Coastlands

Coastlands

My first painting of 2026 is a small one that I worked on in order to practice some techniques for a larger work I have on my easel. I am really loving the progress on the bigger one, and wanted to make sure to know what I was doing before my next layer. In the process, I have a small painting that I really like. 

Our family time over the last couple of weeks has brought me lots of joy (though of course, the time with our adult kids was too short...) and I especially loved lots of time with my Beloved Husband. I even painted once or twice during that time!

6" x 6"

Painted with artist quality heavy-body acrylic paint on 1.5” deep gallery wrapped canvas

Edges painted black

Click here to view on my website.

I have usually painted when no one else is around, unless I am teaching, in a plein air paint out, or doing a demo of some kind. Toward the end of my BH's time off from work, I decided I would try to paint with him here. It was a huge adjustment for me. If you are not an introvert, or someone who gets "in the zone" when you work, you might not understand how challenging it is to have another person around. When "the Muse" is present, and I am painting, I truly cannot hear or understand conversation, let alone answer coherently! So we are learning to navigate me painting when BH is nearby - he is adjusting to me not responding to conversation, and I am learning to at least TRY to go to the studio even when I may be interrupted. 

We also talked some about wanting to take a trip or two this year. We have seldom had the opportunity to just go somewhere for a vacation, and we started thinking about what that might look like for us. (We have been able to travel for work trips or family responsibilities, and that has been rewarding.) I found myself wishing for a chance to go to the beach, or at least to "big water" somewhere. Preferably somewhere warm! 

Isaiah 42:12 Let them give glory to the Lord
And declare His praise in the coastlands.

My Bible reading for the last few weeks has taken my to lots of books of the Bible, which is quite different from my usual pattern of reading straight through. I found encouragement from the first half of Isaiah 42 in the Old Testament, where Jesus' righteous and just reign on earth is described. I enjoyed the idea of praising the Lord in the coastlands, probably because I was already thinking about a visit to the beach for a vacation at some point. 

And (drum roll please) I am planning to have another open house this year for people to be able to see my work in person, see my studio and maybe works in progress, and have some opportunities to take home favorite works to new homes! I will be making some significant marketing changes this year, too, so please keep your eyes open for emails from me, and posts on social media occasionally too.