Candy Corn, a Pumpkin, and a Witch's Boot …

I wanted to share a little painting that I finished today for a customer, a witch's boot. She spotted my other Halloween paintings at the Environmental Fair on Saturday and asked me if I would be interested in creating a third.

I wanted to bring aspects from the other two paintings and integrate them into the third. The background of the candy corn painting is on the tongue of the witch’s boot. The background of the pumpkin painting is featured on the laces and I used many of the same colors throughout the new painting. If they were my paintings I think I would display the witch’s boot in the middle, I think that one ties them all together.

It was fun creating something a little different and it felt wonderful to paint. The past couple of days when Abbey has been at school I have been sitting in front of the computer editing pictures and writing descriptions for my new art listings. I still have about ten more listings to write and more pictures to take and edit. Maybe I will work on some later.

Have a great Thursday!

Love Birds, (Mr. Rooster and Ms. Chicken) ...

Mr. Rooster and Ms. Chicken gaze longingly into each other’s eyes. They don’t notice the rising sun or the fading stars above them. They don’t smell the vibrant flowers that surround them or the whimsical hearts floating above them. All they see is each other.

THE END.

Recycled Mixed Media Art, Rooster Loves Chicken ...

I completed this drawing a couple of months and have used the image to create tags, a banner, and cards, but I could not think of a way to display the original. I wanted to come up with unique way to hang the art without taking away from the drawing or the beautiful old book cover.

Last week while painting in my basement studio the idea came to me. I decided to use and old table leg, a vintage necklace and a couple of screws to display the piece. The project came together quickly and I am really excited about the result.

Have a lovely Tuesday!

A Barn Owl, a white Pumpkin and a Blue moon …

I wanted to share another painting that I finished this past week. I am little under the weather today so I will let the pictures do the talking. Have a wonderful Monday!

My day at the Environmental Fair …

Yesterday was the environmental fair and Mother Nature heard my silent prayers because instead of rain we had a dry day with even a few appearances made by the sun. It was a fun day! I have not showed my work in so long that I forgot how much fun it is and how fulfilling it can be. When I did shows before my work was a lot different and I feel like I painted things that I thought people would want. My work was very primitive and honestly I personally did not connect to it. Also I would do shows with my parents. I shared booths with them and really it was not my own. Looking back I was depending on them and piggybacking off what they were doing and instead of growing up and doing my own thing. In truth I was hiding behind them. A lot has happened in the five years since I have showed last and I am definitely not the same dependant, people pleasing, timid, depressed girl.

Two compliments stand out in my head from yesterday. First a woman said to me that I must be a very happy person because my work is so colorful and vibrant. My husband and I chuckled after she left considering I suffer from major depression, but thinking about it I don’t anymore. After suffering with depression for as long as remember I don’t. The meds I take help me feel the way I am supposed to feel, they help my brain work the way it’s supposed to work. I am not just a happy person, but a tiny bit more confident, more patient, and when it comes to creating I am not afraid to try new things and create what I want.

The other compliment that stands out was that I really have my own unique style. Like my art or not that is true. I don’t want my work to look like anyone else’s. Every time I make a piece I am trying to create my own style and look. That is the best compliment I can get.

The show was small and there were not too many people that came through but I really think that was because of the questionable weather conditions. The people who ran the event were fabulous. They were so nice and even helped carry things to and from your car. I sold a few items and met some wonderful people and best of all I got a show under my belt. I was so nervous ahead of time and if you would have asked me a couple of weeks ago I’m not sure if I would have said I could pull it off. I worked like a crazy lady the past few weeks to get things finished. Staying up to almost midnight working became the norm. And I have to be honest I loved it. I am hoping to keep up that routine. I really want to make my online shop more successful and I would love to be able to some more shows. I know this sounds cheesy but I could not have gotten everything completed without Michael and the kids.

Oh I am going to do my first giveaway in the next couple of weeks so check back this week for the details.

Mushrooms and Butterflies ...

Well tomorrow is the Environmental Fair and unfortunately the weather is not looking very good. I hope by some miracle this silly rain decides to move off to sea and we wake up to bright blue skies. I have a few odds and ends to finish today. I have to finish pricing items, folding and packaging cards, put the finishing touches on a couple of necklaces, get together everything for set up, and complete the painting for the raffle. I have another painting that is 40% completed but I am not sure I will have time to complete it.

I have decided if it is down pouring in the morning I am not going to go. I have a lot of creations made out of paper and they would get ruined if they got wet or dropped on the ground. Before I start my crazy day I wanted to take a moment and share some of my newest paper creations with you.

Mushrooms and butterflies were the inspirations behind my newest recycled material collages. Paper bags, old book pages, sequins and thread from the flea market, frames donated from a friend, and of course colored pencil and pen were used to make the art. We have had a lot of rain lately and because of that beautiful mushrooms have been popping up all over the yard. And on days when the sun is finally out there are so many butterflies flying around the yard I thought bringing these two beauties together would be fun.

I will be putting my mushroom and butterfly art in the shop next week.

Big Eyes ...

Hi I have been super busy getting ready for my show on Saturday. So far I have finished 3 new collages, 3 new paintings, and a couple of ornaments. I am really excited about the ornaments because they are made of 100% recycled materials. The card-stock is recycled paper; the backing is cardboard from cereal, tissue and other boxes. The ribbon and the string I am using were all purchased at flea markets or given to me. I was a little nervous about the paper quality but it is really beautiful. They can be used as ornaments, gift tags, or a little extra decoration on holiday gifts. Last year I used them to decorate my cookie bags that I gave to the kids teachers. I will be adding them to my Etsy shop after the show!

I wanted to share one of the paintings I completed Sunday. I love owls, obviously, but my favorite is the Saw Whet Owl. They are adorable. I saw a couple at a conservatory in Maine and fell in love. I wanted to grab one and bring it home with me. They are so tiny and they have the biggest eyes. I am hoping to do a series of paintings featuring this cute owl and this is my first. I love this painting so much I want to keep it.

I hope to stop by later in the week and share some more creations. Today I hope to finish a painting I started working on and begin my final one for the show. Tomorrow I am hoping to print out all my cards and package them, and Thursday I want to finish the ornaments and paint my display. I would love to squeeze in one more collage but I am not going to stress about it. Have a great week!

Hello ...

I just wanted to pop in say hi to all my blogging friends. Life has been extra busy between getting the kids back into a route, fall baseball, Dr. Appointments, and of course most importantly getting ready for the Environmental Fair next Saturday.

I have so many ideas and projects I want to complete by next Saturday sleeping the next week will be minimal and optional. I have almost finished 2 of 4 new recyclable material collages. I have to print out and package all of my cards. I have a couple of banners I would like to put together. I am waiting to receive my recycled card-stock so I can print some paper ornaments out and gift tags. Oh and I have five paintings I have been working on. Plus I have to paint all of my set up stuff and come up with a display so when I get to the show things go smoothly. And I have rings to put together featuring prints of my art, oh and I need to create a little painting to donate to the fair. I hope I can get everything finished. I wish I could hire an assistant to do some of the mundane stuff like printing and packaging cards, printing and cutting business cards and painting my set up stuff.

I am not sure what to expect and to be honest if I sell one piece that would be great! If all goes well I am hoping to do a few small shows before the holidays.

Wish me luck and I am hoping to have a chance to update you later in the week and share some of the new items. I would love to hear feedback. Have a great weekend!

School ...

Noah started third grade last Monday and my little lady started Pre-k today. I have been a wreck, my nerves are shot, my eye has been twitching and I have been having nightmares about my children’s school year. Last year was an amazing year for both of the kids. They both had fabulous teachers who they adored and that adored them. They both excelled academically and it was really a pleasant year.
Noah has had five days of school and between being tired and moody and out of sorts the first four days weren’t the start I was hoping for. It seemed to take him extra long this year to get into the groove. I was starting to get worried and then I was reminded how this has been the norm for the past few years and that it will pass. Well today he came home and finally said he had a great day with no buts attached. I know and I explained to him that every year is going to be different and that he has to give this year a chance. He really loved his teacher last year and these first few days have been quite an adjustment for him, but deep down I know he will be fine, damn wonderful teachers.

My first day of third grade!

Abbey was ready to go to school at 6:30 this morning, unfortunately for her she only goes half day and starts after lunch. I am nervous about the year. Last night I had a nightmare that I got into a screaming match with her teacher, something that I would never do. Abbey’s teacher last year was fun and quirky and adorable. I wanted to adopt her. Abbey’s class also only had six children total it was a dream. She didn’t look back when she took off up the stairs and was smiling when I picked her up. I was so relieved. She is excited and that makes me happy.
Being a parent is hard. I know my children are small and I have not gone through that much but I love those little animals so much I just want all the happiness in the world for them. What I worry about the most is how they are going to interact with others and how they are going to be treated by their peers. I hate the idea of some idiot treating them badly and how that will affect them. I wish I could protect them from everything but I know I can’t. I remember what is was like to be a kid and how tough and hard it can be. In the end all I can ever really do is be here to listen and support them.

My first day of kindergarten!

Now that the fear of the unknown is over and our routine is back I can finally get into my studio. The stress is slowly fading and I am excited to get back to creating.

Inspiration Sunflowers …

This week is all about creating new pieces. Both of my kiddies will be back to school and that means I will get some much needed time in my studio painting and creating. I have no solid plans yet, which is a little frustrating. My head is full of so much noise and static. I need to relax and focus and turn the volume down. I am still not sure how I am going to clear my head.

Over the summer I took a lot of pictures of things I love. Colorful, organic, interesting things that I hope will help me relax and focus. I know that my creative block will pass; it’s just so frustrating when you finally have the opportunity to create and there is nothing there.