Me, the week I learned to paint, 1998.

Morelia, Michoacan, Mexico                                             October, 2021

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      I first learned to paint in 1998 on a vacation to San Miguel de Allende, I was forty-two, had just had my fourth child, and was married to a man with two of his own.  Aprils to Decembers, seven days a week, I ran a small garden center in a rural town in New Hampshire. I didn't have a lot of time to paint, but I was obsessed, and as soon as the garden center closed for the year, I'd set my paints and easel up in our kitchen and  paint all winter. My husband and kids were very supportive. Generally they were proud of me and as tolerant of my mess as I was of theirs. 

     In 2007 the garden center was sold, the older kids went to college, and we started to spend more of the year in Morelia, a city in central Mexico. My husband was offered a university job there, our young daughter went to school, and I painted up a storm and attended art classes through the state university. In the summers we divided our time between New Hampshire and Matinicus Island, Maine where we have two summer rental cottages. So each year, I'd paint in three different locations. 

      These days our older children have homes, partners, and kids of their own.  We spend considerable time with all of them, my paints taking over space in a kitchen, guest room, porch, or basement. Not always ideal, but absolutely doable.

     When COIVD hit, for the first time in twenty-two years, I painted for a whole year in one place, Morelia. Because many people were suffering, it was hard to be blissful. On the other hand, I took full advantage of the opportunity, painting the better part of every day, and for the first time doing it in a studio -- my own newly-built studio on our Mexican rooftop. Wow.

     But thanks to vaccines, since April, I'm back to seeing family, and I've painted in San Diego,  Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Colorado and on Matinicus.  Each time I change locations there's a shift, a new idea having to do with my surroundings and the people I'm with.  Making do with limited supplies and space provokes my creativity.

     Although I can't find his exact quote, I credit the late artist Robert Genn with saying, "fall in love with your process." After twenty -some years, I understand mine and know how to live joyfully with it. I can come to any paper, canvas, or board wherever I land and make art with what I packed or what's on hand.

     My biggest challenge is having my paintings in two different countries. For this reason, what's shown on this site is the artwork I can ship now. When I return to Mexico in October, this site will have the work I can ship from there. 

     Thanks for your interest and please sign up for my emailing list on the Contact page. 

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