This Week's Field Trip

This week William and I did a sneak preview of our Field Trip on Monday while Mailey was at art camp. We ventured down to Line Creek Nature Center in Peachtree City. This is a 70 acre nature area with trails, a huge creek, amazing landscape and plenty of critters. In the picture above I was attempting to photograph this little pink fuzz flower William found that looks just like the flower in Horton hears a Who. It creating the most amazing pink halo over the water's reflection. A happy accident indeed!

We took Lily on this adventure as well. She really hates the water we found out the hard way. I guess Chihuahua's are meant to be pampered at the spa, not the creek! She loved walking the trails however. Always led the way.

Here's a view from standing in the creek. Isn't it serene? The best part is we were the only people in site. When we arrived back at our car there were several cars in the lot, but we never saw or heard a sole. What an amazing morning we had together.

I've Been Working.....

I've found studio time to be a little sparse these days. But, I did finally get these cuties out of my head and into true form. These old sap buckets have received a much needed face lift! Two months ago I picked these colorful metal buckets up at Scott's Antique market with an idea to attach giant fun flowers on them. I've wanted something bold and different to sell. I may have found that new product. These are the test run buckets which are now for sale at The Vintage-Flea for around $20. They should be all-weather proof since the flowers are made from roofing felt.

Just popped in to say "HI". I've been having terrible interent service this week. Urgh...About to switch service especially since I just lost this post and am now having to re-type it. Anyhoo, above is a new texture painting. One in a series I made for the Studio Gallery in Grayton Beach, Florida. I love the warm colors and the surprise pop of turquoise in the top corner.

I am headed to a Indie Craft Fair tomorrow with Valerie and some other "Flea Chicks" for a Flea Field Trip. I can't wait to be inspired by other crafters. Hope you have a super crafty weekend yourself!

Lots of Little Blooms

I tend to paint in series. And since I had to paint for not just the Trinity School show (about 20 pieces), but also the Naked Art Gallery (8 pieces at least 16 x 20), I was literally painting 2 of everything at the same time. It's cheating a little, but since they are going to two states, I figured while the brain was painting one, it could just as easily paint another. Here are the four "Little Bloom" paintings:

New Mini Paintings

"Mason Jar Friends" I just love Creative Thursday's little mini paintings, I even bought one recently! It makes me so happy seeing Teddy sitting on the flat file to my right. So I thought I'd give these little guys a whirl. First, let me say, that they take longer than one might think, even though the one above is only 3 1/2" x 8" and below is 3 1/2 x 3 3/4". You probably thought at first glance that I just whipped it out. In fact, the smaller one I had to keep re-painting the composition to get it just right. And I am also thinking my favorite green brush is going to have to be replaced with a much smaller green brush! I had Lowe's cut me a dozen though, so I have plenty to practice! These are off to Naked Art Gallery next week. Vero said it's time to send more her way!
"3 Friends in Bottles"

Most of the time my "Friends" aka flowers are in the ground, with my favorite outside colors. It was time to bring the flowers inside and give you a slice of newness in my art. New color palettes are always an adventure for me. I get in such a routine or shall I say, I get "comfortable" with my color palette. Recently someone asked me if blue was my favorite color. Actually it's orange! Be on the look out for 10 more mini's soon!

Mattie Swinging

I tend to work on several paintings at once in different styles, mediums and subjects. I don't know how not to really. I get anxious, so while one is drying I start another one, and so the cycle continues. I am working on some sweet images to hopefully one day incorporate into a children's book. You will see Mattie doing all sorts of fun things over the next few months as I develop her character. It was recommended to me by a wonderful mentor that I should get my audience to fall in love with her, let the character develop and then write the book. So this is my plan. Here she is doing one of my children's favorite things....swinging! Of course there is no Mommy bird behind her. My very observant little Mailey noticed that right away. You see, my two still want me to push them, and since they are now 6 and 8, it does seem a bit silly, but I love it. It is another memory they will have of us together. I may still be pushing them at age 21 at this rate though! Have a lovely weekend!