Heading out West...

Going to visit my parents in Nevada.  I can't wait...it has been tooooo long.

J.J.

Listening to Jack Johnson makes me happy!

FOREVER

FOREVER
16 x 20
mixed media
acrylic, ink, collage, wax
January 2010

GIRL AND HER FLUTE

Girl And Her Flute
8 x 10 mixed media
acrylic, ink, collage, wax

GIRL AND HER DRUM

The girl band is growing....
Girl and Her Drum
8 x 10 mixed media
acrylic, ink, collage, wax

Thankful...

Some mornings I wake up feeling so very thankful.  Thankful for each person in my life and what they give to it.  Sometimes I realize how very lucky I am.  Sometimes I see clearly and only focus on the beauty.  I like it when I wake up like that...I know it will be a good day no matter what.

Love Lives Here

LOVE LIVES HERE
8 x 10 mixed media
acrylic, ink, collage, wax

Thank you to my Blog Friends....

Dear Blog friends...
Do you know how important your words have been to me?  They have changed my life...they give me encouragement and inspiration on a daily basis.  I feel like my art has some purpose now...and its because of comments I get from you.  Thank you sincerely for every kind word.  I just want to keep creating and letting my spirit pour into my work.  Thank you Thank you...very much.  xo

Valentine Angel

This is my little Valentine Angel.  I think she is a doll!  I used lots of glitter mixed with varnish to finish her up!
Valentine Angel
8 x 10
mixed media, acrylic, ink, collage, glitter

STUDIOS

http://www.interweavestore.com/Mixed-Media/Magazines/Studios-Spring-2010.html

Guess what?   I'm in this issue coming up this Spring!   I'm sooooooo excited!   :)

Working on the rest of the girl band!  Some sketches...

Girl and Her Guitar

I just finished this little darling.  I really like how she turned out.  I will post her on my etsy account also.
GIRL AND HER GUITAR
8 x 10
mixed media, acrylic, ink, collage, wax

Messy house!

I need to put the art supplies down and clean my house!   Ick!

Just saw The Lovely Bones...

Just saw THE LOVELY BONES today at the theatre with my daughter.  That book is my very favorite all time book.  When I read it a few years back, it left me with such a feeling of hope and happiness, that this life has its meanings, but that there is more.  That someday we will understand, and that only good and love are real.  

I thought the movie was great.  I had tears in my eyes for most of it, but left the theatre with that same feeling of understanding the spirit a little bit more.  I loved it.

LOVE AND LET LOVE

My newest...Love and let Love
8 x 10
mixed media, acrylic, ink, collage, wax
January 2010

I got an award!

I got an award!   Awards are so fun to receive!  Thank you sweet Darla of Artistic Accents by Darla !  If you don't know Darlas work, you need to take a look.  Her work will make you smile with its happy colors and whimsical characters.  Happy birthday to your sweet doggy too!

I need to list ten things that make me all warm and fuzzy...and then gift it to 3 other blogs that will do the same.

Here are the 10 things that make me happy...all warm and fuzzy:

1.  My little dog Cooper.  He always makes me happy!
2.  Sunshine
3.  It has always made me happy to watch my kids eat-sort of strange, but there is a comfort about it for me.
4.  Painting and creating
5.  Naps-I love naps!
6.  Finding the perfect gift for someone makes me very happy
7.  My cup of coffee in the morning, sometimes I even think about it the night before!  hahaha
8.  Watching my two kids grow up to be these incredible, caring, wonderful people- ages 19 & 17
9.  Shopping with my daughter-we have fun together.
10.  When my kids share a "secret" with me.  I feel honored when they confide in me-like I did something right!

Well there are my 10 warm and fuzzies (in no particular order)  Now I need to pass this award on to 3 other bloggers that I admire.

1. Goes to Brenda at Magic Garden.  Her dolls are just so beautiful and charming!
2.  Goes to Loreleis at Inside the Studio. Her jewelery is so cool and different!
3.  Goes to Audrey at The Magic, Miracles and Joy of an Artist.  She just posted the most lovely bird pics on one of her latest posts-Really pretty!

God please bless those suffering in Haiti...

Vintage Baby Line

Another baby piece for the collection.  I'm calling the collection my Vintage Baby Line.  This is Letter B.

CELEBRATE THE RAIN

This one is called CELEBRATE THE RAIN
8 x 10

mixed media, acrylic, ink, collage, wax

This is something I need to learn how to do-celebrating the rain in Oregon is not an easy thing for me!

Valentines Cake....

11 x 14
mixed media, acrylic, ink, collage, wax
zero calories

Hhhmmmmmmmmmmmm.......

IWAT

I just happened across this post.  I didn't even know it existed.  It's from when I lived in Taiwan, and was a part of IWAT  International Womens Association of Taiwan...It was a fun way to meet the other women there and I got to design thier first logo.  What a nice surprise to stumble on to this.  A blast from the past!

right now....

Listening to Taylor Swift and have a paint brush in my hand=heaven to me right now....

?

Swirling and whirling, up and down, clear, but not clear...what is this business of life?

I got an award!   Thank you to my spunkiest and sexiest blog girlfriend, Kelly at Kelly Berkey Designs.  If you havent seen her jewelry, then you should check out her blog as it is lovely and fun, and a little sassy!  Now I need to list 5 things about myself that you might not know.  Here goes...
1.  I can't wait for the new season of American Idol!
2.  I have climbed the highest mountain in Northeast Asia- Jade Mountain in Yushan Taiwan in 1995
3.  I love the ocean
4.  Sometimes my intuition is incredibly strong
5.  I think my brown eyes are turning green as I get older

Now I need to pass this award on to 5 other blogs that I love.
1.   Campbell Jane at Folk art by Campbell Jane I love her blog photos, but I especially love her whimsical paintings.
2. Diane at Diane Lou-Found Object Art Her works of art are so interesting and fun to look at!
3.  Jennifer at Jennifer Campbell Heartwings  Her collage works include jewelry and some really cool clocks.
4.  Laura at 52 Flea  Her blog is full of beautiful photos and collections and it is very inspiring.
5. Sofie at Sofies Haus  Her blog is full of beautiful photos of home decor and pretty things and it's like looking through a lovely magazine.

Ok...there we go.  Hope you get a chance to check out all these wonderful blogs!

A great check up!

Yesterday I had my 2 year post brain tumor surgery, MRI.  The doctor said it looked great and that I don't need to get another one until two years from now, instead of one year!  That was great news!  He said if that one looks good, then I can wait five more years after that for the next MRI!   I am very happy!!!!

Optimism

My heart is so filled with positive energy and hopeful optimism.  What will 2010 bring my way?

First artwork of 2010!

My first painting of 2010.   ANGEL OF MEMORIES.
8 x 10
acrylic, ink, collage, wax

Exciting news....

I just signed a two year contract to be one of the artists for this company called Phenominoes!  I am so excited and honored.  Check out thier website, it is a really fun piece of jewelry!

Happy New Year!

It's going to be a great year, I can just feel it!

Cloud Nine...

I'm floating on cloud nine today and there is so much hopefull optimistic energy flowing throughout my veins that I almost feel drunk...its a very good feeling!
WELCOME 2010...

My new baby line.

Here is what I have been working on for the last two weeks.  I really like these.  My idea for this baby line is that I wanted to incorporate the attraction of black and white ( which has been studied and documented ) and a simpleness that is felt by the heart.  I thought the old fashioned look to these pieces would look whimsical and fun in any type of baby decor, girl or boy.  I think it could add an eclectic look and charm to any babies room.  I hope you like.  I've only done five so far, but I plan to make many more!

Each piece has the words I love you in tiny letters somewhere on the painting!

A new "Baby Line"

I've been working on an idea for a "baby line" of paintings.  I've done five so far, but think six would be better.  I will take some pics for you all to take a peek at.

We had a big snow storm last night, so glad we weren't out in it as people were stuck everywhere!  Yikes!

Awwwwwww...Sweet, sweet sunshine!

Christmas gift video...

Today is Sunday.  I will probably lay low and work on some art today.  Maybe a couple of loads of laundry could get done too.  This cold just will not loosen its grip on me.  Today is day 10.  Possibly the longest cold in history?...I think tomorrow I will go to the gym and try to work out, even it its only for 15 minutes.  I need to get back into my routine.  My mental health depends on it for sure.

My friend Jaquie sent me a video yesterday of her Mom and Dad (my friends also) opening their Christmas gift.  The gift was a painting that Jaquie and her two sisters commissioned me to paint for them.  It is of the three sisters and is surrounded by collage pieces and words.  It was really fun to make, and it turned out really great I think.  Anyway, the video is precious and there are tears and smiles and tenderness.  It melts my heart and brings me tears also.  It is a very special feeling to be able to touch someone with my art like that.  It makes it all worthwhile, and makes me want to continue and to grow and to make everything with a pure heart.  I will try to link that video here on my blog.  It makes me happy  :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tjr3FjBmF_c