"We should be willing to act as a balm for all wounds"
- Etty Hillesum

We met at the end of her life’s road when she had nothing left but a little time. I would set a table of paper and paints and scooch her chair closer so she could reach to swish her brush in a tub of water, dip it into the pans of color and swipe it over absorbent, archival watercolor paper...I volunteer in a program they call Artful Expressions. My job is to help the residents use the art supplies at their disposal. Some have physical or mental limitations, and I figure out ways to allow them to create anyway. It’s the highlight of my week. I learn from each individual that I spend time with; we all benefit as we share ideas around the table...The last time we were together, she fell asleep in her chair during most of the session. Her painting style had become more minimalist, but her color of choice was always red.

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Peaceful doves for December 🙏

I did not create this artwork with Halloween in mind, but it does have a spooky feel to it, and it's that time of year again! 🎃

I made this painting by referencing a photo I snapped of Roxy & Ringo playing in the snow last winter. I was longing for spring, so I transformed the white into “Dandelions & Dogs” with lots of green!

My friend Marilyn is a talented watercolor artist. She’s sort of a perfectionists, though, and sometimes when she messes up she throws her paintings away. I’m the type who saves everything just in case I can make it into something. So I tell her, “Don’t throw away that good paper; give it to ME!”

Recently I was rearranging some tables in my studio and noticed an old typewriter tucked underneath with boxes of supplies. I’d found this portable Royal Caravan at an estate sale for $7. When I first showed it to my young grandson a couple summers ago he went crazy over it, mesmerized by a keyboard that clunked with each punch of the key… and so slow…! It occupied him for hours just examining the mechanics of such an ancient tool. I had forgotten about it until I opened the case and found this message:

It wasn't until I added the description of this piece that I realized what it's about, at least for me. I began with description information...

Whatever device you use to view this last yellow rose from my garden…it won’t allow you to experience the powerful but delightful fragrance of this tiny flower – a delicacy I will hold in my memory as we fall into the winter months here in the midwest.