My Art In The Smurfs

The Smurfs is coming out next Friday! If you follow my blog you already know that some of my hand painted cigar boxes were purchased for the set of this movie. This was well over a year ago and it's so exciting that the release is almost here! I'm looking forward to seeing the movie and trying to spot my boxes. Luckily my brother and sister will be visiting next week so we can all see it together. And the movie looks cute, so you should take your family to see it. :)

Tulip in White

"Tulip in White" 5 by 7, Watercolor Painting

Available Here SOLD

I actually completed a new painting! It's been 2 months, I can't even believe it. If I hadn't gotten married I would say that going 2 months without painting is unacceptable. :) At least I had a good reason.

Anyway, I'll admit I felt a little rusty with this piece, but I enjoyed it. Getting the shade of those shadows was a challenge. I also used a piece of 140lb watercolor paper that had been stretched on a piece of gatorboard for several weeks and I had some issues with it. I used Winsor & Newton paints on this piece and the size is 5 x 7.

If anyone is interested, this painting is available in my Etsy shop for $50 plus free shipping.

It's good to be back! I've missed you all! :)

Taking a Break

I've decided to give myself some permission to take a break from my art. I have been feeling quite overwhelmed lately by everything I've got going on and having a difficult time making time for my painting. I'm taking a full class load and this quarter is easily one of the busiest I've had in my 4 years in college. I'm also getting married in 4 weeks so I'm feeling some stress from that. Actually this school quarter ends the day before my wedding. I'm even thinking about beginning my yoga teacher training soon. So you can see why I'm feeling overwhelmed. It takes a great deal for me to get stressed and my yoga practice has helped me manage it, but it's still a lot.

My art is unfortunately my last priority right now and after the wedding and after this quarter is over I plan on jumping right back into it. And I may do some painting over the next few weeks but only if I have the time and I want to.

Have a great day!

New Hand Painted Items

I just wanted to share some of my latest hand painted items. After high school I took a break from art and when I got back into it I started doing decorative painting. I just loved it. I have continued to paint in that way on my cigar boxes but I recently decided to paint on some other items that I had.

This cute painted plate and stand are listed on Etsy for $15.
This plate and stand are also listed on Etsy for $15.

I love this candle holder/jar but I had trouble getting a good picture of it. I painted it with these sweet soft purple metallic dragonflies. It's listed on Etsy for $12.

It's not exactly fine art, but I really enjoy it and others seem to as well.

I hope you have a great evening!

Cigar Box Sale

I'm having a cigar box sale on Etsy! Purchase any regular or reduced price cigar box and receive any reduced price box for free. The price of the free box will be refunded via Paypal. I have over 30 boxes to choose from, and most of them are already reduced in price.

If you follow my blog you probably know that some of these hand painted cigar boxes were purchased last year by Columbia pictures to use on the set of The Smurfs movie coming out this August. I'm looking to clean out some of the boxes I have now to make room for some new ones. These boxes make great gifts and everyone loves them! :)

Have a great day!

Birthday Sale On Etsy

My twin sister and I are celebrating our birthday today! I've decided to have a little birthday sale on Etsy this weekend. Free shipping on every purchase! Simply enter coupon code "freeshipping" at checkout! Offer good until tomorrow night at midnight. To visit my Etsy shop, click here.

The above photo was taken on Mackinac Island a couple summers ago. One of my favorite places! It was wonderful to be able to go and spend the day with my sister and my brothers too. I'll tell you, being able to share a birthday with your best friend is great! Makes the day even more special!

Happy Birthday Christina!!

Multicolor Rose

"Multicolor Rose" 5 by 7, Watercolor Painting

I thought I would try something a little different today. I've never painted a flower like this, without some kind of background. I have to say I really like it. The simple white background adds a touch of elegance and sophistication to the painting. And the flower just jumps out. I had a lot of fun mixing colors too.

This little watercolor will join a few others (Twin Roses and Cosmos) at the Stillwater Art Guild Gallery. I've got about 4 new paintings to take and get hung there. Nothing like bright florals for Spring. :)

I hope you have a great day!

Cosmos

"Cosmos" 5 by 7, Watercolor Painting

I completed this little watercolor today. It took me much longer than normal as I wasn't able to use a blow dryer to speed things along. My Fiance has been working nights again this week and I didn't want to risk waking him with the dryer. It was certainly a different way of painting. But I'm happy with the way it turned out.

This little painting will join "Twin Roses" at the Stillwater Art Guild Gallery soon.

Have a lovely evening!

Twin Roses

"Twin Roses" 5 by 7, Watercolor Painting

A new painting! It feels like it's been forever since I last painted. I'm quite pleased with the way this watercolor turned out. I used some new opaque paints and it was challenging, but I love the colors.

I've decided to reserve this painting for the gallery. In honor of Spring I thought it would be nice to bring in some new floral watercolors. And I think it would look beautiful in this gold frame that I have.

I'm also working on setting up a new yoga blog. I'll post the link once I get it up and running.

Have a great night!

Busy Busy

Hi everyone! I wish I had a new painting to share with you today, but I do have one in the works. I started a new watercolor painting yesterday of some beautiful peach roses. I'm sure I will finish that up within the next couple days.

Life has been rather hectic the past week or so. My Fiance has been working a few nights instead of days and that has my schedule all messed up. I've also been busy with new classes in school (I'm taking Intro. to Psychology, Corporate Business Structures and Litigation II this quarter). And I've been thinking a great deal about getting my teaching certificate so I can teach yoga. I can either begin the program this Fall or next Spring. I'd like to start this Fall, but I have a lot to to in order to prepare for it. So, it's been a balance of yoga, school, painting and my other daily responsibilities. On the upside, there is never a time where I don't have something to do and I'm never bored. :)

I just wanted to let you know what I've been doing and that I haven't disappeared. :) Have a great afternoon!

New Watercolor Mini's

I have been working on a couple new watercolor mini paintings for the gallery.

"Full Bloom" "Sunny Rose"

These little paintings are a hit at the gallery and they look so much nicer in person so it's just easier to sell them there as opposed to my Etsy shop. Although I do have a few listed on Etsy. They're just so cute and completely affordable.

New Paintings For Sale

Well okay maybe they're not "new" but I did just list them for sale on Etsy. I did these paintings last year and I liked them so much that I decided to keep them for myself. They were in my studio until I brought in some new art, and I decided that I'm ready to let them go. I've sold 6 paintings in the last 6 days and it's like watching my children leave. I become so attached to my work.

"When Life Gives You Lemons" 5 by 7, Pastel "Fruit Tea" 5 by 7, Pastel

Just click on the paintings and it will bring you to the listing on Etsy. They're $55 each with free shipping.

I hope you're experiencing Spring-like weather wherever you are! We hit 62 degrees today and I had my yoga practice outside. :)

Spring Table Runners

Spring has sprung here in Wisconsin and to celebrate I've made some Spring quilted table runners. The three quilts shown below have been added to my Etsy shop. They're $28 each, plus shipping. If you're looking to add a little color to any room, these would be great. They'd also make a great Mother's Day gift!

"Sunkissed" by Moda "Origins" by Moda

"Prayer Flag" by Moda

What a day I had today! I sold 5 original paintings today. 4 on Etsy and 1 at the gallery. Feels great to have so many people interested in my work!

I hope you have a great weekend!

Watching Rain

"Watching Rain" 5 by 7, Pastel Painting

Available Here

I couldn't resist painting another cat. I just loved this picture. The scan makes the painting look harsh, but it's much softer in person. It's just a sweet image.

I added my other two recent cat paintings to Etsy yesterday if anyone is interested.

I'm currently on a little break from school and unfortunately new classes begin Monday. I was hoping to get more painting done while I was on break, but I've taken some time for myself. I've been doing a lot of reading, yoga and just relaxing. It's been nice.

I hope you all have a great weekend!

Tennessee Rose

"Tennessee Rose" 5 by 7, Watercolor Painting

I was in the mood for a watercolor today. I couldn't wait to paint those soft petals. The reference photo I used was from the WetCanvas reference library and the person lived in Tennessee, so that's where I got the title.

This painting was done on 140lb cold press watercolor paper with Winsor & Newton paints. I will have this painting listed on Etsy soon.

Please don't forget that until March 31st 100% of all Etsy sales will be donated to the Red Cross to help those affected by the earthquake and tsunami in Japan. Just a few days left! If you were planning on giving anyway, this is a great way to do it. :)

Have a great weekend!

A Visitor

"A Visitor" 5 by 7, Pastel Painting

Another little kitty today. Actually it's the same cat as in my last painting. Once again, thank you to Nancy Rose for allowing me to use your great photo for this painting. This one was a lot of fun. It was nice to spend an equal amount of time on the background as on the cat.

I haven't listed this painting on Etsy yet, but I plan on doing so within the next week or so. I have some collectors of my little cat paintings and I'm waiting to list a few of them at the same time.

Also, if you're interested in a custom pet portrait, I am taking orders. I was thinking of what a great Mother's Day or Father's Day gift that would make! For more information on custom pet portraits, click here. I also have listings available for different sizes in my Etsy shop.

Have a wonderful day!

Closeup

"Closeup" 5 by 7, Pastel Painting

"Closeup" is my latest pastel painting. It's been about 2 weeks since my last one and I felt a little rusty, but it felt great to be painting again. I finally completed my final projects and finals for school and I'm on a short break. What a relief to not have to think about school for a couple weeks! :)

"Closeup" is based on a reference photo by Nancy Rose. The painting was completed with pastel pencils on pastelbord. I'm not going to list it for sale just yet. But if you're interested, keep checking my Etsy page to see if I've listed it for sale.

I hope you have a nice afternoon!

My Art in The Smurfs Movie

Those of you who have been following my blog for a while now may remember that Columbia Pictures purchased some of my art (some of my hand painted cigar boxes) last year for the set of The Smurfs. Well, the trailer is finally out! The movie comes out in August. I have no idea what role exactly my boxes will play so it will be fun to try and spot them! :)

Etsy Sales Will Be Donated To The Red Cross

Effective today, until March 31st I will be donating 100% of my Etsy sales to the American Red Cross in an effort to help those affected by the earthquake and tsunami in Japan. I did this last year when that terrible earthquake hit Haiti and ended up having a small amount to donate. In times like this I feel so helpless, but feel like I want to do something, anything to help. This is about the least that I can do. But if you were thinking about donating some money anyway, this is a cool way to do it because you get something in return. Just visit my Etsy store, place an order and on April 1st I will place the donation with the Red Cross. Thank you so much!

Little Dahlia

"Little Dahlia" 2 1/2 by 3 1/2, Watercolor Painting

After about a week and a half without painting I just had to do this little painting today. I have 1 week left of classes and my professors have been piling on the work. This week is going to be the worst with final projects due and exams. But after that I will have a 2 week break.

This mini painting was done on 140lb watercolor paper with Winsor & Newton paints. These mini paintings really have to be seen in person to be appreciated. Scanning or photographing just does not do them justice. For that reason I think I might start selling them in the gallery instead of on Etsy. But I will still share them. They also make great studies for larger paintings.

I hope you all have a great weekend!