Reflections After My Open Studio

“I sit in quiet gratitude for the magic that just happened.”

After each Open Studio, I take time to pause and reflect. Over the past 35 years, I’ve hosted many of these events, yet each one feels fresh and meaningful in its own way. It was wonderful to reconnect with old friends and to meet new ones. Someone mentioned that I have “arrived” as an artist. I smiled, but I don’t see it that way. To me, “arriving” suggests there’s nowhere left to go. I’ll continue to grow and discover more about who I am through creating art.

Lately, I’ve been having such fun painting landscapes. They seem to be taking on a new dimension, blending my understanding of abstraction, color, and the expressive possibilities of Cold Wax. At the same time, my female figure paintings continue to resonate deeply with women. I feel an abundance of inspiration, an urgency, even to create as much as I can, while the ideas flow.

One of the greatest gifts of an Open Studio is seeing my work reflected in your eyes. Being an artist can be solitary; we often create in silence, hoping that our work will speak to someone. This weekend, I was blessed by so many of you who connected with my art and reminded me how fortunate I am to share this creative journey.

I also realized that it may be time to teach. My studio is just the right size for me, but not for a large class. Still, so many artists expressed curiosity about Cold Wax and the process behind my paintings. I know it’s important to pass on what I’ve learned, and I’ll be exploring how best to do that in the months ahead.

In the meantime, you are always welcome to schedule a private studio visit—to view my work, ask questions, or simply share a conversation. I would love to meet you or see you again.