Il Gattaro di Aleppo is one of my favorite charities. This man has shown so much courage and diligence, that I just can’t seem to do enough for him. I’ve been donating paintings to his cause for about a year now. I get to do paintings that challenge and inspire me, and I also get to raise money for this man, who helps people’s abandoned pets, and the children of the people that still live there, in Syria. and for some reason, he has a lot of orange tabbies!

As usual, Ruthie gave me all sorts of fun challenges for the 30 days in January 15 minutes a day drawing challenge, but this one was my favorite. I had to depict my pet in a famous painting. So I chose Enza, who is 18 and always posing for me.

It is with great joy that I can announce that two of the trees we planted at Wing Luke School have been deemed “exceptional” and will be saved from demolition when they build the new school. Here they are in the last stages of losing their leaves on a brilliantly sunny autumn day. This painting is for sale. It measures 10″ x 14″

This has been a spectacular autumn for me; since there hasn’t been much rain (but enough) the leaves are still on the trees, and the ones that have fallen are dry enough to walk through. I have always loved kicking through the leaves, it brings me right back to my childhood. But two mornings ago, we awakened to fog, which is very special when the trees are all brilliant jewels. This is 8″ x 11″ for sale, all proceeds go to Endangered species education and conservation.

Just a little painting, about 5″ x 5″ but I’m trying out some blue paper, so started small. I tried to catch the intensity of the light that we are experiencing every day this autumn. Perfect day for a bike ride!