Every few years it seems, a major challenge comes along that either changes the course of my life or puts a big stumbling block in the way of the orderly, gradual progression that my life had been following at that time.

That's been the case in the last two years with this year being particularly difficult. Not only has the economy had an effect on sales of my landscape paintings but I've been called on to set aside my work entirely a number of times to come to my daughter's aid as she deals with a life threatening condition. Usually, I can't wait to get outside in the Spring and paint en plein air. This year, I'm finding that I'm actually preferring to move back toward portrait commissions and studio work because of the many interruptions to my painting life and the lowered energy I'm able to set aside for art work at a time that I'm leaving for days at a time to be with my daughter.

I'm posting this painting that I delighted in painting last Fall at the Boscobel Restoration site in Garrison and hope to get back there soon. In the meantime, I'm working on two dog portraits in oil and enjoying the fact that I can work on them as time and energy allows and on any day with no concern for the weather. Since I love the wonderful personalities that shine through as I focus on animal portraits, I'm happy to work on these commissions. I'll post them as I finish them.