New painting, named "Surprise!", watercolor. A blacktail spike buck with antlers in velvet, hiding in my garden. Framed to 16x13

Orca Sunset, watercolor

Red Tail Hawk, framed to 11x17, Watercolor

Just finished this fun piece Saturday.  It has already SOLD.  I love the lavender around my deck at home, and this time of year it is full of bumble bees.  Here is
Bumbles in Lavender

Anniversary Sail

Here is the painting I finished yesterday.  Inspired by a photo I took at our friends 50th Wedding anniversary last September.  Enjoy!

Anniversary Sail, Watercolor, 8x12     SOLD

Emma the Etiquette Cat - Meet Emma

So here is what I have been working on for the past 2-3 months.  I was commissioned to illustrate a children's book, titled Emma the Etiquette Cat - Meet Emma.  The following 12 paintings are for this book.  It was a lot of fun.  I am very happy to have painted them and am equally thrilled to have completed the project, so that I can get back to my own paintings.  So here they are in the order they appear in the book.

Meet Emma - Book Cover

Kissing Mum

Staring at Chair

Playing in Tub

 Begging for Food

Eating Food

After Eating

Mum giving Treats

Playing in Teacup

After being Scolded

Naptime

Child's "Emma" place setting

Xena, Watercolor, 2013
I had a lot of fun painting this image of my kitty!
Framed Giclee available at Artworks Galley

Madonna & Child, Watercolor, 2013

Image 12x16    $500 Framed

My latest painting, just in time for Christmas!

Gone But Not Forgotten

Gone But Not Forgotten, 20x16, Acrylic $550

I just finished my second painting in my Joplin Tornado series. (slightly delayed due to last years health issues!)  The EF5 tornado occurred on May 22, 2011.  I took the photo references for this scene about 7 weeks post tornado, when I was back in Joplin to visit and help family.  I was standing across the street from where my grandparents house had stood (25th and Empire ) - only scraped dirt and rubble left by this time, as it was completely destroyed by the tornado.  I was facing the remains of St John's Hospital, which was twisted 4" on its axis.   I will be having prints made of this.  I have come to realize that in times of tragedy, nature or man-made, we humans are very much alike.  We help one another.  And here in the US, one of the first things we see is our flag, raised above the rubble, as a beacon for all to see and know that our spirit is undaunted and that together we will rebuild and move forward.

In Momma's Tub

In Momma's Tub, 16x20, Oil, $550
I had fun painting this.  It is currently on view at WICA in Langley, WA,
and then will be at Artworks Gallery, GreenbankFarm

"SUNBREAK", 22x30, Acrylic on canvas board,  $750

WILDFIRE

Watercolor - 16x20 Framed
This tulip was a beauty - I painted it to remind me that Spring is coming!

DOUBLE TROUBLE

Watercolor  14x11
These fawns were great fun to watch all thru the spring and summer.  

Rapture

Sole Salvation

Sole Salvation

Acrylic Collage using Joplin Tornado debris

On May 22, 2011, a monstrous EF5 Tornado hit my hometown Joplin, Missouri.  Many Joplin residents who lost their homes that day miraculously survived the damage.  Among the survivors was a former classmate of mine, known to her friends for her passion and large collection of shoes.  She had so many that she kept them in a separate closet, neatly stored and accessible.  As the tornado sirens sounded, she took refuge in an interior closet – her shoe closet.  When the tornado passed, her neighbors dug her out from beneath storm debris and found her alive and unhurt.  Her beloved shoes and shoeboxes had fallen on top and all around her, sheltering and protecting her from glass and house debris.  Her shoes saved her life!     Gaylen Whiteman (Gay Wilder)

Artists of South Whidbey Annual Show Coming in July

I'm very excited that my painting "FancyPant's was selected for the show flyer!

Log Play

This girl and boy are enjoying their pretend world as they attempt to float a driftwood log at the beach. 

Watercolor,  14x11, $375
Giclee prints and cards also available.

Fancy Pants

This darling young girl was intent on keeping her beautiful dress clean and dry, and totally unaware that she was revealing her ‘fancy pants’ to all.  

Watercolor, 14x11, $375 

Prints and cards also available 

My latest Paintings

Pok'in Around      This young girl seemed lost in thought as she poked around in the sand for hidden treasures and her dog frolicked nearby.  I wanted to join them in carefree beach wandering.

 Island Girl     When I saw this young girl walking in the surf, the tune from ‘Girl from Ipanema’ started playing in my head”.  She’s still a bit young for that adult image, so I simply named her Island Girl.

 Emerson  

Pond Visitor     Early one morning I looked out my window in time to see this great blue heron fly in and land in our little pond.  I observed him for sometime as he searched for his breakfast before taking flight again.

Baby Chick

One more chick in my Little Chick grouping.   Original 7x 5 Watercolor, framed to 10x8.  Available at Artworks Gallery thru April.