remembering summer

Thursday, October 3, 2013

The transition from summer to fall in Portland has been quick and downright harsh.  September is normally a glorious month in Oregon, so I feel ripped-off that we've been pounded with torrential downpour for days on end.  Flooding in the basement- what?! That normally doesn't happen until November.
I really dislike the word soggy, and yet that may be one of the better descriptors for the Pacific Northwest right now.
If I could, I would will summer back.  But, the best that I can do is flip through my photos and try to hold onto some of the most cherished memories of my year.
Here are some snapshots I took on our summer trip to the Olympic National Park  . . .




Mini weaving giveaway!

Thursday, September 19, 2013

I'm still on cloud nine from my weaving sale on One Kings Lane.  The collection sold out on the first night! I can't thank everyone enough for all the lovely comments.  And with Habit of Art turning four this Monday, there's even more reason to celebrate and run a giveaway!
This week, the mini weaving shown above is up for grabs.  For a chance to win this little handwoven wall hanging, just leave a comment below.  I'll announce the winner (randomly chosen, of course) on Tuesday, September 24th at noon.
Oh, and international entries are welcome- shipping is on me.  Bonne chance!
9/24:  Number 13 was the lucky number today, so the winner of the weaving giveaway is Dee! Thanks everyone for all your lovely comments.

My weavings on One Kings Lane

Saturday, September 7, 2013

Summer has come and gone in a blink of an eye.  I guess that's what happens when you embark on long road trips, paint the exterior of the house with only a brush, and handweave nine wall hangings- all in a two month period.
The new handwoven collection is for an exclusive event on One Kings Lane.  The popular online marketplace just launched their Artisanal Sales in June, and I was invited to be part of a collaborative event this upcoming week!
Starting at 6pm PST on Monday, September 9th, my wall hangings will be available for purchase here.  And I'm thrilled that my collection will be featured alongside the works of some of my favorite fiber artists, including Tanya Aguiniga, whose art I mention in this post.
Some of you may remember that I began weaving after purchasing a vintage miniature loom from the Great Depression era.  I love that little loom, but I decided to purchase a larger rigid heddle loom this summer.  So now I can create wall hangings two feet wide!
A bigger loom meant a bigger space.  So I expanded my work area to another corner of our basement.  For now, the space is working out great, but I am sure my loom collection won't stop at two.



This fall, one of my home projects is to build a simple frame loom to weave a rug.  I'll post pictures on here once I start the project.  To see other weavings I have available for purchase, go to my shop here.

lost coast and the redwoods

Sunday, July 28, 2013

Appropriately named, California's Lost Coast is a stunning 80 mile stretch of rugged shoreline that begins north of Mendocino.  Most of the coast land is undeveloped and quite remote . . . it's like stepping back in time.



Our first destination was Glass Beach in Fort Bragg.  Fifty years ago, locals used to hurl trash right over the bluffs into this small cove.  Once a dumping ground, the beach is now an incredible spectacle of tumbled glass and pottery.
For most our visit, we had the sparkly shore to ourselves- not at all what you'd expect from a California beach.  And we were gifted with beautiful weather.
Exploring the Lost Coast by car can be precarious.  Undeveloped land means undeveloped roads.  We decided to spend one morning driving down Usal Road, which is a narrow and steep dirt road that hugs the coastline. 




It took us an hour to drive 6 miles, but we managed to make it to the beach without any car mishaps or car sickness.  On the drive, we saw some amazing "candelabra" redwoods, trees that grow multiple trunks.
From the Lost Coast, we drove to the heart of the redwoods.  We took a scenic 31 mile highway that led us to groves of giant trees.  The fallen tree shown below was 362 ft. tall and 52 feet in circumference.  And it was at least 1600 years old when it finally fell in 1991.

Walking amongst these giant trees, I couldn't help but think of Tolkein's talking trees in Lord of the Rings.  Ent, after all, means "giant" in Old English.  And Ents were considered the oldest living creatures in Middle Earth.

summer sale!

Thursday, July 18, 2013



There's a sale in my Etsy shop this week.  Enter SUMMERSALE at checkout and receive 20% off your order of $50 or more.  The sale runs thru Thursday, July 25.

road trip to cali

Friday, July 12, 2013

Hours after summer vacation officially started, our family (dog included) packed into the car and headed to California.  One of the stops on our list was Yosemite National Park.  We visited Yosemite three years ago, but just for the day- not nearly enough time to explore the park's many trails and sites.
This time around, we stayed in a cabin with a close family friend who knows his way around the park.  The Yosemite Valley floor is quite crazy during the summertime (crowds rivaling those at Disneyland), so he led us to more remote spots.  On our first hike, which was a rock scramble up a mountainside, we only saw a total of five people on the trail!
Climbing over loose rocks on a steep grade is quite precarious and nerve-wracking, especially for those not fond of heights (ahem, me).  But, I was determined to see the amazing viewpoint at the top where four of the five major waterfalls in the park can be spotted.  And, apparently, it was at this overlook that a 14 year-old Ansel Adams took his first photos of Yosemite.
Safely back on the ground, we saw two of the waterfalls up close- Yosemite Falls and Bridalveil Fall.  Yosemite Falls actually has its own live webcam that you can view here.  Pretty cool!
My favorite time was dusk, when the massive rock walls lit up in beautiful hues of pink, orange, and purple.  In the photo below, you can see the iconic landmark, Half Dome, in the distance.

Our legs were a little soar by the end of our time in Yosemite- a sign of a good adventure.  From the Sierras, we continued our road trip westward.  Next destination: Lost Coast.

small paintings now available

Saturday, June 8, 2013







35 paintings // $35 each //  here


art giveaway!

Monday, June 3, 2013





This week, I'm uploading 35 original works of mountains into my Etsy shopFive new works a day, each priced at $35.  The special art event starts Wednesday, June 5th at 9am (PST).  At this time,  I'll also draw a name from below to receive one of the new art works for FREE! (A value of $35 plus free shipping.) And I'll even let the winner choose their favorite piece.  Just leave a comment below to enter the giveaway.  Oh, and make sure that your name links back to an email so I can contact you.




. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .





Congrats to Maggie Paul!







red rocks of sedona

Friday, May 31, 2013





I recently flew to Arizona to visit a dear friend.  Over the weekend, we explored the natural wonders of Sedona.  Our first stop was the famous landmark, Cathedral Rock.  With its towering red rock and picturesque creek,  I can see why photography enthusiasts flock to this place.



The site also attracts folks seeking a vortex experience.  Sedona boasts four major vortexes- places of concentrated and mystical energy.  Curious, my friend and I tried to find the vortex at Cathedral Rock. We were told to look for twisted juniper trees as a sign, but the nearly nude, bearded man sprawled out on the ground was a dead giveaway. 



We visited two vortex sites that day, but neither of us felt anything out of the ordinary.  Our time in historic Jerome, Arizona (known for its paranormal activities) was uneventful as well.  I'm thinking my cynicism may have interfered with some potentially incredible moments. 







On our first night in Sedona, we watched the sunset from the town's highest viewpoint. And it was truly memorable.  To the east of us, massive cliff walls lit up in an intense orange glow.  To the west, we were mesmerized by the desert sun dipping below the horizon. 

















The highlight of my weekend was the West Fork Oak Creek Trail, located ten miles north of Sedona. The trail travels alongside a creek flanked by red and pink sandstone walls.  Although this was my first visit to the stunning canyon, there was a familiarity about it.  When coming upon scenes that reminded me of a recent painting, Canyon River, it became more surreal.  The painting, completed last month, had evolved from my imagination.

















My friend and I stopped a few times along the way and enjoyed the warm sun and creek.  I needed the breaks to take in the gorgeous setting around me.  Although a camera can capture details, ambiance is is a little harder to convey on film.  This is why I usually paint places that I've been to. My paintings may not reflect a real moment in time, but they are a projection of a real experience. 



I haven't painted much since returning from my trip to Arizona.  Sometimes inspiration needs to marinate.  As I draw in my sketchbook and work through ideas, I look forward to seeing where these new experiences lead me artistically.  








New online store

Saturday, May 25, 2013









I've launched a new online store! The shop showcases my larger paintings and my handwoven wall hangings.  Currently, I have six paintings and six weavings available for purchase.  Click here to see all the products. 



My Etsy shop will carry my art prints and my smaller original works.  For the latest listings in both online shops, follow me on Twitter


maybe it's a sign

Thursday, May 16, 2013



Still Lake, mixed media on birch panel, 10 x 10 inches. Sides have been stained and sealed.




Oceanside, mixed media on birch panel, 8 x 10 inches.






Canyon River, mixed media on panel, 12 x 16 inches.



Four new paintings of mine just arrived in London for Lilk Gallery's May show.  Three of the works are inspired by places I've visited.  Oceanside, for example, is named after a small beach town in Oregon.  Canyon River is unique from the others, because it came from my imagination rather than an experience.  I had this image in my head of a canyon with red walls and a clear river cutting through it.  It stood out to me because I usually paint scenes from the pacific northwest.
I've been to the southwest a few times, but this imagery didn't emerge from a memory.  The colors and even the slope of the rock walls are different from the canyons I've explored.  
I created this painting before planning a trip to Arizona, so maybe it's a sign.  I am headed to Sedona, which is famously known for red rock formations.  It's also considered a very spiritual place.  My friend mentioned there are several different "vortex" sites- places where the earth's energy is greater.  I guess some folks have had some very moving experiences in these places.
I'm not sure what I think about this vortex stuff, but I don't doubt that people have spiritual encounters in nature.  When you are surrounded by grand, sweeping landscapes- and man had nothing to do with its creation- it seems only natural that one would reflect on things that transcend us.  I definitely feel closer to God when I am in nature.


warming up

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

I tend to use mostly blues and greens when capturing the picturesque landscapes of Oregon.  Lately,  I've been reaching for some of the warmer hues- bright reds and oranges in particular.  I'm sure a great part of this has to do with the change of seasons.  It's been unseasonably warm in Portland this month.  And with early blooms in the garden, it's hard not to be inspired by such vibrant and beautiful colors.



Neon red (i.e. Acryla Luminous Red) has been the latest rage in my studio.  I have literally smeared it onto my last two paintings.  Here's a look at my newest work entitled Cadence.






Cadence, 8 x 10 inches, mixed media on Claybord





In a few days, I'm headed out of town to visit a dear friend in Arizona and explore the red rocks of Sedona together.  I'm curious to see how a trip to the southwest will inspire my work.  I may have to expand my red paint collection when I get back! 



I plan to post a bunch of photos on here and on Instagram.  If you're familiar with the Sedona area, I'd love to get your opinion on must-see places. 


taking risks

Thursday, May 9, 2013

At the end of my eighth grade year, I remember scanning a sea of paper stars on the cafeteria walls for my name.  Each star highlighted a graduating student and their talent.  There it was, my yellow star.  And under my name, it read "Super Writer."



I was disappointed. 



I wanted the star to say "Super Artist."  I felt that that was my true talent, not writing, which is more of a chore for me.  I have an older brother who is a gifted writer, and I've watched him sit at a typewriter and effortlessly craft a short story. 



It's funny how our self-perceptions as children shape our adult lives.  I still don't look at myself as this "super writer." Even writing a blog post can seem daunting.  But here I am, 548 posts later.



I know that many of you can relate to this feeling of inadequacy, and it keeps you from pursuing things in your life that bring joy and fulfillment.  This is particularly poignant in the arts arena.  So many creative years are lost because people feel that they are not a good enough writer, artist, dancer, or musician.



Honing one's craft involves taking risks.  And, often times, these risks are witnessed by others.  It's a vulnerable and scary part of the creative process, yet it can also be so exciting and rewarding.



This week, I took a risk with an art work.  I took a finished painting of a mountain scene and started squirting tubes of neon paint all over it.  My husband looked on in horror.



It was spontaneous, and I could have lost two days of work.  



But, now I have a painting I absolutely love and a little bit more courage to take the next risk that comes my way.






Symphony, 12 x 12 inches, mixed media on birch panel.


































Stay gold

Wednesday, April 17, 2013











Portland sunsets never cease to amaze me.  The other evening, the sky looked like it was on fire.  Like a moth to light, I was completely drawn to the orange sky.  So beautiful, yet so temporary.  I'm reminded of Robert Frost's poem, Nothing Gold Can Stay.



Nature's first green is gold,

Her hardest hue to hold.

Her early leaf's a flower;

But only so an hour.

Then leaf subsides to leaf.

So Eden sank to grief,

So dawn goes down to day.

Nothing gold can stay.





If you've read The Outsiders (one of my favorite books growing up), then you're familiar with the famous utterance based on Frost's poem, "Stay gold, Ponyboy."



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .



Given the tragic event in Boston on Monday, I haven't been very productive this week.  It's hard for me to paint a beautiful scene when I feel sad.  Art is such an emotional and personal process, even when painting landscapes.




march madness

Tuesday, April 2, 2013




Red Moon, oil painting, 18 x 18 in.





If you are a project-oriented person like me, then you probably get utter satisfaction in checking off completed tasks on to-do lists.  So you can imagine how I felt when I finally finished Red Moon this week.  The two photos above show how the oil painting has evolved over the past few years.  The initial painting was based on a memorable sunset in Hawaii.  When motivation to finish the painting waned, I scraped and sanded the paint off.  And I started a new scene inspired by the Columbia Gorge.



I really do enjoy working in oil, but acrylic paint lends itself more to my painting process and style right now.  I like to work on a painting in concentrated times, and sometimes I am just too impatient to wait for paint to dry before layering. 







Red Moon and several other original paintings (including those shown above) are currently displayed at Grand Central Bakery on Hawthorne, which is a popular walking neighborhood in Portland. There are a few local stores that carry my art prints, but this is the only place in Portland at the moment that is showcasing my original works. 



Although these pieces are showing locally, they are available for purchase in my Etsy shop







In the midst of my recent painting frenzy, our family spent an afternoon with friends at a sweet little lake in Battleground, Washington.  Being out in nature is the biggest stress reducer for me.  When hiking through the forest, I can clear my head of pending deadlines and just enjoy being in the moment.  It's also where I gather all my inspiration. 



Looking out onto the still black lake, I knew that I was going to have to paint the scenic landscape. Here are some shots showing progress on my latest painting:







 I have also been busy the last couple of weeks making new weavings. 







I'm noticing that I'm drawn to bolder and brighter colors lately. 






new shades for summer



It could be the onset of spring, but I think it has more to do with 80's nostalgia.  I finished off this weaving while watching Pretty in Pink with my husband.  It's amazing how I can remember the lyrics to songs from 30 years ago, but, more and more, I can't remember where I set my keys down!






out and about in Portland

I did officially turn a year older this past weekend, and so did my husband.  That's us in the right photo waiting to be seated at a favorite breakfast place.  It was a low key birthday, which is the way I like it.  No frills and cake.  Just nice cards and messages from loved ones. 


Happy Spring Sale

Tuesday, March 19, 2013





My favorite time of the year is here, hurray! To celebrate, I'm running a special promotion in my Etsy shop for the next few days.  Spend $50 in my shop and
get an art print (up to $25 value) for FREE!
Read more about the sale here.



new work

Thursday, March 14, 2013




new print, Destiny

I finished a new painting this week.  I initially wanted to call it Journey Home and then my husband said that it sounded like a movie about a lost dog and cat.  So Destiny it is. 



Whenever I paint a mountain in a scene, I typically imagine myself on a trail coming towards it . . . as if I'm being called to it.  Mountains have a deeper meaning for me than just mighty forces of nature.  They are a representation of God and His mighty nature.  I believe that God is all around us, but there's something about being on a mountaintop that does make me feel closer to Him.  And I don't think it's by coincidence that God reveals Himself and His plan for His people on mountains. It was on a mountain, after all, where God tested Abraham, spoke to Moses, and where Jesus was transfigured.






mini-painting, night radiance






work in progress

Although mountains are a favorite subject of mine to paint, I took a break from it one day this week and started this ocean scene.  Painting the ocean can be intimidating, or maybe that's just how I feel when I'm standing in front of it.  A mountain is still, whereas the ocean is constantly in motion.



I'm happy that this painting has come along rather smoothly.  I think I'll continue with the ocean theme with the next wood panel piece.



Starting in April, my art will be on display in Grand Central Bakery on Hawthorne.  So this new painting will be part of the show. 


my week

Monday, March 4, 2013







new painting in my etsy shop


/// big island ///


something about the way the water meets the mountains that reminds me of hawaii









latest vintage find


the cat seems to approve








 celebrating birthday no. 13

yup, i'm officially a mom of a teenager









new handpainted rocks and weavings for my pop-up shop at maven collective


:: here thru the month of march ::







                                                                                                                                                         image courtesy of maven collective










coveting pretty much everything in the se portland shop


including a hanging skull and cornucopia of small ceramic vessels








portland's garden sanctuary

Thursday, February 21, 2013















Perched atop Portland's western slope is a traditional Japanese garden, complete with koi ponds, wisteria arbor,  and tea house.  Some consider it to be the most authentic Japanese garden outside of Japan.  





We decided to visit Portland Japanese Garden on the busiest day of the year- free admission day.  Even with the crowds, the place was still very tranquil and idyllic.  I loved all the winding stone paths and lush moss blanketing much of the 5.5 acres.  










One of the central features of the garden is the Moon Bridge.  The structure and scenery reminded me of Claude Monet's Giverny estate in France.  My husband and I were there 15 years ago, and I took this photo of the famous foot bridge.










Monet was an avid collector of Japanese woodblock prints.  The large water garden at the Giverny home was inspired by his collection of Japanese art.  He planted azaleas, bamboo, wisteria, and, of course, water lilies- which became the subject of 250 of his oil paintings. 





My favorite spot at the Portland Japanese Garden was the Natural Garden
with its stone steps, cascading streams, and fluorescent greenery.  When you sit for a moment and take in the scenery, it's quite meditative and soothing. 










The beautiful and peaceful imagery from the gardens has stayed with me these past few days.  And, with spring just around the corner, I'm thinking I might try to bring a bit of Japanese influence into my own garden.  We don't have a pond, but I can think of a few great spots for some white gravel and moss.  I'll keep you posted with any successful progress!