Several months ago, I commented on a Facebook friend's picture of her three beautiful children on a beach, "I would LOVE to paint that."

What a thrill and surprise to get a message a few weeks ago asking if I would be interested and able to paint the image as a Christmas gift for the children's father.

Painting on an inch-thick birch panel treated with traditional gesso (marble dust and rabbit-skin glue), with brush and palette knife, allows the juicy texture of the paint brushstrokes to show on the surface.

It's an impressionistic landscape portrait that was a joy to paint. If you have a favorite image or location you would like captured and interpreted in oil paint, I'd be happy to discuss a commission with you!

Three cheers for the Red, White and Blue! These painterly summer flowers are looking for a new home -- and the color combination is actually a lot more versatile than you might expect. Zoom in on this photo and you can see the actual brushstrokes and colors. Imagine it in a beach house, a summer cottage, or any room that needs a pop of color -- a kitchen, a hallway, a bedroom, a guest bath.  

Red, White and Blue is an 11 x 14 oil painted on canvas and framed in a classic light wood floating frame. The regular "Buy Now" price is $500, but to celebrate American Independence Day it will be sold tax-free to the highest bidder at auction.  

Starting bid is $150 - bid in increments of $10 - the auction ends Tuesday, July 3rd at 8pm Pacific. Collector gift certificates not valid for this sale, sorry. Shipping costs are extra. Interested? Leave your bid in the comments or on my Facebook Page. 

Sunday, May 13 is Mother's Day in the United States.  I want to pay tribute to my mother, Melita. She was a kindergarten teacher and our home was always filled with art supplies. She was always crafting or doodling and took adult education classes in drawing and painting. She taught the Arts and Crafts badge for my Brownie troop -  we made papier mache sculptures.  Macrame plant holders, beaded flowers -- every craft du jour happened in our house. She would have really liked my new art studio! Melita loved creating things and giving them away for others to enjoy. This Mother's Day, I'm honoring the joy and spirit she had for art by giving away a painting. Share a positive "MOM" comment on this blog post at my website and you'll be entered. Make sure you are on my email list so I can contact you if you win!