"Christmas Boxer"

"Christmas Boxer"

What a great dog!!!



"Home for the Holidays"

"Home for the Holidays"

I was asked to create this beautiful home portrait and

then turn it into holiday greeting cards.

We were quite pleased with the way it turned out.

This was such a big project - but so worth the effort!

  



Innis Woods

"Innis Woods"

We have a beautiful metro park in our area where

you can go to relax, walk the paths and see wonderful 

things found in nature. They have a waterfall, pond and even 

an area where children and school classes can go to learn about 

gardening and flowers. They even have weddings that take place on the grounds.

Many artists and photographers go there to paint and take photos.

It's one of my favorite places!   



Sweet Nectar

"Sweet Nectar"

Hummingbirds are so fun to watch,

as they buzz past your head in search of 

sweet nectar from the beautiful garden flowers.

I love their shiny and colorful feathers!

 

Clowns on Parade

Giggles, grins and hats that spin.

These clowns are on parade.

They're here to entertain

you on your very

special day!

I designed this painting as an entry in a

recent greeting card contest.
The finished card also has a colored border,
words and glitter on the front of it.

I had a lot of fun designing this card!

"Cheerful Chirps"

"Cheerful Chirps"
I am fascinated with watching little song birds.
They are so colorful and
 sing the most interesting melodies.
I love to watch them scamper around as they 
eat their food.
Right now I am watching a beautiful pair of cardinals that
come to my feeder every evening about dusk.
I try to make sure that I have some
sunflower seeds scattered around on the ground
in order to entice them to return.
So far it's working!



Sheltie

"Kaylee"

This is Kaylee, a wonderful looking Sheltie.

Her owner is so nice and friendly. She allowed me to try my hand

at painting some note cards of her beautiful pet.

Kaylee sat so still and alert while I took several reference photos of her.

I am so pleased with the way it turned out!

Southwest Relics

"Southwest Relics"

In the Southwest you can spot many wonderful

pieces of history.

I enjoy looking at the interesting shapes 

and colorful pieces of pottery. 

Arizona Sunset

"Arizona Sunset"

A fun little painting that I did while on vacation in Arizona.

The sunsets out there are just breathtaking!



"Three Little Yorkies"

"Three Little Yorkies"

These three little doggies belong to some good friends of ours.

They think the world of them and treat each one

just like it is their own child.

Some pooches have all the luck!

"Musical Dreams"

"Musical Dreams"

I love music!

I always listen to it when I am painting.

It gets me in the right mood and helps me concentrate

on what I am trying to achieve.

Hope you'll give

it a try as you work on

your next project.

"At the Beach"

"At the Beach"

This has been a very HOT week here in Ohio.

The temperatures have been in the 90 - 102 degree range.

So a day at the beach seems like the perfect place to be!



"Iris and Butterfly"

"Iris and Butterfly"

The new landscaping project that we have been doing

 in our front yard is coming along well.

I just planted some iris bulbs

and in no time at all they have popped up out of the ground.

From the way they look they'll

probably be blooming soon.

This note card painting that I did

reminds me of just how pretty

flowers can be when they

are in bloom.

"Flower Cart / Quilt"

"Flower Cart / Quilt"

This week we have been adding new landscaping to the front of our home.

It has been a lot of very hard work but finally it's starting to come together and

it is looking great!

We used a wheel barrel, planted flowers and watched over a Mommy and Daddy Robin

as they worked very hard at feeding and keeping their two babies warm.

They had built a nest over our front porch light and I convinced my husband

to leave it alone until they were done using it.

We did have to be very careful

 as we went in and out of the front door, so they wouldn't fly inside of our home.

I was able to sit back away from the nest and get many wonderful photos

of the robins in action.

Events like these help to inspired me.  

I feel like a new painting will be coming soon!

"Barn, Horse and Cowboy"

"Barn, Horse and Cowboy"

While driving down the road one day

I spotted this neat little barn. I grabbed my camera

and snapped a picture for my reference files.
 Back in my studio I assembled my thoughts and ideas.

I then began painting my note card,

 with this becoming the end result.

Barns are fun to paint! 

They have so many different and interesting design details.

"Black Lab"

"Shadow"
This was a very special dog that belonged to our dear friends.
She came into their lives several years ago
 and made a wonderful family pet.
Now she has just passed on.
We are so glad that we have this painting to remember her by.
GOOD DOGGY ...
We'll love you forever!


  

"Roses and Monarch"

"Roses and Monarch"

I think roses and butterflies just belong together.

Both are delicate and beautiful!

"Ohio Homestead"

"Ohio Homestead"
Sometimes the perfect painting subject just happens to come along
and for me this was one of those lucky times.
This beautiful home belongs to a wonderful and supportive
farming family in Johnstown, Ohio.
They approached me about designing their Christmas cards.
I worked diligently over the summer months
taking photos to use as reference material.
Next referring to my photos I recreated a change of seasons
and finished my painting as a winter scene.
Both, their family and myself were very happy and satisfied
with the final results!

"Forest Rise Drive"

"Forest Rise Drive"
One day as I was driving along a quiet city street when I happened to
notice this beautiful mail box and colorful flower setting.
I saw the homeowners working in their yard - so I
got my nerve up, turned my car around and stopped
to ask if they would mind if I took some photos to create
a painting and note cards.
They said yes and seemed pleased that someone cared
enough to stop and comment about their lovely home and landscaping .
After completing my painting project - I returned to give
that nice family a few boxes of their own custom designed note cards
 and to once again say a big thanks!
I like to let folks know that their help and kindness is really appreciated.

"Antique Elegance"

"Antique Elegance"



"Champ"

"Champ"

Don't you think this little dog looks so cute wearing his bandanna?
I think he deserves a treat!

"Pennyroyal Farm"

 "Pennyroyal Farm"

                                  A very dear friend allowed me to do this painting of her

family homestead. She took me for a ride on her four-wheeler

to many different areas of the farm so I could take photos to use as reference material.

I was really happy with the way the painting turned out.

We even made Christmas cards using this painting.

What a fun project this turned out to be!

Hocking Hills, Ohio

"Hocking Hills, Ohio"

This is a beautiful place to visit in the great state of Ohio.

It is a fun place to hike, take pictures and even get ideas for paintings.

Lots of people visit here each year.

"Black and White Cat"

  "Abo"

A very special friend that I once worked  with

allowed me to paint this for her.

Don't you think she has a beautiful cat?

"Captivating Companions"

I just wanted to try something different.

"Three Little Chickadees"

I Love Birds!

As a little girl I would wait in the car with my father and sisters while

our mother went to do the grocery shopping. If we were really good

when she returned, we would be allowed to go into the five and dime store.

Each time I would take my small amount of money and purchase a different

tiny plastic snap together bird statue. I kept all of the statues that I had assembled

in a shoe box. I had quite a nice collection of these little birds.
Today I still get excited whenever I hear their beautiful songs or see some of those 
colorful birds around our neighborhood.
 It is so much fun to watch how interesting birds can be. 
If you have never taken a moment to just appreciate these tiny creatures - please give it a try.
You will truly be amazed.
BIRDS ARE ALSO VERY FUN TO PAINT! 
   

"Lucky Cowboy Hat"

"Lucky Cowboy Hat"

While on vacation in Arizona

 we went to a rodeo.

I was sitting in the stands and there was a

cowboy sitting in front of me with

 this really neat looking cowboy hat on.

In my mind I had a vision of  how good this hat would look 

as a little note card painting, 

so I grabbed up my camera and snapped a quick picture.

Soon after - the cowboy got up and left.

The next event started and much to my surprise that cowboy

was riding in the bull riding competition ...

and  HE WAS THE BIG WINNER!!!

I was so excited for him and at the same time

 felt very lucky that I had taken the time to snap that one simple photo.

I just love the way it turned out after just adding the red hat band and feather.

Don't be afraid to add your own ideas to your paintings.

YOU ARE THE ARTIST ... YOU KNOW! 

"Chicken Coop"

"Chicken Coop"
A lot of folks love to collect items
that have roosters and chickens
on them - so I decided to try my hand at 
painting some of these cute and colorful
little animals.
I did find out that they are quite popular! 





"Schnauzer"

"Schnauzer"

I have a special place in my heart

for the love of dogs!



"Summer Pond"

I love to paint landscapes!

There are wonderful scenes to paint

all over the place. 

Just step back and take time to look

at your surroundings.
My husband found this wonderful painting idea while out on a motorcycle ride.
 It does pay to carry your camera with you at all times. 

"Brenda's Beauties"

Flowers and butterflies make me smile!