New little painting

Limon

oil on linen

8 x 8.25

available for purchase at my etsy shop!

This little painting was a fun one. I think I'll do a larger version soon. I've been working on a couple landscapes lately that haven't been going so well... let's just say they're very purple. Not that there is anything wrong with purple, but they are very purple. I haven't even been able to look at them in a week. So I've been working on smaller paintings and painting the edges of older paintings, sketching, writing down ideas... anything to not work on these other dreaded paintings!! I know I can always start over, but there's just something in me that wants to be able to finish them! I'll keep you posted...

Back to Work

Zorinsky Lake

18 x 18

oil on canvas

Available for purchase at my etsy shop!

I had a wonderful Christmas full of snow and family and friends! I was able to complete my commissioned paintings with enough time to finish Christmas shopping and even do a little baking! I actually loved the Christmas snowstorm because it slowed us down a bit. It was so nice to be snowed in for Christmas eve and literally trudge through the snow to get to our parent's houses! The snow days throughout December also helped keep me home painting which was nice. Today it is still snowing so here is a water painting to remind us of warmer days! I love the snow, but I don't think I've ever painted it... I may have to do that one of these days! I'm hoping to finally get back into a routine of painting and blogging and posting on Etsy. I have a few commissions to work on, as well as the annual Art & Soup in February. I have lots of ideas! Thanks for checking out my blog! Stay warm out there!

New Collages on Etsy!

She Called to Him
4 x 6
Mixed Media on Paper

Available for purchase at my etsy shop!

I finally got a few of my new collages posted on etsy! They are a new project of mine that I am really excited about! I have more ready to post so stay tuned! I will have aceos (art trading cards), notecards and possibly some larger versions in the future. I am trying them on my current etsy shop for now... we will see how it goes. If they are successful, they may get their own shop.

Something New to Come

I am working on a new project that I am really excited about! You will soon find something new in my etsy shop! The image above is a sneak preview! It is so much fun and I hope you like it as much as I do!

September Landscape

September Landscape

5 x 7

oil on canvas

I know it's the first of October and I'm posting a painting with the title September, but it was September when it was painted! This spot is in Iowa, just outside of Glenwood where some of our friends live. It is a really pretty area with many paintable views.

If you would like to see my paintings in person, please stop by Olive Branch in Rockbrook Village on Saturday during the Apple Day Craft Show! We will be open 10 - 5. We would love to see you there!

Iowa Sunset

Iowa Sunset
9 x 12
oil on canvas

Available for purchase at my etsy shop!

I'll be honest, this painting was a difficult one for me. I had a completely different version of it yesterday. The clouds were more abstract and choppy before and it was distracting so I decided to make them a little more smooth. I still don't know what I think about it, but I couldn't work on it anymore. So, this is how it will stay.

Mike thought I should title this painting Nebraska Sunset As Seen From Iowa. I thought that was pretty funny, but I stuck with Iowa Sunset :)

Aspen Leaf

Aspen Leaf

12 x 20

oil on canvas

Available for purchase at my etsy shop!

Here is my latest painting... can you tell I'm inspired by the change of season? This was a fun one, it's a little washed out in the photograph though. I think the greys are more rich in person.

Must See Etsy Artists

photo from laughing squid's flickr page

Here are some of my favorite etsy artists!

Erin Spencer - beautiful landscape paintings
Irene Suchocki - really sweet photographs
Elizabeth Scott - delicate jewelry inspired by nature
Amy Hatch - pretty, vintage inspired jewelry

Each of these shops would make a special, one of a kind gift for someone you love!

Buy Handmade!!

Fisherman's Boat
5 x 7
oil on panel

Sold

As we all know, but don't really want to talk about it yet, the holidays are just around the corner! Christmas is a popular time for people to order paintings and I have a couple commissions lined up already. I usually request 4-6 weeks notice for a commissioned piece and for the holidays it nice to have around 8 weeks. We are only 13 weeks away... yikes!

I know the economy has hit everyone and extras like art are often the first things to be cut from the budget. I also know that art can be expensive, sometimes ridiculously expensive. I just wanted to encourage you this holiday season to fight the urge to shop at big box stores (I do it too... I'm not pointing fingers) and consider making more gifts, buying from local stores or buying handmade items from etsy shops or ebay! There is so much affordable art out there! Sometimes you might even find a beautiful original painting or drawing that is cheaper than a print from a big box store! There are amazing deals to be had out there right now and many artists trying to sell their work.

As an artist, it can be fun to talk about art and do the art, but when it comes to pricing and talking about money it's no longer as much fun! If only we could all just paint for free and do it just for the love of it! In this economy, artists are trying to find ways to make their art more affordable, like doing smaller paintings or offering free shipping. For example, the little boat painting above recently sold for $25! This fall I will be adding many more in this price range to my etsy shop so be sure to check it out!

Sunday Fishing

Sunday Fishing
5 x 7
oil on canvas

Available for purchase at my etsy shop!

I always feel a little weird doing these little baby paintings, but I am going to be doing more of them to try and stock up my etsy shop. I'm just used to working on a slightly bigger scale, but I do enjoy working quickly and being able to try anything in a small size instead of the commitment of a large painting. Don't worry though, I will still be painting larger paintings :)

Bring Your Rain Again

Bring Your Rain Again
8 x 10
oil on canvas panel

Available for purchase at my etsy shop!

These are definitely my favorite colors. I don't know about you, but I see blues, greys and blacks and I am instantly calmed down and transported to a beach or something. This was the most amazing rock beach in Costa Rica before a storm came in. There was so much wildlife too! Pelicans, snails, crabs, toucans even! Such a beautiful memory.

Pig Tails - sketch of the day

Pig Tails
6 x 10
charcoal on paper

SOLD

Wishing you all a carefree summer weekend!

Red Tulip

Red Tulip
9 x 12
oil on canvas

Available for purchase at my etsy shop!

Since we bought a new camera, I have been going crazy taking photos of our garden. This was one of the first flower photos I took this spring. It was fun to use so much red paint... I don't often get to do that! It was also nice working in a new studio space. I have much more room to back up and look at what I'm doing. Stay tuned for more garden inspired paintings!

Water Study II

Water Study II

7 x 9

watercolor

Available for purchase through my etsy shop!

Here is another black and white watercolor study.  I'm having fun doing these quick studies.  I am anxious though to do them in oil!  This is another painting from the hot springs outside Salida, CO.  Ahh... to be there right now... 

new art on etsy

Pears

9 x 12

oil on canvas paper

Sold

I recently added some new pieces to my etsy shop. They are priced really well, so you should check 'em out! I am working on a few more to add to my shop in the near future so stay tuned! This one would be really nice in your kitchen! :)

Also, if you haven't checked out my website lately, I have recently updated it. Head on over to see what's been happening in my art studio!

Framed Watercolors

Boys on the Lake

5 x 7

Watercolor

In the Sun

5 x 7

Watercolor

This gives you an idea of what my watercolors look like framed.  My mom (a professional framer) did a great job framing them for me!  I will be posting them on etsy in the next couple days.  I am hoping to add a lot more work to my etsy store in the next few weeks.  It needs a little makeover and I have lots of ideas!  I just need to put them into action!