Stars and Leaves and Pretty Things

I spent almost all weekend painting. I got so much accomplished. It's taken me forever to get everything photographed, edited and listed. Something I haven't done in a while. And I kinda realized how much I don't like this part of running a business. I just like the painting part. Everything else just takes too long and is confusing, and boring. But, sadly this is one of the most important parts of it all.
But, I'm excited because today I added a few new things to the shop!

This weekend I also did some quick facebook giveaways for some sample art! It was a lot of fun and I think I'll be doing more stuff like that. So be sure you follow my facebook to take part in some of the giveaways!

I just listed a new type of painting in the shop! It's totally customizable, and perfect for Valentine's day, weddings, or anniversaries. You can pick the colors, initials, and other details too, like if you want two love birds in the branches, or bats like the one I did for Sterling.

I also did a few paintings of the same basic idea but in outer space! I love love love these ones.
I think they are so pretty. They take a lot of work, but are totally work it.

With the space ones, you pick the colors, and the initials, and any other little details you'd like. I think they are so cute! Like a little hidden message in the stars! This listing is right here. 
The sizes go from 5x7 all the way to 11x17.

And tomorrow I'll be listing these other paintings I've worked on these last few days and weeks.
I have the prices under each work. You can email me for them today, or buy them in the shop tomorrow. A lot of the prices will be raised a bit once they are added to the shop! Plus, the price on the blog here includes NO shipping costs... so getting them today would be a very good idea.

Witchy Woman

 Currently Reserved

 Goddess 7x14

120.00 Will raise to 150.00 tomorrow

Email me to reserve her! 

5x5 Galaxy Love 

30.00, will be raised to 35.00 tomorrow. 

Email me to reserve.

 Caught Up 

7x14 110.00

Email me to reserve.

Scarf Print: 8x9 $18.00

Swim 

8x9 $75.00 for original, $18.00 for prints 

Okay, that's about all the writing, editing and listing I can do for now.. I'm going crazy. 

Time for a quick nap, then some art! 

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Bound

I'm having a bit of a frustrating day today. I'm frustrated with bills, and when my printer doesn't work, and why my bank account just won't stay full and as soon as I get some money in, bills come out of no where.. and then the printer jams, then runs out of ink as soon as it works. Then there is no gas in the car to get the ink, and by dinner time, I've forgotten to defrost the food to cook. And the house is a mess, and my mind is a mess and I'm wondering how much of this is actually worth it. Maybe I'd like to just crawl under the covers for a while and wish I could just disappear because this is just getting too hard. And I would love to nap for a long long time, but I'm just too busy even for that.  I'm working way too hard to be this stressed and poor.  I know that I'm not alone in this, but I am feeling like a one woman show and I'm so so tired.  

These thoughts are making my mind clouded and my heart very heavy.

And quite honestly, I'm feeling very bound..

tied up, limited, trapped. 

Bound

Acrylic on Canvas

8"x10"x.5" 

$125.00 

I guess I'm just feeling very low lately.

 Maybe it's all catching up to me, or it's that time of the month, or the moon..

 Or a combination of all of that. 

But, I do know, this is all natural. 

It's a natural part of growing.

 I know I'm not the only one who ever feels this way, 

and I know it certainly won't last. I know I'm way too stubborn to give up. 

But, the funny thing with the word bound, is that it has two meanings. 

Sure one meaning is to be limited and tied... 

But here is the definition I like best. 

bound  (bound)

intr.v. bound·ed, bound·ing, bounds

1. To leap forward or upward; spring.

2. To progress by forward leaps or springs.

3. To bounce; rebound.

n.

1. A leap; a jump.

2. A rebound; a bounce.

So, I'm working on changing my perception.. from being binded and feeling 

I will break from the ties that bind me, and I will bound forth. 

It is during our darkest moments that we must focus to see the light.

Aristotle Onassis

Trees Please

I can never stay away from painting trees for too long you know.
I've been craving spring and summer lately.
I miss green and pink.
I miss blossoms and warm grass.
I think these paintings really show my longing for some warmth.

The Original of this one is gone, but prints will be available.

Someone asked me if I painted willow trees, and I was surprised when I said no.

I love willow trees. 

Here is a fun story for you... When I was about ten, my parents decided to plant a young willow tree in our garden. I said, "I can't wait to climb it!" My dad said, "It won't be big enough for anyone to climb it until you are in your 20's, and by then, you won't want to climb trees." 

False. 

False statement father.

This painting is 11x14, and 8x10 prints will be available.

 It was done with gesso, paper, antique pages, stucco, tissue paper, acrylic paints and oil pastels.

And now.. I have to tell you.. 

I'm very excited about something.

I can't say what, just yet.. and I might not be able to for a long time.

But, I can hardly contain myself. 

I'm planning a project, and it will be huge. 

And good.

And I may need lots of help and support from you guys.

But, I can't say anything just yet..

except to Brad, and I think he's had just about enough of me.

Fingers Crossed & Eyes Looking Forward

Yesterday Brad picked me up from work, and was driving me home.

I said, let's go a different way home. 

I wanted to drive by my old house, and see the old park I used to take Mowgli to.

We drove there, and saw a For Rent sign.

I made him pull over as I called the number.

The lady on the other line told me that place was rented out.

BUT they had another place.

We drove to the other location to see the cutest house in the world.

And today we are going to get to look inside.

I'm beyond excited about this guys.

It has a huge gated backyard for the doggies.

A beautiful tree out front with space for a flower garden

A dishwasher for when I'm lazy.

A little room for an art studio. (Yes?!)

It's walking distance from a grocery store, AND an autozone.

Okay, that's all I know from just visiting, and looking in through the windows like a creeper.

I can't wait to see the inside, and I'm hoping things work out.

So far, things have kind of unfolded like it was meant to be.. and I like that.

I've been wanting to move for months.

Our current place is so tiny, but I can handle that.

The upstairs neighbors get to control the heat. So, it's always too cold, but I can handle that.

But what I can't handle, is the lack of sleep I've been experiencing.

If you are a twitter follower, you've probably heard.

I don't sleep anymore.

The neighbors never sleep, and the floors are so weak.

I get woken up with ever step and creak.

I'm not meaning to rhyme! 

Anyways, it's caused all sorts of problems for me.

Anxiety, nightmares, depression, headaches, sleepless nights, etc.

I'm ready to move.

So, let's please keep our fingers crossed 

that the inside is big enough for the bedrooms,

and that I will be able to afford this move.

But things work out the way they are meant to.

And if this one doesn't work out, 

another one will.

And I have a whole slew of paintings to show you..
But I will show you only three today.

"Eyes Looking Forward"

16x20 mixed media on stretched canvas

8x10 and 5x7 prints available

"Moonlit Snow"

16x20 Acrylic and stucco on stretched canvas

10x8 and 7x5 prints available. 

"What a Wonderful World"
11x17 Mixed Media Painting with vintage lace, photos and paper.
8x10 and 5x7 prints available


I'm going to be listing these ASAP,
crossing my fingers that sales will come my way for deposits and rent.
And eyes looking forward for what's meant to be.
Because,
What's meant to be, will always find a way.

Spring Is Coming!

I've been extremely busy getting paintings ready for the Show this spring. 

I've been mainly focusing on tree paintings for the show. 

And it's been really fun. 

I'm excited for the show, but nervous to ship 20 paintings across the country.

If only I could drive out there, but my car is still sitting out on the street.

Still broken.

But these paintings all kind of have to do with spring. 

I think spring is coming.. or at least I hope it is. 

We didn't get much of a winter, and you won't hear me complaining.

The middle painting of the aspens in the night came to me in a dream!

I woke up in the morning, and quickly wrote down the idea. 

The other two are like most paintings.. they just happen.

But, that's kind of how I like it. 

The originals will be in the shop, but only until February 20.

Then they will be taken down, boxed up and shipped to Georgia.

I will still have prints and necklaces of these though.

Which reminds me, I have A LOT of photographing to do today.

I've got about 25 necklaces to show you!

Autumn In The Deep Red

So, the massive amounts of water that poured into my house ruined a lot of paintings.

A lot of original artwork that won't be replaced.

Just days before I had worked on these new paintings.

And luckily, they did not get wet.

So I thought I would share them with you.

This one above is created using lots of texture, and even some golf leaf.

It's one of my favorites.

There are technically 4 new paintings, however the last one is a set of three.

But each piece can be purchased and hung individually. 

The original painting however, will be sold as a set. 

I will hopefully have these listed tonight.

I'm thankful these trees didn't get ruined in the flood!

Snow Fairies

You know how I complained about Utah winter's?
Well, I guess I was wrong about this year.
This year we haven't had over an inch.
I'm secretly liking it, but also hoping for a bit of snow.
Just for tomorrow.
Then I would like spring!
Maybe I could ask these little Snow Fairies to grant my winter wishes.

I've been working on them little by little for a week now.
I'm proud to say they are finally finished, and I'm jealous of their pretty dresses.

I'll be adding them and prints to the shop after Christmas.
If you are interested in having one of these darling girls for yourself,
send me an email!

Merry Christmas!

Custom Work

I love custom work.
Normally when I paint, I paint for myself. I create what I want, for me. I hope people like it... but if not, that's okay. Because it's for me.

Custom paintings are challenging... I am painting something for someone else. If they don't like it, then I have failed.

I think that's why I like it so much, because I like a challenge.

Another reason I LOVE custom paintings is because they have meaning to the person requesting it. I have done paintings for weddings, children's portraits, pet portraits. Even favorite animal paintings. These types of paintings are very fun and meaningful for me to do. It lets me be a part of someone's life for a little while... and leave them with a work of art that means something to them.

Here are some custom paintings I have done in the last few months.
 

I am hoping to start accepting more custom work this July.
I currently working on a very large custom piece for a gallery in New York.

Superstition

One day I just decided to believe in just about everything. It makes the world seem a little bit more magical. Yes, I believe in big foot, aliens and ghosts. I believe in wishes, spells and spirits.  I am also a pretty superstitious person. I make wishes at 11:11 and get really excited when I see a head-side up penny. I throw spilled salt over my shoulder, and knock on wood.

Why you ask? 

Well.. Why not? 

Here are a few of my favorite superstitions.

• An acorn should be carried to bring luck and ensure a long life.
• To predict the sex of a baby: Suspend a wedding band held by a piece of thread or hair over the palm of the pregnant girl. If the ring swings in an oval or circular motion the baby will be a girl. If the ring swings in a straight line the baby will be a boy.
• It's bad luck to put a hat on a bed.
• The sound of bells drives away demons because they're afraid of the loud noise.
• When a bell rings, a new angel has received his wings.
• A loaf of bread should never be turned upside down after a slice has been cut from it.
• Never take a broom along when you move. Throw it out and buy a new one.
• Three butterflies together mean good luck.
• A broken mirror is seven years bad luck.

(Source)

• Evil spirits can't harm you when you stand inside a circle.
• It's bad luck to pick up a coin if it's tails side up. Good luck comes if it's heads up.
• If an eyelash falls out, put it on the back of the hand, make a wish and throw it over your shoulder. If it flies off the hand the wish will be granted.
• Stabbing your needles though your yarn balls brings bad luck to anyone who wears something made from that yarn.
• It is bad luck to walk under a ladder.

 (Source)

• Put salt on the doorstep of a new house and no evil can enter.
• Bad luck will follow the spilling of salt unless a pinch is thrown over the left shoulder into the face of the devil waiting there.
• It's bad luck to open an umbrella inside the house, especially if you put it over your head.
• Knock three times on wood after mentioning good fortune so evil spirits won't ruin it.
• If you tell someone your wish, it won't come true.
• If you catch a falling leaf on the first day of autumn you will not catch a cold all winter.
• If a black cat walks towards you, it brings good fortune, but if it walks away, it takes the good luck with it.

 "Superstition"

"Superstition" is an 8x10 acrylic painting on canvas board. Specially done for the Halloween season.

This painting, along with prints is now available in the shop.

Change Is In The Air

Right now, I'm very ready for change.

Fall is on it's way here and I couldn't be more excited!

Fall always means change to me.

I love fall, I love the way the leaves change. 

I am so lucky to be where I am because fall seems to last way longer here than it does in Utah. 

Utah's falls last only a few weeks. 

The leaves change and then it gets too cold and icy they just turn brown and disappear under the snow!  

The falls out here last months. The trees stay bright red and orange. 

The forests literally look painted. 

I love it. 

"Painted Leaves"

This painting was inspired by the painted leaves of fall, falling off the trees.

Change is in the air. I can feel it.

First off, I have just listed a big bunch of new hats. 

I understand not everyone is the pixie type. Not everyone wants to have a point on their hats. This hat is perfect for those "Forest-Folk" who do not feel like looking like a pixie.

These hats are made to order.. because I kind of just fall in love with each hat I make, and wear them all the time.

I have also just listed two new collages.

Prints are also available for these.

I love texture. I love color. I love pattern. I love cute inspirational quotes.

Some more changes that I see:

 

I am going to have a second bedroom in my new apartment! 2nd Bedroom= studio! I will finally have my very own place to paint and create! More importantly.. store all of my supplies.

I am going to be cooking more! I really am a good cook promise. (My mom taught me well.) 

I just have been lazy, and busy and blah blah excuse after excuse.

These last few months of living in hotels and halfway moved in apartments have made me really want to cook! We've had to eat out a lot lately, and I'm sick of it! 

So..

I will be cooking wonderful dinners twice a week or more and reporting it here. 

It will keep me motivated.

I will also be clearing out some of the older items in my shop. 

It's very full right now, and I'm ready to retire some of the older stuff. 

My shop has almost been open for a whole year now! (Wow, I can't believe that.)

So I feel like it's time for a change in my shop. 

Out with the old, in with the new. I have not yet decided which items will be retired yet. 

I will try and post them soon.

Like I said... I can't wait for fall. It means Halloween! 

Another change for me.. When it comes to Halloween I focus on scary and spooky. 

I can't wait to share some of my Halloween Art with you!

I hope you still like me after I show that dark side of mine... 

 

So, what's your favorite season? Do you have any big changes coming up?