My trip to Provence, France, in May 2008, was a dream come true.  There was something magical about being in the same towns where Van Gogh lived and painted.  Undoubtedly, my experience will gently work its way into my work. I was particularly fascinated by the people and have done a few paintings which I call the “Parlez Vous” series.   In these paintings I am exploring how we communicate with our body language as much as with our words.

 

For me, painting is a way to become fully present to whatever it is that I am focusing on.  It is a way to learn how to really see, and it is an ongoing process because I am always challenged to look again and to “resee” what is already there.  Painting is a spiritual matter for me.  Being fully present to the moment is something like a prayer, and I believe that we find God in that “now moment.”

I plan to again offer the pastel workshop at the Grunewald Guild, Plain, Washington, in the summer of 2009. Currently my work is being shown at Artisan Gallery, White Salmon, WA; Allisons of Manson, WA; and McDees Art, Wenatchee, WA.

"French Plein Aire Study"   Pastel   Sold