Wolf Walk

Another Bad Case of the Stripes, 16” x 16” original mixed media

Hello friend!
Happy spring to you. I hope the birds are flitting about in your habitat, bringing you music and cheer. We all need some cheer at this moment, don't you agree? It's been a very stressful season. I've been combatting the stress of world news lately by making stripes. Yep. Stripes are predictable, and measured, and keep me focused. Here is one example of some very striped and very imaginary trout. 

Wolf Walk, 5”x5” original mixed media

I usually wait for some sort of inspiration to send out a studio newsletter, rather than just obeying the calendar and emailing something because it's the beginning of the month. Well, that inspiration came along last night, and I think you might enjoy this story. Way back in February I made a dozen or so small paintings on 5"x7" panels. I was playing around with a specific color palette, and most of the finished pieces turned out to feature a coyote-wolf type critter. Fast forward to April, when I donated one of these pieces to Missoula's Clay Studio for their annual art auction. I named the little piece "Wolf Walk". Fast forward again, to last night, when I attended the event and happily saw my little Wolf Walk piece auctioned off for a nice sum to benefit a community arts organization. On my late night drive home up the Blackfoot River I encountered a VERY LARGE grey wolf slowly crossing the highway in front of me. He/she walked (not trotted) across my view, prompting me to nearly stop in my tracks. I have encountered many, many animals on this highway, most of them running, sprinting, or at least quickly trotting. This was different; it was indeed a slow Wolf Walk. I suppose it happened for a reason, for which I am grateful and surprised. I hope that you have some surprising and breathtaking encounters this month too.

We Walk For Peace, 24”x36” mixed media

I'm still exploring the Buddhist Monks' recent Walk For Peace; it's just such an inspiration. Equally inspired by the beauty and wildness of Southern Utah, where my husband and I just spent a week exploring and unplugging.

gleefully exploring America’s public lands here

As always, THANK YOU for being my studio friend,

Andrea

Art With Heart 3/2/2026

We Wish For Peace 14”x11” painting inspired by the recent Buddhist monks’ Walk For Peace

Hello friend!
I created this little painting as an exercise for a color course I took online last month.  The subject is a group of 19 Buddhist monks (and their dog Aloka) who initiated the Walk For Peace, a 2,300 mile trek across the US earlier this winter. Their aim was to promote inner peace, nonviolence and mindfulness in a polarized society. This weekend seemed like the right time to finish the painting and send it out into the world, after learning that we have engaged in a war with Iran. Although the monks' journey is over, I think I'll keep exploring this subject in paintings.

I'd like to share how this recent painting started, with my own outrage at ICE and what has happened to the fine folks in Minnesota this winter. You can see how I turned something ugly into something beautiful. Just my way of making sense of things beyond my control. 

Here is the final version. Only I know what is behind it all....and now you do too.

Horse 23 36”x36” acrylic mixed media

process photo showing the negative space

Here is how it started

Wishing peace for you today,

Andrea

Nineteen Buddhist monks and their trusty dog Aloka, trekking across America for peace

Hugs and some garlic

July 2025

We Are All Made of Mud" 36"x24" mixed media on birch

Hello there dear friend! 

Gosh it's been a little while since I've reached out. I think I was waiting for some kind of stellar inspiration or exciting event to tell you all about.....but I didn't come up with anything very spectacular.

So here I am, asking you honestly, how ARE you?

Are you taking time to enjoy your summer? Are you gathering up armloads of peonies from your garden? Soaking up summer sunshine, spending time with friends and family? Dipping your toes in a cold river? Are you doing okay? This world feels chaotic and scary and senseless right now, and I really do want to know if you're okay.

I fully realize while I'm coming to you from a place of privilege, with decent health insurance, a wonderful home, and no threat of deportation or major job cuts, many of our friends and neighbors are facing huge challenges. Sending out love to all who need it.
 

July garlic harvest by the one-armed gardener

The universe tossed me on my butt this spring (well, shoulder actually), and I had to STOP everything, and sit still with my arm in a sling until I healed my shoulder. After sulking for a good while, I took the opportunity to become friends with a family of ravens, watch all the wildflowers unfold in a perfect symphony, learn how to do just about everything with my non-dominant hand and give in to slowing down and not working my various jobs. 

Happy to report I'm back on the mend, able to paint again with my right hand (yep I did make some left handed paintings), humbled and grateful for the forced slow-down.

While I was sitting around  growing my bones back together, I dipped my toes into the world of reproduction fine art prints. It took some wrestling and wrangling....but I've got two that I'm pretty proud of. If you're interested give me a holler over here!

a stack of spicy critters

As always,THANK YOU for following along with me and being my studio friend.

Have a wonderful day!

Andrea

Hello From The Pickle Princess

'Jungle Dogs’ 36" x 36" mixed media on birch

Howdy howdy!

Checking in from my studio on the edge of the Scapegoat Wilderness, where I keep tripping over giant paintings....giant for me is 36" x 36", like the big red coyotes in the image above.

Are you experiencing the dog days of summer? Or the bounty of early September's garden? I sure am. It's been a little tough keeping things watered this year, but boy the tomatoes and beans are popping, the crickets are singing and the coyotes are calling. It always feels like a mad dash to the finish line of winter here in the north. 

The annual best-small-town-rodeo in America has come and gone (Helmville!) but I've still got some cowboys and rancHERS on my easel. This one just headed down the trail to Bozeman and Lee Ann Ramey Fine Art

'Jackpot' is a 16" x 20" very colorful character

A Nod to Georgia 10” x 8” print on canvas.

Adding some new little canvas prints to my inventory. Find them here on my website if you like.

And I will sign off with some of this year's edible bounty. 

did you know that my nickname is the Pickle Princess?

Be well and enjoy your September!

As always,THANK YOU for following along with me and being my studio friend.