Category: News

Capturing the Magic of a Home and Garden in Watercolor this Summer   There is something magical about a home surrounded by a garden in full summer bloom. Flowers spill over garden beds, trees are heavy with green leaves, sunlight filters across a favorite patio, and pots and planters overflow with color. For a few glorious months, the house and garden seem to become one — creating a place filled with warmth, beauty and life. But summer never lasts quite long enough.  Before the summer disappears, here are some of my favorite summer portraits of 2026. The flowers eventually fade, leaves begin to fall, and the garden settles into another season. Yet the memory of how it looked and felt at its most beautiful can live on forever in an…

A New Chapter . . . my move to Columbus OH Following our eight-week stay at the family farmhouse in northern Michigan, we decided our next adventure would be spent exploring the greater Columbus, Ohio, area. Over the years, we have often passed through Columbus and have always enjoyed our time there. I was especially drawn to the city’s historic architectural charm, found in both its homes and civic buildings. Below is a sampling of pen-and-watercolor house portraits featuring some of my favorite homes I have painted in Columbus itself, as well as in two historic communities that are part of the broader metropolitan area: Grandview Heights and Upper Arlington. This exquisite home found in Marble Cliff, a city north west of Grandview Heights, was built in 1990. In this…

Spending time in New Jersey:  Some Hand-Painted Homes of the Garden State New Jersey has one of the richest and most varied collections of residential architecture in the United States. So I decided to spend some time there exploring this interesting architectural diversity, while also giving two well deserved Historic Preservation Awards in the state. Because New Jersey it was one of the original thirteen colonies and lies between two major cities—New York and Philadelphia—the state's homes reflect over 300 years of changing history, culture, immigration, and prosperity. From humble colonial farmhouses to elegant Victorian mansions and sleek contemporary homes, New Jersey's neighborhoods tell the story of America's architectural evolution. [caption id="attachment_57383" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Pen and watercolor painting of an early home on the Jersey Shore[/caption] Why New Jersey's Architecture…

See how they were transformed into pen and watercolor house portrait paintings . . .  Many people think that it’s the intricate detail or size of buildings that makes creating paintings of them really difficult.  I would disagree. The most insurmountable aspect is when you can’t SEE your subject, due to obstacles, messes or poor visibility. All I can say, is that it’s a good job I like challenges! Just for fun, take a look at this short video with my most impossible house portraits . . . along with the final outcome for each of them. If you've ever wondered whether a favorite home could be painted despite trees, landscaping, renovations, or an imperfect photograph, I hope this video shows that almost anything is possible. Of course I would love…

Hello friends, Here's the good news. . . It's not too late for a unique, one-of-a-kind Father's Day gift! Fuel the love affair that a favorite man in your life has with his home. Not only that, it is a gift that you and everyone else can enjoy as well, displayed on the wall for all to see. Let's face it, that man in your life is likely to already have everything imaginable. Is there anything you could give him that is truly original???? The answer is YES!  Order a custom House Portrait Gift Certicate . . . So don't worry that you have missed the boat on an original portriat as a Father's Day gift. . . with a House Portrait Gift Certificate (as seen above) we can work together to create a true work…

My pop-up rustic country studio. . .  I have always lived in the city, while occasionally staying briefly in the country.  Other artist friends have told me how a peaceful rural setting plays a significant role in their creative process. So finally I decided to try it out. From the gentle soundtrack of birdsong in the morning to the golden glow of sunset across a canvas in the evening, I've discovered this tranquil rual setting at the family farmhouse in northern Michigan does offer an environment where art and nature exist in harmony. A Unique Artistic Voice I am not sure how long I will last here in this placid environment, without walkable coffee houses, favorite cafes and coffee planning sessions with friends, but it certainly doesn't hinder artistic productivity…