the last one

This weekend marks my final outdoor art event of the year: the Lincoln Art & Balloon Festival.  Lincoln, IL is where I was born and raised, which means this particular show will be more fun and comfortable for me in so many ways, not the least of which will be all the familiar faces.  I'll have quite a bit more work this time around than last including this painting of my dream home- a cabin in a pine forest.  Can you even imagine how amazing it would smell in your home all year round to, not only live among the aromatic pines, but to have a pine wood fire blazing inside?  I could also imagine some sheep and a few horses outside my window, grazing in the tall grass.  And maybe some chickens out back for fresh eggs every morning...

Come and see this painting- in its entirety- at the show if you can!  I'd love to see you.

A new wintery painting...

I started this next painting on a bit of whim.  Now that I think about it, I've been collecting inspiration for months and just didn't realize it.  Like, for example, when I went mushroom hunting in the woods a few months ago and envied all the skinny trees and the mossy forest floor...

and when I went on a photoshoot with Honna and her three siblings and took pictures on top of the giant twisting roots...

I've been seeing these antlers everywhere on Etsy (and even purchased a pair from this shop)... 

 And these arctic foxes I've been secretly obsessing over- their fuzzy white coats and dark eyes are entrancing.  Oh!  And how about this ridiculously gorgeous and woodsy treehouse with the antler chandelier?

Ok so maybe all of these different images don't quite connect...what do antlers have to do with tree roots and arctic foxes?  Well, hopefully in the next few days, I can show you.

 Sources: Naturally shed deer antler wall mount, Single naturally shed deer antler,

Arctic Fox 1 and 2, gathered antler chandelier

a break from the news...

In light of all the terrible events happening in the world right now (tsunamis, earthquakes, fires), I'd like to just express my thankfulness for midwest living!  I'm definately praying for all of those who live on coasts.

If you'd like a break from the awful footage we're seeing all over the tv, scroll down to see the beautiful park I like to run in.  Spring color is finally returning!

These are some of my favorite trees...with the bark peeling off, leaving a spotty texture. 

I need to draw that...

I love this color yellow!