Our Histories

 

Featured image: We Are Connected

The stories we, as artists, tell when we create and the powers we release during the process are our unique ways of interpreting the world. Each interpretation is a one-of-a-kind history we leave behind; no one else has a history like ours. Our personal experiences in the world belong to us alone. We create our good, and yes, we also make our own bad. If we align with the creative spirit within ourselves and allow ourselves to share it with others, it can be a daunting and intimidating thing to do. Why? Because we became very vulnerable at that time. If we create our good, we can trust in our authenticity and that of others. 

I believe that when a viewer evaluates a completed piece of art, they are seeking some spiritual connection with another, and then another, and then another; the process is fluid. The fluidity is the spiritual connection to the artist's spiritual power. And this spiritual power is only felt by an authentic artist.

The Creative Divine in You

 

Featured image: White Road - A Creative's Journey

The divine within you is there for you to awaken and discover. And when you travel your unique creative journey, it will be joyful, wonderful, glorious, and fulfilling.

Sacred Space

 

Featured image: Sacred Places

My studio is a sacred space for me—except for my office area. Every morning, I wake up early, make coffee, and walk into my studio. I walk into this sacred space and find a wonderful, sacred silence that I look forward to. This room is mine—with its playful toys, neon lights, positive energy, and endless possibilities. It's filled with the outdoors and the seasons, thanks to its numerous windows. It is where I am at liberty to be myself, where I can explore and take risks. It’s a safe space for me—non-judgmental and full of possibilities.

I know not everyone can have a studio—and if you’ve visited my studio, you know it’s quite small—but a studio can be built almost anywhere. I just created an additional studio in the garage; it’s my new 3-D studio where I’ll be making sculptures out of repurposed antiques. I’m so pumped for this that I had to create a space for it.

I’ve been collecting objects for a couple of years now, simply because I found them interesting, without knowing what I would do with them. Now, they have a purpose—and it will be fun. I’m excited!

What will happen with the studio when the cold weather comes? I don’t know—I’ll worry about that later. This is now.

Anyway, back to the beginning. Everyone needs a sacred space to be creative and to create. Let me say that again: to create. We are creative people; we need to create. We are happy when we create. When we create, we fill ourselves with all kinds of happiness and possibilities.

The Power Of the Spirit of Creating

 

Featured image: Straight From the Heart

I believe we’ve spent way too much time arguing over whose word is better than someone else’s—and not enough time recognizing that there is a power surrounding all of us. A power stronger than words—words that divide.

Have you ever experienced something so wonderful, so beautiful, that there were no words for it? That’s how we should strive to feel about others: with awe, beyond judgment. We must learn to let go of whatever it is someone just said that triggered a quick label in our minds—thinking they are “this” or “that”—when in truth, they are a person surrounded by the same powerful spirit that surrounds you. They may just not feel it yet.

Share your creative spirit—not to prove it’s better than someone else’s, but to invite others into something deeper and more beautiful.

All I have to do is look around—at the earth, the moon, the sun, the stars, the sky—and think of the galaxies, the energies, the forces, the power that created all of this. And I remember: I, too, was created to create. That very idea has motivated me all my life.

Of course, there are times when that idea feels far away. And when it leaves, I really feel its absence. I don’t know why it goes—but I sincerely hope and pray it returns.

Blessings to all.  C

What Is Art Good For

 

Featured image: Kaleidoscope Of Raw Reality: We Are So Small – Northern Lights

Recently, I came across a question in an art magazine that made me pause: What is art good for?

It’s a good question—and it got me thinking. If you really consider it, art isn’t "useful" in the traditional sense. It's often seen as self-indulgent. We don’t need art the way we need food, water, or shelter.

And yet, many people responded to the question with deep conviction.

Imagine our culture without art. It would feel robotic, mechanical, empty. Don’t you think?

Do we need art? Or do we need something we call art? Isn't that the question posed by the film The Matrix? Doesn’t art make things feel real? Doesn’t it also question what we consider real?

Isn’t that the very issue we face today—and one we’ve faced for a very, very long time? Hasn’t this question existed since the beginning of consciousness and our recognition of “reality”?

What is art good for? It’s a huge question, one that can’t be taken lightly. The answer is something we must keep thinking about—and even fighting for.

If the answer is lost within our society, if it disappears from our culture and never reemerges—which could seriously happen in today’s world—it would be unimaginably tragic.

I don’t even want to think about that possibility.

Still, we have to.
We just have to.

Art is good for everything—but perhaps most importantly, it protects our freedom and preserves our free spaces.

Dance

 

Featured image: Celebrate, Celebrate Dance with the Music

Abstraction, unknown, emerge, uncertain, unbound, freedom, discovery, exploring, unlimited, uncharted, magical, intoxicating.
Hallelujah, Hallelujah

These words—and others like them—when hummed silently to me while creating, have become my personal, secret hallelujah chords, with minor falls and major lifts, to the song Hallelujah by Leonard Cohen and Mikael Wiehe.

Creations. They are my personal secret chords and are part of what an artist is—and should be—about.

All are part of an abstract artist's vocabulary, and all are part of an abstract artist's palette. All are part of an abstract artist's concepts and ideas, awaiting discovery, challenging her to explore, connect, and bring something exciting to life through experimentation.

These concepts—these hallelujahs—enable the magic of creation. The magic of being should constantly be navigating the uncharted waters of the sea or the vast wilderness of a desert.

I do my best; it isn't much, and even though things often go wrong, I always believe I will stand before the Creator and sing:
Hallelujah, Hallelujah

This painting is all about this dance of creation, as the sunflower rises from the darkness of the precious earth and arches toward the glorious light.

Inspirational

 

Featured image: Rainbows In My Studio

Many people think I’m a gifted artist, but I don’t see myself that way. I’m just an average artist—nothing special.

But I’ve come to suspect that being “average” is exactly what helped me discover the real secret to being an artist: becoming a deeply spiritual one, and knowing and following my dream.

I’ve been driven by this dream my whole life—except during a recent downtime, and a similar period about 20 years ago, when I lost my way, my energy, and my soul. While I continued to create during those times, I only occasionally produced something truly remarkable—a powerful artistic manifestation I would even call inspired. Something wholly my own, original, one-of-a-kind.

When I create this kind of work—as I do now with my 3-D pieces—I feel I’m tapping into something greater than myself. It feels like the energy of the entire universe is flowing through me and surrounding me while I work.

That energy has strengthened my belief in a higher power—God, for me—who is greater than myself. This creative power is behind the growth of all things and is connected to all things.

I’ve come to realize that the work I’m doing, and the inspiration I feel, isn’t so much about the finished product. It’s about the state I reach while I’m creating. That place of joyful immersion. I want to visit that state as often as I can—and begin tracking not only the outcome, but the creative process itself and the emotional space it opens.

It’s not always easy to stay in that space. Thoughts creep in—like what colors are trending, or whether the work feels sophisticated enough. And I can’t tell you how crushing it is when someone walks up and says, “Oh, this would look great in a child’s room.”

In those moments, part of me wants to pull the piece off the wall. But I don’t—because another part of me wants to recoup the money I invested in it. And so that mindset lingers, because I’ve come to believe that, to be considered inspirational, one must also be commercially successful.

Still, I’m excited about my new 3-D works, and I sincerely hope you will be too.

Blessings to you all,
c

Connections

 

Featured image: Our Connections

My connections with earth, land, water, sky, and the heavens are renewed every morning.

I sit along the edge of the woods, where the land and soil are thick and rich. Water drops from the morning dew glistens in the sun.

Slowly, I listen to my breath and breathe deeply, closing my eyes, and opening my mind, becoming part of the earth, water, and sky. I am home.

Right and Wrong

 

Featured image: Friends

Opinions about right and wrong, good and evil, represent a dualistic belief system that involves moral judgment.

Rugged individuals have no need to judge others—no need to question why others are not like them. They understand; they accept what is.

They have freed their minds and souls and have made room for peace, joy, and love—things that are unencumbered by judgment.

In order to be “fair” to all, we must be willing to see and change—without the control of judgment.

This painting, Friends, represents two different individuals accepting each other and their differences.

Rolling Stones Accepted Into Exhibition

 

I’m honored and deeply grateful that my painting Rolling Stones has been accepted into the San Diego Watercolor Society’s 45th International Exhibition, held at the SDWS Gallery in Liberty Station, San Diego, California.

With 746 entries submitted by 403 artists from 30 countries and 36 states, it’s a true privilege to be included in such an inspiring and talented group.

The exhibition will be on view from September 28 to October 31, 2025 at the San Diego Watercolor Society Gallery.

Thank you to juror Kathleen Conover and the entire SDWS team for this opportunity to share my work among such incredible artists.

Feeling It

 

Featured image: Life is Like a Box of Chocolates

I can feel it

I can find it

the journey is

worthwhile

sitting quietly, grasping

all that is real

the natural way

and

our place in the world

and

finding; wilderness

naturalness

the yes, yes of life

I can feel it

the journey

Is worthwhile

Shelter Accepted into Exhibition

 

I’m truly honored and thankful that my piece Shelter has been selected for inclusion in the 38th Annual Northern National Art Competition. With nearly 600 submissions from across the country, I’m grateful to be part of this inspiring and competitive exhibition.

The show will be held at Nicolet College in Rhinelander, Wisconsin, and will run from June 12 to July 26, 2025.

Thank you to juror Jaleesa Johnston and everyone involved in making this event possible.

Comfortably Numb Accepted into Exhibition

 

I’m deeply honored that my piece Comfortably Numb has been accepted into INNOVATIONS 2025, the 34th Annual International Open Juried Exhibition of the International Society of Experimental Artists (ISEA).

The exhibition will be held at the Ormond Memorial Art Museum and Gardens in Ormond Beach, Florida, and will run from September 17th to November 30th, 2025.

Grateful to be included in this inspiring celebration of experimental art alongside so many talented creatives. 🎨✨

Seeing Differently

 

Featured image: Be Different

We all see things differently, no two unique individuals see a sunrise or sunset the same way. Each reflects their own personal life into how they see and understand a sunset or sunrise. 

I looked up

Featured image: Sunrise In The Morning At The Lake

Bird Calling

    I

    looked

    up

    to a light blue

    sky

with a sliver of the

    moon

still there.

    I

    looked up

    to see a golden

    yellow

    crowning the treetops.

No bird still—

    instead, morning

    silence

    gracing a

brand new day.

Find You

 

Featured image: Your Mind Sings - Listen

“Is it so bad, then, to be misunderstood? Pythagoras was misunderstood, and Socrates, and Jesus, and Luther, and Copernicus, and Galileo, and Newton, and every pure and wise spirit that ever took flesh. To be great is to be misunderstood.”
—Ralph Waldo Emerson

Another quote I have on my desk:
“Well-behaved women rarely make history.”

This quote is often attributed to Eleanor Roosevelt, Anne Boleyn, or Marilyn Monroe, but it was actually written by Laurel Thatcher Ulrich in a 1976 academic paper.

Both quotes—so true, so true.

Refuge

Featured image: Her Refuge When the Tears Come

Why do I
seek refuge in
    Nature and
    Earth?

Because it is where
    I
    hear Him
    the loudest.

Eagles Fly

 

Featured image: Eagle II

Silence comes quietly,
fills the woods.
I am a child of the
woods,
where my spirit soars.
Morning rising—
eagles fly.

Pain

Featured image: Designed

Pain is part of creation    CEA

On Wings of Water

Featured image: Rapids

Celestial light
on wings of water,
rainbows gathered,
and waves inherit
the spirits of souls.

Three Billion Years

Featured image: Rocks Along the Ogami Shore 

Canadian bedrock,
granite over 3 billion

    years old—
their
    aura
overwhelming … whispers:

    I am alive
    I am alive

She heard them.
    She felt their history.

Believe

 

Featured image: Leap of Faith III

A lack of belief in yourself makes you cling to the comforts and material possessions of someone else. What we tell ourselves determines who we are and shapes our future. Often, what we tell ourselves keeps us from becoming who we truly are.

Ask yourself:

Do I have new thoughts?
Am I walking the same way?
Am I afraid of rocking the boat?
Do I love the same way?
Do I pray the same way?
Do I have the same goals?
Do I know why I am here?
Do I knock?
Do I open?
Am I willing to change?

Live with the Wind

 

Featured image: Dancing with the Wind

Live with the wind

the summer rain

the humming of a

hummer's wings

live with the flowers in

your garden

live with the yellow bird

at the feeder

live with the kiss from the

earth

and scatter your seeds

everywhere.

Soaring

 

Featured image: Blissful Flight

Watching two 

birds soar

within the energy of an

air current.

Their movement is

wonderful, delightful, 

so glorious.  And

the beauty of it all

is that their

movement leaves

no trace.

Hello

 

Featured image: Hello Hello Hello

I sit

    alone 

    river calm

fishing rod

    in hand

early morning

    mist

sun's rays

    touching

    the dew

it matters not

if the fish bite

rather it is 

    the mornings

    hello, I

seek.

Ever So Sweet

 

Featured image: Rose Breasted Finch

Soft cheep cheep cheep
Of the finch
Their chorus
Their melody
Ever so sweet

The Way I See It

Featured image: Celebrate Celebrate Dance with the Music

You are what you see. How you see is part of your spirit. Is the way you see creative? 

How I see is not a static, flat view like a photo gives us,  But,  rather, I see as a dynamic ever changing, ever creative view of life happening. It is the dynamic dance of life and sight.

I was standing under a canopy of entwined branches covered with snow.  The sun was shining through the light snow giving the canopy a stained glass feel – a very magical moment of light, life and sight.

This Day

 

Featured image: Happy Days

"This day is too dear to waste a moment on yesterdays." Ralph Waldo Emerson

It Is Wonderful

 

Featured image: Loving You

It is wonderful

water shaking

fire shaking

blending

back in

energy disappears

into the sky

the earth

the waters

reaching, out,  giving to

others

search for it for 

it …..is wonderful

Invisible - Visible

 

Featured image: The Creative

To make the invisible visible we only need to be creative.

Skipping Home

 

Featured image: Skipping

Purple, yellow 

meadow

Teal

Little girl

Skipping home

With glee

Forever

 

Featured image: Forever

heading towards the

horizon

where sky and water

meet

and the water and sky seem to

go on forever

I ask myself, 

where to next? 

is there a forever?

Here… yes.

when you are at the point of

forever

there is no next

only now.

Refuge

 

Featured image: Nature's Truth

"Lord Most High, I seek refuge in you, you are my shield and my protector."  Psalm 7 

Yes,

I seek refuge in

Nature

Where I can

Hear

See

Feel

Creation

Nature

Comforts me

And is my

Yes, yes, yes

Birds

 

Featured image: Little Yellow Bird

those fragile feathered

Fairies

sing melodies

In the woods

leaving a giant sized

imprint

there and

in my heart

in my soul

First Robin

 

Featured image: First Robin

I saw my first robin a couple of days ago - always a wonderful sign of spring!

Wind

 

Featured image: Whispering Winds

let the wind

carry away 

your

troubles

With Diamonds Accepted into Exhibition

 

I’m honored to share that my painting "With Diamonds" has been accepted into the Watercolor Society of Alabama’s 84th Annual National Exhibition!

With so many incredible submissions, I’m truly grateful to selection juror Carrie Waller and the WSA for this opportunity. It’s always a joy to be part of a show that celebrates the depth and beauty of watercolor.

Mother's Day Card Drop

 

𝐌𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫’𝐬 𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝐀𝐫𝐭 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐃𝐫𝐨𝐩!

𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝟐𝟓 𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥, 𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐝-𝐩𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐟𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐬—𝐧𝐨 𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐬, 𝐧𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐬.

Choose your mom’s favorite flower color

Each 5x5 card: $25 + $3 shipping

Order by May 1 to get yours in time!

Limited. Special. One-of-a-kind.

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Wild and Joyful

 

Featured image: Raven's Spirit

wild and joyful

    flying with ravens

    magical

    mystical

collecting

    precious

    treasures

    ribbons and 

flowers

twisting in 

the wind.

Honor It

Featured image: Gifts from God

When someone asks

why

do you believe

in God

?

I answer

because when

I am still

in the woods

walking on the shore

in the woods

just sitting

listening

watching the

sun set

the sun rise

listening to the rain

when I personally

as an artist

I

create

I can feel Him

as the first

artist 

His creation

I know I am

a

blessed 

artist 

I have been 

given a

gift

and I feel it

and I honor it.

Part of Me

 

Featured image: The River Runs Through Us

flowing like a river

always moving

always changing

allowing all things

to be a

part of me

like the beautiful yellow warbler

its song

flows through me

is a

part of me

the raven, the chipmunk 

The red fox

Are a part of me

flowing

Divine Jewel

 


Featured image: Jewels

Divine jewel
you are a divine jewel
in harmony yet separate
divine
mystery
lift everywhere,
live it
connect with the 
natural flow

Art and Aristotle

 

Featured image: Adrift IV

“The aim of art is to represent not the outward appearance of things but their inward significance."

Aristotle

Light

 

Featured image: New Life

Elegantly simple

light

gives life to

everything on

earth

His Pulse

 

Featured image: And He Walks with Me

solitude of nature

Soothe  my soul

unchained

the cage door is open

I live ……. unchained

free

I find Him there

I hear Him there

in

the woods

for the woods are

filled

with eternal

power and His

pulse