100 likes for my Face Book page!

Just got 100 likes on my Face Book page! Celebrating all day by wearing a red hat. It just seemed like the right thing to do...
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Cowgirl

Who doesn't love a cowgirl? This one is painted on an 8x8, 1/2" deep wood panel from a sketch that I did a couple of years ago. I outlined the hat with a wood burning tool. I love the effect but the smoke smelled awful. Must have been the acrylic I was burning through. Yee haw!

Browne's Irish Market and Deli

What an amazing place! I feel as though I have stepped back in time. And who knew this treasure was right under my nose? Browne's was established in 1887 and is the oldest Irish business in all of North America. They serve delicious Irish food (the potato soup is a must eat) and have an awesome market where you can browse through all kinds of Irish imports and handmade goods.

I was so impressed by the friendliness of the owners (still a family owned business) and staff (Hi Wendy!) that I created this piece using their brown paper gift sack... the same sack I had filled with items I had to have from their market. So if you are visiting the Kansas City area, or if you are a native, you must visit here... you will be welcomed!

For more info on Browne's go here.

I am loving Stillman & Birn! I received a sample pack of their paper and put it to the test. It stood up to erasings, acrylic and watercolor washes and collage with nary a paper curl. I used the backside of the paper so I could make use of their paper information. Now I want a tank top that says this on it. Oh, and kudos to Stillman and Birn for the whitest paper I have ever seen. Seriously white. It is truly beautiful... clean.... fresh... and beckons you to paint on it.

And here it is...

 My work was published in Somerset Studios Gallery Magazine, Summer 2012, in an article that Misty Mawn wrote. I just got my copy in the mail but it won't hit newsstands till June 1st. Doing a happy dance!

Time Triptych

I've been consumed with time lately. It's the one thing you can never have enough of and once it's gone, you can never get back. My huge 32x48 year-at-a-glance wall calendar is mocking me at this very moment, knowing that June is a milestone birthday for me. Ugh.

A visit to the new art supply store in Kansas City, Artist and Craftsman Supply, was just what I needed to get me out of my funk. I bought all kinds of art goodness. And then there it was, sitting by the cash register were  bags and bags of watch parts. I knew I had to have them even though I had no idea what I was going to do with them. It was that time thing again.

And so my "Time" triptych was born. This is the first piece in the triptych and I used up a half a bag of watch parts on it. I also deviated from my usual palette of bright vivid colors. I like the muted neutral tones, it kinda matched my muted mood. So I'm off now to work on the remaining two.

Walk in the Woods

Title: Walk in the Woods, 12" x 9", on 100% cotton rag paper.
 I have fond memories of many walks in the woods behind my house when I was a kid. We would catch crawdads, pick up earthworms after a good rain and mushroom hunt. Those were good times!

A New Year filled to the brim with possibilities.

Sometimes you can just feel it coming. I know 2012 will be filled with good things and I thank God in advance for that. I bought a huge dry erasable year at a glance calendar. It fills most of my wall. I almost didn't buy it because it somehow scared me to look at a whole year at once. Daunting yes, but I don't want this year to get away from me like last year did. I will plan ahead, fill up my calendar and be happy. So I wish you, my dear blogger friends, a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year. May your cup overflow.