Stories From Behind The Art

Back east, the Magnolia grandiflora has a presence that Southern California simply can't replicate. Photographing one in full bloom brought back a lifetime of memories — and led me to a story about this flower I hadn't expected to find.

The gondolier's stripe takes years to earn. The light that glows off Venice's canals has no equal. The story behind the art — and the piece is available to bring home.

This piece was created as part of the San Diego Splendor collection—a growing body of work that reflects the beauty, history, and quiet character of this region. Designed as a fine art print, it offers a way to bring that sense of calm, place, and memory into your everyday spaces. Whether displayed in a living room, office, or hallway, it becomes more than décor—it becomes a reminder. Of where you’ve been.Of what you value.Of the beauty that still stands, even as everythin

Most of us met the toucan on a cereal box. That bird — the cartoon one, with the beak in three impossible colors and the cheerful pitch for fruit-flavored rings — felt like the pure invention of someone who'd been given too much creative freedom and not enough supervision. Surely nothing like that actually existed. And then you see one. Not on a box. Not in a logo. In person, at eye level, close enough to see the electric blue ring around that dark eye and the way t

Most people know San Diego by its coastline — the easy, eternal blue of it. And the coast is worth every word ever written about it. But those of us who roam with a camera and a quiet sort of hunger know that the real story of this place is the journey from the sea to the sky to the sand. It is a journey that unfolds over less than a hundred miles, and yet it crosses ecological worlds as distinct as anything you might find driving from Maine to Georgia. San Diego Splendor liv

Modern researchers have identified a compound called nymphayol in water lily extracts that shows promise for regulating blood sugar and may be relevant to diabetes management. The plant demonstrates anti-inflammatory properties comparable in some studies to hydrocortisone, and shows potential for protecting and supporting liver function.

For centuries, portraits were reserved for kings, generals, and the wealthy elite — not simply because of the cost, but because of the understood weight of the thing. A portrait was a declaration. It said: this person lived. This person mattered. Remember them. That impulse hasn't changed. What has changed is our understanding of who deserves to be remembered — and how. A legacy portrait isn't about vanity. It's about intention.

Nine acres. A thousand years. Twenty-five souls. Some places do not need to be grand to be unforgettable. They only need to endure — and to know, without being told, exactly who they are.

Mac : Stories Worth Telling There are some subjects that capture your eye…and others that capture your attention. And every now and then, one captures your heart. “Mac” began, quite simply, because he caught my eye. I photographed him because he was everything you hope to find in a subject—beautiful, vibrant, stately, and just a little bit fun. Birds have always fascinated me, and a hyacinth macaw in full presence is hard to overlook. But somewhere along the way—from lens to

Continuing education is essential—no matter what industry you’re in. Technology evolves. Client expectations change. Styles and standards advance. To remain relevant and deliver exceptional work, professionals must continually invest in learning and growth. The world of portrait art is no different.

In today’s world of quick snapshots and digital galleries, the idea of commissioning a portrait painting can feel almost unfamiliar. We click, share, and scroll—rarely imagining that a single image could become something more. And yet, there is a moment when the concept suddenly makes sense. It’s the moment you realize that a truly personalized portrait is not just a picture. It is a story. A legacy. A timeless treasure that grows more meaningful with every passing year

A short while ago, I had the opportunity to work on a painted Legacy Portrait for General Lee Butler, USAF Retired. Nowadays, he just likes to go by “Lee,” but to be honest, it’s quite challenging to not speak his name with a title. His many years of service within the US Air Force as well as those working as an international consultant during the Nuclear Disarmament era (see “Architects of Peace: Visions of Hope in Words and Images” by Michael Collopy) invoke my respect.

Today we have more access to decorative artwork than ever before. Stores are filled with beautifully framed prints in every color palette and size imaginable. It seems like finding the perfect piece should be easy. And yet, somehow…it isn’t.

There was a time when every visit to a portrait studio ended the same way—with printed photographs in hand. Then came the digital age. Suddenly, photos lived on phones, memory cards, and forgotten thumb drives. Instead of investing in finished artwork, many people settled for quick snapshots taken by a friend—or by mom or dad—uploaded to social media and then left to disappear into the digital abyss.

Each stop along the way became more than a destination—it was a thread woven into the fabric of autumn. And these threads, gathered from orchards, inns, backroads, and museum halls, continue to inspire the art that emerges once I’m home again, brush in hand.

There’s Gen X, Gen Z, Millennials, of course, we Baby Boomers…Regardless of generational labels, many of us eventually find ourselves in the midst of what's often termed the Sandwich Generation. This is that distinct period where our attention and energy are often divided between supporting our adult children, perhaps grandchildren, and also providing care and assistance to our aging parents. It often involves a fair amount of spontaneous travel and problem-solving on behalf

When I travel, I carry two faithful companions: my husband, Markus, and my camera. For us, adventure has never been a sudden whirlwind—it has unfolded over decades, patiently waiting for its moment. This is the heart of Natura Art: journeys made permanent, memories translated into paintings, adventures yield the art I share with you.