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.

Hello Darlin

Hello Darlin.

I decided to pop in and let you lovely people know that my daughter is doing fine.

I am on my way back to the hospital and in hopes she will be home today.

Everything went just dandy.  The Doctor told me so.

She is feeling fine.

The paintings of Fairfield Porter make me feel just fine too.

                                                       

 Painting life as it should be.  

People enjoying moments in time outdoors.
Dogs outside. 

Moments that mark the beginning of Summer in my mind.

Boats in the water.
Blue in the sky, where is was meant to be.

Everyone finding a sunny spot to warm up or a shady one to cool down,
or just to drift.

 Wishing a special friend a Happy Birthday and to each of you, Thanks for your kindness and for being such darlin fans and followers.

To me, this weekend always marks the beginning of Summer.
I can hardly wait.

bullfight

I would never be able to watch a public spectacle such as a bullfight but I could look at the artwork of Jean Cocteau every day.  Look at the expression on the bullfighter's face, he looks as though he is sad over what has just taken place.  The bull in fact looks sad too, head down and ready to surrender.

During the month of May, I will be fighting my own sort of bull and working on a painting a day which I will post.  I was inspired by fellow River Towns Artist, Jennifer Orkin Lewis.  It's hard to fathom that we are about to close the door to April and welcome the month of May.

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.

light in the shadows

Today, a dear friend and an inspiring artist's work shall be on exhibit
 "Light in the Shadows"
at
 Locust Grove in Poughkeepsie.

LGNY.ORG

I encourage you to attend or make the trip to see Ellen Hopkins Fountain's paintings. 

howdy

 Howdy, I am back after a pleasant but long drive.  We drove down to Kentucky to visit family and there is something so wonderful about seeing family, farm land and wide open spaces.
It was hot.  So much hotter than I remember growing up.

Even though this artist painted these images from an aerial perspective - there is such an appreciation for the patchwork of fields and water that make up this land.  

Driving also gives one a chance to meet various people along the way and greet them with a "hey" or a "howdy."  

landscape paintings of kentucky by lynn dunbar

play ball

Just love a dog who enjoys a good game of fetch and playing with a tennis ball.  This commission was done for a client who wanted to give her dear man something fun for his office to remind him to take time out to play ball in the sand along the shore with their faithful companion, a Portuguese water dog.  Do you have any keepsakes to remind you that there is more to life than just work?  We all need to make time to play ball and have some fun.  I love how a companion or child does just that - reminds us to play.

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?

hold a candle

As I prepare to stock my shelves for the "River Arts Studio Tour" -  I feel as though I am literally burning the candle brightly to share my work and the many varied applications in which clients may utilize my artwork.   I still would love the chance to have my work in a gallery show one day but for now I love knowing that my artwork has been used for so many wonderful things, blog headers, home illustrations, shop illustrations, web sites, invites, holiday cards, interiors, weddings, pet portraits, press kits, magazines and media and packages too.  Can you see my artwork on the box?

It makes me smile to know that my work is admired by many, for that I am full of gratitude.

marathon weekend

 I have been waiting for the perfect moment to share this magnificent piece created especially for me by

the incredibly talented Amanda from "Our Humble Abowed" -  You are probably wondering what it is.  Take a closer look.

 Imagine yourself in New York City.  One of my most treasured cities in the world.  I have always loved maps and cities and industrial design.  

 Here it is all framed and ready to hang.  I just adore it.  My favorite part of Manhattan is Central Park and I asked Amanda to create a modern tribute around that.

 My sweet framer said this piece was "insanity" and he wondered how did she do this?  It is all cutwork and she does this while raising two little ones?  I now call her Amanda scissor hands!

Just like I imagine how can someone run in the marathon? It is marathon weekend and I want to wish all of the marathoners all the best.

beyond expression

I especially love when a commission is ordered as a gift.  What a sweet way to commemorate one's companion with the gift of art.  I added a bit of white to the left eye but failed to take a scan before I sent this work off to my client.  I just love this sweet dog's expression.

 Speaking of gifts,  I am beyond expression and full of thanks, a reader sent me an e-mail telling me that my blog is now a "blogs of note" by blogger.  Thank-you blogger.  I am smiling from ear to ear.

summer solstice

Today marks the longest day, the Summer Solstice and I am loving this Noguchi print. I would love it in a white glossy frame on the shortest or longest day. Enjoy Summer in the Garden on the first fridays at the Noguchi Museam.

Have a super Summer Solstice day ahead.

french tangerines

The French Tangerine contacted me via etsy with a monogram request. The above monogram was the first one that I designed.

My client came back with comments to make the letters "equal" in size, so I went back to the drawing board and came up with this one.

I thought this one might be fun using a tangerine as the moniker for the monogram.

After getting to know my client a bit more by reading her blog, my homework paid off.

I realized that perhaps something that was a bit more "french provencal" would be more suited to her style than a monogram. The above artwork was sent.

My client came back requesting just the monogram, no wording and to eliminate one top tangerine. So I did the above illustration and sent it off and she was thrilled.

So you see that part of my work is getting to know the client, and to also let them know that this process takes time as all my work is done by hand and I strive to create original work for each client.

I love creating unique designs for each and every client to be used for personal stationary.

Imagine getting one of these pretties in the mail...from The French Tangerine!

Happy Sunday

Have a Happy Sunday. One of my favorite days of the week and paintings.

I always loved the direction of the profile of the people and that sweet girl in the white dress standing straight ahead with her Mother or perhaps her very own Mary Poppins.

Enjoy this Sunday.

propped

I love spotting my work propped in blogland.

Cottage and vine posted this when she shared her lovely diy burlap shade.

My artwork is finished and sent in a hand cut archival mat, ready for framing. I always love knowing that when it arrives, it usually sits in a spot for lots of good PR.

Nothing like a little blog love.

If you have any of my artwork, love to see where you have it propped!

(thanks cottage and vine)

moore monograms

I am fascinated with the artwork of John Matthew Moore and these incredible gouache monograms, based on 18th century monograms. Give me an E for extraordinary.

.....and an S for Splendid.

I was so lucky to be able to speak to John Matthew Moore last week.

Blogging has connected me with so many lovely artists and designers who are passionate about their work. John works to achieve realism in a large format.

Impressive not only in size but in the amount of detail.

His tulip collections look alive and make me anxious for the arrival of Spring.

Not only does his work shine, he has a gentle soul and the patience of a Saint to do such gloriously detailed works.

Saunter on over here to see more of his work.

I shall be passing along your comments to John as he does not have a blog.....yet.

a little bird

A little cosmopolitan house sparrow landed in my ear and chirped crisply, "please draw this old world chair for me!"

After I drew the chair, then there was another request for another chair and some bird-seed.

The above artwork was recently done for my-sparrow.

Please pop over and take a look around at all the lovely things.

pure vanity

pve design artwork cleverly composed above a vanity re-purposed as a desk

for good bones great pieces - click on image to enlarge.

How flattered am I to share with you my artwork which this chic Mother Daughter duo posted.

They pointed out how to re-purpose a vanity table as a practical desk. A small space, a petite desk and a treasure trove of books, a lap-top, lamp and one has the perfect place to find time for a little pure vanity.

Traditional Home, March 2010 issue has a wonderful spread on these ladies.