Category Archives: Studio Snapshots

Welcoming autumn in Amana

Posted on September 11, 2020 by

I had the honor of painting the label artwork for this year’s Oktoberfest wine from Ackerman Winery in Amana, Iowa. The winery, in business since 1956, is known for their sweet fruit wines and adventurous varieties. They describe 2020’s Oktoberfest … Continue reading →

Posted in Studio Snapshots, Travelogue

Garden scene for Zoom class

Posted on August 11, 2020 by

I’ve been working on the sketch, first wash, and second wash of this backyard garden scene for my Zoom watercolor class. I send the images to the students in advance so they can copy the sketch and prepare to paint … Continue reading →

Posted in Classes, Studio Snapshots

Surviving creatively

Posted on April 17, 2020 by

I like making things, something to keep my hands busy at night while watching Netflix. Living alone I miss human contact in these social-distancing days, so making face masks was a way to connect with people from a safe distance. … Continue reading →

Posted in Studio Snapshots

Illinois homestead

Posted on February 13, 2020 by

This has been a fun project to recreate the homestead where my client and her siblings grew up in rural Illinois. She went on a quest to get me photos of the house in sunlight, which became quite a journey … Continue reading →

Posted in Studio Snapshots

Hard Won, Not Done

Posted on January 14, 2020 by

Friend Mary helped me transport two paintings and a sculpture to Muscatine Art Center for their exhibit “Hard Won, Not Done,” works by 24 eastern Iowa women artists commemorating the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, … Continue reading →

Posted in Studio Snapshots, Upcoming Events

Bird bra bonus

Posted on November 26, 2019 by

Update: This year’s Iowa City Eastside Artists Annual Show and Sale has ended. Thank you to everyone who stopped by! Previously: Birds — especially chickens — are a favorite subject of mine to liven up color mixing lessons. After our … Continue reading →

Posted in Studio Snapshots, Upcoming Events

Let it Show

Posted on November 18, 2019 by

Jeanette and I demonstrated watercolor techniques with the assistance of a young art student at the opening event for the “Let it Show” exhibit at Beréskin Gallery & Art Academy in Bettendorf. The exhibit is open now through December during … Continue reading →

Posted in Studio Snapshots

Painting and donating

Posted on November 5, 2019 by

I’m pleased to be offering classes at Iowa Artisans Gallery, and my first class there was also a fundraiser! Part of the proceeds went to Free the Girls, an international non-profit that collects new and gently-used bras of good quality … Continue reading →

Posted in Studio Snapshots

Tech for teaching

Posted on October 26, 2019 by

I’ve tried different setups over the years to give my students a better view during demonstrations, and I brought my favorite system yet to the Octagon watercolor workshop earlier this month. Without some kind of apparatus for viewing, there may … Continue reading →

Posted in Studio Snapshots

Cards to help fight ALS

Posted on October 19, 2019 by

When the weather forecast turned blustery, this year’s Walk to Defeat ALS® turned into an Open House, inside on the concourse at Principal Park in Des Moines. I used the occasion to introduce a new set of notecards — “Family … Continue reading →

Posted in Studio Snapshots