Happy Summer!

Oh, dear.

I have done it again.

I have allowed myself to get swept away by Summer bliss...

losing track of days gone by.

 

Instead of blogging, I have been sipping organic tea on the front porch...

day dreaming.

I have followed crazy vines, searching for surprises.

Squeeling with joy when the first white pumpkin was spotted!

Did I tell you that I planted oodles and oodles of pumpkins?

Blue pumpkins, white pumpkins, tiny ornamental pumpkins, and of course, traditional orange pumpkins.

Two very plump, orange pumpkins have made their appearance since these photos were taken!

I never thought that I would say this because I am such a Summer girl...

but I am wishing for Fall to hurry and come.

I'm already thinking of creative Fall to do's!

But this Summer has certainly been a fun one.

I have tried on cool clothes in this very cool dressing room!

Bold colors bursting with bohemian designs...

it's enough to convince me to purchase all of the wonderful pants and tops, some having this same kind of flare!

It's so much fun to twist around and twirl while wearing big bell bottom pants and ruffled sleeves!

I never feel too old to do just that.

If clothing makes me smile...

it's meant to be.

After a sushi lunch with a nice, new girly friend...

I returned back to my prairie home, swinging my large shopping bags!

I have also changed up my routine this Summer.

Hubby and I wake early and enjoy our coffee together. He then goes a few yards away to his work.

I put on my athletic wear (no, I'm not at all athletic)...

and head out for a morning jog and walk.

I do both.

Jog.

Walk.

Jog.

Walk.

 

I am trying to live a healthier lifestyle and even going organic around here.

I will share more on that in a different post!

Some times I even have two fur babies tagging along!

I love this new routine. It's working well for me and has actually made my work days so much more productive.

Once back home, (and still early in the morning), I get my shower and get busy in the studio.

I am more inspired, happier, and even more creative. Really.

I think that because I am so observant of the wild flowers and colors that I see while out, it changes my whole frame of mind! I want more and more color, beauty...

and I can capture all of that again and again with paints and a brush! (In a sense).

Yes, I have also kept quite busy with work.

More and more commission work comes my way and I am still pinching myself just to see if this is all really happening for me!

Friends, I'm currently blessed with the biggest commission piece that has made me nervous, stressed, excited, eager, then joyful! I have remained focused on this piece- Monday through Friday.

A few evening hours were spent on this commissioned piece.

I love the stories that comes with each request.

I have also enjoyed simply being married to my best friend.

Today we had a lunch date out...

More sushi for me...

along with some sugar free dessert!

Note: this was not one of my choices!

Happy Summer to you!

 

Big Girl Doodling... & SALE!

Hello, far away friends!

Have you yet settled into this new year?

I do believe that I will like 2014 very much! (Feeling positive here)!

I certainly have more creative energy than I have had in quite some time. I find myself jotting down ideas in notebooks that are scattered throughout the house...

thinking to myself, "I'll work on this next"! Sometimes, I'm even wide awake at odd, dark hours. Painting, journaling, sketching even MORE ideas.

This past week...

Word art.

I have always been a a "doodler". Always.

I recall sitting at my high school desks...

doodling words and designs on the desk tops, in pencil. (Not such a good idea).

By the time that the bell would ring for passing period, my entire desktop would be full of art. Art to me, anyway. Some works remained for the next student to enjoy...

while other desktop art got washed away with spray cleaner, with my own hands. Teacher's orders. True story.

Honestly, I never was a great student, however, I excelled in day dreaming...

and art, of course.

I'm thoroughly enjoying word painting right now, and working on some custom pieces for others who also liked the results of my "big girl doodling"!

I listed the "love you to the moon & back" in my shop yesterday! More to come because I'm on a roll!!!!

I do also want to share the SALE that I am offering through Facebook only. "Like" my page: "Missy Trent Art & Offerings", and receive $10.00 off of a custom, 9"x12" word art on heavy watercolor paper, ready to frame! This sale applies to the word art heart design and to US buyers only. (My apologies, friends... But the cost of shipping internationally is crazy high and has been disastrous for me in the past, therefor, I stopped).

Husband and I went to the city yesterday.

He is so very adventurous, ... Love this about him!

It wasn't in the plans, but he blurted out, as we were driving on the highway, "wanna go eat at Ameristar Casino"?

Oh my goodness!!!!

I could never say no to the Ameristar buffet!

Naturally, I also take in the beauty and enjoy the photo opportunities.

Fountains.

Painted ceilings and darling store fronts.

Oh so many glass cases filled with lovely, photo worthy sweets.

Yes. We left the Ameristar felling fat, miserable, sleepy.

Back at home...

both husband and I fell into a sweet, Saturday slumber!

Aaaaahhh, weekends!

Enjoy yours!

XO

 

Fun, Warmth, & Comfort...

Hello and Brrrrrrrrr!

Is it extremely cold in your little part of the world?

It's 10 degrees here on the prairie and surrounding areas.

I cannot complain though. I'm home, in my sweats, and have no commitments or places to go. We have power...

And a fresh pot of coffee!

Oh, and plenty of art to pass the time. Yesterday I had the pleasure of painting with my darling sister-in-law from Iowa. Both she and her husband (Paul's brother), came for a sleepover! I love it when the four of us get together. We blend perfectly! She loves art and even coordinates major art events in her city. It's her job. She is also a collector of art and every wall in their home is covered with art pieces in which she has purchased through the years. Us girls play and visit while the brothers engage in their common interests. Of course, we all gather for meals and last night, two movies, back to back! We were up very late and I'm feeling it today...

But am still painting.

Little by little.

Layer after layer. (Acrylics).

 

Along with coffee, there are hot cups of cocoa, overflowing with whipped topping and chocolate syrup.

The picture was taken Friday night from the city casino where hubby and I dined. The hot chocolate was so yummy, not to mention, pretty...

We went to the grocery store and picked up all ingredients for home!

It went quite well with our Friday night desserts.

It's been blowing and snowing here.

There's nowhere else that I'd rather be...

Than right here...

At home.

That's where the fun, warmth, and comfort is!

Wishing you a warm day!

XO

 

On A Typical Saturday...

On a typical Saturday, I usually wake before my husband.

I sit by a small lamp, in the living room, and work in my art journal as I sip my java.

You see, I really don't do much art on the weekends because we use Saturday to get out and explore, work around the house and the yard, run errands. Sunday, we stick close to home and rest or prepare for the work week.

So, this morning I completed yesterday's art journal entry.

A few hours into the morning we were out the door!

Into the city...

 

Our first stop- City Market. We buy some pastries, a few onions and whole garlic for homemade salsa. It was so crowded at the market today... I really could not capture any great pics to share with you. Elbow to elbow with people who frown on someone who stops to take pictures! I don't enjoy a crowded day at City Market nearly as much as a slow day!

After a walk through, blocks and blocks of produce, yard ornaments, flowers, women's clothing, purses, wind chimes, artists playing guitars or sketching...

The smell of barbecue and Tai food...

We were hungry!

We agreed to indulge in one of our guilty pleasures...

Buffet.

Our favorite buffets are casino buffets. I think that we also enjoy the beauty, the lights, and the uniqueness of each casino that we visit.

This one really was fabulous!

This is the inside of the casino. The entire ceiling is painted blue with fluffy, realistic clouds. Amazing!

It was as if we had entered into a little village. Each restaurant and shop had the appearance of a storefront, house, or building.

It really was a great place to shoot some interesting pics!

Oh, and the buffet was out of this world good!

Yes, we are buffet busters!

On a typical Saturday...

After a huge buffet...

We return home to nap.

Happy weekend, friends!

XO

 

Miss Photographer...

Hello!

How is your weekend going?

I am having super fun and as always, wishing that tomorrow weren't Monday!

Yesterday morning, my sweetheart and I were outside, casually sitting on our patio. Me- fresh out of the shower, with wet hair. I was working on a small painting. He says to me, "Why don't we go spend the day in Weston"?

I said to him with a squeal in my voice, "Really"?!!!!!

(We rarely plan for our adventures).

Oh, how I adore Weston, Missouri and love playing , "Miss Photographer" in this quaint, historic town!

Ironically, I was painting her:

 

So, I dash into the house and dry my hair. Grab a few necessities for a day trip, and out the door we went!

The photos shown on this post were shot with my iPhone 4S. (I haven't yet processed the pics from my Sony Nex 5r).

We arrived in Weston at about 11:30 am, which is lunch time for Paul... Or he will have a slight meltdown. Yes, for real.

We chose to dine at a very old brewery/pub.

Although we dined outside, under a large umbrella, I took this opportunity to explore and take some pictures!

 

 

This place is so unique! We got there just in time...

People began pouring in. I see why. The food was so delightful! I had a salad with a grilled salmon steak on top of a bed of spinach leaves. The dressing was a sweet vinegarette.

After lunch, we began walking the downtown business district, which consists of beautiful boutiques, home decor, pottery shops, jewelry stores, and several antique shops.

 

Miniature gardens galore!

Hmmmm. Shall I create a miniature garden for our home? The tiny furniture is so cute! I once had a big dollhouse with all of the detailed trimmings...

But that was long ago.

We walked and walked.

Explored.

Once back home, we had just enough time to freshen up before going to a cookout.

Tired bodies.

Later...

I completed my painting just before bed.

 

Miss Photographer.

Happy Father's Day to all of the daddy's out there!

I'm so excited to soon spend some time with my dad!!!!!

Until next time,

XO