The King of Soaps

Happy Bastille Day! I thought it would be timely to write about a French product this holiday. If you haven't discovered the wonders of Savon de Marseille, you are in for a real treat! It is an amazing soap, touted for a wide range of uses. Need  a moisturing skin treatment? Check! Or a high-powered stain remover? Check, Check! Personally, I have found that a nice block of Savon de Marseille is the very best thing ever for

Strolling in Sonoma

"Cottage Garden"
14 x 14, Oil on Canvas
(c) Lesley Powell 2016
(Available)

I have recently been working on a new series of paintings, inspired by the sidewalks of Sonoma. During my recent visit, I was enthralled by the beautiful gardens there. Strolling along the sidewalks was a feast for the senses, with a profusion of colorful flowers. Some of my favorites were picket fenced yards with flowers spilling out. I made a few color notes, sketches, and photographs, and have been reliving the scenes back in my studio. My goal

Happy Fourth of July!

"The Fourth of July, 1916"
Childe Hassam

CELEBRATING INDEPENDENCE DAY
AND THOSE WHO FOUNDED

OUR GREAT NATION!

Quoting John Adams: "I must study politics and war, that my sons may have the liberty to study mathematics and philosophy, geography, natural history, and naval architecture, navigation, commerce, and agriculture, in order to give their children a right to study painting, poetry, music, architecture, statuary, tapestry and porcelain."

I am republishing this post from 2014, because it's just such a grand sentiment for the Fourth of July. Wishing you all a festive Independence Day!