A Willow in the Birches

As if the Christmas season didn't spread me thin enough, I decided, at the 11th hour, to paint a piece for my 12 year old niece, Willow. Aptly titled, "A Willow in the Birches," this painting was inspired by her performance in the Nutcracker this year. She had practiced tirelessly the weeks leading up to the performance only to have the show postponed due to a sizable snowstorm. Lucky for all of us it was rescheduled and we were able to attend a truly magnificent ballet. As I watched my niece dance on the stage, I found myself realizing that right before my eyes my little Willow was growing up and turning into a beautiful, well poised and generally awesome young woman. I knew that I wanted to capture her ethereal nature on canvas and so I set to painting this piece.

Pumpkin Patch Serenade

It's no secret where the inspiration for this piece titled, "Pumpkin Patch Serenade" came from. It is that time of year again. My favorite time of year, in fact. My four year old daughter and I pull out all of the stops and have already had ample amounts of pumpkin based foods...Spicy Pumpkin Soup, Pumpkin Bread, Pumpkin Cookies, Pumpkin Pancakes, Roasted Pumpkin Seeds and yes, Battered Pumpkin Tofu (don't knock it 'til you try it). 

So there had to be a pumpkin themed painting. And, just as quickly as I complete the painting, the weather is dipping toward freezing and the leaves are just about off the trees...but the yummy pumpkin fare will continue all the way up to Christmas~

Elephant Dreams

The two pieces that I most recently created were for two little girls of Indian ancestory. The oldest girl is four and likes the color pink and loves elephants, so you can guess which one I painted for her. The younger sister is under one so I thought I would create something similar to big sis's but unique in style. I titled them, "Elephant Daydreams" and "Elephant Dreams." I hope that the vibrant colors will remind them of vivid India and that the whimsy appeals to their childhood in the United States.

Everything is Amuck!!

Greetings, It has been a while since I posted, not to savvy for a blog I suppose, but I have been in the weeds, literally and figuratively.

With all the rain that we have had, the weeds have taken over the garden beds. Any chance I get I am out there pulling those stinkers up, very thankless.

I have also just completed two online classes to maintain my teaching certificate (even though I am not currently teaching) and I finished a commissioned piece of art.  Needless to say it has been a busy Spring! The piece to the right, titled, "Welcome to Camp Run-A-Muk," was designed as gift for my client's parents. They live on the water so we featured their six grandchildren having fun. I thought adding a postcard to the corner gave it that extra whimsy and provided a good place to reflect on the good fortune of family time. I hope that they will enjoy the piece for years to come!!

Tutu Fun

Well I couldn't resist. After creating these classic, and very full, ballerina tutus for my daughter's Birthday party, my mother in-law told me I should be selling them. In her words, "a poofy ballerina tutu is hard to find." So I thought...why not. I just listed my tutus in my Etsy shop for $35 each. (www.awellkeptnest.etsy.com)

Each girl that attended the party received a tutu. These were pale pink and pale orange since it was an October party. The girls ran around in them the whole time. It was really cute, then they got to take them home as a party favor!

I certainly love all things girlie. So making ballerina tutus and knowing that joy and imaginative play will result is a great feeling!

Well Winter is officially upon us. Today's temperature, 7 degrees. It is cold. I love this time of year despite the fact that my woodstove can not work hard enough to warm the Summer kitchen part of our house that we call a living room. Oh the irony.
We are patiently waiting for a substantial snowstorm and the opportunity for snow fun. In the meantime, I am painting the joys of Winter. Bundling up and venturing out with a friend, snowman building, and the quiet calm that seems to come in Winter when the holidays are behind us and we settle in for the long haul.
And, while I am enjoying the days of hot chocolate, I have to admit I've cracked my seed catalog a few times already in anticipation of next Summer's garden!!