A Dusting of Snow on the Prairie...

We have our first dusting of snow for the season!

The weather man spoke of it a couple of days ago and it was to be a grand snow, arriving yesterday...

so I waited anxiously, peeking from the big arched window in my studio, as I painted.

We have just returned back home after a wonderful Christmas shared with my family, back in our home town. I am enjoying this time brushing up on my ever-so-loved watercolors. Just playing. No art commitments or deadlines at this moment. It feels fabulous to just savor Winter and silence for awhile.

The snow did arrive...

Just enough to add a splash of white to the ground!

This morning I grabbed my camera and made my way outside to capture the beauty. (It will have to do until that BIG snow arrives)!

The orange...

With all of this Winter grey is so lovely.

Back inside.

Cold hands and toes.

It was certainly time for tea!

Hey! Did you have a nice holiday? I do hope that yours was filled with much goodness.

I must show you a package that arrived by mail. It was an art exchange in which I participated in. Just look at this hand painted wrap! (Artist, Peggy Hood).

I must remember to paint some of my gift wrapping next year!

Enjoy your day, my friend!

I shall meet up with you again very soon!

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

 

Quiet moments and the red fox...

Hello to you!

It's been awhile, hasn't it?

There isn't a day go by that I don't think about blogging but then I find myself involved in so many other things,... all creativity gone by evening. I have always enjoyed keeping a blog, even if only my eyes view it. For me, it has been a tremendous part of my creative process and so very therapeutic. I suppose that we all experience times such as this. Quiet times.

Less time spent on computers and iPads....

More time to look around and see.

Hubby and I did go exploring this past weekend! With the warmer temperatures now, I am more eager to be out and about, indulging in other passions such as photography, gardening, farmers' markets, travel, or just a simple stroll down to our pond.

When not painting, I enjoy just living a country life. Plucking fresh strawberries from the vines...

watching sunsets, butterflies and cows. Seriously, it's a different lifestyle that I best describe as "serene". I want to capture and savor each and every moment!

Ok. On to some art!

I paint every week day so here a a few of my latest works.

I will end this post with a quick prairie story.

Just a couple of nights ago, hubby and I were returning home from an evening drive. As we made the turn onto our property...I saw, for the first time in my life, up close...

A RED FOX!

He looked right at me and seemed startled by our presence. He paused for a moment and then scurried away! Ironically, I had just painted these acrylic foxes on this very day!

TRUE STORY.

Until next time, my friend.

Xo

 

 

 

 

Easter Blessings!

April!

Oh, isn't it so uplifting to see all of the pretty pastels and budding trees again?

Today I regret not having my camera or even my iPhone with me...

But I was only going to the mailbox when I saw them...

baby ducks swimming in our pond! Yes! Of course I stopped. I watched them for a moment. Smiling. I wondered where they came from and where might momma duck be? I just hope that they will be safe.

We have had heavy rain for two nights. I hear frogs moving into the valley, by the creek behind our house.

As you know, April showers bring May flowers and I believe this because the bulbs that I planted in the Fall are popping up from the earth.

I have played outside on the nice days that we had earlier in the week. On cooler days, I have played indoors. Painting and making my own paper flowers!

Aren't they fun?

Postcards. ACEO's. In between my commission work.

We haven't any plans for Easter but we will see our family very soon!

How about you?

Whatever you do, I wish you a wonderful day and I'm sending watercolor Easter blessings your way!

XO

 

Traveling Art...

It thrills me to share my art and to know that it is being shipped to so many different states! I'm not just referring to commission work, although this charming, hand painted hippie suitcase was a commission...

Traveling to Texas soon...

But I also find joy in swapping art.

If you read my blog regularly, you are aware that I recently joined in on some creative online challenges and exchanges. I also did a blog post showing off my new Midori Traveler's notebook. Oh, my! I don't know how I ever got along without this Midori planner. I use it daily for sketching inspiration, taking notes, keeping track of events, swaps and due dates. I store packages of sticky notes inside the zippered pouch (sold separately) and jot down addresses of clients and art swap recipients and then stick them in my Midori. When post office day rolls around, it's so nice to have these addresses ready to stick onto the boxes and cover with clear shipping tape!

Now...

there is a Midori "Round Robin" taking place and I am happy to be a part of this fun event!

If you are wondering just what a "Round Robin" is...

A group of artists agree to the responsibilities involved (deadlines, shipping, tracking), and ship their journal (in this event, a Midori notebook), to the first artist on their list. In return, I received this notebook from another participant. This is a passport size Midori notebook... and it came to me from Canada! How cool is that?

So, I kept the notebook for one week and added some art to it's pages.

Now I ship the notebook to the next artist on my list to do the same. You may view our traveling notebooks on Instagram #thetravelingnotebook.

Once the notebooks have traveled to each participant, our original notebook is returned.... Filled with art from various artists from all around the world. That is a "Round Robin" event! It's been several years since I have been involved in one so I really am enjoying this all over again!

Here is a peek at another art swap I shipped to California last week-

The theme was "Bird quotes".

And I am currently working on some post card swaps...

Do you allow your art to travel?

It's so rewarding!

We must make time to play, right?

Wishing you a fabulous day!

 

Fun art & swapping...

Well, hello there!

How are things in your corner of the world?

Is your weather playing tricks on you, as mine is here on the prairie? One day it is 40 degrees outside but then on Friday and Saturday it was a glorious 70 degrees here! I wore sandals! Oh, joy!!!

Cold and raining today. Seriously.

Perfect days for Happy mail, wouldn't you agree?

I sent this "Bird theme art swap" out just last week.

My recipient did get it and it did brighten her day! I think that it is safe to say that I am enjoying this group very much! I cannot seem to link it to this post, but if you would like to join in on the swapping of art, search for " Art Exchange, Happy Mail Love" on facebook. Several new theme swaps were just posted last week so you will have plenty of time to look them over and select the themes that interest you!

Here is a peek of some ACEO's that I painted over the weekend...

many of them for the theme swaps.

"CIRCLES" theme.

" CROWN" theme.

" DEER GIRL" theme.

And these vintage trailers were painted simply for fun! You see, my best friend, Lori (Also in the " Art Exchange, Happy Mail Love" facebook group), came for a three day stay! Yay!!!

We spent many many hours painting.

We tried our hands at abstract...

sipped coffee.

watched 80's movies.

laughed out loud.

instagrammed.

and painted again and again.

Oh, how I love these girly visits and yes... I got teary-eyed when I watched Lori pull out of my driveway on Monday. I never want the fun to end!

I am so glad that Lori was here to witness this pretty sky. The photo does not show the lovely pink that was quite present.

Breathtaking.

Yesterday I returned to my routine. Smiling as I reflected on the new memories made with my special friend.

Grateful for them and for her.

I do hope that you created your own wonderful memories over the weekend!

I will return soon!

XO