Painter of the mystical, otherworldly, sensual, and whimsical.

I'm a painter living and working in the beautiful finger-lakes region of Western New York State. I am also an avid gardener and nature lover, so the lush green rolling hills, gentle streams, and majestic lakes that surround my home in this world often appear in the fantasy worlds of my paintings.

Many of the pieces draw inspiration from folk tales, myths and legends. These "teaching tales" were what drew us together around our hearth-fires for centuries, and I believe those stories still carry power.

I enjoy looking at these ancient tales, through my eyes, and painting what I see, no matter if it's beautiful or disturbing. But what's more fun is when others can see those same paintings and find something within of value that speaks to their soul directly. I do not plan for this, but am honored when it happens, and, oh, yes, do love hearing about it every time that it happens. It reminds me that maybe we are not so different after all.

Glad to meet you, and please enjoy the paintings!

Thursday, November 24, 2011

Thanksgiving

Christopher Holt - Morden Surrey - Sunlight filters through the autumn leaves
‎"We return thanks to our Mother, the Earth, which sustains us.
We return thanks to the rivers and streams, which supply us with water.
We return thanks to all herbs, which furnish medicines for the cure of our diseases.
We return thanks to the moon and stars, which have given to us their light when the sun was gone.
We return thanks to the sun, that has looked upon the earth with a beneficent eye.
Lastly, we return thanks to the Great Spirit, in Whom is embodied all goodness, and Who directs all things for the good of thier children."

-- Iroquois Prayer, adapted Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Success

Surviving the World - Lesson 28
above: Lesson #28 from "Surviving the World."

Happiness and Success 
(...with thanks to Jaana Nyström at G+!)

1. Marry the right person. This one decision will determine 90% of your happiness or misery.
2. Work at something you enjoy and that's worthy of your time and talent.
3. Give people more than they expect and do it cheerfully.
4. Become the most positive and enthusiastic person you know.
5. Be forgiving of yourself and others.
6. Be generous.
7. Have a grateful heart.
8. Persistence, persistence, persistence.
9. Discipline yourself to save money on even the most modest salary.
10. Treat everyone you meet like you want to be treated.
11. Commit yourself to constant improvement.
12. Commit yourself to quality.
13. Understand that happiness is not based on possessions, power or prestige, but on relationships with people you love and respect.
14. Be loyal.
15. Be honest.
16. Be a self-starter.
17. Be decisive even if it means you'll sometimes be wrong.
18. Stop blaming others. Take responsibility for every area of your life.
19. Be bold and courageous. When you look back on your life, you'll regret the things you didn't do more than the ones you did.
20. Take good care of those you love.
21. Don't do anything that wouldn't make your Mom proud.
     21-B. (Portia's correlary) If you choose to do something that would go against what you raised to know as "the rules," know first which rule you're breaking, know why you're breaking it, and know how while causing the least unwanted harm.  (Remember, some of humanity's greatest discoveries were made by bloody-minded people who were willing to question Mom!)
The path to success

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

"Masked Angel."

above: "Masked Angel" by Portia St. Luke

Just finished, here's a new pen-and-ink on tinted paper, called, "Masked Angel. "

It felt good to get back to good old pen-and-ink, but the piece took me a helluva lot longer than I ever would have anticipated. (Does anybody still wonder why I'm terrible at updating my blog?)

I do love this style, though. Pen and ink on tinted paper, highlighted in white was a common method found in the sketchbooks of the Renaissance masters. About a year ago I did a similar piece called "Holly King, Oak King," that used this technique. The result looks cool and re-prints beautifully. It's still a favorite piece.

(above: "Holly King, Oak King" by Portia St. Luke, November 2010)

The design for the "Masked Angel" came from the friend who purchased the original piece. However, with permission, I am selling prints. Posters are available from Zazzle by clicking here.