I went to a wedding in Atlanta and then on to the Biltmore in North Carolina recently.  We used to drive by there when I lived in NC as a kid, but never stopped.  It was worth the trip and we were lucky to have excellent weather as well.  Sixty-seven degrees in Asheville...One Hundred Three at home - Ugh.  While we were there I received news that my painting Hashtag Harmony was accepted into the 2023 NWS 103rd International Open Exhibition!  My thanks to the jurors Thomas Schaller, Ruth Armitage, and Jean Pederson.  Back to my brushes.  

"Find something you're passionate about and keep tremendously interested in it."  - Julia Child

I love surprises.  I received a copy of the latest Artist Magazine yesterday and was surprised to see the heading "Special Sneak Peek - Watercolorists who are making a Splash".  The article was compiled by Anne Hevener and kicks off World Watercolor Month.  How wonderful to have my work included in the sneak peek!  So pick up a copy at your local bookstore or click this link to Artists Magazine. You can also head on over to the Springfield Art Museum and see this painting in person at Watercolor USA 2023!  Back to my brushes.  

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"When the well's dry, we know the worth of water." - Benjamin Franklin

I'm pleased to share that my painting The Mighty Has Fallen was chosen by juror Keiko Tanabe for inclusion in the Watercolor USA 2023 Exhibition.  The exhibit is open to the public from June 10 - September 3, 2023.  If you have an opportunity, be sure and stop by the Springfield Art Museum at 1111 East Brookside Drive, Springfield, Missouri. Always an enjoyable show for the viewer as the Weisel and Kelly Galleries are large and open.  Each piece is given it's space for viewing.  One of my favorite venues in the country.  Back to my brushes.

​"Art is not a handicraft, it is the transmission of feeling the artist has experienced." - Leo Tolstoy

I'm pleased to share that my painting The Tools of Color and Line was chosen by Juror Dan Marshall for exhibit in the 2023 National Watercolor Society Member show.  The exhibition is an online event that will be featured on www.NWSExhibition.com, the NWS online Sales Gallery from May 4th through June 30, 2023.   

I also am exhibiting at the Pennsylvania Watercolor Society Member Show, which is not juried, with a couple of my paintings that are not for sale and I rarely share.  One is a portrait of my youngest titled On the Wing, and the other is Letting Off Steam which no longer resides with me. 

In other news the CALS gallery will be closing since the CALS main library will be renovated.  A definite loss for Arkansas artists since at this time there is no plan to reopen.  I'm going to call it a loss for the River Market area as a whole as well.  A real shame.  Back to my brushes.  


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"I once saw an elaborate landscape in a gallery, drawn in pencil, that took my breath away.  Then I realized the artist probably didn't have enough confidence to use a pen."  - Garry Shandling

I'm pleased to share that my paintings The Tools of Color and Line and The Mighty Has Fallen were selected as finalists by special juror, Jean Haines, for Splash 24: The Best of Watercolor.  Be sure and look for this special issue of Artists Magazine at newsstands and bookstores in July 2023.  Back to my brushes.  

"Art is everywhere you look for it."  El Greco

I'm pleased to share that both of my entries in the 3rd Annual Women in Watercolor International Juried Competition were awarded an Honorable Mention.  This year's competition had 1615 submissions from 56 countries from the best of the women in watercolor artists.  Only 220 paintings were accepted overall.  Back to my brushes.  

"Let me tell you the secret that has led me to my goal.  My strength lies solely in my tenacity."  - Louis Pasteur

Had a lovely interview with Philip Mayeux, on the Arkansas Art Scene Blog.  If you have a moment, click on the link and read it.  Other news, I was going to enter one of my latest paintings which has an out of the ordinary subject matter for me, but unfortunately everyone at the store where I have my scans done tested positive for Covid and I couldn't get it in time.  They are all doing okay which is the important thing.  I'll find somewhere else to enter it eventually.   Back to my brushes.  

"A new broom sweeps clean, but an old brush knows the corners." - Irish Proverb

We experienced "The Original Immersive Van Gogh Exhibit" in Dallas recently.  We met up with family and had a terrific time.  My level of comfort was pretty high since masking and social distancing was required.  Plus, there was a bag search and metal detector at the beginning.  I do prefer seeing the original paintings, but this was fun and a different way to experience the images.  It's been a long time since I went ANYWHERE!  The company was great.  We had some great meals:  Ten50 BBQ (highly recommend), and also at Las Palmas on Routh Street where we ate outside because the weather was absolutely perfect.  Good times.  Back to my brushes.  


"I don't know anything with certainty, but seeing the stars makes me dream."  - Vincent Van Gogh

I'm pleased to share the my painting was selected as a finalist by special awards juror, Mary Whyte in Splash 23: The Best of Watercolor!  It is scheduled to be published in the special issue set to hit newsstands mid-2022. My thanks to the special award juror, Mary Whyte, and Golden Peak Media. You can find out more by visiting the Artists Network. 

Also, if you are looking for a good book to read, let me recommend a few.   Art & Fear by David Bayles, and Ted Orland is one I may have suggested before. It is a quick read and if you are an artist you will definitely recognize yourself as the pages turn.  I find it entertaining and funny every time I read it. The Masterpiece by Fiona Davis was very enjoyable.  Sort of a back and forth time travel setting.  I was working on a painting of Grand Central Station when I read it, so it was a nice tie-in.   Finally, I recommend for your children Henri's Scissors by Jeanette Winter.  Rather touching actually and I thought it was well illustrated.  Hope you enjoy them as much as I did.  Back to my brushes.  


"So you plant your own garden and embellish your own soul, instead of waiting for someone to bring flowers to you." - Jorge Luis Borges