Celestial Happenings

My newest painting "Celestial Happenings" is now available for sale. 

I created this piece over a long period of time. 

I started painting the background before Sterling and I even started dating, 

and decided to finish the painting just in time for yesterday's full moon.

This is one of my favorite paintings I think.

It's different than a lot of what I've done, but there is so much put into it,

and I'm in love with the final piece.

It reminds me of laying out under the stars..
You might not actually SEE all those stars from where you are..
but something about seeing more stars than normal opens up a whole new world.
Because you know they are there.
 You know that beyond yourself,
beyond the trees you see, the clouds, the stars ...
there are worlds, and universes living just like we are.
It makes you feel pretty small and lovely doesn't it?

Now how could I possibly tie this last bit into that deep blog post?
I'm not sure if there is any graceful way of announcing a sale...
but that's okay.. because
I decided to do a flash Back To School Sale!

This one is in both my shops..
and it's 25% off everything!
Which means, this new print, and the painting are included in the sale.
That's right... I'm letting my originals go for 25% off right now.

The sale lasts until FRIDAY.
So it's gonna be a quick one.



If you've been looking for a hat or a scarf to complete your back to school outfit, now is the time!


Or, if you have been looking for some paintings, or art for your apartment walls.. now is also the time.

Enter the code FLASH25 for 25% off anything in both stores.
Today through Friday.


And I've had some people asking,
"Is it possible to get the "Celestial Happenings" painting as a necklace?"
Yes! Yes it is.

Just purchase one of the pendants, and leave me a note in message to seller saying you would like Celestial Happenings as a necklace.

I'm thinking I'll make myself one too!

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The Beginning Of Everything

I fell in love with her courage, her sincerity,

 and her flaming self respect. 

And it's these things I'd believe in,

 even if the whole world indulged in wild suspicions 

that she wasn't all she should be. 

I love her and it is the beginning of everything. 

-F. Scott Fitzgerald 

Monsters are real, and ghosts are real too. 

They live inside us, and sometimes, they win.

- Stephen King

I posted on my facebook page that I would be adding new art soon.

It's been months and I'm excited. Even if I'm just adding some new sketches. These will be available in the Etsy Shop and my online store by this evening. 

These new prints are called "Balance" and "Bloodworm." 

I'll bet you can tell which is which. 

Support

In past relationships my art has been a hinder and a sore subject. My need to stay up late, or my constant sketching or working has been a problem. Running an art business, or a business of any type takes a lot of work, time and energy.
I told Sterling as we were going into our first months of dating, "I work a lot... it might be a problem. It might make you hate me. It's happened before.."
His response was, "I fell in love with you because of your art."

And since then he has been the greatest support system I've ever had.
I'm used to shrugging off my little victories, or mentioning them casually to friends or family.
Knowing that I was my own greatest supporter. So, why bother trying to get anyone else excited?
We are all too busy with our own victories.

But my sweet Sterling has taken my victories as his as well.


There have been depressing times when I would say, "Maybe I should just quit." and hang my head down low.
He response, "Over my dead body."

Or there are times I say, "I've got to run to the post office to ship a print." Or, "I need to get supplies for an order that just came in." Almost dreading the response I was used to.
Sterling gets so excited for me, he addresses the recipient by name, stares intently at the package and says, "We love you.. Tell your friends about us." Then gently slips it into the box.
I was not used to the "we" and the "us".  But, I liked it.


Today we got all my paintings ready to be put up in the Timeless Image Tattoo & Art Gallery in Provo.
We had about 25 ready to be hung up, but went back to check for more. I found a few small ones and asked Sterling if he thought I should put them up. His eyes got wide and said, "Where have these been?!"
We spent about 20 minutes going through my old art that had been stashed away. From when I first opened my shop. Paintings that my ex said were no good. Paintings that I was told I should stop doing..
Sterling had a pile and kept telling me how fantastic they were, asking if I had more "gold" hidden in the house.
I'm not entirely sure I even believe his words. But since he is a long time follower of this blog, he is probably reading this. I must say, my doubt is not in him. It's in me. After being unsupported for so long, having support is actually scary. After hearing, "Don't paint stuff like that anymore.." Or " No one is going to buy that.." the words, "That is amazing! That's going to sell so fast!" are uneasy to hear.


But, Sterling is actually proud of me and he tells me so every day. He encourages me and helps me.
Something I've never had.

Tonight we labeled, arranged and hung around 45 paintings. It took hours. We went and got take out, and sat down at the kitchen table. We discussed writing a book together. And how we make good business partners.
We are a we. And I finally feel safe in doing the art that I love.

At this point I'm just gushing.. but I really am just so thankful to have support. And from someone I love and admire so much.

I'm still learning how to accept it. 

Back In Business

Finally! 

I finally bugged Etsy enough to reopen my shop. 

That is a feeling of relief. 

I'm trying to be a full time artist here, and not having a shop makes that pretty difficult.

I've listed my two newest paintings in the shop now.

Listing here

And here.

But, I am in the process of getting my own shopping website.
So I won't have to rely on Etsy, or other third party websites to sell my work.
I started building it yesterday, and...
oh boy.
It's going to take a while.
Here are a few sneaks of the website.

I am not too sure when the launch date will be.
So, until then... I'm back up on Etsy! 
And to celebrate, I've got a 30% off code on everything in the shop.
Enter JUSTCAUSE30 for 30% off.

Getting Work Done

I spent the day yesterday in the studio working on a custom painting. I love when people give me one of their ideas, and the trust that I can come up with something. It's always a bit nerve wracking when I send the photo of the finished piece.. Hoping they will like it. The one with the tree is the custom painting. I actually love the way it turned out, and all the texture. The concept was all his idea, and I think it turned out great.
The other one, is a quick glimpse of a painting I've been working on. I've been very interested in space lately.
I love having more time for art.. And I love the feeling of doing what I love.
There is still a lot of trust that I'm putting into the universe.. But I have a lot of faith.

The Little Things

I've been busy. So so busy.

Yesterday was my first teaching job. 

I was terrified. 

And, today I have another one.

I'm just as terrified. 

I didn't get a chance to post on my blog yesterday! 

(I never miss Mondays!)

This last weekend, I was able to spend a bit of time in my studio.

I've got 3 big paintings to show you.. but I haven't had time to photograph them.

I was able to photograph the little things! 

After all, it's the little things that are important.

 I've got two mini paintings to add to the shop! 

These ones are going for $22.00.

It includes an easel too.

These are perfect and portable little paintings! 

They look awesome on bookshelves, desks, and bedside tables. 

I also do custom painting of these, for about the same price! 

Just send me an email.

I also worked on 6 new necklaces...

These are not print necklaces, these are original paintings for your neck! 

Each one was painted individually, and had a lot of thought put behind it.

They are darling. I even wore one teaching! 

I tried to have them reflect my other paintings. 

These necklaces are going for $26.00.

Pretty good right?

 "Create" 

This one is painted with  acrylic paint, stucco, crackle paint, and tissue paper, on a wood base.

It's been sealed with a varnish to make it last!

 "Fire"

This one is painted with  acrylic paint, and stucco on a wood base.

It's been sealed with a varnish to make it last!

 "Bubbles"

This one is painted with  acrylic paint, crackle paint, and vintage book paper, on a wood base.

It's also been sealed with a varnish.

 "Bloom"

This one is painted with  acrylic paint, crackle paint, and and lace on a wood base.

It's been sealed with a varnish too.

 "Love"

This one is painted with  acrylic paint, stucco, crackle paint, and vintage lace, on a wood base.

It's been sealed with a varnish to make it last.

 "Beauty"

This one is painted with  acrylic paint, and stucco on a wood base.

It's been sealed with a varnish to make it last.

 I won't be able to list these on etsy until later tonight..

so, since you guys have seen them early, and because you are all my dear friends, you get first dibs!

Send me an email if you want to put one of these on hold.