Birds on a Wire Invitation

Bamboo Invitation

According to theories of feng shui, bamboo is a plant that brings a very peaceful and wise energy into your home. It teaches the ultimate wisdom: how to be flexible and hollow (open) on the inside, so that the spirit can freely flow and heal your being. Therefore, it strikes me as a good image to conjure in association with a marriage.

Magnolia Invitation

I'm very fond of flowering trees. There is something entirely wonderful about walking down a street in the early days of spring as the trees first begin to bud and bloom. In composing paintings, I seek those images that evoke for me a sense of wonder. By wonder, I mean those things that stop me as I'm walking down the street, perhaps make me grin in a seemingly illogical manner, and which in recollection transform my state of mind. They are moments I want to tell people about, but for which I find language ineffective. They are moments which fill me with gratitude for beauty. The early blooms of a magnolia tree can certainly fill me with wonder.

Winter Trees Invitation

I've been working these last weeks on a series of paintings to be incorporated into a collection of wedding invitations I've been developing. I will post some of the completed invitations in the days to come.

25. New Project

I was inspired to design wedding invitations by a friend who was feeling frustrated by the cost associated with invitations and other wedding printing needs. I had previously researched affordable, high quality printing in order to print postcards of various paintings. So, using those resources I am able offer invitations, which are affordable. I have tried to think about cost holistically by designing invitations as 5x7 to prevent the necessity of additional postage in mailing. Also, designing response cards and save the date cards as postcards to cut the cost of postage in half and eliminate the cost of envelopes.

I am in the process of developing a series of designs which feature my original watercolors. This is one of the sample invitations. I have also aimed to created environmentally responsible invitations, by using recycled card stock and eliminating envelope paper waste.

Check out the invitations and other items at my Etsy Shop.

24. Old San Juan, Puerto Rico

This image was inspired by travel I made in late January to Puerto Rico. It was a delightful reprieve from Chicago winter. I was astounded by the natural beauty of Puerto Rico, particularly the island Cuelebra, the El Yunque Rainforest, and the bio-luminescent bay at Fajardo. I was also intrigued by the beauty and color of the architecture of San Juan. This image struck me as indicative of the way in which relatively humble buildings create a beautiful urban fabric, the street facades marked by generously proportioned windows, doors, and balconies.

23. Tribune Tower

This painting is to be donated to Inspiration Corporation's "One Inspired Evening" Art Auction. Inspiration Corporation is one of my favorite organizations to support. On their website, they describe their organization as follows: Through its supportive services, employment, and housing programs, Inspiration Corporation assists more than 3,000 individuals and families affected by homelessness and poverty each year - serving as a catalyst for self-reliance.

I have thoroughly enjoyed volunteering each Wednesday morning at Inspiration Cafe. I help provide restaurant style service, taking drink and meal orders at the table and delivering them to the table. I love the simplicity of showing respect by serving a meal in a dignified way. I love the opportunity to gradually come to know the guests in serving them each week. I love the glimpses I get into the lives of those I serve: Each week Roy offers me perhaps the most enthusiastic greetings I have ever received. Steven always has coffee, orange juice with a little ice, extra napkins and a straw. Warren composes and plays songs on the piano. Gayle has two daughters, is often reading spiritual texts and tell jokes he writes himself.

It is with great pleasure that I donate this painting to one of Inspiration Corporation's annual fundraising events. I enjoyed painting this image of the Tribune Tower. Just a few months ago, I painted another image of the Tribune Tower. Comparison of those two paintings makes the dynamic nature of light and its power to transform a composition quite evident.