Back in the Saddle Again

Hello!
Boy, my head has been spinning since last summer when we decided to move. I feel like the tornado of activity has finally slowed to a stiff breeze! I've spent a lot of the past several months caring for the kiddos (and many many small illnesses they've had), working on developing my art career, and trying to balance everything I want to do. Truthfully, I haven't done a very great job but I have to give myself kudos for 1. trying my best and 2. caring a lot about everything I do.




My goals for the kids have been to 1. keep them alive 2. help them thrive







It sounds funny to write it out like that; but those are the umbrella goals and so far, so good. I spend a lot of time with them and have been working to pay attention to what they each love to do as well as figure out where they might need extra help in terms of skills or emotional/spiritual development. I then work on a little plan to help them along (without them knowing!) so I feel like I'm mothering with deliberate purpose.  I'll have to share more about it here in this space now that I'm "back in the blogging saddle"  so to speak.



My goal for my career has been to 1. develop my work and explore my interests and my style
2. Develop a brand so that I have cohesive marketing efforts 3. expand my audience 4. sell more work.
It's slow going with this one, but it IS improving! I've shared my new work here and I think it is all coming together quite nicely. I've also been working on getting myself out there in social media. I love using Instagram (you can follow me! @meandwee) and I find it's a fun and easy way to collect inspiration, fun moments with the family, and share my works in progress. I also joined Twitter (you can follow me! @meandwee) but I'm having a harder time with that one. I'm just so visual that I have a hard time staying engaged with it. I mostly just share my instagram posts there. I think I just need more practice. This newfangled technology these days!!!! LOL!
I've also become pretty active on the Me and Wee facebook fan page...it's a mini blog and it's easy to share my works-in-progress and little tidbits about what I'm doing in real time.
With all that said, I'm working on making new friends and contacts in the online world. It's not easy for someone like me who tends toward shyness...but at least I have my quirky sense of humor on my side!



I've also been working a lot on my branding lately and my brother-in-law's talented wife Denise Carty came by and took business portraits of me and my workspace (she's a wonderful photographer! She does amazing newborn photography...word to the wise if you are anywhere near the South Shore of Boston). I'm thrilled with how the images came out and I plan to show you most of them this week.
My shop sales have improved slightly with the extra efforts I've put in. I'll take it! I hope to one day make a decent income from my art so that I can help support the family in a financial way and even give more abundantly to charities we care about.

So, those are some of the things I've been focusing all of my energy on lately. Have you been working on any major life things? You can share in the comments if you want! I like to hear that I'm not the only one chugging away at something. Does anyone even read this thing anymore? I swear I'm going to be posting with more regularity going forward! I just needed to get through the crapstorm that was moving and getting settled. See you soon!

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Rustic, edgy, unique art

This is the 8x10 version

The newest art print I have for sale in my Me & Wee etsy shop is quite sentimental to me. I took quite a long time to plan the composition and colors for this painting and I'm pleased with how it turned out.

This is a contemporary mixed-media collage blending my personal love for New England, nature, and nostalgia. (It's specifically gouache paint and pencil) I love studying family history and I often wonder what my own family members were like back in the days gone by. This particular piece is based upon a family "camp" my great-grandfather built at Togus Pond in Augusta, Maine. Generations have gone there to enjoy the cool waters and fun times with their families. The girl in the picture is what I imagine my grandmother to have looked like at age 15 in 1932 at the place I learned to swim as a child and enjoyed many happy times. What was she thinking about? What did she most enjoy? What were her dreams? What was she like as a friend?
My family and I were at this location when she passed away; I was five years old. Perhaps the image is my way of paying tribute to a woman I didn't get to know well enough...my way of inserting myself into her history. It's a curiosity I can't help but explore in my artwork these days.

All that aside, this is a piece of art that just looks darn cool filling a little blank nook in your family room, office, kitchen, hallway, or in a child's nursery making a rustic-chic statement.


This is the 5x7 version

You may inquire about an 11x14 version at megan (at) meandwee.com

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New Artwork on Me & Wee

I have a pile of new goodies for sale in my shop. I'm on a roll, people! (*fist pump*)


Owl decor...I love this for the rustic-chic look. Great for an owl/woodland nursery theme too!

Deer decor...good for that same rustic-chic look. And another winner for a woodland/forest themed nursery!

My brother said this to his girlfriend on Facebook on her birthday once. I then asked to make a painting for her using the phrase and got permission from him to use it in my shop.

This was my attempt at a Valentine's Day card that a man might want to get. Right?


If you're so inclined, you can find me in all these places. Let's hang out!
FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/meandwee
INSTAGRAM: @meandwee
TWITTER: @meandwee
BLOG: http://www.meandwee.com
PINTEREST: http://www.pinterest.com/megancreates/
 
Artwork copyright Megan Cassidy Carty of Me & Wee, 2014.

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Noah turned 2

Dear Little N.,

On January 14th you turned 2! I tried to hide from it; but you can't fight time, can you? After a weekend celebrating with family, we celebrated your actual special day with just us...your Mom, Dad, sister Paige and little Maren the Wonder Dog.




You sure figured out the whole "present-opening" thing! You went from one thing to the next yelling "Open pwease!" Once you opened each gift you would desperately want us to take the item out of its packaging. Let's just say Daddy was pretty tired after all was said and done.


Your sister even got involved; helping you when she could and playing with your new toys much to your chagrin.






 I must admit, they ARE cool toys. Even I got to play with most of them. Your favorites seemed to be the Eeboo stacking block tower set and the Black and Decker workbench/tool set.







After you opened your gifts we enjoyed some birthday cupcakes where you had a good time blowing out your own candles.










It was such a precious day. My heart was swelled so full of love for you as I watched you scuttle around to all your new toys and shriek with excitement. I can't believe you are already two.
Little man, you are my sidekick, my buddy, my pal, and my little sweetie-pie. I'll never tire of your cuddles and hugs. Even if I get exsasperated every time you yell "Mummy!" 100 times in a quick row I will never tire of hearing it. I appreciate you. I love you. I think you are the cat's meow.
Love Always,
Mama

P.S. Speaking of "the cat's meow," whenever we ask you the sound any animal makes you say "Me-ooooowww?"  and then you laugh hysterically. Such a sense of humor you have. sigh

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Noah 22 and 23 months

Dear Noah,
In a few days you are turning 2. TWO! My little cuddly, squishy bear.



Sometime in the last two months you began to talk (little barely discernible words and phrases) and started to really discover your own little way in the world. You have started running around the house, making whirling messes and mainly keep me on my toes every waking minute. You are fun, funny, sweet, happy, silly, impish, and smart. You are also stubborn, loud, insistent, and steadfast. ha!











On of my favorite times is when you actually cuddle into me to fall asleep for nap time (a rare thing!). It's so peaceful and I love to feel the weight of you against me. I listen to your slow even breathing and smell your apple-scented hair. It's one of the few moments in the day where we are quietly together and you give in. Another favorite of mine is when I'm singing a song you like and you try to join in; singing the last word of every phrase (or at least mimicking the sound of that word). You like the ABCs, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star (same tune), Wheels on the Bus, and Paige's made-up Bubble song (Bubbles Bubbles fun to share, Bubbles Bubbles Everywhere!). Also, nothing beats making you laugh. You have the best laugh. I think everyone around agrees. You like to be chased, tickled, tackled and squeezed. Not a bad gig!










Time with you is so wonderful; everything is so new and exciting for you that it's fun to watch and be a part of. Let me be selfish in saying that you really love hanging out with your Mom. And I'm making sure to soak it in while I can!! Just be easy on me, ok?

I wish I could make time stand still so that you never have to turn 2 and keep growing up and away. But I have faith in you and your love and your need for me. I have faith in my love for you and the joy of watching you thrive. I remember you every moment of every day. One day when you are a big strong man I hope you will remember me with even a fraction of the love I have for you. Then I can know I did this Mom thing right.

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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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Newest Work

Wow, I've been a busy lady lately. Kiddos, painting and unpacking, Oh my!
I'm popping by quickly to show you my two latest shop additions!

The first is the You Are My Sunshine art print (perfect for a nursery!)
You can get it in an 8 x 10 size or an 11 x 14 size.



The other is an "I Miss Ewe" greeting card. Punny! A great card for a sheep lover; obviously.


Both are available in my shop! I hope you like them!

I feel like I'm really starting to zero in on my artistic style and what I love to do most. Painting with Acryla Gouache has been such a joy. It's easy. It's quick. It's fun. I use a mix of regular gouache and acryla, depending on what I'm doing. I also feel like I'm discovering my intent as an artist; so I think I'll talk about that in my next post. Exciting things going on over here!!!

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New Work

 I finally got around to posting 2 of my latest works: a fun anniversary greeting card and a New England-y landscape painting. I did both paintings using gouache.
Both are available in my shop! I hope you like them as much as I enjoyed making them.
The landscape painting is of an antique house that was down the street from us where we used to live.
 It had a huge row of lilac bushes in front of it that were quite spectacular in the spring. I saw this view when I would walk by on my way to the post office.

I'm now entrenched in a new nursery-decor painting that is filled with detail and I'm so excited with how it's coming out so far. Hopefully I can show it soon!

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Lately

These two kiddos are getting along lately! They also fight more too. Ah, siblings.



Isn't it funny how Paige's headband falls around her forehead? She looks like 80's Jane Fonda.
She claims she "likes it this way." But her head is just too small. hee!!!



I am starting to move into my studio space in my house and it's coming along nicely. I have loads more boxes and books to unpack but I've put my painting desk in working order. Now, I'm finding time to paint by putting Noah in daycare 2 days per week. I have a few projects I'm working on and researching right now.



I just created this little gouache (pronouced "Gwash") painting of my neighbors' dog as a gift because they have been kind. Plus, this is the dog I called animal control on when it wouldn't leave my porch (when we first moved in). Oops! Turns out he is a little lovey and they don't have a leash-law here. He was friends with the former owners so I bet he was just looking for a treat! I'm learning all about country life here! The people are extra friendly and so are the animals!

I'm going to add other details to the painting, including his name. I really enjoyed making this; perhaps I will do some more pet portraits?

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21 months old

Dear Little N.,

You turned 21 months old the other day! Just like every other day I cannot stop wanting to squeeze your chubby little bear-cub body. I never tire of you holding my hand (squeezing my finger oh so tightly) or the way you bring me the toys you want to play with.





This month you have been discovering that you have your own opinions about things and now you make it known. Yes, you've started having tantrums. You don't like or want to share. You only like to do things YOU want to do and the way YOU want to do them. You prefer to live on your OWN schedule. I'm so sorry my sweet; but life just doesn't work that way. I'm sorry it makes you cry and stick your lip out. I'm sorry that you feel you have to yell about it and stomp your little feet. You'll get used to things pretty soon; but you sure are trying your Mama's patience!









Despite your newfound independent streak you are still my little fella and I love you no matter what. You are a ray of sunshine and each smile brings me relief, hope, and love. Keep smiling, ok?

 







You are a whirling force of curiosity, wonder, helpfulness, and affection. You are wonderful and I love you to infinity for always.
Love always,
Mama

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Leaf Peeping in Pepperell, Ma

After we dropped Paige off at preschool Noah and I took a drive around our new neighborhood and took photographs of the changing leaves. Well, I did. Noah zonked out in his carseat (too early of course!). I find the landscape to be so soothing here. So much detail and lovely places to explore! New England foliage can't be beat! Pepperell is filled with some of the best scenery I've found in one place. Here are some of my favorites, but you can see the whole set here.

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