Mommy's Midwest Mountain Folk Art

Rosie and the Pit Bull

2012-02-07T17:00:00.000-08:00

This painting was inspired by a photo I took of my niece Rosalie sitting with my other niece's sweet pit bull. It is too bad that pit bulls are often thought of as vicious. It is so untrue! Not all pit bulls are trained to fight! This painting is available on Ebay now~ The link is at the top of this page.

Earring Lover!

2012-02-05T08:48:00.000-08:00

Here are a few more small pressed wood pieces I will be listing on Ebay soon.

The first one, Earring Lover, well...if you have a parakeet, you probably know about this.

Perseverance was inspired by my own tiger kitty who actually spent the afternoon sleeping on top of a clutch of decorative eggs. I found them on a shelf and set them in the corner until I could figure out what to do with them. I think kitty thought if he persevered, he would have some fine feathered "friends".
The kids in the wagon and tricycle was inspired by my own childhood memories. I was always tying things together or improvising to make new and different toys. I thought it was the greatest invention to tie my sisters wagon to the back of my trike. ha ha

Mother's Love is ... well just what it is...

Happy Super Bowl!

Blow Out Sale!

2012-02-04T10:16:00.000-08:00

I'm cleaning the studio, only a few more hours for my mini paintings (4x4) with a starting bid of $3.99--includes shipping and a mini easel!

New Pendants on Etsy! Painting Sale on Ebay, and a Painting for Myself!

2012-01-29T12:29:00.000-08:00

I just listed 7 new pendants in my Etsy shop! They are made with crystal clear, plastic, faceted "gems" that really show off the art work. Please visit my Etsy shop to check them out! AND for my dear blogging friends, I am offering BUY 2 GET ONE FREE on all my pendants until Valentines Day. All you have to do is order 3 (or more) and I will refund your PayPal the price of the least expensive one. Just be sure to add a note or convo when you order!

Also, in an effort to clean out my studio, I have listed some paintings on EBAY with a starting price of only $3.99!!!!! As always that includes free shipping on your Ebay purchases.

I finally painted something just for me! This is a painting I did of my son, Jordan, when he played the piano in his 4th grade play. I found the frame on clearance for $6 and finally put something in it. It looks nice near the piano in my home. Can you tell I am missing my son who moved 4 1/2 hours away to go to college? I miss hearing him play the piano too.

Proud Momma!

2012-01-22T17:00:00.000-08:00

Can't you just hear the symphony of purring? This is one very proud momma cat. I just listed this 8"X10" painting on Ebay.

More Pressed Wood Chunks for Valentines Day!

2012-01-15T17:20:00.000-08:00

These little pieces of art would be much more fun to give than Valentine cards! They are on Ebay now~

New Paintings on Pressed Wood

2012-01-13T08:33:00.000-08:00

I have been painting on these little pieces of pressed wood. Some of them are thick enough to stand on their own. I think they are fun little pieces of art to brighten a small corner.

The first one is called "Turkey Man" because this actually happened to my Dad when he was getting a turkey out of the oven. My parents are in their 70s and recently decided to take on two kittens! Sometimes I think they regret it! ha ha

The second one is "Riding the Sled" and the third one is "Happy Birthday". I will list these on Ebay soon.

1955 Friends Snapshot

2012-01-02T16:26:00.000-08:00

I painted this latest little painting to look like an old black and white snapshot. It is on pressed board--a new and different surface for me to use. Check out the details on Ebay. The link is at the top of the page~

New Paintings!

2011-12-30T12:44:00.001-08:00

I couldn't stay away from painting much longer. I got a new book for Christmas chock full of art to look at. I love painting my own versions of famous paintings. What if Vermeer's "Girl with the Pearl Earring" would have had a kitty to love. Maybe she wouldn't have started modeling for artists at such a young age and gotten herself in trouble. But then I guess she wouldn't have been given that exquisite pearl earring...

I was anxious to try the new watercolors I got with a gift card. This is my first attempt at it. It is a mini painting, 3"X3", mounted on cardboard and comes with a small wooden easel. I will be listing these on Ebay tonight. Come check them out. The links are always at the top of this page. Have a safe and happy New Year!

Holiday Fun!

2011-12-28T13:01:00.000-08:00

It seems like in my family everyone either creates art or creates music--well...I mean at least we try! At our family Christmas gathering we had a rolicking time with 4 guitars, a keyboard and a drum. We sang and danced the night away to Christmas carols! Of course there was a healthy dose of eating, drinking, and gift opening in between songs! This photo is a candid of my son, Jordan, playing guitar and my niece, Rosalie dancing her heart out. Rosalie is the daughter of Jennifer of Tamale Cat Art.
It has been a glorious holiday season--I hope you all had a wonderful time with family and friends. After a trip to Micheal's with a gift card yesterday, I am inspired to get back to creating art. I hope to have something to show you soon~

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-19T17:40:00.000-08:00

This will probably be my last post until after the holidays!

This photo was taken about 1994 or 5 of my own three children. What I wouldn't have given for a digital camera back then to capture a photo for the annual Christmas card. They look really sweet on the photos, but believe me, it was a nightmare in between takes! I think little brother may have got hit with the rolling pin, and the dining room floor was covered with flour and candy sprinkles! ugh! I think I went through a whole 24 exposures to get this photo.

To everyone in blogland, Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas and a Happy New Year!

In case you were wondering, the photo below was taken in 1964.

Christmas Memory

2011-12-15T22:27:00.000-08:00

I am taking a little break from painting to spend some time enjoying the holidays. I'd like to share this old photo of my sisters and I posing for a Christmas picture. I am in the middle, flanked by my sisters, Kerry and Susan. My mom made all of our dresses, as she did most of our clothes. Can you guess the year? Take note of the white brick and polished brass. The other furnishings were Danish modern. I will reveal the year in the next post.

The Lockets are Ready!!

2011-12-02T12:10:00.000-08:00

I finished these sweet little lockets. There are 10 in all and you can check them out in my Etsy shop. They would make fun little one-of-a-kind gifts!

Stay Tuned for Fun Little Gifts in the Making!

2011-11-27T16:13:00.000-08:00

I hope to get these in my Etsy shop soon. They are sweet little lockets that really open! I still have to put the diamond glaze over the images and string them on to black leather cords with the silver cherubs and leaves! I think I will list them at only $10--so check back if you need a fun little one of a kind gift!

More experimenting!

2011-11-14T18:10:00.000-08:00

This painting is on pressed fiber board. I used a doily painted gold for the halo, so it's kind of a mixed media. It has accents of metallic gold. I just listed it on Ebay with a starting bid of 1 PENNY! Check it out!

Something Different

2011-11-13T15:11:00.000-08:00

I have been experimenting. I based this painting on a favorite photo. I haven't decided yet if I will list it on Ebay.

Two more Mini Canvases with Easels!

2011-11-12T20:12:00.000-08:00

Here are two more paintings recently listed on Ebay.

Waiting

2011-11-09T20:30:00.000-08:00

Are you waiting for someone this Holiday Season?
This mini painting on Ebay now.

Two more Mini Canvases with Easels!

2011-11-05T16:03:00.000-07:00

These two little paintings are available on Ebay now. They make nice little Christmas gifts--if you have thought about shopping yet! I haven't! Have you?

Tinsel Thief

2011-11-04T07:33:00.000-07:00

Two more mini paintings are available on Ebay. Tinsel Thief and Fox Hug. Both make fun little gifts and include a mini easel.

Sleeping Cat Trio

2011-10-28T11:42:00.000-07:00

These will be sold separately, but this trio would make a fun little gift for your favorite cat lover. What is your cat's style? I will be listing these tonight--When the commercials air during in the World Series!!!! Go Cardinals!

Crocheting Girl

2011-10-24T15:40:00.000-07:00

My daughter Tara recently learned how to crochet and she has been making things for all of her loved ones. Her brother Jordan is proudly modeling his new hat. Well, it will be warm! She is the inspiration behind this latest painting, Crocheting Girl. I will be listing this on Ebay soon!

More Minis!

2011-10-21T21:22:00.000-07:00

Here are 4 more mini paintings currently listed on Ebay. These make fun little one-of-a-kind gifts and come with their own little easel for easy display.

Holiday gifts!

2011-10-18T18:11:00.000-07:00

I have just listed two new paintings! The great thing is...they are already framed and ready for gifting! I happened upon some wonderful solid wood frames at a great price, so I am passing the savings on to you! Even though these are heavy frames, I am still including FREE SHIPPING. Look on Ebay now~

My Owl

2011-10-14T17:35:00.000-07:00

New mini canvas now on Ebay. Lots of texture! Free mini easel! Fun gift!

The Napping Tree

2011-10-12T16:50:00.000-07:00

This painting is listed on Ebay now. It is a large 11"X14" stretched canvas. I love the old live oak trees with all the moss hanging from them. They look like the perfect place for a nap. I live too far north to enjoy these majestic trees, so I painted one!

Watching Over Us

2011-10-10T16:17:00.000-07:00

Here is a new painting. It is a 6"X12"X.75" stretched canvas. There is lots of texture in the snow and the angel's wings are made from vintage sheet music pages. The sun has just set on this snowy night and the children are blessed to have a guardian angel watching over them. This painting is available on Ebay now.

Crazy Cat Couple

2011-10-08T18:56:00.000-07:00

Do you know them? You probably do, but he pretends he is not crazy about cats in public. You should see how he talks to them behind closed doors though! This just listed on Ebay~

Angel with Calico

2011-10-07T17:59:00.000-07:00

Recently Listed! Mini canvas comes with small easel for quick display.

Sisters!

2011-10-03T17:00:00.000-07:00

This just listed! I am lucky enough to have THREE wonderful sisters. Each one of them brings something unique to my life--I can't imagine life without them~

On Ebay now...

More Minis!

2011-10-01T20:07:00.000-07:00

These mini canvases would make thoughtful little gifts. For a limited time, I am including a small plastic easel with each 4"x4" canvas.

I also have a ton of felted wool ball earrings in my Etsy shop! I bet you can find the perfect color for your favorite sweater.

Blue Madonna

2011-10-01T10:19:00.000-07:00

Here is another mini canvas recently listed. It comes with a small plastic easel for immediate display.

In my Etsy shop I am almost finished listing 42 pair of handcrafted colorful felted wool ball earrings. There is a color to go with any sweater you have and at $6.50 a pair they make fabulous inexpensive, but thoughtful gifts!

The links to Ebay and Etsy are at the top of this page.

Two more Mini Canvases with Easels!

2011-09-28T16:47:00.000-07:00

Here are two more mini canvases with bonus easels. On Ebay now!

2011-09-27T18:07:00.000-07:00

These mini canvases are available on Ebay now! They each include a small plastic easel and make fun little one of a kind gifts~

Great Gifts!

2011-09-24T08:51:00.001-07:00

See anything you like? These 4"x4" one of a kind mini canvases make for fun little gifts! I will be listing these over the next few weeks on Ebay, but if you see something you want right away-just let me know...AND for a limited time these little canvases will come with a small easel for instant display!

Now you can join me on Facebook! I have a page there to keep you updated on my latest paintings~ Have a wonderful weekend!

New Paintings!

2011-09-18T13:14:00.000-07:00

Such a gloomy day here in the St. Louis area, but I like it! I have two paintings to show you. The first one, "Face to Face", shows a young man with a dilemma. Mom is at home with the stove ready--oh my!

The second painting is called, "A Little Birdie Told Me". This young lady is not sure she likes what she hears, but you know how rumors are! Both of these paintings will be available on Ebay soon. They were a little difficult to photograph because of all the texture and the gloss finish. Sometimes it causes a glare that I can't avoid. Have a great week everyone!

Party Time!

2011-09-10T10:33:00.000-07:00

Ok, so I couldn't resist a couple more Halloween inspired paintings. The first one is Party Time, and I REALLY want to go to this party! I can't tell what they are drinking, but by the color of it--I think it may be Absinthe. The second painting, Going to the Party, features three kitties arriving fashionably late! Both of these will be on Ebay tonight!

Two Halloween Paintings!

2011-09-05T12:39:00.000-07:00

Here are two more Halloween paintings. I am not sure if I will do any more. although they are so much fun! The first one is "Witchy Smirk". This little witch has quite the expression of satisfaction on her favorite night of the year! The second one, "Frightening Float" features two little ones who should have gone home LONG before it got dark! I will be listing these on Ebay tonight~

Porch Nap

2011-09-02T16:48:00.001-07:00

"Porch Nap" is on Ebay now! It has been 100+ degrees for the past three days here in the St. Louis area, so I am preferring to nap in the air conditioning~Autumn can't come soon enough for me!

Candy Corn Dancer!

2011-08-30T18:46:00.000-07:00

Now on Ebay~Candy Corn Dancer!

Dachshund Tea and Marshmallows Under the Stars!

2011-08-27T16:39:00.000-07:00

I have two new paintings to show you. "Dachshund Tea" is kind of a silly one. When I was a teenager I had a friend who had a Dachshund who was about as wide as he was long and we actually had him carry the bowl of chips back and forth between us. ha ha

"Marshmallows Under the Stars" makes me think of a crisp fall evening before a bon-fire. Unfortunately, it is still too darn hot in my area for a bon-fire. I cannot wait for it to cool down. I LOVE fall weather~ I will be listing these on Ebay soon--the links are at the top of this page.

I'm tired of temps in the 90's!

2011-08-21T13:56:00.000-07:00

I thought that maybe if I painted a couple of Halloween paintings it would get my mind off of how HOT it still is in the St. Louis area! Anyway, I love Halloween and never seem to get enough time to paint all the ideas I want for this awesome holiday~

I think I will list these paintings tonight.

Back to School

2011-08-17T20:23:00.000-07:00

Back to school time is always a melancholy feeling for me. This little sister is feeling a bit melancholy as she walks to school and she looks back at her kitty. "September Morning" is listed on Ebay.

Van Gogh

2011-08-13T13:40:00.001-07:00

I am still obsessing over learning about Vincent Van Gogh. Poor fellow obviously had untreated bi-polar disorder. He tried a lot of remedies and even institutionalized himself a couple of times. He only sold one painting in his lifetime and depended on his brother Theo for support as he gallivanted around Europe trying to fit in somewhere and find happiness. Poor Theo was in such poor health that he died six months after Vincent's suicide, never seeing his brother's fame either! Vincent never had any money for food but somehow he managed to visit many brothels on the premise that he was "studying the people" for his paintings. Hmmm...

This is my rendition of his portrait. It was interesting to paint a face without the use of flesh tone at all. It is all yellows, reds, and greens. His eyes were china blue and he often made them look a bit slanted in his self portraits because he loved Asian art and was greatly influenced by it. I will be listing this portrait tonight on Ebay.

Art Show?

2011-08-11T19:59:00.000-07:00

There is an art show/craft show coming up this fall that I have considering participating in. It is called the Rock and Roll Craft Fair and it is held in an old glass factory in a trendy part of St. Louis. It runs the weekend after Thanksgiving and features local bands, wine, and the arts and crafts are set up department store style. Has anyone ever participated in something like this? I wonder if it is worth the trouble. I am also not sure as to how to price my stuff. Any feedback from my fellow art friends would be helpful. The deadline to apply is in a couple of weeks--it is a juried fair and I have to send photos with my application. Thank you!

P.S. I just put all of these paintings in heavy sold wood frames. I found the frames at an unbeatable price at Hobby Lobby, so I painted the canvases to fit them. I am hoping to display them if I do an art fair.

Family Vacation!

2011-08-07T18:31:00.001-07:00

I just returned from a wonderful vacation with my husband, children, parents, sisters, brother in laws, nieces, and nephews. We all truly have a great time together! We spent a week in Destin, Florida. One of our favorite spots! We rented two huge, beautiful houses between us over-looking the sea~ Lots of seafood, wine, sunset gazing, and laughter was enjoyed by all! I am standing on the far left in front of my dear Dad! I am still trying to re-cooperate from so much fun--I miss my sisters already!

Dreaming of the Beach

2011-07-28T08:31:00.000-07:00

I am longing to see the endless ocean in all her ageless beauty. I love knowing that those strong waves have been beating like the rhythm of the Earth's heart since the beginning of time, never ceasing. The sea knows all the mysteries of life...she has seen it all...and she will continue to thrive when we are all just grains of sand...

Book Distraction

2011-07-19T20:28:00.000-07:00

It has been so terribly hot here in the mid-west. I have to jump in the pool every few minutes if I do yard work outside. It is suppose to be 100 degrees every day this week~ It is depressing to not be able to enjoy the outdoors or have the windows open to hear the birds.

This little painting features a girl trying to get some reading done, but kitty wants her undivided attention! It is on Ebay now~

St. Louis Gateway Arch

2011-07-17T12:41:00.000-07:00

The kids and I went up the St. Louis Gateway Arch on Friday. I can tell you I did NOT enjoy the ride up in the little capsule but the view is amazing from 630 feet! If you ever come to St. Louis it is well worth the $10. A visit to the museum at the bottom is included. Two other places you MUST see when visiting St. Louis are the St. Louis Zoo and the St. Louis Art Museum--and guess what? They are both FREE! They are both in Forest Park. I like to park near the art museum (free parking there), then walk to the zoo. When it gets too hot, we walk back to museum where it is nice and cool and admire all the beautiful works. Sometimes I like to just sit on a bench near the Van Goghs and Renoirs and think~ I hope you are all doing some fun things this summer!

Mermaids and More!

2011-07-14T18:52:00.000-07:00

Here are a couple more little paintings. The first one, "Mermaid Encounter", features a little girl who got hit by wave. In her effort to grasp on to something to get her head above the surf, she made a chance encounter with a mermaid!

The second one, "Lizard Earrings", features a girl with real live lizards chomping on her earlobes for earrings. Did you know that people actually do this? Google it, it's true! Ouch, I think it would hurt! Tell me if you have ever worn real lizards~

I live in the St. Louis area and I am taking my big ol' kids to the St. Louis Gateway Arch tomorrow. Believe it or not 2 of my kids have never been up to the top! I can't say that I am excited to get in that tiny little capsule and travel up the leg of that very tall landmark. But from what I remember, the view at the top is worth it!

These new paintings are already listed on Ebay!

Frida and Her Birds

2011-07-13T22:01:00.000-07:00

Here is a new little painting I just listed on Ebay. Frida Kahlo is such a fun person to paint! I love reading about her colorful life. Well, it's after midnight, so nighty night!

More Mer-Kitties!

2011-07-07T17:51:00.000-07:00

I just finished another Mer-Kitty painting. This one is 6"X12"X.75" with vintage sheet music (from an 1800's book) and lots of crackle and texture! Available on Ebay now!

New Paintings!

2011-07-05T14:13:00.001-07:00

I hope everyone had a safe July 4th! I have three new paintings t0 show you. The first one, Pony Love, shows the love this girl has for her pony.

The second painting, Moonlit Mermaid, features a mermaid bathing in the moonlight.

The third one, Ocean Angel, has an angel caring for the sea gulls on the beach.

I hope to list these on Ebay tonight. The link to my Ebay is at the top of this page.

The Invitation Said Light Appetizers.

2011-06-27T17:59:00.000-07:00

The Invitation Said Light Appetizers...that is the name of this first painting. It is a large deep sided 12"x12"x1.25" stretched canvas. The painting continues down the sides and it has a crackle finish with antiquing. Lot's of texture make this almost look like crocodile skin!

The other two paintings are of girls with pets. Hamster Love and Junior Girl Scout feature little girls who are crazy about animals!

Both of these paintings will be listed tonight on Ebay! Have a wonderful evening!

A stroll after the rain...

2011-06-25T16:19:00.000-07:00

We had an afternoon thunderstorm today. I love to take a stroll outside afterwards. Everything seems so extra green and peaceful then. I hope you are all having a peaceful Saturday.

Tasting the Absinthe!

2011-06-20T08:42:00.000-07:00

My mom, sisters and I had a wonderful "girls" weekend at the Lake of the Ozarks where my sister Kerry has a beautiful condo! We sat around and talked, laughed, snacked, and drank all weekend. We did make trips to the pool and a few short shopping trips too...but we mostly just love cracking up with each other and being silly! If you have been following my blog you know that I have been interested in why so many great artists and writers were addicted to absinthe (the green fairy). Well, we found a small bottle and all tried it. WOW! I think you can feel the burn all the way down your throat and through your intestines! It is 138 proof. We got such a laugh at each other's faces as we swallowed it! The second photo is me taking a very tentative first swig! The group photo is (l to r) sister Susan, me, Mom (a very youthful and fun 73 year old), Kerry, and Jennifer (tamale cat art). My mom happened to be wearing a long, green ethereal dress when we tried the absinthe--so of course she was pegged the "Green Fairy" all night! ha ha It was such a fun annual event for us to reconnect without the distractions of kids and husbands! I hope you all have a great week!

Van Gogh and the Green Fairy

2011-06-15T17:59:00.000-07:00

I just finished reading a book about the last couple of months in Vincent Van Gogh's life. Many of the European artists and writers of those days drank or were addicted to absinthe. Absinthe is a spirit made by distilling many different herbs including wormwood. In the 1800's it was very strong and was said to be a psychotropic. Absinthe was also called "The Green Fairy". Hemingway said he was under the influence of absinthe when he wrote "For Who the Bell Tolls".

I think Van Gogh suffered from anxiety and depression and tended to self medicate. The doctor (Dr. Gachet) who was caring for him when he commit suicide was treating Van Gogh with various herbal "tinctures" that he brewed from his gardens. None of these seemed to help and may have actually increased his anxiety!

This painting is my impression of Vincent Van Gogh being seduced by "The Green Fairy". I used very heavy acrylics to give the look of oil paint. There is lots of texture and color on this painting and it looks wonderful in this old frame! I'm not sure if I want to part with it, but I will list it on Ebay tonight.

I am really curious about absinthe now! I know that it was banned in the US for many years, but has recently returned. I'm sure that it can't be as potent as it was years ago. Has anyone out there tried it? I am tempted to find a bottle just so I can taste it!

Mer-Cats!

2011-06-14T09:00:00.000-07:00

I have been dabbling in mermaids and mer-cats again. Do you think I should have put a top on the white mer-kitty? Is it too risque? hee hee I will list these on Ebay tonight!

Quail Love

2011-06-13T16:19:00.000-07:00

It was a gloomy, cool day today, so I spent a lot of time painting. I'm sort of really into gray days~This painting, "Quail Love", is ready to list tonight. It has lots of texture in the grasses. I think quails and Bobwhites are about the same thing. I was just thinking how I hardly ever hear them outside anymore. I still hear Whippoorwills during the summer. They can really make it hard to sleep when one chooses to sing all night right outside your bedroom window!

I have a couple more paintings that I am waiting for the crackle to dry on so I can antique them. They feature "Mer-Kitties"!

Summer Lunch Addiction

2011-06-12T10:32:00.000-07:00

There is nothing like a summer lunch out on the patio! I have been sort of addicted to an unusual dish...sauteed radishes on garlic bread. You wouldn't believe how sauteing radishes in olive oil with a squeeze of lemon changes and mellows the flavor! Surprise your next guests with this unusual canape paired with a glass of wine. Radishes are so cheap, just slice thin, saute in a bit of olive oil until soft. Meanwhile, slice some french bread, brush with a little olive oil (I cheat with a spray can of olive oil). Toast the bread on a cookie sheet in the oven. When you get the bread out of the oven, rub the surfaces with a clove of garlic. Toss the sauteed radishes with a squeeze of lemon, a sprinkle of sea salt and fresh ground pepper before piling them on the toast slices. Yummy!

Forever Tethered

2011-06-07T14:23:00.000-07:00

This painting has been floating around in my head for a few weeks now. It was inspired by my real life. My oldest daughter, Tara, awoke about 3 in the morning overcome with stress. She is a full time graduate student, with a full time job and and she is trying to maintain a long distance relationship with her boyfriend of 4 years. Sometimes she just gets a little overwhelmed. She tiptoed downstairs to get a drink, trying not to disturb anyone. I did not hear her at all, but found myself awake at the same time...when I discovered she was awake and a bundle of nerves I did what any mother would do...I comforted her and reassured her that life would get easier soon. I sat on her bed until her slow and steady breathing told me she was sound asleep...then I went back to bed and lay awake the rest of the night...

Being a mother never stops, does it? Even when they are all grown up, you still worry...you still feel their pains and joys. It is like your hearts are tethered together forever!

I will be listing this special painting on Ebay tonight. Is there someone who you feel tethered forever to?

Six New Minis!

2011-05-31T16:34:00.000-07:00

Here are six new mini paintings! A client put a bug in my ear about painting more kitties with "their people". Some of the people look just a tad bit annoyed with the "clingy-ness" of their kitties!

These are 4"X4" flat canvases and the size and the crackle finish make them hard to photograph, but they are actually pretty bright. Do you see a kitty you know?

I will put these all on Ebay tonight~

View From a Hammock

2011-05-29T13:19:00.000-07:00

School is finally out for the summer! I said goodbye with bittersweet feelings to several of my special needs preschoolers who will be going off to kindergarten. We usually have these children in our classroom for two to three years. I wish the very best for them (and their parents) as they embark on the next chapter of their lives. It was a privilege to watch these children grow, learn, and mature in so many ways as they begin to spread their wings.

It has been a very busy week for me full of "end of the year stuff", luncheons and barbeques so I am just catching my breath and enjoying the beautiful day. I hope you all have a wonderful peaceful Memorial Day weekend and I promise my next post will have some new paintings to share!

More Experiments!

2011-05-16T18:18:00.000-07:00

I have a few more paintings to show you. The still life is a little 4"x4" canvas. I have been experimenting with shadows a lot.

The kitty is resting in the shadow of a potted plant. It is also a little 4"x4" canvas. I will put these on Ebay tonight.

The third painting is a silly one I just did for fun. It is based on an old photo of my mom, her twin, and older sister getting ready to walk in a parade. They had elaborate hats made of newspaper. This would have been in the 40's I think. Have a nice evening!

Experimenting on a Rainy Weekend!

2011-05-15T17:29:00.000-07:00

I have been experimenting with different techniques and styles of painting. Here are a couple of small canvases I finished. I used heavy bodied acrylics so you can see the brush strokes, making them look a lot like oil paintings.

The first one is kind of an impressionistic style. It is called "Let's Run Away". The girl reminds me of my niece, Kelsey, when she was little.

The second one is "Goldfinch and Coneflower" --a very popular pairing in my yard! I took a more realistic approach on this one. I hope to list both of these soon.

My Clearance Sale is still going on! Check out my Ebay auctions--most of my older paintings are still at 99 cents!

HUGE CLEARANCE SALE!!

2011-05-13T19:12:00.000-07:00

Huge Clearance Sale on Ebay!!
I have been cleaning out my Art Studio all day and decided to list a bunch of my older paintings on Ebay. I just listed 30 items with a starting price of 99 cents!
CHECK IT OUT!

New Mini Canvases!

2011-05-11T19:07:00.000-07:00

These 4"x4" canvases will brighten any little spot. They look really sweet in a small easel. On Ebay now! Check them out~

Water for Elephants

2011-05-09T16:14:00.000-07:00

Was anyone as enchanted with the book "Water for Elephants" as I was? I loved all the circus history. I haven't seen the movie yet, but I can't stop thinking of the circuses of long ago. We visit a circus museum several years ago in Baraboo (sp?) Wisconsin. It was very interesting to me. The circus people were a culture all their own!

Water for Elephants inspired these two paintings, "In the Spotlight" and "Behind the Scenes". I hope to list them on Ebay later tonight. The link to my Ebay auctions is at the top of this page.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

2011-05-08T06:56:00.000-07:00

Happy Mother's Day to all! Even if you are the mother to a baby made of fur!

This is my mommy and me circa 1960. She made both of our outfits. She sewed a lot then! Isn't she sort of "Jackie - O" like? I love her so much and talk to her almost every day~

My Daughter is having a Sale!!

2011-05-06T12:10:00.000-07:00

My daughter, Laura http://laurabeth89.blogspot.com/ is having a clearance sale on a few of her paintings! She is an art student and quite talented--but I guess most mommies feel that way about their children. hee hee They are on Ebay right now with a starting price of only $2.99! Check it out~

Crow Girl

2011-05-01T09:59:00.000-07:00

During this time of year I am so torn with my time. There is so much to do in the garden and there is so much inspiration around me to paint...and of course there is the housework...you can guess which thing gets attention last! Here are a few small paintings I will be listing on EBAY soon. They are only 4"X4"s and a 5"X7" so they are really sweet to pop in a mini easel somewhere.

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HAPPY EASTER!

2011-04-24T10:08:00.000-07:00

Here are a few photos from our family Easter celebration yesterday! It all starts with a yummy baked ham...
Daughter Tara, her boyfriend Steven, and little cousin Rosalie relax on the couch.
My son Jordan makes his cousin Rosalie laugh with silly bunnies.
My daughter Laura samples the fresh marshmallow bunnies she made.
Nephew Rory and Jordan share a good laugh.

Feeding the Crows

2011-04-17T20:15:00.000-07:00

I know I have mentioned before that crows are my favorite bird. Here is a large painting of a girl feeding crows beneath a stylized weeping willow tree. I hope to list it on Ebay later this week. The painting has lots of texture and looks neat in a black frame on my wall. It was hard to photograph because there is so much texture that it causes a glare. For example, the crows are solid black, but the ridges of texture in the paint make them look kind of striped with white.

This has been a crazy busy weekend for me! I have been trying to get things ready to have Easter at my house next week. I feel like I am running in so many directions at once. I am so torn as to what to do first when I get up in the mornings of my three days off of work. I made dairy free cut out cookies (my nephew is allergic to all dairy), homemade soap (for prizes), and a carrot pinata for the kiddies. I spent most of today working in the yard--there is so much to do! I planted flowers in all of my pots and baskets--about 60 of them--with the help of my sweet daughter, Laura. She also had this beautiful bouquet of dogwoods and wisteria waiting for me when I came home from work on Thursday. She sure knows how to make me smile--all of my children do~ I hope you all have a fantastic week and a blessed Easter.

Red Bud Lane

2011-04-10T17:16:00.000-07:00

The red bud trees are blooming in the St. Louis area. I would love to take a stroll down this lane on a beautiful spring day. This painting is on Ebay now. I have been using heavy bodied acrylic paints. I love the buttery feel and how they show off the brush strokes. It makes the painting look a lot like an oil painting. This is a large 14"x18" canvas. It looks nice in a frame on my wall right now...but if someone would like to purchase it...I will paint something else. Yes, my walls are ever changing. I rotate paintings in my frames on the walls as I paint them and sell them. It's a good thing I like changes!

Taming Grey Gardens and a Japanese Dinner.

2011-04-08T17:45:00.000-07:00

Jordan and I spent the day starting to tame "Grey Gardens". We cleaned out the shed and brought up all the pots and baskets to prepare them for filling with soil and flowers. I stopped counting at 60 pots to fill. Most of my gardens are full of perennials, so I don't have to plant too many flowers in the ground, just vegetables and some of the herbs that are annuals. There is so much to do outside. I look forward to when it is all finished and looking pretty!

My daughters' favorite food is Asian. I surprised them this evening with making a Japanese dinner. We had lettuce wraps and California rolls. Tara and Laura put out their Asian umbrella, chopsticks, and special dishes. We all took turns rolling the sushi. It turned out pretty good, but I must admit, my favorite cuisine is Italian! Nothing compares to a glass of red wine with pasta or a great platter of fresh mozzarella and olive oil with tomatoes and basil straight from the garden!!

Tomorrow I hope to finally finish a big painting I have been working on called "Redbud Lane". I have been experimenting with place perspectives. Check back soon to see how it turns out! Now, I am going to put my feet up and read the rest of "Water for Elephants".

Three More!

2011-04-04T17:21:00.000-07:00

I have three more paintings to show you. I just couldn't stop painting this past weekend! The first one is "Bunny Hug". This little girl is enjoying a big fat bunny hug--the bunny...not so much!

The second one, "Love Dove", is a springy one. I used vintage sheet music on the girl's dress!
The third on is called "Time Out". Oh boy, do I remember children with this look on their face!!

All of these will be up on Ebay soon!!

I wonder if other states are experiencing the crazy weather that Missouri is! We had a big snow 2 weeks ago. Yesterday it got to 90 degrees..whew! and tonight it will get in the 30's. Oh, and then 70 on Wednesday! Some of my students are coming to school with mittens on and some are arriving in shorts and flip flops. I guess the parents can't figure out what to expect!

New Paintings~

2011-04-02T17:02:00.000-07:00

I have two new paintings to show you. The first one, "Owl Whisperer", is a 6"X6" stretched canvas and it has lots of texture. I have been using heavy bodied acrylics and structure gel to achieve this. I like to use rubber stamps, bubble wrap, tooth picks, etc. to get the effects.

The second painting, "Fox Family", is on an 8"X10" stretched canvas.

I plan to put these on Ebay tonight. I have a few more in the works that I hope to list later this week.

Snow! Snow! Snow!

2011-03-26T17:41:00.000-07:00

A couple of days ago it was 80 degrees and we were wearing shorts and flip flops--now look at it!! That is Missouri for you...you just never know. I must say it is beautiful. My only regret is that I didn't pick a huge armload of daffodils before it started.

I just placed a huge order of canvases from Dick Blick. I didn't realize that I only had a couple left! I think I will just settle in and do some sketching near the fire, so I will be ready when they arrive. I guess eventually spring will be here to stay...

The Hiding Tree

2011-03-25T14:53:00.000-07:00

Here is my latest painting, called "The Hiding Tree". It is very colorful! I will be listing this tonight on Ebay.

My old computer died on me this week, so I have spent all day today with my new computer, figuring out the programs, installing things, and catching up. I was unable to go online for a couple of days.

Have a wonderful weekend, everyone!

Calico and Calico

2011-03-19T10:39:00.000-07:00

The name of this painting is "Calico and Calico". A little girl dressed in calico is enjoying a fresh spring day with her calico cat. It is a big 12"X16" flat canvas and looks nice in this golden frame.

I feel like I am trying to go in so many directions with my art. I have so many things I want to try and not as much time as I would like~ The next painting is another musical one--I plan to do a few musical themed paintings. St. Louis has a very rich music scene and so many great clubs and local bands. Here is a boy hoping to be part of all that!

I hope to list both of these paintings on Ebay tonight.

Jazz Concert!

2011-03-12T14:59:00.000-08:00

Music is a big part of my life. Although I, personally, am not musically talented--lots of my family members are. My dad played the trumpet in a band on the weekends as I was growing up. All those old big band songs bring me such memories. All three of my children were involved in band and choir all through high school. My son is an accomplished pianist and plays the guitar.
My brother-in-laws, niece and nephew all play guitars too. At our family gatherings you are more likely to witness a jam session than a game of touch football.

This 12"X12"X1.25" (deep sided) stretched canvas is a very "musical" painting! It will be listed on Ebay tonight!

Here is a clip of an impromptu performance by my kids--Tara, Laura, and Jordan at Christmas time.

New Paintings!

2011-03-09T18:50:00.000-08:00

Here are two new paintings. The first one is called, "Kitty Doesn't Like Boats", and well...what kitty would?

I thought if I painted a Spring picture, it would come...but it didn't work. They are calling for snow flurries tonight. Both of these will be on Ebay.

Miss Eliza Jane and Snowball

2011-02-28T17:30:00.000-08:00

I have been looking at old folk art from the 18th and 19th centuries. Many of the portraits are simply titled with the subjects name. Often, the subject is sitting next to a window with a beautiful view. I wonder if they really had such views from their homes or if it was made up. Of course, the people who could afford to have their portrait painted may have lived in some wonderful mansions!

I find it comical how they painted the children like miniature adults. Sometimes they were depicted so strangely that they looked like dolls standing next to the adults. They were so out of proportion!

This portrait looks really lovely in an antique look frame. I will be listing it tonight on Ebay. The link is at the top of this page.

Love our Earth!

2011-02-22T17:14:00.000-08:00

This little girl has a message for you. This is a large 10"X20" stretched canvas with vintage sheet music, vintage book pages and lots of detail. I hope to list it tonight--now I gotta go watch Glee.

New Goodies

2011-02-20T14:57:00.000-08:00

I have been making the most of my 4 day weekend. I finished a couple of paintings this morning and created some ideas for earrings I have had in mind for a while now. I am also happy to say that I completed the filings for all of our taxes and the taxes for two of my kids! Yippee! I hope to tackle the FAFSA forms for all three of my college students tomorrow. If you have kids in college, you know all about these forms.

My first painting is "Mother Love". I wanted to show you how nice it looks framed up. I used lots of thick buttery acrylic paints in rich colors. This would make a nice gift for Mother's Day.

The second painted is more light-hearted. This girl is frantically trying to get the sheep in the barn before the big storm hits. I actually dreamed about sheep being in my yard several nights in a row! I thought maybe if I painted some, I would dream about something else, ha ha--it worked!

I plan to make some more of these cute little felted wool ball earrings. I really like how they turned out. What fun to wear with your favorite sweater. I will be listing the paintings on Ebay this week and the earrings are in my Etsy shop. The links are at the top of my page.

New Pendants!

2011-02-18T15:52:00.001-08:00

I just replenished my Etsy Shop with some more Handcrafted Pendants. Some are glass domed and some are resin filled. This one featured is a bigger sized pendant. Check it out, you may find your favorite painting on one--if not convo me and I will see what I can do.

What a beautiful day here in the St. Louis area! The snow is quickly melting for now. We are getting ready to barbecue ribs now--yummy!

I Want to Hold a Crow Amongst the Birches

2011-02-13T08:58:00.000-08:00

I just finished two new paintings. I am kind of experimenting with some new styles. "I Want to Hold a Crow Amongst the Birches" is something I would love to do. I think crows are so majestic, and I would like to know what it would be like to hold one. Although there aren't many Birch trees where I live, I think they always have a fairy tale quality to them and wish I could sit in a grove of them. This is a big 11"X14" canvas and it looks wonderful in an antique gold frame.

"Flying" has three girls getting ready to soar. It is my attempt at something a little more abstract. This is a large 16"X20" canvas. Both of these will be listed on Ebay soon. Have a wonderful week!

Kitty Birthday Party!

2011-02-12T19:51:00.000-08:00

I just thought I would share this photo from 1970. My sisters, Kerry, Susan, and I (I'm in the middle) were throwing a birthday party for our kitty cats. Three little kittens joined in the fun. I don't remember any of them enjoying the cake or the hats.

I have been working on two larger paintings this week. I hope to be able to show them to you tomorrow. I am also waiting for the resin to cure on a few new pendants. Two of them are larger than I did before, and I think they are going to be pretty neat! Check back!

An Experiement

2011-02-03T15:08:00.000-08:00

I always wanted to see if I could paint a pop art type painting from a photo. With all these snow days I finally had time to try it. This is a photo of my daughter, Laura and her boyfriend Zack that I used to look at. It was kind of fun.
Maybe it could have used a little more black shadowed areas, I don't know. What do you think? A new business maybe? ha ha

The next painting is titled, "Sisters". I used lots of vintage sheet music on this one, and brighter colors than I usually do. I hope to list it on Ebay tonight. I think it would make a nice gift for a beloved sister. I am lucky enough to have three of them!

Junco Frenzy

2011-02-02T09:24:00.000-08:00

We have been snowed in for a few days here in the Mid-West! Inches of ice covered with snow--the worst scenario. The birds are eating like crazy. The snow is covered with Juncos (some folks call them snowbirds) under our feeder. That is what inspired this painting. I will be listing it on Ebay tonight.

Keep warm everyone, and be careful out there if you have ice and snow!

Couch Potato

2011-01-30T11:16:00.000-08:00

This what my kitty, Snickers, looks like most of the time. We think he reminds us of a plump little seal when he poses like this. Yes, unfortunately his belly looks about like that! I will be listing this painting on Ebay sometime this week. Have a wonderful Sunday~

New ATCs

2011-01-25T16:43:00.001-08:00

I had another snow day yesterday and I decided to paint a few ATCs. I haven't created any in a long time. These would make sweet little Valentine gifts. I hope to list them on Ebay tonight. The link is at the top of this page.

Feed the Birds!

2011-01-23T11:04:00.000-08:00

I know I have been painting a lot of snowy paintings, but that is all I have been seeing out my windows!! This painting, Feed the Birds, was inspired by my sweet daughter, Tara. She is such a compassionate soul. She is the person in our house who makes sure the birds are fed. Here is a photo of her reaching up to refill a suet feeder. It doesn't surprise me that she is studying to become an Early Childhood Special Education teacher. She loves children and wants to help those with special needs. I am very proud of her--and all of my children!

The next painting, My Heart, is my first Valentine's Day inspired creation. I used pages from a very old book on her dress. Both of these paintings will be listed on Ebay soon!

Snow Owls and Frida

2011-01-15T10:22:00.000-08:00

I have two new paintings to show you! We had a couple of snow days from school this week so I have had more time to paint. The first one is of two girls who found three little owls out in the snow. If you look close, it has lots and lots of texture!

I still can't stop thinking about Frida and her colorful life--I just read a book about her and watched a documentary (The Life and Times of Frida Kahlo)--I recommend it--Netflix has it. So...here is another painting of Frida with a parrot. Sometimes Frida had quite a little mustache going and you can see it on my painting. I will list both of these tonight. Have a great wintry day~~

Snow Day!

2011-01-11T15:44:00.000-08:00

Yippee! I enjoyed a snow day today! Since I work for the public schools, I got an unexpected day to do as I please~~I finished up two painting that I started a while back. The first one is a large 11"X14" of a kitty with a bouquet of roses. There is lots of texture on this using layers of heavy acrylic and stamping for extra interest. The vase was created with vintage sheet music from an 1800's book. I seem to gravitate to these rich colors over and over when I paint!

The second painting is actually a 3D piece of art! I crafted a little fabric rose with felt leaves and sewed it right onto the canvas in the little girl's arms! Two little kittens frolic at her feet. I will be listing both of these on Ebay soon!

After a wonderful snowy day of doing what I want, I am going to settle in with some of my favorite things, an interesting documentary, an art book (just got from Amazon) and well...something else to warm the soul...Have a glorious evening!

New Paintings

2011-01-09T08:44:00.000-08:00

I have a couple of new paintings to show you. The first one is an angel holding a kitty. I have received a couple of requests for one like this, so here it is. For her gown I used some vintage sheet music out of an 1800's music book. I have been experimenting with different techniques for texture. On the angel painting, I used a heavy bodied acrylic on the background a then used a stamp to pick some of it up. There are lots of layers of paint here. The wings and halo have pearlized paint.

Crow Funeral was inspired by something I heard on a nature show. I have always loved crows, I find them to be very regal and intelligent. Did you know that when a crow dies, the others honor it by standing quietly around it for a few moments? This really intrigued me, so I had to paint it~ Both of these paintings will be listed on Ebay this week--Have a great day!

New Year and New Paintings!

2011-01-02T13:19:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year Everyone! I am finally getting back in the swing of things, since I go back to work (school) tomorrow! I painted a few little paintings this week and will be listing them on Ebay soon. There's a girl with an owl in the snow, a girl rescuing a kitty in the snow, and an angel holding a plump little sheep.

Over the holiday break I read a very interesting book about Frida Kahlo. My sister, Jennifer gave it to me for Christmas. Anyway, I just wanted to paint this picture of the Frida and Diego home. Diego had it custom built for them--it is actually two homes, a small blue one for her and a larger reddish color one for him. They are connected by a foot bridge at rooftop. Unfortunately, they seemed to have spent most of their lives hurting each other, but they couldn't live without each other, so this was the set up he came up with. The compound was surrounded by a tall cactus fence. In this painting Frida is contemplating paying Diego a visit. This painting is on Ebay now. The links are at the top of this page.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

2010-12-25T11:22:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! I hope you all have a healthy, happy, warm and safe Holiday Season! I will be back to painting in the New Year~

I'm so Thankful!

2010-11-28T20:08:00.000-08:00

I have so many blessings to count this Thanksgiving season. Three of them are pictured here (Tara 22, Jordan 18, Laura 21)! My family is happy and healthy, we have a roof over our heads and food to eat. That is all that really matters, isn't it?

I hope you all have many blessings to count right now. Remember, with the holiday season upon us--Don't sweat the small stuff! It's all about enjoying your families and traditions, they don't have to be perfect! The traditions OR the families!!

Here is a picture of my silly sister Jennifer (hot tamale art studio) on Thanksgiving. She was trying to demonstrate Santa Lucia for us and hot wax was dripping in her hair! I have three sisters and we all have so many laughs together~

NEW PAINTINGS!

2010-11-24T08:39:00.000-08:00

I have 2 new paintings to show you. They are both 8"X10" flat canvas panels that look wonderful framed! I used heavy body acrylics for lots of texture. They are on Ebay now, come check them out! Well, the kids got all the decorations down from the closet now, time to go!! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend and happy shopping!