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

 

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

 

Sunflowers galore!

Hello, friends!

Oh, how time flies and I can't believe that Summer has come to an end.

I have so much show & tell you...

However, for now I am simply going to send some sunshine your way...

Until another day!

I have been painting sunflowers here and just yesterday morning, I captured this lovely photo, just as the sun was peeking out!

These are available...

Well, a few still remain. I sold some last night through my Facebook page, " Missy Trent Art"...

won't you please drop by, "like" my page and follow my adventures there as well? I would love to have you!

Don't sunflowers just make you smile big?

They are so bright and cheery!

I am a Kansas girl, indeed!

I even have them on my coffee mugs!

I will try really hard to not be absent for too long.

I truly do feel a loss when I can't find the time to post.

Thinking of you!

XO

 

Paintbrush wonders...

Hello, out there!

How are you?

All is silent here on the prairie. After having my nephew and his sweet girlfriend here for a few days...

Dashing here and running there, all in which we absolutely enjoyed. It's now back to quiet moments with a paintbrush in hand. Soaking up Summer skies revealing their own special brush strokes of color.

Back to commission work...

but also some "fun" projects.

I began by painting a variety of paintbrushes. Yummy colors!

Wondering what would evolve from each one, as I studied their sizes and shapes.

Then, it came to me!

One of them anyway, would become a mermaid from the sea.

I added some molding paste and sculpted some of her most interesting features such as her hair, scales, and fin.

Acrylic paints to make her really pop.

Isn't she lovely?

Now this is what I call super FUN art!

I am already looking forward to the next.

I do hope that you are taking some time to admire your pretty painted skies!

XO

 

Yes, This Happened...

Midori Traveler's Notebook.

Have you heard of them?

I had not...

until last week.

I found myself browsing through countless photos on instagram and Pinterest. (By the way, I have just opened an instagram account and would love to have you follow me there by clicking on the icon to the right)!

After two evenings of Midori eye candy, I knew that I had to have this beauty to add to my art journal collection. I ordered. It arrived.

Friends, unpacking the Midori Traveler's Notebook is a treat in itself!

Because this notebook is designed with an elastic band system that can hold several notebooks, I also ordered some additional notebook inserts and accessories to start with. Each piece, beautifully packaged...

but I first opened the leather cover and removed it from it's lovely chipboard box. Words cannot even describe the aroma of pure leather. I ordered the brown. Mine was soft to the touch. (Some leather may be stiff when new). There was even a cotton carrying case for my new Midori.

I spent the remainder of this day adding my inserts: a journal for art, a monthly calender, a blank notebook that came with the Midori, a Kraft folder, a zippered pouch. I also purchased the pen holder clip and some pocket stickers.

Oh, the joy of personalizing this notebook/journal...

making it truly my own!

The fabulous glass bead was handcrafted by a friend/artist, Kris Ball. The palette and brush charm was a purchase made long ago. I untied the knot in the elastic from the back side of the leather cover, and slid the bead through, then re-tied the knot.

And then this happened...

I have been using my Midori for what mine was intended to be used for. Art, doodling, planning, organizing, list making...

Since my Midori will be with me everywhere I go, I want it to be functional, yet full of creative art and inspiration!

I will be adding more. This is an on going project and I will be blogging my tiny works of art. I will even throw in some tutorials for those of you who love their planners! Just wait and see what I have done to the inner pages!

Yes. This really did happen.

I love my Midori!

I also adore these pretty pink skies on the prairie!

See you soon!

XO

 

Cows & Cocoa...

Hello and a Happy New Year to you!

It's been very relaxed around here and just today, both hubby and I are back in full swing with routine.

We did get a dusting of snow over the weekend...

a perfect excuse for another cup of hot cocoa!

Right after Christmas, I began working on this 30" x 30" acrylic on canvas cow painting for a client. (just look at that Winter taking place outside). Brrrrr!

I'm really enjoying the long, carefree brush strokes and the heavy paint.

This is only the first layer, still in progress.

I will continue to build layers with fabulous peaks and bold colors!

Funny. Not once... EVER did I have the desire to paint a cow. I am surrounded by livestock here on the prairie, so I suppose that the subject never appeared to be interesting to me.

I am so glad that someone else found the cow to be a subject of interest!

That one commission painting has introduced to me, a rather fun creature to paint...

even in watercolors!

What a joy it was this morning to watch the sun come up as I painted happy cows.

Oh, the things that we take for granted and overlook.

Although I am not one for making new year's resolutions...

I do know that in 2015 I will be more open minded to painting new things.

Even the things that seem un-interesting to me!

Bring on this new year!!!

XO