In Summers' Gold (unfinished)

16"x16" oil on stretched linen canvas

"To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but also believe."
- Anatole France


Honestly, I have been painting now & then, but not quite making it to the computer to blog a single thought about it. And the funny thing is, it seems I get quite introspective about my work in December. December brings the culmination of a year of work, and I always take a broad look at how things have developed over the past year AND consider what I'd like to achieve in the coming year. The studies and workshops that I've completed add to the sorting out. I find the best way to put this new knowledge to use is to just keep painting. This piece will be my bridge to the new year. I'll be spending time in the company of lots of relatives, and I hope to finish wrapping, packing, preparing, etc. for the holidays in the next few days! So, it seems I'm leaving you with a 'cliff-hanger', an un-finished painting, which you'll get to see the end result in the new year!

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays to you, and my best wishes for health and happiness in the New Year!!

Waiting For Santa

4"x4" oil on gessoed masonite artboard

"This is my wish for you; peace of mind, prosperity through the year, happiness that multiplies, health for you and yours, fun around every corner, energy to chase your dreams, joy to fill your holidays!"
- D.M. Dellinger



"What is that cat looking at out there...elves?" I always wondered what she saw when she stared out the window for hours! Another in my series of tiny gems this season, "Waiting For Santa" is a 4"x4" oil on gessoed masonite board, available on-line, directly from me. To purchase this work, or see other available paintings, please visit my DailyPainters.com gallery store.

*****Ongoing - Here in CT: I have three paintings juried into the Lyme Art Association "Deck The Walls" show, which runs from Dec. 10th- January 8th 2011. I am honored to be able to take part in this show with some of New England's finest painters!


And in southern CA: If you are in the San Diego area, you deserve to treat yourself to a drive up to the Keys Creek Lavender Farm in Valley Center. They have special weekend hours in their farm store this month, just one more weekend! I have five of my small paintings of the farm available there. Friday and Saturday hours are 10am to 4pm. Once you've been there, you'll wonder why you waited so long to go visit!



I'm currently taking commissions for next year - 2011- if you have a special pet, event, memorable place, that you'd like to commemorate!

Welcome to my latest new subscribers! I do hope you enjoy the paintings, photos & stories! I always love hearing comments from my readers!!

The Dog Did It!

4"x4" oil on gessoed masonite artboard

"The only mystery about the cat is why it ever decided to become a domestic animal."
-Compton MacKenzie


What is it with cats and Christmas trees? I think they delight in the notion that it's totally there for them, like their own giant toy. They climb the tree, bat off the glass ornaments, and pull bows off of packages to bat around the house like creatures possessed! And of course as aggravating as it can be, it's as funny as ever. Just try to scold a cat....she'll give you a look all wide-eyed and innocent.....trying to assure you that "The dog did it!" Of course........ there is no dog in the house.

To purchase this work, or see other available paintings, please visit my DailyPainters.com gallery store.

*****Here in CT: Also- some very exciting news: I just found out I have three paintings juried into the Lyme Art Association "Deck The Walls" show, opening tomorrow (Friday, Dec. 11th, 2010). Please join us at the opening reception from 5-7pm. I am honored to be able to take part in this show with some of New England's finest painters!
I sure hope to see you there this evening!!!!

And in southern CA: If you are in the San Diego area, you deserve to treat yourself to a drive up to the Keys Creek Lavender Farm in Valley Center. They have special weekend hours in their farm store, for the next two weekends. I have five of my small paintings of the farm available there. Friday and Saturday hours are 10am to 4pm. Once you've been there, you'll wonder why you waited so long to go visit!

I'm currently taking commissions for next year - 2011- if you have a special pet, event, memorable place, that you'd like to commemorate!

Welcome to my latest new subscribers! I do hope you enjoy the paintings, photos & stories! I always love hearing comments from my readers!!

Basking Buddy - sold

4"x4" oil on gessoed masonite artboard

"In order to maintain a well-balanced perspective, the person who has a dog to worship him should also have a cat to ignore him."
- Peterborough Examiner


My mother-in-law is 'owned' by a cat named "Buddy". He is one of those rare 'dog-like' cats that seems to worship his humans...he evens smiles! No I'm not kidding, seeing a grinning cat is a bit unsettling, but it is a humorous look! What he does do best if there's not a lap to make himself comfortable in, this (ahem) robust fellow is out on the back porch basking in the sunlight. I was thinking about that today with the bright sun coming into my studio, how the light bends around the cat body and catches in the ripples of hair. Buddy is a buff-colored peach ginger cat (like a very pale shade of orange sherbet). But the cool shadows of the porch make a warm shadow shape down his back, as the sunlight outside rims his upper body. Do cat's know instinctively how good they look sitting in the sun?

"Basking Buddy" is a tiny gem, 4"x4" (perfect gift size)! To see this & other available works, please visit my DailyPainters.com gallery store.

I'm currently taking commissions for next year - 2011- if you have a special pet, event, memorable place, that you'd like to commemorate!

Terra Firma

5"x7" oil on gessoed masonite artboard

"A critic is someone who never actually goes to the battle, yet who afterwords comes out shooting the wounded."
- Tyne Daly




December is always packed with activities, (I have yet to put up the Christmas tree!), but today it felt great to get in some painting time again. One of the local farms in our area, Terra Firma Farm believes in natural sustainable farming and also runs educational programs for the community. For an artist, it's also a place of great natural beauty. I've got this small study completed, as well as one done in gouache in my sketchbook.

I've started a rather large one of this on my easel as well. This small oil study, "Terra Firma" is 5x7" on gessoed masonite artboard and is available for purchase directly from me.

To see this & other available works, please visit my DailyPainters.com gallery store.

I'm currently taking commissions for next year - 2011- if you have a special pet, event, memorable place, that you'd like to commemorate!

Ram Tough (sculpture study)

8"x10" oil on gessoed masonite art-board

"There is no stimulus like that which comes from the consciousness of knowing that others believe in us."
- Orison Sweet Marden


I hope you've all had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday. I had a wonderful visit with my daughters down in Arlington, VA. I took a small sketchbook and some gouache paints (sounds like: gwash). They are simply opaque watercolor paints, and great for sketching. They were easy & small to pack. I'll share some of these in a later post, as I haven't photographed them yet.

It's been a busy week as we 'turn the corner' into December. On Wednesday I did get out to go paint with Leif Nilsson again. A rainy & blustery day, so we stayed inside....the challenge- to paint this ram's head sculpture! It's truly something I don't think I would've chosen to paint on my own. But a challenge...well, it's a great opportunity to learn!

To see this & other available works, please visit my DailyPainters.com gallery store.

***I'm currently taking commissions for next year - 2011- if you have a special pet, event, memorable place, that you'd like to commemorate! (Weddings, anniversaries, birthdays and I-love-yous).

***I spent Thursday framing and have just delivered a great new selection of my most recent works to Total Design in Old Saybrook. Of interest is a a selection of my small Irish boat paintings, as well as florals and garden scenes. It's located at 180 Main Street in Old Saybrook, hours are 10-5:30 Tuesday - Saturday. Phone-860-388-0019.