honored once again as the Featured Artist for Green-n-Groovy during the amazing Art Walk held in our Fort Myers River District downtown. Although I will be presenting works of all mediums and styles, I will be demonstrating the ACEO using Micron pen and the Zentangle techniques. There was so much interest during the art show from this past weekend for the ACEO card. Viewers were intrigued and curious. They enjoyed picking them up, being able to purchase affordable works of art, and just wanted to know more. I love that!

Along with my paintings and illustrations, I have also been working in textiles, too. Upcycling the shoes are a blast and they are definitely a statement piece! Have had several custom orders for them and am excited about creating an entire line of painted and fabric upcycled shoes.


The handbags are actually from upcycled upholstery fabric swatch books. I absolutely love the fabrics. They are full of texture, color, patterns...and matched with embellishments, leathers, suedes, etc...the purses become an artistic statement piece as well. They spark a lot of conversation and I love that I get to create all of this.

There is much to do still and I have numerous other photos to prepare for posting, as well. I am not certain whether I will complete this before Friday, but I will do my best!! I love where all of this is taking me and look forward to seeing what's around the bend.

I love being an artist.
I am blessed!

busy, busy january!

Well, I am going to try to catch up a bit. There is so much to share, I am not certain where to start. One of the most exciting event is the solo trunk show (me) next week at an amazing boutique here in town. Barbara, the owner of Mirage Boutique, contacted me after coming across my work and the rest is history! Barbara and the store are amazing. I secretly coveted almost everything in the store! I had a few delays due to health and kids, but it's finally coming together and I am so excited!

It will be just in time for Valentines Day so I am really trying to create accordingly. Lots of hearts and feelings of love and dreams. I am also creating for Green-n-Groovy at the same time and this amazing art filled weekend downtown. Fort Myers Art Walk is tonight and then two days of the Southwest Florida Premier ArtFest Fort Myers which is an event not to be missed!





I also created the new logo for Green-n-Groovy and I have to say, I really love it.
And it looks great on the glass doors. The store is amazing! So many great artists, many of them using organic or recycled/upcycled materials....and all of them groovy!

I did have time to do some little pieces, too (ACEO's). They are always fun to do and allows me to experiment without committing to a huge piece. I really enjoyed working with the collage and I know this style will creep into my art more and more.


There really is much more to show but it will just have to wait until next time. Blessings to all!

leftovers from 2010

Happy New Year Everyone!
2011 is already showing itself to be quite busy and among other things, I am really trying to clean up anything 'unfinished' from 2010. I thought I should at least post a few of the most recent ACEO's I did in 2010. December was CRAZY for me (as I am sure it has been for many!!) so the one way I could make sure to always create was to carry my little travel kit with blank ACEO cards and my Micron ink pen...ready to use at any down-time (waiting rooms, taking the kids to the park, really bad traffic, etc) away from my studio. Let's just say there was A LOT of pen-and-ink work in December! Not a bad thing though. I really love pen work and I love ACEO's, so it was a successful month, too.

'Thinking' 2.5"x3.5" Pen & Ink on 140# Watercolor Paper
Click here...Original ACEO in my Etsy Shop' Treasure Found' 2.5"x3.5" Pen & Ink on 140# Watercolor PaperClick here...Original ACEO in my Etsy Shop

' Peaceful' 2.5"x3.5" Pen & Ink on 140# Watercolor Paper
Click here...Original ACEO in my Etsy Shop

'Trees' 2.5"x3.5" Pen & Ink on 140# Watercolor Paper
Click here...Original ACEO in my Etsy Shop

At the end of 2010, I finished everything that was commissioned and started on several new pieces. The kids and I worked on several artistic gifts for family and friends and I created some random artwork, too. All the while, my mind is filling fast with all that I want to do in 2011. I am really looking forward to all that lies ahead (regardless of what my life looks like right now). Something that I have wanted to do for quite some time is some sort of 'ART A DAY' venture, challenging me to create every single day for an entire year. Well, I was reminded of it recently from another member of the ACEO Etsy Street Team that I belong to. So I decided, what the heck...let's do it! Since I wanted to be as realistic as possible I decided I really needed to work small...for some days are just simply filled to the max. ACEO's are my answer! These would allow me to try new techniques, styles, mediums, etc. and they would be small and hopefully quicker. The problem will be getting them posted, but I'll do my best. I have already created the first 4 (still have to do today's) so I am off to photograph them and get them posted. I will try to do all 4 today and since I often do ACEO's very late at night, each piece will probably be posted the following day. I hope to stay faithful regardless of what is going on each day. I hope.