Once upon a time in an exhibit a long, long time ago, I was notified that I had won an award, but when the image was posted on their website it wasn't my painting. So there was a question whether this person's painting or mine had actually won the award.  It turned out I had won the award and the image was corrected.  I have to say I felt awful for the other person who had questioned the image as well. From that moment forward, I haven't commented on awards until I am sure it is correct.  So now you know.  Back to my brushes.  

"It is not certain that everything is uncertain." - Blaise Pascal

I think it is pretty well established that if a painting I'm working on isn't as I imagine, I burn it.  It's a ritual -  and a good one.  But I admit I don't always do that.  Case in point: the painted sketch.  For me the painted sketch is an exercise in seeing shapes.  I recently did a rather large sketch of a garden, the focal point being a stand of lavender.  Was it worth keeping...uh no.  But cut up I thought it would make excellent cards.  One side had a rather pink cast and as it moved along it became purple.  Closer to me, a darker purple - you know the drill.  Had a rather Monet feel to it color wise.  So I took the cutter to it and I thought the cards turned out lovely.  If you are so inclined, it is an option.  My hope is that the recipients enjoy them for a moment before they throw them in the trash...the way of most cards.  Of course, true friends invite me for a beer as we set it aflame together.  Back to my brushes.  

​"I have no fear to burn my mouth and throat.  I'm ready to drink every flame and more." - Rumi

This is a quick shout-out to Kelly Eddington not only as recognition for her mad skills as a painter, but as the new editor for the Watercolor Honor Society newsletter.  I had the privilege to be her first interview in her new role and I must share that she made it seem easy.  It's not.  She did a lot of prep work...read my entire blog, (wait, what?!!) and asked me a LOT of questions (most of which are not included in the article).  I felt comfortable in the process, which is no little thing for an introvert.  (Yes, I have my extrovert moments but they drain me.)  The article reads true.  There is no greater compliment in my opinion.  You can read it by clicking this link to the Watercolor Honor Society webpage under news.  Back to my brushes.  

​"If you do not tell the truth about yourself you cannot tell it about other people."  - Virginia Woolf

Delighted to be a finalist in the Splash competition!  

I'm so pleased to share that my painting Twenty Thousand Stones has been awarded the Robert E. Goodier Memorial Award for Traditional Transparent Watercolor at Watercolor USA 2024 from the Springfield Art Museum in Springfield, Missouri.    

I don't normally do this but I'm going to take a moment to tell you about the process of creating this painting.  I have painted several paintings using my rock collection as the subject matter, but this time I wanted to do something really personal and different.   My goal was to share my own truth in an authentic and colorful way (unusual because my superpower is being an introvert).  I set my sights on completing the largest painting I have ever attempted; but it was the decision to use my own take on divisionism for the background that would make this painting unique.  I had access to some of the best examples of Signac's work available to me living in Arkansas and had always thought I could put my own mark on that style of painting.  But, this was going to take a level of focus and commitment that would keep me separated for a substantial part of the year. Each morning I would set an alarm and worked eight or more hours a day -  It was the only way it was going to get done.  I began this work in early Spring of 2023 working in my humid garage because it was the largest work space I had available. Asthma and allergies were my biggest obstacles in the beginning.  (Hooray for inhalers!)  I moved inside when Summer hit because the heat index was too intense. Staying true to my devotion to transparent watercolor each dot of color was made individually with a size 0 brush using mostly primary colors from my palette.  Nope, I did not throw paint at this like Pollock and I am sorry to tell you there are no hacks or shortcuts to share.  Each color was carefully chosen and delivered (again, my goal was to share my authentic self). I continued through Summer and into Fall with this schedule (less seven days for a wedding, funeral, and an art function). Most would have called it done, but I put sticky notes on areas I thought weren't quite right, and continued working.  I had struggled with pain in my shoulder from about the beginning of July, but by August the pain would take my breath away.  I considered that I had torn something, but didn't feel I had the luxury to stop and find out.  I did finally call the painting done and sent it to my scanner. (Okay, I admit I did work on it some after it was scanned but no one would notice but me.)  The shoulder pain has been so severe that I just picked up my paintbrushes last week for the first time since finishing this painting (which took six months to complete). And just some off-the-cuff advice to other painters:  keep in mind when taking on a large painting the cost of framing (which is substantial) and the cost of shipping (which is prohibitive).   

So, you can imagine the absolute feeling of delight and justification I felt when I received this information today.  I feel the narrative is revealing and authentic which was my goal, although the final wrap-up sentence was left off for length. I guess you'll just have to wonder.  Also, there is an easter egg visible in this painting for my philosophy friends.  If we meet and your personality suits, I'll gift you that info.  I won't share that here because once you know you can never unsee it.  Enjoy!  Back to my brushes.  

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"Make the most of yourself...for that is all there is of you."  - Ralph Waldo Emerson

I'm pleased to share that my painting Rock City Skyline was awarded the Doris Williamson Mapes Award at the Mid-Southern Watercolorists 54th Annual Juried Exhibition.  I remember Doris. She was always willing to tell me what needed improving in my paintings and I listened.  So for me this award holds a special significance and sweetness.  

Short story:  I painted this for an exhibit in Italy and because of Covid it got stuck there for two years.  When I got it back, its life in the exhibition world was quite limited.  I was so happy to be able to show this painting where it is the most relevant.  Back to my brushes.  


"To avoid criticism say nothing, do nothing, be nothing." - Elbert Hubbard

I'm pleased to share that my entry in the American Watercolor Society's 157th Annual International Exhibition was accepted. My thanks to the Jury of Selection: Antonio Masi, Chris Krupinski, Dongfeng Li, Bev Jozwiak, and Amid El Haddad. The exhibition dates are April 2nd thru April 26th at the Salmagundi Club, 47 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY  10003. Back to my brushes.  

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"With an eye made quiet by the power of harmony, and the deep power of joy, we see into the life of things."  - William Wordsworth

Just a shout-out to the kind folks who sent me pics of my painting on exhibit in California. There were several of you, and I appreciate you so much. I wish I could have been there with you, I bet you all had the best time. Maybe next time? Back to my brushes.  

​​"No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted."  - Aesop