I donated the painting below to the Mesa Contemporary Arts Center for their Fifth Annual Benefit exhibition.  It sold that evening.  Right now I seem to be seeing pansies everywhere - they were one of my Mom's favorite flowers.

As a result of the painting of Ali and Charlotte, a dear friend commissioned me to do a painting of her and her daughter in Maui. It was a lot of fun - I do not think that I did Gracie justice, but her Mom says she smiles every time she  looks at the painting which makes me happy!

We are back at our home in Arizona - we arrived just in time to miss a grim storm that hit the Northwest.  Back to painting outside and loving it! Last week Glen Dean led a workshop - the painting below was done at Lost Dog Trail in Scottsdale.  We had to deal with a lot wind and hot weather, but it was worth it.  The sky was amazing.

We have spent the last few months at our home in the Northwest.  I had promised myself I would paint everyday, something about "best laid plans."  What with some construction on the house, visitors and travel with family and friends, I am way behind on my goal.  On a trip to Cape Cod with family, I took a photo of my granddaughter Charlotte and her Mom doing cartwheels on the beach.  I loved the picture and decided to go out of my comfort zone, and try to paint it (not sure that I even have a comfort zone these days, but I do know figures are not it).  Below is the photograph and the finished painting.  The process was a huge struggle, I did a small study, began on a 16 x 20 canvas - decided to crop it, etc.  I learned a lot doing this.  I do love the reflections in the sand, I did learn that I need a lot more work with figures!

Last month I took a workshop in San Francisco with Carol Marine.  Having no experience with painting street scenes and being a glutton for punishment, I thought why not?  Below are two paintings I did from the photo.  The first painting in the workshop the second when I came back home, yes more punishment.  I actually like the light in the second one better - definitely need a lot more work on this! 



Several years ago I was asked to have a cast made of my head for a project.  The details are unimportant - the artist gave me the plaster cast and my husband often referred to it as a "death mask."  A few months ago I had the pleasure of meeting mosaic artist Linda Zeien, http://skullsaics.com.  I asked her if she would be willing to take on my "head" - she did and the results are above, Josi Under Glass.  Check out her website - her work is brilliant!

Is there anything better than growing pansies, or for that matter painting them, in January?  Their little faces are so happy and with this recent cold spell in Arizona - we need all the smiles we can get.