Soul nurturing moments...

Hello!

No big news from my end. You?

It's Friday night on the patio. Just me, my sketch journal, a nice cool breeze and some storm clouds forming up above.

We have had some rather unusual sky performances this Summer!

Isn't it fabulous? Like art in the sky!

I sit out here and watch. Study.

Doodle at times.

Hey! I guess I do have something fun to share!

My sweet husband and I recently celebrated our anniversary. He gifted me with this oh, so cute, "Instax" camera!

I will use these tiny 2" X 3" photos for my art journals.

We also purchased the mobile "Polaroid zip" mini printer and are very impressed! One can never have too many tiny pictures, right?

This guy.

He is so good to me and I wake up feeling blessed every single day.

He has now made his way out to the patio so I will close here, wishing you a wonderful weekend...

And, surprise hearts! (I found this gem on the patio).

I wish you colorful skies...

And soul nurturing moments.

XO

 

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

 

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

 

A Bicycle journey through pages...

Something different. Change.

We all crave that occasionally, don't we?

This week I have gathered the necessary art supplies for my latest commission and have created a work space in our kitchen. I enjoy the corner nook, surrounded by sunny windows, big plants, and the coffee pot, of course.

This job is a gift. The client's friend recently challenged herself, along with her boyfriend, to bicycle across Kansas. In addition to the challenges that came with this journey, the woman has also suffered some back problems for quite some time now, causing her great pain. In fact, her journey on the Kansas roads has ended, and she is now at home, recovering from back surgery. Oh, how I want to get this surprise art journal completed soon so that her friend may get it to her, to enjoy and hopefully smile big while she is stuck in bed.

Her bike ride began on July 3rd.

I am stalking her Facebook page to capture the dates, the towns that she has passed through, and the highlights of their trip!

Right down to the meals that they cooked on their tiny camp burner!

Although I cannot fill every page in the moleskine journal, I like the idea of the recipient having the extra pages to add her own photos and journaling.

This commission is so much fun and quite different from my most common work- painting on a canvas and acrylics. For those of you who have followed my blog consistently, know that I am very passionate about art journaling and frequently dabble in my own personal journals. This is a huge part of my life as an artist...

and a person.

I am loving this ride and the change in "scenery"!

What's new in your corner of the world?

Be a sweetie, won't you...

and leave a comment and share!

Xo

 

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