International Bridge Project

Recently I had the honor of creating some posters for a person who works at the International Bridge between Sault Ste. Marie, MI and Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. I ended up doing two versions with the idea that they would choose one and was extremely gratified to have my client choose to purchase both.

The idea was to allude to those fabulous WPA posters from the thirties.

Work Updates

Normally I like to post images of my work on this blog but today I'm just posting an update. I'm so excited and proud to announce that I have been accepted into this year's National Mosaic Exhibition, for my entry Beach Umbrella. If you happen to be in Cape Cod during August, stop in and check it out, and then send me a photo because I won't be able to attend in person. *sigh*

I am one of 55 artists selected and I couldn't be more pleased.

And this is the frosting on what has been a very sweet cupcake of professional success this year. I also sold two larger mosaics within days of each other. One, Mysterious Amy, was featured in an earlier blog post on this site and the other I haven't posted yet.

I see now why some artists' careers just seem to snowball. Sell something, or get into a juried show and the confidence boost just seems to reinforce your vision and drive to get back into the studio and continue working. It's good to be able to do that without the external reinforcement, don't get me wrong, but boy, it sure helps.

Some recent cut paper work

More of this to come later. I've been practicing some cut paper stuff for a big project for the library. Can hardly wait to get it done and show it here. But here's just a preview.

And now, for a little painting...

Last year did a commission piece for a friend's son, who loves dragons. I have to laugh because even though my house is full of stuff I painted on the wall (and by painted on the wall I mean ON the wall) I felt a little guilty starting in on this. Something about scribbling on the wall?

This is right after I finished, but before I cleaned up. Sam put a chair and lamp in that corner and now it's a reading nook. I love that.

Here's a bit more detail. And here is the dragon's face, close up. I wanted to do a dragon that was a bit more fierce than friendly, but I guess I don't have it in me.

Latest on Beach Umbrella

Okay, so here's the latest on Beach Umbrella. It's tough to get back in the water sometimes. I want to move my work to new levels, both in execution and in getting them out there to be seen, but I get a little shy. After I didn't get into a juried show last year, I decided I had to try again this year, and Beach Umbrella is that attempt. Here it is, grouted and with a few detail shots. I'm proud of the overall piece, but, as with probably most artists, I can see places I would do differently next time.

I love this smile. Still. This woman looks like she knew how to have a good time.


This is one of my favorite of the portraits. She's not grinning as big but she's joyously expressive, even without the larger features.

Who dressed these people? But how can you resist their clear appreciation of the beach.

Working TItle: Beach Umbrella

This is based on a photo of some friends of my husband's aunt, taken in Florida, in the 50's or 60's. To me they epitomize the era and the place. The photo is only so-so and the work isn't grouted yet so it will look different in the end (which is why I'm not taking great pains to make sure the photo is perfect, yet) but here it is.