This weekend, I finally met the lovely client who commissioned me to paint her childhood home — the road where she spent summers riding bikes with her best friends. One of them, Dawne, still lives there, and I first met her in the spring while painting the plein air study. We instantly bonded over our shared pharmacist background and a love for this beautiful place. 💚

Elissa wanted those rich, dark greens of her memories — even though the hayfields had already turned golden. Capturing that was a challenge, but such a joy! 🎨

The focal point was to be those South Holston Mountains and she didn’t want any from the lake perspective.

When I arrived in Knoxville, she greeted me like a vision — petite, radiant, and dressed to the nines while decorating for her Christmas party. ✨ And before I could even step inside, her sweet dog, Lola Pearl, bounded to the door to welcome us! 🐾

Joe handled the installation and photos while we watched her painting come alive under the soft lights above her mantle.

She loved it so much, she’s already commissioned another piece! 💖 I’ll be sharing her story — and how she found me — very soo