HAPPY NEW YEAR !!!

I for one am glad to put 2009 behind and welcome in the new year. I haven't made any huge plans or resolutions. Each year I try to think of new ways to make my home as efficient as possible. Yes, I'm one of those crazy people that LOVES to organize things? Don't get me wrong, I know how to make a mess, but I'm just more comfortable with my own messes than say Art's.

As I mentioned in my last post, I'm in the process of revamping my studio and clearing out as much clutter as I can. What I really wanted to do was combine my office and art studio together since I spend so much time schlepping projects back and forth. It's soooooo nice having everything together now. Art was also pretty happy about this decision because he's been wanting the larger office for a while.

Here are some pictures of my art studio so far. Still needs a little tweaking, but it's coming along. Max kept watch while I worked away. He has also found some great new spots to hang out and spy on me.

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE !!!!!

A few new sketches

I did these pencil sketches over the holidays. (sorry the pictures are so light. It's hard to photograph pencil on paper) They were inspired by this goldfish ornament of mine. I think I'll keep him out year round. Hopefully by next week I can start turning some of these drawings into paintings.

I have to say, this Christmas was probably one of the easiest, most pleasant holidays to date. We kept things simple which allowed more time to enjoy our family and friends. I feel soooo rested....... almost too rested. It's been hard to get back in the swing of things. This morning I was in a creative fog and needed to motivate myself to give the studio some much needed TLC.
So I decided to tear it all apart. Time to move things around and give it a deep cleaning before the new year. Boy was it dirty! I'm about half way through and feeling overwhelmed by it all. Do you ever start a project and then second guess yourself? I'm there, but I can't go back now. Classes start back up on Saturday, so I have a deadline. Wish me luck.

"Is that what I think it is?"

Yep, I believe so.

Let me start first by giving you a little background history.

Art and I bought the house I grew up in from my parents about 9 years ago. We've been fixing it up the way we like it ever since. Most of the neighbors on our block are the same ones I grew up with. For some reason, the three elderly ladies on our street haven't aged a bit since I was little. There must be something in the water or they are all part of an X-files experiment.
I know, I know.......so where am I going with this?

Well, my neighbor Irma across the street has had this lovely sculpture in her yard for as long as I can remember. She is well into her eighties and is still quite the party animal. I have been invited to many of her bunko nights with her girlfriends, but have declined because I'm not much of a board game person. I do however love hearing all the laughter and screaming coming from her house on those eventful evenings.

Back to the story.........

NO ONE HAS EVER DARED ASK HER ABOUT IT! It's been the big elephant in the room so to speak for over forty years. It's suffered some cracks over the years, but is still fairly intact. We all came up with our own story as to what and how it got there.
"Is it a rock, or a cement sculpture?"
"Maybe her grandson made it as a joke and she didn't get it?"
"Do you think she even knows what it looks like.... and should we tell her?"

A couple of days ago, I finally got the courage to confront her about the infamous rock art.
She giggled and said that it's a real rock that her husband found on one of their road trips. She told him to place it in an inconspicuous area.
IN THE FRONT YARD BY THE MAILBOX! Oh yeah, no one will see it there!

So now that she is thinking of downsizing and selling her house, she asked us if we would give it a home. Maybe I'll hide it under a bush in the back yard. "no pun intended"

So while all the other blogs are wishing you a Merry Christmas, I'm writing about penis rocks..........Hope this story gave you a chuckle.

***Sending out a big HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Jen today!****

Holiday Cheer!

I thought I'd share with you a couple things in my house that make it feel extra festive this time of year. The cherry tulips were given to me by my next door neighbor. Tonight, that same neighbor just made and delivered Art and I dinner "just because." We are so lucky to have some really great people on our block.

I also love my tiny vintage elf in a jar. I made it to be a snow globe, but the water was ruining his paint job, so I keep it empty. The quiet mouse was a garage sale find. He was a lawn ornament back in the day, but I like him inside under his own tree.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

WARNING!!!!
**I must prepare you for the post that is about to come in the next few days. It's hilariously funny, totally out of character for this blog, has nothing to do with Christmas, and is intended for a "mature" audience only.......Whatever that means. I also found out that we may be inheriting it. Are you just dying to know? Be patient, I need to snap a really good picture of it when no ones looking.
Consider yourself warned. hee hee

If only.....

If only I had vaulted ceilings.....this is what I'd do.

Is this not the most amazing display you've ever seen? You've got to click on the picture for a better look. Simply dreamy!

What the ????????

Miss Boo was very upset to find that another Etsy shop had stolen her portrait and stuck it on a cheesy scrabble pendant. It BLOWS my mind that people rip off artists and think they won't get caught especially when we are on the same website. A big thank you to the people who alerted me of this. I wrote the most delicious letter to the shop and it has been removed.
Seriously.........a scrabble pendant!!??? ....... how degrading

On another note, I think I'm going to make a new soup tonight. Maybe potato corn chowder? I don't have a recipe, but it can't be that hard, right?

Winding Down

Now that things are starting to wind down at the shop, I've been enjoying my extra time making different kinds of soups and sitting by the fire each night. This is a delicious chicken and rice soup that I made for Art and I tonight. Last week it was tortilla soup. The key is to grill the chicken rather than boiling it. Gives it so much more flavor.
Hope you all are able to take a moment to enjoy this holiday season without getting too rapped up in the mayhem. I hate hearing my friends stress out about the gift giving stuff. Kind of ruins Christmas. I say, cut your list down and give more thoughtful gifts to those you really care about. Make it, bake it, or find someone who does. That's why Etsy is so great. I bought a few things this week that are on their way to my place. Sadly, or....... not so sadly..........they are all for me. hee hee

Tomorrow I will be sending off the last of my custom orders. This little dog was made special for someone who adopted a little white rescue dog. Now it turns out that they are expecting their first baby. How perfect!

Boy overload!

Yesterday, my nephews came over for a visit. I was so happy when they asked if they could "do some art."
As I sat there drawing a giant whale floating through the sky tied to a balloon, they were busy drawing scary creatures, blood and gore. They proceeded to tell me that mine needed a knife or something sticking out of its head. Oh lord, boys will be boys.
Here they are, totally faking their smiles for my camera.

Be Merry!

Honestly, I wish Christmas was a celebration of twinkle lights, vintage ornaments and glittery snow castles. I don't even care much for the gifting part (unless they're handmade of course). I'd much rather enjoy the company of good friends, family, food and driving around looking at christmas lights.

My little nephew Ethan came over this morning and helped me clean the house so I could put my tree up today. Is he the cutest or what? He cracks me up.

Here Kitty Kitty?

Bobby thinks he's invisible here amongst his friends I made from socks and mittens.

I've been taking things easy this week. Just shipping out Christmas orders and sitting by the fire. My last show of the season is next saturday in front of Lorielle's next to the Pannikin. Everything will be on sale so I can clear out my inventory and go into hibernation. Hope to see you there. Until then, have a great rest of the week. Karin

Artists Market and Open Studio

I made sure to snap a few pictures before the show started, and I'm so glad I did. The next few hours were a blur and before I knew it, it was over.

First of all, I want to thank my sisters, my husband and my friends for helping me make this show so successful. After injuring myself (paddle boarding) earlier in the week and spending the last few days unable to stand longer than five minutes at a time, they all rallied around and took care of every last detail. I wouldn't have been able to pull it off without you guys. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
The studio has never looked so festive. The walls were covered with my paintings. Some for sale and some for show. The aroma of gardenia, grapefruit and tangerine candles filled the air with fruity goodness. I know it doesn't sound very christmasy, but I'm more fond of scents that transport me to an island getaway than a log cabin.
Outside the studio, fellow artist friends had lots of beautiful art, jewelry, pottery, hand sewn treasures, and baked goods for sale.
If you missed this event or need a last minute gift, feel free to contact me or check out my shop. I'll be leaving the studio set up till Christmas.
Participants this year included:
Birdie Design Studio
Cat Seylar Smith
Jeremiah Miller
Anica Oaks
M.O.M/42nd and Orange
Joan Byer
Barbara Nigro
Barrels and Branches Nursery
............and delicious coffee provided by the Pannikin

Holiday sale starts today!!!

Starting now until December 15th--- Take advantage some great savings on paintings, prints, felted birds and jewelry. I just marked a ton of stuff down this morning for my annual holiday sale. Enjoy!

my SHOP