We just had our first snowfall of the winter in Minnesota — only a few inches here in our area that has now melted a bit. Last year there was a fabulous deep snowfall the day before Thanksgiving and a beautiful crisp sunny day for the holiday. I couldn’t resist running out into into it for a photo shoot — for most of the day in fact. It was one of those snowfalls with very large flakes — the sunshine caught them like diamonds glittering in the soft shadows and the wind. There was a delicate breeze that would occasionally gust, sending an outburst of flurries that had settled on the smaller branches. In a hike through wooded areas you could hear a cheery serenade by a chorus of chickadees singing to one another, and me I suppose. I would imagine this could easily be looked at as an everyday occurrence, but it was very inspiring for me — even a year after my shoot it seems magical. There were some very striking scenes of light and shadow, one of which I’m painting now. I’ve never shown this piece though it’s been sitting in my studio for a while. I began the sketch and roughly blocked in the scene right after my photo shoot last year, but was unable to progress further with it because of other deadlines. I think the fresh snowfall has put me in the mood to paint something appropriate. It’s hard to paint flowers in the winter or snow in the summer. Anyway, I will post a photo of it a little later. I have also begun a new miniature commission of a bathing mute swan. Right now the sketch has been added to my commissions page. I will be adding images of the painting as it progresses.

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I have started a new larger mute swan painting for an upcoming exhibit as well as a few miniature pieces. I will add pictures of them after I’ve painted on them a bit more. Also, both of the commissioned paintings I was working on have been finished. I was able to attend the American Art in Miniature Exhibit’s reception at the Gilcrease Museum www.gilcrease.org in Tulsa with my family recently. My Mom and I had work in the show this year. It was very elegant and quite a crowd turned out for the event. I like getting out to these events to see all of the beautiful paintings. It’s also nice meet and chat with other artists and art/wildlife/nature enthusiasts attending.

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Recently, I have had so many kind comments about my work from collectors and web visitors. Thank you all so much! I, like many artists I know, spend long hours in the studio painting, hoping the work will be received well at it’s final exhibition or showing place. I am very appreciative of your supportive words.

I have had a bit more enthusiasm to paint lately – which of course leads to faster results in the studio. When surrounded by deadlines, it is not uncommon to paint for 12 to 15 hours per day with a few breaks. This schedule does get to be tiresome after a while. Of course, if the painting is going well, you don’t notice that you’ve been sitting at the easel for 5 hours — except for the fact that one or two limbs have dosed off. I suppose it’s the kind of job that you have to love, which I do deeply. I couldn’t imagine doing anything else. I love being able to speak through my paintings, share the magic I see around me & things that inspire me — hopefully helping others to see those things around them as well, even after I’m gone.

My commissioned artwork for Harvard University is now in it’s final stages of adjustments. I also hope to get to that point with the commission of Samantha, the great horned owl, soon. I have a fair number of commissioned pieces requested over the next year or so. I will be posting the paintings on my studio’s commissions page as I begin the paintings.

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