Coffee & wine corks...

Oh, my! Summer sure does keep us hopping, doesn't it? A good kind of hopping, I might add!

Before I share anymore, I will show you my latest project. I refer to these kind of projects as "fun art". Art that comes with no commitment or deadline. Art that allows me to also experiment and play with other goodies such as beads, in this case. It has been a perfect creation to help me to ease back into some painting after returning from a trip...

Just some patio sitting and dabbling.

Ta da!

Wine cork key chains!

You may have seen these in shops or on the Internet, just as I had. I was instantly intrigued by them, especially after holding one in my hand this past weekend while in Branson, MO. (Much cuter in person)! I wanted to make them, however, I do not enjoy copying creations of others. If I am going to call myself an artist, I choose to behave as one! So, I began to think about these darling key chains and challenged myself to be inspired by them, yet make them my own by adding something to them that I had not yet seen. Well, it did not take long before I realized that by using the corks as my canvas, I could add my own special touch with tiny paintings on them! And so...

It began.

From there, I have been bombarded with special orders through my Facebook group. (A huge thanks to those are are keeping me joyfully busy)!

By the way, on Friday I will be giving three of my key chains away to three people so if you have not yet joined "Missy Trent Art", I invite you to do so!

 

I have not played with beads and charms in ages! How fun!

Speaking of fun...

My husband and I took a little road trip last weekend to Hollister and Branson, MO. We met up with some friends and enjoyed a weekend filled with shopping, dining, flea markets, antiquing, music, and of course, coffee!

I highly recommend the "Vintage Paris Coffee & Wine Cafe" in Hollister, MO.

I absolutely loved the "Van Gogh" coffee! (Lavender and honey). Simply the best coffee that I have put to my lips! I could have sit in this cozy coffee house for hours.

Isn't it beautiful? (And yes, I find him to be easy on the eyes also)!

Now, back home...

I continue to treat myself to great coffee and recently purchase a "Chemex" pour over coffee pot.

The little things that make us feel special!

It's quite pretty but I find that my coffee gets cold quickly in the vessel. Have you ever used one and do you have any advice on how to solve this issue? Please, comment and tell me how to love this pot!!! Thank you in advance.

I will leave you with my rainy morning view as I was waiting for my slow pour coffee!

Until next time...

XO

 

Surrounded by mermaids & Summer...

What on earth? (Or shall, I say, "in the sea")?

I cannot stop painting these happy little mermaids!

 

This week is off to another very productive start, I am thrilled to report.

Each morning I grab my coffee and make several trips to and from the patio, bringing art supplies outside to the table.

I prepped canvases and paper mache boxes with gesso on Monday.

By Tuesday, the paper mache boxes were coming to life with mermaids!

And today...

I am nearly finished!

The boxes will soon be available at Missy Trent Art.

Just click on the link and come take a peek!

I have continued on with my Summer reading as I wait for paint to dry.

Some times from the chair.

Other times, I am in the hammock!

Either way suits me just fine and just look at my backyard view!

Oh, Summer, Summer! I love thee!!!

Wishing you a fabulous, sunny day!

XO

 

Mermaids in progress...

I'm just trying to keep cool here while still painting from the patio!

More mermaids in both watercolor and acrylics will soon be available here:

Facebook.com/groups/MissyTrentArt

 

Loving the tranquil colors and oh, that texture on the acrylics!

Makes me happy!

Enjoy your day, friends!

XO

 

That moment...

Today I had that moment.

I started the day with too much thinking. You know... making mental notes on what needed to get done today. I would then go to my paper list and write it down.

After two cups of coffee and a shower. No treadmill.

I was out the door.

I did my to do's and scurried back home. The sun was beaming and the temperature was perfect! A calm breeze was the cherry on top!

It was that moment when I made the decision that the remainder of the day would be spent enjoying time outdoors, doing some art, exploring nature, snapping photos, watching the fish and frogs in our pond. Oh yes!

I needed to PLAY!

Of course, I encountered a few unexpected surprises such as a new, large turtle living in our pond...

and a fluffy bumble bee sucking sweetness from my Alliums.

After roaming the prairie, I brewed a pot of late afternoon Java and dug out some old, but much loved art supplies. With the Neo watercolor crayons, I loosely painted this little girl. (Which is the age that I felt in these moments of freedom)!

Yes.

I really needed a day like today.

How do you take care of yourself?

I do hope that you discover your moments to simply play!

Talk soon!

XO

 

A Traveling Twist...

Home Sweet Home!

I find myself whispering these words,under my breath, often this week!

A trip to visit my now 50 year old friend, Lori, turned out to be a 9 day journey to 2 different cities in Kansas...

and not really knowing exactly when I would be returning back home since I was a passenger!

We will start the story in Wichita, Kansas.

 

Once I arrived at Lori's house, we did not waste any time in starting on the huge, wood photo booth bus for her hippie themed 50th birthday party!

We painted for two days, on her patio. We had sunshine, we had a few patches of grey, overcast skies. We had 70's music playing.

We had wonderful grilled meals, along with oh so pretty salads.

We had fun and good conversation.

Once the project was completed, we did get out to a few shops in Old Town.

I did not get to stay for the big birthday bash.

My uncle passed away...

So on to my home town I went to attend the funeral service and to enjoy time with my family.

I absolutely love hanging out with my parents!

We spent a couple of days exploring small surrounding towns, visiting antique malls and shops. We dined out, visited friends. Found serenity and I always find a new appreciation for the landmarks that I passed nearly daily for 45 years... but never really observed.

It's the little things and this place, these people...

Will always be "home" also.

Home sweet home.

Back in my own bed at night, loving our newly remodeled kitchen and living room!

Trying to get our home clean now and re-decorated has been my primary focus. Laundry, grocery shopping too!

My wonderful hubby and I catch up over coffee and food from "The Waffle House" on a cold, rainy night in between errands.

I am trying to get back into my routine, but have committed to some substituting at school. (Now just wishing to be done with that because I need my quiet, creative lifestyle more so).

I know me.

I long to just journal with a cup of tea.

No commitments for awhile.

Soon.

Very soon.

I hope that you are loving life!

Until next time,

XO

 

Oh, so green!

Hello out there!

How is your week?

All is wonderful here, as we are anxiously awaiting the arrival of our parents!

I'm having a hard time focusing on much because of my excitement! I still get terribly homesick.

I got out my sketch pad a few evenings ago.

I suddenly felt an urge to paint bicycles so I wanted to practice a bit on paper before actually tackling a canvas with acrylics.

When I think of Summer bliss, I have lovely visions of bright colored bicycles, blue skies, and grass oh, so green.

I chose those chunky 4" x 4" canvases and have every intention of painting several different bicycles.

You know...

Bikes by the water.

Bikes by a tree.

Bikes by a white picket fence...

and possibly even one resting beneath a clothesline?

How cute would that be?

And of course, each bicycle will have it's very own basket...

with flowers on board!

It's been so much fun!

This one is up for grabs.

You may read the details on my Facebook fan page here.

Just to let you know, I am also doing a give away next week! I just reached a goal of 300 "likes". I think that is cause to celebrate!!!

So, won't you please head on over there and join in with a page like? (My next goal is for 500 and even a bigger celebration)!

Okay. Speaking of bigger...

hubby and I have some very BIG news!

We have just purchased our own magical forest!

We have seen this property many of times and have been so intrigued by it's Tom Sawyer kind of landscaping. The type of adventure park that Disneyland has with the tree house, surrounded by trees...

it reminds me of that.

Only this property has multi decks that stagger (through the trees), all the way down to a pond.

Well, we bought it!

We just closed on the property yesterday.

Many more photos and magical things to come!

I do wish you a perfect weekend!!!!

I will be loving on my parents!!!!

Until next time,

XO