My new painting...Dora

Happy Friday! I just finished the portrait that I started many months ago. I started the piece by sketching a woman, now called Dora, on a canvas. Then I used matte medium to glue pages of an old French book to the surface. Many hours of painting later.... here she is. Dora came to mind after watching, "Midnight In Paris" the other night. She wasn't in the movie, but Picasso was...and I had the privilege of seeing his Dora Maar paintings several years ago. (They are amazing!) If anyone hasn't seen "Midnight In Pairs"....I highly recommend it. It's my new favorite movie. So good!

Tophatter Live Auctions

Hi! I've been very, very busy finding new ways, and places, to sell my artwork. Not leaving much time for making art, but it's been fun. There are two new sites, to me anyway, that I am very excited about. The first is, Tophatter. I think this auction house is going to be a lot of fun to sell and buy from. It's a real, live auction house! I am selling my first print, Frida Dog, on Monday, Feb. 20th, at 9:00. Wish me luck. And, then, there's a site that's been around a while.... Artist Rising. I, actually, signed up a while ago, but forgot about it. You upload your artwork, and they do the work selling your prints. (My shop isn't coming up, yet...not sure how long that takes) They have framing available, too! You can sell originals, also, but I haven't looked into that, yet. I will let you know how things go. Especially with the Tophatter auction. I think it's going to be fun to watch.

Update on Artsy Home

For those interested in selling their artwork...I thought that I would let you know how it's going on Artsy Home. I cannot believe the hits I am getting! I haven't sold anything, but I have over 300 hits on the cat painting I listed last night...with 3 tweets! I've listed a few other paintings and a print, and they have a ton of hits, too. I had 19 hits on the Flower painting when I had it listed on Etsy. It has 37 on Artsy Home...and I just added it to my shop. Now, we'll wait and see if sales are better. I will let you know.

Today is my Birthday... Lunch with my Mom, Sister and daughters! Then, finally, going to see "The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo" tonight. I loved the book... Hope to work in a little painting, too. I'm finishing up a portrait that I started a while back.

Have a great day!!!!!!

Artsy Home Shop

Hello! I've been busy trying to organize my Studio, and find new sites to list my paintings. I love Etsy, but I think it's gotten so big...it's hard to be seen. I've heard good things about Artsy Home, and just opened a new shop there tonight. So far I have listed "Snow Princess" and the new little cat painting shown above. He was fun to create. I used a page from an old book...sketched a kitty head, glued it on a mini canvas and painted the little guy.

I've been working on another painting, and patterns for some kitty dolls...which I am very excited about! So, stay tuned! Have a great evening!

I love Pinterest!!!

My daughter has been using Pinterest for quite a while now...and I finally got around to checking it out. Oh My! I love it! So much inspiration, great food and fun ideas. Check it out...if you haven't yet.

Three New Paintings

I've been busy painting...and have three new paintings to share. Two paintings I started several months ago, and I just got around to finishing them. (The abstract flowers, and The Ants and Jellybeans) Snow Princess was inspired by our lovely weather, as of late. I do love snow...when I don't have to drive in it. We had a hair raising experience the other day trying to get to the Airport...solid ice on the freeway...it was very scary. I hope everyone is staying safe out there!

Wedding Pictures

Our youngest daughter is now married! It was an amazing day, so I thought that I would share a few pictures. The photographer, Ashley Dimeo Buchan, is a very talented young woman. We can't wait to see the rest of the photos!

Off to paint! Have a wonderful day!

Happy New Year!!!

I just noticed that I didn't post my last two kitty ornaments. They were fun to create and I am going to continue to explore soft sculpture this year.

2012! WOW! And, it's time to make my usual resolution...to create more and paint a lot more! Plus, I am looking forward to spending a lot more time with family and friends... The most important part of life; which does include our fur family!

I want to wish you all a VERY Happy New Year!!!!!!!!!!!!

Second Cat Ornament

Here is my second Cat Ornament, and the third is almost finished. I have so many ideas, right now, and so little time! With Christmas close, and a wedding nine days after! It's an exciting time, but not much time to paint.

New Painting and A Cat Ornament

Hi! I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving! Our Day started with a "Turkey Trot" 5K. My three daughters, my granddaughter and I all finished the race! It was a lot of fun and we decided that it will be an Annual Event! Next year we hope to get the men and dogs to join us. It's a family race...including dogs. We then had a great Thanksgiving dinner and a nap; so we could be with the rest of the crazy, Black Friday Shoppers. The 8 hours of shopping was a lot of fun, too!

I finally finished another ornament, a cat, and a painting inspired by Mr. Gatsby and his favorite toy, Martha Chicken. A Martha Stewart dog toy that Mr. Gatsby loves. I really enjoyed sewing, again, and painting on fabric...so, I think I'll be creating a few more Kitty Ornaments.

I hope everyone has a great week!!!

Christmas Ornament Time!

I watch Martha Stewart every morning. I find her show to be very inspirational and full of great ideas. Most of the time I don't actually get around to making the crafts, but the other day I was so enamored with Melissa Sweet's adorable Ornaments...I just had to make one of my own. I don't think it's quite finished, but pretty much. I plan to make a few more, too. They are so much fun! My granddaughter has one started, as well. I'll post a picture of her ornament when she's finished. Also, check out Melissa's book "Balloons Over Broadway".

Isabelle Finished and New Cat painting Holly

Happy Friday, Everyone!!! I hope you all have a fantastic weekend! I have a lot of sewing, paper flower making and painting planned...we shall see what actually happens. I do know I want to spend some cozy time by the fire, looking out at the beautiful maple leaves! I love Autumn!!! I finally finished, Isabelle, and I have a new little cat painting...Holly. They will be in my Etsy shop by tomorrow. GusGus and I are heading out for our 2 mile walk in the forest now...before it rains.

Mr. Gatsby At Halloween...A little late

It's a little late, but I just have to share this picture of Mr. Gatsby on Halloween. He looked so cute in his Halloween sweater. Today I am going to start a painting of Mr. Gatsby with his favorite toy...Martha Chicken. Our daughter bought Mr. Gatsby one of Martha Stewart's dog toys at Pet Smart, and it's his favorite toy! It is pretty cute.

Cats, Herbs, New Poodle Painting and a WIP

Today, while I was taking a picture of my new Poodle Painting; I saw Rudy sniffing my herb basket, so I had to take a picture of him! Then walking back into the house, I noticed my WIP painting, and remembered that I haven't posted a picture of the progress, so I snapped a picture of it, too. I'm still deciding which way I want to go with it... bright color or more muted colors?

I hope everyone has a wonderful Friday! We're going to Trader Joes later today, and then to dinner with about 20 friends! I can't wait!!!

Playing with Matte Medium WIP

I was adding torn pages of an old book, French of course...since I'm still on my French kick. And, I decided to try and add more dimension with the paper. Took me forever to get all the matte medium off my hands (wear gloves if you try this), but I'm happy with the result. I still have work to do, I think. I kind of like the light, ghost-like quality, but I need to do more work on her eyes, for sure. Well, I promised my family pumpkin pie, so I'd better get busy. I'm using Martha Stewart's recipe. I'll post the recipe if it turns out well.

Christmas Cat Painting

The rain has stopped, finally, and it's a beautiful Autumn day here in Oregon. My little dog, GusGus, and I have had fun walking in the forest...looking at the gorgeous fall leaves! And, it's started me thinking... about Christmas...and how close it is! So, I've painted a "Christmas Cat". He may or may not be my Christmas Card this year. I have another Winter painting in mind...and then I'll choose. I really want a Winter landscape painting for above our fireplace, and I have a vision...it's just, Yet to be seen, if I can pull it off.

MAP PAINTING

Inspired by Jill Mayberg's colorful Bird paintings... I decided to paint a colorful Bird of my own. I used the canvas that I covered with pieces of torn map. I then sketched a very loose bird and whatever else came to mind, and started to paint. I like being able to see the pieces of map through the painting, and there's also a lot more texture...which I really like. It was a lot of fun, and I am looking forward to experimenting more with mixed media.

First Layers on Two WIP Paintings

I have the first layer finished on two of the paintings I'm working on; and I've pretty much completed the underpainting on, "Isabelle". I used an old map and Golden Matte Medium on a 6" X 12" canvas...not sure of what will come next on this painting. The "Isabelle" painting was started with a sketch directly on the canvas. I then added torn pages from an old French Book using the Matte Medium. The next step was the underpainting using Payne's Gray and Titanium white.

To be continued...

Girl's Day

Yesterday was a lot of fun! Two of my daughters and I had a Girl's Day Out. First...picking up a gorgeous wedding dress! Coffee and Portland Coffee Cake at Starbucks...yummy! Then on to The Corvallis Fall Festival, where I met two artists that create my kind of Art! I love their work. Jennifer Lommers (Her Artwork was on the tee-shirts this year), and Jill Mayberg... who has a painting I am so in love with. I'm still thinking about how gorgeous it would look in my living room! Then, if you haven't tried Cafe Yumm... I highly recommend it. We had dinner there and then listened to Calypso music all the way back to our car. Oh, and the French part of the day. I found a book written in French that I plan to use for a painting. If I can bring myself to tear it up. I love old books...and the thought of ripping pages out...is very difficult for me.

Time to watch our nephew play! He's playing in Seattle now... Go Seahawks!!!

FINI ET COMMENCER

A few coats of Varnish...and this colorful guy is heading to his new home. I really had a great time painting this piece. I love to paint on wood! It takes a bit longer, but I love the end result.

If the French is wrong...please excuse. I've decided that I need to get busy learning French. (The year that I took in High School...isn't really helping me.) We have cousins in Europe, and if we don't visit while they are there; I think we'd be crazy! So, more French words will be incorporated in my artwork...for a while.

Next projects... I've just started a mixed media piece using maps that my daughter was tossing in the recycling. Her trash and my treasure!!! And...I'm going to be creating three 6"X6" cat paintings to send to the Gallery in Bandon. I'm really excited, so I best get busy!

Au revoir!

Mr. Gatsby My New Granddoggy

We have a new Granddoggy, Mr. Gatsby. He was adopted by our daughter in Pennsylvania, and soon after made a very long trip to Oregon by car. She said he is an excellent traveller. GusGus and Rory have made friends with Mr. Gatsby, finally, and are having fun playing with him. It's been good for them...they're getting back into shape!

Painting and Crocheting

Our lives have been very busy...having three family members in the hospital at once! They are all doing better now, and we are very grateful for that. We, also, have a wedding to plan! Our youngest daughter is getting married...and we found her dress on our first trip to the Bridal Boutique! It's gorgeous...and so is she! :-)

I have managed to complete a little more on the commission I've been working on...and I'm sharing a picture of the progress there. I plan to finish it this coming week. And, being inspired by our beautiful new granddaughter...I found my crochet hooks, ordered an adorable pattern for crocheted hats, and completed two while watching TV the other night. I'd forgotten how much fun it is to crochet. I'm thinking I may put a few hats in my Etsy Shop soon...after I complete the commission of course!

Have a wonderful week!

Summer

Flowers, gardens and babies... I love Summer!

Nice Surprise This Morning

I woke up to a very nice surprise this morning. My painting, "A Mother's Love" is in TWO Treasuries on Etsy! They are great Treasuries, too, lots of fun kitties to look at. Here are the links, if you would like to take a peek. Madison's Treasury and Smokymtcreations Treasury

I'm working on a commission today...and it is a lot of fun! I will share the progress soon. So, I had better get to work!

I hope everyone has a wonderful day! It's so gorgeous here in Oregon right now... You can't help but smile.

News

Hi,

There's been a lot going on in our family lately. We're waiting to meet our new Granddaughter... Which is very exciting!

And, we have family members that aren't feeling so well...so I've been working at my old job of nursing recently. (Prayers are always appreciated)

I have some exciting news concerning my Artwork. I've been asked to show my work at a Gallery in Bandon. Bandon is on the Oregon Coast, and they seem to have a thriving art community. I will post pictures as soon as I get a chance to visit the Gallery. I talked with the owner over the phone and I am so excited to meet her.

In the meantime I've added my first painting to my website store. I'm not sure how it is going to work, but I guess we'll find out! Setting things up, and not really being able to test them out means all you can do is keep your fingers crossed, I guess.

I hope everyone has a great week!

Deb

I have a Website!

I spent all day, yesterday, building a new Website ! (I still have a lot of work to do on the site...but it's a beginning!) I've been thinking about it for a couple of years, and finally got the push to get it done. I will post more about, "The Why", next week. Things are getting exciting, so stay tuned!

My husband and I had such an amazing, "Date", on Saturday. We went to the Salem Art Fair and Festival. The 61st annual! Wow, have we been missing out for a few years by not attending. The artists were so amazing. My husband usually takes a book when we go to an Art Fair, but not this time. He looked at each booth right along with me. We met so many wonderful people, and were mesmerized and inspired by unique and beautiful Art. A great dinner later that evening...just topped off a wonderful day. I'm still dreaming of one painting in particular, though. It was a piece by an amazing artist, Diane Culhane. Such a nice lady...she gave me a few tips I will be trying...and her work really touched my soul. I know I will own some of her Art in the future. Hopefully, that big, beautiful painting that I'm still dreaming about!

I'd better go and figure out how to link e-mail to my website now. Harder than I had anticipated!

Paper Lanterns, Yellow Spiders and Cat Painting

I was painting with my Granddaughter the other day, and decided to do a study for a commission that I'm going to be painting. The original will be different, but I wanted to get a feel for some of the color I will be using.

Busy weekend with a Wedding happening, but I wanted to share a few things. I found these fun paper lanterns at the Dollar Store. They light up at night and are pretty cute...for only $1.00!

I, also, found...rather, it found me...A bright Yellow Spider while I was weeding in our woods. I like Spiders, so I thought it was pretty cool.

Have a wonderful weekend!!!!!!!!!

SUMMER has arrived...FINALLY!!!

YAY! Summer has arrived in Oregon!!!

Our first flowers of the season... More to come later!

Hopefully, it's not too late for our gardens! Mine is not looking so good, yet, but there's still hope! The deer found my new little cherry tree to be very tasty! Apparently Riley was asleep on the job! Oh well... She needs her beauty sleep.

Well, today I am going to have breakfast on our deck, in the SUN, do a bit of weeding and then paint the rest of the day. I hope everyone has a wonderful day, as well!

JUNE! Such a busy month!

Once again, it's been about a month since I've blogged! We have been very busy with College graduations, wedding and baby showers, High school graduation, birthdays and more birthdays and Father's Day! It's been a lot of fun! We've managed to find some time for our new passion...Disc Golf, too! My grandson said playing disc golf, the other day, was one of the BEST times EVER! He's 8 and he outplayed most of us! So did his 9 year old sister! It was great!

Here's a picture of an evening celebration. We belong to a group known as, 'The Friday Night Club'. Every Friday night we meet for dinner, and then play cards or games. I guess our kids noticed that we have a lot of fun.... they are now joining us!

I'm making time to paint today. Hopefully, I will have something to share very soon!