Vacation

In the last month, Leila has discovered the art of getting into the laundry basket, crawling and finger foods.  This has made for a very curious little girl and a very tired (and worried) mommy...keeping her out of things as she also tries to pull up, get into my paints and put everything in her mouth!  With that said, we are on vacation for a few days for some much needed rest but will be back next week with some cool new things in the works and, I'm sure, new things we've discovered.  Have a great 4th!

Iowa

Finished the Iowa painting for the Rossi family! Lisa provided several photos of her family farm for me to work from.  It's large, 43" x 23" x 2" deep...lots of fun working on this with all of the bold colors and build up of texture in areas. Hoping they will enjoy it for many, many years to come.

City Lights

This painting now available on etsy! I really loved working on this...I'm loving the color combination and the thick layering. Starting a new piece today (painting on distressed wood this time) but using this same style. I'm likin' it!

generations in black and white

Finished this drawing for Abby of her grandfather and her son walking hand in hand.  Such a sweet photo to work from...she is giving it to her grandmother as a gift.  Thanks, Abby!

sunflowers

Just finished an acrylic painting of some pretty sunflowers we received from friends.  I love sunflowers and how bold they are. This is now up on etsy!

abstract love

This fun little number will be available on etsy as soon as it dries.  This would do well in a girl's room or any room that suits bright colors.

14" x 14" x 2" deep original oil on burlap.  Edges painted soft blue, ready to hang. 

shop on etsy

Like most little girls, when I was about 5 years old, I had a make believe shop in our home in Austin, TX.  I set it up in the closet, underneath the stairs with a counter, fake money and everything.  I sold lip gloss, dolls, candy...and my drawings.

28 years later, here's my modern day shop. Although it is more public and I really am selling my work this time...it will still have the same charm.  Loads of work to do and paintings to put up, but I did it!

trim

Found this great, vintage trim at this antique mall in Mechanicsville, VA.  It was 5 cents a yard at one time!  This place was a gold mine for funky finds...Leila and I had a field day checking everything out.  Getting started on my hand-made business card holder and am using this trim as a back drop, what luck, I'm a sucker for green.  Photo will follow of finished box!

summer bbq

a backyard bbq brought together new and old friends...fun day!  Read more here about the joys of planning our first bbq with a baby...

a new leaf turns over & summer begins

The last few weeks have been a roller coaster ride with Max passing, traveling, working, cleaning, being a mom.  You know the drill.  So, I decided to break out of my shell and start a free spirited, carefree, colorful oil (on burlap).  I let the brush do the talking--we'll see where this takes me.  I'm beginning to wonder if I see my shop on etsy becoming real soon...my goal is to have it up sooner rather than later.  Maybe end of Summer?

And, today we enjoyed a fun day of swimming.  Leila loved it...she wondered how her bathtub all of a sudden got so darn big.  Don't worry, dada didn't dunk her. 

I'm off on a road trip the next few days but will return the end of the week!

This is how...

my day looks.  Total chaos.

a night at the greenbrier

We were lucky enough to spend an evening at The Greenbrier in White Sulphur Springs, WV...where do I begin?  I am in awe of Dorothy Draper and found this wonderful blog when doing research on her.  I can't wait to learn more...she seems like she was fearless, bold and absolutely amazing.  The design of The Greenbrier is like no other-- it is a magical place you never want to leave.

a new blog for Patch.com

I'm now also blogging for the Westminster, MD Patch.com website!  Thanks so much to everyone for reading, commenting and supporting my writing...I really, really appreciate it.  

Oh, to Sew!

Love this great vintage Kenmore sewing machine with built in seat and drawers.  This was my husband's grandmother's.  How fun was the advertising back then?  Who would have thought needles and thread could be so interesting!  Now I must learn how to sew....

Generations in Black and White

Looking forward to working on a new pencil drawing based on this photo taken of a grandfather with his great-grandson.  What a sweet photo!  Thank you, Abby, for thinking of me for this project.