Size: 28" x 25"

Medium: Ebonized walnut, brass

When I met the Allen Roehrs family, they each shared their experiences of becoming parents to a son with Down syndrome. Jessica shared with me they have since had to advocate for their son, Everett, to be integrated in a system and society that sees him as less capable and pushes him and children with disabilities to the margins. This deprives these children of opportunities to grow and flourish and robs all those who would otherwise be around them of the joy, light, and impact of knowing and living with them. Jessica has worked to advocate for children with Down syndrome and disabilities in Albemarle county schools, serving as the Committee Chair of the Special Education Advisory Committee.

In this piece, dark, organic shapes form layers around a luminescent center, both reflecting its light and peeling away to reveal a bright core.

The diligence of this family to advocate justice for their son not only fights for his best, but for his light to reflect on and bring fullness to everyone around him. His integration in a classroom plants seeds of justice and knowing in the hearts of all of the children he is surrounded by, which on the most fundamental level moves society to shed layers of learned assumption and separation and to embrace wholeness and justice.

Size:20"x16"

Medium: acrylic on canvas

For inspiration for this art piece, I was paired with the Bower family. I was glad to meet the Bowers, and I could quickly tell that there is a lot of love in their family. Tucker, their son, is a joy as soon as you meet him. He loves Disney's Cars and he loves the family dog Avett (amongst many other things.) The Bowers informed me that they have a farm where they spend as much time as possible. It has beautiful views of the mountains, a creek, and trails that are accessible for the whole family, including Tucker. When I learned what a restorative place South River Farm is for the Bowers, I knew that was the place I needed to paint. I chose a photo that had a sunset that feels full of hope, just like Tucker, Paige and Liam. Knowing that Tucker loves the color pink made the sky feel like a lovely tie in, also. I am so pleased with this painting of their farm, an ode to all of them.

Size: 18" x18" on canvas

Medium: Acrylic & Collage

The painting 'Knowledge & Wisdom' contains a powerful blend of symbolism that comes to life through the juxtaposition of a stack of books, a meditation statue, and a prayer plant. Each element carries a unique significance, inviting contemplation and reflection.

Together, the three main elements converge to create a narrative of personal growth, introspection, and the pursuit of knowledge. The stack of books suggests an intellectual journey, while the meditation statue calls for self-awareness and inner peace. The prayer plant acts as a symbol of hope and the capacity to endure challenges, urging us to embrace change and find beauty in the everyday rhythms of life.

This painting serves as an invitation to embrace the harmony of mind, body, and spirit-a reminder to nourish our intellect, nurture our souls, and stay connected to the ever-changing flow of existence. It speaks to the timeless human endeavor of seeking meaning and purpose while encouraging us to find solace in the present moment.

Size: 14"x18"

Medium: Ink and watercolor on paper

This artwork was inspired by Jack Furman, age 7, and some of the things he loves to do. His mother, Gemma shared that Jack loves cars and Legos - especially building cityscapes featuring cars, with Legos. Jack's mom also shared that last summer their family went on their first vacation as a family of four, to Washington DC because Jack had been wanting to see the Washington Monument, particularly because Jack loves nonfiction books and many of the fact books he reads compare the size of objects to the monument. This ink and watercolor painting depicts the Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, and Capitol Building, as well as Legos, and a car...some of the places and things Jack loves in both real life and the Lego worlds he creates. The colors and lines that form the backdrop of the piece are inspired by his favorite songs -Free Bird, Layla, and Take It Easy - which are all flowing, optimistic, and calming.

Size: 16x20" framed

Medium: watercolor on paper

This piece depicts a colorful spray of cosmos, a flowering species that is known to produce more blooms the more you prune and cut back the existing ones. Its resilient and abundant nature reminds me of the incredible human capacity to bounce back and heal, and even turn to joy and beauty in the face of repeated and challenging setbacks. I was paired with the Gelfand family this year, and this work was inspired by their son, Ben, who has had to undergo a tremendous amount of medical procedures since birth, and yet defies odds and exudes immense joy and energy that is contagious to those who surround him.

Size: 11"x 24"

Medium: acrylic on canvas

After listening to Kris's story about the uncertainty and other struggles in the process of adoption, I portrayed a dream of Love, for only Love can overcome all the obstacles, and the kid riding the dove of life, which may take it to us or away.

Size: 20x20

Medium: Acrylic on canvas

This acrylic painting on canvas tells the story of Stephanie McNerney and her family's journey. When we spoke, she shared the many emotions involved in forming a family through foster care and adoption.

I chose to represent her story with a round table, with many people seated around it. The open spots demonstrate the willingness of Stephanie and her partner to offer a seat at the table for everyone, the true spirit of foster care and adoption. A colorful quilt covers the table, expressing the range of emotions for everyone involved such as joy and grief. Patchwork shows how their family came to be woven together from different beginnings. Finally, the four chairs in the corners hold space for those who are no longer at the table - but are still remembered with love. The chairs also allow a place for the grief for the biological family of their adopted child.

Size: 12" x 12"

Medium: Watercolor on wood panel, colored pencil and ink

This piece is inspired by the story Acadia shared with me around their adoption story in Maine. The scene is from Acadia National Park overlaid with a map drawing of their journey from the park to Bangor. The colors are inspired by her vibrant storytelling and complex yet beautiful family dynamic.

Size: 11"x14"

Medium: Oil on canvas

Throughout history people have prescribed different meanings to flowers and given them to loved ones to portray messages and reminders of their feelings for one another. One common meaning for the geranium plant is constancy in friendship. I chose this flower to represent the Passero family because I was struck by the relationship between the two brothers. Though each struggles with different challenges, their shared need has created a special depth of kinship. As they continue to grow and navigate life, I believe this gift of their friendship will be a beautiful source of strength to them both.

Size: 20"x16" Framed.

Medium: Sea Glass Art

I was paired with Asher and his family for my family inspired piece and it was a privilege to hear their story.

Soon after he was born, it was determined that Asher had 15q26 micro-deletion, a rare genetic condition that has affected his development, muscle tone, ability to eat and overall health. A scary diagnosis to say the least, one that has required multiple hospital visits, medications and open-heart surgery, but Asher and his family are finding a way through this journey with faith, love, determination and strength. And while Asher's days may be filled with a few more hurdles than most (it takes a village!), it hasn't dampened his inquisitive little mind and energetic spirit ~ not to mention his impulsive nature, which definitely keeps his family on their toes! Asher also loves to read, ride his bike, be in the water, play with his kitties and weekly TV dinner nights! This family continuously shows up for each other with unwavering support, celebrating the small wins along with the big ones. When Laura described her family to me, she said, "everyone brings something beautiful." Thank you for letting me be a small part of your story.

Different ideas and images entered my mind as I was beginning to create my family inspired piece, and I found myself coming back to the sea. The sea holds so much beauty but also so many unknowns; it is capable of breaking things down but also bringing things to life. It is a source of change, resilience and peace ~ "beautiful chaos."

In this particular piece, I used sand, bits of pottery and sea glass found on a beach on the Chesapeake Bay. I wanted my piece to highlight some of Asher's unique qualities but the uniqueness of his family as well. Every wave represents a member of the family and within each wave, sits a special piece of pottery. Asher's piece can be found at the top, peeking out as a little "lightning bolt of sunshine."

"As the sea is beautiful not only in calm but also in storm, so is happiness found not only in peace but also in strife." - Ivan Panin

Size: 24x36

Medium: mixed media on stretched canvas, framed

The Crozet mountains feel like a big hug to me. I wanted to portray the mountains, a stream, and path being pulled in the same direction, surrounded by love. The Spillman family loves the motto "Everything happens for a reason." Crozet is thankful to have this loving family in its community.

Size: "18"x18"

Medium: oil on stretched linen

This is an original oil painting inspired by the story of Darlene and Tricia. They were brought together by a combination of Darlene's unique circumstances and Tricia's enormous love, generosity of spirit and preparedness for fostering a child in need. The remarkable growth and change Darlene has shown in her brief time with Tricia is a testament to the perfection of their pairing and the power of loving parenting. I chose a wildflower, Columbine, as a visual metaphor to represent the form of delicate beauty that can bloom under the right conditions.

Size: 26x14 framed

Medium: Watercolor & Acrylic gouache

"Welcome to Holland" is inspired by Jaimin's mother's journey through motherhood and how she felt it was so perfectly captured by Emily Perl Kingsley's famous essay, "Welcome to Holland." Jaimin's mother, Rachel, and Kingley's essay both describe the process of ambiguous loss that accompanies being a parent to a child with special needs.

The essay "Welcome to Holland" illustrates this process with planning and anticipating a trip to Italy, only instead finding yourself in Holland. Upon arrival to Holland, you would experience sadness for the loss of the trip you planned and longed for. But once you start to experience and live in Holland, you begin to find beauty and joy everywhere you look. Jaimin's mother experienced grief in losing the anticipated moments of motherhood but in the process of accepting, she found purpose and joy in becoming not just a mother, but also a therapist, advocate, dietician, nurse and provider to her son. Rachel's acceptance, advocacy and love for Jaimin has enabled her to help him achieve the highest quality of life and exceed the expectations of many of his healthcare providers every day. By not only learning to live in "Holland," but also choosing to see the meaning and joy that surrounded her there, Rachel, like Kingsley, found that Holland is actually a beautiful place to be.

The painting "Welcome to Holland" depicts a mother and son embracing each other in a new country they knew nothing about and had no plans on visiting, but looking around to find beauty, joy and love surrounding them right where they were meant to be- together building a life with new expectations and dreams in Holland.

Size: 24"x18"

Medium: Oil on canvas; Hand built-white pine frame

Size: 8.5"x11"

Medium: watercolor, framed

Size:20"x20"

Medium: Acrylic on Canvas

Hydrangea Meditation: Practicing Hope

Size: 24"x20" framed in found antique wood

Medium: oil and oil stick on gessoed paper

12"x15" framed giclee (#1) of watercolor painting

Size: 22" x 28" framed

Medium: Photograph, Printed on Fujifilm Professional Paper

Location: New Zealand, 2019

Size: 13"x12"x5"

Medium: marble

Size: 20"x16"

Medium: Oil on panel

"Rivanna Spring" was painted on site at the 2022 Rivanna River Arts Festival in Charlottesville, Virginia, where it won a Juror's Choice Plein Air Award. The direct observation of color, light, and atmosphere form the foundation of plein air painting, but I am also allowing an interplay with my personal experience of immersion in Nature. Memories, associations, and my intuitive painterly language play a role in the creative process while I enjoy the dynamic interaction with water, weather, and shifting sunlight.

Size: 20"x16" framed

Medium: Watercolor

Size: 7"x5"

Medium: blown glass

Size: 18"x14" framed

Medium: Acrylic paint on paper

Size: 17"x20" framed

Medium: Acrylic paint stick on paper

Size: 21"x18" framed

Medium: Mixed media on paper

Size: 13"x13" Framed

Medium: Sea Glass Art

Every time we visit the shore, I'm always excited about the kinds of sea glass, shells and other pieces I might find. Some trips yield larger bounties than others, but the anticipation is almost the best part! All of the treasures I collect hold a special place in my heart and even though not every piece finds its way into my art, I think they are all beautiful. This picture holds many bits of some favorite treasures ~ the very top of a bottle, tiny sand dollars and rare pieces of purples and dark blues! Individually they are just broken pieces, but collectively, when they are brought together, they've been turned into a bouquet of wild flowers ~ transformed into "Something Beautiful."

Size: 3.5"x5" Framed
Medium: Sea Glass Art
This piece is a part of the "Clara Collection" - a collection named after my youngest daughter who inspired me to create sea glass art for tiny frames. These cute little projects are simple and charming and always so much fun! Sit back and relax with this pair of martini glasses made of sea glass!