As many have already kicked off the holiday season, I'm waiting just a little longer. This year, I'm hosting another version of my #GiveorSave Event. Giving through my work has always been important to me, as is offering occasional opportunities for my collectors to purchase selected works at special prices. This event allows you to choose what is best for you at this time, and falls neatly between Artists Sunday and GivingTuesday. 

I’ve joined artists, creators and makers across the country for the Artists Sunday, earth’s largest art event, the Sunday after Thanksgiving, November 27th, encouraging consumers to shop with artists. Think of it like Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, or Cyber Monday but for shopping for art! And, you've probably heard of Giving Tuesday, which according to the organization "is a global generosity movement unleashing the power of radical generosity. GivingTuesday was created in 2012 as a simple idea: a day that encourages people to do good. Since then, it has grown into a year-round global movement that inspires hundreds of millions of people to give, collaborate, and celebrate generosity."

To honor both days, I'm going to be offering to my SUBSCRIBERS only, a private window of shopping online from Artists Sunday (November 27th) through GivingTuesday (November 29th). During those three days, subscribers will shop through a password protected link to my site and have the option to either save 25% percent on selected works, or ask me to donate 25% percent of their sale to my selected charity. 

Subscribers will get an email in their inbox on Sunday morning, at 9am ET (6am PT), with a password protected link to shop my online site privately through Tuesday, along with a coupon code should you wish to use it. If you prefer that I make a donation, simply send me a note in your order. If you miss the window to subscribe and don't get an email Sunday morning, simply sign up on my site prior to Tuesday morning, and you'll receive the link and password soon after.

In light of recent events, coupled with my passion for mental health support, I've decided to give donations to The Trevor Project. They are the world’s largest suicide prevention and mental health organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning (LGBTQ) young people. Not only do they offer crisis support, but also advocacy, research and education. Some of their stats are shocking - both how a lack of acceptance has a negative impact on LGBTQ populations, as well as how just one supportive person can have a positive impact. 
According to The Trevor Project, "One accepting adult decreases the risk of suicide by 40% for LGBTQ young people." "The Trevor Project estimates that more than 1.8 million LGBTQ young people seriously consider suicide each year in the U.S. and could benefit from our services." 

PLEASE, become a subscriber to my periodic newsletter by simply filling out the form below. Let's help end hate, and provide much needed support to the LGBTQ+ community. 

Wishing you a very safe and Happy Thanksgiving, and I'm truly grateful for you!

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"Take a Seat" series of works, featuring chairs in unlikely locations, painted in vividly calm watercolors. 

"Garden Watercolors" series of works journaling the changes in my gardens.

"TraillWorks Yoga Mats" featuring snippets of favorite TeaScape watercolors.

Giclées and Prints featuring some of my favorite paintings and original linocuts. 

You'll also find my Note Cards and a sampling of Throw Pillows. Please keep in mind, I'm an individual artist who is also currently on the mend from various nutritional deficiencies (I talk more about this in my latest newsletter), so I'm filling orders slowly. I'm in the business of providing good service with high quality work, but that means that it might arrive slower than you're used to. If purchasing anything - please contact me with any concerns about delivery timing.  I hope my work brings you joy and aids a little more financial support to organizations doing important work. 

​NEED A REMINDER of the event? SUBSCRIBE to my Newsletter. 

SOUND GOOD? Please sign up below to become a VIP to make certain you have early access and first dibs at these new wonders coming out of my studio. Until Friday, you can follow my Instagram / Facebook feeds, and you can explore all of the progress in my #ArtEveryDay Story on IG.  ​

I've had personal struggles with mental health - both myself - and people very close to me in my family. I have seen first-hand how mental health support can move people towards and through recovery. But, that mental health support all too often is limited, out of reach - and even more so Black communities due to a variety of barriers. 

Last week, I stumbled upon The Loveland Foundation, Inc. searching for mental health organizations that focus support on the Black community. As I browsed through their site I was taken by their mission to provide Black women and girls funding towards therapy sessions. They are a relatively local organization, based out of Newburgh, NY. but aim to reach a national audience. They have partnered with Therapy for Black Girls, Open Path Collective, National Queer and Trans Therapists of Color Network, and Talkspace, as well as networks and service providers that match their mission. Founded by Rachel Cargle in 2018 when she successfully raised $250,000 through a social media campaign for her birthday. Their current goal is to hit $600,000 to offer over 5,000 hours of free therapy. 

This is just one way that I can be an ally to the Black community. My own TeaScapes artwork - which focuses on meditational environments in watercolor - has grown out of my experience through a personal mental health crisis. The making of art can be a therapeutic modality, as well as a vehicle towards mindfulness. It is my hope that the end result of my artwork also assists in a peacefulness to the collector. Throughout the month of June, I'm aiming to raise $480 (which equates to 4 therapy sessions for an individual) through sales of my work to benefit The Loveland Foundation, Inc.'s Therapy Fund. 50% of profits from sale of my original art and 20% of yoga mats / functional art will go to The Loveland Foundation, Inc. If you decide you'd rather donate directly to the fund you can do so through this link. Please join me in this initiative to help women and girls within the Black community. 

Today is the final day to stop by the Twitter Art Exhibit in NYC. I was fortunate to squeeze in a trip to the opening reception before leaving for vacation to London last month. By the time I arrived, several of the works had been sold and removed from the wall, but many gems remained. Proceeds from the exhibit are going to support Foster Pride, an organization in NYC that supports teen girls in foster care to learn entrepreneurial and design skills. While I hadn't intended to purchase anything, I couldn't pass up the opportunity once I was there and saw the amazing assortment of work, all for $35 / piece, and know that it was going to a good cause.

The piece above, Her Ladyship, by California artist, Jill Allyn Stafford, I recalled seeing in one of the many posts leading up to the exhibit; it caught my attention when I scanned the show. After many walk-throughs, I decided I had to purchase it. There are definite links between some the imagery, the color palette, and subject matter to my own work, but done in a different medium. The composition and quality of the piece stuck with me.

The second piece, London, by Sophie Severn of England, was an early souvenir of my trip to London the next day and a great opportunity to collect someone's work from over the pond. My husband and I headed there on vacation alone, without the kids. I was encouraged by my friend, and my gut, that this would make for a great preview and memory of what turned out to be a remarkable trip. 

Thank you Sophie and Jill for the opportunity to purchase your work and add it to my own collection of art. 

If you're in the NYC area today, stop by the exhibit located at Trygvie Lie Gallery at the Norwegian Seaman's Church at 317 E. 52nd Street. The gallery is open until 6pm this evening for purchases. My work is seen below, circled in red. At the time of leaving the exhibit, it was still available. I'm not sure if it is as of today. Any works not sold are staying in the hands of Foster Pride and may be sold in the future for their fundraising purposes.

If you did purchase my work, At Rest, write me a note and let me know! I'd love to know where it has gone.