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?

in the black

a black door - pve design illustration

A door painted in black is chic anytime of year.

The twin topiaries flanking the door add a touch of elegance to the entry.  A simple laurel leaf wreath adds a winning touch too.  A black door does have the look of being "in the black."  

What color door do you consider to be an investment?

Sunday - still life

Still life with grapes

Still life with yellow cloth

My husband attended a reception at a friend's in the city where a collection of paintings were on view by the artist Sonia Grineva.  I was unable to attend, however, I was given a catalogue showing her artwork and I thought I would share some art on Sunday with you.

Happy Sunday.  

make an entrance

A walkway or a path leading to one's front door has always been a source of intrigue for me.

Paths that have been artfully arranged and one's that are flush with plantings as well as flowering baskets reflect the warmth of a home and it's inhabitants.  I enjoy illustrating many homes for clients for special gifts to commemorate an anniversary or a special day.

Being a homeowner, I know the amount of tender loving care it can take to keep a home and to nurture all things living inside and out.  How do you make an entrance when you walk into a room or up a walkway?

pixel

Meet Pixel, of Pixelimpress.

Pam was the winner of a recent giveaway and she requested a portrait of Pixel and her love of 

the color orange.

Pixel and Pam radiate an orange glow all around them.  Pixel loves ropes and the garden hose and Pam loves orange and pretty papers which she sells.

Did you ever notice that when you like something, it has a way of gravitating toward you.

I love these fresh thank-you notes.  The X's and O's say it all.

Hello goldfish.  This little fish reminds me of a brooch my grandmother had.

Pop on over and say hi to Pam and to Pixel.  This is one of her photos, and she sells these too.

a rose is a rose

My roses are beginning to bloom.

They love to ramble and roll.

My sweet father-in-law rigged up this suspension wire.

Each Spring, I wait in suspense for my roses.

Are you feeling my bliss.  Take time to stop and smell the roses.

I do each time I pull into my garage.  I also look for the birds in that big nest.

I think they may be Mockingbirds.

childhood innocence

William and his dog - portraiture by Elizabeth Belliveau

a girl by - Elizabeth Belliveau

These incredibly lovely portraits were done by my dear friend Elizabeth.  You remember her, the one who photographed me, the one with the amazing eye for capturing beauty.  Well, she also has the ability to capture childhood innocence in a portrait.  Can you imagine commissioning one of these.  I adore them.

She is looking for work and would love to hear from you.  Her site will soon be launching.  Just consider me a cheering squad.  I am just so excited, I can hardly wait.  I keep telling her she will have tons of work soon and that she really needs a blog.  

What dost thou think?  Love for you to applaud and then leave a comment.  I will make sure she gets every single one.  

e is for excellent

Just look at this sweet little card for Ernie.

Ernie took great care of our sons when they were born up til they were five years old.

Ernie still comes to lend a hand around the house, scrubbing, sparkling, singing, laughing and happy to see the "boys to men" in her life, plus my girl.  She has what I call the "Mary Poppins" touch, transforming tears into laughter, polishing tarnish to shine, and just doing her work with a smile and always good common sense.  She is a fine, honest lady.

How great is this little card for her - to have to drum up business.  She is great with babies and kids of all ages and hey, even adults like me with a kid-at-heart attitude.  I mean I do draw all day and play with colors!

Just look at this sweet and sparkly back for the card for "ernie" - she will be thrilled!

Even if the economy is tough, there will always be babies to care for and houses to keep after.

e- is for excellent and f- is for faboolosity!  Heidi you are a living doll to do this for Ernie.

I just know she will have tears when she I show her this!  Thanks again!

park avenue

pve design illustration for A.Tierney

Having lived in the city with wee ones, a favorite memory was a stroll to Central Park, crossing Park Avenue in Full Bloom.  The flowers and greenery planted in the median immediately brings color and elegance to the expansive Boulevard running North and South.  Growing up in Kentucky, neighborhoods with medians and lush plantings and flowering trees always attracted me and I imagined neighbors scheming up plantings and play dates.

How about you, do you have a favorite median where you live?

freedom

Typography design by illustrator Penelope Dullaghan (a new Mom)

I have been working on "letting go" of some things in order to gain a little creative freedom.  

After scoring some sound advice from SCORE, I will be letting go of some of the managerial tasks in order to focus more on creativity and my artwork.  Keeping a blog, posting daily and then juggling the demands of a working from home and keeping it all happily humming along can sometimes be daunting.  I think letting go or gaining a bit of help will be a good thing. Today, I have an assistant (a college student on Summer break) on the way, just a few hours so I can let go, and create.  

How do you let go, so you can make room for a little freedom in your life.