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?