sea

I have been spending most of my time on this, here’s a peek:

Theres a lot more going on in it than shown ( I don’t want to spoil anything!) but the birds (they will be red winged blackbirds) are carrying little somethings tied in bright blue ribbons. There’s also a sister. I think it needs to be put away for a day or two while some layers dry. Paint does build up and turns gooey.

Last reminder, don’t forget about the giveaway! There’s still time until tomorrow to submit names for the drawing!

honeybee forest sea

A peek at a painting in progress, Honeybee Sisters

Yesterday I decided to put this painting aside and paint the pair into more of a setting with bee imagery (recently I have had a craving to paint more detailed settings as opposed to portraits). I’ve been researching bees and hives and they hold a vast amount of symbolism and meaning which is interesting. Interpret it as you will honeybees are pretty too and I love to see them buzzing around the flowers. Wasps and hornets are interesting as well but I was stung a few weeks ago and I’m still bitter!

While I was roaming around the other day I noticed that they fungi in the moss carries similarities to certain sea treasures, white coral and sea urchin:

How I would love to dangle these forest sea treasures from my ears.

Seafaring Heart

My newest painting, Seafaring Heart. I am so excited about this piece, the story sort of unfolded as I was in the process of painting it which felt so magical. The original is quite large for me, painting on a 12″ by 16″ Ampersand panel.

And see the details, below.

The 8″ x 10″ prints are offered on both fine art paper and canvas here.

A little secret…my sort-of muse and model for this painting is in the post, first picture, photo taped on mirror. I think she is a combo of the the girl in the photo and the character from this painting. And, a little hint…the pair under the photo in the above linked post are the models in the painting I am working on now, titled Bumblebee Sisters.

And one more thing…I have a lovely, lovely rare GIANT vintage cameo locket that will house this print, which will be up for sale very soon, so check back soon! The locket is my most precious and I have decided to part with it.

updates

Finally finished the painting today (still untitled) and as soon as it is dry it will be scanned for the store! If it’s not dry by tomorrow (doubtful it will be) I’ll take a photo and post it here because I am just so excited about her!! Started another painting today which has the tentative name Bumblebee Sisters or perhaps Butterfly Sisters depends on which insect I decide to include in the painting.

And I have some good news! I have some prints in the brand new Pivot Gallery and Boutique opening August 1st! You can see the related blog at Orange Willow. Also participating in something else (if you look close at the photo you can see the name written on the package) but I don’t want to gloat until my package actually arrives at it’s destination! Packages:

Back to painting!

a sneak peek

The days have been spent painting, painting, painting! Here’s an itty bitty teaser, I hope to finish the painting this weekend, and think of a title:

painting, work in progress

I am working on some new paintings. For the past few days this gal has been taking up all my time (with the exception of a trip to the sea yesterday). I worked on her all afternoon, here she is on my floor (although she is much further along now but it is too dark for a photo, hopefully tomorrow!). Lots more painting is in the works!

wings feather lace

walked home hands cupped holding these treasures! dragonfly wings (and I am betting the body was consumed by a very hungry bird!) and a blue jay feather. Now can I find a cardinal feather? I hope someday soon!

and, I have a new print in my shop.

We Come From a Delicate Place print. The original is watercolor, gouache, acrylic and antique lace.

entangled floating flying things

I am so happy to have two of my paintings in the little ‘zine pictured above. I was feeling a bit under the weather last week and when it arrived in the mail it cheered me right up! There are some sweet artists in the mag and I love Julianna’s work on the cover (and juxtaposed with the twine binding it looks so nice!)

It’s absolutely sweltering here! The days when I can do some summer hybernating in my little air conditioned painting room are near… this thrills me to pieces! So I am trying to make the best of the heat by embracing summer early. The day started by eating a pint of the yummiest chilled blackberries. The humid, haze-filled mountain views during my morning commute made me daydream of early morning hikes and runs through the park. Many summer plans, a list is forthcoming!

My large blue hardcover watercolor book has been inspiring lately. It’s main use is for traveling around, sketching and playing with painting ideas but I came up with this finished painting, and a print will be up for sale very soon! The original is on a 13″ x 9″ page in my book and is watercolor and gouache with a piece of old lace.

After covering the paper with watercolor leaves and sticks I remembered these photos, taken early spring in the meadow. Red-windged black birds.

I was thinking about a flock of birds emerging from spaces within, from something woven or tangled or lace-like. I am going to develop this concept further. I think.

In addition to scribbles, snippets have been collecting in my book. On a treasure hunt last week I found a box of pretty paper cuts. Here’s another page….

I am longing for the early morning when I can get up and take my sketchbook in the field to work. There are so many things to draw!

tiny dew droplets on very small violets…

…are fairy tears indeed. And fairies do cry, often.

found on the very wet woodsy floor…

Yesterday I found my vintage peachy dress for next weekend’s sweet gathering at the maypole! Layed it down in the lush bed of moss that grows outside my door. Last year (and every year for that matter) I had such a fun time!

May Day is upon us! I would like to thank the enchanted Ulla for getting me all inspired by all her sweet fairy tale posts as of late! Ulla, your blog never fails to inspired and enrich me!

And, other things that inspired the past few days:

The way the sunlight pours though my windows, my every growing ivy plant and the fact that my thumb may actually be green and a small sketch of favorite things:

? paints and messy palettes
? soft candle light
? horses in meadows
? house plants

And I spent some time pushing paints around on this oval panel. Browns and blues, the very beginings of a densely paint-layered piece

?

Whoa it’s been awhile!

I can’t believe how time flew by! A little break turns into a month of nonposting. For me this spring is a time of new directions, capturing ideas….

What a beautiful Earth Day! Today I walked for miles to sit by the pond and gaze into the water and just be. The water’s surface was like a giantic looking glass for the sky, the tree branches and red-winged blackbirds. Their song is my favorite. Look below and you might see one on the tree’s branches.

Things will unfold…

Sitting on the roots of a willow tree I picked dandelions and little yellow flowers and played with configurations on my hands like henna designs that came alive. As the tiny buds floated across the water I thought of things that hold me back, keep me from being creative, keep me from painting. From there I ran the whole way home. And I painted the afternoon in my sketchbook with watercolors and in oils on a wooden panel. It’s a start.

These have been sitting in my studio for some time, new directions I set up in an inspiring little shrine-like fashion. . I am so excited about all of these.

Painting the grisaille layer in burnt umber and titanium white this afternoon.

Everyday small pleasures

? moroccan mint green tea, iced
? the sound of silver bangle bracelets (like little bells)
? blues, greens and grays
? rubbing magnolia petals between my fingers til they tear apart (they are so soft!)
? the beach and searching for shells and shiney things in the sand
? being 29!

And yesterday was my birthday so we spent a beautiful day together roadtripping. The beach being one of our first stops, then searching for thrift clothes (hooray I found a pretty dress and some shirts!) meandering around the campus at Princeton and then to a sushi dinner. Yesterday, a perfect gray beach day:

The first full day of being 29 was beautiful!