Pastel portrait painting of a young mother and her son at the ocean.

Pastel painting 10 inches x 13 inches   SOLD

My collector has given his wife this portrait painting for Christmas, so I can finally post it without spoiling the surprise! He called me on Christmas day to tell me how much she liked it…and how she cried when she opened the package. What a joy to make someone happy by making the art I love to make. Another part of my life that I am very thankful for.

I hope you all have a wonderful new year!

This artwork was created with:
Paper: Kitty Wallis White Pastel Paper
Medium: Rembrandt Pastels and Sennelier Pastels

Pastel painting 16 inches x 11 inches     SOLD

I just gave this pastel commission to my client and he loved it. His father was 47 when he was born and he’d never had a photo of the two of them together. When he was a boy in the 1940s, his dad, a train engineer, often took him to the rail yards to look at the mamouth machines. He provided me with 5 photos of himself when he was young, his only photo of his father (lounging on a sofa), a huge book of train photos and 2 railroad engineer caps. It was a daunting task to take all of that information and try to make it into a cohesive composition.

I felt like I was really creating an historical illustration, as opposed to a fine art pastel portrait. But I enjoyed the challenge and am looking forward to creating another commissioned painting of his wife and her father!

Watercolor painting of a summer garden and patio

Watercolor painting 12 inches x 9 inches    SOLD

Pastel pet portrait of a white borzoi puppy.

Pastel painting 8 inches x 10 inches    SOLD

I just delivered this pastel pet portrait of a cute little borzoi puppy. It was a special commission for a dear friend of my father-in-law. I loved the setting: a field filled with dandelions. It helped give a lyrical feeling to the pastel painting. Just right for the innocent little pup.

If you have an animal buddy, why not capture them in a piece of art with a pet portrait?

Pastel pet portrait of a reclining dog.

Pastel painting 8 inches x 10 inches    SOLD

I was pleased to be able to create a very personal pastel pet portrait of this sweet little pup. It was a special birthday gift for my client’s friend. I worked from a photo and had never met this little gal, but her large, soft eyes indicated a quiet, docile disposition. Just the kind of dog I adore and a perfect subject for a pastel painting too!

Have an animal buddy that you would like to capture in a pet portrait? I’d love to help you out…

Watercolor painting of the European-style fountain at the Royal Park Hotel in Rochester, Michigan

Watercolor painting 6 inches x 9 inches    SOLD

My son-in-law’s sister was married last weekend. Many of the events, including the betrothal, shower and reception, were held at the beautiful Royal Park Hotel in Rochester, Michigan. As a special wedding present for the bride and groom, I created a  watercolor painting of the European-style fountain that graces the grounds surrounding the hotel. It reminds me of the old fountains in the piazzas of Italy.  They are off on their honeymoon now and haven’t opened their presents yet. Hope they don’t see this post!

Do you have a special place that you would like memorialized in a piece of art? I would be happy to paint a watercolor or pastel commission for you or a loved one. Contact me and we can chat!

Pastel pet portrait of a Polish Lowland Sheepdog

Pastel painting 9 inches x 9 inches    SOLD

What a cutie! This little Polish Lowland sheepdog was an absolute joy to work with. She posed for the camera as if she had been a top model for years! I swear she knew what her “best side” was. We had a ton of great photos to pick from and her owner was especially taken with this view.

Creating a pastel pet portrait is always challenging when your subject is someone’s  cherished  buddy, but I think I caught this little pup’s likeness. And her owner seemed to like the outcome of the pastel painting too!

Check out her response and other client’s comments on their paintings here.

9-canvas watercolor family quilt painting

9 separate watercolor portrait paintings.     Finished size 36″ x 36″.     Not for sale.

I’ve been working on this project for a couple of months–which is a very long time for me. I usually paint very quickly because I have absolutely no patience and I want instant gratification. Kind of like a child, no?

But this piece was important to me and worth the wait. These are portraits of 2 generations of my family–myself, 2 sisters, husbands and children. I plan to expand it to 16 watercolor portraits and add my mother, grandkids and new nephews as they marry into the family. But I wanted to have at least part of the quilt finished and mounted on the wall for our family Thanksgiving which will be at our house this year.

Because, after all, this IS what I am most thankful for.

Happy Thanksgiving to all!!!

(these 9 images were painted on the 12 by 12 inch watercolor canvas that has recently become available. I used only 3 colors throughout to harmonize all of the painting: alizarin crimson, utltramarine blue and cadium yellow medium. To finish and protect the paintings, I sprayed with Krylon finishing spray. No need for glass!)

Pastel painting commission of dowtown Saline, Michigan

Pastel painting 18 inches x 24 inches       SOLD

I was so honored when River Gallery notified me that the art consultants for the new wing of the Saint Joseph Mercy Saline Hospital wanted me to create a large pastel commission of downtown Saline. I shot a lot of photo references and we settled on this storefront scene of the area on South Ann Arbor Street. Its a quaint little row of antique stores, barber and coffee shops and always looks picture perfect. I like painting architecture and I LOVE painting local scenes so this was a dream come true! I’m in the process of framing it and when it is done it will hang in the new community room of the hospital.

Watercolor landscape painting of Seminary Ridge in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

Watercolor painting      6 inches x 9 inches SOLD

I have a close friend whose son-in-law is a Gettysburg fanatic. I can totally relate. After our last visit there, I think I have become a life long devotee. The place is filled with awe inspiring history and emotion.  When you understand the story, and the horror, of those few days in 1863, it absolutely astounds you. My friend asked me to create a watercolor painting for her son-in-laws’s birthday and I was honored to do it. This watercolor commission recreates the view from Seminary Ridge, where the famous Pickett’s Charge began.