The Painting That Waited

Happy New Year!

After a five-month hiatus, I’m thrilled to share what I’ve been working on since my last post in August 2025.

Below is a painting of Davenport, Iowa’s riverfront, originally photographed in 2013. When I first took the photo, I immediately felt drawn to it and knew I wanted to paint it—but at the time, I wasn’t ready to take on a piece of that complexity. So I set it aside, knowing I’d return to it when the moment was right.

That moment finally came.

This painting ultimately took 2,100 hours to complete. I could have easily continued working on it longer, but there came a point when it simply felt finished. The canvas measures 12 x 36, and every inch of it holds time, patience, and growth.

I began the piece using lighter colors, staying close to the original photo. As the painting developed, though, it started to feel flat—like it wasn’t quite finding its voice. I made the decision to push the color in the sky, but something was still missing. It wasn’t until I added the clouds that everything began to click. Suddenly, there was movement, energy, and atmosphere.

The clouds themselves were inspired by a walk I took along the river that day—white, wispy forms scattered across the sky, quietly commanding attention. Once they were in place, the painting finally felt alive.

All in all, I’m happy with the outcome. This piece challenged me, tested my patience, and reminded me that sometimes the most important part of creating is knowing when to step back, wait, and trust your growth as an artist.

Finished “Davenport Riverfront Casino”

Inspirational photo captured with my Canon EOS Rebel

Pictured above is my process of the varies stages this painting went through

 

Summer Storm

After the Tornado

A tornado doesn’t just tear through land—it rips through everything: homes, memories, foundations, and the quiet spaces inside us we thought were safe.

When a storm like that hits, it doesn’t ask permission. It destroys what it wants, without warning. The chaos it leaves behind feels unbearable—but strangely, it’s also where rebuilding begins. In the aftermath, there’s room to clear, to replant, to start again… even if it’s not the life we had before.

This painting brought me a brief joy in its completion—like sunlight breaking through rotating clouds. But as I sat with it, the weight returned. My own storm—the one inside me—is still spinning. And I’m still in the middle of it, trying to hold on.

Creating helped me breathe, helped me feel something steady. But the truth is, I’m not on the other side yet. The winds haven’t calmed.

Not yet.

The Ebb and Flow of a Painting

As I build each layer of this painting, I snap photos along the way—documenting both progress and setbacks. Sometimes a layer works beautifully; other times, it doesn’t. That’s all part of my process. In those moments of uncertainty, I try to return to the feeling that inspired the piece: a calm evening by the Mississippi River, the warm breeze brushing past, and the breathtaking glow of the setting sun. I remember the light—how it dimmed gradually, leaving the sun surrounded by a soft, golden halo.

When I began this painting, I started with vibrant colors. At first, they felt right. But when I compared it to the original photo, I realized the sky was too bright. That’s when I began adjusting—introducing deeper blues, burnt umber, and just a touch of white to soften it. I added dabs of lavender and peach to bring balance. Honestly, that’s when frustration crept in. I liked where the painting had been before adding the moodier tones, but the perfectionist in me wanted it to better reflect the photo.

This is usually the moment I know I should walk away, let it breathe for a few days. But instead, I kept pushing to finish. I could call it done, but something still feels off—something I can’t quite name.

Below is a diagram showing the different stages of the painting, with the lower right image showing where it currently stands.

Finished Painting 

Layers, Currents, and a Little Dyslexic Magic

This piece is really starting to come together as I continue building up layers in acrylic. One of the biggest challenges I'm facing is figuring out the direction of the water’s current. The reference photo shows the water shifting in multiple directions, making it tricky to translate accurately on canvas.

To help with this, I often rely on a little trick—I look at the painting in a mirror. Being a bit dyslexic, I sometimes struggle to process alignment and directional flow when staring directly at the canvas. But when I view it through my phone screen or in reverse, things suddenly click. It’s strange, but it works for me!

Can’t wait to share the finished piece soon.

Just about finished 

The beginning 

Mississippi Evening Glow: Acrylic Painting In Progress

There’s something magical about walking near the water at dusk—especially along the backwaters of the Mississippi River. On a recent walk down a quiet biking trail, I was struck by the warm, hazy atmosphere. The evening light had a glowing quality, thanks in part to the haze drifting down from the Canadian wildfires. The soft golden tones and the stillness of the landscape stayed with me—and that’s where the inspiration for my latest painting began.

I’m working on a 22 x 28-inch canvas in acrylic, a size that gives me enough space to play with depth and light. To start, I laid down a yellow-orange underpainting to capture the warmth I felt that evening. This base gives a gentle glow to everything that follows, almost like the light behind the memory.

Next, I blocked in the darker shapes of the trees and lower foliage. For that, I mixed blues with touches of orange—leaning on the contrast to build some early structure in the composition. The shadowy areas started to take form, grounding the piece.

The sky, of course, had to be something special. I created a blend using cerulean blue and Prussian blue with white, then added just a dash of dioxazine purple to echo the moodiness of the haze. It’s subtle, but it gives the sky a dreamy, almost surreal quality that matches the evening I remember.

This is just the beginning—there’s still much to refine, layer, and bring to life. Stay tuned as I share more progress in the coming days. I’m excited to see where this painting takes me—and I hope you’ll follow along.

Remembering Through Art: A Portrait of a Beloved Companion

My next painting is a commissioned piece—a portrait of a client’s beloved pet who has passed away. She only had one photo to share, which makes the process more challenging. With just a single image, I lose the benefit of multiple perspectives and the chance to truly capture the pet’s personality. To make it more difficult, the photo is quite dark and lacks fine detail. Still, I’ll work with what I have and do my best to bring this cherished companion to life on canvas.

Stay tuned to see how this sweet fur baby emerges, one brushstroke at a time.

Kelp In Motion: Complete

After several attempts to incorporate something unusual into this project, I ultimately decided to stick with the fish. At first, I had planned to include a mermaid or even a sunken ship—maybe both. But after some thoughtful consideration, I realized those additions might overwhelm the painting and make it feel too busy, especially given the limited size of the canvas. In the end, simplicity won out. Perhaps in a future piece, on a larger canvas, I’ll revisit the idea and let the mermaid take center stage.

Gift Of A Portrait Continued

The painting below was initially completed, but something didn’t sit right with me—the background felt off, and the hair color wasn’t quite what I had envisioned. To bring it closer to what I wanted, I deepened the background using a mix of burnt sienna, raw umber, and medium yellow, which gave it more warmth and depth. I also darkened the hair and made subtle adjustments to the skin tone. I'm much happier with how it's coming together now. The forehead still needs a bit more blending before I apply the final varnish, but overall, the changes have brought the piece closer to my original vision.

Link of post of original painting

Portrait received 

Gift Of A Portrait

Portrait painting is always a challenge. Capturing someone’s likeness from a single photograph often comes with its own set of hurdles—colors can feel off, and lighting isn’t always ideal. I’ve yet to try painting from life, as my sketching skills are still a work in progress. For now, I rely on printing the reference photo and using tracing paper to emboss the basic outline onto the canvas. It’s a method that helps me place the eyes, nose, and mouth proportionally, giving the portrait a solid foundation.

This particular piece was painted in acrylics on an 11x14 canvas and is a graduation gift for my niece. While I see areas that could use further refinement, I made the decision to stop before I risked overworking it and dulling the vibrancy. Working under a time constraint definitely has its drawbacks, but at least this piece will be delivered—rather than joining the stack of my many “misfit” paintings waiting in the wings.

Painting Collection: Babe’s Safari

Completed

Recently, I painted four individual safari animals for my grandson’s new bedroom. Afterward, I had an idea to include my grandson in one painting, sitting along side his new safari friends.

Click link to view Safari Animal Paintings

When beginning a painting I use an inspirational photo to guide my project. Sometimes, I use a digital photo to help refine my vision, and for this, I rely on the Procreate app. It’s a great tool that allows me to combine my artwork with digital photos. I can upload images of my paintings, then manipulate and arrange them within the app to find the best perspective and composition for each piece. It’s an essential part of my creative process. Then I transfer the idea onto my canvas and paint!

Beginning 

Work in progress 

Adding finishing touches 

 

Adorable DIY Safari Animal Art for Your Baby’s Room

Getting ready for a baby can be both exciting and overwhelming—especially when it comes to decorating the nursery. If you’re looking for a fun and relaxing project that adds a personal touch, this DIY safari animal artwork is a perfect way to de-stress and bring some cuteness into your baby’s space!

Easy DIY Safari Animal Art

These charming baby safari animals are surprisingly simple to create. Even if you’re not confident in your drawing skills, don’t worry—you can use a cute cartoon template to trace your design. Here’s how:

1. Trace Your Design: Use carbon tracing paper to transfer a template onto a canvas. This saves time and ensures a polished look.
2. Paint with Soft Colors: Use acrylic paint thinned with a bit of water to achieve soft, pastel hues. This keeps the artwork light and soothing—perfect for a nursery.
3. Outline for Definition: Once your painting is dry, use a fine-tip black marker to outline your design, adding detail and depth.

And just like that—voilà! You have an adorable, hand-painted piece of art that ties your baby’s nursery theme together.

Not Into Safari Animals? No Problem!

If safari critters aren’t your style, there are endless other adorable designs available online. Whether you prefer woodland animals, ocean creatures, or dreamy celestial themes, you can easily customize this project to match your vision.

Creating your baby’s nursery should be a joyful experience, and this simple DIY project is a wonderful way to add a personal, handmade touch. So grab your supplies, get creative, and have fun bringing your baby’s space to life!

Kelp In Motion

In this painting, I continue exploring the kelp forest, a process that has been both intriguing and rewarding. Capturing texture, movement, and light presents unique challenges, but incorporating fine details—delicate dashes and varied dots in multiple hues—brings the scene to life. These dynamic patterns create a sense of motion, making the kelp feel as if it’s swaying with the currents.  

As I refine my techniques, I find a deeper connection to the subject, allowing the painting to evolve organically. More to come as this piece progresses! To see post of last update click link Kelp cont. 

 

The Art of Quality: Why Materials Matter

For over 20 years, I’ve painted with student-grade off brands and Liquitex acrylics, prioritizing affordability over professional brands like Winsor & Newton, Golden, or Grumbacher. While cost was my main concern, I never really questioned whether higher-quality materials could enhance my work.  

As a dedicated artist striving to improve, I’ve experimented with various mediums—charcoal, watercolor pencils, oils, and most recently, watercolors. Learning has always been my driving force, and I’ve spent countless hours reading books and watching YouTube tutorials. One recurring theme, especially in watercolor discussions, stood out: the crucial role of quality supplies.

Curious but not ready to invest in professional-grade products, I upgraded to a mid-tier watercolor set—Koi Watercolors—along with 100% cotton paper. The difference was immediate. The colors were richer, the application smoother, and the overall experience more enjoyable. It left me wondering: Why hadn’t I upgraded my other mediums sooner?  

Does better quality really matter? Absolutely. Professional-grade paints, paper, and brushes respond more effectively, allowing for greater control and improved results. While skill develops with practice, using the right materials can elevate an artist’s potential in ways budget options simply can’t.

 

Watercolor Greeting Cards

This year I have made several varieties of greeting cards. Recently, I have been practicing with watercolor paints. Below are several examples I have made. Instead of buying expensive store bought cards. I decided to make my grandson’s each a card based on a theme or characters they like.

Get creative and personalize each card.
*Grandma, would move icebergs for you*

This one is for my Titanic obsessed grandson 

Painting Winter Scenes

These snow-themed paintings showcase the variety of colors that can capture the essence of snow—ranging from blues, violets, and grays, to greens and browns—each offering a unique perspective of a snowy landscape.

As I've discussed in previous posts, painting snow is as much about patience and practice as it is about achieving the level of accuracy you find satisfying. For me, the goal is realism, though I often feel I fall short. My style leans toward a craft-like approach, but I continually refine my techniques to achieve a more realistic application.

For beginners, it can be overwhelming to follow expert tutorials focused on realism, especially when you're just looking for something fun and accessible. Personally, I find that keeping the process enjoyable makes learning much more rewarding.

What I love most about this process is how it allows me to learn by recreating, which ultimately helps me create something even better with each project. It has been invaluable in refining my skills and deepening my understanding of the medium.

Gnome In Snow

This playful painting of Gnome Santa was created quickly but turned out to be a charming addition to my snow collection. It also made a delightful Christmas gift!

Christmas Lighthouse Painting

A lighthouse adorned for Christmas stands resilient in a snowy dusk filled scene, surrounded by a sky painted in soft pinks and pastel blues. A large wreath hangs from the tower, while a nearby Christmas tree sparkles with twinkling lights. Snow falls gently, blanketing the white picket fence and the warmly lit house attached to the lighthouse. The colorful sky reflects on the snow, enhancing the festive glow of the lights and creating a cozy, inviting atmosphere.  

Below is the final painting, followed by a breakdown of the steps taken to bring it to completion.  

In the second stage, I began by blocking in the base colors. For the ground, I used a mix of Prussian blue, ultramarine blue, and a touch of white to create depth and coldness in the snow. The lighthouse was painted with pink tones and muted violet hues, achieved by blending sienna, crimson, ultramarine blue, and white for a soft yet striking effect.  

For the rooftops of both the house and lighthouse, I combined burnt umber, sienna, ultramarine blue, and a small amount of white to achieve a weathered, wintry look. The Christmas tree, garland, and wreath were created using a mix of bluish green, ultramarine blue, yellow, burnt umber, crimson red, and white for rich, festive greenery. Finally, the glow of the Christmas lights was captured with a blend of yellow, a hint of sienna, and white, adding warmth and a magical touch to the scene.

 

Groovy Snowman Painting

This 8x10 acrylic painting, completed in 2016, was inspired by my efforts to master snowy scenes.  

The piece is a recreation of a work by the talented artist Vickie Wade from her Snow and Christmas Collection. I admired how she blended soft, cool winter tones with the warm earthy hues of the children’s jackets. I aimed to capture that same effect and was pleased with the result.

Check out Vickie Wade Fine Art Collections

Below is a series of photos showcasing the painting process, starting with the finished piece and followed by step-by-step progress shots.