Watercolor Aceo Fever- Let it Snow

A wonderful NEW watercolor set has finally been opened and this is my first with it tonight. I actually was waiting up a bit to see if it was really going to sleet and ice rain tonight. In between 10 other projects (only slight miscalculation, it's more like 100 other projects) I opened the watercolor set. Watercolors are challenging as one cannot dream and paint--which means you must be fully awake. They are also so fresh looking.

Ice rain is a headache for us (for obvious reasons) because we are in a hilly area and some country roads do not have any shoulders here. So if someone ahead of you starts spinning out going uphill all of us behind are stuck. To back up a bit, we have to make it to the car first without injury! Then we move on to worry two.

To back up even further to cats and snow, which is the reason I did this painting. Our tom cat is so heavy that he falls through the snow. The others tip toe right across the top of the crusted snow. He needs snow shoes. He doesn't care as we're around he just wants to snuggle and rub his head against us. My son named him Happy and I had named him India at first because I thought he was a she, but that is another story.

Sailor Boy Contemporary Folk

Uphill Currents

I've married my oils with my folk characters with tonalist colors. A sailor is a sailor whether on land or sea. Myron is ahead of his boat pull toy going uphill but downhill the boat is always ahead. It is an 8 x 10 stretched canvas for sale now on etsy. I did a few snow scenes too in oil and will post them soon.

My sister sent some Chocolate Macadamia Shortbread Cookies from Sanoi Michaels of Hawaii and they are delicious. They just melt in your mouth and I couldn't find the calories anywhere as each are individually sealed. It's probably better that we don't know. The only time ignorance is bliss...for one day...then I'll need to be running uphill like Myron.

Maple Syrup Art Snow Candy

Instant candy. I took our maple syrup put it in a plastic bottle and made some candy art. It's an hard to recognize owl that is endangered to our sugar cravings. It's the perfect winter scene here. No wind at all the past few days and lots of fluffy white frosting, sugarless frosting on everything. We were thinking of Laura Ingalls and their snowy winters long ago.



A country lane. Yes this is a road.



With all of the running and jumping through the snow our westie finally felt tired yesterday. Last night he was enduring my photo snapping trying hard to keep his eyes open. Right after this picture he put his head down and with an oomph sigh he was fast asleep. We haven't seen any squirrels at all the past few days. It must be too hard to navigate the snow on all of the branches. Every twig and branch is a snowy mountain peak.

I'm glad the birds are playing hop-scotch on the wild plant seedheads. That will mean less weeds to pull this spring. The chances of them eating every last seed is slim but it's still a beautiful sight to seem the birds cleaning up.

Westie Dog Valentine Clothes

We've been having fun around here. Snow seems to put everyone in a laughing, playful mood. The only thing that dampens that spirit is snow in your boots. Your ears can be cold, and your nose, but when your feet get cold it's time to go inside.

Snow is one of those challenging things to paint. I look out the window and am amazed at how the colors change from clouds zipping overhead. The other morning it was 10 degrees here and the playful mood was a bit slower waking up. Even Sir Salty had to just sit a bit and take it all in then he was off to look around. He loves it when it is snowing. I do believe he thinks it's bird feathers falling. He races around searching as if searching for a bird in the snow.

I see the trees lined along the town roads with squirrels nests high above all of the homes. They are all tucked up inside those swinging, leaf baskets warm and cozy. A squirrel must have written the lyrics to rock-a-bye-baby-on-a-tree-top.

Back to Valentine's Day...They have fun party glasses for every occasion and this westie has hers on and just needs a party to go to. This is an oil aceo that I listed on ebay.

Let the party begin!

Westie Dog Aceo Oil Painting Portrait

Westies are so playful and full of energy 99 percent of the day. I don't often paint them sleeping because my westie does very little of that. He is like a jumping, spinning, running, laughing cheerleader. And he wants to share all of this fun with me which makes me a very lucky person!

This aceo I listed on ebay today it is an canvas oil aceo size, 2.5 by 3.5 inches and titled, SNOW DAY. These small little paintings will grab your attention especially when they are filled with cotton candy dogs.

Bunny Rabbit Doll Folk Art

Bunny has slippers that look like Easter peeps marshmallows. This new little rabbit is about as sweet as you can get without any sugar.

One might be surprised at how long each clay doll takes to make. I make them without molds and I shape them with my hands over a wood and foam base that I have assembled first. This makes for a good, sturdy clay rabbit. It takes a day or more to dry. Then I gesso it, paint it, antique it and varnish it. By that time Bunny and I have shared many conversations about life and know alot about each other! Thus the big ears. They are good listeners and all the while Bunny is as pleased as punch about the pink slippers and is not moved by any of my stories.

Life is good. Especially when cute shoes are involved.

Motivational Mixed Media Canvas Art

PAPER ROCKET

It's a journey. It's a dream. It's a bit of a stretch maybe...but set your goal and aim for it!

What is propelling Clara's rocket here are the words, "Long range goal."

In archery class we didn't give up if we didn't hit the bull's eye. We tried again the next day at class. Set clear goals and aim, aim, aim.

It would be hard to hit the bull's eye if you didn't have arrows. What are the tools you need to succeed? What are the tools I need to succeed? Some tools are in our nature. Compassion and understanding if you are a caregiver or doctor. An artist needs an imagination, often we paint from memory or how we think it should look. Maybe you feel you can't draw but you have a great imagination with words and can string them together in the most unusual way. (This is definitely not me with words.) Everyone has their own natural talent waiting to be discovered.

I used a mixture of papers, paint and canvas for this collage to remind myself to aim high like Clara and spread the love like she is doing with hearts.

The Magical Whites of Winter

We've hardly had any Canada geese this winter. Granted most decide to go to the Carolinas for the winter and sunbathe a bit near the ocean. Yesterday was different. We had a field full of them and the silence that fresh fallen snow brings was lost while they all honked a hello and nice to know you to me. I think they are gorgeous, elegant and right up there next to swans for beauty and grace.

Pink Mushroom Girl Valentine Wood Pendant/Pin

Meet the Pink Mushroom Cap Girl. She has been featured before in my paintings, but here she is on a wooden pendant that I hand painted and varnished. Each wooden block (if I can say block even though it's a circle) is an original work of art. No two are exactly the same. The exciting part is that you get to choose whether you want it as a brooch or as a necklace pendant.

My love for mushrooms came from my childhood. In Montana after a rain shower my mom would take us out and we'd look for morel mushrooms near the streams and river. I loved the damp smell of earth in the spring and still do. Whenever I walk into a greenhouse I inhale memories and good feelings of gardening dreams.

I'm adding some new categories to my etsy store. Wooden Pendants is one being added and more varieties of art are coming in the next few days. I am excited!

Rubber Duckies Think It's Christmas Again

We have snow. Beautiful snow. It fell so gently and the flakes were itsy bitsy. Soon they were fat and fluffy and it is so calm outside. It is a snowboarder's dream. The sun is shining bright now and not windy. No school so the slopes are probably full. These two rubber duckies, I bought in Florida recently... someone had to rescue them and bring them back to cold country...think it's Christmas time again! Woo hoo!

I noticed the deer glide silently by the window. They are such quiet animals. We are down to 5 now. Hunting season has finally ended. Yay! So hopefully these five (which used to live in a group of 9) will stay safe.

Now to shovel out to the top of the hill so we can get out. First more cocoa.

Penguin Sculpture Art Dolls Miniatures

The Conductor Sculpture

Penguins have the uncanny upright posture that makes them excellent conductors! They can handle any weather and still retain their upright posture and composure.

We've all heard, "What's black and white and read all over?" It's the penguin conductor with his music. (The next time someone says the newspaper you must tell them the truth about the conductor penguin.)

I hand sculpted the penguin out of clay and the box is made of paper mache which I primed, painted, antiqued and varnished. It is a "working work of art," not to be confused with the term "they are a piece of work," which is not a good work of work or term of endearment (the english language!) You can store little treasures, jewelry, acorns, or moss in it is the point that I am paddling around trying to catch.

More facts and information here on the sweet conductor who wants to be the director of music at your home. Penguin loves it's job.

Mixed Media Valentine Frog Girl Mushroom Art

Caps come in all sizes, shapes and colors, but these two wear the cutest caps of all. Mr. Frog has an acorn cap. You have to love the rich burnished color of acorns and they are so little, yet a mighty tree is tucked away inside. Which is exactly like Mr. Frog, small but has a mighty jump. The girl has a mushroom cap hat to shade her lovely face. She will be wise in her old age, but never weathered because of her hat. You see that is where her and myself will part camps. I will go to the weathered one and she will stay in the cute one because I love to be outside gardening.

These two share a love for caps but today they are going to share their love for chocolates, that is what best friends do, with a valentine box! This original mixed media/altered art painting is for sale on etsy today. More information here.

I've got some exciting/nerve racking news. It's rather like falling in love. You're excited and yet the butterflies are fluttering in your stomach making you feel sick. Flat on your back one minute and jumping for joy the next, saying, "How can I do this?" More soon.

Mixed Media Elephant Art Paper Mache Sculpture

"How much do I love you?" Elephant asks.
"This much," Elephant exclaims.

When you were little were you one of those kids that wanted an elephant? I was. I told my mom I wanted a monkey, too. (She was secretly horrified, but didn't show it.) Those were just a few of the many things that I remember asking for. My mom calmy thought it impossible to keep them as pets. It didn't stop me from dreaming and wondering about them. If a horse could pull a wagon surely an elephant could do just as good or better. No?

I've created an elephant, not any elephant, but Elephant Love! You see it's telling us how much it love's you. It was made by my own two hands with a wire underbody for support and then paper mache, gesso, paint, antique wash and varnish in that order. It took a few days dry...while I thought of other elephants.

For more information and pictures view it here. You could be the keeper of this elephant. (Your Mom won't mind at all.)

Westie Dog Decorated Cookies

Aren't these westie cookies so sweet? The added bone is adorable! Laura Courtemanche is the baker and decorater.

Florida Garden White Gazebo

We've seen some beautiful gardens in Orlando, Florida. Not only are the plants wonderful, but the hardscapes have our attention as well.