How Do Artists Do That?

Watercolor painting of a yellow house in New England sitting over water.

“How do artists do that?”  They transform a blank sheet of paper into a scene that stops you in your tracks. They create a portrait that isn’t just the photographic replica of the person, but captures their soul.  These alchemists with paint, how do they do it?  I believe it’s more than technical skill. It […]

Commissioning Art is as Easy as 1-2-3

Jonalyn stands next to one of her collectors with his commissioned watercolor framed on the wall behind him.

Commissioning art does not have to be arduous, exorbitant or exhausting. All you need is an idea of something you want painted. Maybe it’s a favorite place, or your children or grandchildren.  Once you have an idea, commissioning art is easy as 1-2-3. Art is About Favorite Things All art begins with a meaningful idea. […]

Remember – Panning for Gold

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Did you know local New Englanders have good things to say about the art of remembering. If you attended my “Saving Lives” art gallery you already know the role art plays in helping us remember what is too easy to forget. Memory Block I’ve listened to memories and watched as people look through my paintings […]

Who Would Visit My COVID Art Show?

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My show “Saving Lives” has been open for one week now and I’m meeting many people who want to visit my COVID art show. “Saving Lives” tells the untold stories from the years of lockdowns and masking that many of us, frankly, would just like to forget forever. And yet, my show also tells the […]

A Sneak Peek into my Covid Art Show

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I’ve been framing over 40 paintings for my Covid art show this July. “Saving Lives” will be a gentle and beautiful watercolor journey through the COVID years to honor all we went though, to tell the untold stories, and to process these stories. But it will also include local landscapes paintings from the Seacoast and […]

An Art Exhibition on the COVID Years

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During the last nine months I been preparing for an art exhibition: listening to stories, sketching ideas, painting rough drafts, scheduling critiques, and then back to the drawing board again. Specifically, I’ve been thinking about COVID, asking for God’s courage to know how to paint these dark times. I have been preparing for an art […]

Watercolor Art Auction on Fridays

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There’s something amazing about a watercolor art auction, it reveals and condenses. But first let me tell you about trendiness and the way it works in art purchases. I’m surprised at how easy it is for a smooth sales guy or gal to talk someone out of what they like. Quietly, I watch it at […]

Painting in the Caribbean

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First a reflective thought on social media, then a beautiful story about painting people in the Caribbean. Happy Saturday! How I See Social I meet with a couple of painters to critique our work via Zoom, and during one of these meetings I realized we are all struggling with how to show up on social […]

One Day Left

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This month I shared a few tips to build your art collection and display it like a pro. In case you fell behind or missed the posts, you can catch up with the whole series right here.  How to Choose How to Frame How to Display February Special For my new readers, I didn’t want […]

How to Display Art

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There are so many good ideas for laying out space. Some of my favorite friends are fashionistas who understand how the human body is really a blank wall, ready for decor, colors, drape and coordination. A wall is also like a blank canvas, so I know I can help you better display the art you […]