Maggie

Maggie was one of the best things to ever happen to me. She played a role in my emotional healing. She was a Pomapoo. The Poodle in her made her have wavy hypoallergenic hair, the Pomeranian side of her made her want to sit on my lap all the time. While I watched a movie or TV, while I read, she even tried to while I painted. One day I had a stomach bug and stayed in bed all day. She was by my side the whole time. As simple as that was, it meant so much to me. Animals are truly healing. I miss Maggie so much, six or seven years after we had to find her a new home because we were moving. She brought healing and comfort to her next family, who'd just gone through a painful divorce. 

I've been meaning to do her portrait for awhile now. I'm pleased with the outcome. I've had other dogs, but Maggie was unusually special. I look forward to seeing her again in the next life. 

Meeting Nicholas Hoult

My sister and I went to the Sundance Film Festival at Park City on Monday. We were thrilled when we spotted Nicholas Hoult, who stars in one of my all-time favorite movies, About A Boy. He's also in other great stuff like Warm Bodies, Equals and X-Men. He not only let us take a picture with him but he chatted with us for a couple of minutes. He was so nice. We also met Shirley MacLaine and Will Butler and spotted Lea Thompson, Zoey Deutch and Billy Bob Thornton. What a surreal day!

Washington/Oregon Trip

A couple of weeks ago my family and I went on a road trip to Washington and Oregon. We stopped in Idaho to visit my grandma. 

 Seeing the Fremont Troll was on my bucket list. It was sooo cool!

Getting my feet wet at Madison Park. 

I finally saw the Space Needle in person! So cool. 

I love how artsy Portland is. 

 I was in heaven at Music Millennium. I adore huge record stores. #keepportlandweird

We got to try so many delicious vegan restaurants.

Cannon Beach was dreamy!

One of the most beautiful beaches I've been on!

This dog loved it, too. 

The forests were truly magical.

Poodle

I'm a sucker for a poodle. Not only are they one of the most intelligent dog breeds, they are hypo-allergenic, not to mention adorable and soft and snuggly. At one point my late grandma had FIVE poodles! My great grandmother also loved them. It's in my blood. I want one, but it will have to wait. For now the stray cat we adopted will have to do.

Europe Trip

In May I got to go to Europe with my parents and sister. It was my first time visiting in over twenty years. This time my sister and I spent a few days in Venice, Italy, before joining our parents on a cruise that hit Croatia and Greece. 

 Venice was dreamy. 

 Riding a gondola was on my bucket list. I loved it!

 I loved seeing all the masks. I want to attend a masquerade one of these days.

 Santorini, Greece was so lovely. 

 This was my first time on the beach in five years.

 Gorgeous view in Santorini.

The Acropolis in Athens, Greece. I learned about this in school. It's cool to see the real deal. 

 Nice view of Dubrovnik, Croatia.

 Split, Croatia.

My bodyguards. :)

Mr Seahorse

This was a fun, spontaneous one. I'm really digging bowler hats and seahorses lately. 

Dogsdogsdogs

I love this picture my brother sent me of my niece, Dakota, just waking up from a nap on my dog pillow. Order your dog pillow (or print) from my society6 shop here.

Garden Gnome

I've been collecting cool random plates to make a wall collage and I wanted a gnome plate. I looked at my options online and wasn't too impressed with the selection or prices, so I made one of my own. Garden gnomes make me smile. They remind me of Amelie, travel and kitsch.

Sketches

Sooooo, lately I've started sketching again. I suffered from adrenal fatigue and drawing really helped me stay awake at church. These are a handful of my favorites. 

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The Art On *My* Walls

I LOVE collecting art. I wish I had more money and more wall space, because I keep falling in love with MORE art! Below you'll find work from some of my favorite living artists. Each of these pieces are hanging up in my home. 

Archan Nair

This piece is gorgeous and dream-like. It is hanging in my bathroom.

Get yours HERE

Judith Clay

When I saw this, I had to have it. I love the stylized cats with the thick eyebrows and the curvy city-scape in the background. This is also hanging in my bathroom. 

Get yours HERE

Michael Shapcott

Not to be melodramatic, but I am madly in love with Michael Shapcott's paintings. So much so, I have THREE of his pieces hanging in my bedroom and I want MORE. Additionally, it is a dream of mine to own one of his originals. 

Get yours HERE

 Order yours HERE

 Get yours HERE

Agnes Cecile

I love Agnes' loose and expressive style. She has so many gorgeous pieces! This one is also in my bedroom.

Get yours HERE

 Michael Creese

I own this original. I love it. I love clouds, I love eyes, and there's just something about this combination that does something for me. This lovely piece is in my upstairs hallway.

Order yours HERE

Sofia Bonati

Sofia is so creative! I love to see what she comes up with next. The polka-dot lady is hanging with other pieces in a wall collage above my living room couch. The butterfly lady is in my bedroom. 

Get yours HERE

 Order yours HERE

Viviana Gonzalez

I love these gorgeous, moody pieces that are hung in my kitchen. I think the juxtaposition of the women and trees is brilliant. 

Get yours HERE

 Order yours HERE

Road Trip!

My sister and I went on a super fun crazy magical road trip! We went to Arizona to visit our brother and his family, then visited Nevada on the way home.

We tried on silly hats at a gas station in Beaver, Utah.

 I gave a cactus a great big hug because they always look so cuddly. 

 We saw lots of fun, random stuff along the highway. 

 In Las Vegas we stayed at the coolest hotel ever--The Artisan. There was famous art everywhere, including on the ceilings! We slept in the Leonardo da Vinci room. 

On Your Walls

One of the most rewarding things about being an artist is knowing other people are enjoying my "children" (hopefully) as much as I enjoy the work of my favorite artists. (Where would I be without Michael Shapcott, Charles Dwyer, Sofia Bonati, Van Gogh, Waterhouse, Marc Chagall, etc.?) So it thrills me when collectors send me photos of my work on their walls. I thought I'd share a few.