A Poem & A Painting
A Poem & A Painting: Faces Sketches
Aug 22 2016 ·0After a heavenly week at the beach with my family, it’s back to reality. We had such a wonderful time and I’m missing them all so much, especially Miss Daisy. As I mentioned before, I am thinking about participating in Leslie Saeta‘s 30 Paintings in 30 Days challenge. Daily painting not only helps me develop my painting skills, but also serves as a distraction until I see the faces of my girls again 🙂 . Speaking of faces, that’s the theme I am leaning towards for the September challenge. While on vacation, I did a few sketches of Faces…
A Poem & A Painting: Inspired by Dolce & Gabbana
Aug 15 2016 ·0I have “beach on the brain” this week because Family Vacation is finally here! For me the beach is all about relaxing, sunshine, special memories, family, sunsets, and (for the artist & designer in me) bright colors. From beach umbrellas to bathing suits, bright colors and jazzy patterns are all over the beach ~ and I love it! This week’s watercolor sketch was inspired by iconic Italian fashion house Dolce & Gabbana…
A Poem & A Painting: Rose Flower Crown
Aug 08 2016 ·0I enjoyed a delightful string of days vacationing on Nantucket last week. There’s nothing like spending quality time with dear friends you’ve had for years! Since I returned I’ve made time to be in my studio, painting. I do so enjoy the process and the challenge. In fact, I’m thinking about participating in another Leslie Saeta 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge starting on September 1st. I’ve completed several of Leslie’s “30 in 30” painting challenges, including one in January of this year. If I do decide to sign up, I always like to pick a theme for my 30 paintings. Past themes have included Interiors and Colors. I am considering “Faces” for the September challenge. And on that note, this week’s painting & poem (or quote as the case may be…)
A Poem & A Painting: A Daisy Crown for Daisy
Aug 01 2016 ·0This week’s painting is a special one ~ perhaps you can tell from the title. The latest challenge for Girls Just Wanna Paint was Daisies. It was so sweet of these artist to pick something near and dear to my heart. I am so thankful for their prayers, love and support! I chose to do a Daisy crown. When I was a girl, my Mom made made me a crown out of Lily of the Valley for my birthday. When I wore it I felt regal. I carried on this tradition by making dandelion crowns for my Em (we had an abundance of them in our grass..). Now I am blessed to be able to make Daisy crowns for
my granddaughter Daisy.
A Poem & A Painting: Red Roses in Emily’s Kitchen
Jul 25 2016 ·0My daughter Emily has a lovely vintage inspired mason jar set in her kitchen. While I was visiting the mason jar vases were filled with single red rose stems. I stole a few moments to paint them in my sketchbook. I love how they turned out. I’ve never met a room that wasn’t made lovelier with the addition of fresh flowers…
A Poem & A Painting: Inspired by Southern Home Magazine & Rivers Spencer
Jul 18 2016 ·0I am back after a heavenly week in Philadelphia with Daisy, Emily, and Nick. I am thrilled to say that Daisy is making great strides and what a privilege it was to witness her progress in person!
In between snuggling, feeding, walking, and kissing Daisy, I did manage to do a bit of painting. As I have mentioned before, it is near impossible to travel with oil paints. I find that my watercolor palette is perfect for travel and my watercolor “sketches” are a great base to work from later. This week’s painting was inspired by a Southern Home magazine cover featuring a living room designed by Rivers Spencer. While Tony Bennett may have left his heart in San Francisco, I certainly left mine in Philadelphia…
A Poem & A Painting: Beach Girl With Straw Hat
Jul 11 2016 ·1I am delighted to say that I’m spending the week with my granddaughter Daisy ~ and I’m looking forward to every moment! In the meantime, this week’s painting is again Summer themed. I do love the beach and am so fortunate to be able to look out my window and have instant inspiration…
A Poem & A Painting: 4th of July Flag
Jul 04 2016 ·1It has been such a glorious stretch of weather here ~ perfect for days at the beach, seeing friends, and celebrating our freedom! I couldn’t think of a better symbol of our freedom and our country than our flag ~ thus this week’s painting…
A Poem & A Painting: Eggs For Breakfast, Anyone?
Jun 27 2016 ·0Once again I’ve been drawn to my watercolors lately. I really enjoy the spontaneity and freedom that comes with simplicity of watercolor paints, a pen, and my sketchbook. This week’s subject is also a simple one ~ eggs. Remember when we all thought eggs just came in two colors, brown & white (except at Easter of course)? Thanks to Martha Stewart and the plethora of backyard chickens now being raised, we can all see that eggs come in many beautiful shades. It almost seems a shame to crack them open. Almost…
A Poem & A Painting: Father’s Shoes
Jun 20 2016 ·0I took my inspiration for this week’s painting from Father’s Day. To all the fathers and father figures, they may wear different shoes but they walk the same steps to raise children with strong values, big dreams, and steadfast principles.
A Poem & A Painting: In Daisy’s Crib
Jun 13 2016 ·0Visiting with my new granddaughter (and her parents) is now my favorite thing to do. Early last week we celebrated Daisy’s homecoming after many long weeks in the NICU. Despite the challenges ahead, to say that we are thrilled is a complete understatement!
Once again I brought my watercolors on my trip and had a chance to do a bit of painting. This week’s painting features one of the loveliest “friends” in Daisy’s crib ~ a Monique Lhuillier designer doll from Pottery Barn Kids. Emily’s wedding dress was a Monique Lhuillier design as well. How perfect! I think the words of this lullaby by Carly Simon fit perfectly as well…
A Poem & A Painting: Best Friends
Jun 06 2016 ·1This week’s painting was originally created for the latest Girls Just Wanna Paint challenge, “What Women Want”. I am truly blessed and grateful to have so many wonderful and supportive female friends in my life. A heartfelt thank you to all my “BFFs”! What more could a woman want…
A Poem & A Painting: Memorial Day
May 30 2016 ·0Happy Memorial Day! Along with being the unofficial start of Summer, Memorial Day is of course a day to remember those we’ve loved and lost, particularly while serving our country. At 18 years old my Dad served in World War II and it forever changed his life. Whenever I see the grand display of American flags around this time of year I think of him and his service.
A Poem & A Painting: Pink Cupcake
May 23 2016 ·0This weekend I celebrated my birthday. I was once again reminded of the many blessings, good friends, and loved ones that are in my life. I thought this cupcake painting was appropriate for this week :-).
A Poem & A Painting: Milk Pitcher
May 16 2016 ·0I continue to work on my painting skills in my latest class. We have painted quite a few still life compositions and I am becoming more comfortable working on a larger canvas. I love the soft colors paired with the bold brushstrokes in this week’s painting. This week’s poem attempts to capture that contrast as well. What do you think?
A Poem & A Painting: Waiting for Miss Daisy
May 09 2016 ·0As you may know, my granddaughter Daisy was born several weeks early. She is currently gaining strength and weight in the NICU and we are all counting the days until she comes home. When I visited my daughter last week I saw first hand that Daisy’s nursery is not only ready but also beautiful, with plenty of “friends” awaiting her arrival.
A Poem & A Painting: Daisy’s Baby Shoes
Apr 25 2016 ·1Today’s painting was created especially for my daughter Emily’s baby shower invitation. I was filled with so much brightness and love when I created this ~ and to match it with this quote made me smile. We planned the shower for this past weekend but little Daisy just couldn’t wait to meet her Mom and Dad.
A Poem & A Painting: Blue Bathing Beauty
Apr 19 2016 ·0Even though Spring has barely begun, I’m already dreaming of beach days. Maybe this is because I’m fortunate to have an ocean view out my window ~ or maybe just because I love Summer so much. Either way, this week’s painting is full of retro glam and ready to lounge under a striped umbrella sipping a fruity cocktail!
This week’s poem (excerpt) is from a 17th century English poet…
A Painting & A Poem: Christmas Lights
Apr 11 2016 ·0Although the calendar says Spring, this week’s painting is a throwback to Winter. Considering that we had several inches of snow just last week, I think it’s fitting. I love decorating my chandelier with silver and gold ornaments around the holidays. I can’t resist the sparkle and glam! I love the way the light reflects and brightens everything.
A Poem & A Painting: The Red Dress
Apr 04 2016 ·0This week’s painting is an oldie but a goodie. This was one of my first attempts at combining mixed media and oil paint. It turns out I must’ve done something right because this artwork was so popular it was licensed and sold as posters and giclées. I am now working on a gown series~ large format, 24″x36″ ~ and I couldn’t be more excited. If you are interested in a particular color let me know and I will be happy to paint it for you (or your client/friend/sister etc.)! In the meantime, here is this week’s fittingly titled poem…