Category: Uncategorized

What a lovely treat (sugar free, no less! 😉 to get to paint outside with you on this crisp fall day. One of those days that makes Chicago feel like the best place to call home. It felt like a homecoming in so many ways, from traveling, but also coming home to a material and a practice I used to be so at home in. I recognize so much of myself in this picture, like literally, like someone I knew so long ago came back to visit. And of course in the bigger picture of a place and a practice, where sometimes it feels like it’s hard to connect with the present moment and situation, and then, out of the blue, connection is very easy and human. It was a very welcome and welcoming feeling to be brought into your practice and project like that. Thank you for that and for the great and meandering conversation we had, about places, spaces, our bodies and our trying to feel at home and at ease in it all as we age and progress, regress and digress.

November 5, 2025

Garfield Park Conservatory

I was equally nervous and excited. Excited to spend the morning painting in good company over apple slices and cheese curds and nervous about knowing what to say. It was lovely getting lost in both conversing and creating while allowing myself to go with the watercolor flow.

October 5, 2025

Humboldt Park

It was wonderful to paint with Leslie on the rocky Lake Superior shore on an unusually warm fall day. We watched the glittery light shimmer and shift on the water during our first session and had a surprise visit from the local news while we painted between the pine trees during our second session. While I have a plein air practice, I don’t usually talk until after the painting is done. It was lovely to spend a day steeped in conversational painting!

September 25, 2025

Marquette Michigan

Warm afternoon light turning to chill fall twilight with tea. Joy in sharing colors, materials and flowers. Most of all so wonderful to share conversation while making.

September 5, 2025

Mara's garden

All those delicious colors from Japan and Italy. Ducklings, lily pads, the first peach of summer and Van Dyke Brown.

June 25, 2025

Humboldt Park

Beauty and sound bath under this willow. Holy summer!

June 19, 2025

Humboldt Park

Painting outside was the break I needed to take. With the chaos it implies adapting to a new family member, sometimes we forget to make time to do what we love and what brings us joy. This painting session was a way of forcing myself to pause, observe, create and enjoy. Even while I was painting with my 3yo in arms, I was able to disconnect from parenting mode (at least for a couple of minutes) and connect with nature and art. Thank you, Leslie for this lovely time and for reminding me that I can make time to create and paint even with my kids. 🌸

June 1, 2025

Humboldt Park

If I had to sum up: I was a bit fearful of watercolor before this, but once I started painting it really just melts away and is so fun and surprising! The thing to be fearful of is painting in public haha!

March 23, 2025

Garfield Park Conservatory