I love the Clothesline Festival. I remember walking the show years ago when I was in college at RIT and being so impressed with the work that I saw. This will be my 13th year of doing the show. The first year I was thrilled to be one of the Merit Award winners- it was just the encouragement that I needed at that time to continue with my painting.

The show is on the grounds of the Memorial Art Gallery in downtown Rochester. The gallery is open to the public during the show upon paying the entrance fee. One of the perks of winning the Merit Award is that you can choose to move to a different (more visible) location in the festival. For the past 12 years I have loved my location, my neighbors, my shade tree and knowing that my customers know where to find me. This year there is a proposed sculpture park that has caused all of the vendors in my section to be relocated to the back of the gallery. I’m kinda bummed to say the least.

#126-  is my new booth number. It’s in the nose bleed section. Please take the time to find me if you are attending the show.  I have lots of new work this year. Shown above is a painting that I just finished last night. I love the abstract quality of it. I took many photos this year at the Walnut Hill Carriage Competition in Pittsford- this is the first of many paintings in a series.

Of course there will also be new topiary designs! See you there!

Bookmark & Share

Bound by Steel & Water

Miraculous Miss

Composition of Blown Glass

River Basin  at Taughannock Falls, Ithaca, NY

The above matted paintings will soon be available on my website under the Fine Art heading. Each painting is double matted with 1/2 in. reveal in 100% rag archival matting with archival foamcore backing. The pricing will go up once the pieces are framed for the upcoming Clothesline Festival Sept 11th & 12th. For more information please call 888.313.0239.

Bookmark & Share

I was so happy with my first tomato this summer that I had to document it!  Isn’t it a beauty? I must say that it was delicious and I’ve eaten a tomato and basil sandwich EVERY day since they’ve ripened. Yum.

I am very inexperienced with fruit trees and have no desire to spray them. To my surprise one of the two apple trees that I planted last year was ladened with apples! Some of them have some scab (I’ll save those for the horses) but many of them are lovely. A friend whose father has had fruit orchards for many years has stopped spraying his trees and I am very encouraged that perhaps I will be able to forgo treating them chemically. My theory in the garden is to plant more than I need knowing that some veggies/fruits will succumb to pest. In the end there is plenty for our family, friends and extended family – no chemical treatments necessary. I have finally gotten used to knocking off bugs/slugs into soapy water… I suppose there are worse ways to go! Still gives me the major Willies. What are some of your favorite garden treatments?

Oops! This post went from artwork to gardening in no time flat! It often happens around here. More art and less gardening coming soon! : )

Bookmark & Share

Finally. A break in activities and in orders going out. I’ve been so anxious to paint again… not just topiaries. Now I realize there is a huge backlog of images that I want to work on. I’m completely overwhelmed. I want to start 6 paintings all at once and work for 3 days straight. Probably not so practical considering dinner has to be cooked and there is a lacrosse game tonight and I have other custom work to do. Its challenging finding a balance- as many of you know! But, today I am rejoicing. Honestly because I’ve been a little scared. Writer’s block only with paints. There is always fear that the talent won’t be there anymore when you have been away too long from your craft. Luckily my illustration keeps me in it to some degree. I’ve been nervous about starting again. I have a show in September wherein I need many new paintings- August used to be my painting month to prepare. Its been ages since I’ve painted for painting’s sake.

I paint to discover and to research my subject. I find beauty in the most mundane of objects. I photograph many scenes, landscapes, items that I want to study further with the hopes of returning to my studio and becoming of student of learning and seeing again. I have years of photos built up, years of experiences that I haven’t been able to process thru painting. Thankfully my topiary designs whether of whales or realistic dogs on topiary furniture keep me squirting paint from tubes but I always long to paint on a larger scale in a more expressive way. The topiary designs make he happy and brighten my day. I KNOW that sounds corny but I’m captivated by their simplicity. If you have ever enjoyed one of them, I have a million times more and I’m so thankful.

This little study… it’s not the best. It’s not the worst. It’s the only thing I didn’t tear up and discard. In it I see promise. That I haven’t lost everything. Perhaps that I can step aside and just enjoy painting without illustrating. That is a whole other topic I know. Anyway… stay tuned. I’m inspired and I feel like its going to be a very productive August in so many ways. I can’t wait to be a student again!

Bookmark & Share

Splish, splash and they are finally done. I hope the folks at the whale museum in Bar Harbor, ME will like the designs. Notecards and gift items with these designs should be a hit with their whale loving customers. Which one do you prefer? I love the flowers in the spout of the first design and I am crazy about the lead planter of the other one. I may have to do a ship/boat in that planter too. On paper the possibilities are endless. : )

Bookmark & Share

Today I am working on Whales! A whimsical topiary whale, as well as portraits of unique whale tales off the coast of Maine. Who knew!? I do love my job. Stop back by to see the finished results. Which way should that topiary whale’s tail flip?

Bookmark & Share

I am SO excited about this new product. A perfect gift for new parents and a lovely piece of art for the nursery! Our giclee printed canvas is gallery wrapped, embellished with a chocolate grosgrain bow and ready to hang. Personalize and unique, this is sure to be a hit!

For the little princess, you may choose from a light pink or pale green border. Special Delivery, Princess Crown or Baby Rattle topiary designs are available.  For the little prince you may choose from a baby blue or pale green border. Special Delivery or Baby Rattle topiary can be featured .

Have you seen the sweet little coordinating lavender sachet linen door hangers for the nursery as well as the personalized linen pillows??

Each aromatic sachet hangs from a sheer organza ribbon. A fragrant little happy to help that little sprout get his/her beauty sleep. Perfect for a shower gift even when the little one is still a surprise! The pale green design can be for a boy or a girl. Shown below is Princess Sleeping with Light Pink border and Princess Crown Topiary featured.

Princess Sleeping

For pricing and ordering information click here.

Bookmark & Share

Are these guys the cutest things you have ever seen?! What personality in those little faces and bodies. The lovely and talented landscape designer Deborah Silver from Detroit Garden Works contacted me regarding doing some custom work featuring her two little scamps. I went ga-ga over Deborah’s beautiful gardens, Italian pots and charming pups. I think my exact words were “Drool, drool”. Poetic, I know. Art is my gift, words… perhaps, are not.

If you are in the Detroit area you should stop by Detroit Garden Works and meet the celebrities, Milo and Howard. I hear they are quite a hit. Customers often visit the store with their dogs… don’t you just love that! I wish I lived closer. They would totally have to kick me out at closing time. Be sure to visit Deborah’s blog Dirt Simple filled with lots of info and garden eye candy. I loved the before and after Riverside landscape project and the Spring pots with pansies and lettuce. Great idea!

The Corgi design will be soon be available in notecards, limited edition prints, limited edition pillows, linen towels, lavender sachets and linen cocktail napkins. See pictures below for references of Deborah’s beautiful gardens and Corgis!

I got alittle crazy and put it all together! Couldn’t help it.

Bookmark & Share

I have had this little design knocking around in my head for the past 4 or 5 months. Maybe that is the gestation time I need to take an idea and finally get it on paper. : ) So nice to finally see this little guy in person. This design will soon be available as a New Baby greeting card. Hope you like!

Bookmark & Share