new schtuff!

Today I woke up to a renewed spirit of sorts. I've gotten out of the after christmas funk and am ready to dive right into 2010. I can't wait to see what this year holds. I've got new things in the works that you will see in the shop very soon. yes, that 2nd photo is a t-shirt. I've wanted to do them for some time but wanted to get them right and I wanted them to be fabulous quality and under 20 bucks.

In other fun happenings....my sailor's valentine has been published in jan/feb issue of cloth.paper.scissors.....I also found a fab artist, Sarah Wyman, in the same issue. check her out!such inspiring faces and texture.

I heart Anke!

yeah....i'm pretty smitten with Anke Weckmann right now. Every time I wear this little t-shirt, i get so many compliments :-) It makes me happy and I save it for only the best days ....such as this painting on arms party in Manzanita, OR. You should visit her flickr site too.

Ok this is squeal worthy....and take it from a former makeup artist this is big...BIG!!! .....illustrating for a very cool makeup line.....ok anke, can i please be YOU when I grow up?!?!?

Her work is such a delight. It makes my little heart smile.

Blog winner announced

Congrats MysticArtGirl...., you are the winner of the blog giveaway which includes a coaster set and pocket mirror of your choice from my etsy shop.

please let me know your address and choices for your prize.

thanks so everyone for participating. i was touched with finding out which disney character inspires you.

much love!!

dreams

I'm celebrating 1000 sales this week. I dreamed I would get there one day. I dreamed that I could make art for a living. I dreamed I could sell a piece of something I made. Its been over 2 years since first joining etsy. Yes, this is happening to me...I'm quiet sure that i'm asleep.

"All dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them."......Walt Disney

I think the key words here are "courage" and "pursue".....They are always active....they never fear.....they are consistent.....and unrelenting. Realizing your dreams is not something that just "happens" to you....but in a way I'm glad. That means we have control over our lives AND our dreams. Its refreshing to know and to never forget.

after all.

it all started with a mouse..........

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I guess you can tell, its that time of year again. We are headed to Disney world and I get so overwhelmingly inspired by the man that dared to dream. What we see today by far surpasses what I believe Walt had dreamt. He passed on his dream and it scattered into millions of minds and it flourishes in his cast members, his imagineers, his animators.....his admirers that grew up with watching him on tv. Walt Disney left a legacy.....of which a little part dwells in a special place in my heart.

______________________________________________________________

I'm doing a blog giveaway to celebrate a milestone for Tim's Sally. Leave a comment on this "dreams" blog post and let me know what your favorite Disney character is and why......and you'll be entered into a drawing for a free coaster set and pocket mirror of your choice from my shop. I will announce the winner on the 13th of Dec. so you have until then to leave your comment.

Tim's Sally pocket mirrors featured on a gift blog

This oh so cool blog featured some of my pocket mirrors. They look so cute all grouped together. many , many thanks!!!

not yo mamma's craft fair

Much fun was had at the 1st annual "handmade for the holidays" craft show (not yo mamma's craft show). wow! i was pretty blown away with all the crafters. so much great art and fun jewelry, and paper crafts. I actually ran into one of my all-time favorite local artists Suzi Dennis. I was giddy and almost a little nervous that she was there standing where i normally stand....visiting her at a craft show. I bought one of her original painintgs, Come on In, a few years ago, and I cherish it dearly.

Did i mention i met some pretty fantastic crafters in hot springs?!?!

Sunny

Heather

Jeanne

Rachel

Briana

Dawonna

Kevin .....and many more.

here are some photos of the show:

my dogs

Oh how my dogs make me happy. I just had to share this video of us about to head out for a walk. my sweet yorkie, dudley is apparently camera shy....... :-)

Cosmo is my poodle. He is such a lovely dog who just loves to snuggle. dudley on the other hand is a little weird one who doesn't like to be held but follows me around the house, studio, kitchen all day. he makes every step i make.

encaustic, wine, fun

Last thursday night, I had the wonderful opportunity to paint and demo encaustic at the gallery that represents me.....gallery26

On my way to the gallery, which is about 30 minutes from my house located in the lovely hillcrest area, I began to feel nervous. and I wondered why....i have painted in many classes with other people looking on and then I realized that I have never painted with my own style in front of anyone....out on display for all passers by. But i will say after I got started how much fun and liberating it was. :-)

here are some photos of me painting away. my friend Larry was snapping away and laughing at my little camera. we all (me, my hubby, larry, mandy) went out afterwards and ate turkey burgers and drank wine. much fun was had.

Ornaments

"I heart candy canes" and "Snow bird" These will go to gallery26 to hang on their tree full of artists. I can't wait to see what everyone did :-) The holiday extravaganza show will be November 14th and feature some of Little Rocks finest artists. I'm so lucky to be a part of this wonderful gallery. They have been so good to me. I truly cherish my friendship with the owner, Renee and her gallery manager, Daniel. yeah, they pretty much rock!!!

holidaze!

I'm getting ready and painting away for the holiday sale at the local gallery that represents me: Gallery26. Oh my studio is such a mess but that means productivity I suppose..... :-)

I'm having a great time making a couple of christmas ornaments.....it will be my first time to take them to gallery 26. they always do a lovely tree that holds the most beautiful and wonderful handmade ornaments. i wanted to be a part of that magic.

On November 5th, i'll be doing a painting demonstration at gallery26 that will incorporating collage and encaustic. Should be fun....but a little nervous. this is my first demo......

I'm already getting into the christmas spirit which is weird for me. I guess after working retail for over 5 years it just puts you in that "bah humbug" mode. but no more. bring it on!!! I think I may even start putting my christmas tree up again. (For those retail years, I couldn't bring myself to put up a tree and its so not like me) That should have been a sign that that job was not the right one for me.

This post seems so random. I guess because of all the stuff thats going on. I just finished a new painting and a cute purse for my mom (x-mas gift). Also a new little tike t'shirt. handpainted :-)

just breathe......

Perfect words. just breathe. I heard them many times the past four days.....and seriously, it helps. My wonderful teacher, Liz Lamoreux directed the most wonderful group of ladies in this universe. It was an experience like no other and am thankful and blessed for all the ones that are now part of my life. You guys give me inspiration. you make me brave. thanks for bringing your light to me.

My sweet roommate, Gloria is the kindess and most inspirational soul i've ever met. I kid you not, if she lived in arkansas i'm sure we'd be close as sisters. we run. we create. we love life. I love you gloria.

Sunshine!

The last few days have been a bit melancholy for me....i'm not quite sure if its been all the rainy weather we've been having or if i was in a creative funk for a spell. Well, i'm here to tell ya the funk is over and i woke this morning to the sun shining :-) I went for a run and there's just something about running that gives me a whole new perspective. my mind clears. my creativity flows. i like to think that running purges my brain from all the toxicity that I allow to sometimes enter...."am i a good enough person"...."i can always work more"....."i've gained a little weight"

My mind is clearer today and am most certain that today will be a good day.

I guess all artists go through a spell like I had, and I'm sure you guys all know what I'm talking about.....I sit in my studio looking around and can't honestly think what i'm going to do. I sit some more. and still more. Luckily this funk only lasted for a few days, and I know they'll be more to come......but I will...... run. purge. create --------------oh yeah and I'll RETREAT!!! i'm going to manzanita, Oregon next week to gather with like-minded gals to meditate, purge, and create. I simply cannot wait. I'll definitely give you guys an overview of the week (well 4 days) of fun fellowship and painting. here is a photo of manzanita and a view from where we'll be staying.

Newsletter sale starts today

Here is a clue to what the sale involves. sign up for my newsletter ---->>>

I run for Sara Low - AA FA flight 11, sept 11, 2001

Sara Low was a flight attendant on flight 11 on 9-11-01 that crashed into the north tower. I also ran track with Sara and my oh my....she was FAST! I looked up to Sara and she continues to be my role model still today. I love you Sara, and miss you dearly. We will never forget....and each September Batesville will run for our Sara. Click here to find out more about the Sara Low memorial 5k or to make donations and register for next years race. Here is a video about Sara and the race held in her memory.

Commissions

I had the opportunity to meet a really sweet lady at a local market where i set up and sell my pretties. She contacted me friday to paint a portrait of her and her son and then her 2 nieces as a birthday gift to her sister. Oh my ...!!...the sweetest angels you ever saw! I'm totally thrilled to have the opportunity to paint these precious girls.

This painting measures 5"x5" chunky canvas and i used acrylic, encaustic, and shiva oil paint sticks to give a wonderful texture.

Join my mailing list.....

finally....i have started doing newsletters....

sign up today :-)

Sign up for our Email Newsletter

For Email Marketing you can trust

Life is Berry Delicious!

What to my wondering eyes did appear!!!....why its boopsie daisy sweetness...all my dolls gave a cheer.

well, well my dear miss you have truely outdone yourself this time! look at that sweet berry sitting atop those glitter sprinkled toes.

i seriously cannot get enough of the rush of sweet smells that erupt when i open up one of her packages....yes. i kid you not, her dolls are dipped into a cotton candy bin and sent with so much love.

here is my face ;-D ^^biggest grin you ever saw^^

Printer woes - Damn it feels good to be a gangsta!!!

Oh the woes of malfunctioning printers.....make me wanna start goin' gangsta on some office equipment. This is exactly what i'd like to do to my last epson r1800 printer that only lasted a little over a year and my new hp that just went ca-put after 5 months of printing beautiful prints. Thankfully my little hp is under warranty and will be replaced or repaired by hp. I'm hoping they replace it cuz i wanna take a ball bat to my old one and release years of struggle and anxiety just like my office space buddies. if so i'll post pics..... :-)

T.O.P featured on 3maries blog

go here to see what 3maries thoughts on some of trunk of prettys "neat stuff" (that's what I called all things neat when i was a kid)

she has a pretty awesome vintage shop herself

thank you, thank you!!!

Sunset friendship

ahhhh my dear boops has me blushing again. She dedicated this sweet, awesome, lovie dovie, strawberry sunset to me.....me? little ole me!?! well as you might be able to tell, i have a thing for my artist friend missy. I love her to pieces and she has been far beyond inspirational.....if you can get far beyond that! and yes i think you can :-)

Drip, drip --Drop

Lately it has been cool and rainy....although humid, its been in the 70's and 80's this week. It inspired me to paint this new painting called Drip, drip drop. I swear, i have been singing that tune from the Bambi soundtrack ......"drip, drip, drop.....little april showers"....i can't get it out of my head!

In sharp contrast, the Pacific NW has had some sweltering heat in the upper 100's which is where we (arkansas) should be at this time of year.

my sweet art friend, Tara and I, have officially switched climates for the week.....sorry to say....i got the good end :-)
nevertheless.....i think they are normalizing again and we are warming up.

I'm so ready for fall.
It can't get here soon enough.......
pumpkin pie, halloween, cool mornings, hot tea, a good book on the back porch, cute hand-made scarves, back to school, ............is i can think about in the summers.

Splashey!

Look at this darling mermaid one-of-a-kind doll from Boopsie Daisy.

pretty much made my day :-)

Sometimes Life Just Stinks

I found out a few days ago that i'm sidelined from running for 3 weeks because of feet problems and when i saw this little doodle from boopsie daisy it made me smile. The little girl just made me think that even though life is good, it can throw you a stinker your way when you least expect it.......:) so then.....i began looking on the bright side! i have my health....i am able to do other excercises,,,,,just not running...big deal. thanks boops for showing me that silver lining like you always do.

Be Happy

be happy!

how simple a phrase.

once you say it, you are.

to me this phrase signifies that happiness can be a verb.

you choose.

I think my struggle for happiness with my career finally lead me to painting and the arts. I was very UNhappy in several jobs before finding makeup artistry hence leading me into the world of art; painting, brushes, wonderful color. it opened my eyes. i encourage you, if you aren't happy with your career, do something about it, take a class, go to a retreat, take an inspirational walk to clear your mind.
I found this wooden phrase and two little quilt houses in Eureka and it inspired me to think about happiness as an action not simply a state.
BE HAPPY, my friends.......... :-D