Small worlds in round frames... 🎡🎨

 

It started with a quiet moment at The Huntington Gardens, watching the pink water lilies drift on the surface. But I couldn’t stop thinking about what might be hiding beneath those floating petals... 🌿✨

Today, those thoughts have become the first sketches for a new series: "The Huntington Hollows." >

Peek into these tiny portholes to meet the first two residents:

"The Lily Lurker" — A very observant little frog who takes his neighborhood watch duties quite seriously. 🐸👁️

"Sirena coronada de pétalos" — A floral-crowned siren of the pond, woven from the same softness as the water lily above. 🌸🧜‍♀️

I wanted to capture that magical feeling of a world tucked away in the greenery, where every leaf is a roof and every lily a crown. It’s early days for these two, but I’m already in love with how that "big eye" gaze anchors them in their secret space.

Which one are you most excited to see come to life in color? 🎨👇

A Balance of Light & Bloom: Happy Spring Equinox 🌸✨

 

Today we reach that beautiful point of balance where day and night are equal, and the earth begins its big exhale into Spring. To celebrate, I’m sharing a few "inspiration moments" from my recent visit to The Huntington Gardens.

My paintings don't start at the easel; they start in moments like these—noticing how a petal curls or how a specific shade of fuchsia catches the light.

The Palette of the Season:

Saucer Magnolia (Magnolia x soulangeana): The perfect reference for the gossamer "ruffles" in my characters' hair.

Pink Water Lilies: A study in those "Alabaster" tones and floating, ethereal light.

Eucalyptus macrocarpa: I’m endlessly fascinated by the silvery-grey contrast against its red blooms.

California Poppies (Eschscholzia californica): A bright spark of local gold to ground the spirit.

Rock Purslane (Cistanthe grandiflora): The vibrant heart behind those "Marshmallow Magenta" eyes! 🎀👁️

Wishing you a day of perfect balance and new growth. Which of these colors should I bring to my palette next? 🌿🌷

Holding onto a little bit of luck today... 🍀✨

 

Happy St. Patrick’s Day! I wanted to share another look at "Emerald & Ember" as she prepares to find her forever home.

There is something so special about the way a miniature painting feels in your hands—like holding a tiny, secret world. From her deep green eyes to the vintage frame that houses her, she’s been a joy to create. I’ve even got my Hello Kitty bows on to celebrate! 🎀💚

Whether you’re celebrating with a parade or just a bit of green tea at your easel, I hope your day is full of "clover-covered" magic and soulful moments.

🏠 Adoption Call: This original oil miniature is currently available! If you’ve been looking for a "lucky charm" to add to your gallery wall, she’s waiting for you. DM me for adoption details. 🎨

Emerging from a cloud of pink-accented fluff... ☁️🌷

 

Meet "Marshmallow Magenta," a little spring spirit. Nestled between her gossamer blonde hair and those deep fuchsia eyes, she’s been an absolute dream to bring to life.

She is pale, she is fluffy, and she’s definitely got her ears perked for the coming spring. 🌸✨ I wanted to create an Easter character that felt like a delicate, lingering daydream. Her eyes are the heart of the piece—a bright spark of fuchsia life against her soft, alabaster features, complete with a twinkle of star highlights.

Her "big eye" gaze is already looking right past the frost and straight into April. 🎀👁️

✨ The Details ✨

Title: Alabaster & Aster

Medium: Original oil painting on cradled wood panel.

Size: 11" x 14"

Presentation: This piece is unframed and fits a standard 11" x 14" frame perfectly. Alternatively, I can wire the back so she can hang directly on your wall as a modern, clean-edged statement.

🏠 Availability: This original bunny girl is available for adoption! Please DM me directly for details if this big-eyed beauty needs to hop over to your collection in time for Easter morning. 📦🐇

Rooted in Strength: International Women’s Day 🌿✨

 

On a day meant to celebrate the vast, diverse beauty of women around the world, I wanted to share a progress update on "Sylvan Reverie." >

While she is a creature of fantasy, she is rooted in a very real belief of mine: that beauty knows no singular form, and every skin tone is a masterpiece. I’ve spent my recent studio hours focusing on her warm brown skin tones and the intricate textures of her antlers, honoring the quiet strength that comes from being connected to the earth. 🤎✨

The Process:

Medium: Oil on a 6" x 12" x 1.5" cradled wood panel.

Current Stage: Skin tones and antlers are blocked in and refined.

Next Steps: Moving into her flowing purple hair and the delicate moths that surround her, saving the "soul" of the face for last.

Even when the world feels heavy, I find that leaning into the act of creation is a way to honor the beauty we still have. Wishing you all a day of peace and a reminder of the strength you carry within.

Emerald & Ember: A Little Bit of Luck Found its Way Home 🍀✨

 

She is officially finished! Meet "Emerald & Ember," my soulful "girl next door" for the upcoming St. Patrick's season.

This piece was a labor of love in oils, focusing on the contrast between her deep emerald eyes and vibrant, fiery red hair. I wanted to give her a look that was both sweet and timeless, complete with a smattering of freckles and a few shamrocks for luck.

🎨 The Details:

Medium: Original oil on paper.

Art Size: Approx. 2.75" x 3.5" (Oval).

Framed Size: Approx. 4" x 6" in a beautiful vintage frame that perfectly captures her "heirloom" spirit.

🏠 Adoption Status: This original miniature is available for adoption! I am sharing her today to ensure she has plenty of time to travel to her new home before St. Patrick’s Day arrives. 📦✈️

Please DM me directly for details if you'd like to bring this tiny bit of magic home.

Sunday Studio Scenes: A Lesson in Slow Magic... 🍀✨

 

I’ve always believed that some paintings have their own internal clock, and "Emerald & Ember" is currently taking a little more time to "bloom" than I expected.

🎨 The Progress: In the close-up (Slide 1), you can see she’s starting to find her soul. Her skin tones are emerging and her blouse is ready, but I’m taking a beat to get those final details—the shamrocks, the fiery hair, and the depth of those emerald eyes—just right.

🏠 The Studio Family (Slide 2): You can see her here tucked in with her bigger studio mates for scale!

✊🏾 "Guiding Star": My portrait of Harriet Tubman, taking a place of honor for Black History Month.

🦌 "Sylvan Reverie": My antlered Dryad, currently in her earthy underpainting phase.

🐼 Panda Perks: To keep my energy up, I’ve been fueling my studio sessions with these adorable panda cookies to keep the inspiration flowing!

Thank you for your patience as I find her spark. She’ll be worth the wait! ✍️☕

She starts to take form... 🍀✨

 

Laying the foundations for a little luck. This is the early blocking-in phase for "Emerald & Ember," my St. Patrick’s Day "girl next door."

Currently, the world she lives in is a soft, dreamlike pale lavender with wispy ochre clouds. The figure itself is underpainted in rich hues of brown—a quiet, earthy beginning before the vibrant emerald eyes and fiery red tones take center stage. 🎨🖌️

It’s always a bit of a "trust the process" moment at this stage, but I can already feel her personality peaking through the layers. I’m aiming to have her fully realized and ready to share by this Sunday!

Happy Lunar New Year: Gathering the Menagerie! 🏮🐎✨

 

To celebrate the dawn of 2026, I’ve gathered the whole family for a special New Year’s portrait. At the center sits "Kindling the New Year," the Fire Horse, acting as the heart and hearth for all his companions.

Surrounded by the atmospheric clouds of "The Indigo Ignis," the sweet gaze of "Velvet & Vice Versa," and the rest of the crew, it feels like a complete little world has come to life. There is a specific magic in seeing the fiery warmth of the Horse grounded by the presence of his friends. 🔥

Can you spot them all? > From the rainbow eyes of "The Opal Ouroboros" to the lucky blush of "The Blush of Bounty," each animal represents a different energy for the journey ahead.

💬 Which energy are you carrying with you into the spring? 🐉🐍🐰🐷🐎

Wishing you a 2026 full of spirit, strength, and unbridled passion. May your red envelopes be heavy and your hearts even fuller! 🧧✨

Zodiac Crossroads: The Indigo Ignis 🐉✨

 

In my world, legends often overlap. While we prepare to gallop into the Year of the Fire Horse, I couldn’t leave out this celestial guardian.

Meet "The Indigo Ignis," a Western cousin to the Lunar Dragon. I’ve always felt he stands as a sentry in that space between worlds—a reminder that magic doesn’t have borders and exists in every culture.

Perched atop his rocky lookout and wreathed in clouds, his gaze is fixed on the horizon where the new year is beginning to glow. With his deep blue scales and purple accents, he’s the perfect companion for those who walk between the worlds of myth and reality. ☁️💜

✨ The Details ✨

Title: The Indigo Ignis

Medium: Original acrylic painting on panel.

Size: 8" x 10"

Presentation: Unframed, but painted in a standard size so you can easily choose a frame that suits your own sanctuary.

🏠 Availability: This original guardian is available for adoption! Please DM me directly for details if this indigo dragon needs to watch over your collection.