Christmas is right around the corner!!!

Time is going by so quickly this year. I think time really does fly when you're having fun! The photo is of my Mom and two of my nieces at Thanksgiving. The girls were shaking the presents with their names on them under the tree, mostly trying to determine what was toys and what was clothes!! They were too funny!

The end of the year is fast approaching and I'm busy getting ready for the holidays, preparing for my classes in Florida, shipping out paintings that have been sold, and trying to stay warm!! No wonder I don't have any time right now!

As an update, I'm planning on starting back up the classes in Northern Ky April 23rd 2011. Now, I still have to get approval on that, but that's what I'm shooting for. Those of you on my email list, will hear from me before then. If you're not on the list, but want to be, email me or post a comment and I'll get back with you and sign you up. Happy painting!!!

Where have I been...???

Well, I'm done with my finals at school this week!!!! Wehoo!!!! The drawing I've posted is my final for my Analysis of Form class. I turned it in last night. I rarely do drawings, so this was a challenge for me. But, that's what art is all about sometimes...creating challenges and overcoming them. The seascape painting I just cranked out this week also. I'll be making some modifications to it, but it will likely be a future class. I love the green in the wave.

Speaking of my class, I want to thank each and every one of you who attended this year. You wouldn't believe how much I brag on all of you and how much I'll be missing my students from Northern KY the next three months. I hope to have fun teaching workshops at the Von Liebig Arts Center and River Park Community Center in Naples FL, but I can't imagine that we can have the fun we've had here in KY. Thank you all so much and have a wonderful Christmas and New Years!

Happy Monday!!!

Well, another fun class this past Saturday... and me without my camera again!!! I swear that many of your skies looked better than mine! They were gorgeous! You newbies...(you know who you are)... are doing fantastic, AND some of you veterans are doing amazing paintings now. With just one class left here in 2010, I want to thank each and every one of you for giving me a shot to share what I know. I would never have imagined what fun, and how rewarding this is for me. THANK YOU!

Since I didn't take photos again, I thought I would post a photo of one of the paintings we didn't get to this year. It will surely make the 2011 line up. For those of you feeling a bit adventurous, try this one on your own! If you've taken 2 or 3 of my classes you know how to do everything in this painting. Hope to see you all Saturday for our final painting of the year!!!!

What if there were two of me?

Well, there isn't! This is an assignment for my digital media class (a required course or I wouldn't be taking it). I had to clone myself. If I COULD clone myself, I could teach way more painting classes, would probably have a 4.o average in school, have a cleaner house, and ...well...the list goes on and on. Since I can't "clone" myself, I try to be a good time manager. Hard for an artist, but I'm getting better at it.

This week, I'm preparing for my final two painting classes of the year for here in Northern KY. I'm excited and bummed at the same time. I'll be back in April but will really miss everyone I've had in class. I hope to leave all of my students with a true "Joy of Painting".

Thanksgiving

I'm so thankful for so many things. I was blessed to spend this past Thanksgiving at my parents house with my family. One of the photos is of my youngest niece, the other is my daughter and me from Halloween. My daughter has become the family photographer, and I'm so grateful for that too! I love being able to share our memories with others and even re-live them by going over past photos.

Florida!!

Well, it's hard to believe, but soon I'll be off to teach my classes in Sunny Florida! I just got off the phone with the staff down in Naples and we're starting to finalize the details. I'll be teaching weekly classes at the River Park Community Center on 11th Street, and I'm so excited about it! The only downside, is that I'm going to really miss all of the folks from my class at Hobby Lobby here in Florence KY. We have such a great group and I hope everyone will return to paint with me again in April 2011.

My last classes of this year are December 4th & December 11th at the Hobby Lobby in Florence KY. We're looking pretty full right now, but be sure to contact me if you want to be put on the waiting list. We'll be doing some door prize drawings for everyone that attends.

Happy Painting!!

Thanksgiving is right around the corner!

Hard to believe, but it will be "turkey day" soon! My guy and I run the Thanksgiving Day 10K in Cincinnati Ohio each year. Last year, we ran it with Tom's nephew Bugsy. He had just volunteered to go to Afghanistan and we were spending as much time as possible with him. A few days after the race, Bugsy was on his way to report for duty and was killed in a car accident within site of the armory. We were all devastated. Life is so short.

This year, as we run the race again, this time without Bugsy, I'm reminded how thankful I am to have my family. The photo is from a calendar that my daughter made for me that hangs in my studio. The large image is my Mom and their dog Chloe. The two men in the upper right are my Dad & Brother. The lower right is my Mom, Daughter, and me there in the middle. I hope as we approach this Thanksgiving holiday that you consider all you have to be thankful for...and that you take the time to give thanks.