Tuesday, October 25, 2016

"Home"

Another "blast from the past" as I get ready to hop on another plane!  Today, I've got a one-way ticket to Florida, where I'll help my mom and dad with the last of the packing details before the movers come on Friday and we drive "home" to The Woodlands!  I'm am beyond happy to welcome them to my town, but also a bit nostalgic about leaving the city I grew up in.   I can only imagine how they feel after 60 years of raising kids, a successful career in business and community and so many happy memories with so many friends in St. Pete.  

After leaving upstate New York in 1956, with a u-haul, 3 kids and a lot of faith for a bright future, this was our first house in St. Pete.   I lived here from the time I was two until five years old.  


"And where we love is Home.  
Home that our feet may leave, but not our hearts....
the chain may lengthen but it never parts."
- Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr. -

Cheers to "new beginnings" for my Mom and Dad!



Wednesday, October 19, 2016

Salt Remedy


I put aside my pen & ink and watercolors this past week to do some murals for a new business in our community... Salt Remedy!  A natural approach, combined with thousands of years of the health benefits of salt,  bring relief to those that suffer from asthma, allergies, skin conditions and stress!  


"Salt Remedy" offers four different therapy rooms to fit your specific needs.  One room is a a private retreat, while the other three are for individuals or groups!  These three rooms are where I spent my time painting!
"Life" - 14' + 6' x 9'

The kids room , called "Life" offers a Himalayan Sea Salt Beach for kids to play in during their therapy sessions.  This bright and colorful beach scene will take you there!

"Salt"- 17' x 9'
The Group therapy room, called "Salt" is for adults... time for quiet meditation or reading in a relaxing, spa-like environment.  Just breathe and let the salt do it's cleansing work.  With only ambient lighting, you can drift away as you stare into the mountain scene beyond the Himalayan salt brick wall.

"Breathe" 12' x 9'

The Multi Purpose Room, "Breathe" is just that... imagine a place for your yoga class, or book club meeting to discuss the latest best seller.  This is the place to grab your friends and reserve this room  for a healthy and unique experience! 

Visit their website www.saltremedy.net to learn more!

Wednesday, October 12, 2016

Coll family home with a photo bomb!



I have loved doing these sketches for the Coll Family.  This is their house in McKinney, TX where they lived in 1996-97 and the 6th in my series of the homes they've lived in over the years.  

Like many clients, we have become Facebook Friends and I have gotten to know the family via photo's on social media.  Mario, their oldest of three sons is now an Aggie, all grown up, a good looking grad student with a bright future...  but about half way thru my sketch, after being so focused on the architectural details of the house did I see little Mario, just 3 years old, all bundled up and peeking out from behind the tree while mom took a picture of the house on a rare Texas snowy day .... and my heart smiled! 





Thursday, October 6, 2016

Habitat for Humanity Auction Item

I am always grateful for the opportunity to donate a "sketch of YOUR favorite place" to our local non-profits fundraising events.  This sketch was done for the couple with the highest bid at the Habitat for Humanity of Montgomery County Gala that was held last spring.  If you've read my "Meet Barbara" page on my website then you know that HFH is near and dear to my heart. 

In the next few weeks I will be posting a few of my "oldies but goodies" while I work on some murals for a new business here in The Woodlands... be sure and stay tuned for a sneak peak on that... then I will get back to business on The National Park series.  I still have a few more to do, so if you've got a favorite park, let me know and you may see it here in a couple of weeks!