shop dogs

pve design original artwork, sold august 11, 2010

These charming dogs live in a shop down under and I was inspired to paint a pair for my very own etsy shop. Does the "sold" sign make you want them all the more? The original artwork is for sale, and will be matted, ready to frame. These dogs will provide unconditional love.
Click over on my etsy shop ~

made in the shade

I love this image of these fellows painting outdoors under these mighty trees.

image from Life Magazine

Many artists will always find trees to be a wonderful subject to paint.

So much intrigue with the shadows caused by the leaves, the branches and the reflected light.

Note that the shadows are color and not gray.

Camille Pissarro painted "literary" trees.

He painted his self portrait and I adore the artwork he included behind himself.

His very own beard takes on the shape of a tree.

Can you see it?

(I like your tree, I mean your beard)

Each time I see one of Camille Pissarro's paintings, my eyes are more than just enjoying the shadows, I can almost hear the leaves speaking to one another.

Funny how many trees can become a forest.

Summer trees are whispering to one another that Autumn is ahead.

Go outside, find a lovely tree, try to read under the mighty bough's or sketch a tree.

There is something intoxicating about finding a shady spot to rejuvenate one's self in the midst of a hot August summer day.

Tell me, do you have a favorite shady spot?

all artwork by Camille Pissarro

making your mark

Many readers ask me for my recommendation for art supplies for children. Never before has there been such a huge choice of materials available to the artist. Almost all media comes in a range of grades and prices. Spend time in an art supply shop to familiarize yourself with the variety of products and tools. The employees - often artists themselves - are usually knowledgeable about their stock and can guide you to the appropriate tools for you or your budding artist.

Little children always like to start with crayons and these are available on line. I happen to really like these "Stockmar soy crayons." They come in a set which is great for travel.
These blocks are easy for little fingers to grip and are washable. If you have travel plans, these provide a wonderful way to occupy time for your artist to make their mark. Artist's journals or simple pads of paper are a perfect start to a library or a gallery for your little master. Artwork may be simply framed or hung from clips to showcase a grouping.

Keep in mind that most artists make their mark with color. A gift of a journal or sketch pad and colorful crayons make the perfect gift for any age. Creating art or a travel journal can be a wonderful keepsake for years to come. Take time to create a journal and practice making your mark.

suggested art supplies found on-line at amazon

Sunday shelf - august company

xxoo august company xxoo

I find myself in rather fine august company. The red juicy ripe heirloom tomatos beckon to be savoured and sliced for a tomato salad.

Tomatos sliced on a plate are a venerable summer time staple around here.

Do you eat a tomato like a fruit or a vegetable?

A sweet ear of corn on the cob is another fine specimen of august company.

What is keeping you company during this month of August?

Fresh tomato's and corn are such a treat.

paintings by Leslie Culpepper, found here on etsy

aides-de-camp

Some ask, "How do you do it all?" Truth be told, I really believe that I have several guardian angels around me. There are days that I take on way to much like some general and others that I just trust that a gilded guardian angel is there by my side. It sure helps to know that I have some sort of personal attendant and that it is not all being done by me. That is the key to doing it all, believing that you have some sort of aide-de-camp.

Each day, I give thanks for all the angels around me in blogland. Today, I will take my twin sons to see two colleges here and here and I will be looking for signs of angels around me. I know, call me crazy, but somehow it's a lot more fun to know that I have a little imaginary help.

Do you believe in angels? What are your guardian angels whispering to you?

photo of "Grand Army Plaza" take in NY by T.Perlmutter, (friend and angel of pve)

charming sponsor

Proud as punch to welcome this swell sponsor.

This Momma (me) is loving red like red candy apples and red velvet.

Nothing like a dress to make one feel like a lady.

Do you love dresses?

Do you have date nights?

Kayce has me sold on date nights and dresses.

Check out the kid's clothes too. (Sure to cure all Mother's guilt)

Hop on over here and come back and tell me what would be your lucky charm?

Kayce has a sweet blog too. (and dog too)

erase the ugly

"My eyes were made to erase all this is ugly."

quote from Raoul Dufy

I am a bit obsessed with the artist's studio along with the art of Raoul Dufy. He adored the color blue. I love that he used his eyes to erase all the ugly.

We should all try this each day, to just create beauty.

As you can see, his fondness for blue is evident in many paintings.

The above "Regates A Cowes" just says Summer to me, all that blue amongst those pretty sailboats. How gloriously happy they sail on a background wash of brilliant blue!

Look closely to see the gesture of the "world is round."

I admire his work not only for color but for the looseness, the lines give me just enough to make up the composition. They are playful, yet sophisticated.

His work has a sort of calligraphic quality in the flourishes.

Unfortunately, he did suffer terribly from arthritis, but kept on painting. I love his polka dot tie and chapeau! The white wicker and the white linen jacket seem as though they were made for one another.

Look closely and see that he is drawing with his left hand. Sporting a white shirt ready to get down to the business of erasing the ugly and creating brilliantly happy art.

images from LIFE

flashbacks

As an artist, I have flashbacks that are so incredibly vivid and one indelible memory was of President Kennedy and the First Lady. Look at those smiles and the hope in the faces of the crowd. Do you have flashbacks to moments in your life that marked a certain time and place?

I was only 3, but in an instant those happy faces were gone in a flash. I knew I had to draw or paint to find happiness and to bring it to all the sad faces around me.

Shortly thereafter, my Grandma Elsie passed away and I have vivid memories of going to the sideboard drawer in the dining room and taking out the manilla paper and shoe-box lid of crayons and making pretty pictures to bring smiles to my Mom and those around me.

Do you have flashbacks? What events have helped to shape your life?

full of applesauce

I have been busy making applesauce. My tree is loaded and each day I find many apples.

This gorgeous apple tree and apples are in my garden.

I love using this recipe. Someone's in the kitchen with Ina, and that someone would be me.

I substitute with the apples from my tree. Seems I cannot make it fast enough. We are full of applesauce around here.

What has nature been teaching you?

images are original pve design - photos

sunday shelf - love

Signs of love on the rocks slowed me down this morning and made me smile.

More unconditional love greets me on my back porch.

hello bentley

Warm rays of dappled sunlight cast thier luminous glow to show me more love.

Even the chair spoke to me and said, come sit and let me give you some slow love.

It sure helps to slow down long enough to see signs of love around you.

It also helps to have this book to read today.

What signs of slow love are on your Sunday shelf?