Watercolor Studies

Palm Study

5 x 5.5

watercolor

Palm Study 2

4.75 x 5.5

watercolor

We've just returned from a vacation to beautiful Puerto Vallarta. I have hundreds of inspirational photos to work from now :) The sunsets were fantastic! I considered the possibility of becoming a beach vendor just so I could have an excuse to paint that view everyday! Alas, I chose to come back to the beautiful midwest. I actually do love the midwest landscape, especially in fall. Don't be surprised to find a mix of midwest and tropical landscapes on my site though. I just can't pick one over the other! These are just some little palm tree studies that I did in watercolor. I love the way each palm tree has it's own quirky shape!

Promised Sunrise

Promised Sunrise

oil on canvas

18 x 24

Sold

Here is a recent commission that was a lot of fun. I loved painting the warm light in the clouds against the dark, stormy clouds. This was a surprise anniversary gift for a husband that was in the Navy. It's always an honor to be commissioned to paint something that is meaningful to someone. I have to say, it's a highlight of my job : )

Just Another Day in Paradise

Just Another Day

18 x 24

oil on canvas

I can't believe how long it's been since I've posted! Here is my latest painting available for purchase from my etsy shop. This was from a photo that I took while on the beach in Costa Rica. That's Pedro, our bus driver :) It was a beautiful day on the Caribbean!

New Mexico Evening

Originally uploaded by life.of.leia

New Mexico Evening

oil on panel

5 x 7

Available for purchase at my etsy shop!

An evening drive through the desert inspired this painting. Has me wanting to be back there. I am still wanting to paint more of the midwestern landscape but yesterday I was having trouble finding a picture I wanted to paint. Thankfully last night we had a lovely evening at a friend's lake and I took countless pictures! It was the perfect lighting and the perfect setting. I'm so excited to get started!

Happy 4th of July!

Iowa Landscape

8 x 10

oil on panel

Available for purchase in my etsy shop!

Happy 4th of July! Enjoy your holiday weekend everyone!

Fields of Iowa

Fields of Iowa

8 x 10

oil on panel

Available for purchase from my etsy shop!

"To me, every hour of the day and night is an unspeakably perfect miracle."

~ Walt Whitman

This is another painting from my midwestern landscapes. I used a photo that I took on a road trip back in May. I just got back from a road trip down to Kansas City this past weekend. I wish I had gotten some pictures of the landscape this time. The amount of flooding in the fields was incredible. It's really unbelievable how rainy it has been this spring. Living in the city I have become a little removed from it. Hopefully the rain will stop for a bit for all the people whose farms and homes are at stake. This is not nearly as important but some of my plants are beginning to rot from all the water as well! The weather really shows us how little we are in control.

Spring Sky

Spring Sky

Oil on Canvas Panel

8 x 10

Now Available in my etsy shop!

Oh how I love a road trip through rolling hills and manicured farmlands under a big cloud-filled sky...

Whoever says the midwestern landscape is boring must be crazy! This is my latest little landscape painting. I'm starting a series of midwest landscapes. I'm really excited about it and I don't think I'll ever get bored with it...

"What was any art but a mold to imprison for a moment the shining elusive element which is life itself- life hurrying past us and running away, to strong to stop, too sweet to lose." - Willa Cather