Client: Monica Norton Illustration challenge: Paint a tall sailing ship as a surprise gift for a friend’s boyfriend. They are now a happily married couple with two beautiful sons. I like to think my painting had something to do with plotting their course toward favorable winds.


Client: Jackie Howard Design/Illustration Challenge: Create one 18″ x 20″ image, to be framed, that encompasses 18 years of her son’s life and memories, to be presented as a high school graduation gift. The illustration would fit in an existing frame, handed down through the family.

Client: Patt Wagner Illustration Challenge: Create a painting of her three pets, Gizmo, Gadget and Sprocket. Rather than individual portraits, we decided on a triptik on a deep edged canvas. Her style is bold, so the black canvas and bright backgrounds fit right in with her home design and personal tastes. Our pets are often important family members, adding years of joy to our homes.

Client: Cynthia Hoffman Illustration Challenge: Commission was to create a painting of the Mendocino coastline with the exact spot where wonderful memories were created, which photos just could not capture. It was an honor to present it to the happy couple. May they live long and love well.

Client: Elizabeth G. Johnston Illustration challenge: Sketch our first two Godsons when they were younger. Here are our handsome boys, who not only look out for each other and their mother, but their two younger twin brothers as well! Now happily out of college and taking on the world.