Night Owl

5.5x5.5 inch original mixed media painting on wood. Click here to purchase print (original sold).

I completed this new piece today in honor of my little guy... and well, actually, myself, as I am now painting in the evenings when my two babies are sleeping. Who knows what direction these nocturnal hours will push my creativity? I remember attending an amazing carnivale exhibit at the museum of folk art in Los Angeles several years ago and remarking upon the great talent of one of the painters. In his bio it said that he worked at night while his family was asleep because that was the only time he could concentrate. I remember thinking -- oh, that poor man. I could never do that. Ahhh.... the delusions of youth. :)

A Sweet Sunrise

"Morning on the Lake" (original sold, but prints available on ETSY)

Sometimes there are benefits to having a 3-month baby, and watching the sunrise is one of them. This morning there was a glorious red, orange and blue sunrise over our little harbor, and I got to see it with my baby Nicolas after he successfully slept through the night.

This is a particularly sweet sunrise because 2 days ago, I tried "Ferberizing" him. At 4 am. when he woke up for the 2nd time in row. I decided, hey, I'm going to let him cry it out. Well, 2 hours later, I was feeling a bit skeptical. But he did finally nod off at 6 am ....until 7. Hmmm.... did this work? I was very unsure. So, last night, when he woke up at 2, I just rocked him until he fell asleep (I couldn't bear to just let him cry again). To my complete joy, he did fall asleep again until 5:30. That makes 9 hours of foodless sleep in a row! I'm ecstatic. Now he is sleeping peacefully in his (awesome) Bobby bouncy seat without a care in the world. If he keeps this up, I may just get some new paintings done in time for the holidays...

Another Canvas Cover Coming Soon

"Poem" 8x8 inch acrylic, paper and gold leaf on wood. Original is sold, but prints available on ETSY.

I received a nice email requesting this image for the upcoming November issue of Canvas magazine, so I'm hoping that it makes the cover. This painting was originally titled "A Poet's Work," and it represents -- to me -- the artists's phoenixlike ability to transform loss into beauty. I'm very glad the editor chose this piece because it contains such a fitting message for our troubled financial times and reminds me that every problem is an opportunity. I'm looking forward to reading the articles Diana from Canvas has paired with this image. Here is the link if you would like to check it out. You can find the paper version in many stores & restaurants on Long Island.

A Taste of Freedom

Every artist needs a little inspiration, and sometimes that is spelled b.a.b.y.s.i.t.t.e.r! We had a wonderful night last night celebrating the joys of sushi & ice cream. Here I am joyously happily getting ready to order a big cup of peanut butter cup and chocolate at Baskin & Robbins. Now I need to wait until that ice cream melts through my veins to see what sweet creations arise. I must say that I had very vivid dreams last night. Yum. Sometimes it's the little things that keep us sane. :)

French Kiss

"French Kiss" -- 8x10 acrylic & cut paper on wood.

After weeks of painting a stroke or two on this piece between bouts of baby cry interruptions, I finally woke up today at 4:30 am and finished it. My little guy has been sleeping almost through the night lately (yesterday he went from 9:30 pm to 8 am!) so I think I was just restless after sleeping for 6 hours. I decided, after lying in bed for 20 minutes, to just go downstairs to the studio to paint. It was a tad cold, but after a cup of coffee, it was SO fun. And as an added bonus I got to see the sunrise over the water through my window! Gorgeous.

This painting was inspired by my recent engagement (well, Christmas...) in Paris and all things romantic that come along with crisp fall air, love and freedom.

It will be available on ETSY by the end of today.

Fine Art Print Giveaway!

"Sanctuary" 7x7 inch print on 8.5x11 inch velvet fine art paper.

Good morning! I want to announce a special giveaway of my print Sanctuary on the great blog, "Wishing Willow." The giveaway will end on 10/8/08, and to qualify, you just need to visit my ETSY store and write a comment at Wishing Willow specifying your favorite print of my collection.

Click here for more details at Wishing Willow. And click here to visit my ETSY store.

Good luck! :) Now I must get back to the wild little munchkins!

Enormous Tiny Art Show IV Opens Tonight

I'm excited to say that the 4th annual Enormous Tiny Art Show at Nahcotta gallery opens tonight!! So, if you are in Portsmouth, NH, be sure to stop by to check out this amazing collection of small artwork by artists you have probably seen all over the web, ETSY and everywhere else. Three of my pieces were sold at the preview, but there are still 3 left and lots of other artists to choose from. Check out their wonderful website above. They are offering free shipping through the end of September, too! :))