Creative Thursday

enjoying the poppies

5 x 5 in.
*Edit* July 8, This one is too pretty not to make available as a print at the Etsy Shop.
(click here to buy original)

jackalope and friends

5 x 5 in.
this is the "woodsy" gang hanging out on a Saturday ~ oscar, jackalope, hughey, and lovey
(click here to buy original)

colors i love

As artists, we are often asked what inspires us. Here you go, it can be as simple as this, just a few items in the car on a trip home; a beautiful purple flower, (that I completely forgot the name of), my bright red Marimekko bag, that I love, and a corner of domino magazine.
I took a much needed Friday afternoon off, yesterday, and had a lovely lunch with the girls. Hope your Friday was lovely too!

Thank you Matte!

I received my first "art mail" yesterday from Matte! What a wonderful surprise. I *heart* getting art in the mail, and I *heart* Matte's art.
Matte is one of my favorite internet colleagues up at Velocity and on Etsy. And this little birdie gocco print is the second in my growing collection of Matte's wonderful work.

My first gocco print from Matte, Bear Monster,
framed and hanging on my "tranquil blue" (by Benjamin Moore) walls.

I can hear myself think

evening lights in our garden in Laurel Canyon
We live across from an elementary school. I mean directly across....and in a canyon where sound carries....A LOT! Let's just say that yesterday was the last day of school. And this morning I am so happy because it is quiet and yes, I can hear myself think. I just want to mark this moment. Summer is here.

lewis and oscar

5 x 5 in.
a little lion for you today.
Wish granted! Lewis and his owl friend are available as a print in the Etsy Shop.
(original is sold)

in my tree

5 x 7 in.
I was talking to my lovely friend while painting this one ~ so lots of good energy went into it :). I am really enjoying this color combination, and also, you should know that the paper used for the ground is Japanese wrapping paper.
(original is sold) The fastest sale in the West. Thank you Caroline!
This one will now be available as a print at the Etsy Shop.

Otis

5 x 7 in.
Hi Nanette, if you're visiting the blog today, this one is inspired by you :) and your daughters' love of the giraffe.
I decided to add Otis as a print to the Etsy Shop.
(click here to buy original)

And, I just found the link to this adorable photo of them that you left in your comment.

head over heels

my beautiful elephant by ZuZu's Petals, photo courtesy of Caron

It all comes full circle, (one of my favorite observations by the way)....as I am now making a living as an artist, I feel compelled to circulate it among other artists. Simply put, I LOVE buying art! I used to enjoy it before I became an artist, but now since I AM Officially "an artist" and one that sells their work; I understand firsthand what an incredible feeling it is when someone buys what you created. Every sale contributes to someone's dream come true. I know it does for me.

Part of my "expansion" of this blog is to start sharing more of the beginnings of my art collection with you. When I have my dream studio, I plan to have high ceilings with at least one entire wall covered with art, and preferrably originals...but if the original is gone, I'll take prints too! I once heard a gallery owner say that collecting art, above what it will be worth "someday", is about surrounding yourself with what you love, and I wholeheartedly agree.

Ok, then with that said, on with this post! As my title says, I am head over heels with 3D creations lately, making them and collecting them. I used to collect stuffed animals when I was little and I think, as I mentioned in my other post, that this is resurfacing a bit. In fact, I just explained to Sean's niece Reilly that it really is "ok" to still have stuffed animals when you are an adult. (She is presently wanting to pare down her animal collection because, as she said "having them as an adult isn't too cool"). She just turned 10 :)

I happen to think that it's way cool to have stuffed animals as an adult, especially those that are handmade. Here are two of my recent additions that I had to share, my new elephant made by the lovely Caron at ZuZu's Petals, who I have decided to name ZuZu.
And this is Dotty Pufkins made by Tiffa at Odkins. If you remember, I made this painting in tribute of Dotty~ because I love her so!

Dotty Puffkins by Odkins, photo courtesy of Tiffa

So run, don't walk into your next handmade purchase from an artist, as you too might just fall head over heels.

cat and mouse

4 x 4 in.
(original is sold)