In 2008 I illustrated a book with five folk icons for my sister. Through this process I uncovered my passion for creating and working with others. I started to paint pieces that reflected loved one’s stories and gave them as gifts. My friends asked for artwork and that’s how I began doing commissions. Art is a way to say more than just words and express more than just thoughts. Special places, words to a song, a prayer, poem or verse, hobbies, pets, favorite flowers can all be incorporated into a single piece of art. Here are some of the adventures I have embarked upon for and with others. (And…if you are intrigued with this first project, check out the book here!)
Chosen, Blessed, Broken, Given
16 x 16, Acrylic
My friend said “I just have an idea for some paintings to put in my dining room.” She wanted these four words chosen, blessed, broken, given: chapters from Life of the Beloved by Henri Nouwen. She just had the words, an idea, she wanted abstract and if possible, a similar style to the other painting in her great room (which was very abstract indeed and painted with acrylics). These are mostly done with a pallet knife and originally, we were going to put the words on each one, but eventually we decided they didn’t need them. These were a product of many conversations, mockups and many hours of work but I am so pleased with the results!
Beloved Places
9 x 12, Watercolor, pen & ink
These four watercolors were done for a friend who wanted a really special Christmas gift for her family members. We came up with this series of meaningful places they all loved. Their family cabin and beach front, grandpa’s barn and old tractor and another special lake shore. My friend then made prints of the paintings, put them in pre-cut, multi-picture mat and frame, and gave the prints to her family as their Christmas gift. She then hung the original in her own cabin so not only did she give a gift to those she loved but she was able to use the original art in her own special place.
In Memory of Scott
16 x 22 Watercolor, pen & ink
This collage was done in memory of a husband who had recently passed away. We spent many hours with his widow talking about him, looking at pictures of their trips and favorite places, listening to stories and brainstorming the elements she wanted included that would be the most meaningful. Some of these things were his favorite hobby (fishing), his favorite place, words to a precious hymn, a tattoo he had and sunflowers. It was an honor and a joy to be invited into her life and create something she could remember him by. I was told it is hung by her bed where she sees it every day.
Sunrise & Song
18 x 24, Watercolor, pen & ink
This was one of the first Lifescapes I ever painted. It was a gift for my mother. The idea was to take the words of her favorite hymn which talked about “When morning gilds the skies” and add sunrises in several of the most meaningful places in her life. The tulip fields in Skagit Valley, Washington where she grew up, Lutsen on the north shores of Minnesota, Sanibel Island, Florida; Pentwater, Michigan; the vineyards of France and the city London. This painting still hangs in her bedroom in the assisted living community where she resides and reminders her of many special memories as well as what she has to look forward to in heaven.
Lydia’s Corner
9 x 12 Watercolor, pen & ink
This piece was done for a high school graduate leaving home for college. She wanted a picture of her favorite place in her childhood home. We had a great conversation about this space. Through our chat I gleaned ideas for elements I could add. After the initial sketch we added some plants and a painting above the piano of another special place in her life. All together we made this small watercolor much more meaningful than a photograph could have been. She plans to have it above her desk in her dorm room.
Baby and Black Butterfly
12 x 24 Watercolor
This watercolor on canvas was a baby shower gift for a friend. She ran a not-for-profit transitional housing for women coming out of prison called Black Butterfly. Although I of course could not know what the baby would look like I wanted to paint something that combined the adventure of motherhood with directing her organization and this was the result. When watercolor is on canvas it creates a more ethereal feel to the art which I really love.. It is fun how much her little toddler looks like the one in this painting.
Reed
9 x 12, Watercolor, pen & ink
A gift for my friend Reed’s 70 th birthday. A man who walked with Jesus and many children and children inside adults. I got a photo of him from the back (his roommate took it without him knowing) and just simply added 2 other hands. This man is one of the most amazing people I know and I truly had no words to express how blessed I had been by him over the years. This was the best I could do. It was so much fun to try to capture the essence of his spirit in a picture.
Biker Wedding Gift
18 x 24, Watercolor, pen & ink
Gingersnap and Tumbleweed got married in the months during Covid. My co-worker wanted to give them a special gift for their wedding. She also wanted it to be a surprise so she covertly gathered information from the couple and photographs of their bike, etc. We added other elements like the organization called B.A.C.A. (Bikers Against Child Abuse) they were members of, and the asiatic lilies her mother grew. He had been a fireman for much of his life so that was important, too. We then put all these things together in a collage along with words to a favorite song.
