Naples

Naples

7 x 7

watercolor on paper

My grandad used to live in Naples, FL. It was a pretty fun place to visit... to say the least :) Naples has one of those beaches that one dreams about. Crystal clear water, white sand, seashells and sand dollars. In fact, my husband's first gift to me was a sand dollar from Naples with a quote that he had handwritten on the back. {sigh} yes, I'll marry you.

Sorry for the mushiness :) Maybe all this royal wedding craziness has me in a romantic mood. Just got a text from my mom that says we'll be having a brit style tea time and pimms cocktails tonight to celebrate! Haha ;)

Anyway, I'll definitely be doing more watercolors of Naples. It's fun to paint a place that brings back such fond memories.

Snake River Watercolor

Snake River

6 x 8

watercolor study

I am finding that it is very different photographing watercolors. If anyone has any tips let me know! I'm finding that the colors are quite different and the whites are quite gray. OH watercolors, I will conquer you.

This is a {slightly grayed} study of the Snake River painting that I posted below. Hope you all are having a lovely spring. Thanks for checking in!

Watercolor Studies

Up the Mountain

6 x 8

watercolor

I've been working on some watercolor studies lately. Watercolor painting does not come naturally to me, although I do enjoy it. It is like thinking backwards if you compare it to oil or acrylic painting. It's also not so easy {if at all possible} to fix a mistake! I suppose that is good for my brain. I have many more to come so stay tuned...

I've also been working on pet portraits and I have a couple commissions that I need to start! Mike is in his full swing of landscape season and I occasionally get to help him color or ink a design. Things are getting busy but fun around here :)

A simple sketch

Tucker

Charcoal on Paper

8 x 10

Charley

Charley

10 x 10

oil on canvas

This is a sample pet portrait I did to display at Long Dog Fat Cat :) Gotta love those puppy dog eyes! This is my uncle's family dog, Charley! Named for Hurricane Charley. What a sweetie!

Re-hab Furnishings

I'm very proud of my husband and his "winter" company Re-hab. Check out the website if you get a chance! We're still adding content to it, of course. He has been designing, making and selling tables for a couple years now and it's really starting to flourish! He absolutely loves doing it. Here is one of his most recent tables:

This table is called the 'Tucker' in honor of our new dog that we'll be getting this weekend! It's made of solid Walnut and recycled steel. Isn't it beautiful? It's currently displayed at Pearson & Co. here in Omaha along with some of my art! If you have a chance, check out this store! It's beautiful! They have really nice furniture, art and decor. They are out in Legacy and the owners are super friendly :)

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...

A recent pet portrait

Abbie & Jackson

Oil on Canvas

16 x 20

Sold

Here is a recent pet portrait I did for one of my oldest friends! Her sister commissioned it and it was a surprise which was fun! I really enjoyed this one. I enjoyed the challenge of painting a black dog, the texture of their fur and painting all the grass. Aren't animals so fun? We are currently in the process of adopting a dog from a rescue... pretty exciting!! A new subject for my paintings :)

Check out some of my other pet portraits on my facebook page! Become a fan while you're at it!

Magnet Paintings

Singing on the Shore

Original Oil Magnet

1.25 x 5

Available for purchase in my etsy shop!

Extorted From the Sea

Original Oil Magnet Painting

1.25 x 5

Available for purchase in my etsy shop!

These are two in a series of mini magnet paintings that are now available in my etsy shop! I've had a lot of fun painting them. It's nice to be able to paint such beautiful places. I've been busy with some commissions, but I've been meaning to do these for quite some time. I'm glad that I finally got around to it! The titles come from Emily Dickinson poems... in case you're wondering. Her poems are so beautiful.

Spring Sky

Spring Sky

Oil on Canvas Panel

8 x 10

Now Available in my etsy shop!

Oh how I love a road trip through rolling hills and manicured farmlands under a big cloud-filled sky...

Whoever says the midwestern landscape is boring must be crazy! This is my latest little landscape painting. I'm starting a series of midwest landscapes. I'm really excited about it and I don't think I'll ever get bored with it...

"What was any art but a mold to imprison for a moment the shining elusive element which is life itself- life hurrying past us and running away, to strong to stop, too sweet to lose." - Willa Cather

Chihuahua Portrait

Chihuahua

12 x 12

oil on canvas

Sold

This was one of my commissioned paintings for Christmas. I really love painting animals. It is fun to try and capture their personality and expression in a painting. I hope to do many more! Thanks to Long Dog, Fat Cat for hanging my art and making this commission possible! They have really great, healthy pet food and cute toys and accessories too! Check it out if you are in the Omaha area! (In the strip mall just south of Village Pointe).

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!

Computer woes!

My apologies for the lack of posting!! We've had some unfortunate computer malfunctions as of late and it is keeping me from blogging. :( I'm not really tech savvy, but apparently after we did software updates on both of our computers the hard drive on one of them completely died and the other one is showing signs of doing the same thing! yikes! So, a few hundred dollars later, we have at least saved what was on one computer and we are currently backing up the other, but I still can't load photos quite yet. These aren't even old computers! uggh. On a positive note, it has given me time to just focus on painting and a few projects around the house so that is good!

I am currently working on a large portrait of six kids, a paris scene and some charcoal portraits. I am also planning new work to start on after the holidays. I will have to be ready for Art & Soup again... one of my favorite art events of the year! It sure makes the month of February way more fun! Hopefully, I will be able to update you with photos soon!

Stacks-o-paintings!

I now have stacks of paintings in my basement. I used to store quite a few of them at my hubby's design studio, but now they are living with us. We are planning on building a proper storage unit for them, but until then, they are simply on some scrap pieces of lumber to protect them from any moisture. Anyone in need of a painting? I would love to clear some of them outta here! Nikki, do you see the one of you there? Want it?

Anyway, I am planning on painting in an extra bedroom, but because we also use it as an office, I don't have room for all of my supplies. So, I am planning on tackling a rather large project (for me) this fall of making one of our (icky) basement rooms into a craft room! I am actually really excited about it. I will have a place to do art, wrap gifts, package paintings and store all of my supplies! Stay tuned for photos.... I will hopefully be starting this weekend!

Back to Blogging :)

Pears
(we installed these at my mother-in-laws recently)
NFS

I'm back! A lot has happened since I last blogged and it all kinda threw me out of sorts, but I am ready to be a part of the blogging world again! First of all, we moved our businesses out of a retail spot and back into our home. I had been painting there so my whole studio was hauled back to our house and it still is sadly in a state of disarray. I have two easels in what we call "the studio" which is really a small bedroom but most of my supplies and paintings are currently in the basement in a storage area. aggghhh. We have moved all of Mike's landscape design supplies and whatnot back into our house as well and it currently resides in the attic. I need to get a move on organizing everything because I have orders for the holidays! I'm excited to be painting from home again, just as long as I can banish most of the clutter that has seeped into our little abode.

Secondly, I did have surgery last week so I spent a few days mostly in bed. No worries, I am in good health and ready to be creative once again. I owe a big thank you to all of our friends and family that brought us meals and cookies! We have such wonderful friends.

Last, but certainly not least, a good friend of mine had her baby, Micah Eleanor on October 24th. Liz is a faithful friend that even follows this little blog! She is always an encouragement to me, makes me smile and is just an amazing woman. Her daughter was born 11 weeks premature and weighed 1 lb 15 oz. She is a beautiful little girl with awesome parents and she is doing well and gaining weight. I love reading Liz's blog daily to see pictures of Micah and see how she is doing. Check it out and keep them in your prayers!

ACEOs

Boxes Made of Shells
2.5 x 3.5
ACEO
Mixed Media

I have finally joined the club and posted some ACEOs at my etsy shop!

I know these are totally different than my paintings, but I am enjoying them for the moment and don't want to limit myself creatively. I figure if I enjoy something and I am still creating it can only help my painting. When I first started making these little collages (years ago) I wanted to keep them really simple. I still like the simplicity and the negative space (I'm a big fan of white) but I think in my next set I will be adding more paint and color. We will see what happens.

You may be wondering what inspired these little guys. I was into art journals at the time and I spent some time creating little collages in my journal every day. I have always loved collecting paper, little notes, card or ephemera and I love scrapbooks! I also love reading and writing. I actually started out as an english/journalism double major in college and I have so much respect for the art of putting words together. When I find a line in a book that I love, I almost can't get it out of my head until I do something with it. I like to use them for painting titles or just doodle them in a sketch or in my journal. With these collages I feel like I am able to combine my love of painting and writing and collecting. It feels a little more like a hobby, but I love it. So, take a look at my etsy store if you would like to see more!

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!

Charcoal Portraits

Flower Girl

14 x 17

Charcoal

Most of the time you'll find me painting, but I love drawing almost as much as painting! I admit, I sometimes neglect my drawing because painting is so time involved. Last year, I kind of went through a charcoal drawing frenzy... all I did for a while (as far as artwork) was sit on the floor and sketch up a storm! Yes, on the floor, I didn't have a drawing table set up at the time and I don't find an easel that conducive to sketching. Anyway, it was a lot of fun and tonight I found myself browsing through some of these drawings and realizing I miss it and I need to get back to it~  

If you happen to be looking for a unique gift, a charcoal portrait is a nice option. They look great in all different types of homes, especially when they are framed nicely! They are also quite affordable for a piece of custom artwork. My charcoal portrait prices start at $75 for a 14 x 17. I think that's a pretty good deal myself :) I also offer framing services, shipping and gift wrap if needed! Check out more of my charcoals on my website if you have a moment. Thanks for looking! 

Also, thanks to my friend Stacy for giving me a mention on her new blog ... the copy cat cottage! If you have an interest in decorating on a budget, her blog is inspiring. She has a beautiful home and is full of good ideas (even though she claims to be a copy cat). Take a minute to check it out!

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!