Dogs & Donkeys & Cats, Oh My!

It all started as a holiday gift for some close friends who own miniature donkeys. Never touted myself as a realistic painter, but it was easy as paint by numbers with my method; plus they are not true lifelike in the traditional sense in my opinion.

The process:
find a picture I like,
print out to desired size,
use carbon paper to trace patches of color or shadow, etc,
connect the dots.

That painting led to a pet portrait donation for a lucky winner, then posting that on lovely Facebook led to other interest all of which lands me to my third pet portrait EVER....Archie the cat. Or should I say THE cat of all cats? I was roommates with Archie's mom and got to know Archibald (until we found out HE was a SHE) for a couple years. Here it is a decade or so later and she is a most beloved member of the Bloom family still. With a baby Bloom on the way, and Archie in her golden years what better birthday gift for mommy than a painting. So Sig and I secretly planned and I must say, it turned out incredible for my abilities.

Next up, is Addie and then possibly some more donkeys. WHO EVER WOULD HAVE THOUGHT I would be decent enough at this that people are interested in more? Thanks guys! I'm flattered. So, I leave you here with some images of the 3 I have finished so far.

wiping the drool from the floor

I'm in love. I want. Must go someday.
How amazing would this be to participate in. Sounds like multidisciplinary heaven to me. I have never given myself the gift of attending one of the many art centers around the country such as Anderson Ranch, Penland, Haystack or Arrowmont. I've taken little workshops, but nothing that I am immersed in day in and day out for a length of time. Continuing education is critical and I've fallen off the wagon. Perhaps this will inspire.

Ahead of the Curve.

image via Cupcakes Take The Cake
It bewilders me when I think about how ahead of my time I can be. I mean, I knew about Birkenstocks back in the 80's before their popularity spread like wildfire! Throughout my lifetime this has happened, however this is a big one and I really need to know...

Where were all the trailer park eateries and shops when I owned my Airstream 5 years ago???? And where was MY VISION when I became fascinated (okay, obsessed) with them 10 years ago???? Why did I not receive the memo from the Airstream fanatics about the "phenomenon" that was about to take place????

I KNOW there was a secret society, and I was not invited.

Okay, I had a vision, I just didn't do with with the gusto these brilliant people have. The invasion of the Airstream dreamers is alive and being well received here in Austin, Texas. Cupcake trailers, gift boutiques, gormet taco stands, yummy crepe noshins, hamburger joints, a smore house, a mobile craft studio? Let me count the ways folks have been using their creative juices and travel trailers to contribute to a more weird Austin, and I believe this is not just limited to Austin, as it has been spreading throughout the world like a never ending Gobstopper. Did it start with The Shady Dell in Bisbee, Arizona, and move onto more boutique airstream hotels like The Grand Daddy's Airstream Penthouse Trailer Park in Cape Town?


What came first: Hey, Cupcake? or Daisy Cakes

Whatever, or whomever started this, the trend has been happening for years and continues to grow. I just sold my travel trailer/studio a few months back, but now seeing clever ideas like this makes me swoon for more.

le sigh...

image via Design*Sponge

And the WINNER is...

No. 86!
Congratulations Alan!!!

To prove that this was totally random here is the website I used to pick a number:
random No. picker
and here is the screenshot of the winning number


Thanks for playing everyone, it was so fun getting all the comments and such. I want to do this more often...Have a lovely weekend.

YAY - FREE stuff!

Winning by 54% is the AIRSTREAM tiny original painting.
SOOOOOO...if you want to WIN it this is what to do:

Comment directly on my blog (not FB), say HI and post a number between 1 & 100. we'll have a random drawing later on! That easy! I'm excited. This is FUN!

Giveaway.

I'm feeling generous today. How about a recession proof freebie? So, please play along.

First of all, we have to establish what will be given away. I have created this poll. Easy. I will announce the item later today.

Crazy Week Commences!

The week before my big show. I"m up and running this Monday morning, tea in hand and paint brush in the other. I'm super excited about my new pieces and wanted to share them and a video to start your week off. Enjoy.

Happiness is...Do Re Mi & licenses.

1. Good Morning! I thought I would start the AM off with another video. In my wildest dreams everyone would break out into spontaneous song and dance like in Grease. This is one step better I believe. I can't stop watching it. Please enjoy...



"More than 200 dancers were performing there version of "Do Re Mi", in the Central Station of Antwerp. with just 2 rehearsals they created this amazing stunt! Those 4 fantastic minutes started the 23 of march 2009, 08:00 AM. It is a promotion stunt for a Belgian television program, where they are looking for someone to play the leading role, in the musical of "The Sound of Music."

2. I am excited to announce that I officially launched my licensing career recently as one of my images was picked up by Artists to Watch for their Holiday 2009 greeting card line. Click here to see it and thanks to everyone at ATW for everything.



Plus, I woke to a message from my former prof. at TX St. University (thanks Michel) letting me know they featured it in a little blip on the Art & Design dept. website. Awe...that makes me smile.

Have a wonderful day!

Art City Prep

6 down, 21 to go. I will not sleep until they are done tonight.

Happiness is...crunch time & twirl-a-whirls!

1. I'm hunkering down in the studio getting ready for Art City Austin. I'm very nervous & excited about my first juried art festival. So, I'll be super busy in the next couple weeks freaking out and painting and packing! If you are in the Austin area, please stop by! Here are some details:

Dates: April 25-26, 2009

Hours: Saturday, 10am - 6pm & Sunday, 11am - 6pm

Location: Art City Austin 2009 will be held along Cesar Chavez Street from Colorado Street to Lamar, including the S. 1st Street Bridge. Entrances are located on Cesar Chavez at Guadalupe + Colorado + Lamar and the S. 1st Street Bridge (1st Street at Riverside).

Admission: Adults - $8.00 (one day) $15 (2-day Art Pass)
Children 12 and under - FREE
Art activites - $1.00 per activity.


2. Yesterday, I got together with some crafty ladies for what I'm hoping will be Art Club V.2; a once a month get together to make art with friends. We simply dyed eggs to make Cascarones for Easter. It was a total blast to do on an amazing spring day in Texas!



3. Two visits to the carnival this week! A friend's family owns it and they are in Austin this time, so we went and rode fun rides and ate candy apples. Brilliant fun. I took lots of video footage and want to make a little iMovie soon with some awesomely creepy carny music! Be on the lookout!