5 canvas wall hangings: acrylic on canvas

my client loves literature and wanted to bring her warm childhood memories of Robert Louis Stevenson into her home for herself and her family. exerpts were carefully chosen from a much loved book read and re-read to her by her mother, "A Child's Garden of Verses" by Robert Louis Stevenson, illustrated by Tasha Tudor. we decided not to re-create these wonderful whimsical images and exerpts directly on the wall, but to paint them on canvas so they could one day be re-positioned and shared amongst all the children in the family. they were initially chosen and designed to fit into their youngest child's nursery...filling an expansive 5-paneled wall. Each hangs from a crystal knob, ropes and ribbons. i loved working on these pieces, and it was a joy to see them hanging in such a beautiful environment.

panel #1

panel #2

panel #3

panel #4

panel #5

painted circus panels: acrylic on wood

i painted these two panels on inserts to fit into this cabinet/bar for a friend and client who presently lives in "The Circus House", once owned by John Robinson and family, of the John Robinson Circus. their home is filled with much memorabllia and history of the circus and she wanted to add some whimsy to this cabinet with reproductions of the old Robinson Circus Posters...double click for detail

large canvas pencil sketch of my boys...

i wanted a large canvas painting of my boys over our bed but wanted a very subtle painting, a 'tone on tone' piece. this was the initial pencil sketch (after some added detail). i was going to follow up with a sepia wash (and still may) to go with my neutral bedroom, but i really like this and so do my friends. my children however, want to see the next step. we'll see. i like its quiet presence. too many things seem to shout at us these days. this piece sort of whispers...

(you can double click for more detail)

built in bookcase: painted black, distressed and accented

we had a very dated built-in bookcase in our dinning room. by painting it black and distressing it, it gave it presence and the feel of permanance. I accented it at the top with one of my favorites...wheat...its the Kansas in me i guess.

boys fishing room: painted dresser and bunkbed

this was an old dark wood dresser with broken handles. The handles could not be replaced because they were inset handles and an odd size...so I painted fish themed panels to cover the empty insets and relocated new knobs on the dresser.

the dresser was painted green and distressed to fit the fish-themed little boys room.

an inexpensive bunkbed was accented with fly fishing lures on the end rails. Re-consider before you throw out that dated or slightly damaged piece of furniture. You have options!

highchair: painted, distressed, and decorated

i painted this highchair to tie in with my client's dish pattern and kitchen colors...this is the view of the back with added ribbons and tassles, followed by an image of the tray.

chicken mural behind chicken wire

floor painting

free-hand floor painting on screened in porch

Sean Barton: my awesome wire chandelier

Our friend, Sean barton does some incredible wire art...he made the following chandelier for my dinning room. It gives the traditional space a punch of whimsy...casting shadows on the ceiling.