Welcome! If you’ve spent any time in South Carolina lately, you already know—we’ve been baking. This spring and summer have delivered record-breaking heat, long stretches in the mid to high 90s, and almost no rain. Here in the Midlands near Columbia, humidity is practically a state treasure, so the dry heat has felt especially intense.

I live on beautiful Lake Murray, one of the largest man‑made lakes in the United States. It’s famous for its glowing sunsets, abundant wildlife, great fishing, and endless boating. A few fun facts:

• Surface Area: ~50,000 acres

• Size: 41 miles long, 14 miles wide

• Maximum Depth: ~190 feet

• Completed: 1930, thanks to the Saluda (Dreher Shoals) Dam

The lake inspires countless local artists—including me. I’ve painted several abstract sunsets, and many artists love capturing the lake’s landscapes, wildlife, and peaceful shoreline scenes.

This summer, though, my paintbrush has been working a little slower. My youngest daughter, daughter‑in‑law, and their one‑year‑old have relocated from Missouri and are staying with us until their new home is ready. My husband and I have been happily on toddler duty while the girls start their new jobs as a nurse and a police officer.

I try to sneak in painting time early in the morning before our tiny whirlwind wakes up. I rarely get far, but I get plenty of sweet moments with my granddaughter—fun, exhausting, and surprisingly inspiring. She loves the artwork around the house and takes regular “gallery tours” of Grandpa’s paintings, pointing and gasping like a tiny art critic. Recently, I introduced her to sidewalk chalk, and at just 12½ months she’s already making her own little marks after watching Grandpa draw. Maybe we’ve got another artist in the family.

As for my summer art projects, I’m working on a portrait of our 11‑year‑old Golden Retriever, George. He has a classic “sugar face”—that soft white frosting around his muzzle that older Goldens wear so proudly. I’m also brainstorming ideas for a piece to enter in the South Carolina State Fair this October. Inspiration is swirling; now I just need to catch it long enough to put it on canvas.

If you have checked out my website or you are planning to do so soon, let me know if you questions, what pieces are your favorites and what you would like to see me do in the future.  Until next time I hope you are well and that you will come back to the site and blog soon!