Sacred Rest is a reflection on the quiet power of pausing. Inspired by a purple water lily resting on still water, this piece explores the idea that rest is not a luxury, but something sacred, necessary, and deeply renewing.
My first painting of 2026, Boundless Tiny Moments, features a tiny magical fairy dancing with vibrant energy on a piccolo. Because sometimes the smallest things carry the biggest voice.
The Northern Lights appear where Earth’s magnetic field is weakest — proof that even in our weakest moments, our souls shine with beauty.
Inspired by the dragonfly’s journey of transformation, this piece is a reminder that growth often comes through change. And while change can be hard, it can also bring beauty into our lives.
During a Fall retreat on Lake Superior, despite my plans to focus on holiday-themed art, I had an urge to paint a sunflower. The title, “Follow the Light”, came instantly. Just as young sunflowers turn to face the sun, I was reminded to always seek hope. After finishing the piece, I was hit with a series of heartbreaking losses, making the message even more meaningful. Through grief, I’ve learned that self-care isn’t about escaping—it’s about honoring where you are and choosing to notice the light, even in the darkness.
Butterflies are always an inspiration to me because of their ability and power to transform.
The butterfly’s transformation is a testament to the beauty of change—an unseen struggle within the cocoon that leads to newfound strength and beauty. It reminds us that true growth often requires surrendering to the unknown, trusting that the darkness we endure is simply the space where our wings take shape.
Broken Into Beauty was inspired by the Japanese art of Kintsugi, where broken pottery is repaired with precious metals, highlighting cracks instead of hiding them. It’s a powerful reminder that our flaws and life’s breaks are part of what makes us beautiful.
We are not meant to mend alone—just like pottery needs a steady hand, we too grow stronger with the love and support of others.
This painting shows the sun and moon in a beautiful dance, inspired by Maya Angelou’s poem, Still I Rise. The sun shines bright with bold colors, symbolizing strength and the power to overcome. The moon, calm and peaceful resting in the deep blues and purples, represents steady resilience. Together, they capture this inspiring poem’s message of rising above challenges and shining no matter the circumstances.
Hummingbirds are nature’s tiny ball of energy, buzzing around with this contagious joy and beauty. Not only are they a symbol of hope and healing, they’re also little eco-heroes! Fluttering from flower to flower, sipping nectar and spreading pollen as they go, the keep our ecosystems diverse and healthy.
Painted at the beginning of the 2020 pandemic, I wanted to create something calm and serene amidst the fear and chaos around us. I hadn’t painted in a long time, and this piece reignited my love for art. Though I majored in art and business, I set aside my artistic dreams and focused on the business side. Creating this painting reminded me of the importance of art and the solace it brings.
May Songbird of Hope bring you the same sense of calm and inspiration it brought to me.
The inspiration for this painting comes from the bond between my mom and her sister. My aunt mentioned that if she could paint, she would create something with a ladybug and music in memory of my mom. It might seem like an odd combination, but my mom’s nickname was ‘Dubug,’ and my aunt associated ladybugs with her. They both loved music, so I subtly included musical notes in the background. The ladybug on a flower holds special meaning, as flowers symbolize my mom’s enduring love. She adored her flower garden and tended to it the morning before she left us. This painting is a tribute to her passion and the sisters’ unbreakable bond.
Thich Nhat Hanh’s quote, “Enlightenment is when the wave realizes that it is the ocean,” inspired my painting Wave of Emotion. He coined the term “interbeing” to remind us that everything is interconnected, and we are part of a greater whole. Life can be overwhelming, and like many of my paintings, I want to encourage real connection.
Staring up at the sky, I saw a cloud form a heart. Reminding me it’s good to look up once in awhile, I took a picture. It brought to mind my Gram’s experience after my mom died. She was outside and said, “Oh Julie, where are you?” As she looked to the sky, she saw the clouds form her name. Gram told me the only letter that wasn’t crystal clear was the “e.”
Both experiences inspired this painting to offer hope, faith, and love. What I didn’t know was this was a special message for someone else.
My painting Whispers of Love is also known as Katie’s Light. Katie is the daughter of a good friend of mine, who reached out during a dark period in my life…
After my mom was killed, I was not prepared for the long darkness of grief. But someone became my light and I knew healing would be possible.
I love looking up at the sky and watching clouds form. I find it peaceful and it reaffirms my faith in miracles. Admittedly, I have a lot of pictures of clouds. One day, I saw what looked like an angel, which gave me a sense of comfort. While I paint what I see, I love hearing from others when they see something different. This one has inspired many stories.
My hope is you’ll find the same peace and comfort I did, knowing we’re not alone.
In 2009, a distracted driver took my mom’s life, shattering my world. I was gifted a rose tree in her memory. It bloomed beautifully, but after several years stopped. In 2021, during a particularly hard time, I asked her for a sign and soon after found the tree had a perfect rose.
I miss her every day, but cherish our continued connection. Mom is still with me, her presence felt in each bloom.
Water Lilies Dance was inspired by one of Monet’s Water Lily paintings. I wanted to spend time appreciating a master’s artwork and create something beautiful myself. While many of my paintings have been inspired by events or individuals, I always invite the viewer to find their own meaning. But sometimes, there’s no need to overthink or search for deeper meaning. Sometimes, we just need to sit back and enjoy the beauty around us.
My hope is that Water Lilies Dance brings you a moment of tranquility and a reminder to appreciate the simple beauty in life.
This watercolor was created by Laurie’s teenage daughter, Lexi. She’s been making art since she could hold a crayon. At age 7, she started classes at a local art school. After her first class, when asked why she hadn’t eaten her snack during the two-hour class. She said, “I didn’t want to miss a single second of art!” Now, Lexi teaches at the same school.
She has an incredible talent for capturing moments of joy and serenity, bringing them to life in her art.
Lexi continues to expand her technique, while capturing this mystical world around us.
