My Little Studio

When I first started painting (back in 2006) I set up shop at the kitchen table.  I stayed up late listening to cds or our local country station.  I didn't care if I got paint on the table ~ it was old & I thought we'd be getting a new one soon.  Well, we still have the same old table with the same paint smudges but I DO have a new little studio!  Actually, not really new...a few years ago I graduated from the kitchen table to our upstairs loft & fixed it up all cute & cozy.  I already had the southwest theme going on & I still like it ok but someday I'd like to brighten up the room with some lighter paint, especially since it's kinda dark.  I LOVE my window view & being able to watch birds & squirrels in the Bradford Pear tree right outside but it doesn't allow for much natural light to come in.

Markie & Zoolou usually keep me company while I work.  I got this kitty condo off Craig's List a while back for a steal!  I have one just like it in our bedroom & thought putting one up in my studio would give the cats something to climb on other than my art table!  It works some of the time - ha.  Depends on what wildlife activity is going on in the tree outside & where the sunbeam is shining.  At some point they have to inspect my work & I've cleaned my share of paint off little kitty paws.

I found this adorable vintage desk at my favorite local antique store.  I LOVE it!  It's old & shabby & has WOODEN casters!  The 4 drawers are perfect for all my painting supplies too.  I bought the beautiful braided rug for a measly $20 from my former next door neighbor who was moving & having a garage sale.  It's an authentic hand braided rug from Pennsylvania & worth much more!  If I could just keep the cats from using it as a scratching pad!

I have a dvd player so I can watch (or listen to) movies while I work but usually I have cds playing in my little Sony cd player. 

Here's where the stichin' happens.  Please excuse the mess of cords under the table.  The computer is old, nonworking & needs to get off my table!  Just one of those things you never get around to doing.  The stack of fabric pieces are just waiting to become new pillows,  pillow covers or door hangers!

Here are a few "works in progress" I plan to get to today!

And finally, my wall art inspiration ~ BLOOM!  It reminds me what I hope to do here...create...express...open my umbrella...make people smile...enjoy creating art!

Thanks for visiting my little studio.

Enjoy spring...take time to smell the flowers...Bloom!

Lookin' Like Spring!

Every year it seems that once Spring Break comes & goes the weeks just fly by until before you know it, school's out & summertime is officially here!  I look forward to lazy days with no homework to help with (or grades to worry about) & no driving & picking up kids from school.  Of course that will be replaced with driving kids to movies & friends houses but that's ok.  I know I'll MISS driving them around soon when my 2 15-yr-olds get their licenses!  They don't seem to be in any hurry which is ok with me so I think I have plenty of time left.

Have you been hearing birds singing lately?  I hear them every morning now when I'm first waking up & it's so nice to realize Spring is actually here!  Daffodils are popping up all over & tulips won't be far behind.  We had  gorgeous weather today & I took a nice walk while my daughter was at piano & just enjoyed the sun & Kansas WIND on my face! Ahhhh...

Still keeping VERY busy with my online course but hope to have a new painting to show you soon & my new printer is here (yay!) so I can work on all sorts of new goodies for my shop!  As you can see, I think Zoolou's trying to tell me I'm spending too much time at the computer!

Wishing you a happy spring week with birds chirping, daffodils blooming & a cat by your computer!

Cats in the Tulips

These 2 rascals are having fun in the tulip pot!  They're too cute to get into trouble though. 

My newest painting "Twins in the Tulips" is available on EBAY now.

Hope you're having a great Wednesday!  Our sunshine is gone again & rain is coming.  I'm a rainy-day kinda gal so I don't mind but I'm SO tired of the cold!

Let the Sun Shine!

We've had a lot of cloudy days here lately so when the sun came shining down yesterday the cats took full advantage of every sunny spot they could find!  AHHHhhh...

I wish I could go take a long nap in the sun!  My online class is keeping me VERY busy & on top of that I'm trying to get some new paintings out too.  I just realized I haven't done a single Easter themed painting yet & the big day is less than a few weeks away - yikes!  I've done some spring themes but no eggs or bunnies darnit!  Maybe I can get at least 1 done in time for an auction on Ebay.

My new printer should be here by the end of the week & then I'll be able to put some nice prints in my shop.  Can't wait!

Happy ~ happy Tuesday! xox

A Brand New Look

Happy Saturday everybody!  I spent the better part of the afternoon revamping the old blog.  I was really sick of that old header that I had on for ages.  I came up with the new one from my new business card I FINALLY designed.  (I did that today too)  I'm pretty happy with it.  Thought I'd also go with a simpler background to avoid a "too busy" look.  Hope you like it!

If I haven't mentioned it before I'm currently taking an online course on independent business.  I'm loving it! Learning a LOT & having so much fun planning new things for my shop!  Look for new PRINTS, CARDS & other goodies to arrive in my shop soon!

With all the CHANGES going on around here I've had this David Bowie song in my head - ha!

Ch-Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes

Turn and face the strange

Ch-Ch-Changes

Ok, I've literally been at this computer for HOURS & must get off!  My right arm is killing me & I can seriously see how people get carpal tunnel doing this all day!  Ouch!

Easter Sunday

My newest painting is titled "Easter Sunday". 

Miss Molly was headed off to church when her cat Henry jumped up & surprised her with a daffodil!

Easter Sunday is up for grabs on EBAY right now!

Spring break is zooming by way too fast!  We're having a beautiful warm & sunny day today!  I really should be outside enjoying it instead of sitting here in front of the computer.  A cold front is coming in though & Saturday it'll be back to feeling like winter again.  BOO! 

Happy St. Paddy's Day!

Wild Irish Ringo

I just had to share this great picture with you.  This is my sister's cat Ringo on the e-mail card she sent us today.  Isn't he a handsome boy?  My sister's husband found him half frozen at an apartment complex several winters ago & rescued him.  He's now living the high life & being spoiled rotten along with his 3 feline siblings.  Among his many talents is leaping from the kitchen floor to the top of the refrigerator in a single bound!  He can do the same on your shoulders too.  Don't you love that shamrock lamp he's posing by?  Matches his green eyes!

Speaking of cats, as of today my daughter Kayla & I are official Foster Parents now!  We had our little training session at the Humane Society, paid the license fee & in another week or 2 can start fostering little furballs.  I'm both excited & a little anxious.  My only concern is the stress it may put on our resident cats.  Even though the fosters will be in a room of their own for the majority of the time my kitties will still know they are there invading their home.  I think they'll do ok.  We'll just have to see how it goes.  I know it'll be so rewarding knowing we're saving lots of little furry lives!

Top of the day to ya!  Are you wearing GREEN?

WIP & a little Spring Decor

Happy Monday!  We're on spring break now & I had to stop & think what day it was.  It feels like Sunday.  Anyway, I don't have a new painting to show you yet (maybe tomorrow) but I thought I'd post the sketch I did last night.  It's not a good photo (my hubs went out of town & took the good camera) but you get the idea.  Also threw in a few shots of just a bit of my Easter/Spring decor which Zoolou of course had to get in on.  I just love the green & white birdy plate I found at Pier One! 

My daughter & I are going to go see "Lord of the Dance" tonight!  Can't wait!  We've both taken several years of Irish Dance but got busy & have been taking a break from it for about a year now.  I know after tonight we're gonna get that urge to reel & jig again!

Have a wonderful week!

Foster Care Orientation Today!

My daughter & I are off to the Foster Care Orientation at the Humane Society today. Hopefully, it will be something that will work for our family (furballs included) & we can start caring for little kitties soon. I'm sure there will be plenty when spring kitten season arrives!

I FINALLY finished my commission I've been working on (it was a BIG painting) so hope to start an Easter or Spring themed painting later today & actually have some ART to show you soon! Happy weekend!

Hooray for Madonna!

I LOVE happy kitty stories! When I was volunteering at the Humane Society Tuesday I visited with this sweet girl Madonna (who is blind in 1 eye) & she was the friendliest, snuggliest, climbing-all-over-me super sweet cat I've ever seen! She even gave her roommates little meow warnings when they tried to climb on my lap too & invade her space - ha. I left that day thinking surely she would be adopted soon as sweet & loving as she was & when I checked the website this morning ~ there she was on the "Adopted" page - yay! I'm so glad she's got a home to call her own now. Just wanted to share.

Now ~ go hug your cat!

Yummy Temptation

With a big ice-cold glass of milk! YUM!

Every year for Lent I give up either chocolate or cookies. This year it's cookies, so of course my new magazine has 4 pages of different chocolate chip cookie recipes with big pictures to make me crazy! I LOVE chocolate chip cookies! Oh well, if I can resist the 10 boxes of Girl Scout cookies lying around the house I can resist a few pictures.

My blog is being neglected lately, mostly because I'm taking an internet course on running an online shop! I thought it was time to get serious & learn the RIGHT way to go about all this. I'm keeping busy, learning a lot & it's really fun & inspiring so far!

Aaack! Is it midnight already??? I gotta get to bed. Goodnight all!

Bright & Cheery Spring Decor!

All pictures courtesy of midwestliving.com

I got my new Midwest Living magazine the other day & found these gorgeous spring centerpieces all through the pages! Aren't they all beautiful??? Yet, they're simple at the same time...& QUICK & EASY! Seriously, eggs in a straw hat, single green leaves in clear glass bottles ~ how simple is that? My favs are the umbrella & watering can bouquets! I am loving that yellow door! I think I need to make a trip to my favorite craft/vintage shop & see if they have an old umbrella or rusty can I can snatch up to make my own creation. I am SO ready for spring & FLOWERS!

I'm working on a commissioned painting this week so sorry, no new art to show you. I can't wait to get started on some new spring & Easter paintings! Happy Monday to ya!

Oscar Night!

I always enjoy watching the Academy Awards but something's bugging me this year. With the economy the way it is & the multiple tragedies around the world that have killed & left millions homeless & suffering I just find it hard to stomach all the talk about designer gowns & jewels & gift baskets worth thousands of dollars to stars who can afford all that stuff themselves & frankly don't need it. Why don't those suppliers give something to Haiti, Chile or France instead?

Ok, I'll quit griping. I admit I love going to the movies & read an occasional Enquirer. I just think the stars make way too much money & should give some back! On that note, yes I'm still going to watch the show even if I'm grumbling under my breath. I can't miss Alec & Steve hosting together ~ that should be a riot! And I'm rooting for Sandra Bullock. It's her time!

Bring on the popcorn!

Irish Dancer ~ another painting goal made!

Now available on EBAY!

And my 2nd painting is finito! I just may make my goals for this week yet! Colleen, the Irish dancer, is ready to begin her lead round but her cat Seamus is having too much fun with her ghillies shoe strings. "Irish Dancer" is up for grabs on Ebay right HERE! I wish I had a professional photographer to photograph my artwork for me. I can never seem to get a good picture with the perfect light - ugh!

Another goal of mine this week was to design a business card but I'm putting that on hold for now. I signed up for a workshop on selling online & it covers business cards so I'm going to wait & do that when the assignment comes. Instead I think I'm going to FINALLY join the Facebook world! My daughters & several friends & family members, not to mention tons of you wonderful bloggers & artists, have one so I figured I'd bite the bullet & climb on board. My page will be mostly art oriented but I'm looking forward to getting in touch with some old high school friends & seeing what all my out of town family is up to.

We have a bright SUNNY day outside today - hooray! It's amazing how a little sun can lift your mood & give you energy. It's also amazing how much dog poop accumulates in the backyard when you haven't scooped all those snowy winter months - yuck! That's a job to look forward to later. Happy Thursday everyone!

St. Paddy's Painting

Available now on EBAY!

Well, 1 down ... 1 to go! I finished this St. Patrick's Day painting yesterday. It'll be up for grabs on Ebay later today. I just felt like doing something simple & lighthearted so I went with a ginger tabby with Irish red locks of course & shamrocks. Cats love to sleep in potted plants don't they?

This will be a short post as I have a million things to do today but I hope to finish another St. Paddy's painting tonight. It's going to be an Irish Dancer! Lace up those ghillies! My daughter & I took Irish dance for several years but got busy & haven't danced in about a year. I hope we can get back into it soon! Happy hump day to ya!

Slowly Emerging

Well, there's nothing like a getaway with the girls to renew your spirit! My overnight trip with my BFF (ha) Cindy & our daughters was so relaxing & fun. We shared long talks & laughs, lots of junk food, a movie & a little shopping & I came home feeling much better & ready to tackle this coming week! My goals for the week are: Designing a business card, getting 2 new paintings done & listed on ebay, eating better & getting back on the dang treadmill. I'm sure a lot of my blah feelings are from not eating well & sitting in front of the computer & art table for too long. By the way ~ THANK YOU all for your kind, encouraging comments! I took many of your suggestions to heart including chocolate & hugging kitties!

Ok, enough about me. I wanted to share this project my sister sent me with you ~ an eco-friendly raincoat made from recycled Hobby Lobby shopping bags! (sorry for the poor picture-the good photo on their website would not let me copy it!) My sis works at the Hobby Lobby Headquarters Art Dept. in Oklahoma City & makes all kinds of creative projects for their store displays along with special projects for the owners. She actually MADE this yellow raincoat in the pic above! Isn't it fun? She's an amazing artist & has always been an inspiration to me. You can find the project sheet for this raincoat at Hobby Lobby stores & step-by-step instructions on their website HERE!

Happy week to all of you! Gotta get to work! xoxox