The Simple Life

Whispers of the Countryside

For over the past twenty years I have been painting delightful shabby-chic artwork with a touch of rustic romance. As you view my online gallery, you’ll see a bouquet of original artwork in delicate pinks and French blues. Even though I have become known for my acrylic roses and tutus, recently my artistic intuition wanted to run in a new direction.

My “Whispers of the Countryside” Collection is a five-piece, original oil painting series inspired by the provincial landscapes of the English countryside.

The Collection

It’s often assumed that an artist’s work reflects their current emotions. But that’s not necessarily the case. Sometimes an artist paints from the desire of their heart rather than expressing what’s already present. To me, this collection of original oil paintings exemplifies “serenity.” It embodies my longing for peace and simplicity. Five unique paintings portray pastoral scenes: quiet cabins surrounded by windswept wildflowers, sheep feeding beneath blossoming trees, and lakeshores silent and still under a gray sky. The colors are muted, but not melancholy. If anything, the vintage color palette is just paying homage to a simpler era. While painting, I couldn’t help but think about how much I wanted to be there: sitting by the cabin window listening to nothing but the wind brushing across the English landscape.

Oil Painting

Much of my artwork requires a fast-pace painting method. My tole painting and canvas artwork needs to dry thoroughly and quickly. And so naturally, I’ve been using acrylics for my hand-painted décor and most of my original artwork. But this collection was never meant to look like my other artwork. And as an artist, I was longing to go back to the complexity of oil painting. I like the slow-drying process that allows me to methodically adjust my paintings; I’m a bit of a perfectionist and so I like the freedom to continually return to a painting. It feels less rushed and more like a gradual progression. For this series, I also wanted to achieve the visual depth that only oil paints can create.

Painting on Wood

Once I had determined to paint with oils, I knew this collection would be painted on wood. I love the natural texture of wood, the slight imperfections, and the way the paint absorbs. Painting on wood just feels so much more organic to me. I have ample practice painting on wood. Much of my décor is wood; my earlier farmhouse series was all painted on wood as well. It’s a medium I continually return to.

Each wood painting comes ready to hang or frame. The wood is about 5/8 inches thick, and the sides are painted with antique gold leaf for that vintage look.