I took a new direction when I decided to make my still-life paintings more personal. I wanted to add mystery or drama to the scene. Changing subject matter also made me want to have deeper, moodier colors. I layered many washes to build the intensity of color and value.

My painting “Blessings” came about when I noticed the late evening sunshine spilling across the hardwood floor in my dining room. It was so beautiful; I just had to capture it. I grabbed some pears and the little jug, and set up the still life. After I began painting, I realized that the pears and the jug all had a “womanly” shape. I added postcards of some favorite paintings of women, and the word “Blessings” just seemed like the right title.