Green Beans for Eva

Green Beans for Eva book

Since my last post I got a little side-tracked, but I got myself back on track fairly quickly. I received news in October that a children's book called 'Green Beans for Eva,' that I illustrated was being published. I'm very proud of the work I did for it. Here's a peek at a few of the images inside:

If you are looking for a gift for a young family member or friend, this is a sweet book. <3 p="">

Happy Holiday, All!

Evolution

Hello there! I'm finally back after 6 months. My unexpected summer break is coming to a close in a couple of weeks, but I have been pretty productive with my time. I have been doing a lot of painting. I've started exploring florals in combination with the experimental color, texture and abstraction that I've been working on for the past few years. I've also become interested in portrait painting again, or at least figurative story telling.
Here is a collection of images of some of the work that I have done over the past few months. Next up, I'll be back teaching elementary art in a couple of weeks, and I am super excited about it.
You can currently find my pins and paintings at ATown in Austin, TX or as always message me about anything you may be interested in.

 

  

 

 

Taking a Break

We'll see how long it lasts, but I deactivated my Facebook account this morning.  I think I look at it too much and it's causing me to not use my time as efficiently as I could.  I also feel that I am not making the genuine connections with people necessary to feel happy. Sure, I read everyone's updates about their lives and congratulate or compliment to the best of my ability as I see their posts, but I spend too much time doing this and then realize I could have been cooking, or painting, learning something new, going out for a walk, calling a friend, really any number of things that I am not doing. I also find that I fall into feeling sad about the connections with friends that I have had that I either no longer see, or that seem to no longer have the time for direct or in person communication with me. I feel like a majority or people prefer texting to actual phone or in person communication.  Don't get me wrong, I appreciate the technology and find it very helpful in many ways, but hearing a person's voice or spending time and sharing experiences with them is the only way to build real long-term connections with people that are important to you. That's been my experience anyway. I'm hoping to make more of an effort to see who the people are in my life that are dedicated to making that kind of connection with me, and vice-versa. I'm also hoping it takes away the tendency that I can have to compare my life and where I am at to others, as well as give me the time and freedom to explore my world around me, even at the smallest and closest levels.  I am also hoping it will help me to focus on my goal of getting my artwork out for others to view this year. Onward! Now, I'm going to enjoy coloring in this beautiful book between calls at work today.  Have a wonderful week everyone! xo

Happy 2016!!!

I realize we are already a couple of weeks into the new year, but Happy New Year!!! This week's losses of a two artists that were highly inspirational to me has left me feeling sad, but inspired to truly work to fill every day with intention, passion and kindness (which was my goal for this year). My artistic resolution for 2016 is to have courage to make, and promote my work. Here are a group of paintings wired and ready to go on display.  Onward!

Letting Go

One of the most important and hardest things to learn in life is the letting go of things and people that  are no longer serving our highest good. The way I see it is it's just not fair to try to hang on to things that we aren't meant to have. This painting was an attempt to get in touch with a younger version of myself and let her express herself on canvas the process of letting go.  I really love the result.  The finished product is layered, textured, colorful, simple and complex.  When the light hits the painting, it changes, just like all things can change with a little space and perspective.

Love

I will love you so much and wish nothing but your happiness. I will be quiet and listen to you when you need to be heard. I will forgive you even when you have done something you may or may not realize was not a good decision. I will drive miles to be there for something that is important to you. I will cheer you on and be supportive of your successes. I will keep your secrets. I will tell you how important and wonderful you are. I will not leave you when you have been angry or sad. I will comfort you when you feel alone. I will nurture your interests and make sure you are reminded that no one in the world is like you, and no one else has your vision. I will always have your back. I will give you time to relax, to breathe, to have space when you need it. I will make sure that your friends and family know how much they matter to you. I will care for your pets and treat them like my own children. I will make one change. I will make sure that it is myself, that I am focusing this love on now, and not someone who never really appreciated it. 

Today, I am setting myself a goal to finish and post pics of pins I finish today for ATown and work on the self-portrait I started months ago.  I think I know how to finish it now.
Here's to caring for your own health and happiness first and to creating.
Have a great weekend, everyone.  Mine started today.  :-)

New Ground

I've been painting a lot. I'm working on some quick painting sketches and some more complicated paintings. I am experimenting with whether a complicated plan with many layers more clearly expresses my idea or thought or if quick a representation does a better job. So far the jury is still out.