The story behind each painting is mounted on the back, or included with, each product. 

Goodnight, Giraffe

"Goodnight Giraffe" explores the sweet bond of friendship shared by our girl and her four-foot stuffed giraffe. "Giraffe" is our daughter's ever-present companion who does life with our family and serves as tender Mama to the smaller stuffed giraffes in the herd.

Catch a Little Sunshine

A Walk in the Country+Childhood Wonder+Treasures Tucked in Mama's Pocket="Catch a Little Sunshine." The wonder and love of sweet gifts and treasures shared is always a bit of sunshine in my pocket.


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Take the Next Step

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​     I know what it's like to feel overwhelmed, but even when I can't see myself finishing the race, I can choose to take one more step in the right direction.  the Tortoise just keeps inching forward.  His example of "Taking the Next Step" inspires me to do the same.

Share a Sunny Spot

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​      Our sibling kitties, Simone and Garfunkel, frequent warm, sunny places.  Finding them napping on our porch roof brought an extra big smile to my heart.  Their display of friendship with a quirky, adventuresome twist is the inspiration behind "Share a Sunny Spot."

Babymoon

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​      "Babymoon" is that precious time when the world recedes and the only event left on your calendar is basking in the babymoon light  tenderly brought to you by your new little miracle.  Your now-world is one of intimate wonder, of indescribable new love. 

Love Waterfall

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​      My son’s fascination with waterfalls may have set the tone for "Love Waterfall"--my new attempt at illustrating the infinite and mysterious nature of love.  A heart-shaped waterfall morphs into the night sky and dances with the moon.

Naughty Kitty

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​      My “Playful Kitty” illustration block was so well-received that I designed a companion “Naughty Kitty” to celebrate those feisty, crazy troublemakers we love to hate--the “bite cats” who  show favor and  affection by biting the hand that pets them. 

Mysterious New Life

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​      While expecting my second baby, I sang “Apres Un Reve” (“After a Dream”).  Its lyric of love, beauty, and mystery seemed to describe the wonder of the new life forming inside me.  The song inspired this tribute to the mysterious dawn of new life.

Shepherd's Treasure

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​      “Shepherd’s Treasure” was originally a gift for “Rachel Lee” whose name means “lamb of the meadow.”  This version is a reminder to children of all ages that they have a place of significance to the Great Shepherd, very close to His heart.

Cultivate Tenderness

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​      In “Cultivate Tenderness” I drew on a lifetime of gardening memories to communicate the value of tenderness in our relationships as well as the work necessary to keep it growing.
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Depths Of the Sea

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​      While talking with my sister about her new life on her own with it’s ups and downs, the words of Psalm 139 came to me:  “If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea...”  This painting emerged from my doodles  with the promise:  “Even there shall Thy hand lead me.”

It's a Grandma Thing

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​      “It’s a Grandma Thing” remembers my Grandma’s cookies and milk kind of love and the little blue vase she kept for the tiny daisies I loved to pick her from her yard.

Playful Kitty

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​      “Playful Kitty” grew out of our affection for cats and a set of magnetic “cat words” we’d been  arranging on our refrigerator. Reading through our list of  “cat compositions” one day, I realized I had the makings of a painting.

Spread Warmth

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​      “Spread Warmth” pictures my alpaca shop owner-friend in her sleigh spreading warmth and cheer with her “Alpaquages”--gifts made from beautiful, extraordinarily warm and soft alpaca fleece.

A Talk With The Lion

When I read the Chronicles of Narnia, I am Lucy. "A Talk With the Lion" pictures my son in relationship with Lucy's Lion, bringing the story home in a way that I hope others will share.

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A Bushel and a Peck

"A Bushel and a Peck" overflows with memories of the dear lady who became our adopted next-door-Grandma: her welcome, her hugs, her songs, her cookies, and the joy of her hearty laughter ringing through the neighborhood.
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Moonlight Dream

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​     I can't stop painting big cats.  My first "Dream" was a little girl; I was determined this one should be a woman--my little girl grown up.  In contrast to the playful romp of the earlier illustration, my mature adventure is set on a moonlit lake in the atmosphere of a Chopin nocturne.

Imagine

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​      Painting our lives in a fantasy accentuates the beauty of relationship and wonder we share in reality.  "Imagine" celebrates the magic that is created where fantasy and reality touch--the magic of parents and children celebrating life's wonder together.
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"I Love You" (sign)

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​      The continual juxtaposition of joy and sorrow on the personal newsfeed of my social media site motivated me to create this  silent “I Love You” with bleeding hearts wrapped in forget-me-nots to communicate, “I carry you in my heart.”

Mushroom Man

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​      After a show I noticed the daughter of a fellow artist toting  one of her father’s mushroom carvings.  It was nearly as big as she, and she made me think of a fairy-girl headed for her tree-home with a treasure from “The Mushroom Man.”

Embrace Lavishly

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​      This illustration celebrates the family hug, which my parents always called a “huggle.” “Embrace Lavishly” reminds us to pause to embrace often and hold tightly until the initiator of the hug lets go.  Hugs are healthy.  Indulge!
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Soak In the Song Of Creation

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​      I  could have set “Soak In the Song Of Creation” anywhere, but I like the visual the ocean brings to “soaking”--allowing the beauty and message of nature to wash over me, moving, healing and refreshing my spirit like a rich and masterful symphony.

Bring Home Moonbeams

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​     “Would you like to swing on a star?”  The song my mom sang to us still resonates with me.  “Bring Home Moonbeams” is a glimpse into this wonderland where  I can fly just like Peter Pan,  gathering treasures from the heavens to share with family and friends.

Princess

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​      “The King’s Daughter” was created for a special little “Sarah” whose name means “Princess.”  Psalm 45:3 talks of beauty that comes from within--a golden heart out of which flows streams of beauty, character, and light to benefit all who come near.
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Tender-Hearted Fairy

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​      I was experiencing a “down day” when I sketched this fairy giving comfort to a bleeding heart.  In the original sketch, she had a tear of compassion, but it felt so sad that in the final painting I changed her expression to an understanding smile.
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Home

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​      This painting represents both the home where I grew up and the home my husband and I are seeking to create, building on  traditions, memories, and values that made my childhood home a haven for us all.

Transformation (Monarch)

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​      “It has not yet appeared what we shall be…” communicates both mystery and hope.  "Transformation” reminds us that, like the butterfly, we each have a destiny to fulfil.  My purpose is to highlight the mystery that adds fuel to our journey.

He Loves Me!

My fairy-girl, confident that "He Loves Me," has cast aside every petal to the contrary. Fantasy, folk-game, a photo of my year-old daughter, and the truth of God's enduring love all came together to inspire this painting.

Find Your Rhythm 

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​Time management sounds like a wrestling match--but it can become a beautiful dance.  "Find Your Rhythm" is about a daily dance with the sun--learning to surrender gracefully to unfamiliar choreography and find new possibilities and unfolding adventures in the process.

Cherish Each Other II

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​     As Jon and I celebrate our 5th Wedding Anniversary, "Cherish Each Other" keeps before me the treasure of our dream-come-true relationship.  This painting is a reminder of the joyful First Page of the First Chapter of the Once-Upon-a-Time life we're building together.

Seeds of Thankfulness

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​      The year I was expecting my second child, I got through the tough times by choosing to sow a "Seed of Thankfulness" with every task.  Giving thanks became my lifeline.  A grateful heart is not dependent upon sunshine, but sunshine follows purposeful thanksgiving.

Apples In a Seed

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​      One tiny seed from just one apple could be the start of a whole new orchard, producing fruit for generations to come,  “Apples In a Seed” reminds us of the unlimited potential hidden in each moment, however insignificant that moment might appear.  
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Frolicking Heart

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​      Inspired by a lively Bach aria, the thought here is, “My big, faithful heart, frolic, sing, laugh, and dance!”  Coral reefs are the color inspiration for this joyful heart with its squiggles, stars, dots, and little heart-friends.  I hope it makes YOUR heart “froloke!”

Spread Your Wings

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​      I’ve always wanted to fly and I have no trouble imagining myself with the wings of a butterfly, bird, or fairy.  "Spread Your Wings” speaks of opportunity--a deep breath, an uplifted face, an open posture 
filled with hope, joy, and adventure!

Dream (White Tiger)

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​      Riding a big cat--a white tiger--is a “Dream” I’ve entertained since childhood.  Maybe when I get to heaven my white tiger will be waiting for me.  In the meantime,  this illustration reminds me to “Dream."
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Cherish Each Other

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​      It’s just four months until my second wedding anniversary at this writing. “Cherish Each Other” came from  my heart as I tried to picture the treasure of my relationship with my husband through my work.

Overwhelming Love

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​      “Overwhelming Love”--the image of a woman standing in a moment of profound intimacy with her new baby on a shore overcome by forces neither can control or understand--came from the heart of my experience with childbirth and my firstborn son.

Dearest Treasure On Earth

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​      On our wedding day, I was 30 and my husband 34.  While we had both waited for the “right one,” we’d also secretly begun wondering if that “right one” even existed.  “Dearest Treasure” celebrates the miracle we’ve found in one another.

Share Warmth

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​      “Share Warmth” is inspired by my alpaca shop owner-friend, cozy in the warmth of her alpaca companion and his wonderfully wooly gifts.

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Frolicking Alpaca

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​      “Frolicking  Alpaca” is a summer theme designed for my alpaca shop owner-friend.  A shorn, frolicking alpaca brings a bright spot of alpaca joy to your life!