Dachshund Portrait

"Cookie" 4 x 6 oil on board, sold

The holidays are a big season for gift giving, and I painted this little dachshund for a friend of mine.

original phone photo

It's amazing the quality of some phone photos.  Sweet Cookie is always so happy to see me.

Flutter My Heart

I had the opportunity to purchase from my dear friend, Elizabeth Gonzalez of Borboletas a  set of her beautiful ceramic butterflies.   Elizabeth was among one of last year's "Women Who Create Beautiful Things" and I was so excited  to purchase her work. 

When the butterflies arrived, I just wanted to hang them up right away and not worry about what wall they would go on or  nails,  so I just added them to this piece that I have hanging in my Family Room. This iron motif  piece is from Pier One Imports  and I always felt it needed something. Don't  they look great together?

So fun to add some creative pieces to my home, especially from a special creative friend of mine. Thank you, Elizabeth.

LA Art Show

 

Oh yes, it is time for the LA Arts Show again, and I just couldn't miss it.   Although I heard someone say they were told no photos, I just kept asking each gallery owner and was always welcomed to take a picture.  So I am going to post quite a few this time.  Enjoy.

Marilyn still getting a lot of attention.  This is composed of very small 3x3 blocks of pictures.

Individually painted paintings to compose the larger one of Van Gogh.

I'd say these paintings got a lot of attention.

A lot of little baby faces in the skull.

Birds painted on old cigar boxes.  So cool.

 

They look great grouped together on the wall.   

The ladies...

This is a huge 3-D sculpture coming off the wall.  You could see real water droplets on her skin. 

Makes me smile...

 

 Love these dog portraits!

 

I couldn't believe I was standing in front of a Norman Rockwell....only 3 million and something dollars.

  

and We love Malcolm Liepke.

This is made up of various antique papers and books.  He adds a very small amount of paint to describe the face, which I didn't even see at first.

Meeting up with my lovely, blogger friend, Valerie of Twigs2Nest Studio.  So fun to reconnect and catch up.  Hopefully, we could take a class together someday.

 

Lots of distressing..just up my alley.  

Holiday Card

I usually have my daughters get together to take a family photo Christmas card.  This year with their busy schedules as college students, they just couldn't take one.  So I created this Christmas card instead.   

Wishing you all a very wonderful holiday!

Love Strikes in Mysterious Ways

Taking our dog along with the family apple picking has been a family tradition over the years and near day's end we ended up at Oak Tree Village in Oak Glen.

He loves all the sights and smells and has himself a ball.

We approached a little caged area with 3 deer sitting in the shade.  We were all a little leery as Tucker approached with  his hunter/stalking routine.   

Then one doe got curious and came over to check him out.

 

 "Your eyes, they are so beautiful".

"You are a handsome buck, no?"   Everywhere we led him around the cage, the doe would follow. 

"Bye bye, my cherie, until we meet again". 

For an old guy of 77 he still can make the ladies swoon.

Gustav Klimt Challenge

Field Day 16 x 20 mixed media

I was looking for a way to finish this painting when  Jane DeRosier posted the Gustav Klimt challenge on facebook which inspired me for the background.

The girls remind me of my own daughters ...one blond and brunette.

Restoration Hardware Los Angeles Store

Restoration Hardware, Los Angeles, CA Store

This is the Restoration Hardware home store in Los Angeles that I visited recently and so enjoyed.

How beautiful this outdoor setting is.  Wouldn't you love to call this your back yard.

Double Sink  Vanity

Great design pieces without the need of a designer. 

Powder Puff Brush Collection

With great decorating ideas.

Canvas covered books

Just some fun inspiration.  It's a great place to visit if your ever in LA.