1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 Eek! I am still working on finishing my last minute Christmas shopping.  I can't believe Christmas is just a few days away. Have you finished your Christmas shopping?...
I love my furry pug monster :). Linking up with The Paper Mama ...
I'm teaming up with Firmoo in an awesome giveaway.  We will be giving 25 lucky readers a $20 credit  to go towards a pair of Firmoo glasses.  Can you believe it? 25 readers! This giveaway is also international. :) Lets get down to business! Here are the official rules: 1.  Leave a comment with your favorite pair of glasses and please include your email address. 2.  Like Firmoo on Facebook . 3.  Giveaway ends on Christmas- December 25th at midnight. Goodluck :)...
Today I want to remember in my thoughts and little prayers the people that lost their lives last week in the Connecticut elementary school shooting and in the Oregon mall shooting.  The Oregon mall shooting happened about 30 minutes from my home, and I even got a panicked call from my mother that day to see if I was at the mall that day.  My parents live in another state. It's scary.  Being a new mother, and knowing my daughter will be going to kindergarten in a few short years and knowing I won't be able to be there to protect her every moment.  It's scary. I hope that we remember the victims in all of this and hope for something good to come out of something so horrible. These tragedies make me heavy hearted and my mother will get an extra big hug next time I see her and  my little girl will be held extra close. ...
This is my first Christmas that Tim and I decided to go and chop down a tree.  Well.. at least this is the first year I decided we were going to chop down a tree. I promised Tim a big home made breakfast and nice big cup of hot coco if he would at least attempt to chop down a tree.  We go out to the Christmas tree farm and pick out the tree and they help you chop it down.. then have a machine that shakes the tree of water and then another machine that wraps the tree in plastic.  I don't remember getting a Christmas tree being this easy.  When I was a kid I remember having to go out which seemed like the wilderness and chop down a tree and carry the muddy thing back to the car.     I have to admit my Christmas tree makes me so happy. I turn on the lights and the pugs snooze right next to it.  I am actually really surprised they aren't freaked out by it, since they get freaked out by hats and pillows. :)  Have you gotten your Christmas tree yet? ...
A few gift ideas for the creative soul. :) I love giving a gift that can inspire someone and spark their creativity! 1  - Always looking for a new way to organize my arts and crafts! 2  - One can never go wrong with this limited edition moleskin. 3  - I have had my eye on one of these forever! It helps an artist learn to draw portraits and the structure of the face. 4  - I think having palette knives are so extremely inspirational and you just want to pick them up and paint. 5 - Putty for making molds. The possibilities are endless! ...
It's that time of year again, it's time for my all time favorite art show of the year.. I am talking about the Big 300!  The Big 300 is an art show that is near and dear to my heart because I have been participating  in the show since it began.  It's a show that has all different types of artists and artists of all different stages in their career.  All the artwork is the same size and the same price $40 and it's cash and carry- which means you take the art work home with you that day.  This show also gets larger and larger every year which means people start camping out for the show earlier and earlier every year. When the show opens there is a mad rush in and people start ripping art off the wall... It's pretty crazy but an awesome show, and art makes the perfect Christmas gift. 8X8 oil painting on wood. Stumptown Coffee- probably one of the most delicious roasts in Portland :) Details: Date: December 8th- 2 p.m. and runs until January 13th. Locatio...
I had a really tough pregnancy.  I was pretty miserable.. actually really miserable.  Anyone who has an easy pregnancy I am totally jealous of because mine was so hard.. at least hard for me.  I was sick all the time, no energy what so ever and I didn't leave a 2 mile radius of my home- friends/family had to come to me, I attempted to make art, but pretty much I was stuck in bed all day cuddled up with my pugs.  On the other hand my pugs loved me being pregnant- they got 10x as much snuggles and they loved cuddling my belly.  Looking back on my pregnancy here are some of the ways I survived... barely lol. Have a milkshake.  I think I had a milkshake a day in the last part of the pregnancy.  Milkshakes go down faster than just plan ice cream.  A sweet treat always lifted my spirits, even if my spirits were lifted I would still go get a milkshake :). There is a Krispie Creme about a 2 minute drive from my house- so I would get a milkshake with 2 donuts.  Now I am thinking about ...
The main reason why I originally bought a fancy camera was because I wanted to take pictures of my paintings but now my camera is so much more than that.  My camera doesn't just capture my paintings, but captures all of life's little moments.  So here are a few easy tips that I have learned along the way to help improve my pictures. 1.  Get in there!  Don't be afraid to crouch down or get on eye level to take that amazing picture.  If you  take a close pictures it makes the photo feel more intimate and personal.     2.   Natural Light.  No flash!  If your taking a photo especially indoors- try and take the photo during the day and open your curtains and let the light in! It's an easy way to brighten up your photos with out doing much work.  3.   Background Noise.  If your taking a photo of your kitchen you may want to tidy up a little bit- I know I don't want to think about that big pile of dishes in the background instead of what the subject of the phot...
Typically I don't talk much about politics or religion... They are touchy subjects and in my opinion a personal thing and I respect the fact that everyone is entitled to their opinion and point of view.  I also view my blog as a journal and voice of sorts- documenting my art journey, the brush strokes of my life, and things that inspire me.  I love being able to look back at my digital foot print to see how far I have come and where I want to go. Last night we had the our election and that it's amazing that come election day things can change what seems like overnight and I as a person have the power to vote.  A couple of things that happened last night for the first time in US history, women will hold 20 seats in our Senate which includes the first Asian-American women, first openly lesbian women and first disabled woman. Last night it passed in Puerto Rico- that Puerto Rico will become the 51st state of the United States.  PR is currently a US common wealth- and my mom ...
Can you tell she hated this Halloween costume? I think she didn't like the hood because she flipped out and started grabbing at the elephant face. lol.  I think tonight we are going to just take her around the neighborhood before it gets dark- just for a walk in the stroller and maybe end the walk with some hot coco and marshmallows.  She is after all a little young to go trick or treating. :) What are you up to this Halloween? ...
Did I mention that I went a little over board with my baby's first Halloween?  Well I completely did!   She is such a great little baby- she still wakes up several times during the night but she has the sweetest little heart and full of such joy and curiosity.  She is just learning to hold things and attempts to bring or throw things at her mouth.  I am so lucky and thankful to have her.  I am a little afraid about Christmas because I know that I am going to go completely crazy.  I didn't realize they sold baby Santa and baby elf costumes..:) Supplies: White Onsie Pants- I did black pants but I think it would be fun to do red or pink pants too! Black Felt Yellow Felt Red Felt Fabric Glue Scissors Several Fun Size Kit-Kats Steps: 1. Cut out oval shaped nose out of Yellow Felt 2.  Cut out from the black felt oval kitty cat eyes. 3.  Cut out from the black felt- 6 strips for the whiskers. 4.  Next! Take the red felt and cut out a circle.  Fold the felt in half a...
What are you up to this weekend?  I am hoping this weekend I can get a lot of painting done.  When fall rolls around it seems like all I want to do is make myself a big cup of hot coco and lock myself up in my studio.   I know I should be locking myself up in my studio anyway because I feel like I owe a million paintings to a million places- and am so fortunate to be busy with my artwork.:) Isn't this bunny perfectly adorable? Even though you know bunnies are secretly vicious like pandas....
I went a little over board this Halloween :) I made her about 3 Halloween costumes and bought 1. I started out with one but I just couldn't help myself.  I know this is her first Halloween and can't even go trick or treating yet, but she is just to darn adorable.  Doesn't she look just like a little peanut M&M? Supplies: 1 white onsie 2.  white felt 3.  pack of red fabric dye- the cheap stuff is fine! 4.  fabric glue 5.  black pants 6.  1 bag of candy corn Steps: 1.  Dye the fabric- I just followed the instructions on the package- sort of! It's hot water and add the fabric dye.  I only used about a quarter of a package and mixed with hot water.  Soaked the onsie rung it out and then put the onsie in the dryer. 2.  Cut out M from white felt 3.  Glue M on front of the onsie. 4.  Reward yourself with a handful of candy corn This was such an easy project and am tempted to make one for myself. ...
The husband and I have been listening to a lot of new music lately or at least new to us :).  It warms my heart when I hear my husband humming and singing to our daughter.  She is already daddy's little girl.  Here is a list of music that we are currently loving.  Playlist 1.   Heaven is a Ghost Town, Minus the Bear 2.   Splitting Image,  Freelance Whales 3.   Ten Thousand Years Won't Save Your Life, Hammock 4.   Observations , The Raveonettes   5.   Heartbeat , JJAMZ 6.   A Heavy Abacus , The Joy Formidable 7.   New Slang , The Shins 8.  Lights , Siberia What are you listening to this fall?! ...
I am so excited that I finished my sketchbook for the amazing Sketchbook Project for 2013.  The project is that anyone can participate and you can still sign up .  The fun thing about this project is that all the sketchbooks go on tour around the country and then have a permanent home at the Brooklyn Museum Library.  I love knowing that my art some how can make it all the way to New York City.  My paintings are usually very planned and a lot of detail but for this project I didn't really want a theme and wanted to draw patterns and some of the pages are more minimalist and others are lists!. Here are some peaks into my book. ...
Happy Monday! I am a huge fan of documentaries! I am completely addicted to reality television, and I always think a documentary film is a more educated approach to reality television :).  okay.. fine!  I am just trying to justify my addiction to reality television! lol. We watched Presspauseplay documentary over the weekend and the film explores how the digital area has made it easier for creatives to make work and unleash their work out into the world.   The film also has an interesting view on how digital media has made it so easy for people to release their work but also make it more challenging for creatives to get their work noticed because the market it flooded by lots of creatives or so called creatives.  I would totally recommend this one :) Seen any good documentaries lately?...
Some photos I snapped that make me smile :)  What are you up to this weekend? I am hoping to get some art work done and maybe watch some 80's movies with the husband. ...
I was visiting my parents and took a walk through their garden and noticed these HUGE sunflowers.  My parents have grown a garden since before I could remember and it's always such a special place. They put so much TLC into their garden that by fall the garden gets so over grown. The sunflowers caught my eye because they looked a little odd.  What do you think? A little like an alien? :)  Happy Thursday! ...
I am soo excited to announce one lucky reader can win a fabulous $50 gift certificate to Shabby Apple . They have some incredibly cute dresses for all different shapes and sizes- including maternity! How to enter. 1.  The amazing peeps at  Shabby Apple  do request that you "like" them on Facebook and share which  dress or item is your favorite in your comment. The giveaway is open to US residents only. 2.  Comment on this post with your name, email address, and your favorite dress.  My favorite dress is the Headliner dress- which is the bright red dress and I just think it's perfect for the holidays. The winner will be chosen on October 9th. :) Good luck! ...
The 88 Strong Show opens tonight at the Goodfoot! If you are in Portland you should come, it should be a great show.  This show is the opener to the holiday season.  I can't believe it's almost the holidays! yikes! Here are a few of the Portland paintings that I made. About the Show: 88 Strong Location: @ The Goodfoot, 2845 SE Stark, Portland, OR Date: September 27th- 5pm and goes until October 23rd Details: 88 artists that make 8 works and can choose from any of the 88 themes.  Every 8X8 painting is $50 and comes framed.  The show is a cash and carry show which means you pay and walk out with the painting that same night.   ...
The 88 Strong Show- has 88 themes hence the name which you can pick from any one of the themes.  It's a really fun show because you can do pretty much anything that falls into any one of the themes.  Portlandia is one of the themes- which I decided to paint Le Happy- which is a crepe and steak restaurant in town- it really stands out because it's a vibrant yellow.  Crepes certainly make me happy.. especially when they are filled with nutella and bananas. yum! About the Show: 88 Strong Location: @ The Goodfoot, 2845 SE Stark, Portland, OR Date: September 27th- 5pm and goes until October 23rd Details: 88 artists that make 8 works and can choose from any of the 88 themes.  Every 8X8 painting is $50 and comes framed.  The show is a cash and carry show which means you pay and walk out with the painting that same night.   ...
Here is another painting that will be apart of the 88 Strong Show.  I always love painting vintage still life and always have a weak spot for that beautiful turquoise color. The funny thing about vintage radios- I am always afraid to turn them on because then it's almost as if you are contacting outer space. :) About the Show: 88 Strong Location: @ The Goodfoot, 2845 SE Stark, Portland, OR Date: September 27th- 5pm and goes until October 23rd Details: 88 artists that make 8 works and can choose from any of the 88 themes.  Every 8X8 painting is $50 and comes framed.  The show is a cash and carry show which means you pay and walk out with the painting that same night.   ...
This year I am lucky enough to participate in the annual 88 strong show curated by Mr Chris Haberman and Jason Brown.  I have been tucked away in my studio trying to get some new paintings done. It's even harder to get in the studio since I am a new mommy of a 2 month old but have been working away when she sleeps- and her long sleep happens to be around 8 pm to 1 am, but I am pretty darn proud that finished all the work on time.  Woohoo!    I decided to paint a couple of vintage radios.  I do have a soft spot for hunting for vintage treasures.  I am still trying to figure out how to bring a baby estate sale hunting because she doesn't fit into one of those baby back packs.... yet :)   About the Show: 88 Strong Location: @ The Goodfoot, 2845 SE Stark, Portland, OR Date: September 27th- 5pm and goes until October 23rd Details: 88 artists that make 8 works and can choose from any of the 88 themes.  Every 8X8 painting is $50 and comes framed.  The show is a cash...
Here are some peaks of my baby's book for my sweet little girl Eleanor.  I wanted to do something a little bit different and something made by me.  I picked up a scrapbook by Smash  and added a few of my own little illustrations and lots of pictures.  I can't wait to fill it up with brand new memories and of course new adventures....
I'm still here.. I have been a bit quiet on the blog front because I have been hard at work in the studio on a upcoming art show and between that and an infant I haven't been able to get much sleep.  Thank goodness for naps!  I can't wait to show you what I have been working on and need to catch up on emails and everything in between.   ...
I just love picking up books from the library. When I was a little I would get so excited to go to the library.  The library was always a special place for me because I was able to pick out as many books as I wanted and I got my very own card!  I remember tucking my library card in my little purse- and it made me feel extremely grown-up.   I really found my love for books and reading at the library and I can't wait till I  can take my daughter to the library and make her first library memory. This book, Imagine- How Creativity Works really caught my attention because it's a book on the study of creativity.  It goes in depth about how one comes up with those big ideas or how one gets that creative spark.  Such a good read- and always so interesting to see the analyzation of creativity! What are you reading this summer? :)   ...
(Personalized Block- Tree by Kerri Lee ) I really wanted to do something a little untraditional for a baby's room and I wanted something that would stimulate baby's brain and also something soothing. I also thought about what kind of room she could grow into.  Since I am born and raised in tree filled- Portland, Oregon- I wanted to tie in a little bit of Oregonian culture.  We picked the theme forrest- because we love of the beautiful trees here and of course the woodland animals!  The color we chose was a soft aqua. I fell in love with these decals from Land of Nod.   My mom gave me this beautiful quilt and I think it's going to be something she will have forever! We used a cloth shower curtain for the curtain and love the happy little trees. Mobile made by me :) I hope she likes it - right now she can only see about 12 inches from her face and just started discovering her hands and likes to bat my husband in the nose....