pve design - art tote

 I came up with a good system for toting my art supplies around and every so often find an update on my art tote.  These are just a few totes to inspire you.

Having everything at the ready sure does make it easier to bring things to a job or with me when I travel.  Many totes can be found on line at art supply or hardware stores.

A tote full of art supplies makes a great gift for artists too.  Love to know what your tote would hold?
If you have a passion or hobby, why not dedicate a tote to it?  Gardening, make-up, knitting, cooking, cleaning, writing, painting, personal trainer gear?  Is there a skill or talent you have that you need to devote yourself to and create a business around doing what you love?  Start with a tote and this will help you to see everything in one place.

ceremony of love

 A wedding ceremony that I illustrated was rather emotional for me.  The union was very similar to that of my own, the same readings, similar music and friends and family filled the church.  I could feel the love and the warmth that day.

 The bride will have these lovely thank-you notes to send.  I am delivering them today.

Then back to my own little union of pencil, micron pens and more work.

Each day, I do what I love and shall never forget to celebrate that.

What are you committed to?

Remember to celebrate what you love.

my art supplies

 This is an aerial view of what I like to call my paint desk.  All my art supplies are ready and set for me to paint.  I keep my micron pens in a little travel bag.  Fresh water is very important when I paint.  It needs to be clear so I change often.  If the water gets muddy, trust me, your paintings will be muddy too.

 My most favorite paints are a boxed set of Pelikan paints.  They travel well and are easy to work with.

 I bought this Ikea -Alex flat file rolling drawers which is home to prints, some original work and paper.
One of my sons assembled it when he was home and it did take him a few hours but it works well and was reasonably priced.  It is very heavy before it is assembled but comes with wheels which make it easy to move around my studio.

Here is the Pelikan set all shiny and new.  It comes as a water color set or as an opaque set.  I really love it.  If I need larger quantities of paint then tubes are also available.  You should be able to find them on line or at a nearby art supply shop.  Most art supply stores are happy to order for you if you do not see.

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.

in the snow

Run, Jump and frolic in the new fallen snow.  It is January and it's great to be outdoors.

There is always something merry and cheerful about animals in the snow.

Alright, maybe some of you are not convinced but all you need is another layer or a new coat.  Will you be frolicking about in this cold weather.  It does so much good for me and my dog to go outside and pay in the snow!

new dawn

 It's a new day, it's a new dawn and the sky this early morning was glowing a gorgeous rosy pink.  It's 12 degrees and the cold has us building fires and bundling up as we all head our ways on this friday morning.

 From my window, it almost looks as if there is a fire in the distance to keep us warm.

Can you imagine within just a few minutes how different the dawn can look.  Call me crazy, I love the dawn of a new day and that the sky holds rosy things in store for each of us.

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.

winter green

 The color of winter green seems to be my new happy thing.  It is popping up wherever I go.

Love this lacquer business card box holder from Furbish.

An enamel green and gold bangle sure looks wintry fresh.

or these....that I spotted over here on etsy.

Just the sort of thing to make one think of spring in the midst of winter.

Spotted this beautiful yarn in this wonderful winter green.  

Greens inspire me and make me happy.

What is your new happy now?

monday motivation - worth keeping

 This past month, I have been finding motivation in what is worth keeping.  Some might call it de-cluttering and others might call it simplification.  After all what surrounds you should make you happy and not bog you down.

 My awareness to live with less has not only created room for more but it has opened my eyes to what is truly worth keeping.  Take time today to genuinely care about what is worth keeping.  Gather, arrange, renew, reuse, recycle, restore harmony in your home.  Toss, give or donate the things that you no longer have need or want for.

"Surround yourself with people who make you happy. People who make you laugh, who help you when you’re in need. People who genuinely care. They are the ones worth keeping in your life. Everyone else is just passing through."

— Karl Marx 

all images from pinterest

sunday sparkle -little dipper

 I sent this little dipping dish to a dear blog friend, Sherri Cassara.  I had so much fun wrapping it up as an early Valentine's gift and little did I know that my package arrived on her actual birthday.  She told me it added so much "sparkle" to her special day.

 Sherri had provided some help to me awhile back and I was grateful for her help.  I merely wanted her to review some of my choices and she was very kind and gave me such positive reinforcement.

I am now considering stocking up on this dish as my go to gift and finding some really good extra virgin olive oil to give with it and small loaves of my home made rosemary foccocia bread.  I love when little things give sparkle to others.

indoors

 I have been collecting some images with black and chunky window frames that I love.  They seem to define the space.  To me they make me want to stay indoors.
They do make a statement.

 Imagine walking into this space.  Jaw dropping wow.

The outside meets indoors.

I just want to sit and stare all day long like this precious dog above.

Chunky framed windows create a space to simply admire the indoors and the outside.

Take time to enjoy tine indoors and outdoors this weekend.
We have a long three day weekend to honor Martin Luther King.
I plan to celebrate with a dreamy southern meal of shrimp and grits and some bbq.

Enjoy the weekend.  Inside and out.

seize on

 I am constantly amazed by how different my days are when I get my "seize on."  

We all need to create mini goals in order to get to the major goals.
(Journals found here.)

 It does not take rose colored glasses to know that we all can pounce on this beautiful life.  All we have to do is seize on.  I had a reading and was told that beautiful things were coming my way with great abundance and all I have to do is continue doing what I do.

In the middle of all the carpe diem going on, don't forget that you deserve a break.  I thought these blank journals would make great gifts or just fun to have to capture life in words, doodles or thoughts.

How do you plan to get your seize on life today?

delay

This week seems to be full of delays.  Sunday, my flight was delayed due to traffic and well the weather.  We did take off after waiting a few hours from the original departure time.  Monday, my mother's surgery was delayed a few hours.  Yes, the surgery finally did occur.  Tuesday, was delay free but today we have a ground cover of snow so the start of school is delayed a few hours.

I thought this wonderful work of art by Diebenkorn depicted "delay" or "waiting" so nicely.  I can feel the emotion, the standing still of time, the waiting for an outcome or next move.  How do you handle delays?  Do you take that time to enjoy the added hours or does it mess up your plans?  I always take it as time to think.

hold hands

 While I was visiting my parents we did a lot of holding hands.  

There is something so valuable about holding hands.  

 Truly, if you hold hands, you cannot harbor any anger or hold grudges.
Holding hands should be prescribed as a remedy.

 Take time out today to do a little hand holding.

 Holding hands does warm my heart.

Hold hands today and feel the love.
When was the last time you held hands?

monday motivation - primp and preen

Do you find the act of primping and preening motivating?  I do.  There is something about finding creativity in one's personal care.   What is one product that gives you that rosy cheeked glow?  Take time out today for a little primping a preening.  It is amazing when one takes care of themselves how the day and the week ahead can be all the more attractive.

I just love this painting.  Don't you think this lady looks satisfied with the results of her primping?

Thank-you to each of you for your kind thoughts and prayers in regard to my parents.  I am so happy I was able to fly down to Kentucky and thankful for my sisters and brothers there.  I will post more about my visit and the progress of my parents soon.

a wing and a prayer

When I happened upon these paintings by Jim Darling, I felt they were just right for my flight to see my

Parents and family down in Kentucky.  Imagine my inspiration found "on a wing and a prayer."

 I've always liked the window seat because I get to look out at the view.  

I never really thought though about literally painting it.

I'll be back soon, back to New York.  There is always something special about New York and the Harbor.  Do you see the Empire State Building?

In the mean time, have a wonderful weekend wherever you fly off to, on a wing and a prayer.

all you need

 During these past few weeks, I have enjoyed having my college sons home.  One is back up at Union College, and the other twin leaves for RPI Sunday.

They enjoy cups of tea in the evening which warms my heart.  One night we had a chat over three cups of tea.  I always remind them that their father and I enjoyed having tea when we were dating long ago and still enjoy pots of freshly brewed tea.

 So, next week I am planning on sending care packages of warm socks and some really good tea.

After all "warm feet equal warm hearts."

I'll package up some tea, and some warm socks and maybe one of these....

Just for a little sock monkeying around.
What are some things that are on your "all you need" list when you are away from home?