joie de vivre

Thursday, January 08, 2026

I Can’t Believe I Ate the Whole Thing

Goodbye 2025

8 x 8 inches, oil painting on gessoed board

Monday, November 17, 2025

My Number One Fan

This painting is in honor of my Mom, Carole Anne Applegate, who passed away recently. She was my #1 fan. Though she was raised a city girl, taking the bus to her secretarial job, knowing the best way to walk from one department store to another even in the depths of winter (skybridges!), she moved to the country when that man she met in the church choir—her lifetime love, my Father—built a family home in the Kentucky hills. She took to the countryside with great enthusiasm. She planted fruit trees, flowers, and vegetables. She taught me Heart and Soul on the piano (the only song she knew how to play). She taught me to sew. She taught me to compliment the bride and congratulate the groom. She wrapped gifts—so many gifts—to perfection. She signed me up for piano lessons, and when I spent less time practicing and more time coloring in the pictures of my music book, she paid for my private art lessons. And in those moments in life when I crashed and burned, she was the first to come to my side and say, “Let’s go shopping.”

I don’t have enough words to say how much my Mom means to me. I’ll always be her First Born and she will always be my #1 fan.

Many of you know Sharie (my sister and assistant!), my Mom’s Baby Girl. She has been the brains behind this site since the beginning. I am so grateful that she was with our Mom during her illness, bringing her selfless ability to do the late-night research and make the tough decisions, all while offering comfort and grace to see our Mom through her final days.

I have a few paintings in my studio that I’m putting on offer. My Mom loved so many things, but that woman really loved a sale. So for her, I’ll auction these at a discounted rate. I think it’d make her happy.

"My Number One Fan"

8 x 8 inches, oil painting on gessoed board

sold

"the Crooner + the Ginger"

6 x 8 oil painting on gessoed board

sold

"philosophy club"

8 x 8 inches, oil painting on gessoed board

sold

"harbingers of spring"

8 x 8 inches, oil painting on gessoed board

sold

"the grass is greenest"

6 x 8 inches, oil painting on gessoed board

sold

"polar opposites attract"

6 x 8 inches, oil painting on gessoed board

sold

"new heights"

8 x 8 inches, oil painting on gessoed board

sold

Thursday, August 28, 2025

the Crooner + the Ginger

6 x 8 inches, oil painting on gessoed board

Tuesday, August 26, 2025

the heart of summer

8 x 8 inches, oil painting on gessoed board

sold

Monday, August 04, 2025

air + sea

They met on the surface but their love goes much deeper.

"I'm madly in love with Whale!" declared Gull.

6 x 8 inches, oil painting on gessoed board

sold

Tuesday, July 29, 2025

Pen & Ink

Between your feathers and my quills, we could write a novel.

6 x 8 inches, oil painting on gessoed board

sold

Monday, July 28, 2025

polar opposites attract

Who knew we both love frozen bananas?

6 x 8 inches, oil painting on gessoed board

Thursday, July 24, 2025

the grass is greenest

Years ago, Highland Cow was grazing closer and closer to Sheep. “I’d like to ask you to share lunch with me,” Cow said, “But I’m feeling a little sheepish.”

“You needn’t be so cowardly.” Sheep said.
And from that day forward, they’ve nippled in the park together ever since.

6 x 8 inches, oil painting on gessoed board

Monday, July 21, 2025

The Owl and the Pussycat

And hand in hand, on the edge of the sand,

They danced by the light of the moon.

6 x 8 inches, oil painting on gessoed board

sold

sol

Friday, June 27, 2025

you give me butterflies

Lion is in love with himself. And all the butterflies know it.

6 x 8 inches, oil painting on gessoed board

sold

Monday, June 23, 2025

Trying to chase away the winter blues, unbeknownst to one another, Sloth and Cheetah set a goal to complete the community’s Summer Fun-Run. While crossing the finish line (at very different times) they each found themselves. And then they found each other.
Love comes in many different shapes and sizes. And speeds.

6 x 8 inches, oil painting on gessoed board

sold

Friday, June 20, 2025

flighty

Steer is still playing the field.

6 x 8 inches, oil painting on gessoed board

sold

Wednesday, June 18, 2025

Aw, nuts!

Squirrel and Elephant met at the grocery store. Each were there to buy their favorite nuts. No, not the kinda nuts you’re thinking of. They were there for Circus Peanuts. They met in the candy aisle. It was love at first sight. Aw, nuts!

6 x 8 inches, oil painting on gessoed boar

sold

Monday, June 16, 2025

kiss kiss

Tiger says to Bunny, “I like your fur.” Bunny says to Tiger, “I like your fur.” Then Tiger whispers to Bunny, “But sometimes I get sad.” “And when you do, I’ll always kiss the top of your head,” promised Bunny.

6 x 8 inches, oil painting on gessoed board

sold

Tuesday, June 10, 2025

Cupid

Hummingbird threw a fabulous party, seating Ram and Flamingo next to one another. Flamingo couldn’t stop looking at Ram’s golden curls. Ram had never seen such a pink boa. Okay, Cupid. You’ve done it again.

6 x 8 inches, oil painting on gessoed board

sold

Monday, June 09, 2025

cocktails

They met during Happy Hour. Bloody Marys for Rooster. Monkey sipped on a Banana Daiquiri. “What do you do”? asked Monkey. “At the crack of dawn I scream each and every morning while the sun comes up.” The next day Monkey bought a set of earplugs and they lived happily ever after.