My latest painting and an art sale!

This new wood panel work started out as an ocean-themed piece.  About an hour into painting, I didn't like the direction I was going.  So, it sat by my ark desk for two weeks before I picked it up again.  This time, I was envisioning a mountain and forest- not surprised.



The new piece is for an art show coming up this summer.  Although I'll be focusing most of my creative energy on the show the next several weeks, I am still committed to adding new original pieces to my Etsy shop every week.  Also, to celebrate the launch of my new website, I'm throwing on art sale in my Etsy shop!  Everything, including original work, is an additional 15% off.  All you have to do is enter ILOVEART at checkout.

Between the rains in Portland

Free wallpaper designs for your desktop

[image source: shannamurray.typepad.com]

Each month, artist Shanna Murray teams up with another creative talent to design a new desktop calendar.  Shown above is the recently released May wallpaper design by Murray and photographer friend Rachel Saldaña.  I love how the dates look like they've been embroidered, and the display of the May saying is so sweet. 



To download your very own copy of the May calendar, just click here and choose the appropriate file size for your desktop.  Here's a look at Murray's other collaborative wallpaper designs in 2011. 

I'm a huge fan of Portland-based Pattern People, and on their website, they have an amazing collection of downloadable patterns. These are just a few of my favorites. 

The designs can be used as desktop wallpaper, wrapping paper, gift tags, or whatever your heart desires! Check out this fabulous succulent design:

[image source: www.patternpeople.com]

Claudia Brown of Pattern People writes,

"One of the things I love about living in the Pacific Northwest is all the succulent plants that grow so well here.  Front yards everywhere sprout plump, pulpy hens and chicks, jades, and ground sedums.  Mosses grow on rocks, steps, trees, and roofs.  Every shade of green dazzles the eye on just your average neighborhood walk. I guess these are the benefits of living under so much rain. When the sun comes out, it’s almost too much color! So I dedicate this succulent design to my lovely home city, Portland."

Beautiful description and beautiful design.  It makes me appreciate my hometown even more.

My art fair finds

Art fairs are a test of my self-control as a shopper, and often times, I fail.   It helps to be a vendor at the art fair, so that you're stuck in an 8 x 8 ft space for most of the day.  But even then, it only takes a few minutes for me to find several must-have products while on a break. . . I'm an efficient shopper to a fault. 



Artist Jill Bliss was my neighbor at the Rieke Art Fair this past weekend, so I didn't have to go far to find a number of things I wanted to take home with me.  I snatched this lovely (and huge!) paper weight, which was her last one.  I really don't have a need for a paper weight, but I couldn't resist its crystal ball likeness.  When my youngest daughter, who collects snow globes, asked if it could be hers, I quickly replied, "Nope. It's mine."  All mine, I thought.  I think I'll call it my precious. 

Both Jill and I love to draw things in nature.  She just came out with a new drawing book that is quite brilliant.  There are nearly 200 pages of art instruction, beautiful drawings, and plenty of blank space for the inspired artist. 

I taught drawing for many years, and trust me when I say there aren't enough great instructional books on drawing.  This is one art book that I'll definitely keep in mind when shopping for an enthusiastic learner. 

I have a weakness for handmade sketchbooks, and it took me all of 10 seconds to claim this one as my own.  I was chatting with Clare Carpenter of Tiger Food Press when I spotted the hand printed and bound artist book in her booth.  This is what it looks like on the inside:    

The pages are in an accordion design!  My plan is to draw one very long illustration.  If I make it past page three, I'll count it a success!

Here is another hand bound book I bought from Clare.  The floral cover is vintage wallpaper, and there are two silk ribbon ties.  My brother is getting married this month, and I thought this would make a perfect wedding guest book. 

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Also . . .

Sunday Brunch is an online dress shop that features an artist each month.  On their home page, they pair an art work with a dress that complements it.  I'm flattered that the New York-based shop chose to feature my art for the month of May!  As part of the feature, I wrote some thoughts about my art and fashion.  You can read it here. 

My new website is live!

My new website just launched today!  It has been quite the project the last few weeks, but it feels great to finally have it up. I am using a portfolio template of Other People's Pixels, which seems to be a popular choice among artists.  The back-end was a little tricky to navigate at times, but all in all, the site came together without any major glitches.  And for those who don't have an Etsy account, my art prints are now available for purchase on my website -yeah!  Just click here to start browsing. 



In other news, I want to remind all local folks about the Rieke Art Fair this Sunday.  One of my friends is an event organizer, and the fair benefits a local school.  I just came back from setting up my booth, and I'll be sitting next to one of my favorite local artists, Jill Bliss.   Jill will be selling her lovely posters and stationary at the event.  I'm planning on bringing lots of prints (including some samples that are marked down) and my latest original works.  Here are a few that I completed this week. 

When the forest sleeps, 8" x 8", mixed media on wood panel

Poetic pond, 4" x 4", mixed media on wood panel

Panorama, 9" x 12", marker and ink on recycled drawing paper

White horse in meadow, 4" x 4" and Fawn and mother in forest, 4" x 4".  Mixed media on wood panel.

Embroidered chairs by Peter and Sally Nencini

I'm in full-fledged covet mode over these embroidered chairs by Peter and Sally Nencini.  The talented duo transforms old chairs into functional works of art.  Peter creates the designs, and Sally reupholsters and embroiders. 

I'm a big fan of Bauhaus art (Kandinsky and Stölzl), so it's no surprise that I'm so keen on these geometric and simplified designs.  Add fabric and midcentury furniture into the mix, and it becomes my kryptonite!

[image source: Peter Nencini]

. . . I am powerless.



For more creative awesomeness/torment, visit Peter's blog and Sally's website.

Trying to maintain my sanity

A day at the beach, one of my new original works.

I'm still chipping away at my goal of 40 originals in 60 days.  As if that's not enough for me, I've added two other big projects onto my plate.  One is a new website that I'll hopefully reveal in a week, and the other is the biggest art giveaway ever!  The giveaway event is not for another month, but, trust me, it's worth waiting for.



In the meantime, I thought I'd share this video interview with New York based artist Andrew Kuo.  I was first introduced to his wonderful work when reading this book.