The 100 Day Project 2026

 I chose creating Artist Trading Cards (ATC) as my focus of the 100 Day Project this year. This is my sixth year participating. I just love the global community and support of fellow creatives. If you are new to The Project, you can learn more about it at  www.the100dayproject.org. I used to make ATCs, having them available during open studios back in the day at Nu Arts Gallery + Studios in Pittsfield. I recently found there's a large ATC trading community online and am hoping to find others locally who are interested in swaps. Just because it's fun!

I began with creating a lot of these tiny backgrounds being 3.5" x 2.5" and am turning them into little paintings and collages. I will post some on Instagram. 

Happy creating and Happy Spring (almost)!

Whimsy in Nature

Collage of some paintings I'm working on for an exhibit I'm putting together - Sticks & Stones. Still very much a work in progress, but I'll keep you posted. I'm taking two favorite subjects -  rocks and trees and seeing what evolves when I put them side by side. 

Keep your light shining bright friends!

Poetic License 2025

Another wonderful creative collaboration between the Hudson Valley Writers Guild and the Upstate Artists Guild is coming to a close, but there's still time to check it out. The show runs until 11/16 at the Honest Weight Co-op Gallery in Albany. The authors submit a poem anonymously and then the list of poems is made available to artists to paint from. I love the process! This is the poem I chose.

Haiku 

     I woke up again  

 as a watercolor painting       

 in drizzling rain  

 

The Secret Life of Trees

I've been doing meditative work this week while sorting out the next series I want to work on. I'm a bit obsessed with trees at the moment, maybe nature in general. It is after all mid September in upstate New York. Color is about to pop on the scene as it always does each Autumn. Isn't it a gorgeous time of year? 

Opening Reception at Meeting House Gallery

6/20/25   What a magical evening it was! You know the kind - perfect weather, gorgeous setting indoors and out, truly lovely people, inspiring artwork, live music, delicious snacks and drinks... It was such a joy to be part of this show!

Botanically Speaking Art Exhibit

This Friday, June 20th, BOTANICALLY SPEAKING will open at the Meeting House Gallery in New Marlborough, MA. I am excited to be exhibiting along with these other amazing artists. The art reception is on June 20th from 5-7 PM and I'd love to see you if you are in the area. Otherwise, here are the paintings I will be showing.

Gallery hours are on Saturdays and Sundays from 11:00-4:00 running 6/20-7/20. I will be gallery sitting on July 12th from 11:00 - 1:00, in case you want to pop in. 

The Meeting House Gallery, New Marlborough

Route 57 on the Green, New Marlborough, MA

Collage experiments

I've been a bit obsessed with creating gelli print collage papers, as you may have noticed. The thing is that it's so much fun creating these papers that my focus on finishing a painting diminished. So to remedy this, I created an experiment. First I made four paintings in watercolor. Then I collaged two of them with gelli print papers I had on hand. The watercolors feel more serene to me, while the collaged pieces are more vibrant. 

I realized I need more variety of gelli print papers to choose from or I could create papers after I finish a painting. Maybe it's a combination of both in the world of creating paper paintings. Imagine the different vibes one could achieve depending on the papers chosen.  

So there's much to ponder and experiment with and I enjoy a good challenge! It's like anything new you try; it takes a while to master it, to find your groove and develop it. So, that's where I am at this moment.

Happy creating and Happy Spring!

Welcome 2025!

A new year brings fresh ideas and dreams to the forefront. Where do I want my art to take me? What previously unexplored direction shall I go in this year? Lots to explore. So I've been pondering as I color mandalas, which is my number two favorite way to let ideas percolate in these matters. My number one way is walking in nature, but it's too cold this morning - maybe later. 

I finished this large painting in November and there's another one that's a work in progress. I used heavy body acrylics, which is not my usual medium, but I wanted to try something different. I may always be a watercolorist at heart, but who knows? What's similar in each is the upward focus. While I'm not sure either painting will be part of the new series, they are the inspiration behind "Look Up!" For this series I will consider anything you can see when you look up - trees, sun, moon, birds, butterflies, buildings, clouds, mountain tops, UFOs, airplanes, literally anything. It should be a fun multi-media journey. No rules!

Wishing you a creative, art filled New Year full of all the things that bring you joy, make your life beautiful and full of love.

The 100 Day Project 2024

Spring has finally arrived in the Northeast and it's just a gorgeous time of year. I feel lucky to have witnessed Spring in full bloom on our trip to Cherry Grove, SC for a few weeks. Double the enjoyment! So, what am I working on? Here's a sample from this year's 100 Day Project. I must admit I'm enjoying the journey a lot more since I've thrown out the need to finish a page a day. I work on the project most every day, but it doesn't mean I have a finished page. It's more relaxed and fun. This year I also did away with a theme for the project, as I've had in years past. It's the No Plan Plan this year with lots of experimenting! 

I am interested in using more acrylic paints this Spring. I've also been experimenting with color pencils after treating myself to some really beautiful Prismacolors. But the thing that has been the most fun is making gel prints on transparent paper to use in collaged paintings. My good friend RoAnn, a very talented artist living in St. Augustine, turned me onto gel printing while we were together in SC. I am obsessed. I could spend days making gel prints. I do have to remind myself I only need so much collage materials for my paintings though. Since mixed media is my jam, I'm really excited to expand what I incorporate into this year's mixed media works.

If you find yourself in need of collage papers, I can't recommend creating transparent gel prints enough. There are some great YouTube videos to check out. It's so much fun!

Favorite Member Shows

I love this time of year for so many reasons, not the least of which is that my favorite arts organizations hold their member shows this time of year. It's always fun to catch up and see what people have been doing artistically over the year.

The first is Albany Center Gallery's Annual Member Show running from 12/1/23 to 1/13/24. "Among the Flowers" will be this year's entry. 

488 Broadway #107, Albany, NY 12207

 

Next is Saratoga Arts' Annual Member Show running from 11/25/23 to 1/6/24 and "Star Flowers" will be hung in this show.

320 Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866

Third is Colonie Art League's Holiday Show running from 12/2/23 to 12/29/23. "Last Flowers" will be hanging in this show at the Colonie Town Library, along with two small works.

629 Albany Shaker Rd., Loudonville, NY 12211

So that rounds out the end of the year for me show wise. It's been a fun year creatively, a trying year in other ways, but art keeps bringing me back to my happy place. For that I am eternally grateful!