little boys

 

A friend asked me if I could help her with a special gift for a little boy for his nursery.  I am wrapping this one up to send today and busy with artwork for holiday orders.

My framer matted this one beautifully.  I will be adding custom nursery artwork to my etsy shop soon.

Wait til you see the next work of art for another special little boy.

pve at west elm

I'll be over at the Scarsdale west elm shop this morning showing how to create a fun card for Dad.  Come on over and see what's in store.  I can help you create a card for your Father.  There are some amazing things that I know my Dad and my husband would love for Father's day~

new koi-joy notes in my shop

Everyone loved this work of art that I created the day of the RiverArts studio tour. Due to the popularity I decided to add these 5x7 notes to my etsy pve shop.  Notes are packaged individually and come in a set of eight. This lovely koi pond was created by blogger Monkey Grass Hill. She's jumping the pond and moving to England.

nautical

While gearing up for the weekend River Arts tour, I came across this nautical print that I had designed.  It's fun to look back at work and at prints and patterns I designed.  Like an old photo, it conjures up memories.  Was there a print that you remembered wearing as a child?  My little brother wore a sailor collared shirt, and I always seemed to be wearing a stripe.

Here is a map for the River Arts tour just in case you need if you are in the area.

monday motivation - new growth

 As I mentioned to you last week, I am in the midst of my web site re-design which I could not be more excited about.  Over the years, I have grown in many ways but always been committed to the spirit of living artfully.  It does require constant attention and change to keep things fresh in order to allow for new growth.

The change of seasons have always provided inspiration for my work as well as many other artists and tastemakers who left an indelible mark in my heart.

Each time I visit a local nursery or green grocer, I am lured inside to bring home something so full of life and new growth.  I think of my artwork and how it directly correlates to the anticipation of the change of seasons and how we prepare for embracing new life ahead.  The colors found in nature tempt me and I am curious as to how I can capture the freshness and intensity.

Spring is a time of "new growth." Fresh greens inspire me to eat fresh veggies and bring home green plants and create my garden.
We are anticipating warmer temperatures this week so a trip to the local nursery is on my list.  Spring is a time to de-clutter and freshen things up.

What sort of new growth has you inspired to create, to blossom and begin a fresh new start?

spring at lava barre

Have you started your spring exercise routine?  Well if not now, when?  Why not join Lava Barre or at least be inspired to join the corps of a class.  Maybe a bright new colorful top or a brand new water bottle is just the thing to get you motivated to blossom and get moving.  What sort of exercise regime do you do to strengthen, tone up and feel your best?  Click on Lava barre to see their fabulous pinterest board too motivate and inspire.

create calm

pve design artwork - finding zen

 "When you become calm and serene on the inside, the world becomes more calm and serene on the outside."  I did this work of art a few years ago which to me represents peace inside a gate or behind a wall.  While we may not live in a gated community, we can promote peace and be a center of calm in an often chaotic world.

8 Tips to create calm;

1.  Carve out time during your day to be alone and quiet.
2.  Create an oasis to go to that is a sacred space. (It could be a tiny corner)
3.  Gather the images or treasures that fill your heart with serenity and bring those to that sacred space.   
4.  Bring something living, a tiny plant, a flower, or something from nature, an orange.  Drink a cool glass of water.
5.  Focus on you and your insides.  How do you feel?
6.  Breathe.
7.  Be thankful for the blessings bestowed upon you.
8.  Promote peace and project calm to those around you.

Do you take time out during your day to create calm?  May I encourage each of you to become calm on the inside and share that serenity with those around you.  Let me know how this works for you.

valise

We woke up to a snow covered ground.  My valise is packed and we are heading out the door for a three day weekend.  Our daughter is much better and cleared to go back to school on Monday.  Thanks to each of you for your kind e-mails, flowers, sweets and compassion.

tartan clad

The bridesmaids were clad with tartan shawls to take away the chill of the air as they flanked their friend and bride for a December wedding.  I have had a few family health interruptions between my parents and now my daughter so my attentions have been scattered and my work has taken a back seat.

Now I am focusing on polishing the artwork off for this beautiful bride and groom but love knowing that love grows and the memory of that special day lives on.  Thank-you Lorin for your patience with me.  One of the pleasures of doing what I do is working with such incredible people and celebrating the joys of special celebrations.

verdant green

 On this first day of March, my mind wanders off to a verdant green and idyllic spot on the country.
This was a home I rendered last year and I just love all the lush green plantings.  If you are interested in a home illustration, simply take a look over here on my etsy shop.

I have saved this lovely home which I believe is in France too.  Are you ready for some green coming our way or are you longing for a trip to some far away spot where things are verdant green?

monday motivation - color

Monday morning and part of what gets me going are my paints and the part that is fun for me, to paint in the color.  I am going to share some of my favorite paints with you and brushes this week.
There is a chance we may have an early closing today at our schools due to a 90 percent chance of snow, which means this morning my full attention needs to be focused on finishing a few other works. well - painting that is.

still at it

 I am still at it,  sketching new shops, homes, places, pets and keeping things humming along.  This happens to be store no. 68 for a client.  I have a few deadlines that need my full attention so in case you wonder why things are a bit quiet, I am needing some "stillness" in order to focus my full attention on getting some work completed.   Firstly, I rough in the sketch in pencil and then work over with micron pen and a water color wash.  Everyone asks how long does a sketch take me to do.
More on that for another post.  There are so many variables that go into each work.

Time to get to work.  As always - thanks so much for your comments and your support.

monday motivation - deck the halls

There's no place like home for the holidays, especially a new home.

 A new home and the holidays are very motivating.

A house to decorate, the tree to trim, the poinsettia's to plant, the gifts to wrap and the holiday cards to sign seal and deliver.

The image of this special home is all decked out for the holidays and ready to celebrate.

As an artist, creative license is motivating, I added the garland, the poinsettias and the scarlet ribbons.

The square pillars are all wrapped up to look like boxed gifts with red ribbons.

Do you find the holidays motivating?

Are your halls decked out and ready to celebrate?
Cheers to you and your home all decked out!

Thrilled with my client's wonderful testimonial;
"It's not often when your antique dealer, florist, accountant, grandmother and sister-in-law agree unanimously on something, well, they all have plus every other person we sent our custom drawn PVE Christmas cards to! They all loved, loved them! Through your artwork, you have captured our hopes, dreams, and especially the spirit of our home and of us. Thank you for introducing our new home with your gifted hands and mind."

festivity and goodwill

The holiday season truly is all about festivity and good will.  Open your doors, host a little festive party and share a bit of goodwill to those that might need a little joy.  Wishing each of you a wonderful weekend full of festivities and good will.

december wedding love

Just a little snippet from a December wedding last weekend which I worked at, capturing the love.  These bridesmaids were so chic in their long navy skirts and crisp white cotton shirts.  I loved that the gal on the far right had her hands in her pockets.  I love deep pockets and weddings in December.

summer designs

 I am bringing back some summer prints that I designed and offering my design services for print and or pattern design.   These designs were printed on silk and cotton.

 Can you imagine wearing a shirtdress in this or swim trunks for a little boy?

 Fresh as a daisy print would be a sweet bikini and cover-up ensemble.

Starfish in soft pales certainly would be sweet as wallpaper in a summer house.

If you need a print, feel free to contact me, I am adding this to my print design service in September and accepting new orders now.

pretty happy things

I cannot lie.  I like pretty happy things.  Things like polished silver, polished furniture and my framed original art.

Sure, there are other things that make me pretty happy each day and I try to find them.  We could all focus on the not so pretty things but then how happy would that be?  What pretty things make you happy?

I am adding a few original items to etsy.

Saturday I will be attending the Jess LC business withe intention workshop over here.
I am pretty happy about this too.

celebrations

This was an idea for a birthday celebration which I worked on for a special client.  Well all my clients are very special as are all of life's celebrations.  During the next month of June, I am devoting my blog posts to celebrations.  If you have any special tips or personal celebrations or anniversaries that you would like to share, please contact me.  My contact is on my web site, pve design.

joie de vivre

Have you found your "joie de vivre?"

How do you create or find exuberance?

What brings you joy~

Is it your garden, taking care of your home, your family, your work?

Could it be cooking, creating a meal or baking?

Mine is capturing moments in time and then sharing it in my art.

Mind you life is pretty energetic around here at our home.

I am happiest when I capture artwork in a loose fashion with energy.

When I labor over something, it suddenly looses fervor or spontaneity.

It's like someone working too hard to sell you something.

Places. Parties. People. Pets and Posh things.

I work with a local framer who is passionate about framing my art.  

He really rocks when it comes to framing.

This one I had sent to Joni at cote de Texas a few years ago because I know her passion is all things french.

If you could have anything illustrated by me, what would it be?

Tell me what subject would bring joy to your life in a pve work of art?

River Arts - open studio tour

Busy setting up for the River Arts Tour and now I am going to take a walk and a rest.  My dear friend Amy Joy Garden delivered a terrarium for my table and her business cards too.  I love how creativity can be not only artwork but in the garden, after all so much of what I paint is inspired by flora, fauna and life.