A CREATIVE STREAK !!!!!!!!!!!

18 X 20 X 2 gallery wrap canvas
mixed media
$250 + shipping

I've been on quite a creative streak here lately. I love these colors. I love the layered paper for a background. I love layering the paint, wiping it off, tweaking the details. This bird makes me feel happy.

I hope your day is happy as well.

PURPLE CAT

18 x 20 mixed media gallery wrap canvas
$250

For some bizarre reason it is nearly mid-night and I'm wide awake. This is so unlike me.

So how do you like the purple cat? I had such fun creating this piece. The silver heart in the middle of her tummy sports beautiful beads.

I like the halo. I'm always looking at those beautiful New Mexican retablos and they all have halos so I thought, this sweet cat should sport one too.

The process for this creation was particularly enjoyable. I love layering on the first pieces of paper, toning them down with color, painting the focal point and then the icing of beads on the heart just makes me smile.

I hope you like it too.

Mixed Media 14 x 16 gallery wrap canvas
$250

Some of my earliest memories as a child are of flowers. I must have been 6 or 7 years old and wandering about my grandmother's backyard I found one single red tulip. I remember being mesmerized by the dark black interior and how it so beautifully contrasted with the deep red of the petals.

SUNDAY ISN'T FOR THE BIRDS

Sunday afternoon. Everyone home and tucked in, dreaming of Sunday dinner.

This past summer we had the fun of watching barn swallows build and fill their nests and tend to their sweet little babies until one day they were all finally gone, no longer returning at night for a tasty meal provided by mom and dad.

The area we live in is quite arid and there aren't many trees. Except for the little oasis where our home is located. This said, the birds really love it and we get endless entertainment watching them. I'm starting to yearn for Spring and Summer, green and growing and the chaotic bird activity.

In the meantime, I entertain myself making art depicting my buddies, the birds.

SPIRITS OF LOVE

Birds are the spirits of love sitting at our window sill. Watching over us morning through night. Ever watchful that we are safe, warm, happy and loved. They are there even when we close our eyes pretending we don't see, we don't know or maybe even we don't care. No matter, the spirits of love are there hovering about patting our hearts, stroking our souls, drying our tears as a mother fusses over her baby.

Have you seen any birds at your window sills today? Have they landed in your hair, not noticed? Hmmmmm? Do you have your eyes closed ? Maybe so, but even still you must feel that soft, and tender warmth in your heart. You DO feel it, don't you?

EXTRA LEGS

This is a page from a book I made for friends who vacationed in Italy.

Sometimes I wish I had some extra legs. So many things to do, so many adventures. Wouldn't it be great ?

I love these paper doll legs.

This post is dedicated to "Linda" over at Frenchless in France who takes a day out to walk the streets of Paris and take such wonderful photos.

THE SMILE OF AN ANGEL

Little Miss Iris ~ Isn't she just an angel?

The other day on the phone she finally got "Grandma" really really clear. She's at that stage where she babbles and then in the middle of it all, I hear something I can recognize. I'm sure the kids understand her most of the time since they talk to her 24/7 (or thereabouts).

Hearing her say "Grandma" was one of those moments. Kind of like the first time my son hugged me in the night and said "I love you".

JUST IMAGINE

I look at this beautiful work of art and try to imagine the technical expertise required to complete and my mind reels.

To create the paint, mixing the pigments. Getting the perspective right. The lights and shadows. Oh and those beautiful expressive facial features.

How many weeks, months did this take? How many hours a day? Until I picked up a paintbrush and seriously tried to create eyes, I had no appreciation for this kind of beauty. Oh my, I am in awe.

The Garden Girls
Mixed Media on 14 x 16 2 inch gallery wrap canvas
$125 + shipping

These are the girls who hang out in my garden all summer long.
They bring me endless moments of joy.

I can't imagine what my life would be like without my garden. Many of my first memories in life are of flowers. The tulips and zinnias in my grandmother's yard brought me moments of total wonderment that have stayed with me throughout my entire life.

Never, never, ever, discount what your grandchild remembers at an early age.

And I tend to feel this applies to life in general, you never know what positive impression you are leaving on you spouse, your co-workers, your neighbors, the universe.

My slogan for 2008 -

Keep It Simple And Be Nice

YOU MAKE MY DAY !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh how sweet can anyone possibly be ! My sweet friend over at A Kite Rises has awarded me the "You Make My Day" award. Thank you so much! Sometimes out here in cyberland it is difficult to feel so alone and yet experience the wonderment of connecting to other's in the world from far away places. Again thank you !

And, with that said I'd like to name a few of my favorites the "You Make My Day" award as well. Here's to Corey - Andrea - Linda - Shelly - Ulla - Sarah - Maryam

And I'm sure there are many of you that I just can't get to right this moment.......best get to work since I still need this day job !!!

Have a wonderful day everyone !!!