Oh my goodness!   I can't believe it's been so long since I posted here.  When I began on FB, I really neglected my Blog.  Maybe for 2020 I will do better!  I think I will begin by posting my Christmas card for 2019...."Fiesta Poppies". 

  This watercolor reminds me of the technique employed by my master teacher, Jane E. Jones.  

I printed a few cards and sent some by email.  The unexpected bonus for the emailed ones was that friends wrote back!  Instant gratification!  I loved that!   So, I think I will continue to email Christmas cards even though I felt a little guilty about it.  The sentiment remains the same:  

May your Christmas have

special moments of stillness…

And Celebration.

Merry Christmas 2017

 Every year I try to paint a new watercolor to send to friends and family as a Christmas card.  "Winter Garland" is this year's effort.  It goes out to all my FB visitors with warm Christmas greetings. In the fall, the Texas Hill Country landscape is brightened by these colorful red, gold, purple, and yellow leafed vines climbing to treetops or cascading over stone walls.  Virginia Creeper, identified by its five lobed leaves, provides food for wildlife and Nature’s own decoration, just in time for Christmas.  I find it peaceful and comforting to see God’s Presence all around us and find it to be a reminder of the Joy of the Season.

 Thank you for visiting my posts and thank you for your words of encouragement and support.  Merry Christmas!!

Back in Time in Italy

On a painting trip a few years ago, we visited Cesi, very near the ancient Roman ruins of Carsulae.  Climbing the steep path we saw the blue banners hanging from windows, a vegetable garden, the bell tower.  It was like entering a small village as it has been for centuries.  Women swept and watered plants while it seemed most of the men were gathered in the cafe at the top of the hill.  I tentatively entered to the sounds of cheering for the Italian futbol/soccer team on the television.  It was great to stand and watch a soccer game in the brief camaraderie of kindred spirits.  But I did not linger long in the Italiano macho domain...instead, I joined the other artists outside on the patio overlooking the valley.  But, ahhh.  What a memory.

"Cesi, Italy"

You don't have to travel to Italy to share the experience....this painting will make it's debut at the Carriage House Gallery, April 12, for the Parade of Artists!

Texas Natives: Indian Blankets

Here's another wonderful Texas Native wildflower....the Indian Blankets....along with some Verbena.  I love these bright flowers that can thrive in our Texas heat.

Seasons

 Fall is my favorite time of year.  After the searing heat of summer, it's such a refreshing change when those first north breezes arrive.  And it's a bonus to see some new colors appear.  However, without each cnage that comes, it would all be the same.  I thought about this when sketching along a creek here in Kendall County.  This series of "Seasons" is the result.

News Feature!

In mid July I received a call from Gabriel Delgado of J R Mooney Galleries informing me that he would be writing an article for Explore  in which he would examine the inspiration and style of six artists.  He had chosen an artist from each of the galleries in Boerne and to my surprise, he had chosen me as well!  This was very exciting as Gabriel is well known for his writing skills and art expertise.  The September issue has just come out and on pages 30-31, you will find the article.  I am honored to be included in this group of six.
 Explore is a wonderful magazine that covers music, culture, history, faith and art in the Texas Hill Country. It can be picked up for free at local restaurants and businesses and/or seen online at  www.hillcountryexplore.com. 
Two paintings are spotlighted:

"Woodland Trail"

original-SOLD

giclee prints available

" A Good Place to Wade"

original and giclee prints available

Although we are still suffering from Summer's heat, you will be reminded that Fall is just around the corner when you see "Cypress Colors".

This painting was inspired by a sketch done in Guadalupe River State Park.  Did you know the the Bald Cypress trees change to beautiful shades of burnt sienna?  I love how they contrasted with the cool, clear water flowing by.  Ahhh!  My favorite time of the year!

Art Show

The Third Annual Old Town Helotes Art Show will be held August 10-12.  Please see

othartshow.com for details.  I will be one of 30 artists participating.  Last year my painting "Hat Dance" was featured on the cover of the show brochure.  It recently found a wonderful new home in San Antonio.....along with "Poppy Play".  

Hi Everyone!
It's already Spring in Texas with blue bonnets blooming and grasses turning green.  Spring also means it's time for the Parade of Artists hosted by our Boerne Professional Artists organization.  This year I will again exhibit at the Carriage House Gallery of Artists, 110 Rosewood, Boerne.  Of course, I am there all the time as a co owner of the gallery!  But April 12-14 will be a weekend full of  non stop activity at the gallery beginning with Friday evening's reception catered by Scenic Loop Cafe!  Go to www.boerneart.com to see a list of all the times and events.
I have seven new paintings to introduce along with several others.  Here are just a few of the newest of my watercolors:

"Hill Country Kaleidoscape"

Based on a sketch done roadside on Willow City Loop, the famous and very popular drive just north of  Fredericksburg.

"Geraniums"

A group of artists traveled to Montana's Glacier National Park and while sitting on the porch overlooking the lake, I sketched these red geraniums...just had to have some flowers for the Spring show!

"Edge Falls"

People tell me they used to go swimming here when growing up in Boerne.  I only found it while on a field trip for Trail Guides working at the Cibolo Nature Center.  A truly magical place......I was in awe, but managed to do some sketching.  Yes, the water with the limestone floor is that beautiful color!

"Orvieto Overlook"

I was able to return to Italy last September for a workshop with Oregonian Ken O'Connell at La Romita.  Had a picnic here then sketched the view.  Be sure to like the gallery on FaceBook and come this weekend!

New Painting for the Texas Hill Country Invitational

Boerne's Texas Hill Country Invitational will be October 19-21 this year. It will be a full weekend of art events and art sale, for more information go to www.boerneprofessionalartists.com.
Here is a sneak peak at one of my newest paintings to be shown that weekend.

Spring Along the Creek

Spoleto!

Even though I'd been to Spoleto three times before, I had never entered the city by walking across this ancient Roman aqueduct...what a spectacular sight with the deep ravine below and the Umbrian hills stretching far into the distance.  I did two sketches here.  First, the aqueduct itself.  Then, looking up the valley to a church nestled in the hills.  Can't wait to do a painting of both of these scenes.  Ken took a photo of my aqueduct sketch. :-)   Those Romans!  How did they build that?

Sketching in Italy....La Romita

After Bo left I joined a group for a two week art workshop at La Romita led by Ken O'Connell of Oregon.  Several were from the Northwest and I was the only Texan.  www.laromita.org  Meeting Ken and all the other artists was interesting and inspirational.

San Gemini, Italy...pigeons kept me company!

 Stayed dry in Tivoli Gardens

Then the fun began:  Every morning the breakfast bell rang at 7am then we had our gear ready for the bus at 8am.  Raniero, our driver, took us to a new place in the hills of Umbria every day.  Sometimes we'd be gone all day then we'd come back for dinner at La Romita, prepared by local women Franca and Egitzia.  Some days were only half day excursions returning for lunch and an afternoon of studio work.  All meals were anticipated with watering mouths as they were always delicious and varied.

Italy!

Trevi Fountain....and yes!  Threw a coin!

Just returned from a wonderful trip to Itlay!  Bo and I spent 4 days in Rome, staying in an apartment that overlooked Campo di Fiori.  We saw as much as we could and loved buying fresh vegetables and pasta in the morning and then preparing them for our dinner in the evening as the Campo came to life with music.

On the roof of the Vatican!

Seeing the Colosseum..

"A Good Place to Wade"
Cibolo Creek
Boerne, Texas

During these hot summer days, there is no better place to cool off than in our own Cibolo Creek where it passes through the Cibolo Nature Center.  A perfect depth for wading, skipping rocks, catching a leaf as it floats by or just cooling off your toes.  Hope you get a chance to enjoy it!

Summer News

"Creek Spring"

This summer has been SO HOT that it has fried my website.  Not really, of course, but my website has disappeared and now I must start anew to create one.   So, for the time being this blog will be my connection to those wanting to see some watercolors.  "Hat Dance" posted here and seen earlier on digital billboards in San Antonio has been selected by the sponsors of the Old Town Helotes Fine Art Show for the cover of the show brochure.  A nice surprise!  Please come see the show August 18-19 at the Gardens at Old Town Helotes, Texas.  "Hat Dance" will be there, as well as, some others.

"Broken Giants"
Guadalupe River State Park

"Cactus Patch"

"

Exciting NEWS!

Clear Channel of San Antonio decided to put a call out to area artists to submit images for consideration in their upcoming Digital Art Billboard Show! Out of 79 artists only 40 were selected. AND, guess what?! "Hat Dance" (see below) was picked for one of the images! Starting now, all 40 images will be seen on billboards around San Antonio til around December 18. Go to Clear Channel's FaceBook page to see the locations. My painting will be in the Blue Group. I am very excited that it will be seen by SO many people!!!

Merry Christmas!

"Boerne Christmas"

Just want to wish a Merry Christmas to anyone who happens to wander onto my blog. This painting is my Christmas card this year....as it does for me, it will have special meaning for anyone who loves Boerne and the Texas Hill Country.

As autumn and winter bring refreshing, cold air to the Texas Hill Country, the Virginia Creeper bursts into bright reds, decorating the trees, fences, and stone walls just in time for Christmas. There might still be some small blue berries that haven’t been found by the birds and small mammals. Be on the lookout for Mother Nature’s garlands, even in your own back yard. Imagine how lovely it would be to have Boerne’s iconic gazebo festooned with this native plant….no batteries needed, for this “Boerne Christmas”.

"Hat Dance"

Okay, this is so much fun, I think I'll add another! This is called "Hat Dance". As anyone who has seen these flowers waving in a Texas breeze can tell you, they often look like they're dancing on their slender stems. They are extremely tough natives and can withstand the heat and the dry of Texas summers.

"Maples...Found!"

This is the art created for Art and Conservation 2011. I was especially excited to see a portion of it appear in the online emagazine, www.CityPagesMagazine.com.

The lottery draw assignment for Art and Conservation led me to Fabra Acres, a wonderfully complex property, full of plant diversity and varied terrain. There’s a little bit of a trek to one of its hidden secret places: down the bank, across the creek, past the Butterfly Meadow…going until you are stopped by a limestone bluff. But then, at just the right time of the year, there’s the reward: surprisingly blazing color amidst the tanned grasses and subdued gray green live oaks, with just a touch of creek water to quench the fire. Sit a while and smile at “Maples….Found!” Special thanks to the generous property owners for sharing this 'hidden treasure."

Spring Parade of Artists!

Finally, (hmmm, I see that I began the last post with that same word. Is there a pattern here?) I am adding another posting! But I'm excited about the upcoming Parade of Artists here in Boerne. You can go to www.boerneart.com to see all the dates/times/events that will be happening. I've been working on several new paintings that will be Revealed for the first time this week. Most will be at the Carriage House Gallery where I continue to show my work. Two will be at the Cibolo Nature Center (www.cibolo.org) as part of the Parade.