Every once and awhile I am asked to do a house portrait.  The home can mark new beginnings, see a baby grow to an adult, be a symbol of one's creativity, be the landing spot for family members who have left the nest, and most of all a place where rituals can be nurtured.  I believe the walls of a home become imbued with the energy of its residents and they remember.....

                                         ‘GROUNDING DOWN / REACHING UP’

                                                                  Acrylic on canvas 

                                                                       60” x 72”

                            122  South Main Street Wilkes-Barre PA

 The latest painting I've done is in the window of Marquis. It is visible as a drive by or a walk by and if you so desire, go inside and see the same sized painting facing the interior of the gallery.  This piece symbolizes the grounding the earth always provides when looking up doesn't feel feasible. 

             'From White to Green'  40" x 40"  fabric paint on charmeuse silk

I find myself watching trees more and more. Their ability to undergo all sorts of weather, changes and cycles of life and stand regal and tall despite it all truly inspires me.  

This sweet girl crossed the rainbow bridge awhile ago and has been succeeded by other gorgeous English Springer Spaniels.  I painted some of her predecessors with rave reviews prompting another. Here is Thatcher - the one and only time he was on the boat in Maine.  She went out big! 

And this sweet boy is living the life with organic turkey jerkey for snacks, ample exercise and 

air conditioning when needed.  Some may wonder how they ever lived without Razz..... 

The last four years I have been working with other Pennsylvania Rostered Artists from northeastern Pa in a grant received by Pearl Schaeffer of Philadelphia.  The in depth studies purpose was to show how various forms of art enhances learning.  Our study began with the Scranton school district and then shifted to Hazelton.  The findings will potentially be a model for schools across the nation.  I had the pleasure of working with second and third graders and their wonderful teachers.  We did all sorts of neat projects finding ways to implement math to art that came naturally.  Working with the math teachers the kids were learning without knowing it!  Catherine Cullen was our 'coach' and helped us manage many hurdles when covid hit and she also taught us how to go about this project showing something which has never been seen before.  I am looking forward to seeing the final 'report'.  

                         'Shell' acrylic on canvas 40" x 30" 

                                              'Marble'  acrylic on canvas 40" x 30" 

Afa Gallery has partnered with the NEPA Animal Rescue Fund, overseen by the Scranton Area Foundation, which provides direct support to numerous animal shelters & rescue programs.  Only a VERY small handful of artists were invited to be part of this special commissioned series.  I was given a dog, Shel and a cat, Marble to paint however I interpreted them.  I'm so hoping this will help find them forever homes and am thrilled the money made will go back to helping our furry friends who bring so much love and light to our worlds! First Friday is 5pm - 9pm tonite - the show will be on display for six weeks! 

A violin was donated by Gemma Sturdevant in Memory of Edwin Jarnicki  for me to paint.  It is being auctioned off now for the 50th anniversary of the Northeastern Philharmonic.  

I chose the handstand figure with the moon behind it because I believe art and music increase levity, playfulness and spontaneity. I wrote around the perimeter: "like the moon I wax and wane but do not die, what leaves from me, returns to me" by Rumi which resonates with me. 

The numbers represent my age going up to 53. They signify the power of the present moment and the limited amount of time we are on the earth.

A violin was donated by Gemma Sturdevant in Memory of Edwin Jarnicki  for me to paint.  It is being auctioned off now for the 50th anniversary of the Northeastern Philharmonic.  

I chose the handstand figure with the moon behind it because I believe art and music increase levity, playfulness and spontaneity. I wrote around the perimeter: "like the moon I wax and wane but do not die, what leaves from me, returns to me" by Rumi which resonates with me. 

The numbers represent my age going up to 53. They signify the power of the present moment and the limited amount of time we are on the earth.

                'Rejoicing Renewal'      acrylic,collage on canvas.  72"x 18"

She said 'say this three times a day... out loud'

LOVE BEFORE ME

LOVE BEHIND ME

LOVE AT MY LEFT

LOVE AT MY RIGHT

LOVE ABOVE ME

LOVE BELOW ME 

LOVE IN MY 

LOVE IN MY SURROUNDINGS

LOVE TO ALL 

LOVE TO THE UNIVERSE

PEACE BEFORE ME 

PEACE BEHIND ME

PEACE AT MY LEFT 

PEACE AT MY RIGHT

PEACE ABOVE ME 

PEACE BELOW ME 

PEACE IN ME 

PEACE IN MY SURROUNDINGS

PEACE TO ALL 

PEACE TO THE UNIVERSE

LIGHT BEFORE ME 

LIGHT BEHIND ME 

LIGHT AT MY LEFT 

LIGHT AT MY RIGHT 

LIGHT ABOVE ME 

LIGHT BELOW ME 

LIGHT IN ME 

LIGHT IN MY SURROUNDINGS

LIGHT TO ALL 

LIGHT TO THE UNIVERSE 

Kathy Coslett gave her husband, Doug, a gift certificate from me December 2021. The idea was for him to ‘commission me to do a painting he would like.

Doug said: I want my family to be in the painting so they know how important they are to me. He shared what art works of mine he liked and others that he had seen. After talking he shared many photos and gave me the freedom to interpret what I felt and heard him saying. The piece came to life in my mind. 

I picked a photo of the four Coslett’s on vacation in Grand Cayman.  I loved the way they were all intertwined and connected. Using marks to show this, I made colorful lines going over them, through them and all around them just as the air and environment they exist in.  My attempt was to show that even if they aren’t always physically together, they always carry one another within themselves, wherever they are. 

Some neat renovations are happening at Mt. Airy in the Poconos!  It was so great to hang eleven new pieces and to work with Sharon Lehman, a wonderful interior designer who I've been friends with for years.

Have I?  Well, I do. 

                                           'Trixie and Honey'

                                           'Pinot and Carmel' 

A novel could be written on these four dogs from two different families.  The love they gave and received is beyond measure.  One of the four is still in physical form.  The other three live on in spirit.  Like my friend Karolina once said : 'they get you in places you never knew you had......' 

                        "Charlie and Ella "  They said: we love the art you created!

 'Cookie'.  She said : Thank you for making me give the most amazing gift ever!!!!

. 

 'Hurricane '  she said: Just wanted to let you know how thrilled we are of the painting, Dave was really surpised. There 

were tears in his eyes. 

 'Sam'. She said: "it came to me in mediation to give Jo this perfect gift, she adores Sam! 

Here are some dog portraits from this holiday season.  I was as excited as the 'giver' for the 'receiver' to see their beloved pet painted to have and behold forever.  These dogs get me, when I paint them, I truly connect and feel as if they were mine!  

  I'm seeing a common thread in a my works as of late 

                      Lake Louise Reflection 40" x 40" silk paint on charmeuse

My high school field hockey coach, Robyn Jones said,  'fall is when mother nature struts her stuff.'  I see her strutting her stuff in all seasons, but fall beauty is a way of saying - 'hang in there through the winter!'

So much is unknown yet with magical timing, the fog will lift and the clearing will shine the light on the perfect path.

Otis was the 'model' for the latest mural which commemorates the opening of the largest indoor dog park in Pennsylvania, appropriately named WAGS.  Here dogs and cats can be boarded, groomed and romp around obstacle courses interacting and playing with one another.   

                "Family of Five.... Actually Seven"  60" x 87" acrylic on canvas

 In lieu of going to Paris to celebrate her fiftieth birthday because of the pandemic, she requested a painting by me for her dining room.  The painting is an representational interpretation of her family of five... well, actually,  seven ☺️