Spontaneous sketch while on vacation to test out time lapse. I think I'll try and get it together to do a time lapse painting video. Should be fun!

I love California clouds. I think this State has some of the prettiest clouds I've seen. I'm obsessed. I have a lot to master, but I'm enjoying the process and the freedom of painting the big sky.

I'm so happy painting pets. Who knew? It wasn't something I planned, but sometimes those unexpected curves in the road are what bring joy. And since I'm such an animal lover, it's a natural extension for me. I hope I get a ton more pet commissions in 2015. Happy New Year everyone!

I'm revving up! Spring is a key exhibit time for Southern California artists and I'm happy to say I'm somewhat organized this year. I have three shows on the books and I'm working hard to have something more to share in the coming months. I'm also taking orders for custom portraits, as always.

I'm still playing with watercolor on wood and slowly building a collection of miniature portraits. I'm working on 6" square panels and really enjoying the challenge of making the paint obey my intention. It isn't easy. I love it.

Here is my latest I call "The Last Fairy".

It goes to show passion when you're painting is felt by the viewer when they're looking at your work. I had so much fun creating this image: it's a pastel drawing I effectively 'painted' on the paper using a dry brush filled with pigment. I feel like the work I create while I'm relaxed and happy gets the best response.

I am so happy that this image caught the eye of guest artist/judge Joan Boyrta at this month's Huntington Beach Art League meeting. This is my first First with this outstanding group of artists and I couldn't be happier! What a great start to 2014!

Many artists adopt the painting a day method to keep focused, in practice and disciplined. Hello New Year! I'm going to try this. I am so busy all day every day, that if I have ten minutes that are unfilled something jumps right in. My resolution is to make some small artistic effort to fill that tiny void. Wish me luck! I'll post my efforts on my Facebook and Instagram no doubt - let me know what you think!

Taking a break from painting I picked up my fabulous soft pastels to create my own interpretation of the Jon Whitcomb painting 'Your Ideal Girl'. I think the original was a Good Housekeeping cover from the '50s. It was fun to do and to blend I used a dry brush. I used pastel pencils to define the eyes as I needed a sharper edge to make them pop. It's always an exciting challenge to play with a new medium.

I'm very excited to start work on this great dog. He's a huge Golden Retreiver that is also a Service Dog for CHOC (Children's Hospital of
Orange County). I think dogs are amazing, they are such a gift. I'm honored to be in charge of creating a painting and coloring pages of this guy - the painting for the owner, and the painting pages for her to share with the children he visits. 

I always start my prep work by doing a few sketches of my subject. I believe in muscle memory and I feel that sketching the face gets me used to its lines and contours.  It's also a tonal drawing to draw (intentional pun) my attention to the light and dark areas of the photograph. I will share my progress with this guy on my Facebook page.