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~

out-and-out

I am in a good place, I am on a roll. Being productive gives me happiness.

Finishing things on my list also makes me out-and-out smile.

Often, the hardest part is just starting, getting it out and on paper.

I started this work and could not eat, sleep or stop until I was done.

Now I have to send it off which makes me happy too, well happy in a sad sort of way.

Sending my artwork out is never easy for me.

Saying goodbye is never easy to those I love.

I am so pleased. Do you love it as much as I do?

full circle home

Inevitably, I seem to create and capture artwork for certain circles and there always seems to be a "six degrees" of seperation. Many clients tell me that there is something about my work that takes them back to a place or conjures up a nostalgic memory. Like the illustration above, the circle window made me think how we work in circles. A childhood friend or home can suddenly come full circle bringing you back right where you started. An object or utensil can also come full circle in your home.

Do you have any items that have come full circle in your home? Love this full circle home site with tons of great cleaning items.

I think you will too.

carriage house

A carriage house holds special meaning for a couple who were married and stayed here. This commissioned work of art will serve as a lasting memory of a very special beginning. I love how places and times can immediately conjure up special memories. Do you have a special memory of a place you stayed? A work of art makes a wonderful gift to give.

point of view

view from left

When a request comes to me to illustrate a home, these are the sort of shots that I like to work from. Starting at the left, capture an image of the home. Notice how the trees in this image lead your eye directly to the home.

center view

This one was taken standing straight in front. Straight-on!

view from the right

Then stand to the right. One can see what sorts of things might block or add interest to the overall image. Go back to the top image and the property seems flat, right?

Funny how all three images can show different points of view.

As an artist, it is hard to work from one image, I usually need at least 3 points of view to gather and collect details to add to the finished artwork.

Tell me - which one of the above photos would make the best work of art?

We all have unique view points.

I will then come back later this week to share the final art.

porch swing

There is nothing quite like a porch swing during the summer months. The above illustration was done for a lucky lady who won this illustration as a "custom give-away" - via Cote de Texas.

Out of three hundred plus comments, she was the winner. How fun to imagine myself in the swing on a sultry summer evening with a cool glass of freshly brewed ice tea.

One is never too old for a "swing set." Take time to go to the park, swing away or if you have a swing on your front porch, why not go out and swing a spell.

(Update, June 17, 20210. )Here is what the owner e-mailed to me - nothing quite like positive feedback!

It is just amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The detail! Thank you so much. I somehow feel that "thank you" doesn't really express how grateful I am for this gift. You captured every little detail. You made the house look even better than it really is.

all is calm

One of the best things about being an illustrator of client's holiday greeting cards are getting the actual card in the mail. There is a certain sense of "all is calm" in knowing that my art has a way of making things bright in each greeting. My client sent me several photos to work from and I just could not resist the urge to illustrate this charming home all lit up for a silent night.
But wait a minute, remember these fine four legged creatures, they live in that house, see them sneaking a peek out the windows upstairs to see if Santa has anything in store for them. I imagine a home full of spirit and magic and all things bright!

no. 12

I drive by this house daily and know the sweet and kind family within and have had this illustration on my "to do" list for quite some time. I find that as the holidays near, doing unexpected good things for others keeps my heart happy. I anticipate a "white Christmas" and seeing lots of snowmen and snowball fights here.

of such a kind

pve design - home illustration - commission

Isn't she a beauty? Yes, indeed she has that grand commanding air about her. Standing there, built to witness a full life. There is indeed something about her grace which speaks volumes to me. A "built" to stand the test of time demeanor. Stately, yet beguiling. Elegant yet humble. Royal yet homey. Then that deep Blue- Green trim and front door and the pediment around the entry and lush plantings. I am drawn to one of such a kind soul.

Imagine bringing home babies, pets, groceries and more to this kind of home. This southern client has lived here for many years so when it came time for a commission, she was patient and charming. I imagined her living up to the quality of this home. Which brings me to the next question, are you the kind of person who matches your home, one who lives up to the character and soul of the home. I often think people fit the home in which they live. The home becomes a reflection of them. What kind of home do you exude?

The years of tending, nurturing, giving, loving, maintaining a home of such a kind takes a quality person, one with integrity and reverence. Do you reflect your habitat and does your habitat reflect you? What does you home say about the quality of your life?