My neighbor's house being attacked by a hydrangea. :) The art (the best part) is part of my making art everyday project and this is day 181. To read more about this awesome project click  here ....
There's always coffee. How's your Monday going? The art (the best part) is part of my making art everyday project and this is day 180. To read more about this awesome project click  here ....
A sweet little chickadee. I needed something sweet for my day. Nora is almost three and the other moms have warned me about the infamous "three-anger" phase. Her words are growing and growing, but so have her tantrums. She is learning to understand the world, but wow the tantrums are tough. Her biggest tantrums are about understanding that sometimes other children do not want to share and not taking things that aren't hers.   I love the fact that she is persistent and I do not want to ever discourage that, but it's hard teaching her the line.  She has a really tough time letting things go or even trying to distract her. She has laser beam focus! :) I know it will get easier. Parenting is hard.  The art (the best part) is part of my making art everyday project and this is day 179. To read more about this awesome project click  here ....
I have been pretty quiet on the blogging front. I have been making art everyday, but it has been really hard. We are getting ready to embark on a new journey of selling our house and finding a new one.  I worked in real estate finance for a really long time before I quit my job to pursue art. I saw just about everything, the worst of the worst.  I saw everything go wrong and very rarely I saw everything go completely smoothly. I have been waiting for something to go wrong. When a small thing doesn't go right. I have this over whelming  feeling, that everything is going wrong. I'm really excited to get a new home, but I am terrified. The process freaks me out because I know it inside and out.  I had to pack up my studio this week and all that is life is a table and a few boxes. I miss my own art space. I will continue to make art everyday, but maybe something awesome will come through my work. I guess I will have to see what happens. The art (the best part) is part of...
It's Friday! Anyone else really excited for the weekend? The art (the best part) is part of my making art everyday project and this is day 174. To read more about this awesome project click  here ....
when you have a day that everything goes wrong. you paint yourself some flowers. The art (the best part) is part of my making art everyday project and this is day 176. To read more about this awesome project click  here ....
Portrait Practice. The art (the best part) is part of my making art everyday project and this is day 175. To read more about this awesome project click  here ....
Afternoon tea today. jam cake (crumb cake with jam in the center) and berries. Art has been really hard to manage over the last few weeks. I know when I actually am able to sit and dedicate time to my practice, it is worth it.  Making anything today? The art (the best part) is part of my making art everyday project and this is day 174. To read more about this awesome project click  here ....
Royal Hotel from 1905- the only thing other than the building itself that remains of the hotel is the sign. Makes me wonder what it was like in Portland over 100 years ago. This hotel is in the industrial part of SE, Portland and it was at one time my favorite parts of Portland to paint. It's a place that's almost forgotten by the city.  It has old buildings and lots of electric wires tangled and draped. It's the one place, that I think shows the layers of the city. How is your Monday going? The art (the best part) is part of my making art everyday project and this is day 173. To read more about this awesome project click  here ....
Old sink and radiator.  Happy Father's Day! The kiddos have been working extremely hard on lots of artwork in preparation for this day.  Having a little family of my own, really makes me appreciate my own parents and how special this day really is.  Even though my dad doesn't really understand the need for me be an artist. He is the hardest working person I know. He still has some of my old paintings in his office and displays them proudly.  Hope you are having a wonderful day.  The art (the best part) is part of my making art everyday project and this is day 169. To read more about this awesome project click  here ....
My Saturday is full of errands and chores, but at least I have art today. What are you up to? The art (the best part) is part of my making art everyday project and this is day 171. To read more about this awesome project click  here ....
Happy Friday! Flying Kites today. The art (the best part) is part of my making art everyday project and this is day 167. To read more about this awesome project click  here ....
vintage gum ball machine. Some days, like today I wish I had more time to devote to my work. Some days, I get that sudden rush of inspiration and all I want to do is lock myself up in my studio and paint. I would love to revisit this piece and take another pass.  The kiddos have been waking up extra early since it's summer, which has been giving me less time to dedicate to my work. The art (the best part) is part of my making art everyday project and this is day 166. To read more about this awesome project click  here ....
Meowzers. Poor neighbor's kitty got a terrible haircut to go with his terrible sweater. The art (the best part) is part of my making art everyday project and this is day 168. To read more about this awesome project click  here ....
That's my jam. It's berry picking in season in Oregon and I live pretty close to a few berry farms. So, we go berry picking a lot.  Nora has been getting the hang of it and eating more than picking, but that's the most fun. Nora loves to be in the kitchen with me and we have been making lots of jam so far this year. I can't believe she is almost 3 years old and pays very close attention to each step.  She wants to help as much as possible and do things all by herself.  Have you gone berry picking yet this year? The art (the best part) is part of my making art everyday project and this is day 167. To read more about this awesome project click  here ....
Father's Day is just right around the corner (this weekend!) and I know my husband looks for any excuse to a receive a present. Tim is extremely hard and terrible to shop for. He loves unique and extra special things and it has to be something he wouldn't think of himself. I am teaming up with UncommonGoods  today and I think I picked out the perfect Father's Day gift. UncommonGoods is headquartered in Brooklyn, New York and established in 1999. They proudly feature unique designs and handcrafted gifts that are environment friendly and with out the harm to animals or people. The majority of their products are made in the USA. yay! Since Father's Day is fast approaching the best place to find great Father's Day gifts here or something more personalized click here . Trust me, if you are out of ideas for your special guy this is the best place to shop. The very last day for shipping for father's day this weekend is this Thursday. So if you haven't foun...
"There are only two mistakes one can make along the road to truth; not going all the way, or not starting." - Buddha The art (the best part) is part of my making art everyday project and this is day 163. To read more about this awesome project click  here ....
 a couple of mugs. Happy Sunday. I really appreciate all the little notes and emails I got yesterday for my really long vent on being a creative. Sometimes it's just so hard. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Have a wonderful Sunday, friends. The art (the best part) is part of my making art everyday project and this is day 165. To read more about this awesome project click  here ....
I am sorry that I am a creative person and I enjoy making things. It's not for everyone. I think why I love it so much is that is makes me feel like a special unique person and it's something I have to do. It's something, that I can lose myself with and I will never ever get bored. I don't need to justify what I make to you because you don't understand it. A lot of the time it is very hard for me to say that I am an artist because in my life I run into a lot of people that don't really understand what that means. They look at me with eyes of judgment and I can tell, they don't really understand. Outside of the art community, I don't really talk about my art. I know that with being any sort of creative, that I should wear my craft as a badge of honor, but it's hard. I think it's hard to wear the badge with pride and admiration because it is a difficult path.  Sometimes I think making art is the easy part but everyone once in a while I meet...
Teleport me to a beach, please. The art (the best part) is part of my making art everyday project and this is day 162. To read more about this awesome project click  here ....
I had a dream last night a flamingo was chasing me around my house. Not sure exactly what it means, but who doesn't love a flamingo? This week has been a really tough week to make art. Tim is out of town which means kiddo duty is all on my shoulders.  The kids have been waking up really early! and it seems like all I can think about is time versus making something. Sometimes I just need to focus on the sheer act of being creative and be in the moment instead of worrying about everything else. Are you making something today? The art (the best part) is part of my making art everyday project and this is day 161. To read more about this awesome project click  here ....
"All happiness begins with a leisurely breakfast." John Gunther. I used to hate breakfast when I was a kid and now it's my favorite meal of the day. It's the best to enjoy something scrumptious, before the day really starts. ... especially if there is a little piece of cake involved. The art (the best part) is part of my making art everyday project and this is day 157. To read more about this awesome project click  here ....
The cactus and the chair. A start of a new week and it is really hot and humid here. I think my kids have it dialed in when I go into my studio because one or both wake up. I already am waking up around 5 am to make art and am thinking about going earlier, just for the summer. What are you making today? The art (the best part) is part of my making art everyday project and this is day 159. To read more about this awesome project click  here ....
Ice Cream Truck. it is so hot today, nothing sounds better than a delicious ice-cream cone. The art (the best part) is part of my making art everyday project and this is day 155. To read more about this awesome project click  here . ...
Ack it's the weekend. No time for art. Quick morning sketch.  Before having kiddos, I don't even remember even what I did with all my time. Time has been on my mind a lot lately. In the mornings I get two (at the most) blissful of undisturbed time before everyone wakes up. I love it and it's the one time of day I am guaranteed to have to make art.  The art (the best part) is part of my making art everyday project and this is day 157. To read more about this awesome project click  here ....
Vintage Mark XII Imperial Camera Happy Friday! Summer has officially started here and it is going to be hot.  I'm looking forward to the weekend but Tim is leaving this weekend for a whole week. This is the first time I am going to be alone with 2 kids and 2 dogs. yikes! The art (the best part) is part of my making art everyday project and this is day 156. To read more about this awesome project click  here . ...
fish kiss- One of the biggest challenges for oil painting is learning and understanding drying time. Since water color and acrylic paint literally take minutes to dry. Oil paints can take days. The fun part about oil painting is creating the depth and the richness in color.Oil painting is probably one of the most versatile mediums and it's the essentially painting in layers. Here are a few inside tips to quicken drying time, especially if you are just learning the medium. I have tried countless of different ways in speeding up the drying time, including sticking a painting in a oven (not recommended) It was a long time ago but I don't think it really helped and I have read horror stories of paintings turning out brown.  1. Paint Alla Prima. Are we getting fancy, with the terminology? It basically means painting, wet on top of wet. Famous artists, that use this technique are Monet, Van Gogh and Bob Ross. The trick with this technique is painting in thinner layers and u...
It is no secret that I love a donut.   You can actually call me a donut connoisseur. When I was pregnant with Everett, I would wake up around 5 am. Then I would drive all around Portland and go to different donut shops. (not joking). So! I was able to sample a lot of different types and kinds of donuts. Pips - My personal favorite. The only good thing about this donut shop, is that it's far from my house because I would be in trouble. They fry donuts fresh to order. You can't really get better than that. Can you? My favorite is the seasalt and nutella. They are little bite size sugar coated donuts of heaven. They also have a great variety of delicious chai tea lattes. Alton Brown checked this place out last time he was in town. Love this place so much. Blue Star - the grown up donut. Delicious. My favorite is the basil bourbon.  There are 4 locations all over the city. so it's easy to grab one.  There donuts are the perfect coffee dunker (if your into that for a donut...
morning. It's really hard to focus on making art today.  I know it's part of the art job to do all of the administration and business things.  I want to hurry up, so I can just make art. 'm making art everyday in 2015! yay! To read more about this project  here ....
Goldfish in a snazzy sweater. I have to admit I love the quiet sounds of Monday. I love the routine and the scheduled naps of the kiddos.  and the best part I get the most work done. yay! I'm making art everyday in 2015! yay! To read more about this project  here ....