New Art for the New Year

The last few months I was so focused on creating Christmas art so once the holidays were over I felt a bit lost in terms of painting! I missed coming up with sweet and whimsical snowmen.

Well I'm feeling like I'm getting back in the groove of non-holiday art. It took my awhile but I think getting my first easel for Christmas helped a bit because it was a fresh way of painting for me. Sometimes something new or painting even in a different room helps kickstart things!

Here are my first two officially completed paintings is 2015.  The vibrant floral piece is called "Summer Carnival."  Flowers are always my favorite because they are colorful and uplifting and remind me of being outside during nicer weather.  Ahem...it's about 5 below here, so seeing these flowers cheers me up a bit.

The second finished piece is on wood, something I'd like to paint on more often because I'm very drawn to hand-lettered, rustic signs.  Not that this one is very rustic but I hope to do more like this.  I started not knowing what saying I wanted on here, just freely painted shapes, symbols, colors, waves. After a few ideas, I thought "Enjoy the Journey" was perfect.  It's a reminder I know I need pretty regularly when I get wrapped up in worry or pushing through to the next day (i.e. Friday) without being with the one I'm presently in.

I hope they give you a little inspiration or a little smile.  I'm feeling good that so far my 2015 has had a good start in my personal life and in my art.  Do you have any sayings that you keep in front of you as reminders to yourself?  I'd love to hear them.

You are My Sunshine - New Painting

When Bella was a little baby we used to sing "you are my sunshine" to her as well as other songs, but this one tends to be almost a universal one that many people know and have great memories about.  Bella's four-year-old preschool teacher Miss Starr (no the teacher wasn't a four-year-old) used to take each little kid one-by-one and put them on her lap and sing this song to them...she still remembers that special time at the end of the day while waiting for their parents to pick them up.  Another funny memory of this song for me was when I was a teenager my dad would take me to his Lions Club meetings for a father/daughter dinner and all the dads sang this song at every meeting.  I thought it was such a hoot to hear all these "old" men singing this sweet song as we got ready to eat dinner.

I just finished this painting and I'm really happy with how it turned out.  Bella's getting older and her room decor is Paris-themed with dark pink and black, so she no longer has this type of art in her room, so I made it for my etsy shop.  It makes me think back to her sweet, chubby little baby days.

I hope you like this new painting of mine as I really feel good about how it turned out.  I'm hoping a sweet girl will get to hang this on her wall.  Do you have any sweet memories of songs from your childhood or your children's childhood?

Some New Girly Art

Those of you who know me well, know I tend to make art that leans toward the girly side.  Not that I'm overly feminine by any means...I probably wear maybe one dress a year to be honest.  But I do love girly, pretty things.  Here are a few of my newest creations that could definitely be classified as girly, for little girls and even big girls like me who love whimsy, pretty and color!

These sweet birdies were so fun to paint...I really enjoyed the creating the background -- it was very freeing!

Here's another one that I really loved doing the background too...hmmmm...seeing a pattern here in enjoying making these free and whimsical backgrounds.  The "dream big" flower above is actually a long narrow painting; I love painting on these oblong canvases though I can't always find them in the store.

I hope you enjoy seeing my girly creations and they put a smile on your face!  Thanks for visiting today.

See ya Bright Eyes

Me and my paintings were in a craft show this past Saturday at an area church (I know--bad grammar).  Long story, short:  craft fairs aren't my thing.  I need to stick with art shows.  But I did sell one of my newest paintings called "Bright Eyes" and I was actually sad to see her go.  She went to a good home--a girl my daughter knows who already owns another of my giraffe paintings--so I'm glad this seventh-grader Hailey was thrilled to get her. 



However, I just finished her (Bright Eyes) about a week before and didn't have her sitting around very long before she was sold.   I really was proud of her and giraffes are my favorite animal, so it just felt weird to get rid of her so quickly! 

Do you know what I mean?  I know she's just a painting, but it was hard, believe it or not.  Have you ever created a piece of art that was ultimately for sale, but it was hard to let it go? 

I guess maybe this is telling me I need to create more giraffes?  Hmmmm....

Thanks for visiting today and I hope you're having a good week.  We're having amazing fall weather in Wisconsin all week--the 70s--so I'm looking forward to enjoying these days before the cold finally sets in for good.

Etsy Love - Christina's Magic!

Hey!  How are things going for you today?  Pretty good over here, especially when I'm doing art-related stuff.  Today I want to share a gorgeous painting from the etsy shop Christina's Magic.  Christina is actually a gal I met through our on-line Flying Lessons course by Kelly Rae Roberts.  Take a look at this beautiful 20 x 24 painting called Red Guitar and the Butterfly Blues.  I love how you can only see part of the guitar with the rest of her "subjects."  Just love it.

 

This is one of my favorites of hers, but she has so many more unique and beautiful paintings that are so striking.  Another large-size painting that catches my eye everytime I visit her shop is Dancing in a Purple Haze.  That title makes me think of Jimmy Hendrix everytime I see it!

If you have a chance, stop by Christina's shop and check it out. 

Thanks for visiting me today and I hope you're enjoying some more of my etsy loves.

Etsy Love - Erin's Artwork!

Here's another beautiful etsy shop that I have added to my favorites--it's Erin's Artwork!

She has sweet and charming decoupage products that really caught my eye.  Many of them are recipe boxes, jewelry boxes and wedding gift card boxes as well as others that all have these amazingly eye-catching papers decoupaged onto them.

I just checked out her shop again today and noticed something that's new to me which is her custom personalized photo box.  I love it!  It can be used as a wedding card box or since I'm already married, I'd just use it for anything because I love having photos around me as much as possible--maybe a photo of my daughter and husband.  It would be great in the kitchen, on my painting desk or even my desk at work--so great!  



I hope you enjoyed one more of my "etsy loves" today.  There will be so many more to come because I have so many favorites there! 

New Bedroom on the Horizon

Lots of "stuff" going on over here.  First of all, we are in the midst of redoing Isabella's bedroom.  She's now ten and hasn't had a change since she first got her big-girl bed when she was three. 

For some reason, she's obsessed with Paris and the Eiffel Tower so that's going to be somewhat of a theme for her room.  Years ago we started replacing all our oak woodwork with white mouldings, baseboards, etc. and didn't get to her room yet.  Welllll....now we are. 

Last Sunday we tore out the carpet (lots of orange vomit stains from a night of too many Cheetos, Doritos and sour cream and cheddar chips at a cousins house-just won't come clean).  So, we're opting for wood laminate flooring for her.  Looking for a cute area rug--any ideas for some girly rugs that aren't too pricey?  She's still opting for girly colors, mostly pink, maybe some light lavender polka dots on the walls and wants a light blue ceiling to look like the sky. 

I bought two prints from etsy artists a while back--one with a cute weiner dog looking out a window at the Eiffel Tower by DJ Rogers Fine Art.   Isn't he a doll?

I also bought this print by one of my favorite artists, Karen Fields called "Bistro Paris Dress."  We've framed it in black to give it a bit more of a grown-up look since we want this room to last through the teenage years. 

Also, I fell in love with this personalized canvas with her initial "I" and Paris details as well from the shop Owen and the Princess.

I want to post before and after pictures when it's all finished.  We still have to lay the floor (just the underlayment blue stuff is down so far), paint the walls, ceiling, install and paint white new baseboards, trim around windows, doors and new closet doors.  Oh, and find new bedding!  So, we're going to be pretty busy the next week or so.  Hubby wants to get it done before he goes hunting (I think so he doesn't feel so guilty leaving us so often). 

Thanks for stopping by today!

Etsy Love! Choosing Beauty

There are so many amazing artists on etsy!  I have at least 23 pages of favorites and every time I look at them I'm wowed.  I'm amazed at the talent of all these people.

 So... I'm going to start posting some of my absolute favorite shops and items on here every few days.  I really believe in supporting artists, since I am an artist myself of course and I think showing these items might just brighten your day as well because the items are so great in my eyes.  I know we don't all have the same style and likes, but the ones I post will give you a peek into what really speaks to me.

Today I'd like to share from the shop Choosing Beauty with Liv Lane.

All of her items are beautiful, vibrant and inspirational, and one of them that really caught my eye was this mixed media print with the quote, "the universe is conspiring in your favor."  I LOVE motivational sayings that put me in a positive mindset and this as well as the colors and different elements do that for me. 

(Photo source:  choosingbeauty)

If you're like me and enjoy unique artwork mixed with inspiration, check out her shop if you haven't yet!

Who do you Adore?

I have always wanted a little girl, even when I was a little girl.  When I played with dolls, they were only girl babies and I dreamed of having my own little girl one day.  I worried that I might not be able to have my own baby.  I'm adopted and hoped I would be so lucky as to give birth to my own baby.   I'll be honest when I was pregnant I hoped it would be a girl (of course I wanted a healthy baby and would've been happy no matter what).  The day she was born made me feel like the luckiest girl alive.  My dream came true--a little girl entered my life, the one I had been hoping for since forever.



She's now ten, but she's still my baby, and she's my everything.  This is probably why so much of my art is on the girly side and why when I title my paintings, I think of the love I have for my daughter, Isabella.

This recent painting I finished is called "I Adore You" because I know what it feels like to be completely enamored by a sweet little girl.  When I think of the women who can't have babies, like I once worried about, I feel crushed for them.  I hope all my gushing in this post doesn't make anyone feel bad about where they are in their lives.  Not my intention at all.

I just wanted to share this painting and tell you my inspiration behind many of my girly creations. 

Who's that person in your life that you simply adore?

Dream "Getaway" Painting - August Break Photo

"Getaway" new painting on etsy.  I LOVE the Caribbean Sea--this is what inspired me to paint this one. 

Thanks for visiting and perhaps dreaming with me!

Shine your Light

Shine your light.

Sing your song.

Show your true, wonderful colors.

Be an original.

Laugh really loud if you feel it inside.

Share your gifts.

Celebrate YOU.

New painting on etsy titled "Shine your Light"

Twirl, Spin, Dance...Delight in the Moment

Just finished this new painting called "Twirl" and it makes me think of being carefree-of a girl with windblown hair spinning and twirling under the big blue sky.  Not a care in the world.  Getting dizzy with laughter.

I think inside I still have some of that girl in me, but need to express it more often physically, even if it's by myself out under the stars in my own backyard if I don't want anyone to see a 39-year-old twirling like a little girl in love with the world.  I know I shouldn't care, right?  Something holds me back sometimes from really twirling and reveling in the moment.  Why?  Why am I letting myself miss out on spontaneous joy?   I just sat back for a minute while typing this and some tears actually sprung up in my eyes.  Perhaps I've let that carefree girl get pushed further back than I thought, if just typing this prompted some tears. 

Do you ever just let go and revel in the moment, arms wide to the sky and just twirl?  I know I haven't really in a long while and the time has come to really feel alive.

Big Flowers

I finally finished this painting of flowers--it took me forever.  The roses gave me a hard time--I wanted them to have texture and actually look like roses.  I like it because the flowers and vine of blue berries are larger and it's fun and freeing to do bigger scale things. 

I still haven't named it yet--nothing is popping into my head when I look at it right now.  Any ideas from anyone?  I'd love some !  Really.  I would.  Seriously.

Are you True???

I've done a few paintings/collages with the theme be true to yourself.  This phrase resonates with me because so much of my life up until now, I wasn't true to myself.  I worried, worried, worried what others thought of me and my actions.  I chose to do and say things that wouldn't make people look at me like I was an oddball. I wanted to fit in so badly.

I now wish I had that phrase in my head a lot earlier in life because life is sooooo much better, so much more peaceful when I am doing what is right for me and not worrying how I will appear.  It's definitely a work in progress but I'm getting there.

Do you follow your truth?  Do you have a hard time doing this?  What kinds of things are you afraid to show to the world?  Or are you brave and completely show your true self?

Dance-It Feels so Good

I just finished this painting and posted it on etsy this morning.

 

It reminds me of how fun dancing is even though as I've gotten older I worry about how I look when I'm dancing and don't do it as much.  Oh, I sweat so much too--I know I shouldn't even think of that because it truly feels soooo good to dance.  I saw a quote by Anne Lamott that says something like "dancing is almost always a good decision" (not sure exactly--can't find it on my desk).  Anyway, when you think about it--it really is!  When my daughter was younger we would have dance parties in our living room and it was so fun and exhilirating--I NEED to keep doing that.  It sure forces us to laugh, let go and really be happy!

Paper Star Nights

About five years ago I found this quote on a bulletin board in the waiting room of a doctor's office and just had to copy it down.

"Under paper star nights

we take walks for

ice cream cones

and listen to the songs

of crickets in their

hiding places."

There's just something about the summer night imagery here that makes me feel like ahhhhh.  I picture a dark night, full of stars, walking under big leafy trees with someone I love and hearing those beloved crickets, the only sound around. 

I did a painting/collage with this quote and sold two paintings (but with slightly different backgrounds) right away.  It must have been just as powerful an image to the buyers as to me.  I just finished another one called "Paper Star Nights III" and hope it draws someone else in as well.  







I'm on spring break - yeah!

Yes, I'm on spring break, but not on a vacation out of town for sprinig break.  Just off of work, but woohoo does it feel great!  I plan on reading, painting, napping and taking walks (if the weather actually gets better), and seeing a friend's brand new baby boy Cole.  Unfortunately, my daughter's school district had off this week, so this is our first year we didn't have off together--a bummer.

But....I will truly enjoy my alone time.  A lot.  Just finished this painting and posted it on etsy this morning.  I'm pretty obssesed with positive and encouraging messages lately and this one is entitled "Follow Your Heart."

It's amazing how ever since I started painting (what my heart has told me to do), I am such a happier, more at peace girl. 

 What does your heart tell you to do?  Are you listening?

New Painting - Mazie's Garden

I just finished this painting named "Mazie's Garden" and listed it on etsy today.  It was fun to create because not only is it paints, it's collaged with some papers and paper doiley which I think gives it some interesting texture.  



I've got about four other paintings I'm in the middle of--just need to step back and put a few finishing touches on them before they're "done."  I hate when I just can't seem to say they're "finished."  Sometimes I wonder if I have a bit of perfectionist in me.

Thanks so much for stopping by and visiting!

Be True to Yourself

I was the kind of young girl who liked whatever "the leader" of our group liked.  I hardly EVER stuck up for myself or my true likes or dislikes.  I look back at myself and feel so sad for that girl who just didn't have the confidence to be herself.  Having a daughter of my own I really try to instill confidence and originality in her based on my childhood of being a scared follower.  That's what I guess I was--a scared follower.  I was scared to be outed from the group.  I was scared that if I stuck up for myself, AGAINST the "leader" I would be embarrassed and singled out.  I was scared of not doing what everyone else wanted to do.  I didn't want to stand out for being different.  I hid my true self.

As an adult I now know how important it is to be an original and to be true to what is right for me even if it's totally different than everyone else.  I now like to be an original.  It makes life much more interesting, doesn't it?  One of my new paintings is below and it's a reminder to be true to yourself.  I think it would be perfect for a young girl who's just starting to find her true self.



You Have my Heart

Valentine's Day is quickly approaching--tomorrow is already February!  I just finished this painting and titled it "You Have my Heart" which I think is a great message to the love in your life.  After I finished this painting, I now picture it in a girl's bedroom probably because I have a daughter.  I also think it's important to let our loved ones know how much they mean to us, so a daily reminder through a painting is a great way to do that I think.

I hope this sweet painting finds its way to a little girl's room or in someone's home and displayed where the family can see this loving message.