February 28

This year is just going by so quickly.  Starting out with a 7 day trip to Oahu with my mom, sister and daughter early in January!  It was sooo nice to relax and take in the beautiful island vibe.  It was my first trip to Hawaii and I certainly hope not the last.

So many other things have happened already in this new year my head has been spinning but I won't bore you with that.  My main art focus has been working with the Madison Arts Council and their Art 4 Paws event.  It is going to a lot of fun this year...many new and exciting events for you and your family to come out and enjoy.  I've been working on some new "Furry Friends" art and craft items as I will have my very first art tent at the event. YAY!!!

The art you will see in my tent is all hand made, hand painted or created by me.  These are not mass produced items, they are all one of a kind offerings at very reasonable prices.  I am looking forward to seeing everyone at the Art 4 Paws event.

Please come out and support the Madison Arts Council April 5th from 10am to 3pm.  Bring your well behaved and leashed dogs, and your family for a "tail waggin" good time!

If you would like to participate as an artist or other vendor there is still time visit artsmadison.org/art-4-paws/

I'll see you there!!!

March 1st

I am amazed that it is already March 2013.  This year just seems to be flying by.

I am looking forward to Spring, here in the south daffodils have already popped up and I can't wait to see more green. I grew up in Northern Nevada which is beautiful country but it really is a big cat box. Dirt, dirt and more dirt.  Oh and sage brush.  lol

Well to finish of February, I finally re-upholstered my dining room chair cushions!!! This is a project I first started planning out last Spring so I am thrilled I finally completed.  I am still working the rocker I keep sanding and changing colors on it...maybe it will be a never ending project.  

This months projects:

• rocking chair
• sand big rocking chair and design pattern
• cut spring wood projects
• paint paint paint!

This and That

Hello all,

I've been keeping busy playing in my studio, and now I have a few photos to share.  

The sunflower painting was Java Paint Night at Coffee Tree Books & Brew in Huntsville, instructed by Deborah Taylor.  I've included her website link so you can see more of her art and learn more about my friend.

The butterfly painting is a gift for my neighbor.

The two photo frames were just quickie designs for fun.

I'm still painting the children's rocking chair.  I keep changing my mind on color and accents hopefully I be done soon because I have so many other projects I want to start.

Please leave me comments and don't forget to visit Deborah's website.

1 art project, 2 art projects, 3 art projects....4

I am so excited to create new things that I never have just one project going.  What about you?

My newest creative love is crochet!  There are so many adorable patterns for the wee ones that I can't help but save them all on Pinterest or Ravelry (or my hard drive).  I bought a couple patterns yesterday that I can't wait to play with.  Check out http://www.etsy.com/shop/TheHatandI for some cute patterns!


And then...upstairs in my studio I have 3 projects in progress and my brain is already thinking about several spring projects to create and market.  

Getting back to those 3 projects: 

1. A small antique rocking chair perfect for a doll or stuffed animal.  I'm getting a little crazy with lots of color and scribble paint.  My inspiration comes from a fellow artisan I have met online http://lauriemillerdesigns.blogspot.com/  I love the whimsy and color in her designs.  
2. A sketch I want to paint.  A tribute to my father who died shortly after he turned 46.  This is my 46th year and it saddens me to think his life ended so young.  I may or may not proceed with the painting...it is very emotional for me.
3. I started a drawing of my son this month. I set it aside to work on the rocking chair. I need to get back to it...it's almost done!

I am also a new member of the Madison Arts Council!  I'm very excited to be getting more involved.  Good things to come.

So that is what's happening in my art world, what's happening in yours?

New Pics Posted

I came across a couple memory sticks of mine with pics of some paintings I've played with - I believe these were mostly from 2010, and so I thought I might as well post 'em to the "Some of My Art" page.

I'm currently working on a crochet project, home projects and getting ready for my son's wedding in October.  Maybe after that I will slow up enough to spend time making a few pieces of art :)

I won my HSVBG Butterfly!

Call me silly but I couldn't resist the chance of owning the butterfly I painted for the Huntsville Botanical Garden earlier this year. 

The garden set up an online auction for all of the butterflies and it has been open for about 30 days now.  Maybe I should have bid on someone else's butterfly, or let my monarch slip through my fingers but I just wanted her back.  That's the thing with creating a piece of art...sometimes the piece speaks to your soul and you just can't let it go.

Regardless I am happy to say my butterfly will be returning home and she will be a permanent piece in my own art collection :)