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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A big day

Today was a big day for me - actually it was the cumulation of many busy days - I applied for my first craft show (hooray!). It is days like this that makes what I do feel a bit more real. I started Glad To Be Here because I like to paint, to create, and I feel my style is different from others. I am happy my paintings are now in rooms across the country - adding a bright pop of color. This next step into the craft show world is an exciting one, for growing my little business means that I get to offer you more options! Get ready for prints and other fun surprises, all just around the corner (I swear). And if you think of it, cross your fingers for me - I'd love to start showing my work live and in person, so you can meet the woman behind the brushes and I can meet you!!

Stay creative,
A

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Light Summer Grays

Gray is my favorite neutral shade - it feels at once sophisticated and laid back, plays nicely with all other colors and can stand beautifully on its own.

A light way to beat the summer temperature swings (here)

A nautical nod (here)

Even the tag can be a gift (here)

Such a unique statement necklace - love! (here)

Light crocheted earrings add a touch of bohemian sophistication to any outfit! (here)

Stackable nature-inspired rings - oh so pretty!! (here)

What's your favorite neutral?

Stay creative,
A

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behind the scenes: Bits of Inspiration

Sometimes inspiration strikes unexpectedly, from the little things. I love to collect pretty little things - but with 2 curious little ones and a small space, I only keep what I truly love and what I can keep up high. Each has a story, and I find all of them inspiring thoughts of small, intimate, focused - feelings for my next paintings for sure.






















These are all small glimpses of my living room. Look around, are you surrounded by things you love? I hope so...

Stay creative,
A

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behind the scenes: What To Do...

Sometimes I'm inspired to start a canvas without knowing what it will become. This is one of those times and now this blue canvas is looking at me and I'm not sure where to go from here. Originally it was going to be a new spin on the letter R, but it didn't seem right. I think it will become a variation on W...or perhaps it's the perfect backdrop for letter Y. So you see, we are having a staring contest, trying to see into the future (when I figure it out I'll show you, I promise!)

What would you like to see?
Stay creative,
A
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Poppy Talk

What's not to like about poppies (except, of course, how they put everyone to sleep in the Wizard of Oz!)  Anyhow, the color is fabulous - bright and vibrant and perfect for the beginning of summer.  I'm doing my best to brighten my wardrobe and some spots of poppy are just the ticket (in clothing, that is!)

I could wear this dress in the summer and knit myself something chunky and warm for the winter!

 These pots are even prettier in person!!

A bit of color for any table or shelf

 Sweet donkey and even sweeter ring

 Combining a scalloped pattern and a poppy color - fabulous!!

So, are you doing anything bright this summer?

Stay creative,

A

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