2012 did not exactly start the way I had hoped. I woke up on the 4th and felt like someone sucked the life out of me and then ran me over. That same night Abigail began throwing up and for the next six days all I did was sleep. Not a very prosperous start to the New Year. You would think I could get some art created since I was lying around, nope that didn’t happen even my arms ached and were tired. This past Tuesday Abbey went back to school and when I came home from taking her I crawled into bed slept. Tuesday was the last day I took a nap!

Thankfully when I woke up Wednesday I felt so much better. I had gotten a water color set when I was sick and I was super excited to try it out. I have not created in water color since college and I really want to learn to work with this beautiful medium. The plan was to sit all afternoon and play when Abbey was at school that did not happen. Isabel decided to find a dead mouse in the backyard and roll in it. She thought she smelled pretty I did not, Yuk. So while Abbey was at school had to wash the pooch it was fabulous!

I woke up at 5 Thursday so I would have a chance to paint in peace. My kids have radar because by 6 it was can I have a snack, and bickering and the TV was on. Thursday was a whirlwind of taking Christmas decorations down, cleaning, laundry, playing with Abbey, home work, and dinner. Michael was out of town Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, I hate when he is gone. I always tease him and say he doesn’t do much, but it is nice to have another grown up here to battle the children.

I woke early yesterday and did some more work on the owl family piece. This is the first water color I have done since collage. What do you think? I find it relaxing and calming to work in. I love acrylic and colored pencil because how bold they are, so I am trying to adapt the watercolor to fit my style. I would really love to hear some feedback, good or bad. I think that is the only way I will get better.

Along with playing with the water colors yesterday Michael and I finally went out to dinner for our anniversary, it was really nice. I can’t remember the last time we went to dinner together. I also took Abbey to see Beauty and The Beast in the theater. If you have a little girl or a little boy who likes Beauty and the Beast go see it! It was so good! I love that movie and it was so special to see it with Abigail.

Have a great weekend!

Vintage Ornament Tree ...

Here are a few pictures of my newest commission painting. The fabulous customer who ordered the "Vintage Ornament Wreath" painting also ordered this whimsical tree decorated with vintage inspired Christmas Ornaments.

Today I am going to share a few facts about my art. I only buy 8 paint colors, White, Yellow Ochre, Cadmium Yellow Medium, Magenta, Crimson, Burnt Umber, Permanent Deep Green, and Windsor Blue.

I mix my own black. I think hand mixed black is so much richer than premixed. To create black you mix Burnt Umber, Windsor Blue, Permanent Deep Green and Crimson.

Gray is Burnt Umber, Windsor Blue, and White, not black and white.

You never highlight a painting with white you use yellow ochre. Shadows are the opposite color on the color wheel and flesh colors are created by mixing magenta, yellow ochre, and white.

I hope you enjoyed your mini art lesson!

Busy, Busy, Busy...

Life has been an extra busy lately. The kids have been super busy with school and extra activities, Michael has been very busy with work, and I feel like there is never a moment to spare!

Game Day!

Field Trip!




Baseball!

Soccer!

Swimming!

Boy scouts!

Yard Work!



Hippie Day!

Noah's Birthday!

more Baseball!

Life!

and a little Art!

I’m not complaining I enjoy the rat race; the only thing I would change is the little art to a lot of Art!

Vibrant Barn Owl ...

Things that make me happy, feeling better and doing what I Love!

I have a couple of hours three afternoons a week when I can paint and create uninterrupted. Between not feeling well and other obligations I haven’t been able to use that time for art. This week I could not wait to create something. After I dropped Abbey off at preschool I would hurry home, turn on some music and paint. This is the first painting I finished this week, I also have a fabulous, colorful rooster in the works. It feels wonderful to feel good and to be able to do something I truly love.

Here are a few more pictures of my "Vibrant Barn Owl" painting.

Orange House in Teacup ...

Fun, vibrant colors, and new paint were the inspiration behind this painting.

I don’t buy too many paint colors. I buy the basics and mix most of my colors. I had an art professor in college who beat that into our heads. She said real artist mix their own colors, even black they don’t buy it. I still mix my own black, but I have a bottle of it that I use occasionally, shhh don’t tell. When I was online buying my yellow ochre and white titanium I spotted a fabulous pink, Fluorescent Pink. I thought it be fun especially for Christmas balls and the occasional bright pop. I love the color and used it throughout this painting.

Like the rooster painting I sat outside on a blanket and enjoyed the beautiful summer weather while I created this piece. I just wanted to paint for fun, it was more like therapy than work.

Featured in the teacup is a whimsical little orange house with a black cat gazing out of one of the windows. A pretty pink brush tree, a glittery apple tree, and buttons complete the teacup. Hanging around the cup is a moon, sun, and star. I’ve decorated the flowers at the bottom of the painting with buttons.

I Heart the U.S.A. …

This is my newest painting, I heart the U.S.A. . It was inspired by all things vintage.

It was even painted on a piece of wood from a vintage table I disassembled.

Many of the items on the piece were found in or inspired by wonderful items in vintage Etsy shops.

The inspiration behind this particular painting was the red, white, and blue tie I found in paisleyfacevintage a cute little vintage Etsy shop.





Have a wonderful Holiday weekend!