I have walked the trails around Mendocino for many years and am always inspired by what I see. I take lots of photos to work from and stuff my pockets with beautiful leaves, stones, and pinecones. During the pandemic I walked 3 or 4 hours a day with my good dog Kia. The practice was grounding and comforting during that stressful time. Kia was the perfect companion because she lives in the moment, radiates infectious joy at being in nature regardless of the weather, and does not stress about the state of the world.

In the summer of 2020, we hiked for the first time in the Eastern Sierras with my dear friend Teresa and her daughter’s dog Bella. The environment was overwhelmingly beautiful. Three of my new pieces were inspired by the majestic granite structures along the trail.

All the paintings shown are done with watercolor, which has been my main medium for the past 40 years. I love its versatility. It can produce light delicate washes, or areas of bold saturated color, and everything in between. I also like to play around making mixed media constructions with found “treasures” such as fallen shingles and rusted bits of roofing from the old barn on Spring Ranch just south of Mendocino.‍

Click below to view larger images in a slide show. Be sure and see the From the Studio page.