The Hat Series: This group of paintings reflects some long-standing interests: hats of all shapes lush fabrics and unique objects. As a youngster, I grew up in Victorian style houses full of wonderful fabrics surrounded by an extended family. My aunts and grand-mothers who sewed or gardened and my grand-fathers and uncles who built beautiful "things" in their workshops. I was a frequent visitor to watch what was going on in these magical places.

Summers at the family homestead were spent out in the gardens or for walks where one always wore a hat. At each of the family homes hats, fabrics and treasured dishes or glass objects were used on a daily basis. So putting together hats, fabrics and objects seemed like the logical thing to do for several series of watercolors. It's a challenge to capture a glint of sunshine across a multi-faceted glass bottle, the rich colors of velvet or silk or the texture of a straw hat encircled with flowers or the wisp of a marbled scarf.