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.

Candyland

16 x 16, mixed media

I love the reaction of my girl's friends when they see another new painting.  This one reminded one of them of the game, "Candyland".

This was inspired by an artist I love, Jennifer Lommers.  I love all her colorful florals....so fun.

"Show Off"



"Show Off", 6" x  6", oil on mixed media, Sold



I painted this butterfly in oils over a background of many layers of paper and acrylic.  As bright as acrylic is, the oil is so much more beautiful and bright.  I've used this frame to see how striking this piece could look in a black frame.

I finally realize why I love this style so...my dad was a housepainter and I saw this background many places as a child....dropcloths, old work shoes, paint pots, old wood...ahhhh the memories of childhood making its way back into my heart.

Sisterhood of the Traveling Paints

One of my art lover friends is moving away.  Since it is getting close to moving day, we had a small painting, eating and just being together party. 

Although I act as teacher, I love the creative ideas that flow while we are all gathered together.

My dining room acts as a perfect art table/gallery.   

We all got lost in our art projects and ran out of time to finish.

My project finished later "Papa Chair"  6" x 6"

I'll miss you Michelle....keep painting, my friend.

Poppies

Poppy 1 - 12" x 12" mixed media

Simplicity.... I so loved the background that I didn't want to cover it up with color.  Just this simple poppy leaves all the hard work on the background still exposed.  It's hard to appreciate the texture until you see it in person.  This little piece has some gold rubbed on top that doesn't show up in  the picture, but looks awesome in person. 

Braille bottom left corner

I've added a piece of braille to all my floral pieces, telling a little story of its own.  I kind of like that.
I have another 12 x 12 canvas...don't you think this should be a pair?

Once again, I am linking up with Studio JRU and all of you lovely Sneak Peek Talents!

Dreaming Red

Dreaming Red  15" x 15", mixed media, Sold 

Finally,  my floral series is hanging up in the Green Earth coffee shop.  This is the fourth painting to go with the others and I have to say it is my favorite. It made my day when a young girl, Kat, who works at the shop wished she could buy all four paintings for her dorm...so sweet.  My hubby wanted me to make her a deal...hello, I just hung them up!

Floral Series

Black-eyed Susan, Sold

Finally, another addition to my floral series.  If you've been counting this would be the fourth, but unfortunately, the 3rd painting wasn't going my way and I wiped everything off and turned it into something totally different.  I will post soon.

Traveling for work and just work alone has left little time for painting or blogging, and I look forward to break real soon.

As I run off to catch another flight...What do all those cell phone messages say?  "Please enjoy the music, while your party is reached"...   Don't you think artists should have an app that transmits a slideshow of art during the holding process?.  :)

Mother's Helpful Tips

My oldest daughter asked me if I thought I was dying because I was sharing a lot of helpful tips with her.  I don't even remember now what they were except that we were making dinner together, and it was centered around cooking.  Who doesn't have advice on cooking when working with a novice?

Anyway, besides cooking advice, I told her about a money saving tip I'd like to share with my art lover friends, too.  I know there will be many who already do this, but it just dawned on me the other day...

I was purchasing something online at Wisteria.com.  When getting ready to hit the buy now button, I noticed a little coupon code or promotional code, which I normally ignore (not ever having one).    This time  I thought I'd give it a little Google search "Wisteria promotional code" and up came a promotional code, which was valid and saved me a few bucks.  Then I went and ordered paint on Dick Blick's and got free shipping.

Hey, wait a second here, I think I'm spending more money just to save money! :)

Here are a few sites for coupon shoppers momsview.com, couponcabin.com, and naughtycodes.com.  I'd love to hear of any cost savings on art supplies.  Yikes. 

Sneak Peek Friday

I'm continuing my work at completing a series of paintings for the Green Earth Coffee shop.  I started with one floral that I love probably because of the aqua green color and have been working on these two additions.

This painting is still in progress..I love all the colors.

This is the first inspo

I have to hide this from my daisy-loving daughter.

I just love looking at all the grungy detail...

I want to make the daisy painting brighter, but I'm holding off.  As my Art Lover students will say, "Put the paint brush down!"

Once again, I am linking up with Studio JRU and all of you lovely Sneak Peek Talents!

Sneak Peek Friday

16 x 16, mixed media SOLD

When I look at this painting, I see such a change from where I was 6 months ago.  You can see my art evolving, changing, taking shape.  The soul knows where its going...even if the conscious mind doesn't.

So many have said to enjoy the process and for me it's always been easier said then done.  As I was painting this last night with my art lover's group, I caught myself saying, "I'm loving painting this, not just loving what I was painting".    We talked about how other artists paint a series, and I can see why now.    I guess I'm not saying anything new, but let's just say "ahhhaaa"  moments do happen. 

At one point I removed my glasses and continued painting so I could see the value and not the detail.  It's kind of the same process of squinting to blur your vision as you look on your work. It's this push and pull process.  Paint on, rub off.  I've always loved artwork that had movement or a more impressionistic feel, light and color bouncing around the painting.   

My plan is to paint 4 of these paintings to put up in the Green Earth coffee shop.

Once again, I am linking up with Studio JRU and all of you lovely Sneak Peek Talents!

Sneak Peek Friday

Inspired by my good blogger friend, Terri from Dimples & Dragonflies, I have been playing around with Picnik to show my art in a setting.

You can find the apple and pear duo here.

Once again, I am linking up with Studio JRU and all of you lovely Sneak Peek Talents!

Apple Pear Duo

I've been painting this duo side by side whenever I have a bit of free time which is rare these days.  One thing I loved was being able to let one dry and work on the other.   It was so fun to keep switching gears.  This sweet little duo would look nice in someone's  kitchen.

I love this brighter version, but maybe I'll save it for prints, because the original is not quite so bright.  perhaps...a teacher's gift?

Apple, 4 x 6 on board, sold

This is from the scanner...a better representation.

Pear, 4 x 6 on board, sold

I hope you all had a lovely Father's Day.  We barbecued pizza on the grill.    My husband has a healthy pizza dough recipe, and it comes out soooo yummy.  Our own firegrilled pizza.