Custom Paintings...Just For You

I know some artists don't really like doing custom or commission pieces, but I must say that I do...especially for a good friend or a family member I love.

A former coworker friend who moved a year ago (I wish she lived closer) is now having her third child, a girl.  When she first moved she commissioned me to paint these sweet pieces for her bathroom in her new house.

Now she is having me create two canvases for her new baby girl soon-to-be born this March.  I like knowing who I'm creating something original and special for, just for them, especially someone's sweet little baby.  I haven't started her new canvases yet, but I'll share them as soon as I can. 

Since I have custom commissions on the brain right now, I thought I'd share a few more custom pieces I've done for other friends and family.

The one above was done about a year ago for my daughter when we redid her bedroom to accommodate her Paris obsession.  This hangs over her bed so she can enjoy it every night before she falls asleep.

This is a gift I created last summer for my best friend Carrie's 40th birthday...we've been friends since first grade so she has been in my life for what feels like forever, so this piece had a lot of meaning for me while I created it.

This hand-painted picture frame was created for a friend from work for her to give as a gift to a friend she went to Mexico with.

The above three whimsical animal mixed media paintings were created for another friend from work for her sweet little boy.  Even though giraffes are my favorite animals in the whole world, I think I like the elephant one best.

Those are just a few of the commission pieces I've done in the past year.  If you are interested in a custom piece just for you, a friend or family member, I'd love to create one.  

Just let me know!

Good Stuff to Start off 2013

Some good stuff to start off 2013...

1.  I'm signed up and rolling along in the True Free Spirit Course by Mindy Lacefield of Tim's Sally...I just got enrolled and made my first free spirit girl yesterday.  I had hoped to get the course as a Christmas gift, but I didn't so I sort of purchased it myself since I really felt called to be a part of it.

The initial rough sketch of just her face seriously brought anxiety to me, but once I got painting and adding stuff I actually loved what I made.  This is where I left off last night.  I may add more or I may leave her here and just do another new one.  She is holding a heart in her hand.  Mindy told us to have her holding something sacred to us...my heart, my feelings and the love I have for others is very sacred to me so that was my first choice and I went with it. I'm really trying NOT to second guess any of my choices, especially while creating!

2.  Brave Girls Club is again finding new ways to inspire and uplift women and girls and now they are heading around the world with their caring mission.  They are doing a Brave Girls Truth Card Exchange to help those who really need encouragement and Melody's first stop is to the Phillipines.  I made my card and it is ready to be mailed...I forgot to take a picture of it before I sealed the envelope, however.  They really are amazing women.  I had actually hoped and prayed that 2013 would be the year I would participate in Brave Girls Camp, but so far it is not to be.  I am not giving up hope though.  If you've never visited their website, please do--they are such vibrant, selfless and inspiring girls.

3.  I haven't formally chosen a "word for the year" like I did last year (my word was commit), but I guess I'm going to focus on acceptance and release so you could say I've chosen two words or just am planning on more of these two things in my life this year.  Maybe I'm a bit scared to pick them formally for some reason, not quite sure--maybe I'm worried that will make them seem like resolutions, and those typically haven't worked for me.

How about you?  How has 2013 started for you?  Have YOU chosen a word or a focus for this new beginning?

True Free Spirit

As the new year approaches I am looking forward to a fresh start as I'm sure you all are.  One major thing I really want to work on is acceptance...I have a hard time accepting "what is" - A LOT.  I know I'd be more at peace and happier if I could just accept what is and try not to obsess over something I can't change.  

Something else I'm looking forward to is being more open and painting more freely and I'm hoping to do that while taking the online class True Free Spirit with Mindy Lacefield.  I'm sure I first saw her art over a year ago or so and I was instantly drawn to her childlike, whimsical and colorful creations.  

Artwork at right from Tim's Sally/Mindy Lacefield

I truly hope I can really connect with my true self through my art and really free up any blocks I have when creating...I see her art as a way to also connect with my inner-child.  I hope you'll stop back throughout the course and see some of my creations that I make while taking this class.

Are you looking forward to any new events or changes in 2013?  I'd love if you'd share them!  

Thanks for stopping by for a visit.  Happy New Year to you all!

 

My Wishes to you...

Christmas Eve is tomorrow.  I'll be honest, the past week has been a rough one for the world and for my family as there was a tragic death that will leave a scar on some family members forever.  But I still want to send you all some holiday wishes from my heart.

I wish you and your loved ones a cozy and special Christmas.

© Jill's Dream Artwork

I wish you some comfort and peace in your heart.

I wish you some rest and relaxation.

I wish you a promising and happy 2013.  I wish you special time with those you love.

It's Beginning to look a lot like...

Sorry if it sounds cliche, but "It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas" around here (well except that we haven't had any snow yet).  My little Christmas decorations are some of my favorite items around the house...they have charm, sparkle, memories and a touch of sweetness.  I'd like to share some recent pictures I've taken as I've started decking the halls at home.

This is a picture of Isabella on her first Christmas - such a little sweetie pie - she only had her bottom two teeth then - a great memory.

Giraffes are my favorite animal - this is a wooden carved one from a local German shop.  Every December I add a red ribbon to brighten her up.  

I typically like sparkly and bright, but I couldn't resist this rustic and simple burlap stocking from another of my favorite shops called Harvest Home.  I added a little evergreen twig to make it come to life a bit.

The above three are close-ups of parts our fireplace mantel.  Aside from the tree, the mantel is my favorite thing to decorate. I do love having a natural fireplace during the cold weather - so cozy.

Here's a painting I've been working on just to hang up during winter.  It sort of represents Shane, Isabella and myself, three snow people holding our twig hands.  I might have a few more things to add, but it's almost finished.

Thanks for taking a little tour of some of my holiday decorations.  We're chopping down a tree tomorrow, so I'm sure I'll be sharing pics of the tree and my favorite ornaments in a few days as well!

Snowman Love!

I live in Wisconsin, always have, but I'm not a fan of snow.  EXCEPT...in December!  If we don't have a white Christmas I'll admit I'm pretty sad--really sad to be honest.  Even though I'd prefer to live by the Caribbean Sea, I love snowmen.  Chubby, white, fun...I love painting them too.  I also work in a school, so of course I always am holding out for a snow day!  Since I've been painting snowmen for a few years and these past few days I thought they'd be a perfect subject for a blogpost.  December is a day away, so snow should be coming soon.

Here are a few 3x3 canvases I recently painted and can be used as ornaments.  They really are fun subjects to paint!

© Jill's Dream Artwork

This one is called "Our First Snowfall" and I painted it last year I believe.  I love their sweet hats!

© Jill's Dream Artwork

I just sent this one to an old friend from grade school who now lives in South Carolina - she must miss the snow!  This one is called "Angels we have Heard on High."

This is one of my favorite photos of winter a few years ago - Isabella and I had a snow day together and built this snowman.  Well, temps changed, she started to melt backwards, then froze again, just like that.  She stayed that way for about a week--it was great!  We said she was doing yoga.

This was our first snowfall of 2009 and our dog Mazie's first experience with snow-what fun!

Thanks for stopping by today.  Even though I'm not a cold weather fan, I found myself smiling and looking back fondly on these wintery memories.

My Top 10 Favorite Children's Books

My daughter is getting older; she's almost twelve, but we still enjoy reading picture books together as well as her young adult fiction.

Here are a list of my favorite children's books--some are still favorites from my childhood, and some I've discovered through her childhood.

1.  Pete and Pickles

Even if you don't have children, I recommend this heartwarming and FUN book, with a great message.  The artwork alone will capture your heart and attention.

2.  A Wrinkle in Time by Madeline L'Engle

I guess this is where my daydreaming and wishing to live in a fantasy world begun perhaps?

3.  The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis

I don't know how old I was when I first read this book, but entering a wardrobe that had another world behind it--wow--I was hooked.  To this day, I really wish that could come true--seriously.  That and magic carpets.

4.  Brown Bear, Brown Bear What do you See? 

This is one of the first books I read to Isabella as a baby and I loved to use different silly voices for each animal and watch her delighted expression for each page.  Such sweet memories are tied to this book. 

5.  The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan

Sarcasm, adventure and Greek mythology all wrapped up in one book...did I mention humor--oh and sarcasm?  Can't get any better than that in a young adult book.

6.  Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown

Another one of the first books I experienced with Isabella at bed time.  It's a simple, sing-songy book that has memorable words and a sweet little mouse to find in a different spot on every page.

7.  Charlotte's Web by E.B. White

I guess I'll never forget the sweet and unlikely friendship of Charlotte and Wilbur and the terrible sadness I felt when Charlotte died and left her babies to become new friends with Wilbur.

8.  Imagine a Night 

The pictures in this book are so captivating and extraordinary.  They appear to be one scene and then almost magically transform into another scene.  Awe-inspiring art for sure.

9.  Stand Tall, Molly Lou Melon by Patty Lovell

The illustrations are so lively and hilarious and it has a great message for kids to be proud of themselves, especially their quirks.  A great message for adults too!  I'll never purge this book from Isabella's collection even when she gets older.

10.  Knufflebunny by Mo Willems 

Great illustrations with actual photographs in the background, sweet little Trixie speaks her first words and we watch her parents panic as they search for lost Knufflebunny.  Honestly, so sweet and memorable. 

I really enjoyed looking back and thinking of some of these really colorful and memorable books of my childhood and those I've first been introduced to in my daughter's childhood.  I would love to hear if you have any favorite children's books or maybe some of my list is the same as yours!