To you

He was one in a million

born to a humble family

people who worked hard

and valued the land

he took life by the horns

found his passion

dedicated his life to learning, teaching and giving

He was a real trooper

and called us each the same

He picked 'em up and put 'em down

built a legacy

fed a family

cultivated many a crop

in fields of wheat and kids

He was soft and tender

but strong and my rock

He's taught me in so many ways

that I discover each day

I'll always be my father's daughter

My dreams fed by you

My existence blessed by you

Thank you father.

I love you.

the love tree

watercolor

Spanish seascape

On the coast of Spain

Parque Natural del Cabo de Gata

watercolor

going back

it was 500 miles
500 to take her home
back to the heartland
travelling back to childhood memories
seeing the shortness of life
imminent death that befalls us all
looking back, the battles seemed few
but the rewards were great
the love in her life only felt strong
it's not fair she thought,
for one to be taken away
one that was her rock
it's not time yet
she said to herself
how can it be
there's still so much
I do not know
where will my wise old owl
be to show me how
the thought of this devastating challenge
made her weep inside
but on the outside
she tried her best
to be gentle, positive, smile
and always say,
I love you

mind's eye, colors fly

acrylic on canvas

la piscina

This is a drawing I did on the terrace overlooking a pool on the coast of Spain.

the elements

lights and shadows in Morocco

Oil on canvas

This is a painting I did in an oils course in Madrid, Spain.  I found a picture of some alleyways in a town in Morocco and it reminded me of my trip there and the small town Chefchouen where I bought my Moroccan carpets.  The blue tones were everywhere there and such a soothing site.

Taylors Falls

going for a hike...

 driving up to Taylors Falls

listening to the current

checking out the scenery

small towns, family farms

  hiking shoes on,

pack on my back,

I take each step

up the rocky grey basalt

of a trail along the river

autumn's hues

colors of green

now turning yellow to orange

and red

with leaves at my feet

yet, the evergreen stands

tall and strong

tried and true 

on the rocky cliffs

EVER GREEN

I will always be for you.

silence

she spoke in silence
the thoughts swirled around in her mouth
like drinking a glass of water
yet they just did not fall out

a sisterly gift

This is a birthday gift I painted for my sister Brandy.  It's a series inspired by her.

Sun goddess

Treasure yourself

Light as a feather

I love you sister, always and forever!

Acrylic on wood panels

weekend painting extravaganza

I unravel

acrylic and india ink on wood panel





knock

acrylic on canvas board





time will tell

 acrylic and india ink on canvas paper

bliss

acrylic on canvas

stray

second thoughts

i think.

i think again.

is it just when you stop,

take a moment

and realize that you've been

fully living in the present?

the earth heart beats

oil pastels

coloring my world

Love

My backyard

love in flight

love rise or love set?

the waves of communication

Minnesota lake

blooming

white out

olive grove

brook

my identity is a brook

always moving

            changing forms

passing through the

   most beautiful

            gardens of being

as well as the deepest

and darkest depths

            of decay

   my flow builds until

I leave to the sea—

            take me—

A Spanish Tribute

Mi homenaje a España

el pan,

el huevo,

las sardinas,

y claro,

el vino tinto

el bodegón español

I miss the table where we sat nourishing ourselves with the simple things in life.  Bread for sustenance.  Eggs and sardines for protein.  Red wine for soothing our severed selves.  La mesa, the table, the place of reunion, conversation, rambunctiousness, toasting, cajoling, dealing, breathing, and of course, drinking and eating.  Bring another one and we'll sit here for hours content as can be.  People come and go and we sit here becoming one with this gastronomical abode.  The hours pass, our eyes get heavy, our bellies full, our speech slurred.  SALUD.

perched by the window

perched by the window
looking out
rain's smell
fresh and sweet
i sit and see
life's perfect beauty

psychedelic self

just another bottle of mixed emotions

Respite

you're fizzling out
a shooting star
fading fast

it's refreshing to once again
be in the dark black night

a black out
where nothing may be written

where I know I stand strong
where I can hear my heart beat

respite long awaited

burn

take it all
throw it away
tear it into bits
throw it in the fire
spit on the ashes
let the embers die

take me inside
make it real again
feel again

burn baby burn
a new fire in my eyes

I said a prayer

May the four winds always blow over you
May the rain always fall and nourish your
May the sun always shine down and warm you
May the earth always embrace you in peace

a harvest

lost in dreams
travellin' around in my head
wanting peace
looking for a way out again

lost in dreams
searching for my soul
my bliss to give
in this crazy world

lost in dreams
I've been runnin' around
lookin' for the place
where my heart will sound

I've lost myself, lost my path
now to pick up my feet
and put them down again
on a familiar, but different road

a return journey
a harvest of what I've come to know

the wind

watercolor

pedestal

I built a pedestal and you stood on it.  I was a lost soul wandering around alone in a big museum.  Then my eyes came upon you, my David.  I waited for that raw and chiseled stone to come to life, to meet me.  It didn't.  I had to destroy that pedestal.  Now here I am, still lingering in this cold museum, contemplating art and beauty.  Yet, I'm really waiting for soft lips to whisper into my ear and say, "You're the best piece of work in here," and then a warm hand to gently pull me out of these trodden halls.

in colors

The partly cloudy patriot

I did this painting quite a few years ago pondering my upcoming voyage to Mexico and wherever else it may take me.  I painted the constellation of Orion, one of my favorites from nights of my Dad teaching me the language of the stars.  Orion has been one of my go to saviors many a dark night be it wherever.  Whenever I look at him I feel safe and calmed.  Funny thing is, when I flew to Mexico, not on a witches broom, but in an airplane it was night.  Guess who was right outside my window watching over me.  Orion!  It was huge and amazing and now I see this painting as a prophecy that came true.

wild horses

wild horses roaming the Badlands of North Dakota

i dream

i dream of running wild and cackling at the moon
no barbed wire, only solid ground

i dream of lying in a bed of dandelions,
my hair twirling around

i dream of a witches brew,
to bring me from lost to found

i dream of bells ringing,
and all our voices sound

i dream of a sharp knife,
to free me from being bound

i dream of lush whispers
to keep me around

little ghost

 my dancing ghost holds the torch

little ghost with the most

light a spark in the dark

peace

From the rooftops of Madrid

down in lavapiés

Madrid's colorful barrio

lied a heart full of sorrow

a young girl looking to tomorrow

climbed out the window

for a sight full of promise

a sky up high

that calmed her cry,

earthen colored buildings

old and worn,

but still standing strong

baking in the sun that day

as she looked across to others' terraces

she thought about a life she dreamt of

singing in the sun, 

watering her plants along the balcony,

looking below to fellows chasing their little pups on leashes

if only she could remain on that rooftop in Madrid

to stare out and hope and dream

but she went back in

and hoped to one day walk out 

into her wonderland