Back to the Beach

"Last Ride" 5.5x5.5 inch original mixed media painting on wood.

I have decided to put the sweet little bear illustrations on hold until after Christmas when I have more time for their story (and when little Nicky bear starts school). In the meantime, I am continuing work on my surf series of paintings. This is #9 in the series, and will be available soon for sale on Etsy.

Little Sister, You Are my Best Friend in the World!

"Best Friends" original gouache & mixed media on paper. 6x6 image on 8x10 drawing paper. Click to buy original on Etsy.

First of all, I want to give a big thank you to all of the kind people who commented on my "Little Brother" painting. That painting was a bit of an experiment for me, and I so appreciate your words of appreciation!

As you can see, I am continuing with my 'bear' series. In fact, I haven't slept for 2 nights because my mind has been working on overdrive thinking about illustrating the adventures of two little bears -- Pink & Blue. The idea for Pink Bear is inspired directly by Annabelle's beloved Pink Bear. She has had this tattered pink bear since she was born, and she sleeps with it every night. And Blue Bear is inspired my her brother, Nicolas. The white bear pictured above is an older sibling (based on my stepdaughter, Axelle, who is 7). The piece above is my first work on paper, and I had a lot of fun with it! I definitely plan to do more, though I am not abandoning my cherished wood surfaces. Stay tuned for more in this series... but probably not until after Christmas!

Little Brother

5x7 inch painting -- acrylic & paper on wood panel. Prints available today in my ETSY shop.

I had the idea for this new painting while putting my son to sleep the other night. I had watched his sister hug him that afternoon, and it was so cute. I thought it would be a sweet present for a new baby. I think this original is going in baby Nicky's room, though! The prints are still for sale on ETSY. Though I'm thinking of adding the words "little brother" across the top, too.

Skate Away

"Skate Away" - 7.5x9 inches - mixed media on wood panel. Prints available here on ETSY.

Despite the unseasonably 80 degree weather we've been having in NY, I found myself in the holiday spirit yesterday. This is a painting inspired by the image of a girl twirling her skirt on the ice rink. I imagine her twirling to the Joni Mitchell song "Wish I had a River" and lighting up the fir trees with her joyous energy. Maybe this will be my Christmas card for 2009.

Customizing a Print on Wood

Today I finished a sweet custom print on wood based on my "i carry your heart" painting. Melissa, the woman who ordered the piece, had the e.e. cumming poem, "i carry your heart with me" read at her wedding, and she and her husband's nicknames for each other are "chicken" and "lamb." (They even served chicken and lamb at their wedding!) So I painted a little lamb on his heart and a little chicken on her heart. While I wouldn't want to repaint an original image as a custom piece, using the print on wood format turned out to be a great way to create a very personal gift that is also unique. Happy anniversary Melissa!

By the way, now that I've re-read the poem, I am even more in love with it. So beautiful. I may do more paintings with it as inpiration...

Madly (finished...for now)

"Madly" 12x12 inches mixed media on wood.

I decided to add a little landscape for my happy lovebirds and a tiny bit of music down at the corner. It's a snippet of Stevie Ray Vaughn. I really like the finished piece; I only wish my scanner had better captured the greens in the lawn and blues of the sky, so this might not be the final, final image. In the meantime, have a happy weekend!!

Madly (in progress)

"Madly" 12x12 inch mixed media on wood.

close up

After a big painting hiatus, I had a chance to work on my new piece... "Madly." This one is for the Verbatim show at Nahcotta gallery this January. It's a group show where each artist has to create a work based on a word, and the word must be depicted somewhere in the piece. I just love this concept and can't wait until January 8th to see all of the other works. I will post a link to the show website when it is up. I'll also post the finished version of this painting when I get it done! :)

In the meantime, I'm thinking of doing a calendar for the holidays, so stay tuned...