Peace!

Wishing everyone a peace as you prepare for the next round of holidays!

Enjoy your time with family and friends. 

Back 2 School...

Kids are finally back to school!

Although I will miss them, I am looking forward to having some time alone 

to work on new artwork.

I now have 2 kids in elementary school full time and 1 in pre-K.   

It is so strange to have my little girl now going to school all day long.

I'm used to her being by my side and talking, singing, dancing and clinging to me.

I hope everyone's kids have gotten off to a great start this year :)

Quick Sketch...

Once in a while when I have piece of paper, pencil, a moment to focus, (the stars and moon align...lol!), I will do a quick drawing of my kids. 

Above is a quick sketch of my 6 year old daughter while she was drawing some Pokemon (my kids are so into Pokemon). 

Happy Friday everyone!

Licensing site launched!

Sweet...I finally launched my Licensing site!

I originally began working on it a year ago but was never happy with it.

I would work on it straight for weeks.  Then a month would go by where it would just sit there...untouched and unpublished.  

The problem is that I am a perfectionist when it comes to my illustrations.  Unfortunately, this leads to nothing getting finished.  Please note though...When I get an assignment from someone I give 110% and make sure it's done beautifully and on time (I probably spend way too many hours tweaking & obsessing over it..lol!).  

Finally, I just sat down and got rid of what I don't like.   There are tons of artists sites that I love and admire and are so much better than mine.  But, in the end, this is the site I came up with and am so very happy with how it turned out...although I'm sure I will still be tweaking it!

New painting up :)

 

An original acrylic painting of a kitty next to a vase of flowers is up at my
etsy shop. 

My sitter is here so I'm having a lovely day catching up on errands, Dr. appointments, etc.

So much easier without the kids hanging on me.  Plus, I don't feel bad that I have to keep on saying, "wait a minute, honey...Mommy is on the phone."  Instead, they get to do crafts and fun things with our amazing babysitter :)  

Have a great Friday everyone! 

Sleeping Cat Painting...

Here is a sleeping cat painting I have up on etsy now.

I've been working on my beading more and more lately as it's not as messy as having paints out with my 2 yo.  Beading is fun but I am ready to paint again soon!

All proceeds for JAPAN...New HOPE print

 

A little print I designed.  ALL the proceeds of this print will go to the Red Cross for Japan.

I am going to relist it as long as it keeps selling.  

My heart, as I'm sure your's does, goes out to everyone there.  I cannot fathom what they are going through.  Although I may only raise a small amount of money, I believe that every dollar counts.  I'm sure a few dollars can help one person have clean water for a day or so.  That would make a big difference to me if I or a loved one was thirsty.  

********************Hug your loved ones today (and everyday)!******************

Below is a print in COOL colors too :)  

Results from recent house showings...

Good morning!

As you may know, we are selling our house so we can move closer to my husbands work.  Traveling 60 miles each way for over 5 years has lost it's thrill. 

We listed around Thanksgiving as although it wasn't the best time to list we figured maybe we would find that one person who wanted to buy.  Someone I know had 2 offers on Thanksgiving weekend so there was hope.  The result?  One showing and they liked the house but weren't planning on even listing theirs until the summer. 

Now that the holidays have past...and all the snowstorms...people are out looking again.  We had about 4 showings in the past few weeks and so far the feedback was as follows:

1. One wanted a bigger kitchen.
2. One wanted an office on the first floor instead of the second.
3. One wanted a fireplace (we didn't get one this time as our last house had June bugs coming in & we never used it). 
4. One said there were too many windows in the back of the house (sunroom has 5 and family room has 4) My Realtor said that was the first time she ever heard anyone not liking too many windows...especially in a sunroom...lol!

Anyway, everyone has their own likes and dislikes.  It is the biggest purchase that anyone will ever make in their lives so I understand that people want to find what they want. 

When we were looking for homes a couple of years ago I really wanted sidewalks so I wouldn't have to walk with the kids in the street.  I was surprised how many developments didn't have sidewalks!  It's not as important to me now that my kids are older and know not to run into the street.  

Also, I preferred patios / decks that were on or low to the ground vs. a walk out basement because I wanted to be able to run inside and do dishes or get dinner / lunch ready while keeping an eye on the kids.  Funny, daylight basements are usually preferred.

We have an open house this weekend so we are hoping to have some good results.   Wish us luck!

Original Cupcake illustration listed...

 

I just listed 2 original illustrations in my LittleArtStudio shop!

They were drawn a few weeks ago but my scanner decided not to work anymore.  

My new scanner is up and running so be sure to check back for more original works soon.

Have a great weekend!

My First Illustration Friday Submission!

I'm happy to post my first Illustration Friday image for the theme "Swarm."

To learn more about Illustration Friday...click HERE.

Here is another version of my Owl print in more muted colors.  

I love the cool blues and greens with all the textures.

I must say that I did not illustrate this beautiful owl.  In my quest to find vintage art and components I came across these commercially available owls by TheInkNest on etsy.  I did not want to use them at first as I thought it might be strange that I am an artist and should create my own owl.   But, after much thought I kept thinking how much I just loved this artists design and use of pattern and figured why not.  I confimed with the artist if this use was accepable and she said, "yes!"  To my delight I obtained her owls and had so much fun creating this new print!

This print is available in my LetterStudio shop along with my other digital collage prints.  The owl just happens to be a newer design.  Plus, it's great to support another artist...right?  

Hoot! Hoot! Happy Monday!

 

I've been on a bit of an OWL run recently and decided to create these sweet BUBBLEGUM OWL 2" CIRCLES.  They can be used for scrapbooking, cupcake toppers and more!  

Currently, they are available at my ETSY shop.  I do have freebies in the works but am having trouble setting up the images for you!  I will be so happy when this is resolved as then I can post freebies on a regular basis.   Got to share the love!  

Our weekend was nice as my husband also took off Thursday and Friday.  Plus my Mother-in-law came up from Florida we had some great family time with the kids (and some down time for me as there were extra hands to help with the kids...yay!).

Have a wonderful Monday everyone!

Framing my Letter prints...

 

I just love creating these vintage / weathered looking letters!  

Last weekend I but some into small frames to show what they look like framed.

I think they will also look so pretty with matted frames.

I will have to get some so I can take more pics.  

Pizza just arrived!  Going to spend some family time now :)

My "missing" packed up art...

 

I created this painting for my little girl's room a few years ago and it look soooo beautiful in it's white wood frame over her white wicker furniture!  Unfortunately it is still packed up somewhere in the basement from our move that fell through and I cannot find it!   I would love to photo it so you could see how it looks with the frame AND I would love to have it up in her room for our house showings.

So looking forward to being settled somewhere and having my art studio all set up!  I promise I am not complaining :)  We have just been living in limbo for quite a while (few years) and I'm just so antsy and excited that our house is listed and we are beginning to get some showings.  

I know even when we do move and are "settled" life will still be wonderfully busy and beautifully crazy with the kids.  Just thinking about having my little art studio that is all set up where I can be messy and create and then shut the doors just makes me smile :) 

Have a fantastic day!

 

The other week my "Dream" print made it to the front page of ETSY!  I was up in at 1:30am getting milk for my little guy and decided to check.  Lo and behold...my print!  It's amazing because if I didn't check it at that time then I would not have known it was there.  It was only up for a few hours.  

I began selling on ETSY 2 years ago (on and off) with LittleArtStudio and don't think I was ever in a Treasury during that time.  Ever since I started  LetterStudio (about a month ago) my prints have been in well over 15...plus I landed the front page :)  Weird.  I guess my new images are more visually pleasing than my original whimsical art. 

Anyway, I'm still working on both shops and we will see where they lead.  The frontpage didn't yield any sales but that's OK.  I was too excited anyway and did get more "hearts" for my shop.  Right now, I'm just having fun with it and creating what I really want to...for both of my shops.  

Now, I'm off to work on finalizing some art for a licensing submission!

Have a great day :)

Happy Valentine's Day!

Hugs to all!

Realtors coming & New Print listed

 

Good Morning!  

Today, we have about 5 Realtors visiting to go through and critique our house.
I did a lot of cleaning yesterday & still have a ton to do today.  I am thrilled that I did 

get our bedroom curtains & family room curtains put up.  Plus, I got all the kids crafty messy items out of the sunroom and replaced the stained stiff rug with a lovely plush one.  Little by little the house is coming along.  

The one thing (aside from the housing market) that may hurt us is a new listing down the street.  Their house is the same size but with the grand 2 story foyer and more angled layout.  Ours is a colonial with lots of windows and a beautiful sunroom.   The other house is listed 20K below ours too!  Ugh! 

Anyhoo...Above is my latest digital collage print mixing old and new images.

Do you like the little birdies sharing their cup of tea? 

I hope you have a wonderful & productive day :)

Here is a sweet little Valentine's Day heart that you can add to your site or blog!  After many hours...yes hours...I could not figure out how to create an actual grab button.  If you do post my little heart to your site then I would love for you to link back to my blog (link below).  Thanks so much and enjoy!

1. right click and save heart onto your desktop
2. upload to your blog (adding an image widget) or to your site.
3. link the image to  http://littleartstudio.blogspot.com/   
4. know that I appreciate you spreading the LOVE...Thank you!

Sketching on a quiet Saturday...

 

I hope you are having a wonderful weekend!  

Today has been very relaxing...even with 3 young kids in the house.

My 2 year old took a nap (which he never does anymore).

My 5 and 7 year old were playing on the computer upstairs.

We let them play as long as they wanted to as my husband and I soaked in the peace and quiet.

On top of all that, I worked on some sketches...Like the little kitty above?

I will be posting her in my LittleArtStudio etsy shop soon.

Also, check out the new fun vintage image collages in my other shop...LetterStudio on etsy.

 

Awww...This little OWL is thinking of love!

8 x 10 print on photo paper...See it in my ETSY shop.

This is a little digital collage I did using a vintage frame image and a wonderful owl graphic from a great shop called theInkNest. 

I am so into putting interesting images together.  It's something I have been wanting to do for a long time and so many ideas are pouring out of me!  Visit my LetterStudio shop to see more :)

 

New Etsy Shop!

 

I have been working on a variety of prints for my new ETSY shop.  

It's called LetterStudio and offers prints of individual letters as well

as images of everyday items.  The look is lovingly worn.

I have been wanting to create these images for a long time now and am so happy
with how they have turned out!

The right side of my blog now has both of my shops listed.

Thank you so much for looking!

Original Art...Songbird #3...

 

Having a great weekend?  So am I!  We had a sitter yesterday so my husband and I escaped 

to Lambertville, NJ for a while.  We saw so many wonderful art galleries and gift shops (I'll have to post some links later after I look through all the business cards I collected).

The painting above is Songbird #3 and the original is listed in my Etsy shop. 

You can also see a Relaxing Cat original there as well.  Enjoy!

Pretty pretty ballerina Bear...

Like my little Ballerina Bear?

The original was painted in acrylics...The print is in my shop.

Another snow day and New Prints!

  

Another snow day so the kids are home with me.  We will probably play Monopoly again, read books, Wii and maybe a movie while munching on warm popcorn.  I just love these lazy days with the kids.  

Above are some adorable grungy kids prints I just listed on ETSY. 

I am working on an entire collection of bold images that would look great in kids rooms.

Hope you like them :)

Stay warm and safe everyone!

Valentine's just around the corner...

Wow...I think it was the day after Christmas when I began to see the Valentine's Day items out!  

From Halloween all the way through Easter seems like a whirlwind of treats, family & decorations :)

Like my Valentine Hearts above?  I created them using Adobe Illustrator.  I love being able to change the colors and line styles with just a click of the mouse.  It's great for me because colors are not my strong point so I can try out different combinations to see what looks best and not have to redo the drawing over and over.  

Have a great Saturday!  

Knitting Kitty...

 

I created this little knitting kitty a few years ago.  

My Mom really got into knitting scarves so we have about 10 of them now...

all different lengths and colors.

My Mom & I laugh though as some are too short...

One is too wide to wrap around my little girl...and One is super stiff.  

We love them all though :)

Happy Knitting

New Art Studio coming along...

Above is a picture of my new art studio!  We added french doors to our sitting area of our bedroom.  Brought up my parents old warped dining room table (solid fruitwood is sooo heavy!).  Moved a skinny IKEA tall shelf that we have had for over 10 years. Added a broken, worn out dining room chair and some art supplies and Wha Laa!  An art studio!

Of couse there is still organizing that needs to be done.  I'm going to enjoy it whenever I can until we sell our house.  The photo above shows my messy desk...Notice the pencil shavings behind the red paint?  I still need to get a garbage can.

My whimsy bird is almost done & will be posted on Etsy along with others soon...I will let you know :)   

Fresh fruit direct from sunny FL...

 

My husband drove back from Florida with a giant bag of oranges and grapefruit.....

So good!  I wish the grapefruits were more affordable up in the North East.

On sale they are $1 each!  Right now I'm in my glory eating 2 a day for next to nothing :)

Bring on 2011 !

Hope everyone had a happy and safe eve last night!  We spent it home...warm & cozy with the kids.  No wild parties this year ;)

OK, Some things I want to work on right away in the New Year are:

1. Work off my holiday weight....My jeans are sooo tight!
2. Develop a schedule for house cleaning, meals, and time to work in the studio & stick to it.
3. Work on a new craft / art project with the kids each month.  I would love to do it once a week but time just flies by too quickly.  
4. Finish the freebie charts I am working on to share with everyone.
5. Get my Licensing site up.   I have to stop being a perfectionist with it already.
6. Get my new main site up.  Again...stop being a perfectionist!
7. Learn how to create a multiple page PDF file from Illustrator CS.  Do I NEED to buy Adobe Acrobat or should I just buy the newest version of Illustrator?
8. Declutter the house and prepare for an Open House (I just know it will sell this year!).
9. Eat fruits & vegetable every day...I'm so bad with that.
10. Start my vitamin regimen.

Whew!  I think that's enough things to get started in the New Year.
Did you make any resolutions?