If This Jar Could Talk

If this jar could talk I wonder what it'd say?  It's painted 100's of paintings with me.  Had it's photo taken like it's my child everytime it makes a cool color.  As an artist sometimes I get a tad annoyed at my brain and how it sees things.  Like beauty in this jar.  And the water colors that emerge as the canvas is brought to life. 

But then again, if there weren't artists like me who saw beauty in things like this, the world would be as very dull place to be.

I Just Love Soy Paint

I just can not tell you how much I am LOVING these delta CREATIVE soy paints.  I about kart-wheeled down the Hobby Lobby aisle when I saw they'd restocked!  (Actually there was a rather large lady and her daughter totally blocking the paint aisle on the phone talking to Daddy about dinner and groceries.  I about ninja'd them to get to the paint!)  I did miss yellow somehow.  Guess I'll be making a trip today.  They just go on like butter, not clumpy thick like my regular paints (which cost a fortune!).  And at $1.99 a bottle.....yeah I am thinking this is a no brainer.  I am going soy.  Have you tried them yet??

 

 Here's the raw start of a painting with the soy paints on my black gesso.  I can't wait to show you the end result.  This little painting is for a friend.....who also wants a yellow house by the sea.

There's the bottle in the right corner of the above photo.  They are likely to be where the "craft paint" is located instead of in the fine art aisle.

Anyhoo....busy bee around the house lately.  I can't wait to share the new entrance way.  It's coming along nicely!  And just in time for the 15 guest at our home for Thanksgiving dinner.  Yep. The WHOLE family is coming to our house this year!!  So cool.

Custom Painting

I've been working like a wild woman on custom paintings.  I've decided I really like this idea...custom paintings.  First, you are making a client super happy.  That's a good thing.  Second, there's no risk of it sitting in your basement for 2 years going to every show never selling and eventually getting painted over.  Right?

This sweet client wanted a truck and a bike for over her boy's beds.  The beds are amazing four post twin beds painted red.  The quilts are an awesome "boy" plaid.  I think the end results are going to look so cool over the beds!  Below is the scarey stage of the process.

 Never fear, with a little scrubbing the end results are very lovely.  Rich in texture.

Yep.  I can't wait to visit Diane and get photos of the two rooms with the art work hanging.  Makes my heart full to know that years to come these paintings will be with the boys.

Happening Around Here

As my studio time is very limited these days, I find myself drawn to simplifying other parts of my life as well.  I only work on the computer during my 30 min lunch break for instance.  I'm not following as many blogs.  I instagram a bit each day, but tend to not dwell on it.  FB...well unless it's linked to instagram just doesn't happen.  The election comments wore me out, so I decided that too many opinions were just that, too many opinions.  Perhaps it's the 6:00PM darkness, perhaps it's a change of my heart....whatever the reason some things that HAD to be done, just don't anymore.

We all have to seek balance in our lives.  I tend to burn a candle at both ends, buy a new one and start again.  So finding that balance is vital to my sanity as a mother, wife, teacher and artist.  This week I am extra thankful for a day off in the middle of the week.  I seem to have found a lot of balance on that day.  So here goes what I am loving and ever thankful for in my artsy life right now:

-Quiet studio time to work on several custom paintings and my 52 canvases....

-Long runs through the lake path and the neighborhood.  Man brisk weather makes running feel even more alive for me.  And my thoughts while running just keep leading to bigger and better things for the future.  I do hope these dreams come true!

-The beauty that envelopes me as I enter our home.  I love our home more and more everyday.  It's so warm and charming inside.  Between the two-legged and 4-legged family members I feel very safe and loved in our home.  Honestly I hate to ever leave.

-I am thankful that being a nester by nature is something my husband embraces and just giggles at.  As he walked through the door Tuesday night and had to step over drop cloths and paint cans I can' t help but be thankful he enjoys letting me just be me.

Other little things I am enjoying right now:  cooking new things for dinner, baking like a crazy lady, catching up with old friends, planning for a big race, loosing myself in the big bathtub, walking Lily to the bus stop so she can say hello to everyone in the morning, thrift store shopping for the entrance way re-model, putting together a puzzle with the family....and more.....

Marist Holiday Traditions

Hey guys!!  Well I'm sorta back in cyberland.  My laptop still has no Internet....and the school email keeps sending my photos back undeliverable.  Something is just not lining up for me with the technology these days.  Oh...and my i-Pad and i-Phone won't send any emails from jennihorne@ymail.com.  They are hanging out in the outbox for a spell. 

Anyhoo, this is not a post to complain about my technology challenges.  Somehow these photos snuck in before the school decided to start blocking my photos.  They are so inappropriate right?  Haha...

Marist was a huge success once again.  I can always count on this show to be well attended, brimming with happy shoppers ready to buy.  I've participated in this show 5 years now and in those years have learned what to take and what not to take.  We loaded the van Thursday night and Billy was like, "Is this it?"  Yep sweetie it is.  Except for the 2 token paintings everything in the van was under $50. 

Mailey went up with me afterschool on Friday to set up.  I tell you what she was the absolute best helper when it came to setting up and taking down.  Never complained, was eager to help and such a joy to have around.  Especially at closing time.  I was pooped, but she just kept bee-bopping and loading up Saturday afternoon.  A real trooper.  Now during the show, we had to work a bit on how to greet everyone, and make sales (not sit on the stool and play games on the phone).  But that will come with maturity and perhaps having a bit of her own work next year to sell.

 Hot seller?  The i-Phone cases by far, sold 20.  And sold all but 2 pairs of earrings in the bauble jewelry.

 I love this corner spot.  I hope it can be mine forever.  One of my artsy peeps says she's been doing this show like 25 years.  If I do the same I'll be 65 setting up.  Right here.  In this corner spot.  :)

Oh, and the clay bird necklaces were also a hit.  Sold like 14 of those.  The rest of the stock all went to Design House (formerly the Vintage-Flea) in downtown Newnan.  This Sunday is Holiday Open House.  I can't wait to go.  Some friends and I are attending together.  It's been way too long since I did anything like this with friends.    It's well deserved time away.

I'll hopefully be back later in the week with a sneak peek at what's going on in the studio as well as the house!  I got a bee in my bonnet to re-do some areas.  I love to nest in my home that's for sure!  Take care!

PS...I just had to add this photo of Mailey from Saturday night.  She was obviously pooped at this point!! 

Musings From the Artroom

Red Ribbon Week was celebrated last week here at school.  I'd often wondered what in the world dressing up nutty for a week has to do with being drug free.  But then this year I got it.  Sometimes you have to figure out creative ways to make things stick in little brains.  We are of course competing with TV, computers, Ipods, game boys...the list grows every year!   Having a week to celebrate making a decision to be drug free definitely had our school in high spirits.  I just hope they remember 10 years from now when they are presented with a decision, they remember the right reason they had "crazy sock day at Arbor Springs".

My role in the week......well the counselor asked if I could have the kids draw feet with their names on them and hang the feet leading to the ballot box.  Very symbolic, right?  Well....ya know I can't do anything 50%.  This 100% project turned out so amazing!!!  Look at all the little feet leading to the ballot box!

400+ feet walking to pledge to be drug free.  It was a great week....dressing up silly and all.  Our hope is that they'll remember these pledges when the time comes.

i-Phone Cases

Whilst in the sweatshop Monday night I also decided to whip up some new i-phone 4/4S cases.  There are white, black and clear cases in the 6 different designs.  Priced at $20, these make fabulous gifts or stocking stuffers! 

I'm obsessed with the new painting above.  It's actually one for the 52 canvases series.  I shouldn't really be using it, but I had to.  The colors are some of the best I've put together in a long time.    Clementine also made a debut in the printed products.  If these all do well I'll be ordering more next week and uploading to Etsy.  I know not everyone lives in Atlanta and can make it Saturday.  You could however, be like my dear friends Rene and Cara and get on a plane to come see me.  Just saying.  They rock!

I plan to display them on this awesome vintage key rack and once purchased they are going in sweet vintage candy bags.  I love details. 

Looking forward to seeing you guys Saturday!  Mailey is very excited.  It's her first time to be a show helper.  I usually do this show alone, but think maybe she's ready.  She's very excited that's for sure!  It think she just wants to go shopping.  I know I do!