behind the scenes: Is Bigger Better?

Last week I finally opened a box I should have opened much sooner - a box of 6x6 canvases.  You see, up to this point, all of my paintings have been done on 4x4 inch canvases - perfect to fill that little nook or corner needing a pop of color.  But I wanted to experiment with a bigger canvas, and I have to say, I'm really happy with this new size!

Look - I've put the smaller frame on top of one of my new ones - certainly a size difference 2 inches all around makes!  These bigger canvases still have the nice, deep sides that I love, and the backs are finished beautifully.

I got to work right away on several.  Instead of continuing my alphabet series literally, I've decided to do some of the images sans letter on the bigger canvases.  It is exciting seeing past images re-imagined into a larger size!

I have also been inspired to add some new paintings to the mix.  Hint: there will be French, there will be poetry, there will be a submarine.  It seems my happy problem of lots of ideas, not enough time to paint continues, a nice enough "problem" to have, if you ask me!

I can't wait to show you more in the coming weeks!

What have you been immersed in lately?

Stay creative,
A

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Layers of Lace

I have a box of antique lace gathered and carefully saved by my grandmother.  When she moved homes I became the recipient of the lovely collection.  Sometimes I will open it and look through the delicate pieces, but I haven't found quite what I want to do with all the beautiful lace.  I would like to incorporate a couple pieces into handmade clothing for E (and perhaps C too, you don't find a lot of lace on baby boys!)  But I'd like to incorporate it into some more lasting projects, and today I'm finding some inspiration...

Lace lanterns plus inky-blue paint = the mood has been set

These lace cards would make pretty invitations or thank-yous

Delicate colors invite you to sit and stay awhile

This vintage doily looks right at home on this mustard pillow

I like this idea of wrapping lace around terracotta pots, probably best for indoor plants!

A great idea for small scraps of lace - this adorable coin purse has been retro-updated

Such a cozy fort - with "stars" cast to the sky through that lovely crocheted lace throw

The lace detailing, the tomato red saturated color, I think I should bring this number home (as a tunic!)

Another great use for lace scraps - this pendent necklace is a beautiful statement

So what do you think I should do with all my lace?  For now, it all goes back in the box, and I will go back to dreaming...

Stay creative,
A

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behind the scenes: Something is Brewing

Over the past couple of weeks we have been busy with summertime travels to visit friends and family.  Most recently I got to spend nearly 2 weeks in New Hampshire with the kids and my family.  I grew up in New Hampshire, playing in the woods, swimming in the lake - as a teen I thought it was "so boring" and now I luxuriate in nature each time I get to go back.  It's an inspiring place to be, creatively, since I'm surrounded with so much color and natural beauty. 

Indeed we had days and days of this...

Looking over part of the White Mountains and Little Lake Sunapee while hiking Kearsarge Mt.

Then it was time to leave and head back to the city - we left some amazing storm clouds behind us!

Curve of the world - amazing!

And now it's back to work - raising kiddos (OK, that doesn't ever stop), ordering supplies and new canvases (my favorites were recently discontinued - boo - but I found lovely replacements - hooray!), and working hard with a close friend and fellow artist on a new project that will officially launch August 1st!  If you have kiddos in your life, you're going to want to stay tuned for this new adventure.

Work and Lunch while the kiddos are resting.

But when all is said and done, I'm excited to get back to painting - I have a whole bunch of new ideas and not enough time, it seems, to get them down on canvas fast enough.  But in my book, that's an OK problem to have!

Have you been able to visit with friends and family this summer?  I hope so!

Stay creative,
A

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Shop Spotlight: Eve Sand

I love the saturated colors in these Eve Sand prints (she's a painter and graphic designer out of Vancouver).  The ombre effect she often uses is modern and beautiful.

Day and Night over the Mountains

I'm in love with the RED of this

This blue and gold color combo is retro and modern at the same time

I can almost hear the whisper of these windmills

All of these prints remind me of the mountains I've been able to visit this summer - oh how I love the mountains!!

Stay creative,
A

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Inspired by Fire

The colors of fire, sunsets and citrus (yum!) - orange and yellow are bright additions to any room or outfit!  I'm loving these fiery shades alone or in combination.  Are you feeling fiery too?

 (nature does it right - orange and yellow blooms)

(unexpected ombre)

(white accents make this clementine-inspired bathtub pop)

(the voluminous curtains add light and drama)

(a curvy and unique addition to your secret garden...or back porch!)

(my E has two of these gorgeous handmade dolls - she may need a Ginger too!)

(I've been meaning to make this yellow number for a couple years now - love the roomy hood)

 (the tangerine linen and white pom pom trim puts this dress on my must-make list)

 (a new twist on a vintage radio!)

So, are you inspired to inject more fire into your life?  I hope so!!

Stay creative,
A

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And now for a bit of vintage!

Brought to you by one of my favorite vintage shops, Dear Macy Vintage, a rainbow of vintage glass to start the week off right! 

Amber bottles - displayed on a table with flowers or tall grasses would be simply lovely.

Frosted orange glasses waiting for a yummy summer drink.

Golden dessert dishes perfect for a scoop or two of ice cream or sorbet.

Such pretty green bottles filled with sweet sewing novelties - love!

An emerald serving set fit for a bright fruit salad.

Speaking of fruit - elevate apples and bananas to something a bit more special with this bright teal pedestal bowl.

These textured blue glasses would be perfect for a fancy backyard dinner under the stars.

Soft lavender frosted glasses with gold rims feel elegantly understated.

My mom has a bunch of these old telegraph insulators - function and beauty, a winning combination!

Hope your week is off to a beautiful start as well.

Stay creative,
A

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Here come the critter (paintings) and other Exciting News

Recently I had the opportunity to create five new paintings for an adorable critter-inspired nursery.  The letters turned out so nice that I'll be bringing some of the images into the shop as well!

This mouse paintings went through many incarnations before settling into this image and color scheme - I think it was well worth the work, though, as this painting makes me smile each time I see it!

 S is a fun letter that lends itself to so many critter and non-critter images - this bright orange squirrel with his tail wrapping around the side is case-in-point.

 I do so love loons - we grew up listening to their dusk and dawn songs as they swam in the lake near my childhood home.  I have plans for more loon paintings to come soon, including some larger canvases (how exciting!)

This is not the first edition of the E is for Elk painting, but after seeing elk in the wild on a recent vacation, I can't resist adding this to my mix of paintings.

Keep your eyes peeled for some of these paintings to join the shop this week.

Psst - in other exciting news I will soon be offering prints of current originals as well as of paintings no longer available in the shop!  It's been many months in the making and I want to make sure they are more-than-perfect before the prints make their grand debut.

What exciting things have you been working on?

Stay creative,

A

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