Pokhara We headed to Pokhara: a tourist heavy city; with outdoor activities of hiking, trekking, adventure sports and shopping. We spent the evening walking down by the lake and enjoying dinner together. The pastor headed back to the hotel, while we did some shopping. Our plan was to paraglide in the morning, but the weather wasn’t good enough and it was canceled. Our backup plan after a delicious vegetarian brunch was renting mopeds. I gripped the back of that thing and my f

Day Three Gandaki villages, up in the mountains We were picked up by some friends and went to their home/orphanage/church. A beautiful white and blue accented building with gorgeous views of the city. The children were welcoming. What an experience it was to worship with Nepali believers. They sang in Nepali and we in English (when I could remember the words. Turns out I don’t know my hymns so well by memory) After a few photos and sharing lollipops they make your tongue turn

This commissioned piece is all about Mount Fuji! Most of these photos were taken at the Chureito Pagoda at Fuji Highland, Fuji Q; at the base of Mount Fuji. I went in the height of Autumn; when the leaves were at the reddest and most vibrant. It is a beautiful sight in the Autumn for the leaves against Fuji. In the Spring, it is more famous for the blossoms at the foot of the pagoda, with Fuji in the background. In the afternoon sun, they glittered and gleamed like rubies. Th

We moved to Japan in 2015. Our 5th floor hosts a lovely view of Mt. Fuji and the surrounding mountain range. I love waking up in the morning and seeing how it looks. The cloud formations change, the sunset colors, and the sunrise hues: they all share very different views and feels of the same landscape. The time of year also adds interesting variation. I started making 20 minute watercolor paintings on 4 x 6 inch paper of these different views of Fuji. I guess I was inspired

With a break in Arts and Craft fairs for at least a few months, and my most recent commissions completed, I’ve started the sketching for several paintings. I’m working on a watercolor painting to add to People Being Series. This one will be of South Korea. Two girls in yellow hanbok dresses with dark blue sashes. The wind that day means there is lots of movement and fluttering. The girls were part of the Jindo Sea Parting (Moses Miracle) festival in 2008. I put them into a ba

I have really enjoyed this series. My little 3 x 5 inches watercolor paintings; completed within 20-30 minutes. They have been very popular, and subsequently, I only have one or two unsold, at this point! I am painting more, though. I want to share with you some of the framed completed paintings, and my most recently painted ones. Fuji Views: Blue Line Mountains 2016 Fuji Views: Fuji View 2016 Fuji Views: Tree And Sunset Mountain 2016 And here's some (now) sold paintings in t

Our apartment windows host views of Mt. Fuji most clear days, and it is such a privilege. I understand the reverence many Japanese people have for this most beautiful mountain. I call these waves of blue mountains the 'mirage mountains' for some days there are layers and layers of rolling mountain range, and other days I can barely see the other side of the runway (we live near a runway FYI). It makes viewing them all the more poignant, and I make the time to stop and appreci