Etsy shop up and running!

Finally,

my Etsy shop is up and running...

been empty for way too long,

but it is ready for perusing and hopefully 

will bring a smile to your face.

I decided to concentrate on iPad sketches this time.

So you will find

a bell jar series in the works...

as well as iPad remakes of some of my favorite sold mixed media pieces,

and a soon-to-be section of spiritual quotes.

So

just click here or on my name at the right of the screen to see them all

as well as info all about me;

I do find that part so challenging.

Try narrowing down the core of who you are creatively - 

it is so difficult to be accurate, concise and open.

I think I did it -

would love some feedback!

 

Now it is time to make some more.

Next in the works is an art studio inside a bell jar...

it could happen ;)

My Muse has gone on Vacation

I posted this on Instagram a couple of days ago:

Sometimes I will do anything to not face the easel 

and that artistic panic when my muse has chosen not to visit for a few months.  

Hence this photo setup in the studio.  

Augh it has been way too long. 

OK I will now pick up a brush and attempt to paint something 

even if my muse has chosen to instead go on an around-the-world trip;  

since I couldn't join her 

I hope she brings me a miniature Eiffel Tower or maybe some macarons.

So after I wrote this I dragged myself into the studio and actually did something.

First I started playing around with my iPad and worked on these two pieces.

Neither is done but at least they are a start...

just one mark after the other will eventually make a piece of art right?

I am hoping to get lots of prints for sale in my Etsy shop soon 

which alas is very empty at present.

I would love some feedback.

Any suggestions or comments

on the idea of the above two pieces?

Then I managed to draw and get a painting started.

I still seem to be in a whimsical girl and animal phase.

Just can't fight it so I guess I will follow along...

Phew maybe my muse only went on a short vacation.

I should really welcome her back with an espresso and cookies.

At the gallery Funnel Cawkins sold which is very bittersweet for me.

He is made with my grandmother's thread, mom's buttons and funnel.

 I really got attached to him so parting is such sweet sorrow.

How do other artists let go when their favorite pieces grow up and leave home?

I haven't perfected this yet ;)

Family Reunion

 "Well, well," he exclaimed.  

"What's this?  A family reunion or something!"

I still love finding words that are no longer needed and giving them a second life.
For some reason it just makes me chuckle.

for sale here

Benny and Jet

The label says,
I kept a close rein on Benny,
for I knew that just the lightest encouragement
would spark him into a burst of speed.

I wish I could fly on the back of a crow,

up above the trees,

through some wispy clouds,

and feel the warmth of the sun on my back...

just once.

A Great Day

My newest piece...

 Makes me laugh which is a good thing

as I made it for a show on 'humor".

 Even the fish doesn't seem to mind too much.

 A bear learning to fish 'the human way'

and doing some plein-air painting too -

it could happen...

at least in my mind.

Hope you try something new this weekend!

Home sweet Home

 My newest pieces at the gallery return to a world where everyone gets along

and even fish can coexist happily.

Here is the grouping.

I do seem to be in a humorous mode 

which is a good thing.

and I have a website!

Check it out 

here.

life is good

Today is Nick's 25th birthday.  

He got this painting from me 

as he has been asking for a cloud painting for a very long time.

I finally got my act together and painted one.

 And he got this "happy Birthday" hello from Matteo this morning.

 The art studio is filled with new paintings waiting for some attention.

 A huge wip crow and friend.

I would so love to have a huge cuddly crow as a pet.

Working on this one for a crow exhibit.

This wip piece is a sample for a high school art class I will be teaching 

at artEAST

the week of July 14.  

Stay tuned for more info.

This huge floral painting will be an example for a class I will be teaching March 22 at artEAST.

Check out their website here for all of the info.

I would love to have you join me.

There are about 15 new paintings sitting around the studio waiting for some tlc,

and a corgi also demanding some "fetch" time.

The sun is out,

I am a grandmother,

my youngest is old - ha,

and winter has actually been quite beautiful.

today

I took these four to the gallery and Mr. Crow went home with a fellow crow lover

and never made it up on the wall.

The rest are waiting to be adopted at artEAST.

The Friendly Skies

The Bird said...

And I taught a class on iPad gift making for the holiday season.

Pull out your iPad and get sketching...

It's that time of year!

good day

Just finished my new friend here 

and he wishes you a great day!

Selfie

What's new at artEAST?

Time for a change.

With the weather changing I tend to switch gears too.

I get out the texture and molding goo and tend to build layers,

just like my wardrobe.  

Layers rule the day.

Just finished and delivered these two.

 Black Button Bouquet

$130 

at UPFront Art Gallery.

(shipping available :)

Stone Gardens

$240 

at UPFront Art Gallery

Stone Gardens comes with this tag attached.

My imagination can really go to some odd places.

But seriously I do so wish this company existed.

Then just maybe my mind would get a rest.

And time to say goodbye to these two friends

who I enjoyed birthing.

So hard to say farewell to those I love,

even if they are only flat beings on canvas.

Hope they go to a good home and make someone smile.

Such a weird part of being an artist...

I must learn to release :)

but I miss them.

Illumination opening

Remember this one?

That would be my girl and bear in the very middle of the poster.

Well the opening is this Friday

so stop by if you live anywhere in western Washington.

Should be a fun time!

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I -- 

I took the one less traveled by, 

And that has made all the difference.

Robert Frost

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

Psalm 119:105

First day of School

So odd to be missing the first day of school...  

I have spent the last 10 years being there and getting to know those cuties.  

But not this year ;(

This year I will teach 3 after school art classes at two schools and start teaching adults too.

A mixture of yippee and sadness at the same time -

Aren't most moving on times that way? 

For now here is the bulletin board that will greet the kids today.

I had help from my summer camp kids who loved to color and made the flowers.

Funnel Caw'kins

Meet Funnel Caw'kins.

He was born yesterday,

but labor took a week...

and was rather difficult.

He was made in class-

Paper Mache Beasts at artEAST.

First he was wired and stuffed.

Then he need to dry,

 and a word was needed for his perch -

so he searched and found the perfect word -

curiosity. 

And then he dried some more

while trying out a new nest.

And some more drying time...

Have you noticed a continuous theme here?

At least now he has wings too.

And a cute little hat.

His top coat is made with torn painted paper.

Buttons were my mom's as were the thread spools.

Eyes are painted coffee beans.

Cardboard tube was retrieved from recycle.

Now how do I keep my cat from the tangling threads in motion

and all the sparklies?

After all he is part crow...