26/365- No Blue, No Green

Digital Painting by Tracey Grumbach

"No water, no life. No blue, no green." -Sylvia Earle

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As I sit at the resort pool in Scottsdale, Arizona, three hours behind east coast time, I contemplate water. I am not sure if it is because there is a vast pool of crystal clear swimming water in front of me or if it is because there is a stark contrast to my current view and the surrounding arid desert of Arizona. Water. I realize in this moment how I have taken for granted this precious resource, growing up and living my entire life in Maryland where I am surrounded by this amazing mix of hydrogen and oxygen. I even have a natural spring, a stream, and a very mini waterfall on my property.

But here in the middle of the dry desert where no grass grows and very few shrubs and trees grow, water is a completely different story. Flying over in the plane yesterday, thousands of feet above our earth, I didn't see a single speck of water. Not one. For miles and miles and miles. It is so scarce here that the pilot saw it necessary to come on the intercom and point out Roosevelt Lake as we flew over. And this lake was manmade back in 1911 when workers dammed the Salt River. It's not even natural.

The irony that I am posting a digital painting of a plant that only grows in water and mud while I am sitting in the middle of a desert does not go unnoticed by me. But isn't life all about contrasts and differences and the beauty we can find in them? Today's quote has such a strong undercurrent of meaning in today's world, I think. No blue, no green. No green, no humans. We are all interconnected and interdependent on each other. Not only our human race but the earth on its full scale. Such a delicate balance we must make as not to upset the precarious harmony of our system. I can't help think of all the rhetoric surrounding the NFL anthem kneeling mess. It seems sometimes that our world is on the brink of spinning off this balance, off the axis that keeps us all grounded here. It frightens me sometimes. And then I remember to have faith.

I know this is a late post today, but give a girl a break...I'm posting from three hours behind :)  Have a wonderful Monday. I'm thinking about everyone back at home as I lift my face to the sun and soak in the rays, thankful that our earth is still spinning, still balancing, still as amazing and beautiful as ever.

xo

25/365- The Shed Behind the Barn

Digital Painting by Tracey Grumbach

"There is nothing like staying at home for real comfort." -Jane Austen

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A few days ago I beagn reading A Piece of the World by Christina Baker Kline.  It is a book about the woman, Christina, who is featured in Andrew Wyeth's famous painting, Christina's World. It is a novel written in gauzy prose, with intense character development, just the way I love novels. I've read this author's other book, Orphan Train, and loved it, just as I do this one. In addition to really enjoying the book, I am a huge fan of Andrew Wyeth. His realistic paintings with muted tones somehow touch my soul. I'd love to see his paintings in person to see the brushstrokes up close.

I'm heading off to Arizona today. Prayers for safe and uncomplicated travel are very much appreciated. Thank you to my oldest son and my goddaughter who will be taking care of the home front and caring for the twins in my absence. I will post a few updates on Facebook during my travels, so be sure to check there. I have my camera packed and ready!

Have a wonderful day and I will see you back here sometime tomorrow. 

xo

24/365- The Harvest of My Daily Life

Digital Painting by Tracey Grumbach

“If the day and the night are such that you greet them with joy, and life emits a fragrance like flowers and sweet-scented herbs, is more elastic, more starry, more immortal- that is your success. All nature is your congratulation, and you have cause momentarily to bless yourself. The greatest gains and values are farthest from being appreciated. We easily come to doubt if they exist. We soon forget them. They are the highest reality. Perhaps the facts most astounding and most real are never communicated by man to man. The true harvest of my daily life is somewhat as intangible and indescribable as the tints of morning or evening. It is a little star-dust caught, a segment of the rainbow which I have clutched.” ― Henry David Thoreau, Walden

21/365- The Longwood Tourists

Digital painting by Tracey Grumbach

“The traveler sees what he sees. The tourist sees what he has come to see.”
―G.K. Chesterton

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Today I am 45. I am half way to 90. Enough said. 


Until tomorrow

xo

20/365-Our Picnic Spot- Digital Painting by Tracey Grumbach

Digital Painting by Tracey Grumbach

It's not fair to compare one artist to another because they all come with their own sort of elements to the picnic, you know. Annie Lennox
Read more at: https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/a/annielenno574518.html?src=t_picnic

It's not fair to compare one artist to another because they all come with their own sort of elements to the picnic, you know. Annie Lennox
Read more at: https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/a/annielenno574518.html?src=t_picnic

It's not fair to compare one artist to another because they all come with their own sort of elements to the picnic, you know.
-Annie Lennox

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For this digital painting of a pond at Longwood Gardens, I took a photograph using my Canon 5D Mark III and then painstakingly used different brushes in Photoshop to paint over it. Next, I exported it to my iPhone 6S Plus and used various apps to add elements and textures. Then, I returned it to Photoshop and tweaked colors, contrast, and sharpness of details.

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Brenna made it safely back to Winter Park yesterday. Her car was covered in leaf debris, but otherwise unharmed. Her apartment complex has a lot of piles of debris, but her building seems to have faired the hurricane well. The apartment building next to hers had some minor damage to the siding but seems otherwise livable. Her food was a complete loss in the refrigerator, of course, but she went grocery shopping last night to replace what was lost. She is scheduled to start classes again today. Thank you all for your amazing support during this difficult time for her. Now, if we can keep the other hurricanes away, I will be one happy Mama!

I am heading back to Longwood Gardens today with some dear friends. I am looking for inspiration and beauty!

Have a great day!

xo

19/365-Whiskers on Kittens

Digital Painting by Baltimore area artist Tracey Grumbach

Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens
Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens
Brown paper packages tied up with strings
These are a few of my favorite things

-Rodgers and Hammerstein; My Favorite Things

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What a blessing last night turned out to be. After coming home from my Harford Lyme Advocates meeting, I walked into the house to see a mini surprise birthday party waiting for me! Since Brenna is leaving to go back to school today, Brian thought I would like to celebrate my birthday a few days early with all the kids home. There was a balloon, a mum, presents, my favorite dinner, a gluten free and dairy free homemade strawberry shortcake, and best of all, my whole family. It was a wonderful celebration. Even better, we recorded the Ravens game from earlier in the day and watched it after my little party. They won! It doesn't get any better than that.

So, Brenna is headed back to regroup her life back in Florida after Irma. It should be interesting to see what she finds when she gets back. Hopefully, her car is ok and her apartment isn't too gross.  We worry about mold with that many days without electric and air conditioning. Please pray that she has an easy transition back into her life. She will return to classes at Full Sail tomorrow. 

I hope you all have a wonderful Monday.

Until tomorrow!

xo

4/365- Not All Who Wander Are Lost

Not All Who Wander Are Lost- Part of the Get on the Road Series

“They cannot scare me with their empty spaces
Between stars—on stars where no human race is.
I have it in me so much nearer home
To scare myself with my own desert places.”

Robert Frost; The Poetry of Robert Frost

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Oh, how deliciously true these words ring..."my own desert places."

Do you have desert places inside of you? I do.

Until tomorrow...

xo

3/365- Ropes of Steam and Spark-Spattered Wheels

Ropes of Steam and Spark-Spattered Wheels

Canon 5D Mark III
Lens Baby Composer lens
1/3,200
f/4.0
Edited with various apps on iPhone 6S Plus

Sometimes I feel that life is passing me by, not slowly either, but with ropes of steam and spark-spattered wheels and a hoarse roar of power or terror. It's passing, yet I'm the one who's doing all the moving. I'm not the station, I'm not the stop: I'm the train. I'm the train.
-Martin Amis; Money 
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This image is part of the Northern Central Railway in Pennsylvania. While walking along the Heritage Rail Trail near the Railroad parking area of the park, I had the pleasure of seeing Engine 17 coming down the tracks. What a thrill.

Come on out today to Arts By the Bay Gallery in Havre de Grace to see all the amazing art! I will be working from 11AM-2:30PM so stop in and let's chat! Hope to see you there!

Until tomorrow...

1/365- Time's Relentless Melt

Time's Relentless Melt- Digital Art by Tracey Grumbach

Precisely by slicing out this moment and freezing it, all photographs testify to time’s relentless melt.
-Susan Sontag 



After thinking about it a lot lately, I have decided to change the format of this blog for a year. Starting today I am beginning a 365 Project where, for one entire year, I will post either a piece of art or a photograph paired with a quote every single day. I tried this back in 2010 and I only made it through 3/4 of the year. This year I want to make it all the way through.  While I will be occasionally sharing information about art shows, upcoming events, speaking engagements, or workshops, I am focusing on pairing two of my favorite things...quotes and art. After the year is over, who knows what I will get into, but for now, I am looking forward to this challenge and this journey! I hope you enjoy the ride along with me.

Until tomorrow...

xo

Canterbury Bell- Portrait of a Flower Series

Canterbury Bell- digital art by Tracey Grumbach

The other day, while waiting for my flight out of Orlando, I was reading a magazine and came across this quote, "The ordinary arts we practice every day at home are of more importance to the soul than their simplicity might suggest."  -Thomas Moore

I never thought about it prior to that moment, but I think he is right. The rituals I perform every day in my home such as cooking for my family,  folding laundry, vacuuming, etc. while sometimes tedious, are soothing to my soul. If I change my perspective from those things being a chore to those things being a blessing (I have food, clothing, a house, kids, a husband in my life to care for), it becomes an act of love to perform these duties instead of being a mundane task. This is no more evident than when I am away from home, living in a hotel for a week or more. Yes, it is nice not to have to do those things, but after a while, I miss it. I miss taking care of my family. I miss the smell of warm laundry coming out of the dryer. I miss putting the clean, shiny dinner dishes away. I miss making my bed. I miss creating a nice dinner for my family. There is nothing like stepping out of a routine for a while to help make me appreciate that exact routine I was yearning to step away from.

What chores, tasks, or routines can you change your perspective about and see them as an act of soul enriching love instead of a boring job?

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This beautiful purple flower is a Canterbury Bell. It is one of my favorite flowers and I was so excited a while back when I found one in a mixed bouquet I purchased. I didn't want an ordinary picture of it focusing straight into the bell, so I flipped it upside down on a black granite tile to show off the beautiful "flip" of the petals, the gorgeous structure of the cap, and a wonderful reflection. After I photographed it I took it into some painting apps and programs and digitally painted over the original photo. I hope you like this newest addition to the Portrait of a Flower Series. The entire series has been a thrill for me because I am learning more and more about shadowing and highlights in my paintings. I've come a long way since the day of my flat, cut-and-paste look I did a few years back. 

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend. The weather here is supposed to be gorgeous and I am looking forward to it after the heat and humidity of Florida in August! Less than two weeks now and the little ones will return to public school. I am both excited and sad for this transition, but I know in the long run it will be good for all of us.

xo

Sunflower In Its Last Day- Portrait of a Flower Series

Digital Art by Harford County Artist Tracey Grumbach

Sorry for not posting yesterday...my intention was to write a post after dropping Brian and the kids off to go to Universal Island of Adventure. However, after dropping them off I decided to explore Winter Park a bit on my own. I decided to visit the Meade Botanical Gardens and stroll slowly in the shade for some "me" time. I had a wonderful time but I realized I didn't choose the best footwear when I came across a sign warning visitors about alligators and venomous snakes. Oh, and the marshy ground was like quicksand. I had a difficult time keeping my flip flops on my feet and not being sucked into the muddy marsh. I saw several abandoned flip flops along my walk and totally understood how that could happen. Luckily, I didn't lose mine, but it was a struggle. Also luckily I didn't come into contact with any alligators or venomous snakes. I did, however, come across some creepy spiders that had spikes on their backs and some monstrous grasshoppers that looked like miniature dinosaurs. Ick. It was pure heaven strolling alone and not having the kids ask me 1, 428 questions about everything. Just me and my thoughts (and my paranoia about alligators and snakes eating me.)

After getting dripping wet full of sweat, I decided it was time to leave. Instead of going back to the hotel, I decided to stop in to see what the Morse Museum was all about.  Well, what a place, let me tell you! It has the largest collection of works by Louis Comfort Tiffany. It is a fabulous museum and I was practically the only person in there at the time. I had all the security officers at my disposal to answer questions and give me more information. I had a fabulous time exploring all the art. The chapel was breathtaking! If you are ever in the area, you must stop in and check it out.

Today is Brian and the twins' last day here in Florida. They will head home in the morning. So, we will be spending another family day exploring all that Winter Park has to offer. I am staying until Wednesday so I can attend the parent orientation at Full Sail and make sure Brenna is all set to start school on the 28th. She has mandatory orientation for the full week starting Monday so I will have a bit of time on my hands to explore more if I choose.

I hope all is well with you all! I will be posting on Monday so I will see you then. Have a fabulous weekend!

xo

Happy Camper- Get On the Road Series

Tracey Grumbach-Baltimore Area Artist
This digital painting is based off a photograph in the public domain by Karen Arnold.  

I LOVE Airstreams. I think they are adorable. I have a fantasy that when Brian and I retire, we will cruise the United States towing an Airstream trailer, setting up "home" near various National Parks, staying as long as we feel we need to fully explore the area and then moving on to the next. Instead of our children coming to us with the grand kids, we will come to them.

There is only one little problem. Brian isn't digging the Airstream idea. He is not opposed to RVing at all. As a matter of fact, he loves that idea. But he just doesn't like Airstreams. So, in celebration of the idea of freedom, wanderlust, and all things traveling, I've decided to add to several series I am doing right now (including Portrait of a Flower, a Bird Series, and a Hat series-which I have not posted yet), I am also doing a "Get On the Road" series about camping, VW's, Airstreams, and RVs. This is the first one, Happy Camper. And I love it. I may have to blow it up huge on one of may walls and maybe, just maybe, Brian will come around one day to the idea.


Brenna leaves in just 4 days for college. Last night she went to dinner and a movie with three of her closest friends and came home very sad at the realization that life for all of them is changing dramatically and that she will be so far away. As a parent it is difficult to watch these growing pains as she enters adulthood. I wish I could take away the sadness, apprehension, and fear of the unknown so she can only feel the good parts about choosing a college so far away. Transitions in life are never easy and almost never comfortable. I know it is good and healthy for her to feel these growing pains, to be homesick, and to conquer it becoming a stronger and more independent person in the process. Only, as a parent, it is not easy to watch and it breaks my heart when she is hurting.

Anyway, today I am focusing on being a Happy Camper- and will meditate on this digital painting when I feel the urge of wanderlust creeping in. Oh, to be free in a field of wild grass and wild flowers under a blue sky right this minute...

I hope you have a fabulous Tuesday.

xo

A Few of My Favorite Things- Digital Art by Harford County Artist

Digital Painting by Tracey Grumbach

What's not to love and adore about lacy pressed leaves from an autumn past, a bleach white sand dollar from a previous beach vacation, an antique bottle, and a collection of beautiful red-tail hawk feathers? These are a few of my favorite things. I keep them all in a metal basket on my shelf in the dining room right next to some family pictures. It makes me smile each time I walk by. Also in that basket are some handwritten cards, letters, and notes from friends and family I have collected over the years. These small treasures mean so much. What small treasures do you keep around that make you smile?

I hope you all have a wonderful day. Happy Wednesday!

xo

Empty Nest- Digital Art by Tracey Grumbach

Digital Artist Tracey Grumbach- Empty Nest

We've begun the countdown until my oldest daughter leaves the nest and spreads her wings.  11 days. 11 days until she sets out on her own five states away from me. We have furniture stacked and ready to be loaded into the trailer for her new apartment. We have lists written that need to be checked off. She has a room that needs to be packed up...boxes everywhere. We've been teaching her last minute life skills she will need living on her own. (paying bills, balancing checkbooks, etc.) We've been squeezing in some last minute family time with fun activities like visiting Longwood Gardens, having a crab feast, meeting family members she won't see for a while for lunch, etc. It just seems like such a lot to do in so little time. 11 days.

I don't live well in chaos and between the generalized emotion of having my first child leave home, the deep emotion of this last week saying goodbye to young men my kids' ages who've died, general anxiety about the condition of the world in which we live in, and the clutter of packing her up...well, I am an emotional mess. 11 days.

I have become increasingly aware just how precious these moments are when our children are entrusted to our care and live under the same roof as us. I am happy and excited for her because I can remember that feeling of getting ready to set out on one's own. However, my anxiety over harm coming to her has risen over the last week. I have complete confidence she will do amazingly...I just don't have complete confidence in other people. The world has become such a crazy place. 11 days.

My oldest son won't be far behind her as he plans on setting off to school in October, leaving me suddenly with a house of 4 instead of 6. I am sure that once Brenna is settled in Florida, our attention will turn to a countdown for him as well. Where has the time gone? 11 days...

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On a side note, I wanted to thank everyone who took the chance to see my art displayed at the Art Without Boundaries Exhibit at the Bel Air Branch of Harford County Public Library. This exhibit has closed and it was wildly successful. Such beautiful art created by people of all abilities! I was so honored to have my art included.

Also, please join me this Friday from 6PM-9PM at Arts By the Bay Gallery in Havre de Grace for First Friday! Stop in the gallery to say hello and then enjoy all the festivities that will be set up along Main Street. It really is a fun time! I hope to see you there. 

Blessings to you on this day.
xo

Laveder-Digital Painting by Tracey Grumbach

Lavender-Portrait of a Flower Series-Artist Tracey Grumbach

I created this simply because I needed joy. Lavender, my most favorite plant on earth, brings me joy in more ways than one. I simply love the color and the delicate flowers. I love the way it smells. Actually, it is my favorite smell in the world. I diffuse the essential oil throughout the house frequently and also dab it on diffuser necklaces and bracelets I wear. If I could fill my house and yard with lavender, I would. One day I would like to have a whole garden bed just for this plant. I'd harvest the flowers and create beautiful satchels filled with dried flowers to add to each of the drawers in my dresser.

Monday, when Brenna, the twins and I went to Longwood Gardens, we stopped in the gift shop on the way out. When I saw they were selling lavender plants, I had to have one. With all of the difficult news we have absorbed this week I just wanted something in the house to make me smile and remember my blessings. So, I bought it, brought it home, put it in the sunniest window I have, and to remind me of its beauty even when it has faded into the darkness of winter, I digitally painted it. I knew I wanted to use a touch of robin's egg blue in the background because it is my favorite color along with lavender. So, that is what I did. I think I will make two prints of this...one for me and one to sell. I am emotionally attached to it. It reminds me that no matter how ugly the world gets, beauty is just a glance away. 

Today will be a very difficult day. Our family will be joining the rest of the community in gathering together and saying goodbye to a dear friend lost. It is a stark reminder that bad things happen to good people, life is way too short, and we are never promised tomorrow. Please send love and prayers to a grieving family and a grieving community today as we all celebrate a young life lived beautifully.

Just a quick reminder that I will be working at Arts By the Bay Gallery today from 11AM-3PM if anyone would like to stop in and chat art or Lyme. I'd love to see you. Have a wonderful day and remember to hug all your loved ones tight.  See you back here on Monday.

xo

I Spy With My Little Eye- Digital Painting by Tracey Grumbach

Mobile-Art-by-Tracey-Grumbach

Driving by a green field with tall grass most people would think it needs to be cut down. However, approaching the edge of the field one can certainly see this messy field is actually teeming with life, both plant, and animal. Look at the delicious color combination nature provided here...green, pink, and the yellow wings of the butterfly. Just beautiful. Can you see the cattail hiding?

Two days ago I learned of some opportunities for digital artists and photographers. A magazine was having a call for art and two separate entities were offering grants to photographers. So yesterday I spent the day preparing and submitting work to all of these. I need to finish up the grant writing today. Grants are a new thing for me, so I am not hopeful of winning, but at the very least it will give me some practice for the future.

I am also wrapping up writing an article for The Mighty and should be submitting it today. All this quiet time at home with Brenna has made it easier on me to focus on some things that I simply didn't have time for before. Speaking of Brenna, she is slowly, slowly making some progress. I truly think this surgery was a difficult one compared to most wisdom teeth removal because of the position of her teeth. The doctor even stated that he had to give her a lot of "medicine" to keep her comfortable during the procedure. Poor thing...she is miserable. At least she has not vomited in the last 24 hours. That is a plus for sure.

I'm hoping everyone has a fabulous weekend. I was supposed to go visit my mother this weekend but I will be staying home because Brenna simply can't travel right now. I will have to reschedule this trip later in the summer.

See you Monday. Stay cool.

xo

Learning From the Masters- Digital Art

Learning is not attained by chance, 

it must be sought for with ardor and diligence. 

~Abigail Adams

I am still collecting donations throughout the month of May and donating a portion of the profit from the sale of my art in the month of May to NatCapLyme.org- an organization that helps with research, education, legislation, and support for those suffering and treating Lyme Disease. If you would like to help people like me and so many others who suffer daily from this disease, please visit Arts By the Bay Gallery in Havre de Grace where there are donation boxes until May 31. If you can't make it out to the gallery, please consider donating online using the following instructions.

1.  Go to NatCapLyme.org's donation page.
2.  Click on Fundraising Event in the tab section.
3.  In the Select Event for Fundraising dropdown menu choose the bottom one...Arts By the Bay Gallery Ticked Off Lyme Disease Awareness Event.
4.  Fill out the rest of the form and submit!

Burnside's Bridge- Antietam

It has been so rainy and grey around here and I have been very busy dealing with life with 4 kids and a Lyme/co-infection relapse of some sort, that I have not been out to collect photographs lately. So, I found this to be the perfect opportunity to look back into the old files and find some treasures to work with. I found this one, an old photo I took back in 2010, I believe, that inspired me to digitally paint it. I loved the beautiful colors and the fantastic shapes present in this scene, so it was perfect to work with. I hope you like this digital paintings of one of the most historic bridges in the United States, Burnside's Bridge in Antietam National Battlefield.

On another note, this Friday...two days from now, will be the official opening of the spring show at Arts By the Bay Gallery in Havre de Grace. I will be the Featured Artist and have 32 pieces hanging and additional prints in a print bin. The reception is from 7PM-9PM this Friday and I would love to see you there. (see flier below)

If you can't make it Friday night, please mark your calendar for the following Friday, May 5th, when I will be hosting the Ticked Off-Lyme Disease Awareness Event at the same location! I will still be showing my art but also discussing my continuing journey battling Lyme Disease and co-infections. Stop in for a chance to win a fabulous prize basket that contains wine, artwork, stationary, jewelry, etc! Also, you can help us raise money for the amazing organization National Capital Lyme Disease Association by making a small donation, taking a bite out of a real lime, video yourself doing it, and then posting it on social media challenging your friends to do the same at home. I will have video of me and my family doing that soon, so keep your eyes open for that!  We also will have an informational table set up to help you understand the risks of this disease and how to safeguard yourself the best you can from becoming infected. It is going to be a great night, so please join us! (see flyer below)

Don't forget also, to sign up soon for the May 20th Havre de Grace Photowalk Photography Workshop!  I will be teaching a mini workshop on composition and then guiding a tour to photograph the beautiful Havre de Grace! Many are signed up already, so be sure to sign up before the class is filled! (see flier below)

Portrait of a Flower- Digital Art By Tracey Grumbach

About this image: Tired of the normal flower pictures, I decided to instead, do a portrait of a flower, an impression of a flower, a flower that remained in my brain after a sweet dream. Using photography and digital painting, I created this piece. I was inspired by the beautiful birthday bouquet we bought my mother and had displayed at her party. I recently bought a tabletop softbox studio and used that to capture individual photos of some of my favorite flowers in the bunch. This, paper thin, lacy edged beauty caught my eye first. Despite several attempts, I was unable to identify its name. If you know, please tell me. I would love to know.

Thank you to those who let me know my website was down yesterday. As it turns out, my hosting site was having site wide issues which affected mine. Happily, it seems to be running with no glitches this morning and is fully back online. I appreciate y'all looking out for me!

I hope you had a fabulous weekend and enter this work week with a smile and spring in your step.

xo

Oxford Art Alliance "Through Your Looking Glass" Art Show

I am so excited to announce that I will be showing three pieces of art in a new art show at Oxford Art Alliance gallery in Oxford, Pennsylvania. The show is themed "Through Your Looking Glass" and features art that involves windows. The show opening reception is Friday, January 20th from 5PM-8PM. I will be at the opening reception with bells on (not literally with bells on) and am excited to meet new artists and the patrons who frequent this gallery!

One of the images that will be showing is Through the Looking Glass...a digital painting I did of a circular window overlooking Forest Park in St. Louis, Missouri.  There will be only one print of this image made and it will be on display and for sale at this show. It is 10x10 inches matted and framed in a 12x12 inch frame!

Another piece that will be showing is I'll Leave the Window Open For You. This is also a digital painting. It features a private residence in Bar Harbor, Maine. You can read more about this image by clicking through the link on the title of the piece. There will also only be one print only of this piece offered. It is 10 x 13 inches and matted to a 16 x 20 inch frame.

The third piece that will be showing in the Oxford Art Alliance gallery is There Are Joys that Long to Be Ours. This is a digital collage created from a photograph I took while sitting in my car at a stop light one day. I added elements, painted a bit, added textures, and ended up with this piece. There will only be one of these ever printed and it is 8 x 8 inches matted to a 12 x 12 inch frame.

Showing in this gallery is special to my heart because I did not seek out this opportunity. A wonderful fellow artist, Anita Bower, saw my work at Arts By the Bay gallery in Havre de Grace and invited me to participate. To have another artist see my work and seek it out makes my heart soar and I am thrilled to meet her in person very soon.

I hope you all have time to come out on Friday, January 20th for the opening show reception of "Through Your Looking Glass" at Oxford Art Alliance to see me me and the other artists! It will be a good time. I will be adding the information about this show in the Upcoming Events section of my blog.

Have a beautiful Wednesday!

xo