We productive people write down our to do list each day, and from time to time look at a calender. I discovered that writing out the daily plan and checking the calendar is always better when it looks nice. Painted nice. Having an esthetically pleasing calendar or planner really increases the quality of your life. … More Watercolor your Planner

This Memorial Day, you may find yourself out on the road. It’s nearly summer, the time for graduations, cookouts, traveling to lakes, or visiting loved ones. If you’re traveling through St. Marys, KS on Highway 24, in the Flint Hills of Eastern Kansas, you’d be passing this arch. It’s tall, imposing, but solid, still and … More How to Remember the Fallen

“Traveling” on local errands and pausing to capture some particular spots of beauty can make you look at your home in a whole new light. While running an errand in Downtown Topeka, I made time to go walking around and to paint my favorite piece of architecture there: The Capitol. In this post I’ll share … More Capturing Urban Adventures

That is the question. How about both? Right now in this part of midwest is morel season! Have you found any while out on your daily hikes or excursions? One of my students was telling me he and his family found over 30! THIRTY! My mouth waters. I should have asked him if I could … More Morels: to Paint or to Eat?

Do you have little things in your day that lift your spirits? Little visual moments of beauty, joy, or just simple satisfaction? I’ll show you how to capture those perks through three little adventures last Thursday. First, after finishing some work, I met my mom and sisters at a baker in Lawrence, KS, about an … More How to Capture Everyday Perks

This old building in a small town just off Highway 24 in Eastern Kansas was recently restored to much of its former glory. The project was desired by a Mr. Store Owner who had plans for a neat country store there. It made possible by a Mr. Uplifter of the community. I asked the Mr. … More Resurrecting Old Buildings

What do you do when life hands you a beautiful spring day in Kansas? Hike!!! And of course, along came the watercolors too. But I had a lot of school work to do later that day too, so I needed to pick a trail close by-nearly in my own back yard. To set the hike … More Beer and a Hike

Nestled in the sleepy Midwestern Flint Hills of Kansas, just off Highway 24, this historic campus can be found. Last August I was commissioned to make a storybook style map of the old Jesuit grounds. Seven months later, I was able to present it to my client. This map, begun during the death of my … More When Watercolors Make Maps

Do you carry grief and sorrow in your heart? Perhaps this picture will help console you. A sweet friend and colleague has died suddenly. She left behind a legacy of joy and an indomitable spirit. To console the family, this card was painted. Time to complete it was short so, it is full of the … More Will you grieve with me?

It’s Spring! Or nearly. Time for grilling, chilling, and soaking up the sun. And for some people, whether you’re going essentialist on your lifestyle, or staying in because of COVID, these leisurely things are all done at home. The backyard fence of a certain house encloses within it’s secure arms the enjoyment of the little … More A Blissful Backyard