January is coming to a close. It’s strange, this passing-of-time. I keep hearing “time isn’t real, but is a construct.” I admit, it’s difficult to wrap my mind around because the sunrises, the seasons, every breath in and out — these all feel like an obvious indication of time’s existence. Construct or not, time is passing and we will soon see the backside of January. I’ve not minded it much this year, though normally I detest January. I have enjoyed several evenings with a r

Here in Utah County, there is a historic art museum -- the Springville Museum of Art. Having art in this museum has become a star for which many local artists reach. While there is a permanent collection and visiting/short term exhibits, there are two major shows open for submissions (one in the spring [the Spring Salon] and one in the fall [the Spiritual and Religious Art Show]). I have been rejected (well, my work has, but it certainly feels more personal) several times. I

A New Collection Hey! This time of year is so fun. The excitement of upcoming holidays and events gets me bouncing. One aspect of fall is the idea of death. Our flowers, grass, and trees all go to sleep, at least here in Utah, and we revel in the beauty and joy of the harvest. We also look forward with hope to spring when the world will reawaken and bloom. When it comes to the loss of loved ones, we mourn those who will no longer be present at our celebrations, and we also

My middle kid started this silly thing with his friend: "Secret Pancakes". I don't really know how it came about, but there it is. So, any time we make pancakes, we call them secret pancakes and then he shushes us and reminds us they're secret. That same kiddo loves to make his pancakes perfect before eating them. He stacks them up, places a perfect square of butter, and the pours the syrup over the top and dripping down the sides. In honor of him, I painted this little cutie

Hello! I have finished a spooky, gothic, romantic little piece and am excited to share it with you all. I call this piece Lie Still. I'll let you decide if it is a command or a gentle goodbye. ;) This piece is inspired by cemeteries in New Orleans. The center monument is painted to look similar to real gravestones in the city. The architecture of the tombs in NOLA are gorgeous and inspiring and take the edge off the creepiness for me. Surrounding the grave are resurrection fe

I've started a new piece in preparation for an Art Stroll at the beginning of September. Featured is a tombstone that is inspired by some in New Orleans cemeteries. Normally, I really hate spooky things . I like Halloween, but I only like the whimsical and magical and cutesy aspects. Gore, scary movies, horror... not for me. What about you? Dead bodies seriously terrify me, and I hate walking around cemeteries. As I was starting this painting, however, I felt a slight shift i

I have always been a pretty impatient person. I am constantly think "when _______ then _______." Usually it's, "When it's fall, I'll slow down" or "When my kids are older, I'll feel less stress." Regrettably, that's not the case. Life is busy. Life has stress. Nothing gets easier, the hard just... changes . As my youngest is getting closer to starting school full time, I have been in a state of unrest. I am excited that my baby will get to go to kindergarten and have fun and

A year-and-a-half ago, I was gifted Schmincke Gouache from my husband. These were the first professional-grade paints I had ever tried. It also was the first time I had heard of gouache! In February of that next year, I participated in an Instagram Art Challenge called February Flowers or something to that effect. Each day in February, I painted a different flower whose name aligned with a letter of the alphabet. After several days of painting flowers on postcards with waterc