'The Big Red Tree'

The setting was mid-autumn in the Green Mountains of Vermont. In this particular field, many of the birch trees had already lost their leaves. The big red tree was thus able to stand out, loudly proclaiming itself to all that would see.

'A Walk in the Woods'

I was walking through the woods in Vermont when I noticed sunlight shining through the leaves ahead. It had been raining earlier that morning, so the forest was shrouded in mist. The light shining ahead was a welcome sight. It shone like a beacon, drawing me forward.

When my husband saw the completed painting, he also was taken by the beacon of light. He said that it reminded him of the description of the Old Forest in The Lord of the Rings. The Old Forest was enchanted and possessed the power to draw a person deeper and deeper within it. This is probably the most extreme example of how I like to draw the viewer into my paintings.

'Autumn Leaves'

Autumn is a time for sounds and other sensations as much as it is for colors. As I view this picture I hear the wind blowing the leaves against the fence and the crunch of fallen leaves underfoot. I can feel the moisture in the crisp air. I appreciate the waning sunlight, shining through the leaves as the days get shorter.

'The Brook That Bounds'

Union College has a beautiful campus. I was attending an indoor track meet in February and decided to walk around a little bit. The little brook, winding its way through the snow, was mesmerizing. It was well below freezing, but I felt no cold as I gazed at the trickling water. The Union College alma mater describes “the brook that bounds through old Union’s grounds”, hence the title of the painting.

'Sunset's Golden Splendor'

Sunsets on Saratoga Lake almost always give a great show. The sunset on this evening occurred after a particularly nasty summer thunderstorm. The colors didn’t even seem real. They were a reward, though, for having braved the angry deluge.

'The Setting Sun on Saratoga Lake'

We were riding a boat on Saratoga Lake late in the afternoon. We decided to stay out until dark. The vantage point for this sunset was unique. I was able to capture more of the light playing on the waves. This is as much a painting of the lake itself as it is of the sunset thereupon.

'Kiawah Islands, South Carolina Painting'

My sister asked me to paint this “memory”. The scene reminds her so nicely of a well-deserved vacation. She can see her children jumping off the dock and even hear the splashes in the water. She can feel the warm sunshine on her face. She can taste the fresh, morning coffee as she gazes on the water. I am touched when other viewers, who happened to have vacationed at this or similar locales, describe the same memories coming forth

'Let’s Talk Flowers'

Why paint a flower? A flower is a flower is a flower, right? A flower’s beauty, however, is more than petal-deep. Each petal reflects or holds light differently than its neighbor. It is this complexity that makes a flower so much more than the sum of its petals. Capturing this complexity on canvas is one of the more challenging tasks I face as a painter. If I have accomplished this task, the viewer should want to lean in to smell the bouquet.

 'Master of the Field'

Saratoga is home to many horse farms. Most of them have many horses running and grazing together. I was able to capture this lone horse on my drive home. He had the pasture to himself. He was the undisputed Master of the Field.

'Full Moon in the Adirondacks'

These paintings are rightfully a pair. This is despite the fact that they were painted a few years apart. It wasn’t until they were hung side by side that the similarity of the palates was appreciated. The beauty of the Adirondacks is timeless.

Heritage on Display

Flags on the dock serve several purposes. They decorate the dock, to be sure. Their flapping in the wind tends to repel seagulls, keeping the dock free of their droppings. The flags also symbolize or heritage: German, Irish and Italian, in addition to New York and, of course, America.

'Thunderous Convergence of Clouds'

The inspiration for this painting came from a brief moment after hours of thunderstorms. The sky opened up and this beacon of light shown through the clouds, proving that there is beauty even in a storm. Moments later, the skies darkened and the storm raged on reminding me once again of the power of Mother Nature. 

'Mary's Garden' 

I was asked to paint this “stucco” row house in December, 2014.  I had only painted homes with wood shingles or siding previously.  I wasn’t sure I would be able to capture the texture of the stucco on canvas.  I explored the palate knife technique for the first time and fell in love with the results. The flowers were, of course, a pleasure to paint as well. 

'Retired Sulky'

I spent three years thinking about the painting before I actually put brush to canvas. Saratoga has a rich horse racing history, and I wanted to do it justice. This sulky was, clearly, no longer being used to pull a jockey behind a horse. In its solitude, however, it held itself with a certain majesty. It was ready to ride again, just as the barren trees behind it were ready to once again bear leaves.

'Green Mountain Lake'

I painted this as a memory of a family member’s first visit to the east coast.  It was early October, in the early afternoon.  It had just finished raining, yet the lake was so calm. The reflections revealed the tranquility of the moment and peaceful surroundings, reminding me of how much I enjoyed their visit. Every time I view this painting, I smile from the memory.