Why do you go for a walk? Is it for exercise? To be out in nature? To talk something through or be alone with your thoughts? We all have our reasons, and maybe there is more than one. But I bet the walk happening here is just to be out with each other. Maybe there’s not a lot of talking. Maybe it’s not about the steps or the getting somewhere. Maybe it’s because when you simply say “wanna go for a walk” your dogs face lights up, his tail crazy wags and his feet run for that door. A walk like this and a moment like this happen all the time, and yet each one is the most important thing while you’re in them.- Out of stock
When I first shared this with you all a lot of you said it made you feel nostalgic. Brought you to a simpler time when the air smelled better and your shoulders felt lighter. This painting does that for me too in a way. It brings me back to 20 years ago. I was a young newlywed, just having moved in to the house we still call our home and trying to make it my own. I bought my first original artwork and paid way to little for it. A set of three poppy paintings that still hang in our family room where I first put them. In many ways, I miss that time and in others I’m glad that I’ve grown passed them. Now, I’m on the edge of newness once again. We are giving our home a fresh start and that’s been scarier than I thought it would be. I wanted to paint a scene to bring this chapter full circle. A new perspective on what has become a classic. A moment where I could dust off the past but embrace all the beauty that has been in it. A “Breath of Fresh Air” you could almost say. - 50% Off
We were on our way to the first day of the convention last July. It was early morning were tired. As we came up over the hill on the freeway the sky's color filled our car with warmth. Colors of orange, pink, and a purple that cannot be found in a tube of paint. I thought about that sky for weeks afterwards before finally needing to put it on a canvas. I knew I couldn't replicate the sky because I don't remember what it looked like. I just remember those colors, etched into my eyes. The scenes of these paintings come from a different space. I often think about things that I want to do. Some are grand bucket list things, but most are smaller. I want more moments like these. Quieter, softer, deep breath of relief type of moments. A moment where you made a little extra time, took one single day off, went on a little getaway. I want more of those and I'm on the road to getting more of them. Often though, they seem to be just a moment away. Like I just needed a little extra something that I don't have. These paintings represent the moments taken and opportunities made, A moment away realized. - 50% Off
Most of the time we don't like to feel like we're being watched. It's uncomfortable and intrusive even if we aren't doing anything wrong. It's almost like someone is hovering over your shoulder, listening to every word you make, just waiting for you to make a mistake. But what happens when you're being watched by the moon? Every Wednesday evening I have to take a short walk home in the dark and, if I'm lucky, the moon will be there to guide me home. It keeps me from stumbling, like it's holding my hand as I teeter. I miss it when the clouds keep it away. I miss it during the day when the sun chases it back. Then, when I see it again, especially when it's eyes are fully open, I look up and love knowing that I'm being watched. - Out of stock
We buried her ourselves , six months ago today, in December’s darkness. Our tears were soaked by the rain. Our hearts simply trying to take a breath. She was our baby for 13 years, our sweet little doggie, Desi. Grief has a process, and it rolls a little different with everyone and every loss. I was grieving our Desi while she was still with us, and now, I just miss her. I don’t cry everytime I say her name, but memories don’t always make me smile yet. I am in that gray zone. I’m actually okay, some days I’m really good. I just miss her, and I wish she were still here. Tell me about someone you miss, and something you would do with them if they were still here. This painting is part of an ongoing series highlighting the emotional experience it is to be human. I affectionately call it the “Hannah” series. - Out of stock
Sometimes things just feel different. Things are the same, yet a switch has happened. A change in attitude, appreciation, awareness. The way I’ve been feeling lately is much like walking a well known path…at night. You know it’s still the same, it’s familiar, and yet it feels so different. You can still see but the colors are muted. You can still hear, in fact, sounds seen louder. You can still feel your feet move and yet you’re more aware that you may fall. Life has been reminding me lately of what is important. And it’s not that I didn’t already know what was important, it’s just that now it feels real. At any moment…all it takes is just one single moment and everything can change. Like going from sunlight to moonlight, daytime to night. To me, this painting is a reminder to stay focused on what is most important. To be in the moment and soak it up. To watch where you step and always keep going. And to see the light in the darkest of hours. - Out of stock
Life is funny. One minute things feel like you're at the beginning of everything. Like your life is just starting up and you have forever to do all that you want. The next minute, you're in the midst of it. You're in the thick of everything you've started and worked hard for. Life often gets compared to a journey, or a path. One that you start thinking you know each turn and bump and yet you don't. There are always unexpected turns and little bumps that make you trip. But isn't that also the reason that we like taking a walk in the woods? We like a little surprise, we like to be awed by something we weren't expecting. This path is much like how I am feeling these days. In the midst of the forest, no beginning or end in sight, just surrounded by the life that I have carved out for myself. - Out of stock
Ah young love. Is there really a good way to describe it? For those watching a first love bloom it can be nerve wracking. You hope they are smart. You hope they don't jump in too fast and that they get to know each other well. For the young couple, just about everything else disappears. Life starts to take on a whole new meaning and all of a sudden you can't wipe that smile off your face. You are filled with butterflies and childlike energy as you experience the first date, the first hand hold, the first kiss. It can feel like the dawn of the most beautiful day and a story has just been started. A story that has never been told before and one that you hope will have the happies of never-endings. This painting is lovingly entitled "Up Until Now" for a personal reason. I was never sure if I believed in love at first sight, and then one night, a little over 20 years ago it happened to me and I told coworkers the next day that I'd met the man I was going to marry (cue the eye rolls). But up until that moment I had so many doubts and wonders about my future. I wondered who I'd marry or even if anyone would ever love me. I'd wondered what my husband and future children would look like. I'd wondered what it would feel like to have someone catch you on a swing and look into your eyes. You see up until then my future was so blurry but in a split instant I saw my entire world become clear in his eyes. This painting symbolizes a young first love. The flowers a declaration of love (white tulip) and innocence (daisy). The butterflies represent the giddy nerves that flutter. The colors represent the dawn of a new day, and the light layers represent all the life that this young couple will live but can't see yet. The swing, well that's a bit more personal but let's just say it represents the youthful playfulness that can be seen by others as love begins to bloom. - Out of stock
Fast forward just a little while and that young playful couple is in a new place. They find themselves beneath a flower filled arbor. They find themselves dressed in their best. Just a few steps away are chairs, chairs filled with all of their favorite people. They then recite words to each other, promising to love and care for each other. Then, finally, the long-awaited kiss. The emotions are intense, and tears of joy are falling in every direction. A couple's wedding day is the first day of so many more. The years ahead seem to be abounding with possibilities. They feel like every door is open to them and the skies are big and open and time is irrelevant. Anything they want to do, they can, because they now have each other. Will they travel the world? Will they buy a house, get a dog, have children, move to a far away country? Everything seems possible. Time won't really pass as fast as everyone says it does. Any problems that come up won't be that big and the butterflies will always be there. It's among the most meaningful and happiest days of a couple's life because it is, in fact, the start of their forever. The meaning in this painting: The flowers represent perfect love (Cabbage Rose), joy (Purple Tulip), and fidelity (Algerian Ivy). The doves represent peace, hope and love. The rolling hill-like layers represent all the possibilities and open skies that a newly married couple see. The colors are warm and rosey, just like the cheeks of a bride. - Out of stock
Let's add a few miles to these tires. This couple finds themselves 20 0r 25 years down the road. Life has happened. Doors that were once open have now closed and maybe life doesn't look quite like they thought it would and has, at times, been disappointing. Some of those chairs that were once filled now sit empty. But guess what, one thing is just as good if not better than they'd hoped for. The love on their wedding day has grown into something much more. The once dynamic passion has smoothed into something so warm and loving it's difficult to describe. The laughter that fills the cracks is one that only years of being together can create. Throughout the years, as they've stuck together, a beautiful garden of love has been growing in the dirt of life. Maybe they have children, maybe not. Maybe they've traveled the world or maybe they weekend trip to their favorite spot again and again. Maybe they've moved a few times and started fresh, or maybe they have been in the same home the whole time. Maybe they've had a dog or two, or maybe they're allergic. Maybe their jobs have changed or maybe a career has been established. Whatever they've done or not done one thing is for certain, they've stayed with each other. They've supported each other, compliment each other and still hold hands when they walk the beach. Meaning behind this painting: The flowers represent devoted affection (heliotrope) and happiness (delphinium). The hummingbirds represent love, joy and resilience. The layers of colors represent the ups and downs that the couple has gone through throughout the years and the flowers collected from the ground are the memories they're holding tight to as they look towards their future. - Out of stock
Let's fast forward another 25 or 30 years for this couple. That's what life does doesn't it, it moves fast. That once beaming couple find themselves older. They're more tired and have some aches and pains that no longer seem to go away. Their skin is creased by both smiles and tears and their hair has lost some color along the way. They have lived so much life together and have been through so much. More chairs have become empty and yet somehow filled again with new friends and family. Their lives have pulled apart then come back again and now they are so close it's as if they're not whole without the other. The life they have lived and built together is entirely their own, much like their love story. Now the fast-paced life they'd never gotten used to has slowed down. They have time to reflect on the past and dwell on the future. Yet their love burns like embers that cannot be extinguished. The bond between them is like a soothing balm that surrounds the words they no longer need to use to fill the silence. As they watch the sunsets together, they know they're lucky. They're lucky to have found one another, to have held on to one another and to still be by the others side and they treasure all the sunsets they still have. Meaning behind this painting: The love birds represent deep affection, lasting bonds and enduring friendship. The deep sunset-like colored layers represent the saturated life they have lived and the big changes that have happened during it. The flowers represent joyful friendship (yellow rose) and filled with love (violet) and they are also traditional 50th wedding anniversary flowers. 
They say a dog is mans best friend. If you have ever been lucky enough to have a friendship like this with a dog you know what a hug like this feels like. Hugging a dog. It may just be the most unjudged feeling ever. They know what you are feeling but they don't know why. They seem to be there anytime you need a hug like this. They're there when you need a walk to let off some steam. They're there when you need a buddy to bring back that ball. They're there when you need someone to talk to, to laugh at or to simply have around. And then one day, after days and days, years and years, of them loving you and being there for you, it's your turn to be there for them. They don't know why they hurt or why you cry. They don't know why they fall down or walk slower. All they know is that you are there. Once again you came home to them, fed them love them and hugged them. The love of a dog is such a gift. It is an honor and privilege to have one in your life. And one day soon mine will be gone and I know my heart will hurt, more than the tears in my eyes will allow to show. Until that day I will hug every hug, allow every bad breath kiss, and give her every ounce of love that I can. Desi, I love you and I always will!- 50% Off
The sound of leaves in the wind, the sight of swaying branches, and the scent of eucalyptus in the breeze. Sometimes we need a refresh. A simple breath of fresh air to cause us to take a step back and a notch down. This little series would be perfect for a space that you want to feel calm and new. Simple and uncluttered and a reminder that simple is sometimes just what we need. - Out of stock
I knew what to call this from the moment I thought about it. You see a few weeks ago I was apple picking. Not just any old apple picking, but my own tree and a tree I love very much. It's a McIntosh tree and it sits right outside the entrance to my garden. This tree is many decades old and we have grown very fond of each other over the past two. We have grown together and seen so much life pass through our branches. This tree never ceases to amaze me with it's abundance. Each year it provides us with so so many apples. More than we know what to do with. An abundance. As I picked each and every one over the course of a few days I pondered how much abundance there is in my life. An abundance of love. Love from my husband, my family and my ever growing network of friends. More than I feel worthy of, more than I deserve. These thoughts swirled around my mind and my brush as I created this piece. An abundance to be grateful for. And wouldn't it be nice if everyone in the world could have this abundance. An abundance of love, food, hope and faith. While life is also tangled with sadness and dark things, there is an abundance to be found if you allow it grow. - Out of stock
I was at a wedding in July and I started crying a little. A little girl asked me if they were happy tears. I paused, thought about it, and said "mostly." Although this was a very happy occasion, it was felt with a range of emotions. Like a bucket of feelings had been spilled all over me and they came out as a few simple teardrops. So often with life being full of ups and downs, even good things can be felt with a bit of loss. Opposite feelings. Hot and Cold, up and down, rise and fall. That is exactly what I thought about so much when painting this. The power of this waterfall. The smoothness of the river top and then just a moment later a drop off so intense the water seems to scatter through the air. All while this is happening, just a short distance away, are these daisies. These happy cheerful daisies that reminded me that softness and harshness can coexist. Happiness and sadness can be felt at the same time. What a beautiful experience it is to be human and to feel. While not all emotions are pleasant, they serve a purpose. There are times when I feel an intense joy, so much that my face must be beaming! But I know that I can feel joy that intense because I have felt a sadness equally intense. It makes me appreciate the bad times because I know that I am learning to feel and learning how to appreciate the good times more. I will remember this painting as a reminder to take the good with the bad. To allow things to happen and to see the daisies during times of a fall. - Out of stock
What do you think trees would tell us if they could talk? What do you think these trees would tell us if they could talk? Would they talk about the endless years of sunrises and sunsets they have seen? Would they tell you that each one of them is uniquely beautiful and that each time it takes their breath away? Would they tell you about the storms they have weathered or the winters they've wintered. Or perhaps the birds that have raised their young in the shelter of their branches, or the scurries of squirrels that have scuffled beneath? Trees would have such a stationary yet unique perspective. Their view stays the exact same their whole life, and yet they still see more then many people do in a lifetime. It's as if their eyes look up and out, instead of down and back. I think they'd remind us that it is ok to be stationary. That's is wonderful to stop sometimes and just take in the beauty of where they are. I think they'd start out many sentences with "If you could only see..." - Out of stock
When something is radiant, it is impossible to ignore. It is shining so brightly your eyes cannot look away. It has a beauty and a splendor about it and is like a moment of shining beauty in an otherwise dark world. That is why this painting is known as "Radiance" There are many times when I look out and what my eyes see effects my heart. My heart is filled with gratitude and awe. I sometimes feel like I'm allowed to see things others aren't when in fact it is right in front of them too. When I see immense beauty my mind wanders to the one who created it. My inspiration to create comes from creation itself. I am constantly pulled back to a place we visited a year ago. The stunning blue ridge mountains. I feel as though I left a piece of my heart there, and I don't say that lightly. These mountains filled my eyes with awe and made my face shine with radiance. I could not stop smiling that day and felt like I was brimming with happiness. Radiance. To me this painting represents a place where I no longer am, but where a piece of my heart is planted. - Out of stock
Winter is our longest season. It can feel like it goes on and on. But there is a time when winter is starting to get sleepy that is so special. One moment it's winter, and the next it's spring. The sun is out one second and then hail starts to shatter the warmth. It's as if winter is trying to stay awake but its eyes are struggling to stay open. These trees you see here are feeling it happen. The sun is warming them up, the birds are chirping and then all of a sudden, the rain starts to beat down again. I actually love this type of weather because there is such feeling there. An emotional battle between the seasons and even though we all know who's going to win, winter is coming in for one more encore moment. This is the final piece of my first ever collection, "Endless". I hope you have all enjoyed seeing these and I am excited to see who out there claims each piece. - Out of stock
I see this mountain almost every day. There is stands, tall and confident, yet gentle and comforting. Its been here for so long I sometimes wish I could talk to it. What changes has it seen in our valley over the past hundreds of years? Has it seen the elk cross that road hundreds of thousands of times? Has it seen cars replace horses and houses replace fields? How many storms has it weathered? A few months ago I saw it like this. The sight took my breath away. Another storm was blowing in its face, taunting it with its icy power. Yet at that very moment the sun set its warm hand on its shoulder, reminding the mountain of all the storms it had already endured. The endless amount of torment it gone through only to give it more strength and character year after year. It was a moment of light and darkness, of strength and gentleness. It was a moment so incredible captivating it pulled me in with it's alluring breath. - Out of stock
This piece came from deep inside me. It says something I have trouble saying, at least tactfully. I will do my best to articulate what this means to me. Please bear with me, and I'd love to hear how this piece speaks to you. How do you refill your cup? Let me elaborate. How do you recharge, and what drains you? This is hard for me to admit, but being with people drains me. I love people, and I love the ones in my life, especially those who have spent years forming a relationship with me. I love helping people in practical ways and I love listening when they pour their heart out. Spending time with people has made me more patient, forgiving, empathetic and understanding. That being said, I leave social situations with less energy than when I started. I recharge honestly by being alone, being creative, and being at home. I know that I really need that time. I wish I were that person who was always looking forward to the next gathering, the big event where we all get together. With life being so very packed of good, but social, things, I often feel drained. There are times when I want so to run away. I created this little cabin as a place to go. A place where I can grab my husband and escape to. No one can reach us. A little place in the middle of nowhere. Trees so tall they are touching the sky. Clouds so thick that no one can see through, and no sound can penetrate this little space other than the gently lapping waves on the shore. This cabin is a place where others Let Me Be. They let me be me. - Out of stock
The winter here is always in motion. The rain falls, the trees sway in the wind, and the clouds are always on the go. Sometimes they appear as a heavy comforter, covering the sky in an almost impenetrable barrier between you and sun. Other times the clouds flow like water. They move around almost as though they're checking on the ones they love. And when the clouds meet the trees on the hill, they embrace as though they don't want to let go. They start to touch and dance in an almost seductive way. This is a scene I see almost every day in the winter. The clouds lower into the trees and it is nearly impossible to look away because of their mutual longing. It is honestly one of the simplest yet romantic sights in nature. While defining the word haze is not all that difficult, describing it is. How can one do this act justice with words? I know I can't, but I could try to paint it. So here it is, my Defining Haze. - 53% Off
Do you know someone who makes something difficult look easy? Maybe you only found out how hard something really is when you tried to do it yourself. That's what I thought of the most while creating this piece. Did you that the average cloud weighs over One Million pounds!? I recently rode my bike through one and I was reminded that although clouds can look extremely light and fluffy, they are actually quite dense and wet. But they float and move around as though they weigh nothing. They can stretch and swirl and change colors in a matter of seconds. They make being a cloud look easy. While the trees are the centerpiece of this painting, the focus is all on those clouds. My intense fascination with them is what inspired, not only this painting, but the collection that is to follow. The collection, entitled "Endless", is a celebration of the relationships between the trees and clouds of Washington. Stay tuned for more stunning PNW scenes. All pieces of the collection will become for sale at a date later announced. - Out of stock
A few months ago I had a day I would relive over and over again if I could. My husband and I were on a trip to North Carolina and we drove the Blue Ridge Parkway for the first time. This was the most incredible experience. We happened upon this spot by accident. We had driven over an hour in the wrong direction and naively stopped at every viewpoint we could. Hindsight, this was the best mistake of the trip. The moment I snapped this picture I knew I would have to paint it. I felt on top of the world. The title of this painting comes from the feeling I was having while driving this incredible stretch of road along the Blue Ridge Parkway. This entire day was like a life-goal reset. I felt lighter and more in tune with who I was than ever before. There was a moment of clarity that has stuck with me ever since and I knew I could not ignore it. Together we looked over this fence at opportunities. We could live anywhere, we could see anything, and we could do it together. This stretch of road made us consider what we really want, outside of what we simply know and are familiar with. This fence was not a boundary line, but a starting point.
