Gardening and such...

Tired of looking at the same post for a week? Sorry. Immediately after my work-a-ton week/ shop update, I decided it was time to stay away from my computer, and get outside and plant something. I had two assistants (ages 2 &4) along the way. They carried dirt, dug holes, and hosed me down a few times, just to keep it fun. After 2 trips to the flower nursery, 20 big bags of mulch, and a few runs to the compost yard we are finished. I'm excited about my veggie garden this year. Just lettuces, tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers and herbs. It's supposed to encourage me to eat more salad. Will see if it works! :)

New Buttons for the Update Today!

The postman brought these to the door yesterday! New pin back buttons for the shop update today...Each button measures 1.25" across, and features an image from one of my original paintings. Perfectly sweet pinned to your tee! Also, I started adding the new 8x10's to the
shop last night. There are limited quantities of the 9x12's left, so if you want the larger size, grab them before they're gone!

Thanks to Liz over at CoolMomPicks for this sweet little post featuring my Woodland Series. I love that she says my work is a bit "alice in wonderland". (My all time favorite movie.) If you've followed my work since the beginning, you'll know I'm sweet on Alice, and have incorporated her into many a painting! Perhaps it's time she makes another appearance...

paintings and printers

"Boy Meets Girl" 8x10 on 140lb. coldpress paper

It's a painting of a boy! It's been 4 years of painting girls, and this is only the 2nd boy to come on the scene. I think he looks so sweet sitting by the stream with his dog, catching the first glimpse of a little girl who wants to befriend him. The pair will be in the shop update on Tuesday.

We had a wonderful weekend! Great weather for gardening... we finished our diy deck revamp, and I even did a wee bit of shopping. I didn't come home with much, but that isn't the point. (It's just nice to get out sans kiddies, and be a grown up.) I'm perfectly happy with my new flip flops and stack of magazines. I'm just not the consumer I used to be. (Thanks goodness!)I think much of this is due to our tiny house. I really have to prioritize everything I bring home, there's really only room for needs, not wants. Speaking of need/want...I think I may be taking the plunge and buying a printer for my business. I still have to figure out where I'm going to put it, as they are quite large. I'm just really sick of driving to the printers, waiting in line, wondering if they'll have my favorite paper in stock...Does anyone have a recommendation for a great printer? I've been advised to buy the Epson Stylus R1900. The specs look great, but if anyone has a printer they love using, I'd love to hear about it. Also, after I run through my current stock of prints, I will be switching to 8x10's instead of 9x12's. I think it will make framing much easier. You can easily pick up a 11x14 frame and a 8x10 white linen mat anywhere...so I think it's a good change.

Well, I'm off to start my day...I hope to complete another doll or two by tomorrow...

buzz....buzz....

"Lola" 3 1/2 inch Kokeshi Doll
Meet Lola the Busy Bee! She'd love to hang out and chat a bit, but it's springtime and she has work to do! She'll fly into the etsy shop on Tuesday!

hard at work...

"The Gardener" 8x10 on 140lb. coldpress paper

So yesterday I tried to work while the kids were home. I normally only work while they are away at Grandma's, napping, or in their beds for the night. However, I really want to have a variety of goodies for the update on Tuesday. So I let them entertain theirselves for a bit, and as you can see above, things got a bit strange. My four year old did take that picture of me though, not bad huh? I also finished a little kokeshi doll...stay tuned, she'll buzzzzzz onto the blog later today...

shop update...

"You are My Sunshine" 8x10 on 140lb. coldpress paper

Shop update coming next Tuesday, April 29th, at 2 P.M.

I hope to have several original paintings, kokeshi dolls, a new print, and perhaps a surprise or two. Stay tuned for more sneak peaks...

For all the artistic folk stopping by, head over to Poppytalk to drool over Jan's posts featuring artists' studio spaces. I'm have no formal studio so I'm wondering...do you think you get more work done if your studio is in house or seperate from your home? I have kids, love to cook, garden...and I like having a flexible schedule, so I've always figured I will eventually have an in-home studio space. But...when I do have a chance to work here at home, I find it difficult to focus if I know the beds need made and the dishes need washing. I'd love feedback from those of you in either situation. Tell me all about your space and how you use it!

For now, back to work on a little doll! Another cup of espresso, and perhaps I'll finish her tonight...

all in a days work...

"April Showers" 8x10
"Branching Out" 6x7
"Honey" 6x7

Here are the 3 pieces I've finished this week. They'll all be in the next shop update. My plans for the day included painting this afternoon, but I've spent most of my time fighting a borrowed sewing machine. I'm trying to sew 8 simple 7x7 square pockets, which we can fill with corn, to use as tossing bags for the backyard game Cornhole. My husband built the wooden structures, via instructions from the American Cornhole Association. (Can you believe there is such a thing?) Anyhow- 13$ worth of fabric, 3 hours, and one band-aid later, they're done! And then, he points out we could've bought them online for a mere $20. Did he really have to tell me that at this point? Argh....hopefully I can settle down tonight and get some art in!

bits and pieces of Friday...

A few things on the table for today. First off, finishing what I started yesterday. "April Showers" and "Honey". Also I have a stack of vintage frames I need to clean up and enamel. I'm thinking I'll frame some of the smaller pieces for my next shop update. I like the idea of selling them framed, that way they are ready to be hung as soon as you open them. Instant gratification. Then again, I don't want to someone to pass on the painting because they don't care for the frame. What do you think? Then it's on to emails, sourcing paper, more sketching, and perhaps a wee break , somewhere in there, for a bit of chocolate. ( The girls are with Grandma today, so it wouldn't be a complete day of do-whatever-I-want indulgence without some chocolate!) Finally, the lovely folks at Indiefixx wrote a sweet little post about my art, which is really making my day rock! Thank you very very much Jen, for the heads up. Happy Friday :)