A small, forlorn, coffee-stained side table jumpstarted my journey into refurbishing and painting furniture. Rather than restore the table to its original color scheme of forest green and brown, I decided to paint it white and see where a brush dipped in black would take me. As leaves and vines crawled up the legs and flowers bloomed across the top, I immersed myself in peaceful contemplation. It wasn’t long before I began combing through thrift stores and garage sales, searching for furniture begging to be loved.

I grew up in Northern California in a small suburban home surrounded by hills and creeks. With an artistic mother and a creative Ad-man father, it wasn’t surprising that I discovered my artistic nature early on. As a child, I wrote poetry, sketched, and made clothes for my Baby-First-Step doll. My creative adventures in high school led to first place in a juried art show for my depiction of four zebra faces painted in black and white acrylic on a large canvas. 

In college, I discovered the art of doodling, which kept my mind awake and focused during long lectures. Years later, I dove into craft-making and sewing dresses for my daughter and her dolls. As an elementary school teacher, I made sure my students always had an art project to work on. I taught them that art comes from the soul and not from copying someone else’s work they admire. I ran the ceramics program at our school, which allowed me to dabble in clay. I created geckos, frogs, dragonflies, and assorted pottery. 

After 32 years of teaching and amassing an extensive portfolio of art lessons and samples, I leaped into retirement. After making piles of quilts and pillows for my grand nieces and nephews, I picked up that paintbrush and plunged it into white paint.

As I wander through thrift stores and garage sales, I see multiple items available to purchase and paint. However, the pieces I choose “talk” to me. These unique pieces reach into my soul, begging to be taken home and restored with love. 

After making necessary repairs, I sand the item before applying two to three layers of white acrylic paint. I often paint multiple pieces until one begins to whisper its desire for lines, vines, and flowers. Once the general design plan is envisioned, I allow my painting to be free-form, flowing from one place to the next as the vines and flowers bloom across the piece. I never know what the outcome will be until it is done.

Two protective layers of high-quality gloss are applied once I finish painting. All of my pieces are meant to be functional, allowing for gentle use. As wonderful as my art may look outside, most of my work will not withstand the effects of weather. Be sure to use coasters and other protective measures. You can wipe away dust and grime with a clean, warm washcloth.

I have found that using only black-and-white paint is strikingly powerful and versatile. The absence of color focuses the viewer’s attention on form, contrast, and texture, creating a dynamic visual impact. Black absorbs light, creating depth and drama, while white reflects light, conveying a sense of simplicity. The white background provides a clean, minimalist feel, while the black adds elegance and sophistication. Together, they enhance focus and clarity. However, occasionally, a touch of color begs to be included. 

My fascination with geckos began while showering in Florida. To my surprise, a small gecko descended head-first down the wall every time I entered the shower until he was under the spray. The gecko and I became good friends. It wasn’t long before he came scurrying across the wall to jump into the sink for a quick bath while I washed my hands. 

Since then, I have included geckos in almost everything I create: geckos climbing through my paintings, ceramic geckos adorning my garden, and now, geckos hiding among the garden scenes spiraling their way up the legs of furniture.

Geckos are fascinating reptiles known for their vibrant colors, unique vocalizations, climbing ability, and remarkable adaptability. Found in various habitats on all continents except Antarctica, these small lizards are recognized for their distinctive toe pads. The over 1,500 species of geckos have a wide range of behaviors and adaptations. They can change color for camouflage and have impressive vocal communication, which includes chirps, barks, and clicks. Their diet primarily consists of insects, making them valuable for pest control in many ecosystems. Whether basking in the sun or darting through foliage, geckos are a captivating example of nature's diversity and ingenuity.

Geckos have developed a variety of adaptations to help them survive and avoid predators. Gecko tails help balance their weight as they climb branches, are fuel tanks to store fat, and are used as camouflage to help them disappear into their environment. Geckos can shed their tails if a predator grabs them.

One of the most extraordinary things about geckos is that their toe pads have an adhesive layer called setae. The setae on the underside of a gecko’s toe pads is made up of tiny hairs that help geckos when climbing a wall or other vertical surfaces. Each toe has thousands of tiny hairs on the bottom. At the end of each hair are hundreds of even tinier pads. As a gecko climbs, these pads spread out to create a strong sticking power. They allow the gecko to climb polished glass walls and run across ceilings. 

Geckos are known for their incredible ability to camouflage. This ability allows them to blend seamlessly into their surroundings, which is crucial for hunting prey and evading predators. Many gecko species can change the color of their skin to match their environment. Some geckos can adjust the texture of their skin to mimic the surfaces they rest on, such as bark or leaves. Common geckos, often found in urban areas and the bathrooms of artists, have coloration that helps them blend into the walls and surfaces they inhabit. 

Geckos have skin patterns that are 100% unique, similar to a fingerprint. Each piece of art I create, like the gecko’s skin patterns, is 100% unique.