Yummy Summer

I have a bit of a sweet tooth. Sour Skittles and Gobstoppers are my go-to candies. On beach trips, however, it's all about the salt water taffy! Here's a sketch that I made on a recent family beach vacation to Topsail Island. I enjoyed sunbathing, reading, jogging on the beach, watching the waves, chocolate milkshakes, my sister's cooking, playing Apples to Apples with the family, and doing jig-saw puzzles during thunderstorms. My mom showed us a hidden talent when she curled our hair by tying it up with a bunch of paper towels. I will save these memories for frigid winter days.

Giving Art Away

When I went to apply for a solo show of my acrylic paintings, I realized that for all the painting that I do, I don't actually own a lot of my canvases. I definitely don't have enough paintings for a show! I tend to give them away as gifts to friends. For example, I recently made these little paintings of a cardinal and dogwood flowers (the Virginia state bird and flower), for a friend who moved away. I gave them to her so that she can remember that someone in Virginia cares about her. I think this is also why I enjoy making postcards and greeting cards- works of art that were meant to be given away. I'm reminded of a song, "The Magic Penny," that I used to sing as a kid: "Love is something if you give it away. You end up having more."