Let me say I've always been a fan of Autumn. Rides in the country at this time of year evoke in me a love of all things fall and vintage. I recall a letter from author E.B. White, written to his mother as he travelled in early spring to Ohio. This is the feeling I wanted to convey to the viewers of this particular illustration 'He said: "Spring has arrived in Ohio. This is a flat state where red pigs graze in bright green fields and where farms are neat and prosperous — not like New York farms. We roll along through dozens of villages and cities whose names we never heard. [...] Toward evening the country scenes become idyllic — the sort of thing you have seen in the moving pictures and never quite believed in. Sheep come drifting up long green lawns where poplars throw interminable shadows, come drifting up and stand like statues beneath white plum blossoms, while far down the land and off in the fields a little Ford tractor moves like a snail across the furrows. Lilacs are in full bloom and the lavender ironwood blossoms are coloring all the roads." '

I'm proud to announce a brand new photo card for Halloween.


I really love the photo cards. A bit more challenging to create (thank the graphic gods for Photoshop, which decided to be temperamental today). Such a terrific way to showcase your little one's special moment as a ninja turtle or princess. Enjoy!

It's officially October. Our area here is NW Ohio is replete with "OKTOBERFESTS" and Halloween is in the air. I'm delighted to present another Halloween photocard:


Hopefully more will follow. This design is a result of a favorite Halloween treat of mine, (second only to candy apples and doughnuts). Here in NW Ohio we have a number of festivals. They include anything from corn mazes to "Haunted Houses". My adult children will be heading to CEDAR POINT, for their "Hallowed weekends full of adult frights, while our TOLEDO ZOO will feature a Pumpkin Path filled with more "gentle" boo's. Let me know what you'd like to see? And as always, I'm happy to design custom cards for those autumn festivals and Halloween parties.

Think it's a bit odd to begin a post with cards for cancer patients? Well October is National Breast Cancer awareness month. And Greeting Card Universe is featuring cards for Cancer patients, right down to the very youngest.

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      Greeting Card Universe Cards for Cancer Patients




"Be Not Afraid"  Lovely design by artist Sandra Rose Designs.




"Ready to Rumble" Hilarious and light hearted for pediatric patients. By artist Corrie Kuipers






"Hey Girl" Another terrific and lighthearted pediatric design for the young or "young at heart". By Artist Corrie Kuipers





On a personal note, this month marks five years since my sister, a breast cancer survivor called to say the cancer had returned and she had six weeks to two years to live. In denial, fearful, and yes, a bit angry, my daughter and I moved into her house (thankfully only two blocks away). I wish these cards had been around then (perhaps they were and I just was oblivious). Our minds flying into fix it mode, we both fought even the slightest hint that she wouldn't win her fight, a fight she lost eight months later.
I think today, how cancer has impacted my life~ I have never had cancer, thank God. But my earliest memory is the passing of my grandmother of breast cancer. I was only 5 at the time, and it was whispered about. No one scarcely mentioned it much less thought of sending a card. Then my aunt, cousins, my mother and my sister, all diagnosed and all survivors because of advancements in the diagnostics and treatment. But I have a friend who have lost a son to neuroblastoma,  a form of childhood cancer. She is today a huge advocate for CHOP in Philadelphia and is a regular guest speaker to parents and staff.
 I have not designed a card for Cancer patients, but assuredly  that will change today. So if you know someone awaiting the start of treatment, someone who feels less of a person because of surgery, someone who is entering Hospice care, or is awaiting the results of a blood test, please look over our lovely cards. The messages are diverse and sensitive, beautifully illustrated, and spoken from the heart.

Clearly, I'm not an Einstein. After spending nearly a day figuring out why my LIKE BOX wouldn't show up at my Warm Traditions FB page https://www.facebook.com/#!/warmtraditionsgreetingcards , a light bulb went off. I had "liked" my own page. When we like a page the "LIKE" box magically disappears, even if we "LIKE" our own page. I guess that prevents one from overly promoting oneself. At any rate, problem solved, others can "LIKE" my page, and I don't need to create an APP or do any other fancy configuring. (Deep sigh).On a happier note, the first of the Halloween cards was approved today. Photo cards are in and I'm having a ball designing cards that my clients can upload pictures and edit their own text. Hope everyone loves the "gently spooky" image. Look for more Halloween designs to follow.

It's finally done and hopefully will be reviewed in time for Halloween. I had so much fun with this colorful albeit time consuming design. Enjoy!

It's fall finally. And I was thrilled with the arrival of newly ordered Stonehenge paper from fellow colored pencil portrait artist, Ann Kullberg. It's a subtle reminder that I need to tacklea new portrait. While I've done commissioned portraits, it really excites me to take my own photos see the excitement on a client's face that the rendition truly captures their loved one, whether it be child, pet, or home. Meanwhile I'm thrilled to announce the arrival of High Holy Day cards for our Jewish friends. I'm hoping to add one more image at Warm Traditions Greeting card store and then it will be Halloween all the way! Currently working on a piece that's making me hungry along those lines. Not quite ready to share; but I'll give a hint: a popular candy sold this time of year. And since I have the taste buds of a healthy (and thin) eight year old, it's among my favorites as well. The newly crisp air is calling and I'm tempted to visit some of the local apple orchards today (as my son is in Ann Arbor.) So off to charge my camera and search online for local fare. Happy fall everyone!

Fighting a nasty four days of vertigo has left me pondering what is actually wrong. It can't be flu, no temp, aches pains, etc. It's annoying when you can't draw and assignments are due. And how is it possible that a room can feel like it's about to swim as you're staying in one place. Worst case scenario, my MS has yet again reared it's large and ugly head, just when weather is nice enough to really enjoy- quick before it snows. So, pens and paints wait as I speculate. Get the doctor's number out and put it back. Speculate some more. Thank goodness for audio books. Perhaps I'll briefly not fight this and give in to it. Some pillows and delicious words of James Patterson. What say you?

Chilly but pleasant Memorial Day and Happy Birthday Lily Pearl, our 5 yr. old Dalmation. She has a huge stuffed toy fish waiting for her. (She almost saw it as we brought it in the house and I swear she followed my daughter to see where she was hiding it.) Of course she'll squeak it to death and we'll have to keep her from annihilating it. Then a game of hide and seek of course. And a special treat in her dinner bowl. Happy Birthday Sweet little girl. You'll never know how glad we are you share your life with us.

An evening walk. Chilly but doable; We needed jackets, my daughter and I. It was a bit darker than I like to out; no longer seeing our shadows and dependent on streetlights and a few opened living room windows to shine light out on ourselves. I regretted not having brought a flashlight and was just about to complain when my daughter grabbed my arm. I instinctively stopped and looked around, "furtively", you might say, were this the beginning of a mystery novel. Karen pointed up into the tree. I saw nothing unusl, save what appeared a batlike presence fluttering madly in place, then flying off. On second look, an odd shaped mass of feathers, twittering softly, babyish even. It was a few seconds before I realized I was looking at an owl. Small, but indigenous to NW Ohio is the sweet little saw whet owl. I longed for a camera. We stood in awe for about 15 minutes, then went on our way. Nest time, a flashlight and a camera, I promise.

We're bombarded once a gain with snow. A whopping 8-12 inches due by dinner time. So I'm going to be stuck indoors once again (my nasty MS keeping me from safely shoveling or walking.) thank goodness for the exercise tapes I can watch from my computer screen. A favorite, a walking tape lets me walk and actually break a sweat. Problem is, my screensaver often takes over in the middle of it so I need to push mouse to keep it going. Aurgh! Happy skiing to those in the midst of this most recent winter storm. Stay safe and warm.

Not sure whether to be glad we're iced in or not. While I wouldn't have minded all snow (which would have translated into 66-12 inches, Mother Nature decided to once again treat us to a variety of events ranging from snow, to sleet (about 5:00 this morning) to freezing rain. The temps hovering right at freezing cause the moisture to arrive as rain then freeze at the ground. Now it's thawing somewhat, leaving a slushy mess which is supposed to be followed by snow. YUCK! I think of all those individuals trying to get home for Christmas and other winter holidays and celebrations and my heart goes out to them. On the plus side, being "weathered in" always gives rise to the creative muses and so I'll probably work on my much delayed "REUBEN" a wip in progress that even I weary of at times. (My illustrative style changed after I was well into it, preferring now watercolor over layered colored pencil, but will continue in the latter venue on this project.)
I'll try to ignore, at least for the time being, the drier buzzer going off, or the sound of the salt truck. And transport myself to pre-war Germany for some artwork.

I'm not the most patient person and never more so than waiting to hear from an editor. And it's not unsual to have a six month wait for an answer. Even then, one should expect to do some rewrites.
I know the rule of thumb is to have seven (yes, seven!) things out there at all times.
I'm sure the suspense of wondering who is reading what and what do they think of it would render me completely helpless. After all, how many hours can one reasonably spend in front of a screen that isn't platinum?
It's a heady thing to have your manuscript requested. You begin to fly around wondering what to wear, what time he'll pick you up, (oops no, that's high school prom). You begin to fly around wondering how you'll cast your leading character when Hollywood comes calling. Then you weakly crawl to the publisher's site and hesitantly peel back the covers of what he already deemed publishable. Oh, no, I'm not nearly edgy enough for the YA market. Oh, God!, that character has my character's voice! Rendering my character now speechless.
I received advice a long time ago; tell your story. Have engaging realistic characters, Then worry about marketing. Having done that, move to the next project. OK. done. Excuse me while I check my email.

After the hype of Halloween and before the hype of Election Day, sits a quiet barely acknowledged day of All Soul's. Traditionally a day of prayers for the dead, it leaves me reflective on individuals who are dearly departed and recently departed. People I thought would be around forever, or, at least until I got around to calling, going to lunch, writing. But they weren't. Three dear friends have passed since August. I have no doubt they're around, chuckling at my stupidity, encouraging me in moments of doubt, and, I hope, forgiving my moments of nastiness, indifference or just plain neglect. Did I dismiss them when I heard they had Alzheimers, figuring they wouldn't know who I was anyway? Did I avoid them when the terrible C word came up, wondering what I'd say? Was I offended when, in a senior moment, they forgot my name or lost my number? Whatever the reason, I'm sure I could have done better. So before the Christmas season is upon us, that's my goal. To do better.

I'm trying to enjoy the wonderful fall weather before either rain or snow comes. Today is so gorgeous and cool enough for a good walk. So many birds in the yard (my mom always saw that as a sign of impending doom_ hope that's a wive's tale; don't want anything to mar this great day and the fact that Im at least temporarily remitting.
Great inspiration for artwork. I've had some terrific assignments that lend themselve to my love of history (or at the very least, nostalgia). Working on a conestoga wagon, draft horses in traces, ah, where do all those lines go, LOL! But for the next 40 minutes, I'm going to indulge and get a nice long walk.

Happy Holidays to all those who celebrate and those who love those who celebrate. May you be inscribed for the New Year.

It was an innocent enough search. I remembered a dear friend with whom I'd recently reconnected by way of the internet. I wanted to send her a birthday card, her birthday falling on Mother's Day this year. What I encountered saddened me beyond belief. Her 17 year old son had succumbed to neuroblastoma, a form of children's cancer, this past April. How could I not send condolences, even though time and space had separated us. I found a lovely card, indicative of her spiritual persuasion and emailed it to her. We exchanged a number of emails promising to keep in better touch and I felt I'd regained a friend from my past.
I remember two things about my friend Sue, from our earlier days. She was wonderful around kids, always able to approach them at there level (something I struggled with). And she loved tea and plants. I was always assured that the teapot would be boiling when I went to her apartment. And one birthday of mine, she took me plant shopping; the gift including her gift of time patiently showing me the ins and outs of keeping a plant from becoming "root-bound" as well as a book for the "purple thumb".
I will contemplate those memories this mother's day. I will think of those
mom's whose memories are painful or non-existent. I will hold my nearly grown children a little closer and pray for those mom's whose children are out of reach. And I will remember teachers and other adults who didn't physically bear children that non-the less were capable of mothering over the years.
Happy Mother's Day, everyone!