I finally finished! It took me 7 months but I finally completed my 26 sketchbook paintings that capture select special moments from our 2021 Epic Summer Road trip across the USA.

This is the final artwork in my series of paintings that explore the loneliness and separation of our overly connected society. The grid pattern represents the digital world and how it infiltrates every aspect of modern life.

I was thinking about people in creative fields and how they look at their art careers. It is kind of like a yoga practice or a meditation practice. We have to have our art studio practice. Because you are not just born a master painter. It takes time and it takes work and it takes- practice.

The color blue is often associated with the feeling of sadness. It can also be used to represent calmness and tranquility. Blue is associated with peace and spiritual connotations in certain cultures.

“It’s all in your head”.

What a loaded phrase. Usually this is thrown at someone who is overreacting, imagining the worst, or creating drama where there isn’t any. But as I look at this new painting, I thought of this phrase in a new way.

“A friend asked me, how do I know what to paint in which square. The answer is, I don't! I am moving around the painting continually changing colors, changing squares and deciding as I go. They refer to this as painting intuitively. It is a very freeing way to paint, for me.”

I am working on a series of paintings that explore the loneliness and separation of our overly connected society. In an age where people are more connected than ever with technology, people are experiencing the highest rates of depression, anxiety, loneliness and a feeling of separation leading to mental health issues and even suicide.

I’m so grateful to have spent another wonderful week in the Pacific Northwest. Each time I experience this area, I fall more in love with this special part of the country. The landscape outside changes every few minutes.

Some of you have asked what supplies I bring when traveling. Here are my favorites:

As you all know, I LOVE travel! Exploring new cities and new places is one of the greatest joys in my life. People often ask me if I paint when traveling and the answer is usually no.

I can’t believe it has been 2 months since I have returned from my wonderful art travels in Spain and France! Life has been a bit chaotic since my return home, but I wanted to take some time to write about the first part of my trip, a fantastic 2 week art workshop in Andalusia lead by artist, Tonja Sell.

I love setting goals. I am one of those people who writes them down and posts them up on my wall and by the end of the year, I almost always accomplish all of my goals.

Last year I was so thrilled to attend a very special art workshop with an amazing group of artists on Whidbey Island, Washington, just outside of Seattle. Whidbey Island forms the northern boundary of Puget Sound.

After 30 days and countless hours working on the most technically and mentally challenging watercolor painting I’ve ever endeavored, it is finished!