Saturday, April 30, 2011

open studio tour

Today is the annual open studio artists tour in the Rivertowns.
Here is list of artists for the 2011 tour.
Since my studio is being built, I look forward to being on the tour next year.
Above is the lovely artist Beverly Bader. I bought a wonderful painting from her last year.
Her work is playful, colorful and has a joyful spirit.
Art after all is all about expression and the tour is a great way to see so many types and styles of art right here in the Rivertowns.

Friday, April 29, 2011

sweetness

Today is a day of sweetness gracing the world full of love as we honor the royal couple. My eyes have been glued to the details, her dress, his smile, the flowers and all of the incredible pomp and circumstance. Thank-you to this sweet lady for sharing kindness today.

Thursday, April 28, 2011

quaint

There is something far more appealing to me about walking and being able to shop at charming spots that resemble homes or cottages. Another J.McLaughlin shop is to open on the cape. It is not even May yet, and my mind wanders to thoughts of care-free summer days at the beach and casual wardrobes for vacation on the coast.

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

brassy pair

I have been on the prowl for a metal brassy pair of swing arm sconces for my new master bedroom.
Even a little polish can make the most undecorated mattress on the floor suddenly look hip.
Loving this one. I found a brassy pair today.
and this bossy brassy vintage one found on 1st dibs.

How do you feel about a little silver shiny or brassy friend to light up in your home?
Silver or brass?

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

studio self



I found lighting and lots of bright ideas for my studio self.
I am feeling very selfish but please know that I plan to share my space with students and clients.

Love these for a splash of color, but my space will be mostly white....and my pve green.
tables, zinc metal - hmm, white or red!
space to spread out....
chairs and stocked shelves for

supplies and design books.


Metal bins and

boxes for storage.


Chairs for students and clients. e-z to stack and store.
folding chairs might be an option too.


metal boards for inspirations and notes to self.
What do you love in your office?

Monday, April 25, 2011

Sun-shine

The Sun is out shining bright this afternoon and I thought I would share a new illustration of a new J.McLaughin store to open in Delray, Fl. This was a fun sketch to do and I love this bright cheery sunny yellow!

monday mojo series 3

After indulging in one too many chocolate easter eggs, monday presents a new dawn, a new day and a perfect recipe for making detox soup. Not only does motivation need to be nourished, but to keep one's reason for staying healthy, a regime of soups can aid in clarity of mind, skin and weight loss too. Nothing like a fresh green soup to start off the week with healthy motivation!
Here is the recipe in case you would like to join me.

Detox Green Soup Recipe with Broccoli, Spinach and Ginger

This easy detox soup can be thin or thick, depending upon the amount of water you add. It cooks up fast. We served ours with a modest scoop of hot cooked jasmine rice in the middle. Super good.

You'll need:

1 tablespoon olive oil
2 cloves of garlic, chopped
2 tablespoons diced onion
1 inch of fresh ginger, peeled and chopped
4 cups fresh broccoli, cut up
1/2 pound of fresh spinach leaves
3 parsnips, peeled, cored, chopped
2 ribs of celery, trimmed, chopped
A handful of fresh parsley, roughly chopped
Fresh water, as needed
Sea salt and ground pepper, to tatse
Lemon or lime juice


Using a large soup pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat and stir in the garlic, onion, and ginger to season the oil. Add the broccoli, spinach, parsnips, celery and parsley, and stir a bit until the spinach wilts and collapses. Add just enough water to cover the vegetables. Remember the spinach will cook down quite a bit, so don't add too much water at first. You can always thin the soup later, if you need to.

Bring to a high simmer, cover the pot, and reduce the heat to a medium simmer. Cook for fifteen minutes or so until the veggies are softened.

Use an immersion blender to puree the soup.

Taste test. Does it need brightening? Add a squeeze of citrus.

Sunday, April 24, 2011

Saturday, April 23, 2011

a-tisket-a-tasket


I have always loved baskets, trunks and trays for storing items. Fond memories of waking up on Easter Morning to find a basket of solid chocolate eggs and more from the Easter bunny.
The above illustration in gouache was done for J.Mclaughlin. I love using a color palette of bright orange, grass green and azure blue for easter. Hope the Easter bunny brings something fun for you in a basket, box or even a trunk!

Friday, April 22, 2011

Easter lamb


My Mother has this cast iron mold and I have fond memories of making this cake at Easter.
Coconut cake and jelly beans for the eyes and nose.
Look closely and see the little lamb on the counter. I spotted this image here last November.
Sandy, the owner of that sweet lamb lives here and she e-mailed me as in my comment I had left, "we made that lamb a white coconut cake at Easter and at Christmas it became chocolate Rudolph with a bright maraschino cherry for the nose."

Sandy, thanks for sharing and I hope you will show us your lamb cake completed~

Thursday, April 21, 2011

down dog

Loving this farmhouse set on the bluffs and the concrete floor. I am looking for a finisher to do this type of finish to my floors for my art studio. The painting of the dog has me panting to paint large canvases of creatures. There is something very hip about having one's pet captured extra large.

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

house proud sketch ( 3 winners)

Congrats to the winners. You see, I could not just choose one. The above house owner, sent me this charming photo of her cottage, "The Gardener's cottage" in fact. In her e-mail, she said, I have always wondered what my home would look like, painted white with a black and white awning over the 3 front windows. If you know Janet from her blog, you know she has great style and loves black and white.
The next winner is Whitney who sent me her home and asked -"What if I take down the front tree and the bush in the middle blocking the window and paint the shutters black...and add some landscaping? I can see it now and think how proud this home will be with just a few changes.

The third winner was Stephanie Sabbe and she asked to "Pick Kim" and so Kim, I would love to honor your home and your mother with a sketch of your home and garden in full bloom. Here is Kim's lovely comment and wish!

What a fabulous giveaway! My mother has lived with me for the past six years and she always says that she so wants her lasting legacy for me to be a beautiful yard with flowers that bloom year after year so I will always be reminded of her. While our backyard is coming along nicely the front still lacks quite a bit. Perhaps you could paint some of your magic our way and help her dreams become a little more real. ~Kim K

I will work on these in the coming weeks and post the house proud illustrations. Can I tell you what a joy it is to create each day and have such wonderful readers. In the midst of a renovation and twins senior year, my blog keeps me motivated.

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

house proud sketch (give-away)

Is your house proud or does it need a little visual support in the form or a sketch?
I love to draw items to give a house help to further it along, a fence, a lamp, window boxes, planters, shutters and some landscaping. We all have projects that need a little visual support to help us achieve our happily ever after.
I see the world in rose colored glasses with lots of afters too.
Send me your "before" photo and I will make your house proud! I will be giving away one sketch to one of you. Do you have a project that needs a little push or a sketch. Just a fresh coat of paint to your front door can make your home proud. I can sketch it up for you to see.

I am giving one away to one of you lucky readers. Simply leave a comment, what would make your house proud? Do you have a project that needs a sketch to sell an idea? I will announce the winner on wednesday.

Winner of the spring tree notes is 24 corners~

Monday, April 18, 2011

spring blossoms

Spring blossoms for you.
A giveaway today.
A box of notes.
Happy Monday, spread kindness today.
Just leave a comment - winner announced Tuesday.

Sunday, April 17, 2011

palm sunday


Today is palm sunday. Yesterday my son and I drove to a University for an accepted students day and in fact it is today on Palm Sunday. My son said, "Mom- time for a face-palm" meaning I messed up! Wishing each of you a calm and happy palm Sunday.

Saturday, April 16, 2011

tulips in bloom

Tulips seem to be in vogue now, I find them wherever I go. What a hip chair to have an everlasting tulip to make one smile in any room. I would love this in a girl's room!

Friday, April 15, 2011

news bureau

I really love bureaus that hold lots of treasures tucked inside.
Especially ones that include my illustrations!
J.McLaughlin has added these collages to the revamped web site.
Garment racks full of fun
Does your bureau or business use photography or illustration to spread good news?

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

More April Showers

pve artwork for sheridan road magazine
More April Showers, bring sweet cakes and wedding flowers!

dogwood delight


Happy Birthday to my Mother.
I would have loved to have made this cake for my Mom.
The truth is that my Mother has never cared much for sweets but I do think she would admire the magic of this artful dogwood cake. Is it not delightful? The dogwood blossoms look like porcelain.
While in Kentucky, I took great delight seeing the flowering dogwoods.
One of my favorite trees and blossoms.

Now I am back in New York and it feels like someone changed the channel, turned out the lights and opened up the skies, pouring buckets of rain.
Is it Spring where you live? Having had the pleasure of the explosion of color, the profusion of petals and the magic, I am ready to welcome Springtime here. How marvelous to have a wall of dogwood blossoms to admire during any season. The above image is a stencil found on etsy.

Monday, April 11, 2011

First Impressions

I had the great delight to visit the Speed Museum with my Mother to view a collection of Impressionist paintings. The collection was hung on serene deep blue walls. How lovely to visit and share our thoughts on art, life, and our impressions of great artworks. On tuesday, my dear Mother celebrates her 84th birthday. I feel so fortunate to be with her. Hope each of you are off to a good start today. Leave good first impressions wherever you go!

Friday, April 08, 2011

kentucky bibb lettuce

Truly, there are heavenly delights in Kentucky to savor and one of my personal favorites is a fresh salad made with Kentucky bibb, beets and arugula. Add a handful of toasted walnuts or pecans and hmm, hmm.

Thursday, April 07, 2011

support

It is no secret that my love of dance and ballet all began in Louisville. While I am visiting my parents - I plan to support the Louisville Ballet for a "Rite of Spring" performance.

Wednesday, April 06, 2011

Kentucky home

Leaving to visit my old Kentucky Home and spend some time with my "folks and family" - I will be back next week y'all. Pardon my light posts while I sip fresh brewed ice tea and sing one of my favorite songs. I will share some Kentucky love along the way.