Lake Pepin Boats

Whenever traveling along the Mississippi River, we are always sure to stop at the picturesque Lake Pepin. My phone is clearly not a professional camera, so my boat photos are always lacking. This time I decided to try playing with the colors to make things more interesting. 

"The Village of Pepin, on the shore of Lake Pepin, is reached by drive along Wisconsin’s only nationally designated scenic byway, the Great River Road. The lake is known for its excellent sailing and fishing and the Village of Pepin is known as a dining destination and as the birthplace of celebrated children’s author Laura Ingalls Wilder." [www.pepinwisconsin.com]

6x6 on 1/8" museum quality panel

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8x8 on 1/8" museum quality panel

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Autumn at Pepin Heights

My husband and I traveled to Minnesota this past week to visit with family. It's about a four and a half hour drive, unless you take the scenic route. Then it is a breath-taking six hour drive along the Mississippi River, where the hours just fly by. Along our route, we stopped at Pepin Heights [http://www.pepinheights.com] for about $40.00 worth of Honeycrisp apples at this adorable local shop, painting inspiration included.

12x12 on 1/8" museum quality panel
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Tiny Turtle

Well I certainly never expected to have a live model for this one as I live no where near water or swamp... However, my neighbor brought this turtle over and asked if I wanted it to show to the boys; he had found it in his garden. Of course I did! :) He thought maybe it was a snapping turtle, but I clearly am no turtle expert so looked online. Sure seems to be--and these things grow to be very large.

6x6 on 1/8" museum quality panel
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Prize Pumpkin

This pumpkin was won by my husband while at the pumpkin patch this past weekend. It was his final attempt with the pumpkin catapult. We all clapped and cheered and made him feel like a real hero. :)

8x8 on 1/8" museum quality panel
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In the Wild

My very sweet painting friend Sherri had a friend travel to the Serengeti a while back. She generously passed along many photos to me, including some great elephant ones. I much prefer to paint animals in their natural habitat and love elephants, so I was thrilled.

12x12 on 1/8" museum quality panel

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Vase at Sardine

This was an adorable little vase on the table at one of my favorite restaurants. The lighting was not the best, but the shape and colors on the vase were of interest to me. Also, I just loved the casual and petite flowers that whispered early fall. 

8x8 on 1/8" museum quality panel
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Monarch Baby

Two weeks ago, while watering a geranium on our front porch, I noticed a monarch caterpillar hanging from it in the shape of a "J". Of course I yelled for everyone in the family to come and see and the very next morning it was a chrysalis. Such a perfect thing for a five and eight year old boy to be able to observe nature so closely. They diligently checked it a few times a day, and one morning we noticed that the chrysalis was transparent. The boys had school, so I set up my camera for them on time lapse to capture the monarch emerging. Quite a beautiful thing, the entire experience.

6x6 on 1/8" museum quality panel

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Mr. Baker

When I was in San Francisco visiting my sister, we food and wine shopped for a delicious picnic lunch. She took me to Baker's Beach and we had an amazing view of the Golden Gate Bridge, and would you believe? A completely cloudless day--blue skies as far as the eye could see.

The most entertaining thing was this sea lion that was frolicking on the beach the entire afternoon. It appeared to be searching for playmates in the dogs. It continuously came onto the beach and then went back out into the water, to the complete enjoyment of the puppies and all of us sunbathers.

 http://www.pier39.com/home/the-sea-lion-story/

8x8 on 1/8" museum quality panel
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A Boat on Lake Geneva

We often go to Lake Geneva on a day trip. There is a nice beach to go to, fun little lunch places and shops, great boat rides and hiking too. One of our favorite things is hiking the trail that goes around the entire lake. We've never done all the way around, but my husband and I have made it half-way once--which took us about four hours. The trail is unique in that it goes through the backyards of some of the most opulant homes I've ever seen. Crazy amazing homes and gardens on one side and a beautiful lake full of boats on the other... A great way to spend a day.

9x12 on 1/8" museum quality panel
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Sit a Spell

This painting was also inspired by my trip to San Francisco this summer. My sister has an adorable walk-up apartment in the Castro. There is a staircase out the back and her landlord has the most adorable little garden and little spots to sit. Made me just want to stay and sit a spell.

12x12 on 1/8" museum quality panel
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Golden Transfer

Was lucky enough to visit my sister in San Francisco a few months ago. We had such an amazing time together walking the city, eating delicious foods and drink, and talking. A few days in my husband and our friends were meeting us to grab me and head to Napa. This is the place where we made the transfer. Not bad, eh?

9x12 on 1/8" museum quality panel
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En Route

My family and I were driving down a country road somewhere near Madison. We had taken the boys to an art festival in Fitchburg and were meeting my brother and his finance for lunch in Paoli. On the way there we saw this adorable cluster of little barns right along both sides of the road. Some were so small they looked like little clubhouses or sheds. Many were being taken back by the earth, overgrown with vines and flowers. It was a happy moment for me because the light was catching this little grouping just perfectly!

11x14 on 1/8" museum quality panel
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Katie's Bouquet

This was a commissioned piece for a bride and I feel so honored because I used to babysit her when she was younger. :)

10x10 on 1/8" museum quality panel

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Garden Gems

I looked through all of my painting photos this morning, searching for the inspiration that would send me running to my easel. I have thousands of potential paintings, I mean photographs!, but none were calling to me. I went out to take a look at my garden and then looked over my vases because what I honestly wanted was to try and paint glass again.

I clipped a few colors of Zinnias, white and pink Cosmos, some Black-eyed Susans, and a taller pink one that I cannot remember the name of, and tried to make a pleasing arrangement. That was the toughest part! I did my best though, and the good news--I had something to paint that I was extremely excited about. Thanks for looking!

8x10 on 1/8" museum quality panel

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Monarch Moments

Was watering one of our geranium plants and noticed a curled up monarch caterpillar hanging from a stem. I called my boys out to see and we wondered if it was going to stay and become a chrysalis. The next morning we went out, hoping it was still there, and it had already made the change! Such an exciting thing for two small boys (and their parents!) to have right on our own front porch. We cannot wait to watch it emerge as a butterfly.

It's sharing with my children, little moments like these, that bring me so much joy and gratitude.

Watch an awesome time-lapse video of this change that we found on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LY-Fiyq8jc4

6x6 on 1/8" museum quality panel
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Little Bird

The colors of this little bird draw me in every time.

6x6 on 1/8" museum quality panel

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Oh, Honey

Both my eight and five year old have started school full time and I thought I'd start off being a "full time artist" with a challenge. This is really my second time painting glass, so I feel proud of the result. I LOVE the way the golden honey shines into the shadow--I'm very pleased with that!

8x8 on 1/8" museum quality panel
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