I'm late, I'm late, I'm late!

Last night was our first family movie night!  Leila was happy as a clam with her buddies next to her as we put in Alice in Wonderland, one of my favorites.  But, I remember the 1984 version from when I was little...not the cartoon version, there is a big difference. 

As we watched, the mother in me couldn't help but worry that maybe Alice in Wonderland wasn't the best choice for her first movie.  Of course I don't want our daughter to learn to eat things that make her hallucinate, chase rabbits down scary holes or do whatever anyone tells her to do, just to see what happens.  I made the comment to my husband this morning that maybe Alice in Wonderland is just one movie out of the Disney collection that appears to have been made while under the influence. 

Apparently I need a lesson in Disney movies, he said that Fantasia is just as strange...just without words.  The words worry and Disney don't seem to go together, is this normal motherly worry or just my subconscious?

Also, an oil I started yesterday.  While watching last night, I noticed how similar the design is to the foliage found in the animation of Alice in Wonderland. 

And lastly, Leila just getting a kick out of herself  :) 

Poppy Field Dream

Just finished!  15" x 20" oil on canvas

At work today

on the poppy painting as it is making progress...its been a tedious one but I am loving the dream like quality and the contrast in colors.  It would be a sweet piece for a little girl's room.  Hope to have it done today...

My mind keeps on going to this koi fish painting which I started a few years ago and never quite finished.  It was inspired by a trip to Hana, HI, the hotel we stayed at had these huge koi fish in the pond outside.  Painted on a burlap textured canvas, its a large oil, 50" x 38" x 3" deep.  I think this may be on my list of upcoming projects to complete.

And, here, my little angel likes fish too and wears them quite well...dontchya think?  Here she is hanging out with me while I paint.

Poppy, please

Last night was met with little sleep.  Leila was up several times to nurse and when her little eyes would finally close, my mind was racing with new ideas and images of paintings in my head.  But, my creativity had to wait until after we ran a few errands this morning, one being a trip to the mall.  Leila loved all the lights and I didn't mind all the oohs and ahhs from strangers over her cuteness.  I would politely say "thank you", but secretly I was beaming with pride inside.  By the time we got home it felt like we had been through a marathon...running errands just isn't the same with a baby in tow.  Probably because I literally am running...hmmm.  I would just rather stay cozied up at home reading books and playing, but I guess life must go on.

Here is the beginning of one of my middle of the night visions.  Just getting some color on the canvas right now.  But, when complete I'm hoping for a poppy field that will look so refreshing you will want to become the very girl in the painting to smell them all for yourself.

Complete

I love how sometimes a painting can just be about shapes and color.  I have family in Hawaii and the shapes and lines in this painting remind me of the canoes my uncle and cousins surf there.  If you look closely, the arbitrary shapes have also formed a fishing boat and a sail boat in the rough waters.

Oil with acrylic trim and polycrylic finish trim   8" x 10" x 1.5" deep

A recent photo also of my family surfing at Keei...pretty cool.

Ocean

Listening to my new Beatles CD, Live at the BBC, and working on a new painting on this chilly Saturday...

Tea for 6

I had coffee with a new friend this morning...she is going through all the same changes in life as I am, a new mom to an adorable 2 month old little boy.  It was so nice to have adult conversation and what better way to start the day...I had plans to finish my tea painting as soon as I got home and put a very
tired little girl to bed.  Voila!

24" w x5" h x 2.5"d  acrylic on canvas with polycrylic finish

Daniel Merriam

is one of my favorite artists.  My sister and I had the pleasure of viewing one of his shows in San Francisco a few years ago.  We both purchased a signed copy of his book, The Impetus of Dreams, and it is something I will always treasure.  Often, when Leila awakes from a long nap and she looks like she is reentering the world, I will ask her, "Did you dream of castles and gardens and faraway lands?"

I imagine her dreams to be much like the incredible watercolors of Daniel Merriam.

What a way

to greet the morning...talk about inspiration!  Good morning world :)

Little Tea Cups

I love these darling little cups!  Back when I had my shop in downtown Frederick, I sold the Tracy Porter line, and ofcourse, I snagged a few of them for myself and still love their delicate design.  I call them my Alice in Wonderland cups and coffee is that much sweeter when I use them.  I've been inspired to create a painting just based on tea cups, very simple...lined in a row and wrapped around the frame.  Here is the beginning of what will hopefully become a very lovely little painting.  (the size of this painting is so different...my dad made the frame himself!  Thanks, Dad)

The moon

was beautiful tonight (look closely)

Making progress...

but still not complete. The paint is very thick and I'm getting excited to see how it will turn out. Interesting how you have a vision in your head and as you begin to paint, the paint brush takes on a life of its own.

Growing, Changing, Learning

Working

on a large oil piece right now...with a built in critic :)

Sketching

Pencil drawing from photo of Katelyn in her 1st birthday dress...a surprise Christmas gift!