In my late teens I began gardening and have made many mistakes and learned a lot of lessons. I like growing and tending what I love to paint, both flowers and vegetables. Walking out to the gardens to choose what strikes me at the moment is my favorite part, then arranging in my studio just how I want to see them. I think living through Maine’s long winters gives us all a great appreciation for the return of spring green lush. In the winter I paint some of the dead flowers that have aged and dried up in my studio…still and beautiful taking on various shades of grays and umbers. My inspiration for my landscapes comes from the outdoors, the weather, clouds, skies and storms, very early and late day light. My backpack and blanket are always at the ready to grab and go if I see something outside that excites me. I only work on site because sitting right in it is what I need and love to do. I paint fast because in nature things move and change. The movement, mood and color, depth of feeling and joy are what I am after. Getting lost in these two places as I paint is my meditation.