Mother and Daughter:

I just finished this painting for Amber and Serenity.  I hope they like it.  It is painted on 8" x 10" gallery wrapped canvas using layers of different papers and texts, acrylic, and colored pencil. I was happy with the end result.  It is loosely based on some royalty free clip art that I found in a Dover book of Women. But, I have successfully made it my own and live guilt free.

Snegurochka: The Snow Maiden

Just Finished this painting "Snegurochka: The Snow Maiden" inspired by a Russian folktale about a old couple who had no children. They watched other children play with great longing. One day they decided to make a snow child. They formed her with snow balls and gave her lovely features. They were so impressed with their creation they wished that it was a real girl. Next thing you know, the snow sculpture comes to life and lovingly introduces herself to her new parents.  Snegurochka was a delightful child. Everyone loved her but she preferred to be outside and didn't like to come indoors where it was warm.  When Spring came she came to her parents in tears and said she had to go away for a while to the land of the North where it was always cold and snowy.  They were so upset the slammed the door and trapped her inside. She melted away in less than an hour. They wept and wept over the loss of their beautiful daughter.  When Winter came again, there was a knock on the door and to their amazement their loving daughter stood there before them. They had a joyous celebration. After that they were not so sad when Spring came because they know their daughter would return in the Winter and she did for many happy years to come.

This painting is acrylic and oil pastel on 8 x 10" gallery wrapped canvas. Prints are available in my etsy shop as well as the original painting.  The prints come in two versions. One is cooler and closer to the orignal and the other is warmer with more intense warm colors. I would be interested in knowing which of the two you all like best. Please feel free to post a comment letting me know.

Hand Painted Pendants

During the summer I painted some 1.5" square wood pieces on both sides, drilled a hole and strung 'em up with ball chain. Amazingly enough, most of them have sold during this summers Arts and Crafts Market.  I do have a few left though and plan to start listing them in my etsy shop.  I suppose I could take custom requests but I'm not sure yet how my time availability is going to land.  My husband is now working full time on his Jewlery http://www.helixelemental.etsy.com/ and this is good... However, things are still uncertain enough that I may have to go back to work full time at my regular day job rather than the part time hours that I currently work.  I hope I don't have to do this but..we'll see how things go.

Jackie: Wil-o-the-Wisp

Just in time for Halloween, my final attempt at capturing the "spirit", I now introduce to you...(drum roll please) Jackie!  Wil-o-the-wisp. She is painted on an up-cycled canvas covered board..previously a hand painted serving tray. She is often referred to as a ghostly light, a mischeivous spirit, a sprite, but she is the one who lights your jack-o-lantern on halloween night. She is painted using acrylic and oil pastel. She has big hair because she is charged with static electricity and her wings beat her hair into their own wing shape when she flies.  She lives in the swamp because she loves swamp creatures. Also it's a great place to play tricks on unsuspecting wanderers who bravely venture into her beloved play ground.

Both the original and art prints are available in my etsy store.

A Creative Dreamer.

When I stumbled across June's blog, "A Creative Dreamer " and commented on the winged heart, I had no idea she was giving it away. I missed that part. I just liked it. Next thing I know she's asking me for my address. Puzzled, I gave her my address and thought.."okay...if she wants to give me something I'll gladly accept. I remembered the little doodad and thought it would be nice to add to my collection of trinkets.

When I receive the stuffed heart it appeared to be made of vintage fabrics patchworked and cut from an old quilt. There was an embroidered flower and wings made from polymer clay. My response to it was totally unexpected. I can't explain it but it inspired feelings of warmth and affection. The kind that you have toward you favorite security blanket or teddy bear, You know...that one inanimate friend that you carried around as a child that was your constant companion and served as a reminder that you were safe in the world.

Having said all this...I finally found June's blog again and realized that she gives this stuff away occasionally to people who follow her blog. She has a new little doo dad that is a shrine with hearts. Very nice. My encouragement here is to hop on over...check out her blog. If you like what you see...follow her blog and post a comment. Maybe you will receive a warm surprise in the mail.

I am a Featured Artist on Whopple

I'm happy to announce that I am being featured on Whopple.com. I invite all of you to check it out. Also, if you are an artist, Whopple is always looking to interview new artists. It is a fairly easy process and means some exposure for you. So..what the heck?

Meri Meloncholy Original Painting

This painting was finished a few days ago. Meri Meloncholy was inspired by a doodle and reminds me of a former co-worker and friend. Meri Meloncholy was neither sad nor jolly Contemplating life, without joy nor strife. Okay...I'm not a great poet but it does sum up the theme and mood of this mono-chromatic piece. She is painted on a home made serving tray made of canvas stretched over plywood. This painting serves to re-cycle and revive something that was trash bound. Meri is sweet and friendly but lives in the moody blue tones of life. She is not flamboyant nor exuberant but maintains a mello pleasantness just out of reach of depression and far from introversion. She thrives in the shade and gives bloom to an ability to get along well with all sorts of personality types. As she endeavors to identify what type of person you are she will draw you out of the sun into the shade or out of the darkness into the dim light. This ability makes her seem very angelic or possibly demonic. She is, of course, no devil or saint. She enjoys little sensual pleasures both openly and privately but is not afraid of the light and the higher things of life.