New Mexico Landscape Inspiration

I was in Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Cerrillos, Taos, and Placitas last week. I had only been to New Mexico once before but knew I was already in love with the landscape, the mountains, and the light. Watching the sunset each night was hypnotizing. Seeing the sky colors change from blue and white to warm shades…

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New Year/ New Knee!

This is the year I finally decided it was time to deal with my bone on bone arthritis. After last June, working the Wells Street Art Festival, barely able to walk at the end of the show, the physical toll of working a weekend festival was a reality check. I couldn’t keep getting cortisone shots…

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IAPS and Upcoming Exhibitions

The international association of pastel societies is a group of people who are interested in learning about pastels.

Tuesday morning I am headed to Albuquerque to attend the International Association of Pastel Societies biennial convention – IAPS There has been so much hype on social media and I can’t imagine what it will be like, I am very curious and excited! I started painting with soft pastels during the pandemic when the world…

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Southern Cal Inspired

I am just back from a quick visit to see my two daughters in San Diego. What a nice change of scenery from the cold winter days here in Chicago. We made a point of doing vacation-type activities and a highlight for me was visiting the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. I was surprised to…

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Revival; before and after

Springtime is when I have to start planning my exhibition space for the upcoming summer festival season. It forces me to review art inventory, and re-assess what paintings are “show worthy”, and those that need to be re-worked. Ever since I started incorporating alcohol inks into encaustic medium, I have found a new way to…

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Alcohol Inks

I’m having the greatest time, playing around and learning about alcohol inks! The fun started by incorporating the inks and fusing layers of color into encaustic medium. The translucent qualities of the inks mesh beautifully with the similar translucency of wax medium. After an initial introduction to inks by combining them with encaustic medium, I…

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Summer Inspiration

I recently visited the Chicago Botanic Gardens knowing I would find visual inspiration. The colors of gorgeous velvety red roses in the Rose Garden, to the perfectly manicured bonsai and pine trees in the Japanese Garden, were a gift. In the English Walled Garden, I watched as wedding vows were exchanged, the scene felt like…

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Meditations & PR

May is the month when I finalize my plans for upcoming summer festival season. I confirm I have enough work to fill my 10″x10″ tent space, and I usually try to create new marketing materials to promote the shows. This year I created a poster featuring the Face of Buddha in addition to my usual…

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