A Happy & Creative Whirlwind

I kicked off March by welcoming 600 people into my home and studio for the two-day Artis-Naples Artists’ Studio Tour.

The entire house was hung with more than 30 of my paintings, including paintings on easels on the pool patio. The Artis-Naples docents were invaluable. They were were knowledgeable and able to connect with the guests in such a warm way. They embodied the theme of the tour, “Welcome, Wander, Explore.”

I was gratified by the response from the art lovers who milled through the home then up to my studio where I talked for hours both days about my background and process as an artist. We had beautiful “gallery cards” as takeaways designed by graphic artist Tim Kling. A highlight were the scarves I had made from my painting “Kind of Blue.” They sold like hotcakes and we had to order more! (Let me know if you are interested in owning one.) A special thank you to my friends who helped shepherd the guests during the tour.

Next up was working with the online Art Aid Naples auction. I donated “Racing Home” to help raise money for Legal Aid Service of Collier County, which offers services to the neediest among us. So excited when my painting sold to benefit this worthy cause. And, it was featured on the cover of the Naples Daily News, Neapolitan section, in a story by Harriet Heithaus.

More exciting news: I sold “Beginning,” one of my favorite paintings that truthfully I wasn’t ready to let go. But then I was honored when the new owners hung the art in their family room.

Inspired and energized, I went back into the studio and started painting. I gave a new painting, “Beyond Me,” up to 30 layers of paint in some places. To get the raw look that I like, I sometimes use unconventional tools I find in the hardware store, like a drip bottle, plastic claw, wallpaper rollers, and scrapers. Below you can see some of the tools and the textures you can achieve with them.

It’s amazing what you discover when you push yourself beyond your perceived limitations. The unknown can have wonderful surprises in store.

For now, let’s relax and enjoy the world during the last weeks of a lovely spring.