Hello Reader, I’m currently writing this from a coffee shop in Springfield while waiting and hoping to make it home tomorrow after my flight was canceled. At this point, if all goes wrong, you may still find me wandering the streets of Springfield with a paintbrush in hand and searching for inspiration. As I sit here reflecting, I wanted to share a little about my experience at the Plein Air Convention because it truly was four full days of inspiration, connection, laughter, and paint. The...
10 days ago • 3 min read
Dear Reader, A few years ago, I went to the Plein Air Convention for the first time—not as an instructor, but as a student. And truthfully, that experience stayed with me more deeply than I expected. It reminded me how important it is to slow down.To be patient enough to really see what is in front of me. There is something about painting outdoors that asks you to be present in a completely different way. The light shifts, the wind moves through everything, people pass by, and the scene never...
21 days ago • 2 min read
Hello Watercolor Enthusiasts, Thank you so much to those who joined me live yesterday for my Art School Live demo with Mandy Theis! We had such a wonderful time talking about values, color temperature, and how I approach poured watercolor through layers of light and dark. During the demo, I worked on a new piece inspired by Victoria Falls titled Luminous Descent. One of the biggest themes of the session was how temperature can influence our perception of value — and how strong values are...
23 days ago • 1 min read
Dear Reader, Tomorrow (Tuesday, May 5 at 12 pm ET), I’ll be teaching live on Art School Live with Eric Rhoads and I wanted to invite you all to join me. This session is a little glimpse into how I actually think through a poured watercolor—something I don’t always get to fully show in real time. I’ll be starting with simple value structures, and then building the painting through layered pours. If you’ve taken classes with me before, you know how much I emphasize this idea: values first,...
25 days ago • 1 min read
Hello Passionate Painter, Today’s the day. Wide Open Skies: Painting the Western Landscape in Watercolor starts today—and if you’ve been thinking about joining, there’s still time to jump in. This class is all about learning how to paint light, space, and atmosphere—not just objects. We’ll focus on: Simplifying the landscape into strong, readable shapes Building depth through values first Creating luminous pours that actually glow Letting water do what it does best—while still staying in...
about 2 months ago • 1 min read
Hello Paint Splattered Pal, There’s something about starting a new painting . . . That moment when the paper is blank, the water is moving, and anything feels possible. And if I’m honest—that’s also where most people get stuck. Not because of color. Not because of technique. But because the foundation isn’t there yet. That’s exactly what we’re going to change—starting this Monday. 🌄 Starting This Monday: Wide Open Skies Painting the Western Landscape in Watercolor Online Course This 5-week...
about 2 months ago • 1 min read
Dear Reader, This weekend at Cowgirl Up! was a powerful reminder of just how meaningful it is to live with art that carries story, risk, and heart. As artists, we were invited to preview the exhibition before it opened to the public. Walking into the museum, I was immediately struck by the strength of the work. These women are extraordinary—each piece layered with experience, history, and voice. And standing among it, I’ll be honest… I felt small. As I moved through the galleries, I found...
about 2 months ago • 2 min read
Dear Reader, Some paintings begin with a reference while others begin with a person. Holding the Line Holding the Line, 20x24" Two of my paintings—Holding the Line and Grace in the Reins—began with women I will never forget. They are part of my collection in the main gallery at Cowgirl Up! this year, and they carry a different kind of weight… not just in subject, but in story. The inspiration came from my time working alongside two remarkable women during the Women’s Work exhibition. Women...
2 months ago • 1 min read
Dear Reader, Cowgirl Up! opens this weekend . . . and I wanted to give you a first look before the doors open This year feels especially meaningful. I was invited to participate in Cowgirl Up! at the Sigler Western Museum—one of the premier Western art exhibitions in the country, and a show I’ve admired for years. To be included—by invitation—alongside artists whose work I’ve followed and respected for so long is both surreal and deeply exciting. I have 10 paintings in the exhibition this...
2 months ago • 1 min read