Apparently I really like flowers. I got this dress during a stay in Prague and it matches the style of my Healing Garden series! Fashion and art often go hand in hand, don't they? The works you see here were created during my residency at Chateau d'Orquevaux. Check out my website - under the NEWS tab - for photos from this amazing experience. 

​One of my favorite activities during the Chateau d'Orquevaux residency was an afternoon of studio visits. We all got to walk through the beautiful studios and see what our fellow artists created. What an honor to witness the journey and to see the results. We all shared our ideas and feedback on colorful sticky notes. What at the pile! I am honored to have received kind words and encouragement that will keep me creating!

For two weeks, from August 26 to September 8, I had the wonderful opportunity to step away from my usual routines and immerse myself in creativity at the Château d'Orquevaux in France. There were 27 of us—writers, musicians, and visual artists—who came from the United States, South Africa, Australia, and Brazil. We arrived as strangers: with our own questions, and hopes for the residency. Before long, we became a lovely little community. It was so fun! Sharing meals, dips in the pond, conversations, walks, ideas.

The château and the surrounding countryside provided the perfect setting for this kind of creative retreat. The nearby village of Orquevaux was delightful, with quiet streets that seemed to invite a stroll at any time of day. In the morning, a group of us would head out for hikes through the forests and meadows surrounding the château. There was something grounding about beginning the day surrounded by trees, fields, birds, and cows.

For me, the residency was a wonderful opportunity to spend concentrated time with my Healing Garden series. The quiet of the countryside seemed to make space for new process and ideas. Painting became a natural part of the rhythm of the days. One of my Healing Garden paintings found a new home with a fellow artist: how special! If you want to see more of the work I created during the residency, click HERE and scroll through the updates to several blogs about this time and my paintings. Also, scroll below to the photos in this update: click on them to see the full size. 

In just two weeks, friendships and connections can become surprisingly meaningful. We shared a very particular experience—living and creating together in a beautiful place. We saw each other's work develop, heard stories from different parts of the world, encouraged one another, and became part of each other's creative journeys.

Leaving the château was bittersweet. I was sad to say goodbye to the people, the village, the walks,  the quiet mornings, and the wonderful creative energy that filled those two weeks. There are conversations about future visits and ways our paths might cross again. Merci, Château d'Orquevaux. 

It was my pleasure to donate Healing Garden #126 to Chateau d'Orquevaux permanent collection. This acrylic on Yupo artwork is inspired by a flower I photographed during my stay at the artists and writers residency there. How cool is that?! 

I am so grateful to be spending time at the artist residency at Chateau d'Orquevaux! What a life experience to have (August 26 - September 8). Scroll through the images below. Enjoy!

Martina Sestakova * Jeannette Bonner
Arianna Alter * Deanna Cordova
Beth Guest * Anna Chavez
Tivoni Brundage * Carrie Talick
Asa Collings * Jules Gissler
Claire Loescher * Jo Roets
Stephanie Nordlund * Pamela Fraley
Stevie * Erica Mallett
Sarah Green Reed * Kim Bendheim 
Zehra Kayi * Kent Flora
Brittany James * Adie Blackmon
Mallory Zebley * Phuong
Janine Bitencourt Jorge * Clif Payne  

What a pleasure it's been to spend time at the residency at Chateau D'Orquevaux. Yet, in between my creative times, resting, and strolling, I keep up with my business - RADOST. There are emails and orders and commitments to coordinate. It's funny to realize that even computer work is just plein better at a French chateau. I work around the chateau enjoying a variety of spaces (a beautiful music room, my studio, outside in the provided chairs). And, Dusty - the cat who believes he owns this place - may just stop by to interrupt an activity so he can rest in comfort. What a life!

I'll be participating in the Paint the Town Labor Day Art Show, one of the Montgomery Art Association's largest and most anticipated annual exhibitions.

Held over Labor Day weekend - September 5–7, 2026 - at the historic Kensington Armory in Kensington, Maryland, the show brings together approximately 500 works of art created by regional artists. You will enjoy a variety of paintings, photography, sculpture, and other works, watch live artist demonstrations, browse prints and greeting cards, and participate in the lovely energy of the plein air painting competition taking place throughout the weekend.
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If you're looking for something inspiring to do over Labor Day weekend, I'd love for you to stop by. Scroll below to see the three artworks from my Healing Garden series that will be available for purchase. Yay!

During a quiet walk through the village of Orquevaux, I came across this lovely burgundy bloom. It became inspiration for my Healing Garden #122. I jotted a few impressions of the back of the black Yupo I worked on: flexibility, shaping of life, experiencing, prospering. What a delightful project to work on!

I was productive this morning. After my exercise (standing on a hill overlooking a vineyard and ponds), I worked on my computer, replying to emails, catching up on accounting for my business, and writing my book. Later, I took a break. And you know it, it was a walk! I strolled through the village of Orquevaux and found more delightful spots. Enjoy!

What a day! A sunny Sunday at Château d’Orquevaux began with my morning coffee and exercise, followed by a long, leisurely walk around the grounds. I slowed down and paid attention to what was around me—the plants, the light, the little details that might otherwise go unnoticed. Along the way, I took four photos of plants that caught my eye.

Then came the next part of the process: sitting down with my thoughts and jotting down my ideas, emotions, and observations. Sketch. Color. And voilà! Four new Healing Gardens, #118 through #121, emerged. Each one is 4 x 6 inches, painted in acrylic on Yupo.

There is a process behind these paintings, but somehow, these feel different. When I travel, I often photograph flowers and plants along the way. Later, I scroll through my camera roll and choose something that inspires my next painting. Here at the residency, I seem to be doing no such thing. Instead, I go for a stroll, look around, and somehow inspiration finds me—right there, right then, just when I need it. These four little paintings have been such an experience.

And I am discovering that the writing is just as important as the painting. Putting my thoughts on paper makes me focus. It takes me deeper inside my own mind. Then, as I begin to work with my hands, something shifts. I slow down. I rest. I feel safe. And that, really, is what the Healing Garden series has always been about. A moment of paying attention. A moment of being present. A moment of creating a little place of safety and beauty.
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And now, I get to experience all of this in a beautiful place, surrounded by nature—and accompanied by Dusty, the Château’s resident cat, who seems to have decided that being part of my creative journey. Scroll through the photos and follow along as these four little Healing Gardens come to life.

What a place to create! The schedule at the artist residency at Chateau d'Orquevaux allows for plenty of creative time. I am observing, photographing, sketching, painting. Here is the second Healing Garden created her: #117. What started as a conversation with a fellow artist, turned into jotting ideas, and then finding the perfect spot to capture our chat. And here we go!

We chatted about our joys and fears. And interestingly, this little path on the property, turned out to be the focus on our conversation: going places that may scare us (mostly in our minds), exploring, overcoming what we believe and learning new things. I enjoy the photograph of the leaves: how they are together, next to each other, intertwined. Isn't how our mind works? There is a jumble of thoughts at times. Or, we have two ideas that seems to not be able to work along side each other, but then they do. Or, everything seems to create an energetic network. What a lovely experience creating this work!

I am a big believer in listening to what people say—being curious about their point of view and considering how it may or may not apply to my own life. An evening at the artist residency at Château d’Orquevaux was one of those moments worth paying attention to.

Tivoni, one of my fellow resident artists, was sharing her insights about numbers and their meaning in our lives. I selected a number, and Tivoni, with great energy and eloquence, talked about its meaning. I jotted down a few words and went to bed. Bright and early, at 6 a.m., I woke up with a strong need to create something inspired by those words. And this is what happened.

Some of the words Tivani talked about were “point,” “power,” and a moment of decision. I kept thinking about the point: What’s the point? How do we reach the point? Whatever that point may be.

And then, in a flash, it dawned on me: for me, the point was intuition—the way I use it to navigate my life. Intuition is a source of power, a way to move through daily life with insight, but also with gentleness and care. 

I do several exercises every morning—repetitive stretches that help me begin my day. Some are fluid; others may look awkward. But they are mine. They are a way of connecting with my body, and the time I give to my body belongs to me, too. Interestingly, I do these exercises in public—while waiting for a flight, for example—without any sense that I am out of place. This experience has led me to ideas about intuition, being comfortable in my own body, and feeling at home in my own mind and heart.

The series of nine works took shape in less than two hours that morning. Equipped with coffee, I picked up an acrylic marker and drew lines with my eyes closed. These lines honor some of the movements and moments from my morning exercises. Then, having found a remnant of this fantastic blue paint, I covered the watercolor paper with long strokes. I dipped into glue and added crumpled tissue paper to bring another dimension to the experience.

Our lives are not flat, are they? And so there was layering, pausing and rushing, fingers covered in paint and glue—a deeply physical experience. It seems to reflect the direction of my life: understanding my body and mind and honoring both with gentleness, good food, movement, and positive thoughts.
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I am calling this collection “Coming Home.” Oh, the experiences that can come from simply listening! Thank you, Tivoni, for your insights and willingness to share what you know. 

I am always on a quest to see beauty, especially in the shape of flowers and landscapes. As you know, for my Healing Garden series, I focus on photographing gardens that I find restful and safe spaces. On my first day at the artists residency at Chateau d'Orquevaux in France, I strolled through the grounds of this chateau and encountered a lovely moment I decided to capture and paint. Interestingly, the artwork - Healing Garden #116 - started with jotting down ideas and thoughts on the back of the Yupo paper I work on. I noted the breeze, the passing of time, and also honored the artists who gathered for this residency (with their uniqueness and approaches to life and art). Then, my creative process took shape: I sketched the photo, added a colorful layer in acrylic markers, and then enjoyed introducing delicate patterns to the surface. I find this process ever so refreshing and meditative. I hope you enjoy the artwork!

Yay! August 26, 2026, was an important day. After three years of applying, I received a yes to being part of the artists and writers residency at Chateau d'Orquevaux in France. How delightful! Having spent a few day in beautiful Paris, I arrived at the grounds with 26 fellow artists (painters, writers, musicians), and opened myself up to a new life experience. We were welcomed with champagne and cheese and settled into our rooms and studios. I invite you to follow along on Instagram where I am posting my adventures and creations! 

Before coming here, I jotted down ideas for projects. Some of them may take shape; others may fizzle out. I am giving myself grace to just go with the flow and see what takes shape. I plan to paint and write and read and rest. And also do unexpected projects! The grounds are stunning. There are ponds with bridges and an island. There are Toulouse geese, chickens, and a cat named Dusty (who believes he owns the place). So, follow along on a beautiful creative journey in France!

-They're wearable art. Every RADOST scarf begins as one of my original paintings, transforming colorful brushstrokes into a piece you can enjoy every day.

-Each scarf tells a story. Every design has a name and a short story of inspiration—a gentle reminder to notice the beauty, hope, and joy that surround us.

-They're easy to wear all year long. Lightweight, soft, and comfortable, RADOST infinity scarves pair beautifully with everything from a summer T-shirt to your favorite fall jacket.

-They're locally made. Each scarf is crafted in the United States, and every purchase supports my woman-owned small business and my journey as an artist.

-They make meaningful gifts. Whether you're celebrating a birthday, saying thank you, or simply treating yourself, a RADOST scarf is a colorful gift with heart and a story to share.
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Browse the collection on my website and find the scarf that speaks to you. Please note that online orders placed between now and September 15 will be shipped after September 15 while I'm traveling.

I am delighted to invite you to my solo exhibition, The Healing Garden, on view August 4 through November 8, 2026, at Watkins Nature Center in Upper Marlboro, Maryland.

This exhibition brings together 29 original paintings from my ongoing Healing Garden series. Each piece is inspired by the beauty of flowers, gardens, forests, and the quiet moments in nature that invite us to slow down and notice the world around us. Some paintings were inspired by places I've visited, others by photographs shared by family and friends, and many simply by the joy of watching a garden change through the seasons.

The exhibition includes a variety of original works, from intimate acrylic paintings on paper and Yupo to stretched canvases and round canvases that are ready to hang. Whether you're an art collector, a gardener, or simply someone who enjoys spending time outdoors, I hope enjoy the show!

A quiet moment in my Kensington, Maryland studio: my original paintings from the Healing Garden series are displayed together, with rectangular white frames alongside my round canvases. I enjoy the interaction between the shapes — the structure and elegance of the frames paired with the softness and movement of the circles. I would love to hear from you: Which do you prefer? ​