Wednesday's Reading

So I am curious... What books are you reading right now?

I have several books and magazines I am reading right now. These are most the books I'm reading but not all of them. I am also reading a book by, Mark Batterson that is so great! You can check it out here

Just received this book from my sister for my birthday,  I've only read the first few pages and am hooked.  It's just the book for me right now.  It came at just the right time...

Oh my!!  IN LOVE with this one! An all time favorite for sure.  I had it in my Amazon wish list for weeks.  I just bought it and received it in the mail this week.  I want to savior it, so much greatness! 

I have started journaling again.  I received a couple as gifts for my birthday, purchased some at Target.  I use each one for different things... For example:

1. The black one I am using for art goals and idea's.

2. The green sage colored one, is for thoughts and working through emotions.

3. White... Prayer journal

4. Top Moleskin started as a diet journal... not for losing weight but figuring out my food sensitivity. 

I used to journal every night, but haven't been in a routine for years.  I find it so helpful. And, it's not meant to be every day writing in each, but when I feel the need to express or write.

BIG MAGIC: 

I am in the middle of right now, and my dear friends Lindsay and Kandyce got it for me.  Great inspiration!!

I've been a huge fan of Emily Henderson's for years.  I've been following her since she was on the show, Design Star.  Great interior idea's and tips.

Painting

Hey guys - Just sat down at might desk with a cup of tea to hang out with you.  

This week I reached out to another artist I have been following on Instagram for a couple years now. ( alice Sheridan ) I asked her some questions about her process, selling art and business idea's. It made me realize how much I miss those days when I was part of a classroom.  We would have these critiques and are teacher, Martha Mason would tell us the good and the bad.  I think it's important in life to hear what might not be easy to hear.  I have learned as long as it's done in a kind way, and the person receiving wants to change... It can be life changing!  So I decided... 

It might be time to take an art class.  FUN!!!

 \\ loving this... was just thinking, if I was into tattoos, 

I might need "Etre" on my body somewhere//

Above, 

a small piece I recently 

did in my sketch book,

makes me think of fashion---

just painted over this with dark green... i keep changing all my art for some reason... not sure what that is all about.

inspiring interiors which always inspire moi---

happy week friends... you are lovely-

Come visit my Atelier

s t u d i o

I took french in college and adore the french language. When I visited Paris, I instantly felt right at home.  My only complaint was the people weren't so friendly.  But maybe it has changed since I was there over 15 years ago.  Wow, that makes me sound old. 

Anyway, I was in my studio today and felt inspired by my space, which is kind the point, you are all thinking... But, it's true.  I've created a little space where I can come create or read if I want.  I like to keep my studio dedicated just to creating and relaxing things.  No, bill paying or such things like this.  Just lovely things... 

I love cactus... so sculptural. 

They always seem to inspire me. 

So... I had to have one for my desk.

Hammered a few holes in the wall to display art in progress... 

Helps me to imagine it in a space and also step back to evaluate the piece...

Writing on the wall...

succulents!! I adore plants!

I like to hang inspiring pictures but also keep it to a minimum, or else I can feel overwhelmed by color, shapes and designs... This might sound weird but as I've gotten older, I appreciate a more simple minimal look.  This is just what works for me... 

I know plenty of artist's who love art pinned up, papers, magazines, sculptures and things everywhere.  I love visiting these types of homes and studio's because they are so inspiring ...

Antique basket, actually I was told it was used as a locker basket. I like to put magazines in it, instead of old stinky sport clothes.

Found a stump around the property the other day and painted it white. I hope to attach wheels to the bottom so I can roll it wherever I want in the studio.  Anyway, I use it for resting my feet on or resting magazines or maybe a cup of tea.

I finally have a chair for my studio, where I am actually sitting right now... added some sheep skin because, well it's just so cozy...

This is the last painting 

I finished and posted

on Instagram, and now it's

time for me to get to work

and paint a new piece... avoir!

Studio time

.

Beginning

.

Spending a little time by the pool today before it truly turns to fall. Not going 

to lie but I'm ready for cooler weather.  I think once October rolls around my mind 

expects lovely fall to arrive. Especially growing up in Colorado, where all the 

leaves start to change. 

Working on a new series this month. It's been a great stretch for me to focus on a specific style. I was just telling my sister in law, Kristen it's been good for me. Probably because since I started my new goal of, "painting 15 minutes a day" about 4 + months ago it was my desire to  .r e a l l y.  paint often. No rules... Just have fun. 

But now it's time to focus on a particular style. It's not been easy, but I think that's the point.  I'm not saying this style is forever, or now I have my specific style. Instead, I simply want to create and I want to push myself and stretch my abilities as a creative. I have to listen to my intuition and this felt like what's next, even though fear told me otherwise.

Here is goes...

This color blocking in JCrew catalog is inspiration for the long skinny painting

This painting above is still in the works... not finished

texture

orange

3 SIMPLE RULES

HELLO!

Here are a few simple rules I posted on my instagram this week.  

I thought I would share what has been inspiring me. Also sharing my new LARGE painting I finished...finally!

above shows a section of a painting I was working on.  It's in the experimental stage...as of right now... it looks totally different.

Not sure if you've heard of the shop called, Mille.  I just love about everything and I find their instagram inspiring.  I took a snap shot of some necklaces I just love.

LARGE   PAINTING

Here are just some of the sections of my new large painting. It hangs in our master bedroom above our bed.  The wall is a dark... dark blue.  I love how soft the painting is and how it ties the room together.  It is finally complete and hanging on the wall.  yippie!

I hope you have a fabulous day

GOING TO THE BEACH

M E D N O C I N O   B E A C H

This last week we went on a mini anniversary trip.  It was so relaxing. We tried out AIRBND for the first time and the place we stayed was amazing. Beautiful gardens, fountains and even a hammock.  We even had a hot tub to ourselves each night. We didn't want to leave...

While we were visiting it was the artists Plein air painting festival. So we got to watch famous painters from all over the US paint.  This is a young boy painting... All of the contestants were older but I thought it was cool he came out to paint too.  He was very talented.

This last photo is blurred, which both Rob and I love this affect. I know it might bother some people but it almost feels like a painting to me.  And the last photo is a very washed out photo... which I also love this affect too. This photo would look better enlarged because it's to small to see the neat details now.