Summer 2025

As I write this, I am less than a week away from departing for Italy and three weeks of experiencing the beauty and history of Rome, Florence, Venice and more. I am excited and a little nervous as well. It has been several years since I was out of the country. We will be staying in a small town north of Rome and a 2-bedroom flat will be our temporary home. The town sits on a lovely lake and will be the perfect base of operations for our daily excursions. I am taking a sketch pad and my Nikon to gather plenty of reference information for a future Italian Pastel series.

All is good at my gallery. I have been very busy creating new works and I have entered multiple exhibitions and I am awaiting results of acceptance, or not. My friend Michael Battaglia will host my gallery for the July Art Walk at Backstreet. He has installed eight of his incredible works of art in Gallery3 and there has already been interest in his work. If you are local and can make to the Art Walk on July 2nd he would surely appreciate it.

I cherish your support as always. My wish for you is a rewarding and fun Summer wherever you are. This month I am focusing on Psalm 23. I recently completed a pastel for my sister Linda and it is current in route to her and Jim. It is a scene of a peaceful pond in Taylorsville Preserve near where they live. I have named it “Beside Still Waters”. It is a reminder of our need to rely on our Lord for our peace and security and His protection in troubled times. We certainly do live in troubled times and I am thankful for His faithfullness in our lives.

Psalm 23

Spring 2025

Here we are a month into Spring 2025 and I am settling into my “retirement”. My last day at my part-time job was the end of February and I am busier now than when I was working. I spend most weekdays in my studio. I am loving having my own space to create and display my work. Several of my favorite pastels have found new homes and it is a mix of emotions as I watch my creations leave. I am so happy though, knowing my pastels are being loved and enjoyed. Art is multifaceted in the creating of it and then the contemplating and embracing the finished work. As I tell my clients and admirers, I see the blank sheet, so the transformation into a finished landscape or still life is a truly humbling experience.

I have been rewarded for my efforts as well. I was awarded 2nd place in The California Art Club Virtual Exhibition “Awakening the Earth”. My piece “Tranquility Before the Storm” can be seen on the CAC website. Upcoming is the Members Show with the Pastel Society of Southern CA. That event is held in Redondo Beach the first two weeks of May. I will have two pieces on display. The end of April marks the end of the Borrego Springs Invitational. As of this writing I have sold two plein air pieces. It has been an honor to be a part of this prestigious event.

As always, a big THANKS to you all-my family, my friends and especially Dave who is my biggest fan and companion.

1 Corinthians 5:12 Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong