August 2025

 
 

Hi :) 

The big news for August was a “discovery visit” to Palmetto Bluff in Bluffton, SC. I was feeling very anxious about my October Artist in Residence program, so having the opportunity to see where I’ll be leading workshops and meet the staff was a huge help.

Palmetto Bluff is off the charts in the hospitality department. I feel sure they’ve learned from the Horst Schulze / Ritz Carlton school of hospitality. We didn’t pay for anything except food and drinks. The artist loft is gorgeous. It’s on the second floor of a retail shop with beautiful views of the May River and Wilson Dock. The loft has a kitchenette that was stocked with cold drinks and coffee, as well as a washer and dryer. They gave us bikes to use during our stay, too. First class all the way. 

Not a single piece of trash. The grounds are stunning, immaculate, pristine. Gorgeous oaks, lush green grass, historic architecture, gas lamps, golf carts galore, pickleball courts, equestrian center, farmers market, RT’s market - you never have to leave. And I didn’t want to.

Unfortunately the weather wasn’t that cooperative, but I managed to get a bunch of pictures on the first day we were there before the rain settled in. I’ve already started working on paintings for FLOW Gallery. It’s going to be a very exciting and special experience.

A few more exciting things to report: 1) I’ve rented space at Westside Market for the next six months. Hoping to sell a few abstract pieces. 2) I submitted a design for the Midtown Alliance Outdoor Art Gallery and it was accepted! I just approved the proof, but the install schedule is yet to be confirmed. Totally did not expect to be chosen but thrilled for the chance to have my work on view in such a public way! Hot diggity!

I’ve cut way back on social media and boy, does it feel good. I recently read an article about the overwhelming nature of social media, and basically the gist was that human beings were not built to absorb that much information at one time. It’s a visual assault of art, fashion, sports, music, politics, pets, stunts, vacations, memes, rants, crime, cars on fire and so on. I don’t want or need to know what that many people are doing on any given day. And I don’t give a rat’s patoot if anyone changes their logo. Ignorance is bliss.

TEACHING

We began our fall session at Acworth. Due to a packed calendar this fall, this will be my last 6-week session until 2026. It’s such a great group and fires me up so much. This past week we worked in charcoal and they loved it. Their drawings were amazing. My private lessons are also going very well and I’ll continue those thru the end of the year. 

 

Acrylic Painting Lesson

ART

We refreshed the art at Virginia Highland Books. People seem to really like my nocturne series of local spots! Makes me happy! And I’m working like crazy to have enough paintings for Palmetto Bluff. That’s my main concern right now. I also need 4 finished pieces for New Smyrna in October, so the heat is on to wrap all of that up by the end of September/mid October.

 

I got invited back to the Wekiva Plein Air Paint Out in February 2026. Looking forward to spending that week with Michelle and crew. 

LABOR DAY

We are at a really cute cabin up in Blue Ridge. It sits right on the edge of the Toccoa River, so we get to enjoy listening to the cool mountain water flow over rocks, watch skimmers glide across the water, tubers and kayakers making their way downstream, swallowtail butterflies everywhere, college football, grilling, Old Fashioneds, a good book and cool, crisp, fresh mountain air. What more could you want? A Gamecock victory today?? Let’s cross our fingers.

COMING in SEPTEMBER

We’re back to docent training. It’s my 7th year as a docent, which means I’m required to do 17 tours this year instead of 25. I’ve noticed that quite a few of my friends who have 10+ years or more have gone to Emeritus status, and I’m not really sure what that means except they’re not in training on Mondays. There are several folks I’ll really miss seeing.

I’ll spend September wrapping up my paintings for Palmetto Bluff and New Smyrna. Need to replenish the bookstore stash - already sold a few paintings! And our VHPAP fall paint out at the park begins September 29. But mostly I’ll be at the studio painting. 

OTIS, LOUIS and WINSTON

Otis turned 13 on August 25. I can’t believe my baby is a teenager. He seems to be doing ok, still snuggles with me most nights, sleeps almost all day. Louis … oh boy, what a little monster. He is obsessed with food, pens, pencils and has the zoomies like nobody’s business. We tried a calming collar but he’s a little Houdini and can shake loose from it pretty easily. Winnie is a doll. He is so affectionate, so lovable, so cuddly and SO soft. Winnie loves pens and pencils, too, but it seems his true love is licking my fingers and hands. He even takes the skin on my knuckles between his teeth and gently pulls it. LOL. I love me some Winnie-Bo-Benny. 

That’s it for now. ✌️ 

Do not let this cute face fool you. He is BUCK WILD!