Polka Dots...

Hello out there and happy Monday!

I love weekends but I'm also very anxious to greet Mondays and a new work week these days. (Gosh, it feels good to be able to say that)!

I have just finished up this commission piece.

Bad pics, I know...

But photographing an 8" x 24" canvas is tricky.

The client wanted me to create a whimsical version of her bathroom, in her colors, of course.

I adore the polka dots!

Soon into the painting, I found myself wearing polka dots!

We had a weekend filled with company and events.

A 50th wedding anniversary celebration. I wore a dress and hubby wore his nice black slacks.

We were happy, however, to get back into our jeans on Sunday for a trip into the city.

Shopping at Menard's for garden seeds and supplies...

and then topping it off with Starbuck's where I stocked up on coffee for the home and a new insulated travel mug. Oh, and a caramel macchiato for the road, of course.

Yard work for hubby and studio work for me for the last part of our weekend. Yes, I'm changing my studio decor just a little after buying two new comfy chairs from Pier One Imports. Pictures soon, I promise!

How was your weekend?

Fun, I do hope!

I'll see you back here again soon!

XO

 

Visions of Sugarplums Danced in Her Head...

Hello, my friends!

I do hope that you had a wonderful Christmas!

Ours was very different this year since we did not travel or have time with our families. We stayed home, just the two of us....

Watching movies, snacking, sipping our usual java. It was quiet.

My family will celebrate Christmas in January, here in our home. We are very much looking forward to that!

I still felt the Christmas spirit, despite the fact that I wasn't with family...

A holiday ham has served us several yummy meals, gingerbread men were all gobbled up, and Christmas lights are turned on each morning and bounce off of the walls through the night. Visions of sugarplums have danced in our heads.

Much clay sculpting while sitting here in our recliners!

Joy, joy, joy!

Hubby even helped me "frost" more faux cupcakes. He likes being needed!

Aren't these kissing bunnies adorable?!!!

I made only one. It was very involved.... But oh, so worth it!

The creative ideas just kept on coming as we sat through Christmas... eating popcorn and chocolates (in addition to the ham and the home baked treats from a neighbor).

I thought to myself, "Alice In Wonderland"!!! I want to do a series of Wonderland sculptures!

So, let me introduce to you, the very first in the series...

The white rabbit titled, "Sweet Wonderland". There are only seven available. Love the gift box in which each one comes with! (I ship anywhere in the United States, message me if interested).

I've really had fun creating these!

Are you ready to ring in the new year?

I'm ready!!!

Remember, I'm posting frequent studio updates and photos on my "Missy Trent Art & Offerings" Facebook page! I do hope that you'll drop by and give me a "like"!!!

Stay warm, darlings!

I'll see you again very soon!

 

Pure Sweetness...

Hello, hello!

Are you all ready for Thanksgiving?

Hubby and I will leave tomorrow...

to travel back to our home town, to be with family! Yay!!! I had hoped to have our large Christmas tree up and the house fully decorated by now (so that we could return back home to a cozy, Christmas atmosphere)....

But I've been a bit busy. I only found time to put a few tiny trees around the rooms.

You see...

I have spent days in the kitchen.

Oh, how nice...

She's been baking cupcakes for Thanksgiving ( you must be thinking). Impressed, huh?

Giggle. Giggle.

I've been in the kitchen, indeed...

Making faux cupcakes. Some became ornaments, others will be photo holders. Some are for gift giving...

Others to sell.

Aren't they just adorable?!!!!

I'm even making all of the toppers from clay!

Pure sweetness.

Poor hubby. Frothing at the bit. I have promised to bake him some real cupcakes once we get back from our Thanksgiving travels. He's been a trooper, assisting me in the kitchen with this project!

I also have more handpainted ceramic ornaments in the makings, on my work table. I sold all of the ornaments pictured in my last blog post. Gone, gone, gone!

Oh my.

Our house is quite a mess. Especially the kitchen.

It's a nice mess though!

I wish you and your loved ones a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Blessings...

Until next time.

 

White rabbit on my work table...

Hello, friends!

Are you as excited as I am, that tomorrow is Friday?

I have completed my first full work week (with students). I must say that it's been quite enjoyable getting to know each and every one of them! When one spends nine months with kids, Monday through Friday, 7:45 am until 3:00 pm...

A very special bond develops. Although it's not always easy, and every day is different with so many unique personalities...

We do laugh often and try to make learning fun!

We have a great group of students this year!

Just as them, our schedules change with each school year so it takes us adults awhile also, to adjust and to know which classrooms to go to once the bell rings.

Dash, dash, dash.

All day long. (Good exercise)!

Still, I come home...

Brew the coffee.

Pour a cup.

And paint...

Or not!

Some nights I prefer to tidy up our house and just sit! (With coffee, of course).

Other nights I may read, as I did last night while eating a yummy bowl of vanilla Greek yogurt.

Tonight I resumed my mini "Wonderland" series. Those itty bitty canvases and acrylic paints.

 

Mr. White rabbit has been the most challenging character so far. Strange, but true.

Layers and layers...

And more to come. It's okay. I paint to relaxe and to clear my mind.

My sweetheart and I will be traveling this holiday weekend. I look forward to that and playing "miss photographer" for a couple of days, in a different state and new cities to explore!

How about you?

Any plans for the Labor Day weekend?

Whatever you do, enjoy and be safe!

Until next time...

XO

 

Create Your Own Wonderland...

Aaaaahhh, Friday!

My first week back to work, completed.

Pure bliss, it is...

To now be sitting outside on our patio, hearing only the birds and the locusts. In my shorts and a tank top...

Exhausted, but quite content.

It certainly was a terribly stressful week with new students, new schedules, new challenges, and much chaos...

But overall, I really do enjoy my life.

At the end of each crazy work day, I remind myself that it's entirely up to me to create my own "Wonderland" kind of life.

For me, it is essential to remain creative, even through the not so pleasant times. Not always easy to do when the mind is cluttered with work thoughts and the eyes are drooping.

A few of the days this week, I forced myself into my art room.

To this journal.

My play journal.

With a cup of coffee very close by and a paintbrush in hand...

Sitting.

Admiring pretty paint colors.

I soon felt my mind and body de-stressing.

I allowed myself to drift.

To a far away land.

 

A place where anything is possible (because I am the creator).

A place where polka-dotted mushrooms grow.

After painting for about an hour each evening, I found that I was able to feel a sense of accomplishment by bedtime. I had made time for my greatest passion and I was able to sleep more soundly.

It's up to us to keep our lives wonderful, through the good times and bad times, right?

Not everyone loves art as I do...

But we all cherish something.

Even the simple things fill our hearts with joy, we just need to discover these things and work them into our daily lives.

 

I noticed that our flower gardens have really bloomed into a palette of lovely colors recently!

We planted and nurtured each one.

Joy.

Yes, each flower will soon disappear once Fall sets in...

But in my Wonderland, I replace blooms with pumpkins. I welcome the new color palette of orange, brown, gold, and red.

I will pamper myself with new hot cocoa flavors.

I will spend many evenings buried beneath a fluffy comforter and a good book.

These are just a few ways in which I keep my life a Wonderland!

How about you?

Please, share!

Wishing you all of fabulous weekend!

XO

 

Sweet Itty Bitty...

Hello and happy Friday!!!

There's just something joyful about Fridays.

Around here, we wake up excited on a Friday morning. My sweetheart greets my morning face by blurting out, "it's Friday, baby"!

We know that this day of the week is the start of some serious play, rest, road trips, and eating sweet desserts!

What girl doesn't adore a pretty dessert adorned with sugary fluff?

I also love to paint desserts.

I finished another itty bitty canvas last night.

I'm working with acrylics, which I must confess...

Is difficult for me.

Watercolors are my thing!

Yet, I try.

I never limit my boundaries in art. I explore all mediums.

I enjoy every minute.

Just as I enjoyed tasting each one of these sweet treats.

Yes, when we go to a buffet, we sample as many desserts possible.

I take a few bites...

He takes a few bites.

We trade desserts back and forth.

Aren't they lovely?

(I do not allow any bites until after I have photographed each dessert)!

I must go pack my overnight bag now.

We are going to meet my family...

And get my sweet niece settled into her new college home.

Oh my, where have the years gone?

We will laugh and dine...

And eat desserts!

Enjoy your weekend, friends!