warmhearted

Just illustrated this home which makes me think of warmhearted play dates, spending time after school, jumping rope, selling lemonade and feeling all the pride and joy of that flag waving. We are having a really cold day today....but just thinking of a sunny spring day makes my heart a bit warmer. Hope you are staying warm and thinking sunny thoughts today.

Stay warm

drive bye

A recent commission for a client who wanted to give her neighbor a keepsake work of art of their home as they are moving. She let me know today how much her neighbor loved the thought along with having a special memory of her old drive.

I love how a street, an avenue or a drive or a boulevard can hold so many memories. Saying good-bye to a home is never easy, but celebrating a home with a keepsake work of art can really make the move sweeter.

play house

I happened upon this illustration which I had done some time ago. For those of you that are visiting for the first time, then let me explain my fascination with homes. I am full of intrigue for small cottages as well as large estates.

I would love to have a cottage near the ocean or in the woods to play house in.....How about you, which one would you prefer, by the sea or on tucked in the woods?

hold fast

As of late, the news around here seems to make me want to hold on fast - onto things which one can truly not control. I want to find peace and happiness, and my artwork brings that to me as I know it does to others.

I had to honor Marija with this illustration of her wonderful home.

Holding Court Blog Home

I have a feeling she would want us to hold fast to our passions for creating an artful life. This one is for you. May the memory of your passion for design, for life, for love and for your family and your home, live on in those whose hearts you have graced.

(The original artwork shall be sent to the house of Holding Court.)

flags and buntings

I stand at attention every time I see a home all turned out with buntings hung and the American Flag waving hello. American flags have a way of looking so regal, yet so easy and elegant. When European visitors come, they always admire all the flags waving.

Get outside, cut some fresh flowers and look around you and see how many flags are waving hello to you! Happy Fourth of July!

Do you have any flags waving or buntings hung?

posture

A just for fun exercise, "loosening up my posture" for where you hang your hat

As an artist, much of what I do requires a method, but then again, to allow room for letting go is a huge bonus. Just the act of each stroke of the brush takes on a sort of sun salutation for me, an exercise of sorts. With each work, I analyze my posture, I breathe, I huff and I exhale out with each jab of the brush. Did you ever stop to analyze how posturing can affect the outcome of your day.

Sit up or stand up straight, devote each inhale as one part inspiration and the exhale as the release of what you are doing, the expression. Are you aware of your posture, did I inspire you to straighten up? I know I tell my kids to take note of their posture each day, why should I not include you too.

house guest

I like to think of each house illustration that I am commissioned to do as a "house guest!"

pve design house illustration commission 2010

I imagine how happy a house guest would be to arrive and find a sweet little four legged friend to greet them. Can you see the little darling dog in the grass? The art was framed and delivered a few weeks ago, ready to give to the man of the house and to hang for all house guests to admire!

california dreamer

pve design - home illustration - commission artwork

When Mel contacted me to illustrate her "crumb" and the above home illustration for a friend, I of course jumped up and down but at the same time, was a tad nervous about living up to fulfilling the expectation. It is like that for me especially when I know that I am working to achieve something for someone with such a lovely style! Surely you all know Reverie-daydream, hop on over and see what Mel is dreaming up today!

qautre saisons

A recent commission for a friend and neighbor envisioned her holiday card showing her lovely home in all the seasons.

I love knowing that Spring is the next season in line.

Ah, Summer, one of my favorite seasons, I do love summer time, fireflies and the warm weather.

Autumn enters with cooler air, crisp apples, colorful leaves and lots of raking, and Fall celebrations. Hay rides, harvests, halloween and a display of pumpkins and costumes.

Which season is your favorite? I sincerely hope that each season brings you JOY!

Majestic Emerald Cottage

pve design illustration of the majestic emerald cottage - note cards available for purchase on etsy

This majestic emerald cottage was illustrated as a thank-you to this majestic lady who has a way with interiors as well as a love for architecture. She was so kind to provide me with some assistance in reviewing plans for an addition to my home. In turn, I illustrated this for her to give as a gift. As you can imagine how excited I was to capture this beautiful home the minute that I opened up this photo below.

To make a house a home, it takes countless hours of careful planning and attention to detail inside and out. Does the exterior of your home reflect the interior?

step by step

Literally and figuratively, I work "step by step" when I am working on an illustration. This home was done one step at a time, massing in the areas in pencil, the rock walls, the vegetation, the grassy knolls, the home and the steps. I then work in micron pen, erasing after the ink has had a chance to dry. A drafting brush to brush away the eraser crumbs is an important step. The final step is layering in the watercolor after a palette has been decided upon. Clean water is a must. Do you work step by step?

This was a "give-away" for our school education foundation which I love to participate in. The winner and home-owner now has "House" cards, a postcard to send greetings. Sometimes, just a post card is the first step in connecting with those across the miles or even right next door.

Do you have house post-cards to send to those near and far?

take it easy

You know the type of person who just effortlessly seems to do everything with ease.
Well one person that I know who manages to make it look easy lives here. She is a mother of four, has a wonderful business, is up all hours of the wee night, always seems to have some small words that pack a big wallop.

I sent her this illustration as a gentle reminder to take it easy. Life can present challenges in many ways, and having a sense of humor and painting as an outlet can be life-savers for making it look easy. This is a gentle reminder for each of you, "take it easy!"

Feel free to share how you "take it easy" in one small word. Does anyone around you need a reminder to "take it easy?"

easy does it

There is always something appealing about a home that has an "easy does it" sort of look. This lovely and easy on the eyes home belongs to this fine and patriotic gentleman. I am always impressed with the ease and the elegance of the life that this blogger is dedicated to living. When he is not creating an elegant dinner for company, or popping champagne with a saber, he is somehow concocting lively and sporty ensembles for a sultry Summer day. When he posted his cool "Manse" - somehow I could hardly resist in an "easy does it" sort of illustration. I am working on making things easier on me. Somehow there is something altogether elegant about just giving into an agreeable and easy life.
How about you, what are you doing to give yourself an "easy does it" Élan?

oyster gray

ostrea edulis - wikipedia

While illustrating this home, I fell in love with this gray color, which reminded me of "oysters" which I heart.  One can imagine returning here after a day of errands, and settling down to a divine dinner of oyster stew served on a lovely dish with crackers on the side and some sort of frothy brew to wash it all down.   Oysters on the half-shell, oysters "rockafella"- rolled oysters....and the list goes on for all the various ways one can enjoy oysters. (my apologies to those of you who do not have a penchant for oysters!)

 Suddenly, I am loving all these gray casted tones and then the pop of the red oxblood door. 

Are you feeling gray, or could it be all the 7th gray and rainy day.  As my husband left early to play soccer, he reported, "another oyster gray day!" 

black pearly gate

My curiosity is always peaked when I see a pearly gate, a brick wall or a barrier.  I wonder what exists on the other side and long for finding myself perched up on someone's shoulders peering over to the other side of the wall.  No, I am not a voyeur, just curious to know who must live there, what lies beyond or on the other side?  The above stunning home and black gate are the pride and joy of  A Bloomsbury Life~ where one is immediately whisked away to an English garden, full of pleasant eccentricities, witty words and exciting escapades. 

Surely you must have recognized this pearly black gate! What great walls and gates do you find intriguing?

house tour

This time of year many homes open their doors for house tours.

Eddie Ross posted this charming home and I just had to illustrate it.

Just look at these window-boxes and tulips!

If your house were part of a tour, what would you do first to get ready?

home front

Another commission for a home front is en route to a client.   The purple iris are in bloom and the grass was just freshly cut.  The trees were pruned and the shrubs were just trimmed.  What makes your home look fresh and adds curb appeal?

side door

This sweet side door is waiting patiently for a family who relocated internationally but will be coming back.  My client was ever so patient with me, the "finicky" artist who finally, alas, has completed this one.  I think rather than a going away gift, it will make a lovely home coming gift.

Question, who uses the front door, really?  I think it would make perfect sense to design a house with a faux front door.  A clever sign stating that you are in the kitchen or the garden with an arrow to the side door would be witty and fun, right!

So, do you have a side door or a back door that you use as your entrance?

Coming home sideways sounds good to me.