Recently, the son of a friend offered to help me watch my grandkids while my husband was away. At twelve years old and on summer break, he brought with him an abundance of energy—and I was grateful for the extra pair of eyes. What I didn’t expect were the questions he posed about my artwork, particularly how I manage to create it “so easily.” Whoosh! That was a loaded question! Here’s how I responded.

Pet portraits are the best! I have a few at home because, whether my fur babies are here or chasing squirrels over the rainbow bridge, they’ll always hold a special place in my heart. The unconditional love from a pet is unmatched, and portraits are a great way to celebrate their role in our lives. If you’re considering a pet portrait for yourself or a friend, here are some tips:

It's no secret that I paint silly things! Not just because they make me smile, but because my inner child really needs them. She is the creative spirit behind every painting, and over the years I've realized that by following her wild ideas, I've been discovering who I really am.

This week, I jumped into a super fun new adventure—something I’ve been itching to try for ages. I finally learned how to make cold-pressed goat milk soap! (Check out my first batch below; I’m seriously proud of it!)

I just wrapped up a portrait of my dog, Skip! He’s a rescue pup who joined our family after we sadly lost two other dogs in just a few weeks. Skip was only 8 months old when he came to us as a foster, having been bounced around by two other families before finally finding his forever home. Can you believe he’s turning 13 years old this month? He means the world to me! If you check out his portrait below, you’ll see one thing for sure: Skip is all about the food, and that always makes me smile.

In our fast-paced world, finding time to create art can be challenging, but it's crucial to carve out those moments for ourselves! Creating art isn’t just about the final product; it’s about the joy we experience along the way. By scheduling some time, we prioritize our creativity. Whether it’s an hour in the morning or a relaxed weekend afternoon, dedicating time allows our ideas to flow!