Could it be?

Could it be so?

Has Spring suddenly sneaked up on us?

By the sounds of the birds whistling from the trees and the sun beams bursting through our windows...

possibly, it is so.

Just a week or so ago, I painted this scene in my art journal.

It was real.

This was happening.

Strong winds, blowing snow flurries, grey skies. Silent birds!

On Friday, I painted much happier birds!

I have thoroughly enjoyed some "me" time in the studio. You know... art for fun and leisure.

It has been many years since I have participated in online art swaps and challenges with like-minded people. Recently, I decided that in order to remain happy in my career as a full time artist... I must also include some time and activities, free of commands and instructions. I decided to seek out, reach out, and get back into a few online communities that I thought would be a good fit for me. Since these groups are still rather new to me, I am not yet going to share the links. Allow me, please, time to participate in some of the events before making any recommendations.

I have limited myself to only one art exchange per month and one creative challenge per month so that my fun will not interfere with commission work.

I had forgotten just how joyful it is to sit and paint oodles and oodles of ATC's (Artist Trading Cards), and ACEO's (Art Cards, Editions and Originals)! I found myself smiling big and already feeling excited to receive cards from other artists! I create ten and in return, I will get ten cards to add to my own collection! Yes!!! I absolutely adore such sharing of art and creativity!

How about you?

Do you participate in any creative online groups? If so... please, share with a comment!

As for my work, I recently had the pleasure of creating a baby gift. My client provided me with the colors, the theme, and baby's name. This was so much fun... afterall, who does not love baby elephants?

I was thrilled when I was sent a photo through my public facebook page, of the recipients holding the gifts at the actual baby shower. More JOY!!! I LOVE what I do!!!

I also love interesting skies. And the moon.

Just last night I dashed out of the front door with my Sony nex 5r to capture this!

So worth it!

Could it be...

a Spring moon?

See you right back here soon!

XO

 

The smallest things...

I witnessed something extra special this morning while I was out walking and jogging.

Did you see it too?

The moon!

It was the strangest thing. Traces of the moon behind our house as the sun was rising on the front side of the house.

Unfortunately, I only had my iPhone camera with me, otherwise, I might have captured some more detailed photos.

I get so excited over the smallest of things...

And so grateful that I do.

(It makes exercising much more enjoyable, I might add)!

Ahhhhhhh, the colors of Fall are now filling my paint palettes.

It's that time again.

Handpainted Christmas ornaments!

I'm going to begin posting them, (for sale), in a couple of weeks, on my Facebook page! I'm having so much fun with all new designs....

Baby ornaments, teacher ornaments, wedding ornaments! I try to create ornaments to suit everyone. Yes, I will even personalize them!

This ornament will represent peace on earth.

I have such a happy heart when preparing for the holidays.

Pumpkin pie fragrance fills the air in every room. I love those wax warmers! (Especially since I'm not doing any pie baking at this time)! Soon though... Soon!

Still art journaling in the evenings...

And sipping hot tea.

Yes, these small things in life make for a wonderful life. Truly, they do.

Something else that I cherish so much is receiving messages from YOU!

Today, Sylvie, from France, sent me some very kind words. Friends, YOU inspire me. You see, I was not going to blog today since I had such a large "assembly line" of ornaments in the makings, and still had supper to cook along with other chores...

But then I thought of Sylvie.

She took time out of her day to type a very thoughtful message. I decided that at this moment, it should be a priority to create a simple blog post and to acknowledge Sylvie. Thank you, Sylvie, and to all of you who do follow my blog. It means so much to me!

 

Yes.

It's the smallest things that matter the most.

Blessings to all and I will meet you right back here, soon!

XO

 

 

June Ponderings...

Hello to you!

June is such a wonderful month, don't you agree?

This June has started off rather busy for us...

but a perfect kind of busy, indeed.

I recently had a best friend come and stay with me for five days!

Oh, dear.

We stayed up very late most nights!

Painting until 4:00 am on this night.

Well, she had gone on to bed...

but I continued to paint until my eyes would no longer stay open.

Moons seem to be everywhere lately!

As girlfriends do...

We also pampered ourselves with oh, so yummy grilled foods, conversation, sharing stories and secrets. These days, she and I often discuss our aging bodies!

We did matching manicures and pedicures!

She has joined me in the nail wrap business and is already enjoying it tremendously!

It's so nice that she and I share so many common interests, which leads to even more fun things to visit about!

She went back to her world on Wednesday.

I, back to my life on the prairie, with husband by my side.

(He had gone on a trip for some RZR riding with one of his best friends).

There is always much to do around our prairie home and rolling hills...

however, over the weekend, he and I chose to take walks with our fur babies, down to the pond.

I even squeezed in a couple of brisk, solo walks.

We were both a little blue on Father's Day this year.

It was the first Father's Day without his sweet dad on earth. We could not call him on the phone.

And of course, I always pine for my dad who is miles away,..

But I am so grateful that I can still hear his voice and make plans to see him.

I will probably always be somewhat homesick.

We kept ourselves busy throughout the day of fathers.

I baked a pineapple upside down cake, worked on commission work.

Hubby also went to work for half of the day.

We were glad that we did so because being self employed has it's stressors. If we do fall behind, we lose money and only we are accountable. We never want to lose a customer and word of mouth is our best advertisement.

So, we both got a nice jump start on this week's work...

and yes, each job does have a deadline.

At the end of the day...

he picked a pretty pink rose from our rose bush...

Just for me.

A reminder.

Why I am here.

Enjoy your day, dear ones.

Xo

 

A full moon in June?

Hello!

I heard a rumor...

That soon, there will be a full moon.

Of course, when it happens...

I will grab my camera and try again.

I never can seem to get a good, crystal clear shot of the moon and all of it's glory.

Can you?

I welcome your tips and suggestions!

I sure do enjoy painting the moon!

Today I completed this commission piece.

Shhhhh.

It is a surprise gift for a high school classmate who really loves the moon!

Whenever there is a full moon in the sky, she posts a picture on facebook, along with a caption that reads, "Oh. Would you look at that"!

It has become her "thing" on fb!

Cute & clever, don't you think?

That angel who has commissioned me to paint for others for an entire year is behind this one as well!

I have added 16 treasures in this mixed media moon painting!

Can you find them?

I will be doing more hidden treasure pieces!

I may even do one for our home!

We have had lots of rain here on the prairie!

Yay!!!!

All things are growing well and I do believe that I am going to have some lovely pumpkins!!!!

Looking forward to company this weekend and most all of next week too!

My girly friend, Lori, will arrive on Sunday.

We are going to do our nails and our usual creative stuff!

This is my current mani and pedi...

What do you think?

Oh, so much fun!!!!

Lori has joined my team of independent consultants!

You can too, if you'd like!!!!

We would certainly love to have you!

I think that we all need a variety of fun hobbies, and I am so happy to have found this one that also provides me with a bit of fun money too!!!!

I do hope that you have a wonderful rest of the week!

I will see you soon!

XO

 

Owl, Kisses, and Creativity...

Hello again!

How is your week going?

I'm off to a pretty good start.

Recently, I had a client request some baby gifts in an owl theme, using aqua, white, and grey.

The first step for me was to begin sketching owls so that I could create my own character to use as my reference.

After drawing different body shapes, head shapes, eyes...

I came to the conclusion that I preferred my owls fat and furry with huge eyes!

 

I have been painting owls for days now!

Fun for a change, I will say.

My client wanted a few different pieces to coordinate together.

I ended up with a picture frame, canvas, wood plaque, and an ornament (still unfinished).

I love the soothing colors for a baby's room.

I also completed the "Always Kiss Me Goodnight" canvas by adding some beautiful texture and a scroll design.

Now I want one for our bedroom!

I have also made time for playing, "Miss Photographer", using my Sony telephoto lens (on my Sony nex 5r).

The lens rocks!

How about that ice sculpture hanging from our roof top?

Yes, it's still Winter here.

A great time to be busy painting... Indoors!

Tell me what you have been doing!

Enjoy your evening!

XO

 

Love You To The Moon...

February!

The love month.

I did not get around to posting a traditional red, pink, and white blog post. Of course, it was on my mind, but I was busy painting in blues, purple, and gold.

Keeping odd hours around here. Enjoying the light of the moon.

And since hubby and I celebrated Valentine's Day early so that he could take off for a trip...

it came and went so quickly. I did not even get out all of our glittery heart decorations for the home. Instead, I kissed him goodbye and I continued to paint moons.

Large canvases.

Itty bitty canvases.

And ornaments galore!

After sharing some pics on my "Missy Trent Art & Offerings" Facebook page, all but two of the ornaments sold, along with both tiny canvases! So...

I think that I will be painting more moons this week!

Still trying to decide what kind of ribbon to add to the ornaments. I'm quite fond of this sparkly moon yarn!

So, we are certainly feeling the love here. To the moon and back!

I do hope that you had a nice Valentine's Day and that you have been showered with love!

Blessings to you!

XO