Current News 2011 –

So what is new with me?

February 28, 2011

I finally sat down and started my second novel. It was burning a hole in my right hemisphere. So far I have 4 chapters. I’m happy with the results so far. The characters are from my first novel, now 2 years older.

I belong to the Citrus County Regional Writers Group. We are critiquing each others work twice a week. It is great to do so with serious writers. Such a wonderful group of people. I also joined the FL Chapter of the Historical Novel Society, newly formed a month ago. I look forward to work with them as well. Now to get my first novel published!

February 17, 2011

I sold another original oil painting today! In Ossipee, NH. It was a beautiful scene titled: “Canoe at Sunrise”. I love sunsets and sunrises. The breathtaking, dramatic display of colors is difficult to capture. The mood is one of possibilities. What will happen? What did happen? One can become absorbed in the painting. That is what art is for, isn’t it?

February 2, 2011

Go to the Citrus County Art Center in Hernando, FL. to view two new paintings hanging until March 2nd.

One, in particular, is a portrait of a family member who died a week after we had the art opening. I painted his portrait as a tribute to an old, Vermont, dairy farmer who work his farm day and night for 50 years. Cousin George Dodge. (1925 – 2011).

I have another painting of George and his Farm on this site. A watercolor titled “Quiet Departure” painted in 2000. We visited George one day and he announced that he was not going to make any more maple syrup. He sugared since he was a child and at his age, it was too difficult. Therefore, the title seemed to fit the moment. You see him bent over with a walking stick. Even though he ‘broke’ his back from so much work, he walked without the use of a cane or a walking stick. I took the liberty to add the stick and a bucket to represent his involvement in sugaring. The fellow walking next to George is my husband, his cousin.

Old News –

October, 2010

Finally have some time to research the publishing industry. Interesting stuff. I’ve edited my manuscript once more and made a few changes here and there. I love the story… of course I am biased in that regard. Now to find an agent to read it. Wish me luck.

August, 2010

A group show, with the Governor Wentworth Art Council, at the Gafney Library, Sanbornville, New Hampshire for the month of August. 3 framed prints were hung for the show.

A one-man show for the months of July and August, at The Brown Bag Cafe, Maine Street, Rockland, Maine. I hung 19 framed artworks. A combination of prints and original. Watercolor, oils and acrylics.

July, 2010

A group show with the Kittery Art Association, 8 Coleman Avenue, Kittery Point, Maine for the month of July. 2 original acrylic paintings on canvas hung for the group show. 17 matted prints submitted for the KAA art bin, which is on display year round. If interested, visit the KAA gallery to purchase one of my pieces… or contact me.

A group show, with the Goose Rocks Beach Association, 6 Community House Way, Kennebunkport, Maine, July 31. 4 framed oil and acrylic original paintings on canvas hung for the show. Additional 34 matted prints displayed in the art bin. This is a one day showing occurring bi-annually. I am fortunate to have been part of the showing.

June, 2010

A one-man show. Ossipee Public Library, 74 Main Street, Center Ossipee, New Hampshire for the month of June. 10 framed oils and acrylics on canvas were hung. An additional 23 matted prints were displayed. Three oil pieces have never been on display before. They are older pieces that would be difficult from which to part company. Therefore, a high price would justify my letting go… maybe… One of them is not for sale… a large, acrylic on canvas, self-portrait done 33 years ago. I donate 10% of the sales to the libraries. It is for a good cause. Send me a note to let me know what you think of the idea and if you are local, let me know if you viewed my display. Don’t forget to sign my guest book at the show.

May 28, 2010

I submitted new work at two galleries in Wolfeboro, NH. I had a one-man show at the Ossipee Public Library. Yvonne, the head Librarian was gracious and very accommodating to my needs. I do hope you will visit my art showings.

May 20, 2010

I’ve just finished writing/re-writing my first novel. A family book geared to the younger audience dealing with loss.

It took 14 years to complete. I was busy working full-time (most of the time) as a high school teacher and in the meantime, built 3 houses and garages to go along with 2 of the houses. My husband keeps me pretty busy.

My experiences growing up were difficult at times. But I lived through them as was expected. In adulthood, as a teacher, I watched lots of kids go through stressful situations. They experienced loss as I did and they struggled with that. The wonderful part about today is that kids have counselors at schools available to help them with problems experienced at home and at school. I didn’t have that as a kid. It was a horrid time for me.

So now my book is complete (I believe) and I am looking for a publisher! Publishing is a difficult process. I’ve been told the writing part is the easy part, publishing is the hard part. Therefore, do I self-publish? Do I find an agent? I’ve heard and read that agents are hard to find or they may not even accept your manuscript… may not even look at it. They are that busy. A publishing house will not accept your manuscript unless you have an agent. Hmm. Something is wrong here…

Well, I’m going to give it a try and give it my best!

Wish me luck… or write to me and give me a few tips.

Winter – 2009

Gallery Showing

This year has been pretty nice from my point of view. Painting often and being part of a new art gallery, The Uptown Artist Gallery located at 14449 7th Street, Dade City, FL, has opened my world to the arts and other fellow artists.

The gallery members were invited to participate in an art show at the Carrollwood Cultural Center, 4537 Lowell Rd., Tampa, FL.

The opening reception was held March 12, 2010 and the 91 artworks representing members of the gallery will hang until March 30. I hope many of you will attend and look for my 4 pieces displayed at the show.

Currently, I am displaying paintings and reproduction prints at the Uptown Artist Gallery located at 14449 7th Street, Dade City. Phone: 352-523-2780. It is a gallery representing 56 local artists. It features a very wide range of subject matter. It is a small gallery that will eventually grow in size and recognition. By April, I will return to my home in NH, but will leave a few select pieces at the Uptown Artist Gallery in hopes of selling a few pieces.

Fleamarket Art & Hobby Show

Travelers Rest Resort offers the opportunity to show and sell your craft once a month from February to April. I’ve displayed my artwork and have sold several paintings and accepted commission work from residents who come to the show.

Here are a few of my pieces, oils, acrylics, watercolors, pencil, pen & ink and some of my woodcuts. In addition, I have been the cartoonist for Travelers Rest Resort’s TRTimes Newspaper for 2009 and 2010. You will soon see my cartoons on my website. One of my next projects.

What Else Is New?

The summer of 2008, was our first year as “retired together.” My husband, Tom, retired several years ago and found “else-work” to keep himself occupied. For over 30 years he owned different portable band-saw mills. So, in his retirement, he happily pulled his Wood-Mizer Sawmill to work sites and milled logs into lumber. Being a writer by nature, he found this an excellent opportunity to meet people with wide and varied talents and experiences. His excitement was more about the people than the sawing. He didn’t saw every day, on average, he would contract with 6 or more clients from spring to late fall. With great apprehension, Tom finally sold his last sawmill in the fall of 2009.

So what about me? My goal is to paint, create, write and be who I really am.