Stepping Into the Year
Sent: 2/5/2026 6:02:12 AM

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February 5, 2026

Trying New Things

South Seas Dreams

The colors in this piece remind me of some of Gaugin's paintings from his South Pacific years. The texture in this piece was created by exploring and pushing boundaries with new materials. When I allow myself to push beyond the point of what if, I often find a new color combination or a fresh direction where the art wants to take me. This piece is like that. I look forward to creating larger pieces with some of these attributes.

New Work-Again

Mexico

Travel provides some of my greatest inspiration. When I was in Mexico teaching, I took the opportunity to wander the streets, and I captured many wonderful photographs of textures and colors. I combined these in a digital program and then printed the image onto Kozo paper. I painted a panel with colors and textures and then added the Kozo paper in areas. When dry, I sanded back to reveal underlying layers and then added more layers on top. I love how this piece turned out because it really captures the feeling of the experiences I had wandering the streets of Mexico.

Synchronicity

A Stitch in Time

Irish Songs

I love when synchronicities occur, especially when it comes to art. The painting, A Stitch in Time, sold to a collector as soon as I posted it onto my FASO website because she gets notices of when I post new work. The piece called Irish Songs wasn't posted to the website. She bought the piece to give as a gift but when she received it she fell in love with it. She wrote to let me know this and asked if I ever did another one similar to let her know. I had made both of these while filming a video, so I showed her the second one and now she can get that one as the gift. Communication and a good website make all the difference. If you want to find out more about FASO here is a link to a special deal through me.

Listen to the Podcast

I am very excited to share the podcast I was just on with The BoldBrush Show. It is titled Play and Surrender. I was interviewed by Laura Arango and we covered a lot of territory. Here is the link to listen. I hope you find a nugget of inspiration.

It's Here!

I created this transfer class earlier this year that was part of a teaching package Mixed Media Master Class with many other instructors. I am now offering this class as a stand alone soon for purchase. If you missed the limited time that it was offered, this is your chance to learn transfers with me. You will be creating all of these transfers. Here is the link to purchase it for a special low price! Transfer Class

Final Art Retreat-please join me

Travel is the best inspiration and making new friends and creating art all makes for the best way to expand your world. I would love to invite you on my final retreat. Find out more here. There are a couple of spots left. Don't miss out!

It is both bittersweet and exciting to share my grand finale for teaching. I have been teaching in person, online, making DVD's back in the day, writing books, now YouTube videos, and always creating my own art. I will miss the camaraderie of teaching, but I know I will still be connected with installation projects involving environmental issues, growing my own artist vision and participating in international art residencies. I would love to share with you one of my favorite places on earth, Ireland. Join me.

Free Tutorials on YouTube

I just wrapped up filming several videos and I think you are going to be inspired. Be sure to subscribe to the channel!

New tutorials are coming out more often now! Subscribe to my channel so you don't miss new episodes. There are over 100 videos on the channel now!

For books, workshops, videos, and of course paintings check out my website. If you like what you see, contact me to get a discount code for a FASO website.

Santa Fe, New Mexico

January is the month Mark and I got married and we revisited the spot where it all happened. We got married on Museum Hill at the Meem Auditorium at the Lab of Anthropology. It was a beautiful day like this 22 years ago.

Join the Creative Awakening Facebook Group

The shop has many of my favorite supplies gathered into one place. This is the upgrade to the Resource list I used to send out. You can just click and shop products on my Amazon Shop. I am constantly updating it to coordinate with the videos.

Thank you for staying connected through the newsletter. I welcome you to contact me with questions, interest in paintings, videos and workshops.