the Creative Thursday blog

tiny mamas

3 x 3 in.

Just released! A shout out to all the mamas out there ;)

{originals are sold}

sweetness

Found in sweetpeas. I love this time of year, if only for the sweetpeas that bloom. The colors are gorgeous. Funny, how they almost match my figures from my last post, completely by accident as I bought these after I painted my critters. The sweetpeas are sitting on my desk right next to those two, and it's as if they are dressed in camouflage ready to jump into the bouquet. 

To say it's officially the start to a busy couple of weeks over here is an understatement. But no complaints, I wake up excited every day and just want to enjoy every minute of it. So a quick hello to you and I promise to be back soon, with just a few tiny originals in time for mother's day. 

In the meantime I leave you with nature's eye candy :) {thank you nature}

introducing "vinyls"

Nope, not records. I've been tweeting about creating vinyls this week, and if you've been wondering what the *%&$ I've been talking about....here they are. They are collectible painted figures. And I wish I could explain more about them, but they really just entered my periphery in the last 7 days, and now I'm obsessed {like "twitter obsessed"} with them.

All I want to do is paint vinyls. 

I don't know how I missed these, because they are so suitable for the style of work I do. But thanks to my gallery curator ~ I now have a whole new medium to create with. And I also have to say, it's so refreshing to be introduced to a whole new creative world. Sometimes I can get so bogged down in my own little world, mostly existing in my internet bubble, that I forget just how many different kinds of  art pieces are being created all the time.

I'm telling you it is SO much fun, and a lot of work. Each toy requires a lot of prep, but it is completely worth it to get to the finished product. To learn more you might just want to google "munnys" or visit Kid Robot, where you can find your own "blank" toys. And if you've been working with these already, let me know your experience. I would love to see one of these created by every one of my favorite artists. It's so fantastic to see how different creative people interpret the same shape and form.

I'm leaving you with the vinyls to wish you a great weekend! It's coming down to crunch time over here for me, and it's an understatement when I say, I'm really looking forward to the next few weeks on into June, because I

****ALSO*****just received my packet for Squam Art Workshops!! And as I write this. There's only 1 spot left in my painting class! and a few remaining in my Creative Characters class. Come on, it's going to be an especially fun & inspiring time, with a great group of people. If you're still thinking about it...I would love to see you there.

{the vinyls will be available for purchase, I believe at my show, will keep you posted as there's still one more in the works}

artists thrive {big time}

18 x 24 in. {will be available at my show}

Just sent an email to my daily painting subscribers that went something like this:

After almost 2 months without sharing my daily paintings, I must confess, I miss you. 

So today, as a little daily painting “sneak attack”, I’m releasing one of my all time favorire paintings, 

one that is very near and dear to me.

Originally slated for my upcoming show, I turned this image into an 18 x 24 in. size that will take it’s place.

Painting larger has been very gratifying, but sharing my daily creations with you is something

that I may not be ready to let go of just yet... 

have a good creative thursday!

{small original is sold} {available as a print at the shop}

happy earth day!

From me & the Lu. 

I don't know about you, but just since the last earth day, my consciousness about caring for this planet has stepped way up, both personally and professionally. I finally always remember to leave the house with my re-usable bags in tow. I'm unplugging & powering off whenever I can. And I'm happy to say that our recycling bin always fills up 3 times faster than our trash bin. Which reminds me to tell you that as of late 2008 all of my prints now come in "green" biodegradable cellophane sleeves. Every little bit makes a difference.

have a beautiful earth day. My big plan, to create outside today!

art in its natural habitat + the beginning of a very busy 3 weeks ahead

There's nothing like seeing your art in it's "natural habitat".  I know I've mentioned it before, but everything comes full circle, when you see one {or two} of your creations  in someone else's  home. The image above is via Christine, displaying a a very cool dresser "renovation" that she completed, adorned by two of my prints. {thank you Christine!}

And in more news. Let's see....this is offically the beginning of a very full 3 weeks ahead. Are you ready?!

First, I'm going to be showing at Unique L.A.  May 2 & 3. My first time participating, I hear it's a fantastic show {with 275 vendors this time!!!!}  & I'm looking forward to having a lot of fun with my fellow artists & friends, Sharon & Karin during this very show. If you're in L.A., I definitely wouldn't want t miss it, not just for our fun shenanigans {of course}, but all the "unique" artists who will be there.

Then, let's see, I'm also showing new originals at Hands on 3rd, a brand new gallery/shop opening on the weekend of the art walk on 3rd street in West Hollywood. The opening is Friday, May 1 at 8377 W. 3rd Street from 6 - 9 pm.

Until then, I have 2 original paintings available at an online ebay auction for a very special cause, in honor of  Caroline, and all of her amazing work. {there are just 2 days left to bid}

Also, Holly, a graphic designer, has a great color blog that you should check out. I'm honored to have one of my color palettes on display :) ....you know me & my love affair with color....ahem...orange {still}

And last but not least...my show, opening May 9!!! The originals from this show, will be available for viewing & purchase online ~ so for those of you unable to attend in person, can attend via the internet.

Whew...that's a lot. Not to mention I'm finally getting ready to release another project I've been "promising" for quite some time....all very exciting!! 

If you're in L.A., I hope to see you!!!!! 

& if not we'll meet here, {or} twitter, again soon!

owen & partridge

4 x 4 in. {original will be available at one of my upcoming shows}

This morning I was painting, and Sean was reading his newest script to me. Riley, the cat (who wants to eat everything if you follow me on twitter ;)) was sitting beside him on the chair, listening. It was a moment I wanted to capture forever. It becomes increasingly evident that everything we are chasing, everything we are hoping for. In that moment, we already had it.

a beyond gorgeous surfboard

I am SO proud of my friend, Outi. This is one of her latest creations, and it is beyond gorgeous ~ I had to share it with you. And of course, as a surfer, I have a special appreciation for this. We, surfer girls love a beautiful board with personality. I really think, from one creative entrepreneur to another, surfing manufacturers should get on this....develop a line of custom boards designed by artists.....any surfboard manufacturers who read this blog???? this is for you :)

jackson

10 x 10 in.

This particular Jackson I painted recently is a very special one. Up until this Jackson, I only knew one other weimaraner named Jackson, my own "Snackman" who's 13 now. Oh, Weimaraners. The first time I became introduced to them was during a college art trip to NYC where I saw a showing of  William Wegman's work at the Whitney. Love at first sight and several years later, I scooped up a puppy and the rest is history. If you know or have a weimaraner of your own, {and I know one of my friend's who reads this blog who is very much in this category ;)} then you know just how special they are.

hope everyone is having a happy holiday weekend ~ more painting for me....27 days and counting until my show!  Even though I still seem to be all about twitter these days, I miss you over here at the blog & wanted to pop in and say hellooooooo!

i will protect you

{detail of an 18 x 24 in.}

Exploration in painting. Last night I sat down with one painting in mind, and then this character came out. It was almost as if, whoever this is, insisted on making an appearance. And you read the size correctly. 18 x 24 inches. Honestly, it's been so long since I've painted on a larger wood canvas, I completely forgot how liberating it is. You can move your entire arm to put the brush strokes on the painting. Usually I'm cramped over a tiny, tiny piece making sure I don't sneeze while I'm painting a thin line. All I know is I LOVE to paint more than I ever have. Sometimes, I honestly think I am still so much at the very, very beginning of all that I want to explore. Like I've barely even scratched the surface.