Beautiful Barberton

Barberton, Ohio, is the city in which I live and work.  When I moved back here I could not have imagined that I would be here 12 years later.  Barberton is a one of a kind place.  It's called the Magic City, because it grew up overnight.  Since then the magic has come and gone and returned in so many different ways.  There is a stunning lake in the middle of town, Lake Anna.  And there is an adorable little downtown with unique small businesses.  I have so many amazing childhood memories of huge parades and stunning fireworks.  Now I see a gem with a bit of tarnish, and I want to share the treasure that I see in Barberton with others.

I decided to do a series of art, titled Beautiful Barberton.  I will be working throughout the year to highlight some of my favorite bits with my own creative twist.  Here is the beginning of the Beautiful Barberton Series:

Cherry Blossoms
11 x 14, Acrylic and marker on canvas
I needed a starting place to overcome the fear of starting, so I began with one of my favorite Barberton bits--when the cherry blossoms are out all around the lake.

OC Barber Dressed For Winter
11 x 14, Acrylic and marker on canvas
I have always admired this sculpture by Virgil Villers, and it especially made me smile when he wore a scarf the past couple winters.  This year he is a little chillier.

Winter Sunrise Over Lake Anna
11 x 14, Acrylic and marker on canvas
This is a view I have encountered a number of times in the past couple months.  I love the way the sunrise reflects on the snow and frozen lake.

What's grabbing your attention these days?  What are you creating?

Looking For A Fun Holiday Event--Host A Creativity Party

Are you looking for a fun way to celebrate the holiday season--Thanksgiving through New Years with family, friends, coworkers?  Why not a creativity party?!  It makes a great social event or even an extra special experience gift to give.  What a great way to make a memory together!


There are so many options:

• Paint a canvas  (11 x 14 $25 and 16 x 20 $35 each)

• Cover a journal in paint and mixed media collage work--perfect for collecting thoughts for the new year ($20 each)

• Make magic wands ($16 each)

• Flower Fairy ($16 each)

• Creative Mindfulness (gentle yoga + adult coloring, inspiration cards, and finger labyrinths) 

Here is how it works:
Contact me
I answer your questions
We select a date, time, and project.
You invite people
You provide the space, snacks, and participants.
I provide all the materials, instruction, and encouragement for 2 hours of your event.


I have limited dates between Thanksgiving and New Years.  I am also scheduling parties in January and February of 2018.  Email me now.  I can't wait to plan a creativity event with you!

Current Work in Summit Artspace Period Show

These days I have a renewed gratitude for my place in the local art scene.  I'm so delighted to be surrounded by amazing artists and amazing work.  This is an amazingly diverse and beautiful show!
This tryptic was created in February and March of 2017.  The creation of these abstract acrylic paintings was a catharsis for me.

Title:  Human is my race/ Love is my religion/ Peace is my weapon

Enjoy this work at Summit Artspace on East Market St. in Akron between now and May 20.

If you're interested in owning the 3 painting set, email me.

Prints Available: Fight Like A Girl

I'm pleased to let you know that I am offering prints of my recent painting, Fight Like A Girl.

The story behind the painting:
I was so lucky to be able to attend the Women's March in Washington, D.C., on January 21, 2017. It was such a powerful and transformative experience to see so many people in peaceful solidarity.  In the days that followed it was so difficult to be hopeful, but my uncertainty was transformed into action.  In the past month I have made dozens of phone calls and sent dozens of emails and postcards.  This has become my new normal.  It is from that perspective that this reflective and expressive painting flowed.

This artwork is a reminder of the historic march, and it is a rallying cry to ongoing action.

Details about the print:
The prints are on 110 pound paper.  They have a small white border.  The prints are a bit larger than 11 by 14 inches.  They are held in a protective cellophane envelope.  The cost if you pick it up or our paths cross is $15.  {I have copies in my studio for 4th Friday!}  If I ship to you the cost is $20.

I also have smaller postcard size prints (approx. 4 x 5.25 inches) for $2 each.

Send me a message or email me, if you want a copy.

Favorite Color Workshop

I so enjoy providing space, materials, and inspiration so that others can create!  Today it happened for some of my young artist friends {aka students!}  We focused on monochromatic art.  Some of these works will be available for viewing at Nine Muses Art Gallery in February.

If you want to see more art options for kids, click on the tab above titled, "Art Classes for Kids."

Here are a few of my favorite photos from works in progress:

Week of Gift Giving Delights Wednesday--Little Cubed Canvases

This week I am going to post a new special offering each evening, around 9 and 10 p.m.  This is the week when gift purchasing really seems to explode, and I wish to invite you to buy handmade, original, and local fine art and artisan work.  When you buy from me you are literally helping me pay my rent and utilities, feed my son, put gas in my car, and buy insurance.  In exchange you receive one of a kind handmade and inspirational pieces of art.  It's such a win-win!

I am also hosting a Studio Pop Up Sale this Friday evening, 5-8 p.m. at my studio in the Art Center on Tusc., 571 W. Tuscarawas Ave., Barberton, OH  44203.  Avoid the craziness of Black Friday and enjoy Christmas music and tea in my studio.

I will also be in my studio Saturday evening, 5-9 p.m., during Barberton's Christmas Light Walk. There will be merriment for people of all ages all around Barberton.  This event is busy, big, and bright!

So here is today's offering:

Little Cubed Canvases

This little fellows have been popular since I first unveiled them.  Unlike the larger canvases I create that require a piece of wall real estate, these little bursts of inspiration and whimsy are 4 inches x 4 inches x 1 inch and tuck neatly onto a shelf, a desk, a window sill and many other nooks and crannies.

At $20 these itty bitties are a great gift for friends, coworkers, and anyone who can use a splash of colorful cheer in their life.

When you select those you must have, leave a description in the note to the seller.  I will email you if for it has already sold or I'm not sure which ones you want.

Why buy this week?

• Free shipping
• If you pick it up at my studio this weekend, I will take an additional 10% off.  Just $18 each!
• Each piece is one of a kind and unique
• You can check off many names from your gift giving list
• Purchase original art for a surprisingly low price

Help us find our forever homes!

Purchase Little Cubed Canvases Now

Email me to hold specific little cubed canvases at my studio for you to pick up this weekend

Lakeside Plein Air 2016

I love this event!  It becomes more special as time goes by and I become more comfortable with myself and as an artist.

I so much enjoyed meeting new friends and seeing many old friends.  It does the spirit good to be connected with amazing human beings.

I got to spend a good chunk of time this weekend on my own--soaking up the love and light in order to create.  I was quite proficient for one weekend.

If you see something you like most of these and a few more are now at Miss Mercedes in Lakeside.

Fairies in the Herb Forest--SOLD

What will it become?

Saturday evening sunset

Tiger, tiger burning bright 12x12 $75

Summer Flowers and Sunshine 16x20 $145

Hollyhocks by the Lake 16x20, $145

Garden by the Lake 16x20 $145

Sunday afternoon sale on the lawn

Some Fairy Magic

Fairy Magic at Sunset
Acrylic on canvas, 16 x 20
$90

So our theme for last evenings 4th Friday was Midsummer Night's Dream.  I thought I'd create some fairy magic and whimsy for just the occasion.  I think this piece would be especially enchanting in a child's room or near a fairy garden!

Hope In Bloom

Hope Takes Bloom, $185

I love the brightness and energy of this new piece!

I used many of my favorite techniques with some restraint in creating this one.

This one is now hanging in my ACoT studio.

See hope up close

See the center of the flower.  It feels sunflowerish to me.

If you want to take this one home, email me.

Three Turquoise Leaves

Three Turquoise Leaves, $95

I totally love the colors in this piece.  It's acrylic paint on canvas.

I used a cork stamp for the leaves.  

You know how much I love making marks with different tools!

It's in my studio, so visit me on 4th Friday or by appointment.

If you want this one, email me.

Visit Four Pieces at Nine Muses Gallery

I'm pleased to have four of my newer pieces hanging at Nine Muses Gallery in Barberton, Ohio, for the next month.  Can you guess which one is my favorite?

Just Finished Two Paintings

With single digit temperatures, my sweet boy and I decided to stay in the house today and take life easy.  This means I finished two paintings.

Kindness Takes Root
12 x 25 inches
acrylic on canvas
$165
Email me if you're interested

I fully believe that kindness is a choice, and I wish more people would make it.  I don't know when kindness became synonymous with weakness, but I believe we are transformed when kindness takes root.

AND

Keep Looking Up
24 x 24 inches
acrylic on canvas
$165
{Email me if you're interested.}

It's so easy to hear the news and lose faith.  It's easier to put our heads down and just force our way forward than to look up.  Let's keep looking up!

Please consider supporting me with a monthly donation of Patreon.  You get goodies form me and my deepest gratitude.