Welcome!!!

Welcome to my little corner of the universe.



My journey into the world of art began by watching Mom. She could work magic with a bit of paint and a brush. I was fascinated by how she could transform a flat blank canvas into a beautiful work of art. Now, several years later, I'm continuing in the footsteps I followed as a child watching Mom. Thanks for your inspiration and guidance!!!!



"If you don't try - you won't know you can...." Marie (Mom) Janssen






Monday, September 18, 2017

"Serenity Sunrise"

Just off my easel - 

Serenity Sunrise  (40" x 30")

Let me know what you think.  As always, comments and critiques are always very welcome!!!


Friday, July 14, 2017

On my easel - Ella Wants to Play Too!!

Working on a painting for my sister.  It's her grandsons playing football, and their cat is watching from inside - wishing she could play too.  Almost finished.  Just have to put final touches on the throw rug and add some shadow to the house under the pine tree.  Also have to figure out how to make it look like you are inside looking through the patio door.

(18" x 24")

I always appreciate comments, suggestions, critiques ........... Thank You!!!

Monday, July 10, 2017

New Beginnings (40 x 30)


Complete???  I added a bit more sunray on the right.  I think it needed it.  Let me know what you think.  All critiques are very much appreciated!!!


Sunday, July 9, 2017

"New Beginnings" Almost Finished???

I think I'm almost finished with this commission piece.


New Beginnings (40" x 30")

 I see that there may need to be some tweaking of the foreground.  
Thank you for looking.  If there is anything that you see that needs attention please let me know.





Sunday, July 2, 2017

New Beginnings (40" x 30")

Started working on a commission piece for cousin Judi.  The sky is almost finished, and the foreground is blocked in.  Next step is to add native plants and grasses to the pasture scene, maybe some yucca on the right and a few Mexican hat and penstemons dispersed through the grasses.  The final touch will be crepuscular rays  (sun rays) coming down from the left illuminating the path.


New Beginnings  (40" x 30")

Thanks for looking.  Comments and critiques are always more than welcome!!!

Monday, June 12, 2017

"Awakening" (40" x 30" oil on canvas)

Awakening  
(40" x 30"  oil on canvas)
This is a painting of a woman in her "Red Sundress".  The sky and the sea are dark after a long stormy night, but the sun rises between them - separating the darkness and offering hope.  The clouds are breaking up and there is a patch of blue sky.   The red dress, as in the first painting of the woman in the red sundress is her Courage.  As the sun rises, she knows she can face life with confidence.  The night is past.  Today is a new day.  She has an awakening, a spiritual epiphany, a lighting of the fire in her heart that she knew was always there, but was afraid.  Now with confidence she faces the sunrise, a new beginning.  She is a strong woman able to face the challenges of life.  There will be other storms, but she has her red sundress and will put it on and face them.  

Make today a Red Sundress day!!!

Sunday, June 11, 2017

Finished Painting

I officially took this off my easel today.  I even did a little dance when I put my brush down.

 (40 x 30)  Untitled (as of now)

Here is the reference photo I used.  Thank YOU C Tann Starr from the Run the Year 2017 group for giving me permission to use your photo as a reference.


Thank You for looking.  Any comments, critiques, etc... are always very welcome!!!

Friday, April 28, 2017

Update of Untitled Beach Painting

Here is the update.  The sky is finished and working on the waves crashing on the beach.  This has proven to be quite a difficult piece.  Thanks for looking!!!

(Untitled Beach Scene)
40 x 30

I have been contemplating including a runner, but it just didn't look right.  So, maybe some footprints indicating that someone ran passed this place as the sun was rising......???

Wednesday, April 5, 2017

What's on my easel???

After taking several months off, I started painting again.  Here is what is on my easel this week.


The sky is almost finished, and working on the surf and beach.  Contemplating adding a runner ... ???  The reference for this photo was taken by C Tann Starr in the 2017 Run the Year group.  Thanks C!!!

Thanks for looking.  Let me know what you think - add a runner or not?

Wednesday, February 8, 2017

Snow Quite - Finished Painting

Oh my.......  I realized that I hadn't posted the finished painting "Snow Quiet".  So - here it is (a year later)  Funny how time flies.


"Snow Quiet"  (40 x 30)


And a poem by Robert Frost to accompany my painting ........................  Enjoy

Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening
by Robert Frost

Whose woods these are I think I know,
His house is in the village though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.

My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.

He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sound's the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.

The woods are lovely, dark and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.