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"

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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”.