“I Egg Your Parton (I Never Promised You A Rose Garden)”

Surreal collage on 11 in. x 14 in. black canvas with metallic polka-dot washi tape edging (incorporating magazine AND flower catalog paper imagery, spray paint, acrylic paint, and glossy Mod Podge sealant)

"Rose Garden" performed by Lynn Anderson (and later, I believe, Dolly Parton) is found on YouTube

Parton's comments, quoted below, bring to mind my favorite word, petrichor, defined by Oxford Languages as a pleasant smell that frequently accompanies the first rain after a long period of warm, dry weather:

"I make a point to appreciate all the little things in life.  I go out and smell the air after a good, hard rain.  These small actions help remind me that there are so many great, glorious pieces of good in the world."  - D. P.

#backwoodsbarbie

"Meat Dreams (Are Made of Leaves)"

Abstract collage using paper and Mod Podge on spray-painted 11 in. x 14 in. black mounted canvas framed by peridot green sparkle washi tape

Pencil Portraits of People's Progeny

Once a year or two I spend an afternoon on a pencil sketch, having honestly never attempted anything but dorky collages or amateurish abstract paintings in the interim. The only reason I’ve even bothered at all has been to continue with a once-in-a-blue-moon series of baby portraits for those in my life, however distantly, kicking off with my sister’s two boys and then a few others as more and more of my favorite people seem to be embracing parenthood.

My choice of tools are always the same: a mechanical #2 grade Pencil-Mate “Sharpwriter”, a tortillon or blending stump, tinted Strathmore charcoal paper, and a large printed photograph for reference. (The only alteration was the addition of white watercolor paint for minor highlights in the piece from late 2021.)

Elias William at 6 mo. (June 2017)

Marvel Monroe at 6 mo. (May 2019)

Noa Mae at 6 mo. (February 2020)

Asa Alexander at 4 mo. (February 2020)

Sabastienne Savage (“Baz”) at 3 mo. (July 2021)

Nellie Ault at 3 mo. (December 2021)