The Little Church at LaVillita

The holidays are over and I can't believe that the calendar on the wall reads February. I have enjoyed painting several watercolors in the past few weeks. LaVillita is a charming area rich in history and is a National Register Historic District. It is now a setting alive with shops and galleries that continue the arts and crafts tradition.

The cornerstone was laid for the church in 1879. Several denominations have held services here. It is now an active non-denominational church and a favorite site for weddings.

(In the courtyard between the Little Church of La Villita and Maverick Plaza)

Lucia and the Dala Horse

This watercolor was created for our 2003 Christmas card. I used one of my many St. Lucia figurines for the still life set up. The blue Dala horse came from Sweden.

I Wish you a Beary Christmas

I painted this Christmas bear in oil to be used for my Christmas card in 2007. He doesn't show up to his best advantage in this photo. He is quite striking against the dark background and framed in a black frame with a touch of red.

Flowers for December

Each year I paint a picture to be used as my Christmas card. This watercolor of winter flowers and cinnamon sticks was our Christmas greeting several years ago.

Hannah

This is my grandaughter, Hannah, climbing a tree in Lake Tahoe. Hannah celebrated her 16th birthday last month. I struggled with this painting. I had just recovered from Valley Fever and had not painted for most of that year. My next painting of Hannah will be in her beautiful gown she wore to the Homecoming Dance. She was honored to represent her Sophomore Class in the Homecoming Court for Ronald Reagan High School.

Shepherd of the Hills Prayer Garden

In 2004 I was commissioned to paint a watercolor rendering of the proposed prayer garden/columbarium to be constructed at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church in Fountain Hills, Arizona. I walked the property where the columbarium was to be located and began to create the garden in my mind. I saw that the church would be in the background. I imagined sitting on a tree-shaded bench in the garden surrounded by winding paths on the gently sloping hillside in the midst of native plant life. A view of mountain vistas would create a peaceful oasis for visitors to linger, to meditate, and to pray.

The Columbarium structures would be in the form of large boulders, each containing 45 niches for cremated human remains and faced with engraved granite nameplates.

Returning to my studio with a set of architect's plans I was ready to "create" the garden on a large sheet of watercolor paper.

In April of 2005 the construction began. The dedication of the Prayer Garden was Sunday, April 9, 2006. The painting hangs in the vestibule of the church. In a few days I will post a picture of the actual garden as it looks today.

Too Much Sand for Carl

This is another watercolor of Carl at the Florida beach. His Grandmother Carole told me that he didn't want to get sand in his toes and kept his feet raised while he sat in his beach chair.