It's all coming together

Christmas is coming! Along with all the shopping and preparations (and eating sugar cookies like they are being discontinued) I've been on a roll with creating more work. I need to also do a post soon for Noah...his 22 and 23 months have happened and he'll be 2 next month! (waaaaaaahhhh!). I'm overwhelmed by this and feel like if I don't write the post then he'll stay little. No more babies. Paige is already talking about her fifth birthday coming in April and I'm clinging to Noah's last bits of baby stage like water in the desert. I'm trying to make lots of little movie clips of his mannerisms so I can have them to remember and reflect on. I'm trying not to get melancholy about his growing; but some days are harder than others. *sigh* I'm working to soak in every special moment, hug, snuggle, sloppy kiss and giggle. It's the marrow of life, right?

On to the work!
Speaking of babies; here is a card for the baby-just-born:

I tried to make this baby look gender neutral using colors that aren't too specific. I used gouache as the paint, colored pencil and collaged the imagery together. Fun!

Here's an encouragement card for someone going through a rough patch of some kind:



I think it's nice to give these kinds of cards because they are usually a nice surprise and it's always nice to know someone is thinking of you and remembering you during a hard time when you tend to feel most alone. These are the kinds of gestures that can really make a difference for someone else. The sloth is pretty silly; and I thought it brings a lighthearted smile to someone who needs one.

This next piece is a redone version of my Hunter Boots print. I wasn't satisfied with the old one, so I've revisited the concept with my new style and I feel better about it.

This was created using gouache, pencil, and collaged lace.

I redid my popular canary on a camera print in my new style as well (I'm offering both a 5x7 and an 8x10 size). I used gouache, colored pencil and collage for this one as well.


I'm enjoying my time in the studio and figuring out how to best balance being a mother and an artist. Every day is something different but I'm learning many lessons. The morning light is an especially peaceful moment where I look around and see beauty even in my dirty paint water.



Snag the new work in my shop if you want!

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More cards, hooray!

I've got more cards out! Oh boy! Here's one to get if you know of anyone who's got a baby on the way (adopting or pregnant): Oh Mr. Stork; I hope there's a car seat in there! And then I created this whimsical little hand-lettered card a bride-to-be gives a friend to ask if she'll be a bridesmaid in the wedding. I guess people do that now? I love traditions that might involve cards. More fun for me! You can snag these over at my shop; thanks for considering them!

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Winter in New England painting and card

I finished my wintery New England painting I'd started 2 weeks ago! It took forever...there were many days I couldn't work on it thanks to mommy-duties and other days I had a scant few minutes here or there. I've never taken on this level of detail before. It was more therapeutic than I thought it would be.

I also made it into a "Warmest Wishes" card too.



There is a nostalgia (for ME anyway!) that lies deep within when it comes to the end of a snowy day as a child. You spend so much time out in the snow making snow angels and snowmen. You get all cold, breathless and rosy-cheeked before you scurry in for hot chocolate. And sometimes it starts to snow again as the evening starts to ascend. You see the leftovers of the day...the wet boots, the puddles on the floor, the mess of mittens and hats...and you can't wait to do it all again tomorrow.

 

There's something about that moment, though, when the day is over that feels quiet and a little lonely when you look out the window at the peaceful landscape. All the wildlife is gone to bed.

I also wanted the setting to be an antique New England farmhouse...rustic, sparse, lots of beautiful land to gaze upon, simple and cozy. This is all why I love living here and want I want for my family.

The print and card are available in my shop. I hope you like it!

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