Green is In for 2013!!!

In my January newsletter, I talked about the color green. Those folks who choose the "color of the year", have done it again and this time it is GREEN! And not just any green, but EMERALD GREEN! I am so happy to see one of my favorite colors and I'll tell you why. I have a large wall in my living room that I chose to paint green and selected the shade by taking some of my paintings to the store to compare their paint chips. It might be more of a kelly green, but that's ok - it's beautiful and definitely showcases my paintings - like this Arizona Columbine watercolor. The original has gone to a new home, but you can still order a Limited Edition Giclée, 14"x14" image or have another size printed just for you! Or check out my website for other paintings that will add a touch of green to your life!

Hidden in the Hills Annual Studio Tour and Sale

Hidden in the Hills 16th Annual Studio Tour and Sale is almost here!!! We have Balancing Rock Studio # 3 in Cave Creek set up and ready for you this weekend - Friday, Nov. 16, Sat. Nov. 17 and Sunday Nov. 18. The hours are 10 am to 5 pm; but Saturday, we are hosting a special after hours party and will be open until 7 pm with food and beverages!

Come out and see the work of 6 different artists. Betsy Glatz is our host and I am a guest along with Joan Milman, Cathy Ross, Judy Rothenstein-Putzer and Gary Fabbri. Maps and further details are available at www. SonoranArtsLeague.org.

If this weekend just doesn't work out for you, we will be doing this again, next weekend right after Thanksgiving. You can even bring a turkey sandwich and enjoy a picnic in the beautiful desert!

Z House Gallery Grand Opening

I am excited to be a part of this energetic little gallery - The Z House Gallery and Boutique! The Grand Opening Celebration is this weekend! Both Saturday and Sunday, there will be live music on the patio, food, kid's activities, and art demonstrations. Inside the gallery is an amazing collection of art by more than 20 artists! Look for the little bungalow at 2320 East Route 66 (Sante Fe Ave.) just west of the 4th St. intersection. You will find the complete schedule of events, including artists' demos at www.zhousegallery.com. I will be doing a painting demo on Saturday, 3-5pm and Sunday, 1-4pm. Look forward to seeing you!

"Arizona Remembers 9/11, Tempe Beach Park"

I know that I posted this image earlier in the summer, but now that 9/11 is here again, I think it's okay to post it again as a reminder for all of us. If you are in the Valley and able to stop by Tempe Beach Park, do so tomorrow. It will only be up throughout the day. There are 2996 flags - one for each person who lost their life that day and each flag carries a yellow placard with their name. It is a moving memorial and tribute that is a must see. Giclées of this painting are available for purchase.

Meet the Artist at Brandy's Restaurant

It was a fun afternoon at Brandy's Restaurant during "Meet the Artist"! I had a chance to share my watercolors with so many friends and my sister, Janis, was even able to join us.  Brandy served her mini mimosas and some yummy cookies.  My show will continue until July 30th.

June 4th - Brandy's Show is up!

Thanks to Brandy and her wonderful staff, my show is up and ready to see while you enjoy some yummy food! We hung 30 framed pieces, many just painted for this show, and several mini originals and ceramic tiles. There will be some changes in the art over the next few weeks, so check back here and at Brandy's to see what's new!

Sunsets and Tangerine!

Did you know that tangerine has been determined to be the color for 2012! How exciting to have such a vibrant, happy color to usher us into the new year! So, of course, I was thinking about what I could paint in "tangerine" and found a painting that I have not shared with you yet. "La Jolla Sunset" (image 10x14) was a commissioned piece that I painted last fall. I had to wait to show it here to be sure that it had been presented to its recipients and I wouldn't spoil the surprise. It's a perfect take on the tangerine theme and would look wonderfully exciting in so many landscapes if you don't have palm trees where you live!

If you don't have a spot for a sunset, how about a still life or flowers? My mind is going crazy with ideas, so I'd better get my brushes busy! Where can you add a splash of tangerine?!

Merry Christmas!

Sending you Christmas greetings with my "Christmas Tree Angel" ©2001 - still one of my favorite watercolors! Wishing you the Peace, Joy and Love of Christmas for you and all your loved ones. Thank you all for your interest and support in my work.

Update on Flagstaff Open Studios 2011

Here's a little peek at part of my studio set up - guess we were just getting ready to hang some of my award ribbons when John took this shot. It was a terrific weekend with lots of guests stopping by (familiar faces as well as new friends). Everyone loved the variety of art items available; it's always fun to watch folks find the perfect treasure to take home. (And to see their faces when they step in the door to our wall to wall display of watercolors!) Samples of Marie's PB&C Oat Bars were a big hit as well as the free recipe on her special notecard, A Geranium for Marie. Jenny F. from Tucson was one of the winners for the guest sign-in drawing and her little giclée of Daffodils in Crystal is being mailed off to her. (Still waiting to hear back from our second winner.) I'm just about rested up and have decided to keep my studio set up for this weekend in case you missed out and would like to stop by. Just give me a call!

Preludes to Flagstaff Open Studios

"Twilight at McMillan Mesa" (image 20x26)

Prelude for Open Studios, the reception this Saturday, 6-9 pm at the Coconino Center for the Arts in Flagstaff is being hung this week. We did take in on Monday and there is a wonderful variety of art being exhibited - one piece from each artist participating in the open studio weekend. The exhibit will continue to be open, Tuesdays - Saturdays, through September 1oth. This will give you an opportunity to see the various artists' work and to plan your route for the big weekend! Of course, #27 (my studio) should be your first stop!

"Twilight at McMillan Mesa" is the watercolor that I am showing at Preludes. I just completed it this last week after several evening walks on the mesa. The sunsets over the Peaks are breathtaking, especially now that our monsoon season is here.

Tomato Bonanza!

"Tomato Bonanza" image 15x23

After a visit to the Farmer's Market a week ago, I arranged my beautiful heirloom tomatoes into a still life set up for a new painting. "Tomato Bonanza" is the result! Do you have a special spot for this in your kitchen/dining room? You can see it soon at Brandy's Restaurant.

Longing for Cooler Days?

Just finished this little watercolor "Snow Shadows" (image 12x6). With my show at Brandy's up for an extended time, I'm working on new paintings to add as pieces sell and keep the show fresh. So look for this one soon!

the Noise arts and news, July issue!

Here is the ad in the July 2011 issue of "the Noise arts & news". There is also a write up about the show in the Arts Column by Clair Anna Rose. Clair titled it "Beauty and Heart" - I love it! (The Noise is a monthly publication delivered to various businesses throughout Northern Arizona. Sorry their website is not up and running yet for on line reading. Try to pick one up if you are in the high country.) Thank you Clair for the beautiful description of my painting "Reflections and Refractions". It was fun and challenging to paint it! And what is more beautiful than the sun reflecting off Waterford crystal? (I do have giclées of this painting available; the original is being held for a juried show at this time. More on that later.)

"Reflections and Refractions" image 16x20

Brandy's Show is Up!

We finally did it! The show is up and ready for you as you sip and dine at Brandy's Restaurant in Flagstaff. The staff did a great job of helping us along with my husband, John, and grandson, Zach. Our granddaughter, Rachel, was with us as well and spent the time coloring away working on her own masterpieces! So here I am with my painting "Flagstaff Fourth" - the focal point for the show. It will be fun to hear the local folks comments as they check it out. I'll post more paintings as the month progresses. And the most exciting news of all...Brandy has extended the show until August 22nd!!! Wow! Now you really will have plenty of time to stop by.

ps: Don't hurry through the foyer too fast - there are some great little miniatures on the pantry shelf along with another special July 4th painting of Brandy's!

Posters Going Up!

Here is my poster for Brandy's show, designed by Jennie Johnson. Isn't it beautiful? Love the sunflowers - always a favorite in the Northland! Just finishing up the last minute details before we hang the show on Monday afternoon. I have some great surprise pieces that are really going to personalize this show to Brandy's and the 4th of July celebration. Also waiting for the website updates on Brandy's website and the July publication of the Noise... I'll keep you posted!

Getting Ready for the 4th!

This is a little detail of my painting for the centerpiece at my show at Brandy's Restaurant this year. I am so excited to be showing my work over the July 4th weekend, so I have created a special watercolor from the Flagstaff parade last year. Hope you are planning on a visit to Brandy's - show opens on June 28th! Just 2 weeks to go...

"October Snow" - Weekend Special on giclée prints

"October Snow" image 20"x26"

Last minute preparations for the Flagstaff Artists' Marketplace Booth Show tomorrow are underway. The show will be at the Elk's Lodge on North San Francisco Street from 10 am to 4 pm. I wanted to share this special 30% off pricing on the giclées of this new painting with my internet and blogger friends too. This weekend only the full size 20"x26" (print only) is $192.50 - price after May 2nd is $275.00 And the 16"x20" size (print only) is $136.50 - price after May 2nd is $195.00.

I have included all this on my newsletter blast, so if you didn't get it and want to be on my mailing list, just send me an email. Look forward to hearing from you. If you are able to make it to the show, I other "goodies" too!!!

Presentation for P.E.O. Chapter AY

This is a slide show that I presented recently to my P.E.O. Chapter demonstrating how I put together my photos for a painting of Hart Prairie. After several hikes along the Arizona Trail in the Hart Prairie area of the San Francisco Peaks, I chose the photos and arranged them in a collage to prepare my design. You can see how this process helps me to plan a unique composition. Then I proceeded with the drawing and painting... "Hart Prairie After the Summer Monsoon" was a special commission that I completed last summer.

Holiday Time is here!

Such a busy time of year for all of us. I hope you are enjoying your holiday preparations and not too stressed out. Our family got a jump start this year with the grandkids at our Thanksgiving get together and the kids all made sugar cookie houses - oh, the sugar high was worth it! As you can see there was lots of tasting going on. ha!
The Small Works Show is up right now in Cave Creek, AZ at the Sonoran Art League's office and gallery located at 6051 E. Hidden Valley Drive. You can see the show 12 noon to 4 p.m. through Dec. 19th. There are lots of little ornaments for sale as well as an assortment of media in that just right size for gifts for you or someone special. I was delighted to receive an Award of Excellence for one of my watercolors - Blanket Flowers II!

I still have some little 2x2 ornaments, with original watercolors, available at my studio if you haven't had a chance to get one, but please order soon if you have your heart set on one.

Holiday Ideas at Open Studio #37

This is a tiny little easel with an original watercolor - perfect for that special someone - maybe you? Sunflowers are for all seasons, but there are also other images to choose from. And I still have some of the little boxes with original art for your shelf, desk or table top.
Here is a sampling of my new Holiday Decorations - all original watercolors on a tiny canvas ready to hang on your tree or from a special hanger of your choosing! Yes, they are finished with a glossy varnish to reflect the sparkle of your lights and protect them from moisture -maybe snowflakes?