The Zoo and a Barred Owl...

Monday was a beautiful day so the kids and I took a trip to the zoo.

There were a couple of peacocks wandering around.

Aren't these two fabulous. Mother Nature is an amazing artist.

Abbey and Noah love feeding the goats...

and the ducks, swans, and fish.

Isn't he beautiful?

This is the first time we ever got to walk through the Kangaroo exhibit. They can come right up to you. When we walked through they were all laying in the sun. It was really neat to get to go so close to them.

I think he was posing.

Snuggling and sunbathing.

We have not had our first frost yet so there are still plenty of beautiful flowers blooming, like this cannon.

Cat's are always worried about their appearance.

I think he has at least 10 ladies who live with him, poor guy.

They have quite a large herd of Bison.

I think he this Snow owl is absolutely gorgeous. Every time we visit the zoo he just sits there and stares at you. It's almost like he is sizing you up.

This time they had three Barn owls instead of two. They had just rescued an owlet and the two older Barn owls were taking care of it.

I love the black swans. I think they are even more eloquent than the White ones. I think I might add black swans to my what I am going to paint next list.

Fun!

Silly!

Inspiring!

I was really excited when I got to see the Barred owl. I just finished a painting last week featuring a Barred owl. I love the different textures and pattern in their feathers and their coloring is really beautiful. I think he looks like a wise owl, all knowing. He has a confidence in the way he holds himself.

When I created the painting I first created the vibrant sunflower. I wanted the flower to be warm and colorful, because I wanted to keep the owls coloring closer to the actual bird.

When I began the owl I mixed many different grays and warm browns. After I painted a bit I began to feel like I need to add other splashes of color. I added light blue and complimented that with orange and then I started highlighting with yellow and complimenting that with purple. He defiantly has his own look and I am really happy with how the piece came out.

Have a great Wednesday!

Happy Summer!

I hope everyone is enjoying all of the wonderful sights, smells, and sounds of summer! I thought I would pop in quick and say hello in between bike rides, baseball, berry picking and birthdays to share what I have been up to.
This is my newest folk-art painting, “Colorful Family”. I completed this fun piece last week. It was created on a recycled drawer front in acrylic paint. I listed this colorful chicken family painting last Thursday in my Etsy shop and 2 days later it sold! I wish everything flew out of the shop that fast. I have 2 more drawer fronts I want to paint on, hopefully I can find some time to work on them. I also have 3 beautiful vintage frames to fix and fill and I have started some Halloween themed drawings. I have a lot of new ideas I just hope I can make some time to work on them.

Noah finished second grade last week. I am excited and sad all at the same time. He did amazing this year. Every time he brought home a report card I didn’t think it could be any better, but every time it was. I am so proud of him. He did not only blossom academically but socially as well. I am so excited to have him home with me this summer. We have a lot of fun things planned, Boy Scout camp, biking, swimming, baseball, library, vacation, golf camp, community theatre.

Part of me is a little sad though that the year is over. Noah had a wonderful teacher this year. She not only was an amazing teacher but she really believed in and encouraged Noah. She is one of those teachers that we will always remember, he was very lucky to have her. She made all of her students an end of the year gift, a DVD slide show set to music of pictures from the school year. It is a precious gift.

We celebrated Abbey’s fourth birthday on the 17th, I can’t believe she turned 4. Abbey wanted a Fairy bike for her birthday and a Hello Kitty bike helmet. She looks so cute riding around on it. I can’t believe my baby is already 4!

Yesterday we went to a local orchard to pick berries and cherries.

They are so sweet and yummy. Abigail was covered in cherry juice, I think she ate more than she put in her bucket. She even had some on her back. It looked like she rolled around in them.

It's summer we can't go anywhere without getting ICE CREAM!

Have a great Tuesday!

A Chicken, a Rooster, some Hearts, and Daisies...

3 Paintings ...

Florescent Pink Hearts ...

2 Vibrant Love Birds ...

Many beautiful Daisies ...

Sparkling Eyes ...

White

Shimmering Dew ...

3 Pieces of Art I loved Creating!

Follow your Yellow Brick Road

My newest painting “follow your yellow brick road” was inspired by memories from my childhood, my sister, and the belief that you can do anything if you believe in yourself.

When I was little our yard in the spring would be covered in dandelions. My sister and I would run around the yard pretending we were in the Wizard of Oz and the dandelion covered lawn was the famous yellow brick road. We would enjoy playing in the sea of yellow and after the flowers turned our own little snow storm. Dandelions bring back so many wonderful memories.

The two girls at the top of the hill represent my sister and me. We have taken very different yellow brick roads but have always been there to support each other and cheer each other on. Whenever anything new or exciting happens to me she is the first person I call. I am so proud of the women she has become. I am so lucky to have such a smart, loving, and supportive sister.

Enjoy the Dandelions!