MermaidMess

Last June, when my sister and her husband announced they were expecting, I got a great idea…I could write and illustrate a book for the baby, and have it done for the birthday!  I’ve always wanted to create children’s books!  The story is inspired by the baby to come, and Bobby, my sister’s cat.  I started in January, and had it done by “the deadline,” March 19.  To gift a physical book , I just made a photo book from an online photo company by taking photos of the illustrations, and filled in the text.  I was able to meet him when he was three days old, and watch his parents read it out loud.  This, I must say, was easily one of the best days of my life.

Now, my next step is to attempt to get it published.  The worst thing to happen is for folks to say “No.”  I’m not scared of No, and excited to learn more about the literacy world.  I will be attending my first writers’ conference in Bellevue this weekend, and have an appointment to meet with a literary agent.  I’m very nervous, and happy to get to go.

Please see the new Bobby & The Bear gallery page to see the illustrations for my first official book!

(The true Bobby and the Bear)

A secret little project I’ve been working on sketching out-huge pile of sketches to come all together…hoping to have it done before the end of the month as a gift. Here’s a tiny sneak peak:

My sweet little sister is expecting her first baby, and has a baby shower at the beginning of February. Like me, she loves animals, and also, one of her husband’s favorite early childhood movies was The Wizard of Oz. I decided to surprise them with a Lions Tigers and Bears themed tapestry as party of the baby shower decor, that will also be part of their gift.

This was my project this week. I found a thick cotton curtain, and altered the size to be about 47″ x 64″. Then I used acrylic paint to do the design. It’s amazing how much paint is sucked up when there can’t be a primer first! Here’s a couple photos of the progress:

Today, I ironed the curtain to help set the paint, and found a wood dowel to hang it.

I put some glow in the dark paint on the three lanterns, and very excited to give it to them!

If you happen to be in Harrisburg PA this Saturday, one of my pieces will be available at the Scotts Rite Cathedral venue. Nurse Log, oil on board, 8×10

Working on paintings for the November show at Walla Walla Little Theatre. It’s so cozy hearing the rain in the studio in a sweater.

The opening to ArtSquared was a success! I sold almost all of my squares as well as my large gallery piece “The Clever Musicians.”

I will post more detailed photos of all 10 of the squares and “The Clever Musicians” very soon!

Been working in the fresh studio on this fun piece for the ArtWalla ArtSquared 2018 Gallery show. It will be shown at Walla Walla CAVU Cellars September 28-30!

Over Labor Day weekend, I got the itch to repaint the studio. It had been the same colors the previous house owners had, yellow walls/ white ceiling. Those colors are nice, but for a studio that I spend so much time in, it’s nice to be surrounded by my own choice. The kids were kind enough to help:)

During my reorganization process of my studio, I finally figured out what to do with this sweet little twin bed. I have been storing this bed since my husband and I first moved into our house in 2011. I found it at our local Goodwill, had no need for a twin sized bed, but loved its charm.

(I have a problem with seeing potentially wonderful projects, then storing them, because I don’t have time to complete them)

I used it to make Max a new bed!

After I shortened the side rails, I painted it to try to match the portrait I painted of him a couple years ago. I attached a Milagros heart at the head of it. His new mattress will come later this week:)