I was recently asked what my process is when creating a painting, and it has really made me think of the numerous steps creation takes from beginning to end. Step 1- I use my own original photography whenever possible. For me, getting the right reference photos is usually the hardest part.  My husband and I love to visit state and …

February 24, 2020 When I’m hard at work at my easel with my eyes just inches away from my canvas for hours at a time, it is hard to get a realistic perspective on whether or not I am accomplishing my goal. Using my smart phone has changed the way I can look at my paintings. Sometimes my paintings are …

It was a successful day painting in the park. I had a lot of really nice people stop by to see me. One from as far away as Philadelphia, some from South Dakota, some near Rolla, some from Bottineau. Overall it was a good turn out.  The afternoon was spent doing some painting and doing a lot of talking to …

Things are both winding down and ramping up today. I can’t believe my week here is almost over. I’m really not quite ready for it to be. I’ve been thinking about this and planning it for so long that it’s going to be weird to go home and just pack it all up and put it all away. Thankfully I …

Day five. Is that really correct? I’ve officially been here long enough that I’m losing track of what day it is! I must be honest and say I had a very hard time getting out of bed this morning. It was rainy and after several days of not sleeping well from being in a strange bed, my body finally decided …

 Tonight‘s post will be a little more brief because I have more work I need to get done but I wanted to update everyone on how my week is going.  I woke up to rain so I used it as an excuse to sleep in a little so I did not get out of bed until 8:30 this morning, which …

I got up at 6:15 this morning and started my day with a nice long hike. I walked part of the Kings Highway and the entire Beaver Loop. Everything was covered in so much dew, my shoes were soaking wet by the time I got back. There was a beautiful fog in low-lying areas. I saw a couple of female …

 I spent most of my day inside my cabin painting. I had a spot picked out to paint outside but the wind was not cooperating with me. It looks like the wind is supposed to die down overnight so hopefully I will spend the entire day outside tomorrow. I am working on a painting of a group of six pelicans …

The week I have been waiting for is finally here. I’ve been talking about it for so long it felt like it was never going to come. I am up at Lake Metigoshe State Park for my artist residency.  The focus of today was on loading up, driving up here and getting everything set up. Everything went as planned. It …

June 17th, 2019 For years, I did what I was taught, and I painted on white canvas.  That all changed when I watched a tutorial video from one of my favorite nature artists, Terry Isaac.  Ever since I watched that video, unless it is a special request, I paint on hardboard, also known as Masonite. I spent the day today …