When I begin a painting, I don’t have a plan. I generally create the background with 3-4 colorful layers (sometimes more). Then I sketch a loose face and add more color. From there, the face completely changes as I add more layers ❤️ The other day I was looking back at my progress photos for this painting (she’s called ‘Reflect The Magic’ – the original... Continue reading

When a painting starts to get muddy, I take a step away and let it dry Then I cover up any parts I don’t like with a little (or a lot) of bright color. This helps me get back into my comfort zone so I like the painting again. But sometimes it takes covering up a painting again (and again)❤️ The other day when this... Continue reading

Lately I’ve been especially drawn to creating characters with soft eyes and faces. But before I can even begin to paint a face, I have to loosen up and play. That way I feel more free once I add my character ❤️ The other day when this happened, I was in the middle of this new big owl painting (it’s called ‘Guardian of Dreams’ 30” x 30”’).... Continue reading

As I was finishing my latest collection, I had to forget about trying to make things perfect (especially faces) and go with the beautiful mistakes. The other day when this happened, I was working on this new painting (the left image, she’s called ‘Miracles’). I’d finally finished the face and then dropped a blob of fluorescent pink watercolor right on her nose. Instead of wiping... Continue reading

Every painting has an ugly stage. I’ve been painting nearly every day for over ten years. But I still get stuck and frustrated. If I’m not liking my painting, I generally have to cover it up. Usually, the parts I don’t like are either my character’s eyes, posture or face shape. If it’s the eyes that I don’t like (or the entire face), I’ll often... Continue reading

Whenever I’m stuck with a face, I look back at my progress photos. I see what I’ve done before to make my face work. Maybe it’s a spalsh of cobalt teal at the forehead that added softness and depth. Or extra lashes that made the eyes look alive. When I was stuck with this new painting it was becuase her face looked too perfect and... Continue reading

My characters never really start to come together until I find the eyes. The eyes have to resonate with my heart before I can go deep into the rest of the painting. There’s always an ugly stage, but, little by little, layer by layer, the face and shape comes together and then it feels like magic. The other day when this happened, I was working... Continue reading

I’ve been finding so much peace and calming in painting this new collection of whimsical animals and female portraits – I hope you enjoy them! Shop the New Collection Here. As I’ve been putting the finishing touches on work for this latest collection, I had to take steps away before I overworked my characters. At one point, I was in the middle of this cat,... Continue reading

Most of my paintings begin with the eyes, but they are always the hardest thing to paint and I can never stop until they resonate with my soul. I begin with a few colored fingerprints on a solid background. Then add in my eye outline and definition with water-soluble pencil. Next, I go back in with more color and a little white paint pen on... Continue reading