Film

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The paintings featured in this little film (besides the portraits) were just a few fun summery projects and are not for sale. All footage was shot by me using my Canon Rebel T3i and simple 50mm lens. It makes me so happy to watch this film because it brings back all the fun memories of summer! Hope it makes you smile too.

art festival

I just wanted to thank so many of you for coming out this weekend! The art show was fabulous this year, blazing hot as usual, but still so good. I grew up in Lincoln and got to see many people from my past including a handful of long-legged girls I used to babysit when their voices were squeaky and their legs were much shorter. :) Now they've all grown up and are just so precious. I always feel an overwhelming sense of support from this little community, and I want you to know how much I truly appreciate it!

*Last two photos taken by the very funny and always entertaining Michael Gowin of me with fellow artist Kerry Rolewicz and my little sister who helped me during the show.

scenes from the weekend

I can't help but love this summer. It's been rainy and warm, then cool and breezy and perfect for opening the studio windows. At this point the flowers have overtaken most of the garden in such a perfect way (although the garden in the photo is unfortunately not my own).

Our neighbor's kids have been popping over more often to accompany me while I paint or to watch me make dinner and steal a snack or two. But mostly they've been begging to ride Tag. Kids at their age (7 and 11) are so much fun to be around- so full of energy and enthusiasm it really makes me feel old! Since Seth and I have no kids of our own, we've been equally happy and confused as to why they'd want to hang out with us so much. I think Tag might have something to do with it. ;)

Puppy Party

Summer is here, and I've officially lost my mind. I'm not sure if it's the concussion or all the blooming flowers this week or this gorgeous weather or maybe this adorable puppy my mother-in-law just got, but I'm so distracted these days. I'll be sitting at my desk painting or reading emails when my mind will just wander off into dream land. Don't get me wrong, I'm especially gifted in the "drifty" department, but this summer especially has me thinking.

Isn't little Chumley just the cutest? He's a wire haired miniature doxin with the biggest paws and personality. He loves to be held and cuddled and kissed, completely made over. And he gets it, too, because he's too cute to resist and completely spoiled. ;)

I'm working on a few things right now that have me jumping out of my skin with excitement. I've been cautious not to over-share but have been patiently waiting. Ideas are percolating. Almost there. 

How is your summer? Any dreamy plans or trips to speak of?

Wildflowers

Growing up in the country and being raised on a farm are two totally different things. I grew up in an old farm house on a couple of acres of land surrounded by corn on all sides. My parents weren't farmers. They just loved the solitude and charm of country living.

My friends, on the other hand, mostly grew up on farms in this area. They know all the best spots to camp, fish, hunt for mushrooms, and pick wild berries and flowers. I'm totally envious of their knowledge of this place- things you don't learn from books but from life. I'm mostly clueless about where the best black raspberries grow and how to tell when they're ripe for picking. But I'm learning, and yesterday they let me tag along.

On our walk back from picking berries we cut across a tall field of grass and wildflowers where us girls picked big bouquets of Black-Eyed Susan and Purple Coneflower. The milkweed is also blooming, but wilted before I could get it home. The daisies are from my garden and are of the less-wild variety. :)

Oh, and I'm reading through this fabulous book about the life of Christ and learning so much. You really must read it!

Crown of Flowers

Today is sunny yet cool and breezy. Perfect, really. I'll be in the studio most of the day, drinking iced coffee and listening to Empire of the Sun on Spotify. I'm working on a Summer playlist to share with you, but there are just so many good songs I'm having a hard time narrowing it down! I've found that painting and listening to good music loud in the privacy of my own little room puts me in the best mood. Especially with the windows open and the curtains swaying in the breeze. It's my happy place. :)

Anyways, I wanted to share an on-going project I've been working on for weeks now. This first painting will be one of several in a series for an up-scale hair salon in Seattle. Carolann is the sweetest and most stylish gal and is married to a web developer who just so happens to be building me a new website. Paintings for a new website- pretty sweet deal. The paintings will feature floral crowns and butterflies with of course the focal point being the hair. More to come.

Hope your week is off to a sunny start!

back home!

I went from Naperville to Arkansas to Memphis and back home last week following art, animals, and my husband...not exactly in that order.  The art festival in Naperville was a hot one for sure and left me feeling pretty exhausted and ready for a break.  So when I got home on Sunday evening and finally unpacked, it didn't take long for the 9 hour crash.  The next morning Seth asked if I wanted to come to Memphis with him as he had a few work projects to finish there.  Since I really hadn't seen much of him for weeks, I said yes and was out the door within an hour!  While he worked I excitedly made a trip to the Memphis Zoo, which, by the way, was seriously fantastic.

Cat Country?  Um, yes please!  I saw panthers and ocelot and snow leopards and lion and cheetahs and tigers and some sort of lynx.  I was freaking out with all the 5 year olds.  Oh and the signs! 

Can I plllleeeeease illustrate for a zoo?  How does one go about applying for that type of job?  Oh how I wish I knew.  And cheetahs being used for hunting and riding on pillows?  I have to paint more cheetahs.

Plush Crested Jays!

I saw a lot of really beautiful birds, shiny snakes, skinny Dana Gazelle, swans, owls, exotic birds, flamingos, giraffes.  I loved every minute.

And while I was busy goofing off, Seth, my hard working husband, was climbing to the top (yes, the very top) of elevators in 100 degree heat and getting stung by hornets.  Poor guy.

And now it's Monday again and back to work.  Here's just a few things on my list:

1. finish my aunt's house portrait

2. stretch some canvas for a few just-for-fun oil paintings (of rabbits!)

3. spray paint some frames black and gold for a house project

4. update my e-mailing list

5. pay my sales tax (can I take this one off the list please?)

6. sketch, plan, color studies for new paintings

I was so inspired by my trip to the zoo, and I really can't wait to share some new ideas I have for paintings.  More updates to come!