Some people who come to my websites might not be aware of all the other websites my husband Jim and I maintain. Two of them were created to help animals; one for wild life (www.EyeHelpAnimals.com)  and the other for shelter animals (www.HelpShelterPets.com). So at this time I'm going to promote these sites by sharing a painting because they were founded by using my paintings that we've put on cards, t-shirts, mugs, canvas bags, and a few other items. You can find out more by visiting the websites above.

My second slate painting for the fund raiser that my friend Vynnie had at his gallery is of a beautiful farm cat. Jim and I went apple picking and waiting for us was the orchard's mouser. He followed us up and down the fields as we picked apples. In this pose he looked determined with his tail held high, walking at a good pace to keep up. When we stopped to pick he would lie down, keeping an eye on us while at the same time, dozing and relaxing on the gorgeous fall day. 

So although I'm not painting as much as I used to, I still need to go up to my studio and paint from time to time. I miss it and whenever I'm in my studio, which I really enjoy, kind of like my ivory tower, I am surrounded by the sights and smells of being an artist. So I loved the opportunity to not only paint but also donate to a worthy cause - fund raising for a local food bank. 

It has been a couple of months since I sat down in my studio to paint which is why I am really looking forward to this project. A friend who has a gallery that he now shares with two other artists is having a fund raising event for the food bank in the town of Meredith, NH. In the summer this is a vacation destination since the town shares a piece of Lake Winnipesaukee. I've only recently been exploring some of the downtown - I mostly go there to visit my friend's gallery. The main street runs parallel to the major road that takes you by the lake. My husband and I recently ate lunch at a winery in town that had a most interesting lunch menu. 

Often at night, especially when I just can't sleep, I hear, sometimes in the distance and other times close by, the howl and yelp of a coyote or a band of coyotes. I'm always happy to be in my house, along with my two small Pomeranians.