Cliffside Sunbathing In Irish Wool

5"x7" oil on gessoed masonite archival artboard

"Difficulties strengthen the mind, as labor does the body."
- Seneca

Here is another pair of sheep that I took the time to watch while taking a walk up to Brae Head on Valentia Island (Ireland) this past summer. Their pasture was right along the cliff's edge, partially looking out to the Atlantic Ocean, and partly over the channel between the island and Portmagee. Each pair, momma and baby, were so calm. Babies resting, mothers keeping watch, ever alert. Painting these woolly characters just reinforces my memory of what a wonderful day I had - and a most enjoyable long walk along the lane.

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Follow That Star - sold

6"x6" oil on gessoed masonite archival artboard

"Be still and aware of God's presence within and all around."
- 'Celtic Prayers from Iona', J. Philip Newell


I have some great news to share today- I met with my oncologist early Friday morning, and I will NOT be needing chemo. What a huge relief. I'm not quite through this journey yet though. I meet with a radiologist on Monday. But today's news is like having a 10-ton gorilla jump off my back. I feel as light as a 'pixie'! :-D

Now for the painting - This is my "Christmas card' painting to share with all of you. As a child, I always wondered how far away the 'star of Bethlehem' could be seen at night. Would I have been able to see it from the other side of the world (my 6 year old self would wonder)? I love being out in the country at night, far from city lights that dim the stars...when the sky is clear, and the stars light up the ground. It is so beautiful. How many children get to experience that any more....with the blinding lights of suburbia hiding all but the very brightest stars? And do they know of the Christmas story?

Crisp Morning Late Autumn New England Barns

8"x10" oil on Belgian linen mounted on archival board (Raymar)

"What pensive beauty autumn shows."
- William Wordsworth

Crisp Morning Late Autumn New England Barns

About This Painting:
We've been having some warm days here in New England, considering it's December. I took advantage of it today to get outside and paint over at Harkness Park. Even though the leaves are all down, there is a wonderful variety of grays in the woods! Wow! Nothing like fresh air and sunshine!

Media: oil on Belgian linen mounted on professional artboard
Size: 10 in X 8 in (25.4 cm X 20.3 cm)

How to Purchase:
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Naptime Lamb With an Ocean View, Valentia Island, Ireland

6"x6" oil on gessoed masonite archival artboard

"So simple is the earth we tread,
So quick with love and life her frame,
Ten thousand years have dawned and fled,
And still her magic is the same."
- Stopford A. Brooke (1832-1916)



Here is the next one in the series! I like the poem, as it describes some of the simply delightful things that have always delighted us, held that big of magic for us, over the span of time. A walk on a beautiful sunny day, down the lane toward Bray Head, on Valentia Island this past summer held that magic for me.... The high pastures overlook the Atlantic Ocean and the channel between Valentia Island and Portmagee. The young lambs are so cute curled up by their moms!

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Napping With Baaa-bee Lamb, Valentia Island, Ireland - sold

"O the sunshine of old Ireland,
when it lies
On her woods and on her waters;
And gleams through her soft skies,
Tenderly as the lovelight in her daughters'
Gentle eyes."
- John Todhunter


Oh it felt soo good to be back painting again today. I've been wanting to get back to this little series of lambs.... the mamas & the babies. On my summer visits to Ireland I love watching the lambs playing in the fields. On this particular day, there was a large group taking naps in the sunshine as a brisk breeze blew in off the Atlantic. I had taken a walk down the lane toward Bray Head, and the pastures that line the upper cliff edges overlooking the channel between Portmagee & Valentia Island were dotted with sheep! It seemed I caught them all at nap-time...and it was tempting to find a nice sunny spot in the field and curl up for one, too! They always bring a smile to my face!

Back on the medical front, I'm healing up well, post surgery. Don't know too much of what's to come next as far as treatment, but I meet with an oncologist on Dec. 11th. Until then, I'm working on staying healthy (eating right & exercising) and happy (by getting back to my work! I've missed painting). Things like this sure slow you down by default, but you start to realize what's really important in life, and count your blessings! Thanks for all the prayers, kind words & good wishes. It's been incredible support...and I've learned lots about breast cancer in the process as well. One in eight women will have this in our population. That seems like A LOT to me!

As Evening Progresses (lymph nodes look good)

"We all have angels guiding us...They look after us. They heal us, touch us, comfort us with invisible warm hands...What will bring their help? Asking. Giving thanks."
- Sophy Burnham

Today I have two more paintings to share with you; the first is "As Evening Progresses" and the second is "Morning Glory Morning". They are both part of the show currently hanging at The Gallery at Hartford Fine Art & Frame (click here for directions and more information). It's the Connecticut Plein Air Painters Society- Small Works Show, opening November 27th, running through January 31st.

These two small paintings are part of the series I worked on this summer, Plein-air in the Artist's Garden. I'm already wondering what winter will look like in our garden, what shapes it will hold as the billowing flowers retreat with the oncoming cold. I'll be looking forward to spring and the second year of growth in what we've started...thinking about what we'll expand to the back-yard.

*****I hope you are all looking forward to celebrating Thanksgiving. I know some friends have already begun listing things each day that they are thankful for, planning to go on listing something each day through Christmas, what they have to be thankful for.

*****I found out today...some preliminary news, looks like the lymph nodes are clean!! woohoo! what a relief. So that will affect the treatment plan for this bit of breast cancer that was discovered (doing a good job of trying to hide!). I'll find out more next Monday what's next in store, but for now... I have a lot to be thankful for! I hope you do, too!

As Evening Progresses (lymph nodes look good)

About This Painting:
More CT show information in my blog...and good news today from my recent surgery for breast cancer, the lymph nodes they took out look clean. I'll find out more next week regarding treatment.

Media: oil on Belgian linen mounted on professional artboard
Size: 8 in X 6 in (20.3 cm X 15.2 cm)

How to Purchase:
send me an email

Wisteria Arbor By The Potting Shed

9"x12" oil on linen mounted on archival board (Raymar)

This is one of two paintings I am showing at Mystic Art Center - They are both hanging in the Mystic Art Center's Holiday Fine Art & Gift Salon Exhibition. The opening Winter Art Gala is this Friday evening - 6 - 8 pm - and you are invited. Tickets are $25 members in advance, $35 General Public, and at the door. Please bring two or more non-perishable food items to support the Pawcatuck Neighborhood Center.

Lots of shows coming up soon, I'll have some more exhibit news to share with you tomorrow!