Happy Birthday Card

I made this dachshund print into a birthday card for the shop. I'm happy with how it came out! I'm just bopping along and making things I enjoy...and I'm learning that's what it's all about.

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Abstract Watercolor Painting

I wanted to show you my new work! These are abstract watercolor paintings. And I have one for sale in my shop! It is a small 5 x 7 size which means it takes up little space and is more affordable than larger original pieces. Yay!


I'm definitely going to do more in this style.
The Jackrabbit painting is one of a kind, so snag it if you like it! :)



The bear one is one I'm going to keep for now. Unless someone really likes it; let me know! I can be swayed to sell him too. heee!

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Art style and aesthetic

So! I'm still working on exploring my style and what it is I enjoy making. The other day I looked at this painting I did a few years ago...it's hanging on my dining room wall...and I thought about how much I enjoyed making it. It's an abstract landscape painting done in oil with a palette knife. I referenced a photo I had taken in Italy...I think it was in the town of Fiesole.

I remember when I started painting in oils; I was 11 years old and obsessed with watching Bob Ross paint on PBS. Do you remember him? I loved his voice and he was so gentle and forgiving. He made the whole process seem so attainable. And it was! I enjoyed making magic happen on the canvas but never fully seriously thought I could make a living as an artist. I figured too many people did art and much better than I did! But now, I know better. I know there is room for all of us. We all have something to offer in our own unique way.

I'm wondering about making more paintings like this referencing my own photos I've taken of landscapes from all my travels. It was so fun to paint! Do YOU struggle with deciding the things YOU like to spend time on?
I have a lot of thinking to do! Any advice or thoughts?

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Dachshund Art Print

I did a new painting! I'm so excited about it...it's in my favorite color scheme and Maren the Wonder Dog is in her first artwork. I wanted to create something in the aesthetic and "style" I'm going for. It has that sort of retro/vintage happy/colorful vibe that I like. I decided to offer it as a print for sale in the shop as 8 x 10 and 5 x 7 sizes. I hope you like it too!

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Stay at Home Mom Style and a story

It's been a while since I've done one of these! Winter was blah and to be honest, I wore my pajamas almost every day. I just couldn't get out of my own way! Now that the better weather is here, I'm going to try and make a better effort again! Play along with us all here.
Here I am in my casual outfit for running around all day after a 16 month old toddler. Nothing earth shattering, but it's a new shirt from Anthropologie that I love...it's loose, comfy and hides my tummy pouch. Score! See how I'm casually holding a rusty watering can? I wanted to look rustic for you. (p.s. I don't garden...hence the rust on the aforementioned watering can).

And now that my latest Mom outfit has been displayed, I must tell you this: Waking up at 3:00 in the morning to see your little child standing silently and staring at you from 5 feet away is terrifying. I startled awake from a deep sleep and saw this figure in the curtain. It was a solid mass; and was just staring at me. "Paigie?" I whispered. No answer. "Paige!" I whispered more purposefully this time. Still no answer. Then I shut my eyes and thought to myself: "What if the ghost from that haunted restaurant we ate at earlier attached itself to me and followed me home??!!!!" Don't make fun of me; I was still foggy from sleep! I've seen a lot of Ghost Hunters and Haunted Collector episodes in my day. (perhaps not a good idea?)

Anyway, I ended up reaching out and Paige finally moved toward me and mumbled something about not being able to find one of her 10 billion lovies in her bed. Phew! Relieved it wasn't a ghost, I got out of bed and helped her locate the missing lovie (it was right next to her pillow all along, dammit!).
I've had friends tell me similar stories in the past and I always wondered why it would be so scary to have your child wake you up at night. Now I get it. I just need to remember that here, 3 am is not "dead time" but "missing lovie pain in the arse time."

And for no real reason, here is a quick sketch I did in my book the other day:
a little sloth!

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Journey toward my artistic style and aesthetic

Like I said the other day, I'm trying to figure out my artistic aesthetic and style. I recently went on a shopping trip and realized a lot of the clothes I bought (thanks for my Mother's Day gifts Chris!) seem to have a similar style. That can't be coincidence! So, I went around my bedroom and took a few pictures with my iphone of a few of my favorite new clothes, little color combos I like, and objects I love. I'll have to do this around the rest of the house! I can definitely see a theme standing out. Yay! Here are some of the photos so you can see what I mean. Thanks for joining me and humoring me!





 

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Lovely Spring

I'm just loving the great weather we've been having. I'm enjoying it while we can; before it gets too hot out!
How have you been? I'm good. Taking care of the kiddos and working on my shop in between. Things tend to be hectic lately... I guess I'm not very good at having balance so I need to work on that.
In the midst of all my shop stuff I'm trying to work on pinpointing exactly what it is I want to be making (I'm a bit all over the place) and what exactly my art style/aesthetic is (I'm a bit all over the place with that too.) So, I'm doing a lot of sketchbook work and list-making. I'll get there!
What are you up to?

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A short walk

My almost daily walk to our little village post office takes only about 2 minutes. But it's packed to the brim with the most beautiful sights and sounds. Trees everywhere bursting with blooms, birds of all kinds singing their songs, the soft breeze blowing through the grass. I love this time of year. It's so wonderful to stop and enjoy the blessings around us. Shipping orders to my awesome customers COULD be a chore; but isn't thanks to the loveliness along the way!

My faithful post office travel sidekick:


My neighbor's wonderful tree:








Another neighbor's awesome tree:


The historic farmhouse at the end of my road:


One of the flowers in front of the post office:


The great tree in front of the post office:


The view at the desk while my parcels are weighed:


I hope you enjoyed our virtual journey to the village post!

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Paige Turns 4

Dear Little P,

You turned 4 last weekend! Happy Birthday!  I can't believe how fast the time has gone; it feels like you JUST turned 3! We had a super-fun party for you again, like last year, at Jam Time. You invited a few friends from school and we had lots of friends and family come by. Watching you laugh and smile and run with such vigor with your buddies was a huge gift for us. My heart was melting all day long.





Here's your "new" stuffed alligator that used to be Grammie's when SHE was a kid! 


Paige, you have turned into such a spirited and sprightly little lady this year. When you were a baby, I always wondered what you would be like. I was so curious about your personality and what your quirks might be. Here are some things about you:
• you love to make up your own songs and change the words to existing songs
• you make clever jokes and laugh after you tell them


• you still love to be held (yay!)
• you fall out of your chair a lot
• you love to make yourself fake-laugh and then sigh after...all to make your Mama laugh.
• you can't say your "th" sound, so you replace it with "f" and "v" and "d"...for example, you like to say "I was free" instead of "three." or "let's play togever!" instead of "together" or "it's over dere" instead of "there." It's cute. The speech person at school says it's age appropriate and not to worry! :)
• You like to blow bubbles in your milk and sing "I love bubbles!!!" as loud as you can.
• You sleep with, like, a hundred stuffed animals and objects in your bed.
• You like to announce your feelings when you're sad or mad. You'll say "I'm feeling a little bit sad right now, I need you to hold me" or you'll say "Mama, I'm feeling very upset right now. I'm getting a little bit mad!" (usually it's after I don't let you watch a show or make you eat more supper.)
• you've started to "read" to us at bedtime.  Either Daddy or me will read you one book, and then you'll "read" us another book. You love books and it's fun to watch you tell us your own versions of the stories.
• you've started playing with your brother and it's so sweet to listen to you two giggle. You love to hug him and say "Noah's such a cutie-dootie!" You are so sweet when you include him in your imaginary games. He looks up to you and adores you so much. Lately you've been playing "campout" with your play tent and you include Noah in on it.

Here is your "blue dinosaur" costume you made up from our cooking mitts and a playsilk. LOL






• you are a social butterfly. You love kids and love to go right up to any kid and talk to them. You expect everyone to play with you and I love that. Life is fun, and I love that you think so too.
• You are very polite and so attentive when we're out and about. You are sweet and well-mannered. (at home, you let loose a lot more, lol)

Paige, you teach me something new every day.
I know we have our hard times when we fight (you ARE four now, after all). I'm learning about patience the same way you are. You taught me that taking at least five deep breaths is a great way to calm my body when I'm feeling mad. (you learned it at school) Thank you! It really works like a charm and it keeps me from feeling too mad and prevents me from yelling. I understand that now you're learning about becoming your own person and it's my job to be tough and teach you the right way. Now we both have the secret to staying calm!

Asleep on the school bus, I have to carry you into the house most days. Preschool is tiring!


I'm so proud of you my sweetie. You are growing up so fast; I wish I could slow you down. I do, however, enjoy watching you light up as you make your discoveries and find out the joys of life. It's the joy in MY life.
I love you so much and I'll love you no matter what from now until forever. Remember that.
I love you always,
Mama

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