home is

pve design commission - home

Home is where the heart is and when a commission comes to me, all I can imagine are the many hearts who have entered this home. The strong classical elements of this home were a pleasure to capture along with the dappled light and shadows. The artwork is to be a gift for the owners of this home as they are planning to move. A home is where the heart is even after one moves on.

In one word, kindly leave a comment for me finishing this sentence;

"home is _____."

Here's what I have so far

cozy

where the heart is

love

heaven

safe

comfort

happy

a place to return to

Happy weekend from my home to yours.

all prettied up

Do you remember when I posted this home? Eddie Ross had posted photos and I was inspired to capture the grace of this gal long before she had her very own blog. As an artist, when the inspiration comes, there is an immediate connection. I illustrated her pretty home and gifted it to her. I do believe in giving and spreading pretty karma.
I have learned that good deeds create good auras. When, Elizabeth contacted me to tell me that she wanted to start a blog and was wondering if I would illustrate her header and blog artwork.
Now, gussy yourself up and pop on over to "pretty pink tulips" and see her all prettied up now.

My Mother always told me "pretty is as pretty does!"

oomph

Here is a recent illustration that I did in full color.

What a unique look transformed in shades of "sepia." Somehow I love the "oomph" that the color brings but the sepia tones are have an old world allure. Love your thoughts? Which one do you think has more oomph?

moving day

This illustration was a recent commission for a client and neighbor who will be moving the business to a new "home" office. They will be sending out a "moving card" - and the original artworks will be framed and hung on the walls.

The building has been renovated and is up to code with a handicap ramp and parking for employees. I love the fact that a business can have the look and feel of a place to go to work, yet have the look of a home. Is your office in a building or a home?

tree line

pve design - recent home illustration, a commission, on a tree lined street in Texas

This lovely home (she) lives down in Texas.

She lives on this street, embraced by these open arms of the branches of these heavenly trees.

Trees provide such comfort on a tree lined street.

What greets you as you come home?

McEstate

pve design - original art ( for sale) on aquarelle arches paper

There is something about the word "McEstate" which sounds so much better than "McMansion" which just sounds like enormous house on postage stamp lot with complex rooflines.

"McEstate" gives a certain air of sophistication, wouldn't you agree?

pve design original art (sold Aug 25th) on aquarelle arches paper

Everything has to do with the proportion of scale, the larger than life planters balanced with an even number as well as the height of topiary trees. If you had an estate like this, what would be your signature mark? I remember trips to the "Biltmore Estate" and telling myself that when I grow up, I will live in a castle - like that.

Biltmore Estate

By the way, even if you do not have a "McEstate" - these stately black and white original works of art are for sale. (The works are beautifully mcmatted!) I think they would look "swellegant" hung in a foyer or a powder room. I find myself making up "portmanteau words" - blame it on the heat.

Have a grand day in the coolness of your own home, be it a mc-cottage or a mc-mansion!

potager garden-giveaway

pve design artwork-cottage with potager garden

A "potager garden" is one that is traditionally located outside the kitchen full of non-edible and edible flowers and herbs.  This lovely cottage has a small but plentiful garden, full of parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme. Do you have an herb garden? What "herb" or "spice" do you find yourself using "thyme" and again?  (sorry, I could not resist the play on words)

Leave me a comment by mid-nite tonight and I shall randomly select a winner and send this little work of art, matted and framed to you.  Surely this will add a bit of spice to your wall!

love to come home to

When a request for a commission comes through, I am always amazed at the pride and joy that goes into transforming a house into a home. This 1929 Bungalow came to me and

she promised to post it on her very own blog.

It-is-everlasting.

pup charlie provides love in his eyes!  sweet boy!

The owner requested her menagerie, her two cats Bella & Bond and pup Charlie, be added to the front stoop.  How sweet to come home to a place with everlasting love and curb appeal.

This is the photo that I worked from. I love how a home can be a work in progress and to be part of creating an illustration at any given point makes me so thrilled. I hope that Mr. Everlasting, the recipient of this illustration will be equally as thrilled!

This photo is more straightforward, but there is something about seeing a home from the inside out or another angle that intrigues me.  What do you love to come home to?

happy as a clam

How happy as a clam would you be to spend an evening here, sharing New England Clam Chowder and happy conversation? I have always loved homes that are the perfect shade of buttery yellow. What color makes your home happy as a clam?

In tandem

This lovely home belongs to a wonderfully positive gal over here.
Whenever I find my faith lagging, I head over there and she always seems to have something good, and fun to share. Side-by-side, I was drawn to illustrate this home, all I can say, that a higher power jumped right in, "in tandem" you could say!
Every so often, I feel inspired and it just takes over and leads me to a calm spot, one of strength and genuine energy.
(Thank-you Deidra for all your kind comments and positive reinforcement on my blog!)

Who do you find yourself working in tandem with?

make an entrance

A walkway or a path leading to one's front door has always been a source of intrigue for me.

Paths that have been artfully arranged and one's that are flush with plantings as well as flowering baskets reflect the warmth of a home and it's inhabitants.  I enjoy illustrating many homes for clients for special gifts to commemorate an anniversary or a special day.

Being a homeowner, I know the amount of tender loving care it can take to keep a home and to nurture all things living inside and out.  How do you make an entrance when you walk into a room or up a walkway?

play house

pve design illustration    ~    becoming home photograph

Today is a special day, I feel as though I am a kid playing house!  My blog will soon have a new look and we have a winner of the "best face forward" from last fab friday!  Number 36 was the number selected by the random number selector and the winner is "Pam" - so Pam, I hope you will e-mail me with the photo of your favorite face!  I shall work from your photo and send the artwork to you!  (Love to draw your favorite face "Pixel" - your Brittany Spaniel!)

Do you ever like to play house?  What makes your day and your home more playful?  A tot, a pup or something else?  (I added this fence to "becoming home's" home to make it more playful) One of the joys of being an artist is the art of play!

spring tease

home illustration by pve design for private client

Only a few more weeks until Spring awakes under the blanket of white snow.  I don't know about you, but I am looking forward to seeing some color, some blossoms and to do some gardening.   A little spring tease to taunt you.  I can hardly wait, how about you?