Bubble Gum Ice Cream Art Studio

I was cleaning out the disc drawer today and found one marked Bubble Gum. I put it in, opened it up and there were the pictures the local paper took for an article they did on my studio about 6 years ago! Funny, I've been through a bunch of hair styles since then, and this picture looks just like I do right now! I have very few photos of me actually teaching. Not sure exactly what I was teaching here, but if I remember correctly, it was a Monet project. The little boy on the left occasionally still takes from me in the summer. I think he's 10 now. Here he is 4 years old. Man, time flies!

As I've stated before, I believe that we all travel along a path opening and closing doors we choose. And the past couple of weeks I've considered starting a separate blog about my adventure as an art teacher. Finding this disc today is just one more sign that perhaps it's time, the door has been opened. So, hopefully by the end of the week I'll have the Bubble Gum Ice Cream Art Studio blog up and running with lots of fun art projects you can do on your own with your children, or in your own classroom!

Joining the Circus

Joining the Circus, 16" x 20"

I thought it would be appropriate to share this latest painting since my family and I attended the "Greatest Show on Earth" last night in Atlanta. I have to say, in the 5 years we've now attended in a row, this was by far the best. Some major changes are what helped make it much more enjoyable. The first thing we all noticed was that there were not 3 rings set up. Isn't it called the "3 ring circus"? It was one big act, you didn't have to choose one ring to watch, or try and watch 3 at a time. And the acts were amazing. Some almost a little Cirque de Solielish actually. The music and costumes definitely echoed that feeling. So our favorites? William loved the motorcycles in the ball, Mailey loved the horses, Nana the loved the skipping elephant, and I loved the boys at the end on these swinging poles. It was quite an evening!

Chalkboard Messages

I guess about 6 years ago my neighbor gave me this awesome chalkboard. She said it had been given to her when her children were small and since they no longer used it, thought I might want it for my children. I had it at the house, then in the studio and now it's back in the house on the wall behind the front door. It cracks me up the things that appear on it. Like below, a little Mailey portrait. I love the blue eyes and super lengthy eyelashes. And of course large bows on the shoes.Sweet message below... although I have a feeling right this second they are erasing it and putting up a new message with less enthusiasm for me. It's day 2 of winter break and they are already bored and fussing with one another. urghhhhh...
My favorite I've found yet was this one. "School is boring". I was such a daydreamer, that my days were not boring in school because they were full of excitement in my head!

I hope to get something creative done this week. It may be just a week of being Mommy though. That's not too bad, I kind of like my job. Off to play horse with William. I kick his cute hiney every time at this old fashioned game. He doesn't think Mommy is very athletic. What he doesn't know is that I played basketball from about age 5-16. Game on boy!

Yes, You are Seeing Double Tonight

I should have posted the flowers first, then you'd get why you are seeing double. Keep reading the next posts to find out why! I wanted to show what my little wrists have been up to the past couple of weeks. I am so happy with the collection and can't wait to see how the paintings do in both Atlanta, and Birmingham. It will be interesting to see which of the two go first. The Pink Bike, 24" x 24"
My Pink Bicycle, 24" x 24"

Rainy Day Fun Twice The Fun

The umbrellas are a new favorite subject. The top one headed to Trinity School, the bottom one to Birmingham, Alabama!

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:

Okay, the Surprise is Out of the Bag!

Well, Jill received her little Valentine from Chad on Thursday. She said she came home and the cone (I made her a cone for her front door that I forgot to photo) was on the door. Hummmm.....And then the nest with pink bow...hummmm...and observant little Kathryn found that the nest had a BAG in it with the actual gift. The two pink pearl eggs represent her two daughters, Kathryn and Caroline. The pearls, well I love the little seed pearls in my jewelry making. They are tough on the eyes and hands, but they really make a nice necklace. All was made with lots of love.

On a side note, I was wearing my own little nesty creation today in Birmingham and had lots of comments on it. So I am thinking of making up some more nests and placing them in my Etsy shop very soon. Be checking my posts for when they'll be available. I can also custom make one for you. Amy, I promise you are first!

Sending you all lots of love on this special day. I know mine has been a lovely one. Lots of yummy goodies here. My children picked out my favorite, a chocolate chip cookie cake! I'm off for another slice now. Nighty night.