Since I’m no fan of being cold, and my backyard studio is 25 degrees in the early mornings with only a tiny space heater, I decided to move it all into my living room 😄. I’m officially disqualified from being featured in Southern Living (not that I was ever qualified!) but it sure is cozy☺️.

“Don’t Forget to Look up” Pastel, 12”x18” $600 This one took awhile… the hang-up always seems to come with what to name a painting, this one included. This painting— I took this picture while walking a trail on the way to a waterfall. I looked up, and it was beautiful, right there in the middle of the woods, nowhere in particular. I’d almost missed it. And I’m thinking about how that’s a picture of where I am right now- maybe where a few of you are too, I don’t know. I’ve got this pretty destination in mind, and I think how when I get there it will be great. I’ll have figured out how to make ends meet as a single mother. I’ll have margin- time and rest and finances! I’ll be settled and at peace. I’m getting there. But as I think about this painting, I think about how I need just stop the “I wills” and consider how the Lord has made my “right now” beautiful. I have everything I need, right now. He’s taking care of me, right now. He’s given me his companionship, and a home, and loving children, right now. I could miss all this if I don’t stop, look up and thank Him. And really, is the whole point to get to the end? Or is it to appreciate and to thank him for the path that He’s laid out for me to walk, as I’m walking it? I love this place. I love the Lord who takes care of me. I love the people He’s surrounded me with, who remind me to look up. Have a blessed day, my friends!

“Morning Glory” pastel, 9x12

‘Perks of the Commute’ pastel, 9“x12” $400

Finished, and sold! Thank you Danja Eaves! “Long Creek Falls” pastel, 9x12

“Six and Twenty Creek at Timms Mill” 12”x9” Sold

“Red sky at night, sailor’s delight; red sky in the morning, sailors take warning” - proves true! I believe this photo was taken by a friend as a tropical storm system passed through the area a few years ago. Sunrise on Hartwell Lake, painted on commission

Painting this morning, a picture from my thoughts

It’s beautiful here in the Upstate too. “Call it a Day” 9x12

If only I could really paint this fast…

All done! Now if only we could get some rain like this in Anderson, I’d be a happy girl. “Change of Plans,” 9x12 Sold

“Pack It In,” pastel, 9x12 This is a view of the same spot, looking a little southwest toward Edisto Island. I don’t know the official name of the island on the left, but I grew up calling “Papa’s Island,” since my grandfather owned it for a time. Nothing says summer to me like dark purple clouds up against the green. DM me if you would like to have this 😊

“It’s Almost a New Day,” pastel, 9x12 This is my favorite spot to paint- the sky from here gives me new painting material multiple times a day! The view is looking south from Rockville, the North Edisto River and Adam’s Creek at sunset. I hope you like it. (And one of you may like it enough to take it off my hands! 😁) The title of this painting says it all- where would any of us be without hope?

My parents’ driveway. I was trying for a looser style with oil paint. 9x12 $300 #sclowcountry #scartist #rockvillesc #lowcountrypaintings #sclowcountrypainting

A portrait commission I did in January- Little Brother to pair with Big Sister that I drew a few years ago. #portraitart #scportraitartist #pencilportrait #scartist #scartists #childrensportrait

My most recent painting. Aquariums do such a beautiful job of showing off these creatures that it just makes a person want to go back into her dusty studio and pick up those long dormant pastel sticks. Can you believe this photo isn’t color enhanced? And that would be why I love pastels. This one’s hanging in @earle_street_kitchenandbar for the next month or so, hopefully finding it’s way to a lucky new home ☺️.

This painting referenced a photo a good friend of mine sent me that she took on a ferry ride to visit an uncle. How small one must feel when surrounded by such impressive mountains! #pastelpainting #landscapepainting #albania #albanianbeauty #albanianlandscape #balkanalps #mountainpainting #mountainlandscape

“But I Want to Go THAT Way...” I got this picture in my mind during my quiet time with God last week- the idea of turning over my will, and the control I want to have over my life, to the one who knows me and the way I should go, much better than me... it’s a thing to wrestle with. But I wanted to remind myself of God’s vantage point. He sees the end from the beginning. The turns and switchbacks that grow my character. Wouldn’t it be a much more beautiful journey if I wasn’t always fighting the current? God can always be trusted...I will give him my paddle and He will teach me to savor the view from my little seat.

Who knew these fabric folds would have taken all day? 😬 I think I’m going cross-eyed🤪

Work in progress...one little step a day

This little guy is the reason I haven’t finished a painting in a few days... I have been dragging my ever-loving feet on this portrait, but he kept staring at me so the lemons were packed away for a few days. I’ll be so happy to finish this piece! #childrensportraits #portraitpainting #oilportrait #scartist #childrensportraitartist

#4 of 30 6”x6” Another colorful little guy to cheer up a cold wet day. #lemonpainting #paintingoftheday #create30challenge #fruitonfabric #lemons #lemonsintolemonade #scartist #cheerup #southcarolinaartist #happycolors

#3 of 30 “Seeing Stars” 6”x6” This next painting is a little guy, and I pulled out the oils so I could swipe those yellows from out of the tube. I thought it would be fun to pair Meyer lemons with different fabrics, so more will be coming down the pipe. They’re just too happy not to paint. First person to DM me can have it for $75 plus shipping- a little sunshine delivered right to your door! ☺️ #lemonpainting #lemons #lemonpastel #happypainting #lemonpicture #create30challenge #artoftheday #dailypainting #meyerlemons🍋 #meyerlemons #happypainting #dailypainter

Painting #2 of 30 “Celestial Squabble” or, “This Too Shall Pass” 9x12 Update: SOLD I’ve been holding onto this photo for awhile because I can’t think of a more beautiful color combination.... my favorite part of summer. Storms can be beautiful once you’ve gotten a bit of distance from them, eh? This is the view across the road from my folks’ house, looking out toward Edisto Island. Remember, all paintings from this “30 painting challenge” are just $75 + shipping- DM me if you’re interested! #summerstorm #create30challenge #scartist #edistopainting #marshscene #marshscenery #charlestonart #thunderstormpainting #scpastelsociety #paintingoftheday #dailypaintings

Happy New Year! 🍋 #1 of 30, “Sunny Spot,” 9x12 Update: SOLD My ambitious goal is 30 paintings in 90 days- inspiration provided by @alainpicard- I hope some of these paintings serve to brighten any bleak days you may have this winter. The trees were loaded with these beautiful, huge lemons this Christmas at my parents’ home in Charleston, so I decided to snip this one and give it a shot. If you see any of my “30 Paintings” that you like, they’re each $75- DM me and it’s yours! Please stay safe and healthy, friends 🙏🏼 #lemonpainting #lemons #lemonpastel #happypainting #lemonpicture #create30challenge #artoftheday #dailypainting

“Come to me, all who are weary, and I will give you rest...” “Ejani tek unë, o të gjithë të munduar dhe të rënduar, dhe unë do t’ju çlodh...” #jesus #jesuspainting #jesuslovesyou

All done! #koipond #koipainting #koifish #koi #oilpainting #southcarolinaartist #scartist

I’m finishing up this little tryptic of two young sisters, a commission by their dad to give to their mom. One day too soon they’ll be all grown up Portraits make great graduation gifts, to remember the little years by! Come by the @artgalleryonpendletonsquare to commission a pencil portrait- my work will be there through the end of June! (Current hours: Th 11-3; Fri 11-7, Sa 11-7) #pencilportrait #scartist #childrensportrait #childrensportraits #portrait #southcarolinaportraitartist #portraitartist

Here’s what’s sitting on my easel right now....these fish have been swimming around in my head for months and I’m glad to be getting them out! Should be fun to add the lily pads in tomorrow ☺️ #koi #koifish #koipond #scartist #southcarolinaartist #artgalleryonpendletonsquare #oilpainting #koipainting

Pulled from a scene in “The Chosen,” painted during an enforced season of pullback and reflection, while learning to draw from a new well of inspiration. I am grateful for Jesus. For His living love for all of humanity. For His patient and tireless pursuit of wandering hearts, my own in particular. #Jesus #jesuschrist #jesussaves #dontdespair #hereishope #jesuslovesyou #izgjedhur #thechosen #quarantinereflections

I started this pastel portrait commission just before the world stopped, and I jumped into homeschooling four girls off the high dive. It took a long time to find our way back up into a new normal, but boy did it feel good to finish this one up and deliver it to some very patient clients after a 2-month near total work stoppage! Looking forward to getting back to (art)work, with a new focus and fresh vision. And to all of you who’ve asked over the years if I did portraits in color, I can now say YES! 😄😁

I delivered this long-overdue portrait to a sweet friend @erin_c_hughes this week...we never stop being daughters, even when our parents go to be with the Lord. I hope this paper and the pencil marks scribbled on it, serves as a doorway to the little girl inside who was held close and who was taught to love by being loved, and whose daddy is waiting on the other side to catch her up in his arms one day, all over again ❤️❤️

I think it’s ready! #charlestonart #scpastelartist #pastelsocietyofsc #pastelpainting #charlestonpainting @artgalleryonpendletonsquare @margaretmattox #charlestonarchitecture #elizabethonealverner

On the easel today as steady rain patters on the little roof over my head- working on interpreting this 19th century Elizabeth O’Neil Verner etching in pastel for an upcoming exhibit at the Charleston Museum. 2/3rds of the way there...maybe? #charlestonmuseum #pastelsocietyofsc #scartist #charlestonpainting #charlestonart #pastelpainting #margaretmattox #margaretmattoxart #artcollector #artgalleryonpendletonsquare @artgalleryonpendletonsquare

A little flashback from Christmas- a pastel commission that was a lot of fun to paint 😊 #waves #wave #wavepainting #beachscene #beachpainting #coastalpainting #coastalscene #shorepainting #shoreline #scartist @artgalleryonpendletonsquare @margaretmattox #pastelsocietyofsc

Here’s an interesting project I was tasked with- to “fix” this painting by adding shadows and highlights to the trees in the foreground, which were flattened out. This is the result of my efforts- wish I thought to take a “before” image before diving in! #pastelpainting #newmexicopainting #landscapepainting @artgalleryonpendletonsquare #scartist #pastelsocietyofsouthcarolina #margaretmattox #pastellandscape

As a portrait artist living in the South, I couldn’t avoid learning how to draw those dreaded smocked dress collars forever...but now it’s kinda fun. Well, for the first 10 minutes...but after 2 hours I’m ready to break my pencil. @artgalleryonpendletonsquare #southcarolinaartist #scartist #portraitartist #childrensportrait #childrensportraiture #childportrait #portraitdrawing #southcarolinaportraitartist #portraiture #childportraiture

25 hand-painted cards, finished just in time and ready to go for the pop-up market tomorrow in Pendleton- hope to see my local friends there! @artgalleryonpendletonsquare @pendletonsouthcarolina @paba.pendletonsc #watercolorcards @margaretmattox #notecards #paintednotecards

I’ve been at work on these today...Stop on in The Art Gallery on Pendleton Square’s pop-up shop this Saturday, 10-6, for a few last-minute hand-painted notecards! @artgalleryonpendletonsquare #pendleton #pendletonsc #watercolorpainting #watercolornotecard

I wish I knew what these guys were looking at! Looking forward to sending them to their new home soon. #pastel #pastelpainting #petportrait #scartist #southcarolinaartist #pastelartist @nabercrombie7 @artgalleryonpendletonsquare #southcarolinaliving #southcarolinawildlife #blacklabs #blacklabsoftheday

Was inspired to paint this after a recent car accident...the lyrics to Lauren Daigle’s “Everything I Need” kept playing in my head after the wreck- ‘Even the roses, You have clothes in brilliant red...Still I’m the one you love more than this...’ the value of one person to God is greater than the beauty of these flowers. I hope everyone reading this feels that kind of love from their Heavenly Father today. ❤️ #rosepainting #pastelpainting #wordsofencouragement

Working on a brothers’ triple portrait today 😊 #childrensportraiture #childrensportrait #pencilportrait #pencilportraits #portraiture #pencilportraiture #scartist #upstatescartist #artupstatesc #drawingportraits #lovedrawingportraits

So happy this weekend to win the merit award for drawing at the Gateway Arts Center in Westminster SC😄 This piece was drawn/painted from a photo I took of Adele a few years ago in Albania 🇦🇱- during the adoption process she would get very nervous when just the two of us would walk around Durres together. But when we went to the beach she would play happily for hours. Here she is, happy in her own little world, splashing around in the Adriatic...playing til nearly dark, when I would have to take her back to the orphanage. Happy memories ❤️❤️❤️

Getting prepared to hang these pieces in my first permanent gallery space...framing has always been my Achilles heel so this feels like a major accomplishment. If any of you are ever in the Clemson/Pendleton/Greenville area, please stop by the Art Gallery on Pendleton Square! 🖼

New phone, new tricks! And this is a fun one- a 23-second look at my afternoon work 😁. Precious girls, these two! #portraitprocess #drawingprocess #portraitdrawing #childrensportraits #childrensportrait

One of my favorite parts of portrait drawing- watching life gradually emerge off the page. #pencilportrait #portraitdrawing #childrensportrait #portraiture #pencildrawing #childportraits

This is from a photo I took when I was with Adele Anjeza in Durres- the only place she would relax and be happy was at the beach. So I would take her there in the afternoons and she would play in the water until nearly dark, totally engrossed. Nothing's changed, except our access to the beach! She spends hours in our backyard pool. #pastelpainting #pastellandscape #beachpainting #ilovethebeach #shqiperiaebukur #oceanpainting #beachscene #beachsunset #oceanpainting #scartist #southcarolinaartist #southcarolinapastelartist

I took this picture on a chilly January day, and just loved that bright green moss surrounded by all the winter deadness. Thinking 'cold' is nice on this hot afternoon! #pastelpainting #landscapepainting #southcarolinaartist #pastelart #pastelartist #sclandscape #outdoorlife #southcarolinapastelartist #scartist

Happy Mothers Day! ❤❤

Beautiful southern Albania, near the home of some dear friends. Just finished this one today 😊 #pastelpainting #pastellandscape #landscapepainting #Albania #shqiperia #shqiperiaime #ruralpainting #beautifulalbania🇦🇱

Happy Easter!

I painted this little dancing Albanian girl back in 2014 when I had only 30 pastels and a vague notion of the country and culture, and no adoption plans...and here I am 4.5 years later, with an Albanian daughter who owns this same traditional costume, which represents the Tirana area where she was born. I pulled the painting out today and punched it up a little, now that I have a lot more colors to work with, and marveled at how God weaves our stories❤. #albania #albaniangirl #shqiperia #shqiperiaemesme #valletare #shqiperiaime #pastelportrait #pastelpainting #childrensportrait #dancinggirl

I think these lilypads are all done...whew. Happy Friday! 🌞 #pastelpainting #pastellandscape #lilypads #lilypadpainting #happyspring #reflections #margaretmattox #boldbrush #paintingoftheday🎨

A fun little lemon watercolor 🍋🍋 #watercolor #watercolorpainting #lemons #lemonpainting #lemons🍋

#pencilportraiture #childrensportrait #childrensportraiture #pencildrawing #childrensportraits #artoftheday #scartist #southcarolinaportraitartist #pencilportrait #portrait #portraitureinspirations #southcarolinaartist #margaretmattox

Ok I think this "Sunset Over the North Edisto" is finished. I have no idea how it turned into a rainbow painting, but Thomas Kinkade would be proud! #beachpainting #coastalscene #pastelpainting #pastel #beachsunset #beachscene #sunset #sunsetpainting #southcarolinaartist #scpainter #scartist #summertimeatthebeach #coastalpainting #southcarolinacoast #southcarolinapastelartist #margaretmattox #seabrookisland #stchristopher #saintchristopher #campstchristopher

Slowly but surely...while dreaming of warmer weather!just around the corner! 🌞🌞 #beachpainting #coastalart #coastalpainting #coastalscene #beachart #sunset #sunsetpainting #pastelpainting #boldbrush #paintingprocess #pastelpaintingprocess #artinprocess

On the easel today. 😊 #pastel #paintingprocess #paintinginprocess #sunset #sunsetpainting #beachsunset #beachsunsetpainting #beachliving #southcarolinaartist #southcarolinapastelartist #artoftheday #boldbrush #boldbrushartist

Whew...I'm not sure why I didn't realize ahead of time that painting 4000 lilypads would be slow and painstaking. 7 down, 3993 to go! 😨 #paintingprocess #pastelpainting #lilypads

I'll call this one Captain, per my cousins' request 😆. He's a handsome fella! #drawingoftheday #pencildrawing #pencil #lifeomthrfarm #roosters #roosterdrawing #farmdrawing #farmanimal

I'm so excited that these two pastels took 1st and 2nd place in the Viewer's Choice competition at the Gateway Arts Center! 😊😊

#childrensportraits #childrensportraiture #portraitdrawing #portrait #portraitdrawings #pencilportraiture #pencilportraits #pencildrawing #pencil #boldbrush

I love this family! Two sweet girls with their grandparents. ❤ #pencilportraits #pencilportraiture #portraitdrawing #childrensportraits #childrensportraiture #pencildrawing

#pencilportraiture #portrait #babyportraits #babyportrait #pencilportraits #artoftheday #portraitdrawing #portraitdrawings #boldbrush

This is an older piece, done back when I didn't pay too much attention to copyright law. It's an oil painting using a beautiful National Geographic photo as reference material. Unfortunately the painting got damaged so I no longer have it. 😟 But there's more where that came from! #oilportrait #oilpainting #portraitpainting #boldbrush #artoftheday #paintingoftheday #oilportraiture #figurativeart #figurepainting

I'm working on an interesting little challenge right now. One of the benefits of taking every commission that comes my way is I occasionally get pushed out of my cozy little rut. So I've been asked to copy a 30-yr-old house portrait in size and style, while adding the owners' recent renovations. Pen and ink architecture...and surprisingly enjoying myself...who knew!

Had a great time this past weekend at a plein air workshop in Charleston with @alainpicard. I kept searching my pastel box for the "perfect color," to no avail! I suppose this commits me to a lifetime of chasing down sets of soft pastels. The first painting is mine; swipe through for Alain's demo. #pleinairpainting #pleinair #charlestonarchitecture #charlestonsc #paintingoftheday

#flamingo #flamingopainting #watercolorpainting #flamingos #pink #pinkpainting #birdart #flamingowatercolor #birdpainting #paintingoftheday #watercolorsketch

I had a great day drawing at #greygoosegreenville, a beautiful children's clothing boutique representing my portrait work in the Greenville, SC area. Thank you Grey Goose!

Just shipped this precious little boy off to live with his parents yesterday! 😆 #pencilportraits #pencilportraiture #portraitdrawing #portraitart #portrait #portraitartist #scartist #southcarolinaportraitartist #southcarolinaartist #drawingfaces

A fresh and colorful start to the new year! #cherries #watercolorpainting #fruitpainting #cherriespainting #watercolor_art #cherries🍒

Merry Christmas! Or, Gezuar Krishtlindjet! #shqip #gezuarkrishtlindjet #inkurajim #jezusi #biblashqip #albanian #albanianmemes

#nativitypainting #nativity #jesus #christmas #christmaspainting #babyjesus #christchild #merrychristmas #isaiah9 #scripturepainting #jesuschrist

#lemon #lemonpaintings #lemonpainting #watercolor #lemonwatercolor #lemons #paintingoftheday

3 sisters, 11x14, pencil. They're not my girls, but I would take them if they were offered to me! 😊 #pencilportrait #pencilportraiture #drawingfaces #portraitdrawing #portrait #portraitart #pencildrawing #childrensportraits #childrensportrait #childrensportraiture #childportrait #childportraiture

Another little 4x6 #watercolor #watercolorpainting #citruspainting #orangepainting #fruitpainting #oranges #orange #paintingoftheday #orangeinspiration

A little watercolor, 4x6. #painting #postcardpainting #watercolor #watercolorpainting #lemonpainting #lemonpaintings #lemonwatercolor #lemons #fruitpainting

Since November is not quite over😊...a little 4x6 watercolor gourd study

On the work/kitchen table today. #pencilportraits #pencilportraiture #childrensportraits #childrensportrait #scartist #southcarolinaartist #pencildrawing

Trying my hand at plein air painting today, on my parents' front porch while home for a visit...I don't have hardly any experience doing this, but what a great excuse to sit out on the porch for a few hours! The changing lighting was such a challenge, and all those straight lines were nerve-wracking! #pleinairpainting #wadmalawisland #wadmalaw #pastelpainting #pastel #southcarolinaartist # southcarolinaart #pleinair #geraniums #geranium #summerontheporch

His tousled hair was a fun challenge, and what South Carolina boy isn't a Clemson fan? #pencilportrait #pencildrawing #childrensportraits #childrensportraiture #childportraits #portrait drawing #portraitdrawingoftheweek #drawing #southcarolinaartist #scartist #clemson #clemsonfan #clemsonfamily #clemsonfanforlife

This little guy is called "Breaking Glass." #waves #wave #wavescrashing #beachscene #beachpainting #oceanwaves #ocean #oceansurf #wavepainting

I've titled today's painting "Moving Mountains", in honor of a precious little 1-year-old boy named Arlo. He is waiting in an orphanage in Albania- his new parents need just one signature from the Albanian authorities, and he will be free to come home. But they have been told to wait, with no guess as to how long. This is the hardest part of all. But I know my God moves mountains, and these waves remind me that he is so powerful- He will move this mountain, in His perfect time!❤❤ @emilynowen #waves #oceanwave #beachscene #beachpaintings #beachpainting #wavescrashing #surf #crashingwave #summertime

"Green Curl"

"Break Time" , a painting a day while the kids are away #wavepainting #waves #wavescrashing #beachscene #oceanwaves #paintingaday #pastelpainting #almostsummer #surfergirl #beachpainting

One of the many benefits of visiting my wonderful mother-in-law- while she does manicures on 80 little fingers, I squirrel away for the afternoon and paint in her sunroom. The finished product...dreaming of warm summer days, right around the corner! #summertimeatthebeach #wavepainting #beachpainting #summeratthebeach #waves #wavescrashing #oceanscene #oceanwaves #oceanpainting #surfergirl #beachsurf

He never sinned, nor ever deceived anyone. He did not retaliate when he was insulted, nor threaten revenge when he suffered. He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By his wounds you are healed. I hope you all have a meaningful Good Friday! #goodfriday #goodfridayappeal #goodfridayappeal2018

...but he was pierced for - our - transgressions. And by his stripes, we are healed. #christianart #jesus

Converging waves. Wish I'd gone with a photo that had more light/dark contrast, but oh well- live-n-learn! #waves #wavescrashing #wavepainting #oceanscene #oceanview #beachsurf #pastelpainting

Sending 40th birthday wishes to my "oldest" best friend, and now also my beautiful bathing suit model @babymeetscity! 36 years is a long time to share life with, when you're coming and going and doing all kinds of changing...Alright Ellen, I think this will be our best decade yet! Here's to 40 more years of friendship- you're the best! ❤❤

I wouldn't be a good guest if I didn't properly thank my Charlotte hosts this weekend- my sweet sister @helenlintonwalker (and bro-in-law Joe!) and two energetic nieces Bailey and Caitlin. Yall are great! ❤❤❤

One more from this weekend- I had so much fun doing these waves paintings that I just may do a series. Swipe through to see the underpainting...adding the white makes all the difference! #pastel #pastelpainting #beachpainting #beachscene #crashingwave #crashingwaves #wavepainting #artoftheday #ocean #oceanside

I attended an excellent workshop this weekend with @jeannerosiersmith . Not only did I learn how to "build" a wave from the underpainting up, but she was also so patient with me as I peppered her with a hundred questions about painting, and running a business, and balancing motherhood with all that. What a knowledgeable and patient teacher! Swipe if you'd like to see my painting process 😊 #waves #surf #crashingwave #paintingprocess #pastelpainting #pastel #wavepainting #beachpainting #pastels #artoftheday #iwishitwassummer #stormysea #summertime #summertimeatthebeach

Red, White and Blue. #oilpainting #stilllife

An old favorite. #pencilportrait #pencildrawing #pencildrawingsketch #childrensportraits #childportraiture #childrensportraiture #drawing #portrait #portraiture #fineartist #southcarolinaartist #southcarolinaartists