Dawn: A New Day

We have all had those days; the lonely one, the "I can't believe I just did that" one, the annoying one. We have all felt the heaviness that comes with terrible news, a weight that cripples and suffocates. Those moments that stop time. We have all experienced the darkness that creeps into our comfortable world and makes us feel as though we will never be whole again. 

And then, there is the Dawn; a flicker of hope, promise of new possibility, the light of a new day.

Thank you to everybody that left me a critique. I took into consideration all of your feedback and I am very pleased with the final painting. I wish you could see the original because the photos do not show the depth and vibrancy of color. 

Memory Lane

I was searching for a specific picture tonight which took me on a mini-adventure of time travel through photographs. I thought I would share a few with you.

Seven months pregnant with my third child. I remember when I received this photograph how poetic I thought it was that it captured my present, my past (the stretchmarks from my two previous pregnancies), and my future.

My grandmother. I miss her. EVERYDAY. She was one of the most beautiful people, both inside and out.  I wish I had asked her more questions about her life while she was here. Things like her favorite color, her desires and dreams, her favorite animal...

Yes, I did play the guitar once. And seriously, I could totally rock out Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star. 

My gorgeous baby girl. I still can't believe she is going to be a mama. :) 

My handsome son. Honestly, where does the time go?

Mural Sketch

Here is my idea for the mural in Kenmore. It was not as well received as I had hoped, so it is possible that it might not happen, however I had fun sketching it and I look forward to adding a bit of color to the sketch in the next few weeks. I am never disappointed with an opportunity to brainstorm and be creative. ;-)

Window Stories

Window Stories is an initiative of the community organization Kenmore Village Improvement Society. Window Stories, will feature a variety of artwork created by professional painters and sculptures, students, and others. “Window Stories enhances the visual appeal and interest of the Village, while assisting commercial property owners,” says KVIS President, Melissa Foster.


My artwork is being displayed at the corner of LaSalle and Delaware Avenue in Kenmore. Walk over and check out some of my newer abstract paintings. 

Commission watercolor

The watercolor paintings for my client in California. 

Winter Blues

It is March, dreary March. The skies have been grey for too long. The days are stale and mundane. This time of year is always a struggle for me, and I'm sure, you. I try to keep positive by surrounding myself with the ones I love, reading great books, and crafting, but somehow, every year at this time I get down.

So, in order to keep my spirits up, I decided to crochet something cute, bright, and fun...and these little bears were just perfect.

Their bright colors, goofy proportions, and itty bitty hearts have brought a little spring into my world over the past few days. I've set them on my table in the kitchen in front of a vase of flowers, and I think that is where they will stay for now. I am able to see them in the morning when I get my coffee, in the late afternoon when I'm making dinner, and just before bed when I turn off the lights in the house for the evening. Every time I pass by, they put a smile on my face.

Aren't they just adorable? I think I'm going to make a whole family of them. 

Tell me, how do you beat the winter blues?

Sweet Birdie

It has been a busy few weeks for me so to help myself relax, I crochet. I have been working on these sweet itty bitty birdies. They are tiny little things and have been crocheted with love for a larger project.

This last week Parker and I went to my sisters house in Indiana. Parker loves to be with his cousins!

Getting ready to play army outside

Time for some video game fun!

Army fun in the house

My little cutie pie

Big cousin Jason

Being silly with big cousin Sammy

Being silly with big brother CJ and big cousin Sammy

Sleepy time with Gizmo, the family dog

 It was a nice visit with my sister and always hard to say goodbye. 

Check back soon to see where these little birdies end up. :)

Commission watercolor

Do you see him?

He thinks that you can't. 

Hehehe. There he is. This is my cat. No matter what craft I'm doing, painting, drawing, sewing, he is right by my side, or in my lap, or on my back. He loves me. :)

RACE: It doesn't matter what color your skin, we all bleed the same

This painting was inspired by a recent event that took place in our community. From what I understand, a Caucasian mother and her son were getting out of their car at a shopping center parking lot when they were jumped by four African American woman and assaulted. The four woman yelled racial slurs at this woman while they attacked her. I was not there so I can not report on the entire story, however, we all know that racism is as present today as it was years ago. I just don't understand how somebody can hate and go as far as assault someone else that they have never met just because of their skin color...or sexual orientation, religious beliefs, political views, etc.

Why are we so cruel to one another?

This makes me very sad. I feel like we should be a much more tolerant society in 2012. We should be advancing, showing each other compassion and empathy. Why hasn't hate and intolerance been wiped from the world yet? We can cure disease, clone animals, and grow organs, but we can't stop hate. It is pathetic. We are weak and lazy when it comes to tolerance. We should all be ashamed of our societal behavior and our continued failure to change it.  

Hard time saying goodbye

The Velveteen Rabbit is my favorite children's book. Even at the age of 100 (I'm now counting my age in elf years), I will grab my worn copy with the coffee cup stain on the cover and snuggle up in a chair to read it. As a child, this story made perfect sense to me. Of course the bunny was real. All of my stuffed friends were real. My Teddy was just like the velveteen rabbit, he was with me always. I talked with him and fed him the same snacks that I ate and I protected him. I projected many human traits on toys, appliances, and objects as a child. In my world, everything had feelings and emotions.

When I find a copy of the book The Velveteen Rabbit, I want to snatch it up and take it home with me. I know that this isn't reasonable, I mean how many copies can you have of one book, but it is almost like the book itself has feelings and I want to save it from any impending doom it might have to endure. If the book is used, I will most certainly buy it.

Recently I came across a used copy that was all but destroyed. The binding was torn, the pages were falling out and some were missing, and the cover was worn. The book was tired. I posted it to my etsy account figuring that I could at least salvage the cover to be used as an e-reader cover, somebody out there was bound to love it and would take care of it.  It sold almost immediately, I made the cover and when it was finished, I didn't want to let it go.

I know I'm a little strange, but I hope that they love him as much as I would.

Untitled

Charcoal.

I love you and I hate you.

I love you for your deepest black against the white of paper. I love your ability to cover large areas quickly, and I adore your square sticks that don't roll off of my desk. I love your rough edges, and smooth strokes. You are bold and heavy,  yet soft and subtle...you are drama.

I hate you because you are dirty.

abstract watercolor

Took a break today and played with some watercolor...

It's been a while since I've done watercolor. I definitely enjoyed it. Hope to finish this tonight.

Thanks for peeking. :)

GOALS FOR 2012

Listed below are my goals for 2012. I have the year to reach my goals before reevaluating them. Ready. Set. Go.

1. Work with my partner, to establish Nest Interiors as the go to showroom for the best products and interior design services in Buffalo, NY

How?
-That's our secret. :)

2. Triple sales through my Etsy shop.

How?
-Responding quickly to requests and customer needs
- Put this years sales back into marketing/advertising.
-Reach out to popular blogs for interview/mentions.
-Create new products. Setting aside time each week to explore ideas.
-Bring items to local stores/markets for sale.

3. Read 14 novels this year.

How?
-Join a book club for interesting recommendations, wonderful conversation, and friendships with like-minded people.

4. Learn and create street/urban paintings. Large Scale

How?
-YouTube tutorials
-Setting up studio in basement to allow for throwing, splashing, dripping of paint on canvas.
-Not being afraid of making a mistake. Experimenting.

5. End of year goal weight...115 lbs.

How?
-Continue speed walking in mornings.
-Portion control.
-Being aware of calorie intake.
-More sex ;-)
-Drinking more water

6. Finish refinishing the hallway staircase.

How?
-Take a few days off during the year and dedicate those days to only working on the stairs.

Each year I write my goals on our kitchen wall so that I have them in view as a reminder of where I want to be by the end of the year. It works well.

If you have any goals or ideas for me on how I can better meet my goals this year, please leave me a comment. I would love to hear from you! :)

Happy New Year!