Robert Indiana was the inspiration for this piece along with my interest in using words in artwork.  I wanted to create my own version of the word.  This painting has opened up a whole new wave of ideas pouring in on top of all the other ideas that I still have to get to.  My sketchbook is multiplying like rabbits and my time to paint all the ideas I have is shrinking.  I realize that the bigger my sketchbook gets that I will not possibly get to all my ideas alone.

I was accepted into the Summit Artspace photography show called "24" which celebrates the 24 Akron neighborhoods.  The photo that I submitted was in the Highland Neighborhood.  The opening for the show is Friday, April 13th and for more information on their website: https://www.summitartspace.org/summit-artspace-gallery/

Giving my paintings names is a job in itself.  Just calling it "untitled" is a bad idea for me because it would create a lot of confusion when talking about a specific piece. I would have to sit there and describe it in many sentences whereas a title gets right to the point.  In fact, some of my titles include a description of one of the aspects of the painting such as "purple sky" or "yellow roof". The title of this painting is "Dusk"..  This painting will be for sale at the 25th Annual ART-tini Auction benefit at Harris Stanton Gallery in Akron from April 5th to April 12th.  More info at:  www.HarrisStantonGallery.com

The Ohio Arts Council is a state agency that supports Public Programs in the Arts and I am very happy and grateful to say that I am a 2017 recipient of the Individual Excellence Award.  I would like to thank the Ohio Arts Council, State Legislators and everybody responsible for supporting this program. Website link: www.oac.ohio.gov

It's nearing the end of October and the weather is going to take a slide into cooler temperatures. It's been warm and pleasant up until now, which has been welcoming.  However, winter is coming soon here in northeastern Ohio and I don't want to think about it.  Lately, I've been thinking how the weather affects the art that I do. My favorite season to paint is the obvious one, summer. When I work outside it has its drawbacks too.  When I gesso or paint a background color on my panels if they are flat on the ground then debris falls on them, leaves and bugs fly into the panels.

Come join the party! "Red Maple" was juried into the Columbus Museum of Art Women's Board 2018 biennial fundraiser "An Evening with Art".  It will be held on March 3, 2018 at the Columbus Museum of Art, with proceeds dedicated to children's and family programming.  For more information please go to the website: 
http://www.columbusmuseum.org/calendar-and-events/an-evening-with-art/