In "Color a...Ladybug" I attempted to combine the very small less than 1/4th inch ladybug with the crayon picture of her on the crayon. This past year i received a new insight into my own work. when planning a painting you need to grab the viewer from across the room, making him/her come closer to inspect, and when they get really close, throw them a "bone" or an "AH HA" to reward them. In preplanning this painting, i really stretched size proportions, and then let the lady bugs swarm over the site. Just for fun.

original: 30x22. NFS at this time. Giclee reproductions available.

In creating "Color a...Lionfish with Sarah", I asked Clare Candelori, an artist friend, to have her young grand daughters to color some cartoons for me. i took Sarah's sense of color and stroke and combined her colored 2-d image with my realistic painting. I loved the fact that the yellow crayon was returned used and broken.

original 30x22 image. original NFS at this time. Giclees are available.

"Color a...Giraffe" is another sequel to the crayon series.

I've taken one of my abtracted paintings to use for the cartoon page, and a photograph of the actual giraffe from the San Antonio wildlife park. This time i started to make the giraffe emerge from the photo, but she doent quite make it. perhaps another layer of color would help.

original 30x22 image. original NFS at this time. Giclees are available.

When the first "Color a... Burrowing Owl" did not work because the pebeo drawing fluid sank into the paper, i decided to rework the idea, evolving it from where i was currently. i tried to place 2 dimensional flatness of the coloring book along side the reality of the 3-d crayons, and another burrowing owl who supposedly is alive and watching the crayons intently.

original: 30x22 image. framed 38x30. NFS at this time. giclees available.

coming to this section: "Color an....Owl" currently on the drawing board. Hopefullywhen i get to it after so many months of it just sitting in my studio, i will be able to remove the pebeo drawing gum that is currently on the paper. i'm getting a little nervous, so after completing one that is 2/3 done, i will have to do this one. Perhaps use it to demo at the WildCHild Gallery in Matalcha, Fl. Feb. 22 and 23.

i returned to paint more on it, but the pebeo drawing fluid sank into the paper and could not be removed. i tried to get it out a number of ways, but it would not come out. my guess was that it was due to the heat of the outdoor sun. the other piece i was working on at the same time is not complete, but i could erase the pebeo on it. i will draw another rendition of this painting and begin again.

"Color a ...Parrot" was accepted into the National Watercolor Society's 88th annual Exhibition in Riverside, Cal. Sept. 2008. To read more about this painting, go to the news + events page.

original: image 30x22. framed 38x30. NFS at this time. giclees available.

Still thinking green, but wanting some warm colors after painting the turtle, I decided to design a piece that had the crayons, coloring book, but also a photograph of a frog which would look three-dimensional. Since I have painted this frog before (go to my News+ Events page) from a photograph i took of him in Australia, i decided to

"Color a....Frog". What kind of frog is he?

original: 36x28 matted+framed NFS at this time: giclees available. (1st place, Ft. Myers Beach Art Association 11-07: 2008 Texas Watercolor Society National show acceptance; Daler-Rowney Award)

I have a friend, Brenda Goodwin, who dresses up as a green crayon to help children speak and read. She really inspires me with her words as poetry spills so easily from her lips as she explains art to the crowd around her. I smile as i begin to recall how precious those waxy crayola crayons were to me as a child, so i decided to paint a box in tribute to them and "Color a... Tiger" again. The tiger is really colored with watercolors, but i tried to get him to look waxy too.

original: 30x24 NFS at this time.(3rd Ft. Myers,Fl. 11-05; Best of Show Bonita Springs, Fl. 3-06). Limited edition giclee prints are available.

I loved the crayons so much, i decided to try a series with them. The result was this "Color a...Turtle" who has won two very prestigous honors. I was diving off the coast of Hawaii when i got the original picture of the green turtle. For more information, go to my News+Events page.

original: 36x28 NFS at this time. (1st place watercolor division in Artist Magazine July/August 2007 issue. Accepted into the Transparent Watercolor Society's 2007 Annual Exhibition, Elmhurst, Il: merit Mr. 08 sw council show harborside ) Limited edition giclee prints are available.

"Out of the Jar VI....Loose Change" The challenge for me in this painting was trying to imitate the values of gray and degrees of shine and matt surfaces in the light and shadow of the coins as they were poured out of the jar. This took so long to paint that i have to remember next time not to have as many coins lying around the house!

original: 36x28 matted and framed. NFS at this time.(Accepted into June 2008, Watercolor USA, Springfied, Mo. National Exhibition; Acceptance into VAC 6th Bienniel National show, Punta Gorda, Fl. Feb. 2008; acccepted into Florida artists show Bonita Springs Apr. 2008)

"Out of the Jar V.....Antique Buttons"

When Dixie handed me her cache of childhood marbles, she also grabbed an old jar filled with antique buttons. They looked so familiar to the buttons my mother used to keep in a large old coffee tin. I wonder if we still have those buttons?

original: 36x28 matted and framed NFS at this time. Limited edition giclee prints are available. (P-3 SW acceptance into the 31st Southern Watercolor Society awards me my second signature status, Feb. 2008)

"Out of the Jar IV...Marbles". Remember playing with your collection of marbles when you were a kid? This selection of marbles kept in an old Mason jar are the real cat's eye aggie's from long ago. Dixie Young, a friend and retired Michigan school secretary, brought them out of the closet last summer to be used in my series. If they resemble yours, they might just have been confiscated for being out of your... pocket !

original: 36x28 NFS at this time. (Honorable Mention, Big Gallery, Sanibel,Fl 3-07) giclees available

"Out of the Jar III....Olives" Much larger than life, these olives are juicy and inviting. Keeping them in the still life was difficult as I kept eating them.

original: 36x28 NFS at this time.(Honorable Mention, Manatee Art Center, Bradenton, Fl.12-06; Merit, Ft Myers Beach, 1-07; 1st , VAC, Punta Gorda 12-07) giclees available

"Out of the Jar II...Starmints" was inspired by a display of after dinner mints at a restaurant. The most difficult part of this painting was getting the cellophane wrappers to look transparent and crinkly.

original: 36x28 NFS at this time. Limited edition giclee prints are available.

I've finally got a series going! "Out of the Jar I... M+M's" was inspired by the nutty m+m's i keep on the kitchen counter.They are my chocolate treat for being good and staying on a low carb diet. Somehow, i can eat only one.

original: 30x24 NFS at this time. (1st Cape Coral 11-05; Daniel Smith Award Southern Watercolor Society 2006 Annual Exhibition). giclees available.

(going to rework this painting)

In December, I was trying to think square and small for a National League of American Pen Women exhibition. While dealing with the numbness and ridicular pain in my right shoulder, arm and hand (having ruptured 3 cerival discs), i decided less was best and managed to finish and submit this checkerboard "Gaming Square" take off on my "Color a...Frog"

original: 14 x 14 matted and framed. NFS at this time.

The NLAPW were accepting 3 images. I was thinking about my upcoming scheduled surgery when the idea "Wings and Petals" came to me in the feeling of hope, prayer, and metamorphasis (if need be). I survived the surgery but did not finish the painting in time to submit it to the NLPW this year.

original: 14 x 14 matted and framed. NFS at this time.

"Uncorked Elixirs" are the bottles we found in the mining towns of Arizona. They probably contained everything from cod liver oil to secret elixirs touted as a cures for all that ails you. They were old, dusty, clouded with use, but magnificent old glasses.

original: 30x24 sold. giclees available

This was a response to a themed show: The ART of Wine. it was fun to paint working with the shiny reflections, the matte paper with art images of trucks and barns, and of course the black and holographic white label was interesting to create. So would like me to serve you a "Red or White?"

original: 36x28 matted+framed SOLD (2nd place, Cape Coral, Fl. 10-06); giclees available

We found this old set of Jerry's guns packed with a set of western dinnerware boxed and given to us by his mother before she died. They are in very good shape because he was already too old to be dreaming of joining the Lone Ranger."I Wanna Be A Cowboy "

Original:38x30 matted and framed. NFS at this time. Limited edition giclee prints are available. (Charlotte County Arts Guild, Visual Arts Center, Punta Gorda, 11-07 1st place; accepted into the florida artists show albs april 2008)

While in New Mexico, we browsed many stores. I was intrigued with all the textured metal and leather Mexican/Southwest mirrors and even more by the images they reflected back to me. "Mirror the Southwest"

Original:30x38 matted and framed. NFS at this time. Limited edition giclee prints are available.

"Missin' Pardners" has had quite a history. i photographed boots at the Wall Drug Store in S. Dakota because i was intrigued at the color, smell of the leather, and the fact that their partner boot was not on display (why steal one boot). I was inspired by them and did a painting based on my observations. It was very successful and recently sold for $2500 at a national show in boca grande, fl. returning to its Western beginnings in Montana.

original: 30x24 sold; (2nd place National League American Pen Women, 10-05 ; 1st place Cape Coral, Fl 3-06; Accepted into Boca Grande, Fl. national exhibit 3-07); giclees available. (the giclees on canvas are spectacular!)

An interesting arrangements of southwest ceramic cats from a shelf in Albuquerque, N.M. "Kit Kats" were fun to diminish in intensity as they begin to blend into their background. Can you count five cats in the painting?

original: 30x24 $795. giclees available

A token of the sw life: a wreath of the sw harvest to adorn your home was the inspiration for this art work. I tried to work "Harvest Corn" from realistic to abstract to create a play on figurative aspect of its nature. Painted in earth tones, it captures the essence of life and its holistic inference.

original:matted and framed 30x24 $800; giclees available

"Play it Again" a tribute to those old ivory keys that played such a great history into our western expansion. worn, old, slightly out of tune... ready for another emotional recital.

original; matter and framed 30x24, sold; giclees available.

These "Toyland Guards" can be seen at the Vancouver, Canada International Airport guarding a permanent kiosk of Christmas/Holiday ornaments and gifts.

original: 36x28 matted + framed $1500; giclees available.

Legos or building blocks have always been underfoot. Looking at a pile of them one day all toppled, one "Upright Individual" stood out as if to demand attention.

original: 36x28 matted + framed $1500; giclees available.(3rd fmbaa mar. 2008)

Seattle, Washington had many great street items to observe. This "Dragonwise" is a close up of huge brightly painted carved ornaments wrapped around utility poles in Chinatown.

original: 36x28 matted + framed $1500. (3rd place Visual Arts Center, Punta Gorda, Fl. Jan 2007; accepted into the Watercolor West 2008 National Annual Exhibition, Riverside, Ca, Brand Library Award); Limited edition giclee prints are available.

If you drive around Matlacha and Pine Island, or bike as we did one day, you will observe that one out of every twelve utility posts has been painted by an artist. This year, 2007, I believe the old posts are being relocated to the Matlacha/Pine Island Welcome Center, and artists have been asked to paint new ones. In my "Tribute to Pine Island Artists". I put a few of my favorites together in a painting to honor them.

original: 30x24 donated to the Pine Island Chamber of Commerce. ( Merit Award Ft.Myers Beach Feb. 2005) giclees available.

Painted to reflect a memory of New Orleans after the diaster of Katrina, these delicate dolls pay homage to "Carnival Fragility"

original: 30x24 sold. (3rd place, Visual Arts Center, Punta Gorda, Fl. Nov. 2005; All Florida State Show, Bonita Springs, Fl. 2006; 2-D,3-D Alliance ALL State 2006) giclees. available

A sequel to "Carnival Fragility", "Carnival Red", takes another look at the porcelain dolls.

original: 36x28 matted + framed $1500; giclees available.

In 2004, when Jerry was working a locum tenens job in Honolulu, Hawaii, i came upon a bunch of sandals indicating that their owners "We're Barefoot on the Beach" . The idea of mismatched abandoned sandals appealed to me, so using my photograph and incorporating the design of my niece Carly's sandals, and other interesting designs I found on public display, i had fun painting this successful image.

original available: 24x30 matted and framed (Florida Watercolor Society Annual Exhibition, 2004). My first time entry into the FWS got into the show. Donated to Arts for Act. 2008 reception.) giclees available

"Frogs of the Southwest" was inspired by the shelves of Mexican pottery we saw while in Albuquerque, N. Mex. I like frogs.. I had painted the red-eyed frogs on display in Australia. But here in the desert of N. Mexico, do frogs exist? They did in the form of pottery. Their claim to fame is pattern. I tried to make the pattern of the frogs mesh with the receding pattern of background to portray the Mexican frog if he exists?

original: 24x30 NFS sold (2nd place Bonita Springs, Fl 2-06; Merit, Cape Coral, Fl. 3-06); giclees available

In 2006 I spent a lot of time looking into reflections as a theme from which i could create a "series" of paintings. All the workshop artists urged me to work in a series. But as i painted reflections as a "series" it still wasn't working for me. i did however, create some wonderfully merged areas of positive and negative space in "Clockworks". The image is of the checkerboard tiled foyer floor from the glass of the grandfather clock . Notice the pawns? They are a ring of friends and family. Starting to see the symbolism of time with friends ...and games?

original:28x36 matted+framed. NFS at this time because i am keeping it for exhibition competitions. (1st Place Ft. Meyer's Beach Art, Fl 11-06; accepted into the FWS show, 8-07; accepted into the Tri State Juried water media exhibit Tallahassee, Fla. april 2008) giclees available

I superimposed butterfly wings over nasturiams growing along a blue wooden fence. "Through Monarch Wings" was created for an annual contest called "Blossoms" that i will enter later in 2007 or early 2008.

original: 36x28 matted + framed NFS at this time. ( Award of Excellence from the National League of American Pen Women's 2007Annual State Conference, Crystal River, Florida). Limited edition giclee prints are available.

"Phalaenopsis" Was an extension from an exercise in mingling watercolor from Anne Abgott's workshop in Sarasota.Florida. Anne does a remarkable job of instructing students of all ages in watercolor. Google her for her website and class availabitility.

original; 14x14 matted and framed: limited giclee prints are available. (NLAPW 2008 national show 1st place award ) .

"Phalaenopsis II" was a painting i began to use as a demo piece at the 2007 florida watercolor convention. it was done using Daniel Smith quinacridone colors and their phathlo blue,and new gamboge.

original: 30x24 matted and framed (sold): limited giclee prints are available.

Another example of reflections is "Yellow Rose Reflections". How many flowers can you count? Which ones are the reflections? Trying to make paintings more mysterious to keep them more interesting to view. Each time i really LOOK at my paintings i see something new. Do you see the glass vase filled with water? It is setting on a mirror.

original: 24x30 gift to family: giclees available

Big Arts Gallery on Sanibel themed 2008 exhibit was "Squared". this was my response to it. squares and more squares. "Playing Square" won a first place award! i had written Mondrian down the right hand side, but decided at the last minute that it paralleled the right edge too heavily and took out the 3 tile pieces. the only correction i would make if i could do it over would be to make a stencil to use to make the lettering more exact in the double and triple letter and word boxes.

original: 30x30 matted and framed:NFS at this time. giclees are available.1st place jan. 2008 Big Arts, Sanibel, Fl.

Jerry and i were in Albuquerque, NM in the springtime where the fields were covered with "Bloomin' Cacti". I love flowers and couldn't resist the lush soft blooms emerging from such ugly abused prickly cacti.

original:30x24 matted + framed $650. giclees available

This rose plant sat outside my front door in Florida. How it made it through so many summers without perishing I don't know. The plant recently succumbed to lack of water and physical abuse, as my studio was being added to the house. I replaced it with a red rose plant, but the yellow bloom remains "A Rose by any Name"

original: 30x24 matted + framed $495. giclees available

The nautilus shell has intrigued many with its pattern and construction. I repeated its form many times to create a "Nautilus Dream work" of suspended repetition.

original:30 x 24 matted + framed $595; giclees available

These "Philippine Orchids" I found en mass in Hawaii. We had a room for 4 months on the 40th floor in downtown Honolulu, within walking distance of Chinatown, where i would spend a lot of time photographing intriguing images.

original: 20x16 matted + framed $375. (2004 Bonita Springs All Florida Exhibit). giclees available

I have to smile each time i see these bear bottles. Both my husband and daughter love to hold one in their hand as they apply droplets of honey to each little bite of toast. The fun comes where there is only one bear to share. Maybe i should have bought another one of these "Honey Bears" when we were at the Minnesota state fair.

original: 36x28 matted + framed $995; giclees available

"Santa Bear" was designed for a second Christmas/holiday card. A favorite of many bear collectors.

original: 16x20 matted + framed $365; giclees available

During the hot days of summer, Reno, Nevada has a sizzling weekend featuring cars of the 50's and 60's. It was great to see the oldies again. If you look closely at this i believe to be 1959 Cadillac convertible,you should see the drive-in food tray attached to the window with the Elvis napkin holder "Have A Coke" first. if you look closely in the shadows and upper corners you will see the double tail lights on large fins and the rear bumper and license plate.

original: 36x28 matted and framed NFS at this time. limited giclee prints are available.

Becky is my sister-in-law. She was an art student and talented basketball guard of a team i coached in high school who married my brother, David, on a cruise ship in Alaska in 2000. She rides a Harley....one of my favorite images to paint! She parked her bike in front of her house last summer so i could do a photo shoot. "Harley Blooms " was one of the reflective images that i enjoyed the most.

original: 36x28 matted and framed NFS at this time. giclee prints are available. (Acceptance into the 29th Georgia national exhibition 2008)

This "Red Corvette" Chevrolet convertible of the late 50's,

I photographed during the "Summer Heat" weekend festival in Reno, Nevada 2006. Streets were closed in the downtown area to allow hundreds of antique cars to be displayed. I merged two images of the car to create a more interesting graphic image.

original: 36x28 matted and framed NFS at this time. limited giclee prints are be available.

"Shielded" was painted from a bike in Sturgis. I don't know anything about motorcycles, so i can't talk any thing technical. My husband would dearly love to have one, but he's seen a lot of bikers in the ER, so neither of us ride. I do know aesthetics....and these bikes are beautiful to look at. Because they are so shiny, they reflect allot of interesting distorted images.This bike caught my eye and challenged me to paint the dull matte metal next to the glossy shine. I carry my business cards and camera where ever i go. Often i see children or bikes (both of which have extremely possessive owners). I ask permission to photograph the kids or the bikes and hand them a card, to prove i only want the image. They can keep the real thing.

original: 24x30 matted + framed $2500. (1st place Art League of Ft. Myers, Fl. 3-05; 1st place Art League of Bonita Springs, Fl 10-06). giclees available

2004, my husband, Jerry, took a locum tenens job at the hospital in Roseburg, Oregon. When he works these substitute jobs, i can paint for 10 hours each day. I get LOTS of paintings done, and grow in leaps. Living in the motor home where i have nothing to do and no obligations, I amaze myself with my progress in watercolor. Leaving Oregon, we traveled up to Seattle, then back toward Florida. When we got to Sturgis, S. Dakota, we discovered we were in the midst of the National Harley Annual Convention. There must have been 300,000 Harleys that parked taking up 3 lanes of highways for a distance of 30 miles surrounding the area. In the motor home, we felt like a big bird overwhelmed and controlled by thousands of little gnats. "Sturgis Reflections" was one painting i did reflecting the bustle of the hoards of visual happenings.

original: 30x24 NFS. Traded with Cheryl Fausel, fellow artist and friend for paintings of her ibis. giclees available

When trying to figure out a way to start a series of watercolor paintings, i decided to do reflections. i LOVE Harley Davidson motorcycles. Technically, i know nothing about them, but they are awesome to look at. Not only are they a work of art, but they are SO shiny, they reflect the world around them. When my husband, Jerry, was getting some medical credit education, and i was out and about on my morning exercise routine (craving a forbidden donut), I found myself at a "Kissimmee Stop" Harley Davidson store where i spent an hour photographing the scenery through the eyes of the motorcycles. This painting was the result of that stop.

original: 36x28 matted and framed NFS at this time.( Accepted into the 20th Tri county Juried show. Tallahaee, Fla. April 2008. 1st place Big Gallery, Sanibel, Fl. 1-07; exhibited at Bonita Springs All Florida State Show 04-06; hanging at the Alliance, Ft. Myers All State Exhibition 2d /3d show for June 07). giclees available

This Buick Road master, seized by Castro's government for the people's use, now has a Russian Lada four-cylinder die sal engine and manual transmission. It has become "A Cuban Taxi" and by law, the person driving it must pick up any person needing a ride to a near by town. The air conditioner no longer works, so these ingenious people have improvised one. There are hundreds of old American cars that have been creatively kept running to service the people of Cuba.

original: 30x24 matted + framed $1500 (Art Encounter 2005,Von Lieberg Center, Naples, Fl). giclees available

We were working in Maine. My daughter, Kristin, was visiting from Orlando, Fl. It was October and getting cold. We took her to Montreal, Canada for a fall leaf color change tour. This vintage 1930's Packard, sporting the Lady of Ecstasy hood ornament was servicing newly weds. We were impressed that such a regal vehicle was so appropriately being used to transfer the bride. "What a Way to Treat a Lady", we commented!

original: 30x24 matted+ framed $2500. (merit award Ft. Myers Beach, Fl. 1-07; Southwest Watercolor Society's 30th National Exhibition 3-07 to 4-07, Moultrie, Ga.) giclees available.

This Austin Healy was "Parade Ready" for an antique classic car show. I'm not sure where i got the original image as we attended a lot of parades especially when we are traveling. From talking to a friend who knows his cars, this one with the air vents on the hood, was altered from the original version. Again, i am not a knowing technical person, just enjoy the classic lines, reflections, and over all symmetry of the beast. the flag was and added inspiration.

original: 30x 24 matted+framed $2500. (Lola Katchen Award, Big Gallery, Sanibel, Fl. 3-06). giclees available.

This is the first motorcycle I painted. Its all about being able to reproduce beauty by getting the watercolor paints to give the illusion of being shiny, dull, leathery hard or soft like suede. I want my hands to be black from touching the rubber tire, and warm where the lights shine or when I am holding tightly to the handles. Painting is a lot of loving...or giving life to a blank sheet of paper. Painting for a themed show, Paradise, at the Big Gallery on Sanibel, I i titled it "Hog Heaven".

original: 24x30 sold (Honorable Mention, Big Gallery, Sanibel 1-05); giclees available

"Here's Harley!" spruced up for that perfectly sunny drive here in Florida. I photographed this lovely beauty in the small fishing village of Matlacha, It was basking the the sun, outside the Wildchild Art Gallery, casting interesting patterns of color onto the road. Matlacha and Pine Island continue to attract many artists who live in these laid back villages where the ospreys nest in high trees, kingfishers roost on power lines, people fish off bridges, pelicans steal their fish,and kayakers paddle through the mangroves. When in Matlacha, stop at the Wildchild Art Gallery to view my work up close. www.wildchildartgallery.com

original : 24x 30 NFS Donated to the2006 ARTS for ACT Fund Raiser 10-2006. It sold for $2000.

This smiling "Gold Dust Day Gecko" lived outside our condo door in Hawaii. He seemed to be amused by us, as we lugged our gear up and down the stairs, back and forth to dive sites for the two weeks we were on the big island. He's lucky HE never got stepped on!

original: 30x20 matted + framed $445. giclees available

Wish i could tell you this red-eyed frog was in the rain forest when i met him, but he was in the Australian zoo. He had a great "View from the Top"

original: 24x30 sold. giclees available

We spent one afternoon at a sheep show getting introduced to at least 12 different species of sheep. I got to wrap my arms around this male ram who was the center of attention. He was definitely "100% Pure Merino Attitude" and the lanolin in his wool was so thick i could not wash it off my hands. Do you know what a New Zealand possum looks like? They use its fur to blend with merino wool to create very soft and expensive wool.

original: 30x24 matted + framed $1900. (Merit award Ft. Myers, Fl 12-05). giclees available

While driving around the southern island of New Zealand, we would often stop to photograph mile after mile of sheep. As long as we didn't open a door, they would stare back at us as to say "I've Got Wool!" what are you looking at? You can almost detect the musty smell of wet wool.

original: 30x20 matted and framed $595. (Achievement Award from Bonita Springs,Fl. 3-05) giclees available

I love to paint for themed shows. This spotted cat was painted for The Art League of Ft. Myers ,"Out of Africa" exhibition, Jan 2005. "It's My Land Too!" was a reminder that the land also belongs to the creatures. I tried to make him slightly abstract, emphasizing the eyes. The eyes stalk you.The judge awarded me 1st place. How many species of cats in Africa have spots? Can you name them?

original: 30x24 matted + framed $1900 (1st place Ft. Myers, Fl. 1-05; Achievement award, Bonita Springs, Fl 3-05).giclees available

Go ahead and "Rattle Me!" Everyone loves him! He's an award winner. He lives at the Rattlesnake Museum in Albuquerque, NM. But gallery managers swear at him when trying to find a place to display him on a wall next to other sweet and washy watercolors. Except for the Visual Arts Center in Punta Gorda, Fl..... they got creative and made an EDEN WALL featuring an oil painting of a beautiful life-sized nude woman reclining on a lush black background by the fine artist, Greg Biochini. The wall also displayed deadly trumpet blossoms, a medieval church, a dark landscape of the sunset, and a bowl of pears. Why pears?

original: 30x24 matted + framed $2500.(1st place National League of American Pen Women Fl State Exhibition 10-05; Visual Arts Center National Exhibition Punta Gorda, Fl. 2-06; Bonita Springs All Florida Artist Exhibition, Bonita Springs, Fl. 4-06: Florida Watercolor Society Annual Exhibition, Sarasota, Fl 9-06). giclees available.

This giraffe from the San Antonio wild life park had a long black tongue that could stretch all the way down to the children trying to feed her from below. Too bad there was such a tall fence between us. Because she definitely had " A Viewpoint Advantage" over us.

original: 24x30 I Donated this watercolor to ARTS for ACT 2007 Live Auction

Trying again to understand the concept of painting in a "series" i tried to get the same abstract to realistic look as I had accomplished in the giraffe and spotted cat. I did like each painting separately, but as a series, they just didn't look like they would fit like a puzzle on the same page.The zebra was in the Out of Africa Ft. Myers Exhibit, showing off his "National Stripes"

original: 20x30 SOLD; giclees not available.

Trbt

This is "Barnacle Phil's Otter IV, " or one of the many otters that frequent North Captiva Island to beg for food at Barnacle Phil's Restaurant. Because you can only get to the island by water, many fishermen stop there for lunch. Little do they realize that while they are eating lunch, the otters climb up the transom of their boats, and actually open the container hasps to steal the fish and bait. They have become so good at it, that i tell the fishermen to use key or combination locks. They haven't learned to read numbers yet!

original: 24x18 image. NFS at this time. giclees are available.

This very small pygmy owl burrows into cactus in southwest America to make its home. He emits a "Cactus Hoot" when you get too close. Owls fascinate me! One owl i painted using tempera paint when i was in high school hung for many years in Rattle Run, Mi at Chic's Restaurant. My cousin, Patty, inherited it after the bar closed. Do you know what owl is the smallest?

original: 24x30 NFS (my son, Scott, wanted it). giclees available

This is also a very small owl who burrows into the sand to make his home in Cape Coral, Fl. When a nesting site is found, the Friends of the Burrowing Owls Association, mark an area around it to warn people not to get too close. This particular owl and his mate, burrowed into a well manicured, landscaped yard of friends, Carolyn and Ron, to raise a family. Carolyn put out a flag to celebrate the 4th of July, and Fred promptly discovered the "Red, White, and Hooooo"

original: 28x36 NFS at this time.(2nd place, Cape Coral, Fl 11-06; Georgia Watercolor 2007 National Exhibition , Moultrie, Ga until 05-29-07). giclees available

This bird with the long bill and a wrap-around hairpiece of black feathers is always stately looking. Of course he would look much different if i painted him from a side view. Instead i painted him with "A Royal Turn". Do you know what kind of sea bird he is?

original: 20x30 sold. giclees available

Ever gotten lost and needed directions? This lone gull is "Key West Bound". So if i painted this picture on North Captiva island, off Florida's southwest coast, which direction would he need to follow to reach Key West, Fl? A much trickier question would be... what is the directional range of degrees that he could fly within to meet his gull friend in Mexico?

original: 16x20. NFS, Gave this one to my sister, Karen as a gift. giclees available

This "Tikki Heron at Rest" is actually a blue heron resting on top of a thatched gazebo built on one of the many canal docks in Cape Coral, Fl. The gazebo or tikki hut, is used for entertaining, or just as a place to rest, put up your feet, get out of the sun and maybe do a little fishing. Better get your fish on the dock before the blue heron, or one of his pelican pals swoop down to grab the free meal you just caught for them.

original: 16x20 $345 matted+framed. giclees available

Talk about a friendly guy. This blue heron arrives at my house in Florida everyday at 4pm "Awaiting a Handout". He usually doesn't get anything to eat unless someone is fishing, If you turn your back, he will steal your bait, or anything else you have caught and placed in a bucket.

original: 24x30 sold (2nd place Ft. Myers 10-05; Wings over Florida Show, Naples 2-06). giclees available

Cape Coral Art League planned a themed show to celebrate their 40th anniversary. The art was to depict Cape Coral then and now. We were headed to lunch in the Big John Plaza when i spotted this cattle egret on the automobile's hood. It was the automatic answer to the image i was looking for. The cattle egret has been around Cape Coral for 40 years, and he is still here, but now he stands in "An Urban Pasture".

original: 24x28 image.$795 matted + framed. giclees available

One of my favorite paintings! You really have to be an island resident that spends many hours crossing over the bridge spans to get to the barrier islands, like Sanibel and Captiva to appreciate this dear "Spirit in the Sky". I am usually the passenger. I have a rear view mirror on my side that reads "images may appear larger than what they are". The bridge is just the right height for the pelicans to catch the up-draft and lazily hover over your shoulder until they spot a fisherman reeling in a fish. They then fold their long wings close to their body and drop into a neck-breaking fall spearing the fish. Of course, the fish is still connected to the fisherman's line, so a tug of war will ensue. Too many times this bird has flown up beside me just behind my head, where i am startled to see him looking into my car mirror. Sanibel is in the process of building a new bridge, and tearing down the old. I hope the pelicans continue to hover with the new bridge and don't become the past spirits of the sky.

original:30x22 image sold. giclees available

Arts for Act Gallery named one of their shows Olde Florida. I have only been in Florida since 2000 so i obviously didn't have any photos to choose from, so i took a photograph of the pelicans, "Florida Pilgrims", who frequent the canals looking for handouts from the fishermen who come back each day at 4 pm. The remains from the catch of the day are tossed to the these begging birds. To make it look old, i decided to use values of burnt sienna and umber watercolors.

original: 28x22 matted + framed. $795. giclees available.

"Burrowing Owl in Site" was created for a Cape Coral Art League 2005 poster contest. Though another piece was selected for the poster, he was used on postcards bulk mailed to the surrounding area. The burrowing owl, has almost become a Cape Coral trademark as people come from all over to photograph the friendly little birds. By the way, the pygmy owl is the smallest owl.

original: 16x20: It was donated to raise money for the Cape Coral Art League;(2nd place Cape Coral 11-06);giclees available.

"Anchors Up and Away" is a view of the anchors on the bows of shrimp boats lined up nose to nose moored in the water on Ft Myers Beach. When they go out to shrimp, they do it at night and might spend several nights out before coming back to port. I tried to capture the mess of similar forms that merged themselves into an abstracted design.

original: 20x30 matted + framed $595 (1st place Cape Coral,Fl. 11-04; Merit Visual Arts Center, Punta Gorda, Fl 3-05); giclees available.

This is the "Grace Bailey" tall ship in Camden Bay Harbor, Maine. After selling our 50' ketch sailboat in 2002. Jerry decided to buy a motor home and drive to the North east. On the way there, he got a phone call asking if he would like to go back to work part time at a veteran's hospital in Togus, Maine. We spent four months there not leaving until Nov. 1. The last week there, we had to keep the waterline dripping so it would freeze up on us. On the weekends we saw a lot of Maine. I may put some of my earlier paintings on the web showing you the moose we ate dinner with, and the light houses we saw on our boat tours. The Ducktrap Bay Gallery still acts as one of my agents selling my original watercolors.

original: 30x24 sold: no giclees are available. I will have to paint another similar painting.

Another painting that could be most anywhere. "Provisioning" is always a problem when you are sailing and this dinghy is the only water taxi available to connect you to land and your boat. Don't forget to bring an extra boat plug. Ever had a dinghy come untied from your vessel? Or start to sink because you didn't have an extra plug? Or have sea water wash over you and your groceries, making all the fresh sushi saltier? ahhhh...memories!

original: 30x24 matted + framed $895; giclees available.

Dinghies have a character of their own! This "Dinghy Waiting" is doing just that .... waiting for its owner to return. I can imagine the sailor out eating green chili cheeseburgers and homemade fries at Burdine's in Boot Key Harbor or rowing in from a mooring ball at Ft. Myers Beach to bask on the beach.

original: 30x24 matted + framed $485; giclees available.

Saving up all my precious 50 cent/hour babysitting money in high school, I bought my first sailboat from Sears. it was a small dinghy that after filling with water to prove to my dad that it would not sink, and learning to sail by reading books that explained vectors, he allowed me to take off on adventurous 3 hour journeys north to anchor bay on Lake St. Clair, Mi to visit my closest high school friend, Cathy. Since 16....I have had a love affair with sailing. Jerry and i sailed the Great Lakes in Mi for 10 years, and when we retired in 2000 to Fl. we bought a boat and sailed the Caribbean. "Regatta" is one of hundreds of photos i recall from all those sailing days. We currently have a deck boat. Who knows when we will sail again?

original available: 20x16 matted + framed $295. giclees available

This was me some 55 years ago. But generally i was alone, and had a little one mast sailing dinghy that looked like a bathtub. I bought it from Sears for $200 and sailed on Lake St. Clair . (What two great lakes are connected by Lake St. Claire?) Mind you that babysitting at 50cents an hour took a lot of hours to save $200! These two "Day Sailors" were learning to sail. There was a light wind just enough to push them forward. They were in a world of their own!

original: 16x20 matted + framed $395; giclees available.

"Orange Sails" was just brought back home to me. My son, Greg, snatched it as soon as the paint had dried. Now that i have it back, giclees are available. Greg spent time with us sailing the great lakes, so this picture appealed to the slow sailing times when we stupidly jumped overboard for a swim, hoping a gust of wind wouldn't push the boat out of our reach.

16x20 NFS. Giclees available

One of the first portraits I decided to paint was of Jerry's granddaughter, "Gabby". She is such a beautiful girl, and i couldn't resist the character of the moment. How can a child be so old and yet be so young at the same time? Perhaps the way i can look in the mirror and BE so old, and yet feel so young. AHHH to have dreamt of being a Mouseketeer!

original: 16x20 NFS (Honorable Mention, Ft. Myers, 3-05). giclees available

I took a watercolor workshop at Cheap Joe's, North Carolina with Suzanna Winton, wonderful teacher, the summer of 2006. Before attending, i asked friends for creative in-the-daylight photos of their beloved grandchildren or children for me to use for practice. One of my college buddies,Carolyn Manini, offered me this photo of her grandchild. Her eyes are the cornflower blue of the city girl dressing for a day outing "On the Farm".

original : 16x 20 NFS A gift to Carolyn. giclees available

A photograph given to me of "Klara", granddaughter of Susan and Bill Shallbetter, took on a glow of innocence as i completed my painting of her on paper.

original: 16x20 NFS. Grandma has it at her house. giclees available

I was walking on Sanibel beach, camera in hand looking for images to photograph. After asking a mom permission to photograph her children, I found this image to be very pensive. I don't know her real name. "Windy" is what i named her.

original: 16x20 NFS at this time. I want to keep her for exhibition. Giclee prints are available.

Albuquerque, New Mexico is where we spent one day at a national Gathering of Nations. We experienced a day full of color, music, dance, costume and celebration. This elder must have been very wise and noble. He was an inspiration to paint. "A Generation of Pride....Grandfather"

original: 24x30 NFS at this time. giclees available

"A Generation of Pride......Granddaughter". A princess inspired and proud of her heritage, was waiting on the side for her turn to dance.

original: 24x30 NFS at this time. (Honorable Mention, Visual Arts Center, Punta Gorda, Fl. 11-06; 1st place Ft. Myers, Fl. 1-07) giclees available

Jerry's grandchildren were playing on Picnic Island, near Pine Island, Fl. when they came to visit a few years ago. I captured Sarah "On the Beach", unaware that anyone was watching her.

original: 30x24 gift to sarah (Cape Coral city hall 8-05) giclees available.

"Maddy", granddaughter of Malcolm and Gail Dale, was captured on film in this thoughtful pose. I cropped the photo to make the expression on her face more pronounced. I also chose a non-traditional landscape format to make the portrait more interesting.

original: 20x16 NFS. Maddy's mom has the original. Grandmother got a canvas giclee. giclees available

"RRR...Ready", a portrait of my daughter many years ago, dressed for trick or treating. I made the background begin to merge with her costume for effect.

original: NFS 30x24. giclees available

I learned to scuba dive when i was 40 years old. My husband, Jerry, had me practice in the bathtub. I don't like to swim or even get my face wet, but scuba.....opened a NEW world of color and adventure. Most of these images were photographed by Jerry because he was always more comfortable at 50feet below the surface than I. And i was always watching for that Great White to appear. Too bad i watched the movies "Jaws". The anemone fish were photographed during our live aboard dive boat for one week in the coral sea. Not too cleverly, this was titled " Black Anemone Fish"

original:20x26 NFS I"m keeping it for myself. (HM Ft. Myers Beach, Fl 2004). giclees available

Here's another black anemone fish. This one had more of an attitude. We found that the fish were very territorial and actually attacked any fish that entered their space. This little guy could be heard rasping go ahead "Make My Day" . Though they are very small, if i poked a finger at them getting too close, they would rush out, bite my gloved hand (protection mostly from unexpected coral encounters) and dart back into the protection of their anemone arms.

original available: 30x20 matted + framed $390. giclees available

I learned how to scuba dive a year or so after turning 40. Who says you cant learn when you get old! On one night dive, off Jamaica's coast where there were no fish, we happened upon this octopus. After playing awhile with him, he got annoyed, shot off his veil of ink, and swam into the darkness, but not before we took a photograph of him "Reaching Out"

original: 30x24 sold (2nd place, Cape Coral, 2-06; 1st place Cape Coral Art Studio 8-06) giclees available.

When Jerry got a job in Hawaii, we decided to travel to the South Pacific to vacation. Our first stop was to the coral sea on a live aboard dive boat out of Townsend, Australia. The fish and reefs were awesome especially the "Lionfish". They were like dancing ladies as they fanned out their fins making abstract designs. I chose to leave the background white giving the design a more graphic feeling.

original 20x16.NFS.(" Lionfish" earned my first ribbon in watercolor. 3rd Place Ft. Myers 2004 and in the same year, got into an all-state competition show at the Alliance, Ft. Myers 2-D, 3-D show. It was the 118th painting that i had completed)

Getting "Close Up and Personal" with this green turtle in Hawaii, was awesome. Go read about him in the news section of my web site and find out how i have used his image to create other paintings.

original: 30x24. NFS. my daughter, Kristin, really wanted him for her turtle room collection. giclees available.

When a crab gets too big and outgrows his shell, he has to go looking for a new larger shell in which to live. I think this "Shell Kinda Guy" found a home, a little too big for the moment but is comfortably getting established.

original: 30x24 matted + framed $1500 (3rd Place Cape Coral Art Studio, 9-05; Honorable Mention in Watercolor Magic Magazine 2004)

Most all the paintings i've completed of little fish seeking "Anemone Protection" are called anemone fish. Name an anemone 'clown fish' whose father goes searching for him when he leaves the protection of his home in a famous cartoon.

original: 30x24 matted + framed $595; giclees available

This "Jelly Dancer" was unusually colorful. It could have been because he was in a special tank with many other jelly fish under special lighting in the aquarium at Monterey, California. I was intrigued by their transparency and rhythmic movements. Mention of this famous aquarium and area called cannery row made one author and his book very famous. Can you name the book and author I am referring to? (This is a tough one!)

original: 30x24 matted + framed $425; giclees available.

"Sedona Cacti" was an image taken in the sedona valley. i got frustrated with the background seeming too green, so i layered yellow and red over it to give it an opaque dusty look.

original: matted and framed 36x28. NFS at this time. giclee prints available online. ( 2rd place, CCAL, March 2008)

"Sacred Messenger" is the healing spirit of the eagle. He watches over the earth. I morphed this painting portraying the spirit of the eagle over the grand canyon. The alternate title was to be "Heal the Earth" but i preferred the messenger.

original:matted and framed 36x28. NFS at this time.Giclee prints are available. (CCAG mar. 08, first merit)

Before Katrina hit New Orleans, Jerry and I spent a week enjoying the city in 2004. "Rx Store 4305" was one of the picturesque buildings that intrigued me. The challenge was to get the neon lights to look illuminated, and of course, deal with the grays of darkness and shadow.

original:matted and framed 36x28. NFS at this time.(jan. 08 ALFM River District show: 2nd place: CCAL Nov. 07 HM)

I have so many photos of national parks i thought that i might get creative and try some different perspectives. "Step Up Acadia" depicts Bar Harbor lighthouse and the stairway descending to the sea in Acadia, Maine. We were there in 2002.

original:matted and framed 36x28. NFS at this time.Giclee prints are available.(albs mar. 08, merit)

One of the first challenges i encountered when beginning to paint was leaving the white of the paper white, and painting the shadows of white to still look white. So i started photographing items that were white. Generating good greens is also a problem, so when we were in Maine, where there were an abundance of white birch trees, i practiced leaving white paper white , atmospheric whites, shadowed whites, and warm, cool and shadowed greens to create a "Forest White"This scene could have been anywhere in my home state of Michigan too.

original available : 30x24 matted+ framed. $650. giclees available

We were in our car driving into the night in S. Dakota to beat the storm beginning to brew behind us. The darkness of dusk in the east combined with the threatening skies we were driving into with the hint of rainfall on the dusty rear view mirror, contrasted with the heavily colored western sunset inspired me to take this photo. i revisited the painting in 2008 and decided that it was unfinished and added the legend of the devils tower to create more interest. the initial mountain i raised was straight up vertical, but it rebelled against the curvilinear design of the mirror, so i changed it again so that the mountainous shape fits the design. its Ironical that objects really might be closer than they appear. do a close up on the side of the mountain. i retitled it "legend of devil's tower" Later on (see birds) this image led me to the creation on Sanibel bridge, Fl " Spirit in the Sky".

original available: 30x24 framed+ matted $1500. giclees available

Watercolor painting done for cover of the book, Sins of the Fathers, the Thomas Kane Chronicles by Steve Schmidt and Mel King. Go to my news section to get an explanation of the characters portrayed on the cover.

original:24x15. NFS giclees available

This is final look of the book published by Xlibris. You can get a copy of the book by copying the website below and ordering it on line.

www2.xlibris.com/bookstore/bookdisplay.asp?bookid=36761

While visiting a New Orleans plantation before Katrina hit, i was intrigued by the memories and images of a era not so long ago. The images of the persons who once lived and were reflected by this mirror are now replaced by "The French Plantation Door"

original: 24x 30 matted and framed $495; giclees available