Exciting News! On Wednesday 1/9/13 Family Life Network will be airing an interview with me and will have a discussion on how I'm using the visual arts to bring understanding and healing to individuals and communities. Tune in around 12:20 to FLN (Locally 88.5, or online http://www.fln.org/flplayer/. 

A full length podcast will also become available to listen to that day at http://www.fln.org/insideout where it will be the featured story for a week. 

The 2012 Tour is underway! The weather is a little more dreary than last year, but it has been such a pleasure to talk with all of the people who have come through so far. It is such a blessing to see all of the work come to a resolution where so many people can see and read the stories of others and be moved by them. I am honored to have the privilege to share them. This year I am also presenting the "Mother series" which represents mothers of one child to seven children. Hope you are able to make it this year, if not, I plan to be back again next year!

Today I gave a demonstration for the Hill Country Artists on the use of Conte Crayon. The weather and a road closing were working against me, but those determined artists made it through and we had a fun time learning about Conte. I demonstrated three different techniques to complete the same drawing, ending with my own. 

Today I took my first pictures for an exciting new "Mother" side series using the eggs I acquired earlier this year. I have several lovely ladies, mothers of families of varying sizes who are volunteering to help me capture this series. 

Going to Lancaster is always a treat with so much good food and the glorious views...but this weekend the trip included art too! I was accepted into a National Juried show at the Lancaster County Art Association, with the popular work "New Life..." It was a great showing with so many wonderful artists. We did a little sight seeing as well of course and I was able to visit the studio of one of my favorite artists, Liz Hess. 

Today it was an honor to attend the 100 year celebration of the Children's Home of Wyoming Conference in Binghamton. I was asked to do a drawing to represent the Children's Home, and after collaboration decided to represent the children whose lives are being changed by hope...The drawing was included in the wonderful book created by Suzanne Meredith to commemorate the ongoing service of the Children's Home.

Yesterday was the Chocolate and Wine Festival and I had a great time showing with several other members of Hill Country Artists. I enjoyed talking to all of the people that came by and hearing the stories of so many. It was a beautiful day and it was such a wonderful venue to help raise funds for our local hospital and library. Thanks to all of you that were able to come!

I rescued these eggs from being tossed into the woods today. If they can't grow to be little birds, maybe they can live some other purpose through a drawing?

I am passionate about the ministry God has laid before me and am hopeful that I can build funding so that I can bring this ministry to communities around the country...and beyond. To be honest, right now it is difficult to fund the creation of the works themselves, no less travel expenses... 

I have been given several ideas to create funding: a coffee table book of the community series and stories, selling knitted and crocheted hats (which I very much enjoy doing on the side), selling printed cards of the watercolor series, and of course selling the works.

Also considering in the future to include this project on Kickstarter.com to gain a basis for funding.

If you are interested in any of these of have any other suggestions, please let me know!