Happy New Years!   I have so many exciting art projects for the new year that I am so excited to talk about but I am under strict orders to wait to tell the world about it until the video is complete.  YES! a video! That's all I can say!  Here is a pic of me at the shoot today.  :)  I have so many exciting things planned. This year has been a truly exciting and life changing year for me.  I quit my cubicle job and decided to paint full time. I had all kinds of adventures all over Europe and different parts of the United States.  I really saw some amazing things that changed my life. Made some amazing paintings and opened a small shop on etsy .  Been in some great art shows. This year I also really committed to my tiny blog and make new friends.   I am great-full for all of the little things in my life, the people, and little animals. Cheers! Happy New Year!  Toast to much luck and happiness in the new year. :)...
First of all I am the worst secret Santa of all time.  I completed a secret Santa with a blog exchange on Elfster and I missed the dead line... in fact it missed Christmas... because the paint was drying and I wanted to make it extra special.  It's the thought that counts.. and a present still gets to happen.  right? I painted a little ballerina.  Have you seen the movie Black Swan? It reminded me of when I took ballet when I was little and the ballet teacher stuck me in the back of the class because I was bad and had no turn out.  My ballerina career was over at 7 years old. Oil on Canvas- Painting being shipped to Texas!  Yoda double checked the painting and ready to go!...
Did you already return some of your gifts and looking for presents for yourself? I certainly am! It's kind of funny I got an art kit for Christmas last year from my mother- and it was a children's art kit.  It's the thought that counts :) and I returned it.  What's funny is my husband's mother got me the EXACT same art kit this year.  I wonder who is going to get it for me next year.  lol After Christmas Gift Guide! I am loving this bright yellow and the stripes.  Perfect for a sketchpad and art supplies. by Ikabags Don't you just love his face?  My dogs might get jealous.  My mother gave me a gift bag with a pug face on it and my dogs could not stop barking at it.  by Siblinglvalrie I love this print- and the control of realism with the unpredictable drips.  :) kinda fantastical! by Windylanestudio Since I belong to an apple house, I was thinking about getting a a little iphone case so that my screen won't get scratched.  Pretty Cute! by Sh...
Merry Christmas! I hope everyone has a happy creative holiday.  ...
Our trip to the Big Easy! We went to Bourbon St, the French Quarter,  Uptown, Downtown, the Warehouse district and went up and down Magazine St.  We have never been to New Orleans and we walked, ate, and explored.   I was amazed by the architecture and how much art was all over the city. I love the aqua on the doors.  Well what girl doesn't love Tiffany's blue.  :) It was blue skies but freezing cold! It was in the 40's which was colder then Portland.  Antique Shops.. Vintage Shops.. Every where! :) All the old houses were just gorgeous.  The homes really had history- made me want to drink sweet tea and sit on porch and watch the world go by. New Orleans was a great visit :) PS If you want to see what we ate and drank in New Orleans- go to my food blog .  I discovered what a Muffuleta sandwich was and it was incredible!...
Typically I talk about art and things that inspire me and I sometimes mention my husband. My husband inspires me everyday and consider myself lucky. Meet Tim. :) Tim is a musician and a big geek. (I do have a thing for geeks) Over the past few years Tim has been making iphone apps on the side from his regular job. Some of his previous apps include Robotvision and Future Checkin . I am so proud of my husband and he has teamed up with a graphic designer and made his first iphone game. It launched yesterday and wanted to share it with you. Ramps PS Tim if you are actually reading this post. Love you and lots of luck- you have worked so hard and am so proud....
I am a huge fan of giving the gift of art.  Not just because I am an artist but I also love to collect art.  I also know that art is something that you can have for a long time, its unique, and pretty special heartfelt gift. Kinda amazing? Don't you think? by Kenjio This water color piece has such a simple beauty quality and would be elegant in any space. by The Night Jar This artist uses recycled scraps of wood and puts it together in such a careful way and deliberate way.  The geometry of it- is gorgeous. by Paint Square I love a classic painter and this artist uses such soft and delicate technique and you can see the care in each brush stroke.  very Snow White.. don't let a good apple fool you! by Greenlight Goods The colors on the piece are so striking and the gestural approach is heavy and light in different parts.  Beautiful- I could see this painting in my kitchen. by Paintbox Happy Shopping!...
In the spirit of Christmas- top 5 Christmas movies of all time.   I could never get enough of the Christmas movies and still love them. 1.  How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1966 version) You're a mean one... Mr Grinch... you're a nasty..... Mr... Grinch.  I totally have this song stuck in my head.  :) 2.  A Charlie Brown Christmas   (1965)- I was so relieved when Charlie Brown discovers the real meaning of Christmas. and finds his perfect Christmas tree. 3.   A Christmas Story - 1983 - Why did Charlie need the BB Gun? I knew he would shoot his eye out.  Was I the only one who really wanted the bunny suit? 4.  Elf -2003- those tights kill me every time.  I think Will Ferrell is missing more cowbell. 5.  Nightmare before Christmas - 1993.  This movie took my favorite holidays and mushed them together.  I heart Tim Burton :) Now I just want to snuggle up and start watching movies with a nice big coffee and popcorn....
Did I ever mention that I hate to fly?  I hate it. My love for new adventures out weighs the fear.  I book a flight and don't really think anything about it, but a few days before the flight I start getting wound up.    My hands start to shake and get sweaty. Did you know that you are more likely to get kicked in the face by a donkey then get into a plane crash?  I'm not sure who gave me this random fact/statistic, but it doesn't make me feel better.  Before I fly if it's an airline or type if airplane I have never flown in- I look up the track record for safety.  I am slightly crazy.  :)  I think I get it from my mother who drinks Bloody Mary's as she travels to calm her nerves.  If I tell her I am getting a little anxious for the flight- she tells me that I need to drink a Bloody Mary.  Bottoms up! ...
My husband is one of the worst people to shop for because if he wants something he usually negotiates until he gets it.  :) Every man now a days needs a man bag- it's more European right? by Stash Make him a bobble head.  I know my husband loves pictures of himself. lol :) why not make him his own mini me. by www.bobbleheads.com Cufflinks.  Aren't these sweet? by Fistacuffs Business Card Holder.  This is a old recycled neck tie made into a fancy business card holder. by Prixprix Soap- made from Guinness. by Orangefuzz :) Happy Shopping...
I decided to paint a few of my typewriters exclusively for my etsy shop.  I am mainly waiting for them to dry. This is my mother's typewriter with a matching snazzy turquoise blue case. I used to type on this machine when I was a kid and still think of that time fondly. 8X8 on canvas- original oil painting.   Happy Friday - have a fantastic weekend.  :)...
I can't believe it's almost time for us to go on our trip to New Orleans.  Neither one of us has ever been and Tim and I are needing a well needed break.   I am so excited for Hurricanes (the cocktail), oyster shooters, haunted houses, palm readers, graveyards, and putting my head in a stuffed crocodile.  Here is my travel list :)  hair cut. check! camera with camera bag. (Canon Rebel XTI)- check 3 books ( Always bring at least 3- in case one is bad)- check  art supplies- my reduced art bag.  :)- check pedicure- Christmas red!  - check!...
I love early Christmas presents! You are talking to someone who would find her gifts and rewrap them as a kid.  :) Look what I got as an early Christmas gift from my husband's little brother.  Isn't it darling? as you know I collect typewriters.  This one is a big one.  Now I need to find the perfect spot for it. ...