Another day...same dog.

This morning I completed the bulldog painting for friend, Lori!

Yay!

The hot pink may be a bit too much, but I really wanted to keep the painting fun and playful. I have never really painted pets before so I still have much more to learn and improve on. This was a great challenge piece!

I will begin packing my bags on Tuesday, leave for Lori's house on Wednesday. We have some birthday decorations to create and some places to explore before her 50th birthday party on Saturday night!

I am packing my "big" camera and iPad so possibly, I will even do a blog post while there.

It's been a beautiful week here on the prairie with fabulous skies greeting me from our big arched windows.

I do always miss home when I go away.

I am such a creature of habit who prefers her comfort zones.

Hey! We planted our garden yesterday! I look forward to using our own grown vegetables for salads, cooking and juicing soon!

I love to try new combinations in my Breville juicer, however, still prefer the carrot juice with apples and this week, I added locally grown wheatgrass to the blend.

Nothing beats the taste of fresh juice!

Ok, dear readers.

That's all that I have for now!

I am off to varnish the bulldog painting!

Until next time...

XO

 

A Bulldog birthday...

Hello!

I'm taking a little break from painting on this Friday night. Just poured myself a cup of Joe.

I sit back and critique.

I see eyes that need corrected in addition to adding more layers of luscious acrylic paint.

Needs more highlights. Mmmmm hmmmmmm.

But, oh how fun this silly painting is!

A girl and her Bulldog.

You see, next week is my friend, Lori's 50th birthday and I will be taking a road trip to attend her party and to spend a few days.

She loves Bullodogs and now owns three.

I woke up this morning with the idea to paint a whimsical portrait of her and one of her fur babies...

If I hurry, it will be a nice surprise for her!

I started on it this afternoon.

I will continue on with this project tomorrow!

 

Hubby and I went out for Chinese this evening. One of my faves! How about you? I chose the cashew chicken.

The sun has just set.

I enjoy painting by the big kitchen windows at times. I feel more connected to nature from this view. Birds are gleefully singing...

Another super sunny Spring day here on the prairie!

Goodnight, friends!

I'll meet you right back here,

Very soon!

XO

 

Sunshine & Serenity...

April.

A month full of surprises.

One day it is raining and the skies are grey. We plan with great caution. Do we begin planting our garden or will there be yet another frost?

Some days we are blessed with bursting rays of sunshine and 70 degree temperatures.

In Kansas it may be a "perfect day"...

Until the wind kicks in and the desire to be outdoors is gone.

I just wait patiently and find my own sunshine and serenity!

I'm reading a new book, getting my exercise, spending quality time with my art journal...

playing with new watercolors.

This past weekend, hubby and I took the dogs over to our playground. The land that we purchased a couple of years ago.

There were traces of Fall and Winter left behind.

Yet colorful flower blooms to greet us and to remind us that Summer is near.

I have been off of my routine these last few months due to a shoulder injury and the launch of my LuLaRoe clothing business so the exercise was much needed. My bones hurt in the mornings lately...

another reminder that I need to stay active!

Back on the treadmill and adding yoga to my days.

Do you create your own tranquility?

Pause.

 

Savor the sunshine.

Love your life!

XO

 

Vintage inspiration...

Hello, hello!!!

How was your weekend?

Mine....

just perfect.

This tiny postcard has made me smile over and over again.

I picked it up at one of the many shops located in Kansas City, MO. A place called, "West Bottoms".

My friend, Gayla, was here visiting from Texas and we spent an entire day shopping all things vintage in historic "West Bottoms". Rows of brick buildings, converted into shops, boutiques, diners, and flea markets.

I returned back home feeling so inspired!

There's just a wonderful, warm feeling within that comes from old surroundings, old things, and architectural beauty.

I want to preserve it all on paper so naturally, I have been dabbling in my art journal.

I want to make fluffy paper balls!

I want to sit on this lovely chair and read a good book. But...

For now, I will just paint all of this lemony goodness!

We sipped coffee throughout the day, ate pulled pork nachos for the first time. (So much for clean eating on this day)!

It was such a fun time, indeed.

A memory that will forever be cherished!

Enjoy every moment of life, my friends!

Until next time...

XO

 

April fool...

Did anyone catch my April fool's joke in yesterday's blog post?

If you go back and look...

I had Mis-spelled "married" on this suitcase commission.

Yes, I left out the letter "e"!

I am embarassed to say that it was not an intended prank! I have corrected it and thank goodness I discovered the mistake before varnishing it!

It happens.

 

I had such a wonderful Friday night, how about you?

My darling husband is away, enjoying some male bonding with the fellas and nature.

I nurtured my soul by spending the latter part of the night in our bed, tv on, lavender essential oil burning in the diffuser and the warm glow of my Himalayan salt crystal lamp.

I made myself a lovely cup of Earl Grey tea.

Got out my art journal and watercolors.

It was perfect.

Oh, and these new watercolors have me beyond thrilled!!! I just purchased the Qor watercolor tubes by Golden and I am so impressed by their vibrancy! I first ordered one small set of the chroma tubes. Well, you know how that goes...

fall in love and "need" to order the additional sets! I did.

I can't wait to show you my next painting but for now it's time for the girls' to bond so I'm off to hang out with a girly friend from Texas!

You have fun and I will meet you back here again soon!

XO

 

Time flies...

Hello April!

Hello, dear readers (if you are still following)?!

By the time January arrived, I must confess. Getting myself to pick up a paintbrush was as difficult as going into my former place of employment and spending 8 long hours. The joy was no longer there. This made me sad, confused. It had always been my life long dream to work at home as an artist and to actually make some money doing so. How could I be feeling this way after only a few years of living my dream?

I knew that I needed to add something into my daily routine to mix it up a bit rather than to give up. Oh no, I will never give up my art but I need to find that pure joy again!

From my last post, you may be aware that I became an independent fashion consultant with LuLaRoe.

Oh, friends.

It has consumed me and the really great news is, that it also brought me back to my happy place in art!

 

You see, because of the popularity of this clothing line, I have been forced to step outside of my comfort zone. January, February and March...

I have spent countless hours creatively photographing the clothing that had taken over our cozy country home. Women have been shopping in my home, as well as online through my Facebook group. I have been so wrapped up in technology, responding to questions, sending invoices, running to the bank and to the post office daily. I did not even decorate for Easter this year... I was unaware that it was Easter until a few days before the date.

Although this has all earned me a nice additional income...

It can no longer take priority to the things that I am so very passionate about! NOooooooo!

This is not who I am and a valuable lesson has been learned:

Never want for any more than what you already have.

 

I have taken a step back and reevaluated the situation.

Art and creativity, along with home, hubby and family must come first. LuLaRoe is an add on and I will continue to take great care of my fabulous lady shoppers...

But I can no longer be glued to my computer or tripping over clothing racks (she says with a giggle)!

I woke up one day and took charge of my life!

And began to paint again in a clean, clothing-free space.

Balance.

I'm finding it and loving it!

 

Today I finished this suitcase commission and I enjoyed every single moment! I was dreading it just a few months back.

I understand it all so clearly now.

I did need to add another job into my life and I am so glad that I did so!

I had hit a burnout stage. I needed a long break from my art in order to realize all over again just how important it is to me and my well being.

I so love to journal...

With a good cup of coffee!

Being "present" is very important to me.

I appreciate the girl in me who enjoys stopping, dashing to grab her camera to capture a very simple photo.

(That same girl who appreciates a rainy day and fresh flowers picked from her own garden).

Now,

This girl also loves playing dress up and cute clothes too!

But I can enjoy it all, can't I?

Balance.

Finding it.

Enjoying the journey.

Blessings to you!

See you soon!

Xo