My Commute

Since we moved to the country last year my commute to work and the studio is a lot farther, although not always longer.  I can usually avoid major highways for most of it. 
Most of my studio days start off earlier than my job days and those drives are the best.  Not only is the countryside lit more dramatically, I've got two small co-pilots to keep me company and a hot cup of coffee to enjoy.  There is also that anticipation of some uninterrupted time to paint ahead of me and the time to think over my plan of attack as I drive. I look forward to it.

Cure for the Blues

I woke up on the wrong side of the bed. After a few hours of being down I took Miss V for a walk. What is it about being outside that always cheers a body up? The fresh air and physical movement does wonders. And if that's not enough just play some Toddler radio on Pandora. (seriousness!) You can't help but smile, and this blogger has to dance. Hard to stay down after that!

some more

I am so proud. Despite Miss V's best tries, (only one nap today).  I managed to finish 4 more pillows and a wreath!!  Not to mention help clean for my Mom and Aunt's big Christmas party tomorrow night.  I feel quite accomplished.  (I think that was one too many pats on the back - I need to stave off Murphy's Law!)

So here are the other pillows and I am starting to play around with a lot of the sweater scraps too.  Now that I see them all together, I'm a bit worried that the embellishments are redundant, but as individuals I am ok with them. 

I am totally in love with the angora one that has the buttons down the front.  My Aunt has already claimed that as a gift.  I am toying with the idea of adding them to my Etsy store that I am still holding back on launching.  Perhaps I should of spent a few hours on that today.

I hope to share pics of the wreath I just finished a few minutes ago.  Really happy with it and found some great new blogs to share while learning to make it.

Limbo

taken with FX camera for Droid

I don't know about everyone else, but there is nothing worse than being on the fence.  I hate that moment in decision making when you can't decide which direction to take.  Once the decision is made is much easier going.  Well we've made the move decision, and I am ready to start that new adventure.

Now we are waiting.  Waiting to schedule a mold (YIKES!!) check on our new adobe. Waiting to get a large truck to move our big items.  I feel stuck on the fence.  I am a planner, I wanna know when our last day is here, and our first day is there.

So, in the spririt of living in the moment, I am trying to enjoy my view from this fence, although it's a bit uncomfortable.  Like most things in life, I can't change the situation right now so I'm going to make it work as best I can.

But I'm feeling a little antsy...

 

Christmas tree farm

Every year Hubby and I go to Davidson's Christmas tree farm to cut down our tree.  It's one of my favorite traditions!  Yesterday was a busy day, so as far as we got was the tree in the stand.  Decorating will commence tomorrow!  I so enjoy the holidays, I want a whole 4 weeks to enjoy the living room lit, by the light of the tree.  Happy start to the Holiday's!

NEW CAMERA!!

Who hoo!!! Christmas came early!!!  I am so excited.  I FINALLY have a DSLR(and just in time for the baby too).  I haven't got to play with it much, but here are the first pictures of the furry kids.  I can't wait to use it more. I am going to drive my family crazy during the holidays. Hope they are ready for their close ups.

 

Georgetown

Had a lovely visit in Georgetown with two dear friends.  My friend P was in from Denver, and our friend H met us with her lovely daughter.  Such a beautiful fall day, after lunch we walked around the Georgetown campus. So great to see them both!

The return of Motivation

This week has brought me back to myself.  I'm in a great new routine full of delicious experiments in the kitchen, some quiet pondering, evening walks, and even a great run with my husband.  (Who has been a great inspiration and voice of positivity).  I am full of new ideas and excitement to return to the studio.  It also bring great anticipation of a trip to see my BF in San Diego soon. 

Penelope Dullaghan said it best, although I am posting a day late. March Fourth!

Cabin Fever

Whew, well made it through the latest 2 feet of snow, by knitting, drawing and cooking.   Work is closed again today, but it looks as if I'll be back to the grind tomorrow.  I've been working on my postcards for ihannas postcard swap, at my kitchen table.  I don't want to spoil the surprise for the receivers, so I will wait till next week to post the images.  It's certainly not my strong point.  It's strange how it's stressing me a little.  I have a few more to finish, and I want them to be something beautiful and special for someone to find in their mailbox.  My hope was to challenge myself, and do something playful.  It seems as if I am out of my element!  My goal for the kitchen table studio today is to just have fun.  Maybe I'll just make a whole bunch and pick my favorites out of it.  Now, I am off to surf some mail art images to get inspired.

Artwork..finally

So after two days of shoveling, our neighbors got together and shoveled out our whole street (It's narrow so no plows can get down it) , and today we drove to the county to get my Mom's driveway cleared.  

 

one of the "plowed" streets in our neighborhood

In the midst of that I got a few moment to play with some pastels at my kitchen table.  

 

pastel and graphite on paper

Still avoiding the postcards..but since we are gearing up for another foot of snow on it's way tomorrow.  I am going to spend the morning at my kitchen table studio! 

Snowed in

 

In the middle of a blizzard here in Bawl'mer.  Two feet on the ground and still snowing.  A bit bummed that all my weekend plans are canceled. (Had a reservation at a restaurant I have waited a long time to go to :-()  But, the fridge is stocked, have a the first season on Deadwood ready to go, and plenty of wine!
I also have my supplies ready to work on my mail art postcards for the swap.  I'm going to make the best of it. I hope to be able to post some pictures of actual art work soon.  But until then...a winter wonderland.

I'm sure I take any more pretty snow photo's, I'll post them.  Have a good Saturday!

Random tid bits, and acts of kindness

I just can't help but share this!  Last week to my utter embarrassment and a testament to my scattered brain ways - I lost my paychecks, my ENDORSED paychecks!  I didn't realized it until my morning trip to the bank.  I was utterly panicked.  Thankfully I have a very understanding office manager and the bank didn't charge for a hold on the checks, and she wrote two new ones right away.  Then, yesterday I get a letter in the mail enclosed were my checks, and a note saying they where found in the grocery store parking lot.  It wasn't signed and there was no return address.  I was totally overwhelmed, by the kindness of a total stranger.  Whoever you were thank you so much!  (A side note - I live downtown in a city where the crime rate is pretty high.)

Last night brought another blanket of snow, and with it an utter lack of motivation on my part.  I have a day off today and the plan was straight to the studio.  But the office needs to be cleaned, the laundry needs to be done, the kitchen table needs to be cleaned off,

and this cup of coffee and couch is super comfy.  

Did I mention, my studio's not heated?  I need to start a house painting for my aunt, and my postcard swap requires some time for trail and error because I still don't know what I want to create.   So, my solution is to give myself 2 hours here at the house and then head to the studio, even if it's only for a little while.


I also have to say I am totally overwhelmed by everyone's kind words and encouragement.  In the short time that I have been doing this blog, I feel like I have found a fabulous community of such talented people.  Following these artist blogs give me so much inspiration.  Thank you!!

Photos instead of Paintings

.....later that same day.  

The boys (my four legged ones)  got short changed this AM, due to my usual procrastination.  So, when my 'obligations' ended earlier than expected today, I made it up to them, we went on a nice walk by the water.  Since I couldn't get in my studio, I had fun taking some pictures instead.  Up next; I hope to spend some time in my sketch book.

 

  

  

  

 

Happy Monday

view from my bedroom

 A very snowy weekend here, very cozy and relaxing.  Set my alarm for 1am last night so I could register for The Chicago Marathon.  I have wanted to run that race for a while.

I decided to take on a new challenge and participate in a postcards swap through ihanna's blog.  I'm not sure what I want to do yet, and I'm not very good at this type of thing, so at the very least I'm going to have a good time!  Thankfully it's something I can work on here at home, since studio time this week will be limited.  I'll keep you posted on the progress.

Today, my usual studio day is filled with other obligations, as happens sometimes.  Makes me a bit sad,  but I plan to start out my postcard ideas in my sketchbook. 

I'm off to walk the dogs in this cold - that they seem to love.  But my dogs are a bit strange, one of the reasons I love them!

Dakota ready for his walk

Getting Busy

This reminded me that Spring is closer than I think.....

This week has been busy, but productive.  Got 3 new encaustic works started in the studio on Monday.  I'll post pictures once they are further along.  I really need to replenish my oil painting inventory.  But I am waiting for some ideas to arrange themselves in my head. 

Sent off a finished "Conical" (without taking a picture) for submission to By Proxy at The Desotorow Gallery in Savannah, GA.  And tonight I just sent images of "Perched" and "Shelter" for possible entry in a show called "Paint" at Manifest Gallery in Cincinnati.  

Fingers crossed!

Itching to get some more studio time, and worried it may be a week before that happens.  I hope not, but my typical Monday studio  day is being overtaken due to a class for work.  

Maybe by the time I get in there again I'll be ready to start some new oils.  

Duck Pin Bowling

I totally forgot to post these on Monday!  Where has this week gone?!  How is it Thursday already?  Had a great time at Rock n' Bowl with a great group of friends.  

The girls ALMOST beat the boys.  But we definitely had more fun. And the DJ spun some songs that brought back some nostalgia from my teenage years.  

 

Girls just wanna have fun

Last night was my annual work party.  My "day job" allows me to work with 44 amazingly talented women.  They are mothers, wives and business women who always inspire me.  When we get the chance to just go out have fun and dance everyone really lets loose.  It was a great time!  Now off to the FREEZING cold studio today.  Hopefully it's warm enough to make some art.  If not...back to the drawing table here at the house.

Making do

Feeling a little sad, I am not going to be able to get into the studio for another week!!  So my plan for tonight is to make something with what I have here at the house.  I do have some supplies, crayons, pastels, pencils and watercolors.  Thanks to a weekend of cleaning and un-decorating I can finally see the kitchen table!  So I will have a place to work.  Back the job today, and I am going to look forward of an hour of play with my art supplies tonight.

Since I didn't have any recent photo's. (I keep meaning to bring  my camera on my morning runs - but to early and cold to think!)  I've posted one of my favorites from Ireland.

I will post my results tomorrow.  That will keep me focused :-)

New's Years

Had a lovely end of 2009.  Spent the evening with a great friend, lots of wine, yummy food, pots and pan celebrations and city fireworks.

 

 

 

(My dog-goddaughter, Lady Girl)

To welcome in 2010, I now have 4 days off with my hubby!  I hope to get some sketching done, and do some art supply shopping (gotta love that!!).   Next week back to the studio.  I have a painting to finish for  my Aunt, and I am really itching to get some encaustic work done.  Now I just have to figure out how to do that and stay warm in the studio!  Healthy, happy New Year everyone!

Wedding pictures

I think I am finally recovered from our wedding.  Two months post wedding! :-)  I have been sorting through the pics this morning.  Really it is allowing me to procrastinate.  This is so much for fun than cleaning the house.  Here are some lovely photographs, taken by either my brother or myself. (He is such a talented photographer!)  

(I had a blast going through old stamps - not so much doing all the math for correct postage)
My talented friend Martha did the handwriting, so beautiful!  http://www.etsy.com/shop/fineartworks

rehearsal dinner