Found Art Friday: GRATITUDE

"Let the Sun Shine" by me. Original is sold. Prints are available upon request.

"Life With You" by Claire Ishino

Though we have only two entries this FAF, I am so honored to display this gorgeous piece by Claire beside my own rendition of 'gratitude.' Claire writes in her blog that her submission was inspired by gratitude for life with her husband and children. The way she has placed the two teacups alongside a blooming flower reminds me of the healing power of simple rituals and acts of kindness. Thank you, Claire, for sharing your work!

My own piece was inspired by gratitude for the simple joys we find in life. These are like rays of sunshine that warm our quiet days.

I hope that you and your family found much to be thankful for this Thanksgiving as well!

Counting My Blessings

"Counting my Blessings" original 24x24 inch painting on 1 and 3/4 inch cradled wood panel. Original for sale here.

This is my new, more abstract piece, and it expresses a sentiment close to my heart: gratitude (our FAF theme next month!). Sometimes we can get bogged down in the little things that don't work out during the day and we forget to be grateful for everything that is already going just right. I think of those right things as bright colors melded into a quilt that keeps us warm and supported behind the scenes. In this piece, I've literally counted... up to the infinity symbol. The different forms of numbers add some variety and keep the eye moving around the painting.

I'm grateful for many things, but today I want to give a special thank you to Dana over at her blog Leilaloo for posting my interview in her ongoing series about balance and motherhood. I love Dana's artwork, and this series is a great topic because, let's face it - it's not easy to balance any kind of career (let alone a creative one) with being a mom.

And another BIG thank you to everyone who has already purchased one of my calendars. They are almost sold out, and I am so grateful to everyone who chose to spend 2011 with me. :) I have to mention the calendars here because my husband, Christophe, is now making fun of all of my posts about them.

I've also just posted the original Autumn in New York painting on my etsy site. It's now for sale here.

Wishing you and your family a happy and safe Halloween!!

A Moment of Gratitude

"A Light Around Her." Print available here.

I am sitting here on this snowy New York day watching the flakes gently drift down from the sky... and I am feeling such a surge of gratitude to so many people. To my mom right now for kindly taking my daughter on a walk so that I can relax. And to my friend, Ellen, because she made me laugh all night last night. To my husband for taking the children to school this morning. To the Nahcotta Gallery for selling my MADLY painting even before opening night (how did you guys do that?!). And VERY much to all of you who are reading this blog today. I appreciate you all so much for caring about the stories I spin with paint and imagination and for kindly logging in to share your thoughts. So THANK YOU!

And, oh my goodness, another special thank you to ANNABELLE today because it is her birthday. She is 3! Thank you, Annabelle, for being such a brilliant, fiesty yet gentle soul. I love you.

Wishing you a great day today! May you feel 'a light around you.'