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

 

February Love...

February has arrived...

and with it's first day, it has made it's grand entrance with blowing snow here on the Kansas prairie.

After my two cups of coffee this morning, I went into the kitchen and began chopping vegetables. This kind of day calls for stew in the crockpot.

Now, many hours later, I can report that it was delightful! (Quite colorful too)!

Sundays are typically "lazy days" around here. A day of rest, indeed. I rarely even paint on a Sunday...

but I can show you what I am currently working on!

I am painting Las Vegas for a client who was married there. A gift for her husband. This has probably been one of my most challenging paintings, for many reasons. I have only been to Las Vegas once... when I was just age 18. I do not remember much about it.

I do not paint cities or buildings often and I do struggle with "perspective".

Yes, it's been a difficult painting...

yet enjoyable!

I feel that I learn and I grow as an artist with each commission because I am told what to paint. If I had not been told to paint Las Vegas... or a cow...

I most likely would have never done so. I would have never known just how exciting it is to paint a silly cow!

I have really come to appreciate commission work for such reasons. It forces me to step outside of my comfort zones and to learn. Before painting, I spend weeks studying the subject that I will be painting. I observe every line, the colors, the variations... and perspective.

I think that Vegas will be finished this week!

Possibly she will decide to give it to her hubby early... a Valentine gift? (I am way ahead since I originally told her that I could begin painting in February)!

Awwww, the month of Love!

I also squeeze in some playful painting that requires zero brain work!

Sending some Love your way!

 

I wish...

I wish that every day could be Christmas!

Well, okay...

That might take away some of the excitement and joy if it were Christmas season all year long, but I would, however, enjoy having these warm feelings (that seem especially strong and present this time of year), every single day.

Speaking for only myself, I do feel more giving, more thoughtful and compassionate. Possibly it is because I become more aware in December. Aware that it is the season to give. Aware that there are so many less fortunate people in this world, and even in my own community.

Aware that I can do something.

I seem to become more driven to do my part in helping others and wow, that feels incredibly good!

This is REAL joy, indeed!

All of my senses really kick in when December rolls around!

I don't want to miss out on anything...

The smells of pine trees, cinnamon, candies and fudge being made in specialty shops...

The sounds of the Salvation Army bells, Christmas songs playing on the radio.

My eyes are wide open to all of the beauty and the magic that surrounds us, even while out running errands.

Lights, sparkles, and often, (in Kansas), SNOW!

We greeted our first snow of the season this morning!

Naturally, I grabbed my camera and my heavy brown coat. I through on some boots and out the door I went, careful not to leave too many foot impressions in the freshly fallen snow. That ruins a great photo opp!

Snap, snap, snap.

Isn't it great that we no longer have to ask ourselves if a subject is photo worthy or not? With digital, I feel so free to shoot!

After playing Miss photographer in the front yard, I made my way to the backside of our house.

I'm never out in the snow for very long. It's dreadfully cold.

Inside, I brewed a pot of coffee. At night I've been sipping tea or hot cocoa with a peppermint stick. I swirl the stick around and around, allowing the mint to dissolve and add a hint of "wintery" flavor. Those pure sugar sticks work best for this! (Those softer sticks).

Another special something that I only do during the Christmas season.

 

Today I finished my last custom ordered ornament so I am now officially taking a mini vacation to spend time on personal art and with family.

It was a successful year for selling and I thank my supporters from the bottom of my heart.

I never ever imagined that I would actually be living my dream.

I did make some time to finally bleach some of those charming bottle brush trees! I even glittered a few!

I purchased several of them last year but simply never found the time to get creative with them.

I had planned on dying some and adding "bulbs", but I was so captivated by the whites and the creamy colors that I decided to save the dying for next year.

For now, I sit in my favorite chair, all wrapped up in a soft sweater. Gazing at our pretty tree. Staying present!

Oh, how I wish...

that almost every day could be Christmas!

Sending blessings your way.

Peace & Love to all.

 

Owl, Kisses, and Creativity...

Hello again!

How is your week going?

I'm off to a pretty good start.

Recently, I had a client request some baby gifts in an owl theme, using aqua, white, and grey.

The first step for me was to begin sketching owls so that I could create my own character to use as my reference.

After drawing different body shapes, head shapes, eyes...

I came to the conclusion that I preferred my owls fat and furry with huge eyes!

 

I have been painting owls for days now!

Fun for a change, I will say.

My client wanted a few different pieces to coordinate together.

I ended up with a picture frame, canvas, wood plaque, and an ornament (still unfinished).

I love the soothing colors for a baby's room.

I also completed the "Always Kiss Me Goodnight" canvas by adding some beautiful texture and a scroll design.

Now I want one for our bedroom!

I have also made time for playing, "Miss Photographer", using my Sony telephoto lens (on my Sony nex 5r).

The lens rocks!

How about that ice sculpture hanging from our roof top?

Yes, it's still Winter here.

A great time to be busy painting... Indoors!

Tell me what you have been doing!

Enjoy your evening!

XO

 

Hello, February, 47...and MORE snow!

Hello, friends!

What have you been doing to pass these Winter months?

Possibly it is not cold where you reside...

but it was a mere 14 degrees in my world today, with another fresh blanket of snow.

Even our pond is covered in white.

Beautiful, it is.

Even more beautiful when one can peek at Winter through windows of a toasty, warm house.

Although we do have both central air and heat in our home...

we prefer to use our wood burning stove for heat.

Hubby works hard to cut enough wood to get us through an entire Winter.

Now that I am working from home, I have taken over his job of waking in the middle of the night to stoke the fire and replenish the wood so that the house will remain warm by morning. This allows him to sleep through the night. (I squeeze in a day time nap, if needed)!

I feel like a real pioneer woman.

I love country living.

We are such home bodies, us two.

When I asked him what he would like to do to celebrate his 47th Birthday on Saturday, he replied, "just stay in". I sighed with relief.

I put a roast in the crockpot along with potatoes, onion, and peppers....

and of course, I had already purchased a German chocolate cake and candles. (Too busy with painting to bake this year's cake)!

The party was on!

It was a lovely party of two.

I also did some painting.

 

I love, love, love these boho colors!

We ended Birthday night with a pay per view movie of his choice.

Hello, February and another year of celebration...

and another round of snow.

I will see you again real soon!