Artista Latina

I'm a winner!

2008-04-07T11:57:00.000-06:00

I was very excited to find out Saturday night that I'd won a giveaway over on singleguymoney for a $50 gas card from BP!

And what better time to win? Thanks for the very useful advice via blog as always, and for the great giveaway, singleguymoney!

Quote for the Day

2008-04-02T12:54:00.001-06:00

The artist is nothing without the gift, but the gift is

nothing without work.

::: Emile Zola :::

Mini Masterpieces

2008-04-02T10:19:00.006-06:00

I'm giving small paintings a shot

Out On the Town

6" x 6"

purchase here

What makes a girl feel more pretty and ready for a good time than silk and pearls?

Vestige of Winter

6" x 6"

purchase here

Ready to be rid of winter, I painted this ironically warm portrayal of my winter gloves.

Spot of Tea

6" x 6"

purchase here

A comforting cup of tea provides peace in an atmosphere of beauty.

Waiting I (8x8)

2008-03-14T13:02:00.003-06:00

As I painted this, I wondered

whether the dress needed someone to wear it

-or-

if the dress's lovely owner awaited a special day.

SOLD

(Really) Stunning Wallpapers

2008-02-26T08:30:00.004-06:00

My husband shared this fantastic site with me for downloading beautiful wallpapers for your desktop.

my current desktop

Dreaming Water Lilies

2008-02-19T16:00:00.003-06:00

This concept made me think of water lilies peacefully dreaming as they lilt on the water's surface. I love the reflection of the beautiful flower on the dark water. This is my first EBay listing, and we'll see how it goes!

Original Acrylic Painting

Dreaming Water Lilies

8" x 10" Ready to Hang, Back Stapled, Painted Edges

At an angle

Subtle shadows

Cake Journal

2008-02-12T19:01:00.000-06:00

Lately I've found myself completely fascinated by food art. Regardless of the recipient's "taste" in art, she's sure to appreciate these beautiful cupcakes and mini cakes from Cake Journal.

These fun photos were taken from Cake Journals's Flickr page.

Delightful Decor and Gifts from Wrapables

2008-02-11T10:04:00.000-06:00

See wrapables.com, for unique little gifts and decor items.

For all you book lovers out there, check out all these great bookends:

Note that these fishbowl bookends can be filled

with actual fish, live plants, or any other decorative item

How handy!

Lots of Love from Harry and David

2008-02-08T08:12:00.000-06:00

Beautiful and delicious? The winning combination for Valentine's Day, 2008

Behold the "Hugs and Kisses Box" from Harry and David for only $29.95.

NEW Hugs & Kisses Box

Pretty sweet: Valentine's Day or any day.

These hand decorated cookies and homestyle brownies will bring a blush to sweethearts, cookie-lovers and lovers in general. That's because we still make our confections with a purpose in mind: To make people say "Yum!" They arrive in the gift box shown – ten exquisite creations in all, ready to delight you-know-who.
Net wt. 14 oz.

A personalized Greeting Card can accompany this gift - select at checkout.

Available to ship through February 28.

Artful Home Crimson Beauty

2008-02-06T09:59:00.000-06:00

The Artful Home consists of different Guild artists who produce amazing, very different pieces of art (from jewelry to furniture)

Heart Pendant by jeweler Andrea Janosik

Artvark (Wood Coffee Table) by designer John McDermott

"Hearts of Love" (White Chocolate Cheesecake) by food sculptor Susan Morgan

"Wave" (Wool Scarf in Raspberry) by knitter Jeung-Hwa Park

I Love Lollipops!

2008-02-06T08:39:00.000-06:00

I especially love the kind you can eat, but this beautiful painting by Ann Elizabeth Schlegel is a close second!

Lavender Love by Tanya Amberson

2008-02-05T14:56:00.000-06:00

Just in time for Valentine's Day, I found this adorable pop art piece by Tanya Amberson

Top 5 Trends in Wall Decor

2008-02-05T07:05:00.000-06:00

. . . according to Art.com

Read the whole article here

I particularly liked this image, portraying the impact of supersizing wall art.

A Fried Culinary Adventure and WIP

2008-02-04T16:25:00.000-06:00

Over the weekend, I decided to try out a new "toy" I purchased at a garage sale last summer for $1 ; a french fry cutter.

I was surprised to see how quickly and easily the sharp blades sliced through my prepared potatoes!

A closer look at the nifty device

Tossed the cut potatoes with olive oil, rosemary, and sea salt, then placed under the broiler for a healthier type of "fried"

Soft and crispy - delicious!

All in all, a rather successful and tasty experiment!

I've also had these two paintings in progress; slowly making it to the finish line! They're intended to be very different interpretations of the same subject.

I love the impasto!

Twin Daisy

2008-02-04T16:15:00.000-06:00

This subtle, graceful painting was completed some time ago, but I have simply not taken the time to post it.

I can see this in a peaceful bedroom or hallway type of a setting.

Eclipse of My Heart

2008-02-04T16:10:00.000-06:00

Just in time for Valentine's Day, I present the talented BatDesignz's macro photograph, Eclipse of My Heart.

The beauty of this photograph is obvious in itself, so I will refrain from further comment

Charcoal Smudges

2008-01-30T16:24:00.001-06:00

For some reason, today painting did not inspire me; but I did feel like getting a little down and dirty with a charcoal pencil. I've never been very good at drawing, and purposefully did a very loose, fluid sketch of a couple dancing the beautiful tango. Notice my dirty fingers!

I sketched my paint tube while I was waiting for something to download
Tried to take pictures of my latest painting, but, alas, my "lighting window" has passed for the day. Take this as a sneak preview.

Two Artists of Note

2008-01-30T16:12:00.000-06:00

I bring to you today two very different artists I've discovered of late.

First: the very talented Karin Jurick, who blogs, paints, and provides instructional videos on youtube.com. This is my latest favorite painting of hers, entitled "A Pretty Mess"

I love the way the little girl is full of personality but remains faceless; also the way Karin mastered the look of chalk on concrete. Bravo! You are a far more talented artist than I!

The next artist is Woon Lam NG, who painted the beautiful painting entitled "Light Snow, N Michigan Ave, Chicago"
What an ethereal, yet realistic portrayal of those snowy days in the windy city!

"Cool" New Paintings

2008-01-25T07:34:00.000-06:00

After getting some new paintings done, I was surprised to find 3 of the four had decidedly cool color palettes. It was entirely unintentional, but they look tonally like a set!
Click on the title or photo of each painting to reach its respective etsy.com listing and much more information.

Crashing Water (Niagara Falls) 12 x 12 Inspired by a wonderful trip to Niagara Falls. This was my first attempt to paint in short brushstrokes and I was rather pleased by the effect.

Lead Me To Your Door, 12 x 16 Painted from a photo I posted last fall in Door County, WI. My husband is taking this painting to his office, so it's really not available for purchase.

Luna Azul, 12 x 12 This is my favorite painting of the batch, for sure. I actually completely reworked this painting from a much softer version of itself. I wish I'd taken a before picture! My sky is done in the spirit of Van Gogh, and I'm very pleased with the result.

Swirling Snow, 12 x 12 Just a fun one in the spirit of the season! How fun to have four paintings for the four seasons and rotate them in a frame . . . note to self.

Artist Quotes

2008-01-18T13:46:00.000-06:00

Vincent van Gogh

I am still far from being what I want to be, but with God's help I shall succeed.

I am not strictly speaking mad, for my mind is absolutely normal in the intervals, and even more so than before. But during the attacks it is terrible - and then I lose consciousness of everything. But that spurs me on to work and to seriousness, as a miner who is always in danger makes haste in what he does.

I am risking my life for my work, and half my reason has gone.

I certainly hope to sell in the course of time, but I think I shall be able to influence it most effectively by working steadily on, and that at the present moment making desperate efforts to force the work I am doing now upon the public would be pretty useless.

My opinion is that the best thing would be to work on till art lovers feel drawn toward it of their own accord, instead of having to praise or to explain it.

I tell you, the more I think, the more I feel that there is nothing more truly artistic than to love people.

Claude Monet

It's on the strength of observation and reflection that one finds a way. So we must dig and delve unceasingly.

Paul Gauguin

Art is either plagiarism or revolution.

Life is hardly more than a fraction of a second. Such a little time to prepare oneself for eternity!

Leonardo DaVinci

Iron rusts from disuse, stagnant water loses its purity, and in cold weather becomes frozen; even so does inaction sap the vigors of the mind.

Where the spirit does not work with the hand there is no art.

Christmas Treats

2007-12-10T15:13:00.000-06:00

Dipping spoons in chocolate and crushed peppermint-to be combined with gourmet coffee and mugs for gifts.
After dipping my spoons, I used the leftovers on various treats.

Pie Season

2007-11-06T16:46:00.000-06:00

It is that wonderful time of year when baking suddenly becomes more attractive, and I was drawn in by its wiles today.
Chocolate and pie? what a winning combination!

New Curtains

2007-11-06T15:35:00.000-06:00

I'm going to get unusually personal for a moment here. I have been struggling with getting my art done, and growing artistically, and this blog post by Leah sums it up. Here's to being braver, and most of all, working harder!

On a creative note, here's a simple sheer drape I sewed yesterday for my hall window. The fabric is this beautifully embroidered sheer metallic coppery color.

At night

During the day; note the beautiful suncatcher for which I will need to find a new home!

PS. The tieback is a beaded belt consisting of silver, turquoise, and brown beads I always knew I'd need for something =)

Recommendation: EmptyEasel.com

2007-10-15T05:43:00.000-06:00

I've been enjoying the resources emptyeasel.com has to offer for a while, and wanted to pass on the link. Sign up for the newsletter, too, it's great!

Best Gifts!

2007-10-12T16:14:00.000-06:00

I had my birthday last week and just had to share the wonderful gifts my husband and family got for me! (can you tell I had a dearth of art supplies?) Ah, I can hardly wait to immerse myself in paint again. . .

I shake my head in amazement at how really beautiful Door County is. Another birthday activity consisted of perusing the peninsula, gallery-hopping (a very inspiring experience, by the way!) Here are some photos we took during our wonderful day.

We even got to go to Al Johnson's Swedish restaurant, famous for the live goats you will find grazing on the roof!

Bamboo and Cityscape Paintings

2007-10-01T16:47:00.001-06:00

As my schedule slows down a bit, I am thrilled to again begin dabbling in my paints! Here are two new paintings I've completed, both available in my Etsy Shop.

Swirling Bamboo

Scrolling Sunset

Connie Chadwell's Tango With a Twist

2007-10-01T11:33:00.001-06:00

What a talented lady! And even more fun, since she painted the tango, a traditional Argentine dance

Door County Artists

2007-07-23T04:55:00.000-06:00

I have recently discovered an exciting "plus" of living in beautiful Door County. . . artists galore! First of all, I recently had the opportunity to meet Pat Olsen, who designed and published many cute drawing such as "Angels Are Everywhere"

I remember painting my three sister matching sweatsuits using Pat Olsen's designs! (That was about ten years ago . . .)
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Although I have not yet had the opportunity to meet Shan Bryan-Hanson, I was very impressed with her gallery of paintings, including the following, called "Laundry Day." The simple beauty of everyday activities truly steps out of the mundane under Shan's brush.

Vintage Computer?

2007-07-10T06:30:00.000-06:00

Follow this link to see how a very talented guy came up with this computer!

Win A Beautiful Pair of Earrings

2007-07-03T05:54:00.000-06:00

Hear ye, hear ye: These gorgeous lucite and copper earrings, created by brooklynbutterfly, will be decorating the lobes of one lucky winner! Please hop over to my "virtual friend" PamperingBeki's blog and leave her a comment in order to be entered. Hurry, the drawing happens July 5th!

Cans Seurat, 2007

2007-05-17T12:24:00.000-06:00

60x92"
Depicts 106,000 aluminum cans, the number used in the US every thirty seconds.
Partial zoom:
Detail

I am not a soda drinker, and I can't believe the US consumes so much of it! But this artwork is amazing and I hope you enjoy it!

Delicious Meal Idea

2007-05-17T11:47:00.000-06:00

My husband and I love egg salad and I just discovered a new way to showcase it: in a hollowed out tomato! These were delicious. . . please comment on any ideas you may have, especially for other foods to complete this meal

Lovely Centerpiece

2007-05-03T07:41:00.000-06:00

Quickly weighing in here to show you a simple and beautiful centerpiece I just found on Rachael Ray's website

What a lovely and cheap way to decorate the table! I love this simple site - check it out!

Sketches and Greeting Cards

2007-03-26T20:37:00.000-06:00

Pardon me for the long break in communication here. . . I have been working and would like to update you on that work here. My new project consisted of creating greeting cards . . . how fun to send a friend or relative a small painting in the form of a greeting card!

Here is my first. . . a somewhat abstract composition called "Blue Bubbles"

This one is "Purple Bubbles" and I'm proud to say I cut and scored my own cards and envelopes! This super fun envelope is made of wrapping paper
My "Lonely Tree" is a sort of African looking, warm sunset kind of representation of happy loneliness.
My personal favorite, as well as that of my husband, is this real landscape. . . Ahh, I wish I was there right now! Sitting on a boat, rocking in the waves, sketching this very scene. Well, at least I am very happy to be experiencing some unseasonably warm weather. . . and enjoying every minute of it!
Some sketches I was working on for future paintings. . . I love this 'idea' of a beautiful woman
My blank cards and supplies form a little still life of their own

Coffee and Abstract ACEO

2007-03-19T19:42:00.000-06:00

Today I was able to finish some ACEO's and get a head start on some more! Thought I'd share them because I'm very excited to do some small, very affordable versions of my "Cafe con Leche" series as it grows more popular.

Now I can rest. . . my creative juices for the day have been put to good use! Good night.

New Art Blog

2007-03-14T04:09:00.000-06:00

Hi to all and thank you for visiting my new blog! I won't tell you about myself, because you can visit the "About Me" section in order to find out!

I am very excited about all the changes and growth taking place in my art career and I'm so thankful for some time to develop my interests and talents! I've been fairly consumed with it lately. . . spending most of my available time either doing internet research or actually painting - I love just dipping into those paints, blending and delineating shapes, not caring as the paint "evidence" gradually spreads over the general area! (I had to laugh as I did a mirror check the other day before going out . . . I had white paint spots all over my face! I'm sure I would have been mistaken for a diseased individual! =)

Moving on, I'd like to express thanks to my dear husband for being so supportive of me and encouraging me to always pursue my greatest dreams, meanwhile fulfilling many of them for me!

When he came home yesterday, look what he surprised me with!
A lovely bouquet of flowers!

I was even able to capture a sort-of macro shot of the lovely roses (my favorite!) albeit rather dark in here . . . (it's still quite early . . . we are early risers for employment reasons =) I was just thinking--we all know the stories of the masters using jewels to keep their view of color pure-- do you suppose it works with flowers? Just a thought. . . I'll keep them close today and hope for refreshed perspective!

For all of you who can appreciate a little homemade ingenuity -- I came up with an excellent system for drying my painting in a protected and non-space-consuming way. How? By using my old college clothes drying rack! If you look closely, you can see on the bottom left bar a spot where it was once snapped while moving and ingeniously fixed with -- duct tape, what else?
Have a great day, everyone -- I'm off to make ACEO's, or maybe greeting cards. It's a tossup right now.