When I was 25 I decided to move to North Carolina and help my grandfather run his construction business.  I literally knew no one, aside from my grandpa. (To be honest, I really didn’t even know my grandfather very well.)  I packed up my car and rented a storage space, then drove from Ohio to N.C.

Not knowing many people, I decided to take a painting class at the local community college. I have always loved art and studied photography and sketching while in the Fashion Merchandising program at Ohio State, but had never painted.  I instantly fell in love with painting.

After having my first child, I could rarely find the time.  Or, if I found the time, my girls found my paintings before they completely dried.

Moon Rising: Notice the finger paint addition on the far left branches. Yes, the tedious branches that took forever to paint, the ones that I got to paint twice. Yep.

Now that I have all 3 in school, I have decided to make it a priority again.   While it isn’t always easy to carve out the time in my hectic schedule, the stress relief is well worth it…and it’s cheaper than therapy! My intention is to joyfully add to my collection.

Red Canna: I may never own an original Georgia O’Keefe, so I created my own version.

I can’t begin to express how amazing it is to spend hours at my easel.