Holy Hollyhocks!

plein air, 9" x 12", oil, 'Hollyhocks'

Old Fashioned Poppies

plein air, 12" x 9", oil, 'Old Fashioned Poppies'

No More Techno-Phobia!

plein air, 7" x 5", oil, 'Accent Flowers'

Techno-phobia, is like other phobias, a fear or intense dislike, for technology. It displays a wide range of negative emotions, such as anxiety, incompetence, fear, stress and nervousness.

Symptoms of techno-phobia are:

• Fear of computers and related technologies
• Resistance to automating processes
• Unwillingness to change from one system to another or one software to another
• Highly critical of any technology changes or implementations
• Passive resistance to new technology initiatives
• Unwilling to attend training classes
• Slow to learn new technologies
• Providing excuses for not attending training sessions
• Relentlessly arguing the lack of need for technologies
• Pleading "the old way is the best way!"
• Convincing colleagues that "I have made it this far without technology. Why now?"

Do you know someone who manifests these symptoms? Most individuals are unaware that these are symptoms of techno-phobia and even if they are aware, many individuals are reluctant to admit their phobia.

Technology is here to stay. It will not be going away! So, how can we prepare for a world that is so completely different from what it was a decade ago? 

Here's a few ideas: 

1. Create a friendly learning environment. Educate people that failing a few times while learning new technologies is normal. In fact, the more you fail the more you learn!
      
2. Help people take one small step at a time. Reward their efforts and be a mentor.

     3.  Have fun!

Happy Father's Day!

plein air, 10" x 8", 'Flowers of Courage'

You never said I’m leaving
You never said goodbye
You were gone before I knew it,
And only God knew why
A million times I needed you,
A million times I cried
If love alone could have saved you,
You never would have died
In life I loved you dearly
In death I love you still
In my heart you hold a place,
That no one could ever fill
It broke my heart to lose you,
But you didn’t go alone
For part of me went with you,
The day God took you home.

Feet on the Ground

plein air, 8" x 10", oil, 'Complementary Burst'

What Can One Person Do?

plein air, 12" x 9", oil, 'Symmetry'

Artisan Flower Power

plein air, 10" x 8", oil, 'Indian Paint Brush'

One in Every Crowd

plein air, 12" x 9", oil, 'Red Personality'

Lucky Lilacs

plein air, 8" x 10", oil, 'Lilacs'

Wayne's Favorite Color

plein air, 10" x 8", oil, 'Warm Design'

Sunny D

plein air, 8" x 6", oil, 'Sunny Delight'

Good Vibes

studio, 18" x 14", oil, 'Vibes'

Do Geraniums Stink?

plein air, 10" x 8", oil, 'Ellen's Geraniums'

Some people think geraniums smell really bad! Personally, they are one of my favorite flowers because I can bring them inside in the fall to have beautiful blooms adorn my windows all winter long. Even a bit neglected, they seem to thrive. I only notice their strong fragrance when I remove the spent blossoms.

I love to paint geranium florals, especially the vivid flowering reds against the complementary leafy greens. Stunning not stinky!!

Newly Wed and Almost Dead

still life, 4" x 5", acrylic, 'Blossomed Out'

Bloomin' Birthday with Vincent

plein air, 6" x 6", oil, 'Bloomin'

"If you hear a voice within you saying you are not a painter, then by all means paint... and that voice will be silenced."

Vincent van Gogh

born March 30, 1853

2 For 1

still life, 6"x 6", oil, 'I Just Want to Bloom'

Early this morning I went to WalMart to pick up some valentines for my first grade class. As I entered the store several men were leaving with beautiful bouquets of flowers for their sweethearts. The front aisles were lined with gorgeous blooms of all colors. It made me realize the importance of the day and companionship.

Friday, I went skiing after school. I had just scooted off the chair lift and was heading downhill when I heard a frightened voice saying, "I can't do this." "I'm scared!" As I approached the skier. I could see that she was a novice. Her partner beckoned to her from the bottom of the slope in a calm and assuring way.  "Yes, you can," he said. "You know how." "I am here." "Just take it slow and easy." "You'll be fine." A few minutes past, then she started moving, traversing the hill until her confidence was regained and the slope was more gradual. I reflected about the moment and realized it does take 2 for 1! What do you think?