Only the Beginning

"Only the Beginning" excerpt from 10x10 inch original encaustic painting on 2" cradled wood panel. Prints are available here.

This piece is a bit of a departure for me as it is a free-form sketch/collage in wax. I could only manage to capture part of the original painting on my scanner (it was too big), but I think it looks kind of cool cropped. I do, however, intend to photograph the entire piece as soon as the sun decides to return to our rain-drenched city.

The inspiration for this painting is the Chicago song "Beginnings." I have not been able to get the chorus out of my head for 2 weeks now -- I've even etched it into this piece in tiny letters. This is such a happy song. Try singing the lyrics one day when you're in a bad mood, and see if it cheers you up.

Thank You for Being "A Friend for All Seasons"

"A Friend for All Seasons" holiday cards available here.

As a way of thanking my best customers & friends, I will soon be sending out a 20% off coupon to my email subscribers -- and I will send one randomly drawn name a set of my brand new "Skate Away" holiday cards and envelopes as soon as they arrive! If you'd like to join my mailing list just enter your email in the pink sign-up box at the top of my blog. And thank you as always & ever for being "A Friend for All Seasons."

Wishing you a continued happy "pre-holidays!" xox

Hoo Hoo Hoo, Merry (not quite yet) Christmas

"Hoo Hoo Hoo" available here for the first time as a print for Christmas 2009!

Yes, I know. It's only the beginning of November, but I passed by a huge inflatable Santa Claus on the way to Gymboree this morning and almost started hyperventilating. I always get way too stressed out over holiday shopping (mostly because I wait until the VERY last minute), and this year we are actually hosting relatives from France, so .... well... I'm starting early this year. Or at least I'm offering this happy little santa owl print at my Etsy shop right now. And some holiday cards featuring my little "A Friend for All Seasons" reindeer. New cards will be arriving after Thanksgiving, too. Now I guess I need to do start shopping. xox

Beautiful Mini Paintings By Melissa Moss

Double-sided Mini Paintings by Melissa Moss. Available here in her Etsy shop.

My lovely and talented friend, Melissa, has just posted 25 new Mini Paintings in her Etsy shop, and I just had to share them with you (before they're all gone). They are hand-painted tiny paintings that are strung from ribbon so that they can also be used as holiday ornaments. Best of all, they are only $35 each!! Check out all the paintings for some serious eye candy.

24 Hours in Portsmouth

First stop, Nahcotta Gallery. We paid a visit to the lovely Deb & Abbie, and I dropped off "MADLY" for the January 8th Verbatim show. I also showed them my new encaustic work (oh so professionally carried in a Halloween Jack'o Lantern bag -- at least it matched my outfit). And Brock & I checked out some of Rose Umerlik's gorgeous paintings. Her show is opening there tonight!


Then it was on to a walking tour of Portsmouth. And some delightful wine & very intricate, complicated food that I can't remember too well after the wine at the cozy, jazzy Black Trumpet. Finally we settled back in for the night at the perfect Ale House Inn.

Good Night, Portsmouth. You were one cool town.

On the ferry home (from CT to NY), I received the happy news that two of my original paintings -- "Together You Are Less Lonely" and "A Home for Bluebirds"-- had sold at Caffe Portofino that evening.

I can only say of the last 48 hours -- YAY! and THANK YOU to my mom for watching the babies and to Christophe for being the designated driver on this whirlwind road trip.

Introducing Brock Villagebrook (here with Faythe Levine)

Faythe Levine, Brock & I

Meet new Travel Kitty (attached to my orange scarf) -- Brock Villagebrook! I purchased/adopted him from the lovely Lisa Dalton at the screening of Faythe Levine's Handmade Nation last week.

If you can't see Brock clearly here (and really, who can?), don't worry. Christophe & I are going on a small road trip to New Hampshire until Thursday, and Brock will be certainly be peeking in for some photo ops. We are going to the Nahcotta Gallery to drop off my painting for the Verbatim show this January. And we are very excited to see some more fall foliage and to sample the great shops & restaurants of Portsmouth.

Glow

"Glow" 5.5x5.5 inch original encaustic painting on wood. For sale here.

I've been so overwhelmingly inspired by the gorgeous fall colors here on Long Island. There is a certain tree that I pass by every day, and it just burns the brightest, most spectacular red. I feel like it must be shining with all of its might to stave off the inevitable loss of its leaves and onslaught of winter. This painting is dedicated to that pretty tree (and to all of us who warm the cold days with out brightness).

PS -- right now the original of "Glow" is for sale at my Etsy shop, but I can create a print for you if you would like. Just email me!