Spring Break...Part One...

Renee, Caroline, Jack, and Emma in Anapolis with ice cream cones.

Renee and I headed to Crofton, Maryland to spend a few days with Caroline and her family this spring break. Painting and playing with Emma and Jack was a blast. A day trip to Annapolis provided a delicious opportunity to admire the boats, eat Mexican for lunch, and end the day with huge scoops of vanilla ice cream with sprinkles while browsing the storefronts.Beautiful boats at the harborEmma's princess creations with wicki-stix

Emma painting masterpieces!

Hey now! Jack's a Rock Star!

Jack is too cute!

Mary Cassatt at Boca Raton Museum

Also at the Boca Museum is an interesting exhibit of Mary Cassatt's Works on Paper. Many of the pieces in the exhibit were "counterproofs."

M.C. Escher at the Boca Raton Museum

I traveled to south Florida this weekend to celebrate my father's birthday. We headed to a M.C. Escher exhibit at the Boca Raton Museum of Art on Saturday and were mesmerized by Escher's magical world.

Birthday Weekend in Asheville

Caroline and I celebrate our birthdays together every year. This year, we landed in Asheville and had a blast! Leah was invited along for the first time. At lunch on day two, Leah asked, "How do I know when I am grown up?" I responded, "When you get invited to join Caroline and me for our birthdays!

Sweet Sixteen

Her last birthday party with friends was 6 years ago! Very sad, I know. Knowing that Renee would be celebrating her 'sweet sixteen' this December, I planned a surprise luncheon for her at Outback on Sunday. She was SO surprised! Happy Birthday, Renee.

Lucky Dog!

Our sweet dog, Addy, died suddenly this fall! We mourn her death and are so sad that she is no longer with us, however, we are so pleased to add a new puppy to our family. Meet Lucky. He is an 8 month old boxer surrended by his first owner to the Durham APS. Lucky is goofier than our other boxer, Samson! We love him.

Looking to Nature...Durham Arts Council Opening

'Seeing,' mixed media, 24" x 36"

Minutes before the opening at the DAC show

'Reaching,' mixed media, 24" x 36"

'Room to Breathe,' mixed media, 24" x 18"

'Overtaken,' mixed media, 24" x 18"

'Over Her Head,' mixed media, 24" x 18"

'Nightshade: Premature,' mixed media, 11" x 14"

'Nightshade: Developmental Delay,' mixed media, 11" x 14"

'Nightshade: Failure to Thrive,' mixed media, 11" x 14"

'Nightshade: Undernourished,' mixed media, 11"x 14"

'In the Weeds,' mixed media, 18" x 24"

'In the Thick of it,' mixed media, 18" x 24"

'Glimpse,' mixed media, 24" x 18"

'Fresh Perspective,' mixed media, 11" x 14"

'Blooming,' mixed media, 18" x 24"

The opening reception for my solo exhibition on November 20 was good! In addition to be well-attended by friends and family, it was the first opening during which I wasn't desperate to run and hide in the corner. Art exhibitions are an excellent opportunity for an artist to show her work to the general public, however, this opportunity comes with heaping spoonfuls of vulnerability. But it was good this time! Thank you, friends and family.

Family

"GP and Bren-Bren" were here for the weekend and we so enjoyed our time together. Today, we walked a few trails at Eno River State Park. My father (my girls' grandpa) and Brenda, his wife of 20+ years (my good friend and excellent grandmother to my daughters) mean the world to us. We love you both!

Happy Birthday Aidan and Leah

The two were born just short of 18 years apart and share a bond that knits them together forever. Leah and Aidan are incapable of seeing anyone else but each other in a crowded room, gazing at each other with identical eyes. Each year of Aidan's life, I have the privilege of celebrating their birthdays with Leah, Aidan, his adoptive parents and younger brother. The celebration reminds me of God's redemption and perfect plan for all of us.

Leah gave birth to Aidan 5 years ago tomorrow! I was with her every step of the way, weeping with her over her decision to let another family raise her son, but rejoicing in knowing that Kevin and Jana were designed by God to raise this precious baby boy.

"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be." Psalm 139:13-16

South Florida Wetlands

A great week in south Florida with my father! We visited two wetlands parks and the birds were spectacular. I hope that I can use some of these images in my new body of work.

Mother's Day

irises from Luna native North Carolina copper irises
purple flag irises
Blue Moonlight Tall Bearded Iris

wild indigo baptisia

Surrounded by beautiful daughters and flowers make for a rich day!