Bash Bish Falls

Watercolor 13x9

Bash Bish Falls

I’ve visited this waterfall in southwestern Massachusetts many time, sometimes sketching it, sometimes just enjoying the ever-changing pattern of the falls. Over the years I’ve sketched it on location a few times and have done several paintings of it in my studio. I hope to do many more paintings of these falls over the years, observing and documenting how the flow of the water changes over time.

This painting is currently on display at the East Fishkill Library in Hopewell Junction, NY. If interested in purchasing it, please contact me at naturepainter@hotmail.com. 

Pileated Woodpeckers

Watercolor 12x8

Pileated Pair

One day, feeling down, I walked outside hoping the fresh air would lift my spirits. One of these magnificent birds swooped low beside me and landed on a tree just feet from me—the first Pileated Woodpecker I had seen on our land! We now have a pair in our woods, and every time I see them, I am reminded of that gift.

Pileated Pair is currently on display at the East Fishkill Library in Hopewell Junction, NY. If you're interested in purchasing this painting, please contact me at naturepainter@hotmail.com. 


(This painting is based on reference photos by me and by Samantha Keith-- many thanks to Sam for permission to use her photos of the wildlife she sees around her home.)

Happy 10th Birthday, Milo!

It is hard to believe that my little Milo Bean is ten years old. He is as full of spunk and fun as ever, playing and making me laugh every day, which is his primary job in life. He rips around the yard playing chase with Petra, and though she is faster, he has more endurance and isn't even panting when she's lying in the grass to catch her breath after many wild loops up and down hills and around trees, shrubs, and the old hay rake. During a fast game of chase, Milo loves to run full tilt to the inside of the hay rake, then peer at Petra through the tines, baying and teasing her to come and get him. Those two are the best of friends, and watching them play can lift my spirits any day. 

Sometimes Milo is seized by the simple joy of running, and he takes off skimming in giant loops around the yard, tail out behind him, ears streaming back, moving with surprising grace (unusual for him, since normally all four legs move comically in four different directions), ignoring Petra and Rowan, just caught up in the joy of the moment. Whenever he does that, Stephen and I have to stop whatever we're doing and watch; it's impossible to ignore such pure delight in being alive.

No matter how caught up in play with Petra or running with abandon, though, if I call him, Milo immediately banks in my direction, races to my feet with delight and enthusiasm, and stops with a huge smile on his face and wagging tail. I think I often underestimate this little dog. Because he is all hound, he has the intense interest in scents of any sort that comes with being a scent hound, and can seem to block everything else out when he's following a rabbit trail, but even so, in his mind and heart, I trump all that, and he will drop a trail to race to me the moment I call his name.

In addition to all the fun and laughter, Milo is a first class snuggler and lap-warm, loving to curl up on my lap and sleep for as long as I sit and read. Recently, too, he has decided that Steve is the most wonderful fire-provider, and we are sure that Milo thinks Steve gets the fireplace going just for Beagle-warming purposes.

How could I not adore my marvelous Milo Bean. Happy Birthday, Milo! I hope you share many more years of joy with me.

Coming!

Indicating an article when tarcking

Sunbathing

Happy Milo

Snowy Owl

Watercolor 7.5x5

I was out cross-country skiing on a golf course today and kept hoping to see a Snowy Owl, but if there were any in the area, they stayed well camouflaged. This has been one of those winters when there are many sightings in our general area, but most seemed to have been when I was in Florida, so I missed them.


Snowy Owls are the heaviest owls found in North America. They spend summers north of the Arctic Circle, where they hunt lemmings, small rodents, and other prey. Often hunting during the day, unlike most other owls, when they migrate to the northern United States during some winters, they can frequently be spotted on open fields and airport runways. Young have dark bars, with males becoming whiter as they mature, while females keep some dark bars throughout their life.

Thank you to my friend Carol Hickey for the use of her beautiful photo for a reference for this painting.

Solo Exhibit at East Fishkill Library

My paintings are on display this month at the East Fishkill Library, and we had an opening reception last Friday. It was a wonderful and fun evening with many visitors-- my parents were there, as were many friends, including a few whom I hadn't seen in many years, so it was a wonderful opportunity to reconnect. Over the next few weeks, I'll post some of the watercolors that are on display at the library, along with the little write-ups I've done to go with each painting.

Bits of Beauty

Bits of beauty around my home during a crispy cold week.

Ten years ago today...

Ten years ago today I brought the most wonderful dog home. 

Rowan was such a funny, sweet puppy. We were remembering today what he was like his first few weeks with us.  I remember standing him up (at 12 or 13 weeks) to go outside before I went to bed. He would totter a couple of steps, then fall over sideways and be asleep before he hit the floor. At other times he would race through the kitchen, snatching dish towels off the towel bar and carrying them off with him, obviously laughing as he went. Then he would snuggle in my lap, give me whiskery kisses, and rest his chin on my arm.

Over the years, Rowan has gone all over the place with me as my Medical Alert Service Dog. He is quiet and unobtrusive when out and about with me, but I feel his presence and know he's watching me when awake and even paying attention to where I am when he's asleep.

I am thankful for my Rowan every day I have with him. He watches over me all the time, he gives me quiet company, he is my friend. He understands me and loves me, and I love him more than I can say.

 

 

One day when I was feeling down, I turned around from my desk and found Rowan sitting with this pillow just like that. The pillow had been on a chair; I have no idea how it ended up like this.

First day home- September 12, 2003