"The Great Miracle Within", oil on canvas

This painting presents a giant question: What if we live as if birth isn't the beginning, or death the end, at all? In this blog post I share more thoughts on these words and ideas to get us started on this NEW year! 
 

I believe in the power of the Christmas story, and of the most beautiful hope for the brokenness amongst us. It’s why I share these words today! 

Hello Everyone!
As we are closing in on the 10th month of the year, it is only recently that I signed and completed my first new original painting of 2021! Yep, some things really do take time! When I started this new painting titled "The Joyful Journey", I thought I knew what it would represent and offer the world, but goodness, it has had a mind of its own and has offered me a ridiculous amount of lessons I had no idea were coming. In this letter I'd love to share these insights with you, that often feel so timely and divinely inspired.

In this video I share the process of my painting - The Joyful Journey!
 

How can I possibly feel so much joy when I know others are suffering? And not only that, but how do I actually think that the light and beauty I paint into and through my canvas can somehow reflect the divine in you and shower you with blessings?
My answer is a loud: because this is what I'm here to do.

"Unstoppable Joy", Original Oil on Canvas, sold

Hello Everyone & Happy Thanksgiving,
I have one final painting to share with you from the exhibit that was at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum this fall. As it seems we are in some of the darkest days and weeks of the pandemic, my soul must hold on to the joy, beauty, and gratitude that is still present even in this darkness, and that is what I want to share today!

This crabapple tree painting, full of joy and new life, was inspired from the grounds of the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum itself! I started this painting near the beginning of 2020, soon after landing The Trees As Sanctuary Exhibit. The story that follows seems to be quite Divinely timed. ✨

"A Path Forward", Oil on Canvas, 30" x 55"

Greetings Everyone!
Is any one else's head spinning with the news, the election, the pandemic? I feel almost foggy brained these days, but the hope I have in my heart is still shining, and that is what I want to share today!

"We Are Light", Original Oil on Canvas. Inspired from Luther College Campus in Decorah, IA

Today I'd like to share two paintings with you, which are near and dear to me as they are inspired from my alma mater, Luther College in Decorah, IA.
This weekend would have been my 15 year (what?!!) class reunion, as well as 15 years since having my very first art exhibit - my senior art show during homecoming!  As is expected with the pandemic, the in-person reunion is canceled, however I'm still hopeful the class of 2005 will celebrate down the road when it's safe to do so!

"Reaching Towards Love", Original oil on canvas, 24" x 36"

If there is a question, which right now I certainly have MANY, I whole heartedly believe love is the answer. 

After watching the Presidential debate the other night, or should I say (Un)Presidential from our current President, I am trying SO hard to understand the perspectives that don’t align with my own understandings and beliefs. As I wrestle with the political and faith worlds in this country, as long as I continue reaching towards love as an ultimate answer and source, I am always brought back to a state of peace, and that, is what I’m hoping to offer you today with this painting and these words.

"Finding The Light", original oil on canvas

One night after putting my kids to bed, as I tiptoed down the dark hallway to go downstairs, I passed this painting. It stopped me in my tracks as I saw it in a whole new perspective. This painting became a new scene than I had originally painted - the sun transformed into a full moon glowing brighter than I’d ever seen it before. It was an ever so bright light in the darkness.

The Tree of Change | ink, oil, and acrylic on canvas

Although I'd love this painting to speak for itself, by bringing you colorful light and joy during these heavy days, but now more than ever, I have to tell you the intentions behind this one.

Hello Everyone!
I’m sitting here behind my easel, my leg propped up, because no joke, I recently got back from the hospital. 🤦‍♀️  A fall from a chair this morning left me with a deep wound that needed some immediate help. The open gouge on my leg needed to be stitched back together. (and it was painful!) There have been a series of events that have happened lately, including this minor accident, that have left such clear messages and correlations with what is happening around the world right now as we all are going through this global crisis together. 

Coming soon for the upcoming 2019 holidays:
I will be running a special on this print, "The Ascent of the Dragonflies".
My wish is that anyone who is grieving the loss of a loved one, especially during the holidays, can be gifted the sparks of hope, comfort, and peace that is within this painting. ✨💫

Yesterday was a studio day for me, and while driving back home from dropping Walter and Etta off at school and Grandma and Grandpa daycare 😊, I was in my listening zone. It is in these silent spaces, especially driving, that it seems like light bulbs are practically thrown at me with new ideas. As I listened, I heard such a calling of the continued work and role my artwork has on those who are grieving. 

Hello Beautiful People!
I hope you are having a wonderful summer filled with an abundance of fresh air and new experiences. This past month, I certainly have had both of these along with a more than full heart! You know those things you are asked to do and you say YES to without really knowing what you're getting into? Well, of course I did this and it was more than I could have dreamed of.

Happy Happy Spring!!
My heart has been bursting with joy and all things new and glorious this past week. The sun is shining and feels WARM, the birds are doing some serious singing and dancing, AND the snow is melting! 😊 There is truly something magical about this season, and I just cannot wait for those first little soft and green leaves to start popping out of the ground, that will eventually turn into the miracle of a flower - or a tree, vegetable, or anything that is starting new life.

Happy Day to you!
I am ready to start sharing some Spring and Summer paintings for my weekly inspiration, as I am 100% officially over the cold and ready for new life 😉! This morning while getting ready for the day, I overheard my kids playing from the other room (in a sleeping bag pretending it was a cocoon), and I heard my son say, "I took a little rest, and I became a butterfly." Oh my, of course my heart was bursting! It was such a reminder to me that we cannot rush the Spring. It is in rest that our souls are renewed. Only then will the transformation happen for us to become the butterfly, for new life to unfold.

Happy Snow Day!
I really want to share a painting of flowers and green grass with you today 😉, but not yet! I'm sitting here in my studio watching the snow fall so gracefully - everything is pure white, and it is truly magical! I want to embrace this season, and it reminds me of a painting I created a few years ago, "The Magic of The Season".

Greetings from my country studio 😍,

Wow, it's been a very long time since I have connected! I wish I could say that it's because I've been taking time off to reflect and hibernate, as nature seems to be calling us to do during these dark and frozen months, however, much of my time recently has been continuing to make our new house our home, and most recently has been creating in a different way - creating drawings for my kid's birthday parties! 
 

Happy 2018 everyone!
I love the start of a new year. It's such a magical time to reflect and set forth intentions for the future. As I look back at 2017, I find myself revisiting my Christmas mantra - "Let us sow love, have faith, bring light, be joy." And looking ahead, I feel like this mantra is also my new year's resolution: to sow love, to believe that anything is possible, to bring light in the darkness, and to be joy filled.

Greetings!
There once was a time when I couldn't have imagined sharing an unfinished work with all of you. But, as time goes by, I realize more and more that it's not so much about the destination as it is the journey. I find myself trying to live this everyday as too often it feels like life is a rush to "get there". It isn't an easy goal, but, right now is all we really have.
 

Greetings & Happy Fall! 🍁
I recently finished my largest painting yet, both physically and emotionally. "The Ascent of the Dragonflies", seen above, felt like my life's work - like I had accomplished my mission as an artist. Now, I laugh at even the thought of this, as I know it's still only the beginning. 
While painting this particular piece, and hearing of the tragic news in our daily newsfeeds, I find I am often asking myself the big questions. Why the suffering? Why the pain? Why so much apparent tragedy and loss in this world? Although I cannot come up with the answers, I feel so deeply that the questions themselves aren't as important, but rather how we respond to them.