Love Story

These paintings were created for the 2013 Home & Garden Show White Room Challenge. They are available for purchase here.

Rewind: Year in Review 2012

My oh my, another year has passed. Big changes happened in 2012, most of them completely unexpected but exciting nonetheless. Some of the BIG life events that took place...

nikkiMdesign partnered with the Buffalo Design Collaborative

My baby started Kindergarten

We sold our home in the city and bought a farm in the country

My husband changed jobs

My father suffered a heart attack

I became a grandma

I have been putting off reviewing last years goals. Why? Because I know that I did not reach most of them, but I'm okay with it now. I tried my best and that is all I can do.  :) 

So...let's REWIND!

2012 Goals:

1 Work with my partner to establish Nest Interiors as the go to showroom.

Accomplished with slight changes.

I established nikkiMdesign as a full-time interior design and commission artwork business. nikkiMdesign partnered with the Buffalo Design Collaborative bringing nikkimdesign into the commercial design market. I created an online presence with the launch of my new website and social networks, as well as working with White Orchard Home Furnishings to provide educational design seminars to consumers. I have networked with new associations and brought my artwork and crafts to local markets. I am quite satisfied with the results of this goal. 

2. Triple sales through my Etsy shop.

Not accomplished.

I only doubled my sales with Etsy, however, I sold prints through society6 nikkimdesign shop and doubled my work doing commission paintings. So although I didn't specifically reach the goal as it was written, I did expand my brand. :) 

3. Read 14 novels this year.

Almost accomplished. 

I read 10 novels.

4. Learn/create urban/street art. Large scale.

Not accomplished.

Unfortunaetly, I did not find the time to work toward this goal. I think it is a good one to move to this year though. 

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

Not accomplished.

I really hate this goal. It is cliche and I just can't seem to care enough to pursue it seriously. I need to rethink this one. Part of me would like to shave off about 10 lbs. and the other part of me thinks I look just fine! Meh.

6. Finish refinishing the hallway staircase.

Accomplished! And then we sold our house! :-P

Hmmm. I guess I didn't do as bad as I thought.

I would love to know...

Do you set goals or resolutions? How was your year? 

♥♥♥

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. 

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.  

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!

Dog Days of Kenmore Paintings

Below are a few of the paintings that I completed for the vendor table at the Dog Days of Kenmore.

All paintings are custom made and hand painted. You choose the breed of dog, monogram/initials, and color preference. You can purchase a painting through my etsy shop, or contact me directly and save on your shipping costs! 

8x10 acrylic painting on canvas board

Price $15.00 each

Because each painting is made-to-order, your painting may differ in appearance from the one shown. 

Man walking dog

Woman walking Dog

11x14 acrylic painting on canvas

Price $45.00 each or both for $80.00

Because each painting is made-to-order, your painting may differ in appearance from the one shown. 

The picture below is a PRINT of the original painting.

This item is not made-to-order

WHITE DOG HAT CO. VINTAGE AD ART

8x10 print

Price $12.00

That is all I have for now. I am exhausted and will write about my vendor table experience at a later date. 

Thank you for looking! Have a great evening!

Adorable Inspiration

I am in LOVE with these little owls by Kklaus! They have inspired me to jump into owl land for the next set of my paintings! Tee hee, aren't they just adorable?

Visit her store at the link below:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/78901284/owls-in-fall-and-winter-colors-set-of-5?ref=af_circ_favitem

Love Birds

I must apologize, I have not been posting as often as I would like to, but I promise after this weekend, I will be more active here. I have been working on painting some pictures to sell at my first vendor table at this years "Dog Days of Summer" event. I did not realize how much effort goes into getting ready for an event was, I mean, it is starting to become work! :-P

I am so into birds right now! I am loving this style. It is such a beautifully experimental, expressive, and free way to paint. Below is the latest piece, The Love Birds.

This photo really doesn't do the colors of this picture justice. I will try to upload a scanned image later tonight.