Wishful Bird

This 11 x 14 original mixed-media piece is for sale at Salvage Designs.  Just finished it yesterday and ventured over to the shop for a visit today.  My sister was here and I wanted to introduce her to the gals at Salvage Designs.  She will be coming to spend a few days in April with me while I do my Mixed-media Workshop at Salvage Designs.   Wishful Birds created with layers of recycled papers, ribbon, acrylics, pen and a funky little bird charm on the upper left corner of the painting.

Don’t forget “Spring Forward” everyone!!

Have a great weekend…hoping spring is here soon.copyjarbird

Raven 2

Raven 2 finished this afternoon.  This piece I placed two coats of a gloss varnish.  Once in a great while I do enjoy having that glossy finish on my art, depends on the subject.  This piece has several layers of recycled materials including sheet music and used postage stamps.  The photo is a bit dark, I had to take the photo without a flash in a darker setting because of the glossy finish.  This is number five of my bird series.  Enjoying this series, birds are a favorite subject, probably obvious!  I’ve worked steadily the last several days as our weather is forcing me to stay indoors.  Weekend weather is not promising for getting out so more time in the studio!  Thankful I have my art or I just might have a major case of cabin fever!

Thank Goodness It’s Friday!

Double click image to enlarge for details…copy Raven 2

Morning Brew

copycoffeeb

I’ve had little time for my blog since the holidays.  This piece is one of a series I’ve been working on with birds.  I will post more in the next few days.  My daughter and I gave each other the gift of an online e-course by Brene Brown.  A six-week workshop which is ending this week.  It has surprised me the depth of emotions that have come forward and surfaced.  It has been good!  The class included an art journal which is one of the reasons we wanted to take this particular class.  I will share some of my art journal soon as well.  We’ve had an incredibly long winter and this week blessed us with a foot of fresh snow.  Makes being in the art studio a very easy task as the cold is not my friend!  I hope everyone is surviving this winter.  If you are like me, I am looking forward to spring with great anticipation!!   

The First Noel

Just for fun this evening I painted this little Christmas scene on a piece of cardboard.  I use a lot of recycled materials in my art and have a huge stash of cardboard pieces.  I love the texture and thickness of cardboard…sometimes I will strip away the first layer so the corrugated layer becomes exposed.  Acrylics tend to soak into cardboard quickly so I mixed water with the paint while applying.  The First Noël is a favorite Christmas song of mine.  I added words that express the meaning of the holiday to me.  As I was painting this piece I felt as if this piece could be an easy, fun project using recycled materials for families to create together.  The trees I made from old book pages.  Even buttons could be glued to the trees.

copy treeHope everyone will spend a little time creating something fun for the holidays!

Finished Merry Moose

Completed the Merry Moose….pulled a late night and an early morning as I just could not let this one alone!!  Snowing and cold here so I will be in the studio again today.  Needing to start on two commissioned pieces that will be holiday gifts.  Time to get to work!  Have a warm fuzzy day today everyone!  If you are traveling be safe! copy M. Moosecopy head M.

Merry Moose

Today it is an indoor, studio kind of day.  Our weather is changing, cold, freezing rain and snow to come soon!  Working on my Merry Moose painting.  Thus far I’ve placed four layers.  It needs some serious drying time, putting it away for about 24 hours.  I have completed two commission pieces thus far for the holidays.  One being shipped off later this week and the other delivered locally.  It feels great  creating art for holiday gifting.

Thank you for visiting my blog…have a great day everyone!

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Spud

copy TweetieA bit of time has passed since my last post.  It’s been a busy time and I imagine will only get busier as the holidays approach.  Oh, that’s right, Thanksgiving is next week!  Our daughter is coming home (and her little doggie that we love…our grand-dog) for a few days and the time will be marvelous.  I have plans for a relaxing and yummy Thanksgiving day but come Friday, we may have to kick into high gear!  I have some shopping and baking to do and trying to spend some time with other family and friends!  We try to balance the calmness and the running around like crazy!  I love the holidays and oh, yes, I usually start decorating the day after Thanksgiving!  We’ll squeeze it all in, I’m sure!

This painting may stay in my private collection.  Two reasons, one being, years ago I had a special little canary we named Spud.  Little Spud sang and sang for several years, giving us such joy.  I’ve not had another bird since Spud passed into bird heaven but maybe one day.  The other reason for keeping this piece, well. I grew up shy.  It’s been a lifetime challenge for me to force myself to speak out and be heard.  I’ve often told close friends that at times I feel invisible.  They disagree, only because I can talk freely within my close circle.  I still get anxious around groups but I’m learning.  I always think of myself as a late bloomer!  Life is truly a journey and I believe we never stop growing, learning and developing into our purpose!

Happy Thanksgiving!

 

 

Happy Hangers

Completing three Happy Hangers.  These three will be heading over to the gallery tomorrow for the Holiday Open House on Friday.  I waited until the last-minute and will be working this evening on the last touches of the other two.  Hope your evening is full of creativity.   I’ll enjoy finishing these pieces.

Thanks for visiting my blog.  Comments are always welcome!copy heartwing

Heart Hugs

Today I finished this piece, Heart Hugs.  Several months ago I had done a piece with a flower grouping.  Never, never liked it.  I came across that piece over the weekend.  Covering it with gesso and starting over, this is the result.  So much happier with it.  I’ve found in the past that people love art with hearts.  Since the holidays are approaching I’m planning to create a few more heart pieces.

copy heart hugsThanks so much for visiting my blog.  Heart hugs to you!