Giclee Prints... ooh, la, la!

When my giclee prints arrived in the mail, I could barely contain my excitement! I had been waiting for this day for quite a while, so to actually see the prints - live and in person - was a pretty special moment for me. I think I actually let out a squeal and even did a happy dance around my table.

I didn't want to offer the prints in my Etsy shop until I had a chance to see them myself. I wanted to be sure the quality was what I wanted. And I was not disappointed! I described them as yummy.... the quality of the print, the texture of the paper. Just right!

I'm getting busy adding a variety of sizes and prints to my listing. So come on over when you have a chance and see what's available. 

I'll be adding a few new note cards featuring summertime photography within a couple of weeks, too.

 

Finding Peace

I hijacked my daughter's iPad and played with the drawing app. (I've decided to gift her with a stylus as soon as I can.)

I finally had to give up on drawing her eyes open with just my fingertip. After many do-overs, I had to settle for this expression. When I looked back at it, I decided that she looked content. And it got me to thinking.... Feeling content with one's life has got to be one of the greatest joys we can hope for.

So, I hope you find your peace today... that you soak up a giant amount of contentment. It may be easy to grab hold of, or you may have to dig deep to find it. But I hope you experience it in spite of what life throws at you sometimes.

Happy Tuesday!
 

She Colors My World...

When my daughter was little, she was always writing and drawing. Her stories were full of adventure and engaging dialogue. Her art work always had a way of putting a smile on my face. We would often find a picture of us, her family, posted on a door or mirror. She would spend hours creating families of people or groups of friends and would name each and every one of them.

Over the past couple of years she's been using acrylics to create artwork for herself and her friends but recently took up watercolor. And this was one of her first pieces...

I'm pretty much amazed at how well she can handle this medium. 

And, you know what, I'm pretty much amazed by her. 

On another note, the sun finally came out. Boy have I been tired of the rain.... I know the spring flowers will appreciate it, but day after day of pouring rain or drizzle was getting old. So, hurray for the sun!
 

We've made up...

this girl and I. When I first created her, I just couldn't get happy for some reason. She showed no emotion, the color palette didn't seem to gel. I just wasn't satisfied. Period.
But I kept working on her a little at a time. I redid her mouth and worked a little more on her eyes. Added elements like the birdcage and the banner... Found "her" words inside me.

We may not be finished with each other, but we're getting there.

She's still a stranger to me

but I'm trying awfully hard to get to know her.

She's still a work-in-progress.... This girl.

And I'm not too happy with her yet.

I may never be. Shhhhh.

Don't tell her.

But she started out as a "Halloween" girl,

then for a brief moment entered my mind as a "teacher" girl.

Then went on to become this girl.

And I don't know her story yet.

She does look a bit pensive though.

Which is pretty much the way I felt all day.

Here's some detail from her dress.

Let's hope she speaks to me soon.

I want to tell her story.

Paper + Paint + Canvas =

Joy! The newest addition to my gallery of "girls."

My daughter and her friend, A, got into the paints the other day, so I couldn't resist.

I didn't have a plan, but after I sifted through my papers, my "vision" began to form.

The colors just came together, and I tried new techniques.

Well, mainly with her hair.

I painted her hair a yellow first, then began layering various shades of brown.

I typed the wording on the computer, which gives it a more finished look.

Then drew in the stitches and "connected" the text pieces together.

I linked up with Mary for Mosaic Monday today.
She's actually sharing some photographs from the Monet exhibit
at the New York Botanical Garden.
Hmmmm. That definitely puts me in good company!

I reached for some paper this morning...

and suddenly the canvas and paints that had been calling my name were quieted as I began to work.

Papers that I had been saving for a special project seemed perfect for today. I used gel medium to attach a background to my canvas. Then I sketched my girl, painted her face, cut out her wings and dress, and attached them. I added a birdcage and distressed the papers I had used.

I was a bit worried about her hair, but I finally got that done, adding highlights then taking them away. Then, jewelry was added. Classic pearl.

Last night I mentioned to my husband that I just might paint our bathroom today. Well, I DID paint, didn't I? And between you and me... this was a lot more fun.

For more mosaics, visit Mary at The Little Red House. You'll find beauty and inspiration and something to make your day a little brighter.

Blowing Bubbles....

During the school year, I kept a pretty tight circle of blog friends.... Not so much because of some underlying anti-social personality disorder but simply because it takes time to visit and read and chat....

But during the summer months, I get to spend a little more time drifting about and have discovered some fun and quirky, colorful and comforting, artful and beautiful blogs. Today, I called my daughter over to look at Katie Sokoler's Color Me Katie site, where we were quick to find inspiration. Particularly when we found this post.

As soon as my daughter saw Katie's creation, she said she wanted to create a bubble picture of her own. So, she got busy locating round objects, gathering paper, pencil, paints, and scissors.... And began making her own bubbles....

Then we looked for just the right place to take the picture. Living room? No... It was too big. Sunroom? No... It was too small. Hannah's room? Yes... It was just right! Even though It took a little rearranging of furniture to make it happen....

Katie has many more inspiring works.... In fact, we're thinking about doing this in a nearby shopping district before school starts back.

Ahhh. Summer blogging.... It's more than a pasttime, it's inspirational fun!

I have been so amazed by the gifts of Akiane Kramarik, I felt compelled to create a scrapblog about her. After getting permission from her people, I got to work capturing images of her paintings and the comments and poetry she created to go with them.

Regardless of your particular faith, I hope you will take a look at her creations. She began drawing at age four and at the age of eight had sold her first painting for $10,000. She is a girl with remarkable gifts... a prodigy, or someone who has simply been blessed. Hopefully, you can click on this link and go to the scrapblog.

http://www.scrapblog.com/viewer/viewer.aspx?sbid=619228

Scrapblog

I have had the best time on Scrapblog! This digital design Web site makes me feel like a graphic designer! It has all of the papers, fonts, embellishments, and tools to create professional-looking pages. And I do it all right here in my home office, or at the beach, or wherever life takes me! Warning though... it's addictive! But free. If you haven't experienced the life of a graphic designer, do it now! Visit Scrapblog and create art.