"White Knight"

"Morning Light"

"Persuading Persephone"

The 11Th Chapter in Clarissa Pinkola Estes book is titled Heat: Retrieving a Sacred Sexuality. This chapter is about Persephone and how in her innocence she plays in a meadow along the shore of a clear lake between the worlds. Hades catches sight of her and must possess her. So he deceives her and tries to overpower her forcing his way of life on her by squeezing the pomegranate seeds into her mouth forcing her to remain in the underworld six months out of the year... ergo fall and winter.
In my painting the purple on her face is his shadow blocking the light and the bruise he does inflict on her young psyche.

"Common Hearts Golden Threads"

This painting was inspired by another chapter in the book "Women Who Run With the Wolves, by Clarissa Pinkola Estes. Chapter 4 is "The Dual Nature of Women"
We must learn balance in order to thrive.
The things in my life appear to to pretty balanced. The bow on the violin forms an intersection(cross) with the violin. The music of my life touches all aspects and is a centering force in my life. I chose the violin because of it's beauty and resemblance to the female form. Violins always make me cry and touch my soul.
The sleeping self represents personal time and are shades of violet which denote ethereal and magical things in my life.
The woman that is painting is my creative life. The easel is pointing to the center of the composition. The palette has only the three primary colors (plus white) essential to make any other color. Food and drink are in the basket at my feet to sustain me.
The mother and child are my relatives and are represent my family, they posed for me as Madonna and child for a painting and have been a driving force in my life. They also cause pain and so they appear lost and found in the composition.

"La Luna Papillion"

Another chapter in the book "Women who Run With the Wolves, inspired this painting. The Butterfly Woman, Joyous Body: The Wild Flesh

The butterfly is a very delicate creature, it will turn to dust if you hold it too tight. But if the butterfly doesn't stay in the cocoon long enough it won't develop its wings and wont ever be able to fly therefore it will be vulnerable to its enemy's.

My Butterfly Woman is so joyful and light that she dances among the stars, the heat from her joy filled heart emanates from within. The vibration of her wings travel on throughout the universe.

Her antennae are extended and have pom poms that dance to the music on their own.

"Great White Heron Sanctuary"

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"Indian Summer Gateway"

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I painted this painting for a woman that said she had an orange sofa and couldn't find an orange painting for over the sofa. I tried to educate her to get her off of the "doesn't match the couch syndrome" but she wouldn't budge. So I went home and painted an orange painting , but I never did see her again to show it to her. I did however put it in some outdoor shows raising the price after each show as I do because obviously it must be too cheap and people must be thinking something is wrong with it...and thats why it hasn't been bought yet. Anyway I put it on an easel in my studio and one evening as I was leaving the studio to go home I was at the door and turned back to check the room to see if I had turned everything off. I had left the Ott light on over this painting and it was glowing as if it was the day I was compelled to take the photograph of the beautiful scene. I was absolutely awestruck by the painting and decided right then nobody could pay me enough to buy this painting. So I bought the original from myself and I got a gicl'ee' made to sell. The original now hangs prominently over my fireplace where it has since that night. I so enjoy the painting and so does everyone that comes to visit. Everyone wants to buy it now

"White Birds"

"She Sells Seashells"

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"Chinese Lanterns Form my Heart"

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Jade and Pomagranite

"All Aboard the Orange Blossom Special"

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"Carins Tulips"

"Gifts of the Sun"

"Gardenia Passion"

Original Sold (Prints Available)

"Three in a Boat"

Playful Purple Pansy's

"When Johnny Comes Marching Home"

This is a painting of my first husband in Vietnam in 1969. He sent me the photo while he was there I cherish it because it has his wedding band in it, he lost his ring in Vietnam along with his ring finger and both of his legs because he stepped on a landmine during his tour of duty. He landed in Vietnam July 21 when Man landed on the Moon and the saying that rang around the world that year was "One small step for man... one giant leap for mankind". That saying has always had special meaning for me because he was landing on a type of moon that same day.

I painted this while reading a book called "Women who run with the wolves". by Clarissa Pinkola Estes.  In chapter 12, Marking Territory: The Boundaries of Rage and Forgiveness. We had a book/painting group reading the book and creating works for each chapter.

My response to this chapter was ..." I had a pretty happy childhood. Lots of love and fun and friends.
I married young and had lots of dreams for our future. Then one morning I was woke up by my parents whispering and my Mom crying and my Dad trying to calm my Mom as they were carrying a telegram down the hallway to me as I lay in a feigned sleep state because I overheard their suppressed whispers as to what the telegram meant and I did not want the reality of it interrupting my life so I tried to squeeze my eyes very tightly shut so that it might be a dream after all...but alas I was awake and the telegram was opened and read.
This was the beginning of rage for me. The painting is of my first husband while he was stationed in Vietnam. He stepped on the land mine in Vietnam and what happened to us as a result of it was the beginning of a most terrible rage that wanders on even today.
I couldn't talk about what happened for a long time with out bursting into tears because the rage and pain were so intertwined in this event. Our marriage did not survive the rage, the alcohol, the traumatic PTSD issues along with the fact that the military didn't address the emotional effects of his losses and the trauma that he experienced at the age of 20 took a horrendous toll on his psyche and mine too.
After the September 11 attacks it was as though I was right back there in that time of fear and uncertainty of Vietnam once again. But with therapy and love I have come to forgive." My paintings help to bring joy into my life and I can share it with others.
Johnny is still a wounded warrior ravaged by PTSD and alcohol abuse as he has never received the counseling that he so badly needs. He has a terrible time accepting help or admitting that he isn't fine.
This picture was a Polaroid that a buddy of his took in Vietnam and he sent it to me, it was the last photo of him as a whole innocent boy/man with worry in his eyes but hope in his heart for our future.

Dessert divided by 3

"Looking Left"

Lake Tahoe View

On a trip to Vegas I visited Lake Tahoe and captured this Vista.

"Luscious Fruit Compote"

I painted a series of paintings that I call "Full Chroma" that is no greys only out of the tube color. They are very vibrant and a little looser than my typical style. (I take my glasses off.)

"Stolen Hibiscus"

Saftey Harbor View

Grace Defined

I met this model at an art show and asked her to pose for our portrait group. She posed for us many times over the next few years. She is a professional skater so we had her pose in her costume. She was a graceful and beautiful young woman and a joy to paint. I was told by many fellow artists that this portrait was the best likeness ever of this model. I am concidering darkening the background... what do you think?

Siloette

This painting was a demo for one of my classes. It really excited the students to do the painting so quickly. Sometimes simplicity appears to be complicated.