Fall French Market Review

Well the Market was a success! The days and weeks leading up to the show were busy - I completed nearly 200 prints and 6 new original paintings exclusively for the event. It was so much fun getting to meet you customers, both big and small, and sharing my art on such a public level. Plus, it was just the boost I needed to decide that next year, I will certainly be attending more shows - who can resist?!

Here is a wonky shot of my table - I dashed out and snapped these pictures during a lull in the crowd, but that meant I couldn't really back up too much!

Now it's the slow process of uploading all my prints to the shop - stay tuned for both those new prints as well as some paintings I've completed but haven't had a chance to share yet - yipe! Pin It

Prints in Progress

Lately, it seems like if I'm not parenting my kids or working on my other fun business, Crafting Connections, I'm painting. I paint during nap time. I paint after the little ones go to bed. I paint early in the morning before anyone else is up. I paint.

Why? Prints! I've been accepted into my very first craft show the first weekend of November (more on this soon!) and there is oh-so-much to do. I'm in the process of completing the entire alphabet on single canvas sheets, so that I can turn them into professional prints.

It's fun. It's exhausting. But ultimately, it is totally worth it! Pin It

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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behind the scenes: Sketches

Is there anything more beautiful than a well organized box of crayons?  I'm not sure how long I've had these (probably 20 years, wow!)  Grouping them by color has always been both efficient (no more hunting around for that specific shade of green) and satisfying.

I've been working on sketches for a couple of custom orders this week - it has been both fun and challenging coming up with new designs.

I'm excited to start on the actual paintings!

Stay creative,
A

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Bunting paintings (and a donkey)

It sounds vaguely like a crude joke, but really, bunting paintings and a donkey describe the new things you will see in the shop!  I got this little donkey before E was born, though I think I've always liked it more than she has.  One day while taking shop pics, I decided to have donkey lend me a hand - since his arms are so bendy, he was really fun to pose!  I think he may show up with more of my paintings.

The bunting paintings were something I have wanted to make for awhile.  Very pretty on their own, I also think they would look great flanking other paintings (oh so versatile!)  Plus they are a fun way to play with a range of tones and color.

I hope you like them too!!

Oh my, so cute!

Stay creative,
A

P.S. I've had many people ask where I got this cute guy (his name is Charley).  He's no longer available at the shop I purchased him from, since it was a couple years ago, but I did track him down HERE for you.  You're welcome!

P.P.S. Today is the last day to Enter in the Giveaway - what fun!!

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Take a ride with me

I took a departure from the alphabet to do some fun cycle-inspired paintings.  I call them counting paintings, but they could be for anyone really from cycling enthusiasts to new babies.  The problem with making my own art is that I want all of it for my own kids' room, which I suppose is a good litmus test of what I'm creating.    Check out the shop for more info on these bicycle beauties!

One wheel.  One color.  One = Unicycle!

Two wheels.  Two colors.  Two = Bicycle!

Three wheels.  Three colors.  Three = Tricycle!

Stay creative!!
A


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B is for boxcycle

I thought it would be fun to give a little insight into each of the letters I've done.  Now we are on to B for boxcycle!  What is a boxcycle, you ask?  I had never seen one until my friend Danielle and her little family got one two summers ago.  I was smitten with the look, the clean lines, the beautiful functionality of the bike and it looked safe (which, when it comes to toting around your most precious possessions in an urban environment is paramount!)

For the person on the go! (source)

Who can resist candy apple red?! (source)

I'll take this whole set up thank-you-very-much! (source)

Stay creative!
A

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A is for Airstream

A is for Airstream

These are such fun trailers, and I especially like the retro versions.  For those who are so inclined, you can even vacation in Airstream Hotels!

The "trailer park" at the Grand Daddy Hotel

Amelia the Vintage Airstream

Bambie the Vintage Airstream

Stay creative,

A

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