Beach Day!

"Beach Day" prints on velvet fine art paper are available today on ETSY.

I had so much fun doing my first surfing painting, "I'll Follow the Sun," that I decided to do another in this theme. I'm really feeling summery -- probably the recent 90+ heatwave we've been having in NY-- and we've been taking the family to the beach a lot. We bring a little kiddie pool with us for Annabelle and just filling it with sea water. She loves it! What an innovation for toddlers. :)

Speaking of summer, I was selected as part of Poppytalk Handmade's "Here Comes the Sun" markeplace from now through July. Come visit!

Falling, yes i am falling...

"falling, yes i am falling" 8x8 inch mixed media on wood panel.

Prints available here.

This is my newest piece -- created on my favorite, day, Thursday (my offiical non-childcare painting day). I guess this cold snap we've had here yesterday and the torrential rain has made me think about autumn. And blue. But, contrary to the colors, I'm actually in very good spirits.

I was also able to finally ship out some new prints on wood to the Ten Women Gallery in Venice! After long last. They are mostly new pieces that are not yet for sale in the original. I decided to photograph them because I think a lot of people don't quite know what to picture when I say I create "prints on wood" or "art blocks." But here they are...
And, last but not least, here is the very first work by a brand new little artist... Annabelle! She painted the blue mark here on this fish. I think it's perfect. Very minimalist. :) The teachers at her school (well sort-of-school because she's only 16 months) said that she didn't want to get her hands dirty!

3 Little Birds

I finished this painting today, called "Three Little Birds." I experimented a bit with my color palette, and I am really liking the greenish tones. It looks pretty against the taupe walls of our living room. Too bad it's not staying here. It must go forth to meet its new owners someday, somewhere. Prints of this piece will be available on ETSY this evening.

But enough about me, I want to send a big THANK YOU out to everyone who sweetly left me birthday messages here on my blog. That was so thoughtful -- especially when we all know that past the age of 5 birthdays can be a tad disappointing. But with all of your nice well-wishes I had a wonderful day. :)

I also want to say thank you to S.HOPtalk for this nice post on Monday.

I just adore the collage created by Suzanne, the curator. So pretty!

Well... since it is Thursday, my official painting day, I must get back to work ....

Happy Monday and Happy Birthday!

"Wild at Heart" $15 for today only -- 5/19/08 --on ETSY.

Yes, today is my birthday. I am officially one year older on this lovely Monday morning. And it has been a nice birthday so far. Yesterday Christophe surprised me with a pre-birthday lunch and gift certificate to a local spa. I am SO excited for a massage and facial. It was the perfect gift. And tonight I am going to see a movie too cheesy to mention here with my dear friend, Ellen, who has also been released from childcare duties for the occasion. Last, but certainly not least, my sweet mom sent me a tiny digital camera so that I can finally take pictures outside without hauling my huge one around everywhere (really, aren't two babies and a diaper bag enough to carry on every occasion???)

All in all, it is a wonderful birthday so far. :)

Girl in Conch Shell Necklace

This piece is a work in progress. She has more layers to be applied, but I kind of like her softness right now, so I wanted to share her with you. Plus, I've always thought it was fun to see the stages an artist goes through when completing a painting. Sometimes the first version is the best one. I will find out tomorrow.... hope you had a nice Sunday!!

I'll Follow the Sun

Print available on ETSY.

With all of the rainy weather we've been having in NY, I am really craving the sunshiny days of summer!! This is my newest little painting, and just creating it warmed me up a bit. Today I followed this piece up with a portrait called "Girl in Conch Shell Necklace" that I woke up thinking about yesterday morning. I couldn't wait to paint it -- I ran into the studio the minute my little girl went down for a nap. It should be finished shortly. But tomorrow I won't have time to work on it as I'm off to JC Penney to buy zip-up footed PJs for Annabelle (and they're having a sale). I'm finally breaking down and buying them because I can't BEAR another night of snapping up a hundred snaps while she squirms and cries. Whoever thought snaps were a good idea for babies probably didn't have any kids. Ok... I will return to my focus on the art. :)

A warm thank you to Leah over at her blog, More Ways to Waste Time, for featuring me as her ETSY find of the day today. What a sweet surprise for a rainy Friday!! And Leah's commentary on my work was very interesting & insightful, too.

And, last but certainly not least, if you live in the LA area, please stop by the Ten Women Gallery this Sunday from 11-6 for our annual Spring Fling & Venice Artwalk party.

There will be a vintage collage workshop, on-site pet portraits and lots of original artwork, jewelry, art glass and more. Oh, yes, and refreshments will be served! For more info, visit the Ten Women Venice blog.

Have a great weekend!

Happy Mother's Day!

My first Mother's Day flower from Annabelle (16 months).

Well, of course, Annabelle didn't exactly pick this out herself, but the lovely teachers at her "school" gave one to every mom... and that is just so sweet. Every time I look at this little flower I think of my adorable baby girl and how she is a blossom herself.

I hope that all of the mothers out there had a terrific day. We had a delicious breakfast out, and I received a great gift -- the Boppy Total Body Pillow -- so that I can finally get a good night's sleep (not to mention read in bed). Now that was thoughtful, Christophe!!! Thank you. :-)

Another happy surprise today: as I was browsing Poppy Talk for no good reason, I saw my own print, "Hello Summer 3" featured as part of an adorable piece on affordable art trios. What a happy surprise!!! Here is the link. The curator of this post really did a great job of linking art together, and she lists about 5 different combinations.

Hello Summer 3 (original available on my website)