A new etsy shop

I am so thrilled to have my 2nd etsy shop up and running. I have opened this shop for my personalized artwork and Honey Trees. You can see more here at LoveNaturally.

Grassroots Modern

Grassroots Modern is a blog about and a resource for all things mid-century, modern and contemporary. I am thrilled that they have chosen to feature some of my paintings on their fabulous blog! Check it out here.

Jimi, meet Dick.

This statue of Jimi Hendrix is in Seattle and is visited by fans from all over the world. Some fans leave cigarette butts in poor Jimi's mouth. Gross.

I've visited the Jimi statue before, but today, I also came to see something else...

(insert drumroll here)

the new Dick Blick art supply store is open!

I was like a kid in a candy store just taking it all in. I was good though... I only spent 36 bucks. I had to leave some stuff there for another visit.

My latest painting - from beginning to end...

My latest painting is called 'Links in Blue and Brown'.

I started by laying on really wet paint, and then used a paper towel to smudge and remove the excess paint.

Then I added a few more colors, and used some dissolve and drip techniques to create a stone-like appearance.

Finally, I added the mod shapes and linked them together with raised white paint. I finished by painting the edges a dark brown and applying a protective varnish.

You can see more original artwork in my etsy shop.

Happy Earth Day, earthlings!

Ok, so yeah, have you tried those Chocolate Cheerios? Well, I have and I'm hooked, and now I have lots of cereal boxes in my recycling bin. After consulting with my art guru Chris, about the safest way to use cardboard in a mixed media piece, I have come up with Blue and Brown Blocks. I'll probably do more of these later, but I'm currently out of milk...

I'm in the Etsy Voter!

One of my Honey Trees is featured in the Etsy wedding Voter. You can check it out and cast your vote here. The voting is open until April 8th.

Artisans Gallery Team

I'm thrilled to have been nominated to join the newly formed Artisans Gallery Team on etsy!

About the team: We are a juried team of artisans of distinction, vetted by peers for excellence in design, skill, presentation, integrity, and customer service. Our team will offer buyers an online experience akin to shopping in a gallery by creating a marketplace of high quality, exceptionally skilled artisans. As an international team with volunteer translators, we are a network aligned to promote the goals of the Handmade Revolution, to connect and support each other across language and geographic barriers, and to recognized and encourage professional standards and unique artistic voices.

You can view our team page here on etsy.

This week, we are rolling out the results of our first team challenge: The Artisan Wedding

Each day this week, we will have a new set of handcrafted items perfect for gift-giving or setting the stage for a unique and artistic wedding day.

Here's the schedule:
Monday- Artisan Wedding Gifts under $100

Tuesday- Artisan Wedding Statement Gifts

Wednesday- Artisan Wedding Favors

Thursday- Artisan Wedding Decor and Stationery

Friday- Artisan Bridal Wear

Saturday- Artisan Gifts for the Bridesmaids

Sunday- The Artisan Flower Girl

Visit the Artisans Gallery Team blog to see the entries.

Sun and Fun in Fremont

We had such a sunny and warm day here on Saturday, so my hubby, son and I went to Fremont for some lunch and browsing. The hip and funky Fremont neighborhood in Seattle is the self-proclaimed 'Center of the Universe'. It's a tourist destination, sure, but there are also enough locals to keep it from feeling too touristy. There is an assortment of eccentric shops, art galleries, record stores, and always something new to see. There used to be a restaurant that served cereal all day. Last time we were there, the special was Cap'n Crunch. I didn't see that place this time.

We had wonderful gyros at Costas Opa and then walked along the canal and went window shopping. We visited the statue of Lenin, found this weird fry guy (eating his own head?) and had a great time visiting several junk shops.

Spring is springing up everywhere!

Come on sunshine!

We've had a few days of continuous sunshine here in the Pacific Northwest and it's beginning to wake up all the tiny buds. Our flowering plum tree is waking up nicely. We have another one of these trees in the backyard and one night last summer I heard a ruckus in the backyard. We live near a wooded greenbelt, so we often get our fair share of critters. Well, sure enough, a family of fat racoons had climbed the tree and were munching away on the hard little plums. I shined a flashlight on them, but they were not deterred. Even my dandy lion housecat Petey tried to frighten them, but it was no use. I see their little footprints every now and then in the flowerbeds, and I bet they are just counting the days until plum season...

I wish I could sing...

This youtube mashes up my two favorites: The Black Keys and Jack Johnson. Wow, that kid can sing!
http://www.youtube.com/user/HelloMoneySH#p/u/3/YibOK5OvSFQ

Storque Feature

What a great day! I woke up this morning to find that my 'Retroforms' painting has been featured in this article in Etsy's blog, The Storque.

If you like mid-century decor, check it out for lots of fabulous finds!

www.etsy.com/storque/spotlight/etsy-finds-decor-lofty-aspirations-6893/

Elemental Layers

Here is my latest work called 'Elemental Layers".

All is quiet on New Year's Day....

And that's just fine with me! It's been a fabulous December, but also very busy! I've been running my legs off with the holiday preparations and travelling and I haven't had much time for my painting. I have so many ideas floating around in my head right now that it's beginning to crowd out the other stuff. Like paying bills and balancing my checkbook. Ahhh, it was nice to escape from reality for a bit, but I guess I better get back on track now. Today we'll probably take the tree down. It's my cat Petey's favorite hangout during the holidays. He loves to gather up all of his toys and put them under the tree. I think its his form of shopping for gifts, but since they are all for him, he's a little self-centered.

My usual New Year's day fare is a big pot of black eyed peas, ham and cornbread. It's a southern tradition and the peas are supposed to bring you luck and prosperity in the coming year. Well, I was a little late buying my peas this year and the grocery store was all out! We're going with red beans instead. I wonder what red beans bring you? (besides gas...) I'm keeping my fingers crossed for luck.

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year's Eve!

I have been so blessed this year in 2009 and I'm looking forward to what 2010 holds. The new year will bring high school graduation for my kiddo, so of course he's looking forward to it!

We were able to get away for a couple of short trips over the last few weeks, and a visit to Leavenworth, Washington is a perfect way to celebrate the holidays! It is a little Bavarian themed village tucked away in the mountains. The hearty German food really warmed us up!

Tiny Art!

I have just finished 4 tiny artworks, complete with a little wooden easel. They are perfect for a desk or cubicle. This one is called 'Poppies for You'.

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=36961886

To ski or not to ski?

That is the question. My last day of skiing ended with an ACL replacement and 4 months of intensive physical therapy. My ACL graft is still a little tempermental, but I have to admit, I am ready to get back on my skis. All the snow up at Crystal Mountain is calling to me. Will we make it out there this weekend? Not sure yet, but we'll keep an eye on the forecast. If there will be new snow for Thanksgiving weekend, we'll be out there!

One of my favorite things about skiing is finding a quiet spot in the pines to catch my breath while I listen to the snow gently falling. That simple and wonderful experience prompted me to paint 'Peaceful Pines'.

http//www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=35228745

I hope your Thanksgiving is happy and peaceful. I'm off to start the stuffing and bake the cranberry bread!

I made the front page of etsy!

http://http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=32395382

I am so excited that my Ocean Flow painting made the front page of etsy and is also listed in the art gift guide. Thanks to Paula at PaulaArt for building an amazing treasury that started the ball rolling!

Check out Paula's cool collection of wall clocks and mixed media pieces here: http://www.etsy.com/shop/PaulaArt

Happiness is ....

Happiness is... a Saturday Morning.

It's been gray and rainy here for a few days and I needed some color! These happy colors just made me feel like a sunny Saturday morning!

In search of Ameila Earhart...

The Museum of Flight in Seattle currently has an exhibit devoted to Amelia Earhart.  It was fascinating to learn more about this amazing woman.  I never knew that she designed her own flight suits and even had her own clothing line.  She also kept smelling salts in the plane with her to keep her awake and kept  a little makeup with her so she would look nice when the reporters  took her picture.                                                              

Early to bed, early to rise

Makes a man healthly, wealthy and wise... Isn't that how the old saying goes? Ever since the 'fall back' with the time change last week, I have been so tired. Of course in the Seattle area it now gets dark at 4:45 in the afternoon. So by the time 10 pm rolls around, it's been dark forever! Ok, so I'm going to bed early and getting up early. I should be healthy, wealthy and wise, right? Well, I know a few things, so I'll say I'm wise. My son has the nasty cold, but so far, I haven't gotten it, so I'll say I'm healthy. That only leaves wealthy. Hmmm... Maybe I need to start going to bed even earlier!