I’m deeply honored and grateful to share that my painting “Sapling Song – Palm Warbler” has received the Award of Excellence in Honor of Selma Alden at the 2026 Cape Cod Summer Nationals Exhibition at the Cape Cod Art Center.

Being selected to show in the Summer Nationals was already a privilege. To then receive this award feels especially meaningful. The piece grew from one of those quiet encounters that stop me in my tracks – a gentle Palm Warbler perched among young saplings on a warm day. Its subtle yellow tones, the soft movement of new growth, and the quiet play of light create a scene that feels both peaceful and fully alive. I hoped it would invite a slower look at the kind of beauty that often goes unnoticed.

This recognition is humbling. I’m thankful to the jurors and organizers of the Cape Cod Art Center for their care of the exhibition, and for the quiet resonance of an award given in honor of Selma Alden.

To everyone who supports my work – collectors, fellow artists, friends, and all of you who follow along – thank you. Your encouragement sustains the long hours of observation and painting. Moments like this remind me why I paint: to pause, to look closely, to honor the natural world, and to share those fleeting connections with others. I’m so grateful to continue this journey with all of you.