We’ve had an extended cool, rainy spring this year. The Studio Tour was very successful, with many wonderful visitors, both old friends and new, and even had a few sunny warm days. Soon after that, however, our weather regressed back to April, it seemed! Normally I would be doing much more outdoor painting “en plein aire,” but with cold and blustery days, I took advantage of some figure drawing sessions from life.

Those drawing sessions were so engaging, I felt swept up in the moment. The time flew as I went from pencil, to fountain pen, to charcoal and sumi ink. Small sketches gave way to large drawings, then sketching with ink and brush using large gestural movements. Finally, I was ready for paint and canvas. The painting above is the first in a series of paintings featuring the portrait and figure in interior scenes. I think that several of these will fit well in the theme of “Balancing Act,” September’s show at Fairweather House and Gallery in Seaside, Oregon.

Be sure to check back and sign up to receive “From The Studio” in your inbox. Painting workshops begin this summer! So excited!

Are you noticing it? The longer days, even just a bit longer makes such a difference. Here in the Northwest, the cherry trees and daffodils are blooming. You might see bright yellow blooms on the Forsythia branches. Many of us are planting seeds, anticipating the flowers we'll see from them in a few months. I have added some new varieties for bouquets which will make it to the homes of friends and neighbors, as well as into my new paintings. 

Along with growth in the greenhouse this year, comes growth for MJFA. This will be the first year we join the Camano Island Studio Tour and the first time we open the studio to visitors for direct art sales on site! I hope you can join us and also check out many other artists on the tour. We have about 20 studios, including a couple of galleries in the Stanwood-Camano area. For more info, click the link above, just keep in mind it's Mother's Day weekend Friday, Saturday and Sunday, plus an "Encore weekend the following Saturday-Sunday only.

The studio will be filled with paintings available to purchase on site, in a range of sizes, and we will also have a new item at the request of our friends and patrons: FINE ART GICLEE PRINTS! I have chosen a few favorite paintings to reproduce in 8x10 and 11x14 inches. When you visit, you'll notice that I've been really busy making lots of new work. I'm so excited to share it with you. Thank you so much for all of your support throughout the years. We hope to see you soon!

I'd like to try updating this space with news more frequently. Please feel free to comment below and let me know what you'd like to see here, if you have questions about the studio, the art, etc. Happy Spring, art friends!

Hi Friends! This year brings exciting news...we are going to be on the renowned Camano Island Studio Tour! For the most up-to-date information, you might want to bookmark the tour website, camanostudiotour.com and you can get all the details, including a tour map and suggestions for food and other services. We are so excited to see you Mother's Day Weekend May 6-8 and May 14-15 from 10am-5pm all of those days.

I've been painting a lot, getting ready for upcoming shows and this major event, the studio tour, which will be my main focus from here on out. I will keep the events page updated if you're interested to see where else we'll be popping up in 2022. We also plan on opening the studio gallery several times for solo shows throughout the spring and summer. Let me know if you'd like to be on the invitation list and I'll be sure to give you advance notice when we're planning one of these shows.

I have to say, friends, this is really a dream come true, and I'm so thankful to be given the opportunity to be part of such a great artistic community and this studio tour, especially. Can't wait to share all of my new work with some of you if you can make it in person. Take care, and happy 2022!