The art show season has begun. We had a great weekend in Chicago for Mayfest. It wasn’t really my jam but we tried it and live and learn. We did however meet a lot of interesting and fun people and I always enjoy dog and people watching at shows. Chicago people love their dogs!  As I was sitting there sometimes my booth was quiet(other times it was nuts) but I could just watch and daydream during the quiet waves. Saw so many adorable families.  I will be a grandma for the first time this summer and I am beyond excited for that. It will be a new phase in my life and I’m so happy for my daughter and son in law.  When I think of becoming a grandma I sometimes reflect on how my own mom years were. I had three wonderful kids.  My son - the oldest of my kids- tragically passed away in 2011.  There is alot of his soul in my art…He was a beautiful person inside and out and a joy to me.  I have two adult daughters who also give me plenty of ideas.  Seeing the families at shows takes my mind and memories back. Those thoughts inspired my latest painting. It’s a small 11x14 called “Mama Bear” of course.  Mama loves all her children as different as they may be. They are all unique and precious gifts. 

It took me over a week but I finally finished my orcas and wanted to share.  A couple days in it definitely went through an ugly phase but I had the words of my artist daughter in my mind, “trust the process” - so I pushed through and I’m glad I did because it turned out to be a really fun painting with lots of movement and action. The bright colors balance out the black and white orcas and the contrast allows them to really stand out.  A couple days into it I was thinking maybe I included too many orcas but I read that Orcas stick together in a family group for life so here it is - a large happy orca family and friendly people celebrating a beautiful day in the Pacific Northwest.  “Magic Happens” 36x48  

We will be heading out to Portland Oregon in a few months to participate in the Art in the Pearl Art show.  I was so excited to be invited to this show. I have heard wonderful things about Art in the Pearl. It’s a top tier show and I am so grateful to be included.  That acceptance email I received from them really gave me some extra motivation and put some pep in my step again.   I felt so drained after the last year of our hectic art show season. I’m a big time homebody and being on the road so much took a lot out of me. Home is where I get my inspiration and my ideas and my comfort.  Seeing the trees and the sky, deer in my yard, ducks in the pool, hanging out with my kids and grand puppy  - and even little things like cooking and doing laundry keep me grounded and let my mind wander into creative territory. It took a long time to get back to reality and let my mind calm and get my imagination flowing again. We finished with art shows last November and the art show application process for 2024 started again last December and I wasn’t even in the mood to apply.  But I applied to plenty - trying to stay closer to home more often and not do quite as many shows this year.  In early spring thought I was done with applications but then on a whim I applied to The Pearl.  April 1 I received the email I was in. Wow I felt refueled,with a big boost to my morale.   I have never been to the Pacific Northwest.  It’s been on my bucket list though as I’ve seen photos and it looks just beautiful - that’s what made me want to apply. I love to road trip and this will be a big one. 31 hours each way haha.  Crazy - but we have never driven that way before so it’s all new and exciting.  I was looking for info and images of Oregon and kept coming up with coastline pics- Cannon Beach etc. With all of those travel thoughts I had a dream about Oregon that gave me the idea for some whale paintings…. The first one I did is of gray whales. Gray whales are the most common seen off the Oregon coast. They aren’t the prettiest whales (kind of homely actually) as they have white barnacle spots all over but they are still magical to see.  The painting is a sweet one 24x30 inches of whales meeting some friendly swimmers and sailers and with people on the beach waving and cheering at seeing the whales.   Currently I’m working on a larger 36x48 of Orcas.  Orcas are more often seen off the Washington coast and around then San Juan Islands but sometimes magic happens and they are spotted in Oregon waters.  I googled for orca images and info and discovered how amazing they are  - so loving to each other and smart. I knew that already but the stories about them are incredible.  I think next will be sea lions.  I didn’t want to do whales and sea lions together…can’t tempt those hungry whales.  I want them each to be appreciated for the loving beautiful creatures they are, separately, without considering the food chain lol.  Looking forward to seeing gorgeous Oregon and more this summer.  We start the show season in a few days and I’m very grateful to the energy the acceptance to Art in the Pearl has given me. 

I’ve been missing my beautiful girl Trixie - The Trix - as we called her. She was a big sweet cuddly ol’ bear Newfoundland dog.  I want a puppy as soon as it’s logically possible. I’ve been tempted several times but then reality strikes…we will be on the road a lot this summer with art shows out of state and even just weekends where we will have long days out of the house both Saturdays and Sundays for local shows.  Originally my daughter and son in law offered to puppy sit when needed however they are now pregnant and the situation has changed.   So I’ve channeled my puppy wishes into several new paintings.  I did three small 11x14 paintings of people and their dogs, and then one of dog friends enjoying a splash in a pretty pond, and a larger 24x30 called “training day” where I included my dogs I’ve owned over the years and neighbor dogs I’ve known.  I’m hoping for a dog sooner than later but I need to figure out how to fit a puppy into our lives…Until then I will happily people & dog watch from my art booth at shows, and paint and share my puppy wishes on canvas.  ‘Walking the Babies” 11x14 oil on canvas