This story starts Nov. 15, 2011. My oldest son and I went out for a stroll in Berkeley, Ca. After having dinner, we came across the Firehouse North Art Gallery. From the sidewalk we could see a number of artists standing at their easels painting. I went inside to get more information. For Christmas this year, one of my gifts from my son was some time at this gallery. So just recently,  I loaded up my easel and paints, caught the train to Berkeley and walked a few blocks up Shattuck to the gallery for three hours of painting this model. I'm going to call this one Talia of Firehouse North. Can't wait to go back!

Someone very dear to me loved anything blue and white. I couldn't help but think of her as I tried to capture some of her blue and white dishes she used on her back porch (a very fun and active place to be if you lived on Windsor Place in Aiken, SC)! I have those dishes now and some of them are chipped, but wouldn't trade them for anything in the world.

Some good friends in Southern California own Sasha the Schnoodle. Trying to capture the "wiry" texture of this dog's coat a challenge. Hope to meet Sasha someday on a visit to see the Skillman family!