New Paintings and Weeds

It's been a while since I've posted consistently...I've been really busy getting ready for an upcoming art show for next Saturday and pulling lots of weeds!  Since spring hit really early in Wisconsin everything has gotten really out of control.  We've truly never had so many weeds at this time of year EVER.  I think being away for eight days during spring break sort of threw me off a bit too--lots of yard and housework to do in addition to creating.  Trying to get some fresh paintings to take to the show--here's one of my new creations that I'm going to take with me next weekend at the Racine Lakefront Art Festival.  I'm really looking forward to it because it's my third year there and they really take care of their vendors and I've met some great people as well.

What's on the horizon for you?  Any exciting events coming up?  Are you enjoying spring in your neck of the woods?

Back to Reality

Well spring break 2012 is officially over for us.  We're back to the reality of being home, being in Wisconsin and heading back to work and school.  2009 was our last trip out-of-state when we went to Ocho Rios, Jamaica.  This year we spent two nights in Vegas and six days visiting my mom in Lake Havasu, Arizona.  Our first time in Vegas and our second time to Arizona to visit my mom who spends three months of winter there.

Vegas was vibrant, chaotic, energetic and a bit shocking at times, especially since Isabella was with us.  It was fun and lively but Shane and I aren't really gamblers so our two nights were probably good enough for us.  We stayed at the Paris, Las Vegas Hotel which was amazing in its decor.  We chose this one because Isabella has a growing interest in the "real" Paris, so we got to see smaller-scale Parisian landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower, the Arch d'Triomphe and replicas of Paris street cafes.  The view from our room on the 24th floor was great because we could also see the dancing waters of the Bellagio across the street as you can see in the picture.

This is our last morning eating breakfast at an "outdoor" cafe in the hotel.

We drove two and half hours in our rental car from Vegas to Lake Havasu which was full of mountain views even some in California as well as lots of brush, cacti and palm trees.  I'll admit I'm more of a coast-lover myself but we saw tons of beautiful sites and we even learned some history as well.  Lake Havasu is now home to the London Bridge and we heard a lot about the man who actually bought the bridge and had it shipped to Arizona.  I still can't believe someone actually had the money to do this...we took a boat tour on the Kon Tiki and got some history of the city as well and learned the same man founded the town, bought the bridge and was an inventor too.  Pretty amazing story.

Here's a view of the London Bridge where you can see some of the mountains in the distance.  On our ride we went to an area called Copper Canyon which was so peaceful and beautiful.  Now it was only peaceful because college spring break was over, but we did see two guys jump off a 40 foot rock in the canyon.  Pretty daring, given the fact that people have died jumping off of it.  I would've loved to go into that little cove with just my family on a boat and just float because the greenish, blue waters we so clear and it was tucked away from the rest of the lake.

I could go on and on and share a ton more pictures but I know blog readers only want to read so much, right?  I'll leave you with just a couple more pictures that are my favorites.  We're now back to reality as I said and it's always good to come home, but I definitely miss the warm weather!

Thanks for stopping by!  I know I've been gone a while and I appreciate your visit.  

Follow Your Heart

I am a girl who loves photos, color or black and white.  When we had our daughter Isabella I went nuts taking pictures and I love looking back at all the stages she has been through, especially when she was a chubby baby.  To me there's nothing like a really chubby baby to make me smile.  Since I love having photos around the house, I decided to start painting picture frames last year in addition to the canvases I create.  I know there are lots of other people out there who like unique frames to put their loved ones in.  Here is one of my recent picture frames that says, "follow your heart."

I hope that my paintings and picture frames can inspire girls of all ages to be true to their dreams and follow their hearts.  Do what makes them sing, what makes them smile, what lights them up.  This is what I'm finally learning as a grown woman.  I want to encourage my daughter who is now 11 to follow her heart and be true to what matters most to her.

Every Day is the Best Day

I found this quote by Emerson, "Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year" and I thought it would be perfect for my new painting/collage.

I love the message it gives because it reminds me to be grateful for this day and not keep looking to the future for my happiness.  I'll admit that I tend to get stuck in thinking about the next good thing up ahead, the weekend, the vacation, the end of the work day, summer vacation.  But this quote helps me realize that I need to see every day as the best day.  Right here, right now.  I think a lot of happiness and contentedness has passed me by in some of my ordinary moments because I kept wishing them to be different.  I hope this message gives you something to ponder and I hope it helps you love the moment, the day you are in.

Yay Spring!

Spring is my favorite time of year.  The smell in the air, the birds singing outside my window, buds forming on trees and more sunshine!  The promise of tulips and green trees to come.

Well, spring has come really early this year.  We are having summer-like weather in Wisconsin.  Today was actually 80 degrees and it has been in the 70s for over a week now.  We've gone to the dog park almost everyday which we don't usually start until at least May.  Here are Bella and Mazie strolling up ahead of me.

New sandals, shorts and tank tops have already been purchased.  Here's a picture Bella took of her new sandals as we sat in the truck at a local drive-up custard and burger stand where the girls bring your order to the window, which usually doesn't open until May.

This unbelievable, record Wisconsin weather has been so amazing and so welcome by me.  I can't even begin to explain how great these days have been.  I'm a new person with sunshine, birdies chirping, windows open and flip flops.  I really hope it continues!

Painting Swap

One of my creative friends recently asked if I'd like to do a painting swap.  I've done ATC swaps which is a lot of fun, but never a painting swap.  She said she'd love to own one of my originals which made me blush a bit.  In turn she would paint one of her lovely originals for me as well.  Here is where I'm at with the creation for her...almost done, just a few more finishing touches.  We didn't give anything really specific other than colors we like or don't like.  She did say she likes my birdie paintings, so here is the start.  It's not the best picture since I took it with my i-phone, but you get the main idea.

I'm really looking forward to receiving her painting as well because I have no idea what it's going to be and her work is beautiful!  This is a great way to own original art at an "affordable price." Not sure when we'll both be finished but I'll definitely share my gift from her too.

On the Studio Floor Right Now

I've been aching to paint bigger lately since I've been doing so many little canvases since last fall.  I pulled down a 16 x 20 that I wasn't happy with and decided to cover it with big brushstrokes of a magenta shade and was hoping to just see where it would take me.  One of my struggles as an artist is painting freely.  I often think way too much while I'm painting and thinking often gets me stuck wondering what to do next.  I just want to "go with the flow!"  Well as I was letting myself paint big magenta strokes I started make loose shapes and it sort of took on the beginnings of a girl.  Hmmmm...I've always wanted to paint girls but hesitate because of my inexperience painting people.  After I saw the face and neck taking a bit of shape I had the feeling that I wanted her face to be framed with flowers so I got out one of my stencil sheets and put down some light blue flowers.

Then today I added some teal and yellow ones as well.  As you can see, I just haven't taken the leap into drawing her facial features yet.  Something is holding me back.  Not sure if it's fear of doing it "right" or if I just need to see if that's really what wants to be created here.  What do you think?  Any tips for me on the face or should I not even do a face?  I'd love to hear what you think of it so far and where YOU would go next.