"Night"

This illustration is from my HOMEMADE 2001 calendar entitled "Outhouse". My love for houses extends beyond the norm to include even the lowly outhouse. Night is one of my favourite subjects to paint. Rat loves the night.

copyright 2000 may not be reproduced without permission

Christmas Box

Printed Christmas Box!



My new Christmas box illustration

My Christmas box was printed and it came out great! It is really special, every side has a little scene, the door opens and a window too. The children that I painted on the box are all different ethnicities and there are birds, a rabbit not to mention a deer. This is perfect to put candy in or a little treat. I love making paper products, it is challenging and fun. I like to make gift items that cost under $10.00 and are different than what you see everywhere. The bottom of the box has a To: and From spot to write something thoughtful to the recipient. There is a charming quote from 1890 about home, friendship and the holidays too! These boxes are perfect for the time pressured giver that needs an inexpensive gift at the last minute that is unique and personal. I have included a picture of the original illustration and the finished printed box.

My new job

where the horses live





"Happy to see me"




One of the best things about my"Houscapes" (portraits of peoples homes) is that I meet the most unusual people and their pets. All of my work in fact takes me to the most unusual places and the most interesting people. Case in point, my new job in Malibu. This is my 3rd Houscape for this couple. They are the most wonderful people, The lady of the house owns her own record label and the man of the house manages a heavy metal star. This houscape will not be of their actual house but of their pets abode. When Rat and I went to take pictures of the place these guys walked out and lined up smallest to tallest all on their own and the tallest started pawing the fence as if to say "hey, we are here!

Rat thinks that horses are very large dogs and even though he was born on a farm in Woodenville,WA he seems to be a little wary of them. These miniature horses are the best. I wish I could have two! I will include more about this job in the future. I am in the beginning stage, starting the preliminary drawing so when I am done I will share the picture. The above "Houscape" is the 2nd painting I have done for this couple. When my website is up you will be able to view "Houscapes" from 1990-2005.

Printing Day

October nite in the canyon/ Rat stands guard

My finished "Haunted House" candy box
also doubles as a Halloween decoration!

Wednesday was spent at the Printer. I have such wonderful relationships with all the people that I do business with. This makes for smooooth transactions and it makes a job that might be mundane more fun and interesting! My printer is "Blair Graphics" in Santa Monica. The guys are pros, fun to work with, and they really match my colors. My "Haunted House" Halloween box came out beautifully! I listed a box on Ebay item # 6572081503 for those last minute Halloween shoppers but this item is for 2006 when all of my holiday boxes are finished.
Sometimes Rat likes to go to town but he told me he wanted to stay home and make sure the coyotes stay away! It is a beautiful October night in the canyon...

Halloween Candy Box

My new "HomeSpun" Haunted House candy box!Rat loves to sleep in!

I work on 2 to 3 projects at a time and today's project is the finishing handwork on my "HomeSpun" 2006 Halloween candy box. It was tough getting Rat out of bed this morning because it has been raining but I finally got him down to the studio to focus on the candy box and we have been humming along and it is looking quite cute. I start out with the concept, draw and hone it out perfectly, make a template, transfer it to the desired paper and paint and paint. Then Ratty and I go for a long walk to get out of the studio and commune with nature. Tommorrow this project will go to the printer in Santa Monica and I will have the finished product soon. I will post it and they will be available for next Halloween. By the time I am done with all the holiday boxes they will make up a whole town just like my "HomeSpun" town cards!!!

copyright 2005 may not be reproduced .

"Eden Ranch"

Rat is buggin in the stable at "Eden Ranch" My houscape of "Eden Ranch"

"Eden Ranch" has a very rich history here in Topanga, CA. If you are interested there is a book called "The Topanga Story" edited by Louise York and published by The Topanga Historical Society. I'm quite sure many artists have painted portions of "Eden Ranch". My painting was commissioned by the owner and it is of the stable built in 1920. I have included some of her horses and her black cat. Every Christmas she sets up a nativity scene in the stable replete with hay, music, hot chocolate with marshmallows and candy canes. The residents are invited to visit, enjoy the holiday season and spend a little time together. It is a magical place! When Rat and I went to the stable to shoot some pictures for my preliminary drawings a coyote came right up to him and just sat there. Well of course Rat started barking like crazy and chasing him off but the wiley coyote just kept coming back. By the time we left they were both exhausted. This painting was reproduced as Christmas cards for the owner to send to her most cherished friends and clients.

copyright 2005 may not be reproduced.