Home is Where the Heart Is

Small Commission for Moving Spouse

I never consider myself an illustrator. I made a concious choice years ago to avoid it. Partly because I tend to feel cornered by illustrations and commisions. There are expectations to meet and the disappointment on both ends when artwork doesn't come out as expected can create a loss of time (and in the artists case, time and materials) .

My work is usually large, textural, and very expressive. I tend to think of it as abstraction, realism, and drawing all tangled together. I make my work for myself and if someone happens to like it, I'm excited. But I try to keep it free from hinging on other's approval.

And yet, there is this soft spot for these illustrations; small little watercolors that commemorate "home."

I was caught by a friend at just the right moment. I have a 2 person show hanging at Gallery 126 in Florence and another piece at Oklahoma State University for their Cimarron National Works on Paper. Meaning, I had just wrapped up a body of work and was inbetween work cycles. (I have a couple of pieces in the studio- but to be honest, I needed something small and quick.)

And so, when she asked if I would do a small illustration of a friend's home, a military spouse that was about to move, I said ,"yes."

I know those moves, having done countless over my husband's career. I also know how important the home can be to a military spouse. I understand the physical energy and emotion that is put into each move. I get the exitement and heartache as well. Additionally, the home becomes a place marker for family memories; I tend to remember my children's milestones by which house and duty station we were at.

For example, I can remember my second son being born when we lived Upstate in a small three story historical home. It was a steel blue and white, located in the "Italian Flats." There was a rhubarb patch out back and the cold cellar under the porch.

My daughter was born while we lived on a spacious two acres boasting a large ranch house with a garden.

I organize my memories using homes.

Each move, I promised that I would create a small painting to remember. And... Well, that didn't quite happen. Because? I was busy, moving! Moving with three little kids.

Now however, after twenty years, the kids are growing and the moving has stopped. For now. I keep thinking that I need to go back and complete one for each home, for myself.

Until then, there is something touching about making these for others...

Light sketch before watercolor.

Just a quick little sketch. I like these to be in proportion and perspective, but I never want them to be too tight. It isn't an architectural drawing... It is a very typical Maryland home...

Ceramic watercolor palette.

I have two palettes that I work with. One is this large ceramic palette that I keep loaded with my favorite brands ( a variety). And the other is a set of Lukas Aquarell 1862- half-pan. I work back and forth between these two sets. I do tend to enjoy the ceramic palette, mostly because of the large central mixing area.

For brushes, I've collected an assortment of watercolor brushes over the years. I do love the Mimik brushes, synthetic and natural (when they are on sale). And da vinci Artissimo Kolinsky brushes are amazing. (Watercolor brushes are easy to care for, given the medium!)

2025, Watercolor and India Ink, 8" x 10"

And the finished piece. All set to send off and grace someone's wall.

One day, I will get to painting all of our homes...