This is called a Mandala. I did this with pastel pencils. It was an interesting exercise for me. Just thinking about what is important to me and trying to illustrate it in this manner was new. The cross being at the center and all color and life flows from that for me. The rainbow full of promise and the maze behind the cross speaks of the mystery. There are other symbols here but that will give you an idea of a few of my thoughts.

OUT OF THE DARKNESS

Strangely I began this painting blindfolded with a color in each hand. I had no plan but just began putting color and shapes to the canvas. A few days later this painting emerged. (I did take the blindfold off after a few minutes of drawing). It's quite amazing to me that this is the result of not knowing where I was going but when done the piece touched me and came from somewhere deep within.

24x20

Oil on Canvas

SARAH'S SHOES

When our youngest daughter came to us from Korea, she came with a little pair of rubber shoes. We have had them all these years. After 37 years of sitting out they have begun to crumble and I so wanted to preserve their memory. So I did this little painting in honor of our beautiful daughter, Sarah Emily.

8x10

Oil on Canvas

NIGHT TIME FRAGRANCE

The idea for this painting actually came from a dream I had about Jasmine flowers. I could smell their beautiful fragrance in my sleep. Quite remarkable. In some cultures Jasmine is the symbol for mother love.

24x20

Oil on Canvas

ENGLISH ROSE COTTAGE

I took a photo of this cottage a couple of summers ago while out walking in Southern England on a tiny little country lane. It was one of those scenes you stop and wonder if it is indeed real it is so beautiful and so very intimate. Like you had stepped into someone else's private world. I wanted to make the painting an intimate place for the heart to rest and eyes to soak in the wonder.

12x12 Oil on Canvas

PURRKINS RECLINING

I did this painting some time ago. The room is our sunroom which I have since made into my studio. The light is fantastic. However the view in the painting is incorrect as we have a great vista with lots of pine trees which I felt would detract in this painting from the interior. The little guy on the carpet is our Maine Coon cat Purrkins.

Oil on Canvas

24 x 30

THOMAS PARKER

This little Tom Cat came last spring and parked himself in our driveway. Hence his name, Thomas Parker. I began feeding him and waited to see if our other two cats would accept him into the family. Fortunately they did and he is a delightful addition to our fur folks.

Oil on Board

12x12

Duplicate by Dreema Tolle Perry

MOTHER AND CHILD BY THE WATER

This is a duplicate of an Asaro' painting. I love the way the mother is wrapped around her child and the tenderness she is showing as she dries her little one. There is something so incredibly comforting about scenes of family's by the sea.

Oil on Canvas

12 x 16

AFGAN MAN SELLING COKES

This dear man was a street seller sitting on the curb selling cokes out of his styrofoam cooler in Afghanistan. His leg had been blown off by a mine and he had taken his prothesis off to be more comfortable. The joy on his face is duplicated by the yellow of the car. His character and fortitude was stunning. I did this painting for a good friend of mine now living in Afghanistan.

Oil on Canvas

8 X IO

CREED AND GRANDMARY

This is our middle grandson Creed. He is about to throw water on me from his orange beach toy. We try and spend special one on one time with each of our three grandsons. The beach has to be the all time favorite for all of us.

Oil on Canvas

8 X IO

YELLOW ROSE OF TEXAS

I think this one is finished. I often got lost doing the petals which is what took so much time but I like the overall effect of the light coming through the flower. It all feels like an invitation to explore.

This is a work in progress. As much as I try to do people and landscapes, I keep coming back to flowers. There is WONDER if you can see closely enough. I decided to try and look very closely at this beautiful one. But then there is WONDER if you can see closely enough at anything.

AMARYLLIS MOVEMENT

Red being my all time favorite color. I had to paint this beautiful Christmas Amaryllis. There seems to be a melody to the movement of this magnificent flower. Announcing something very grand.

18 x 36

Oil on Linen

APPLE PARADE

I wanted to do something with apples and a cloth. This turned out to be a fun painting with just a few tones and colors.

24 x 24

Oil on Canvas