Four!!!!!

I am excited to show you another one of my Christmas gifts.  One I am pretty proud of, since I know nothing about what I painted.  I have a wonderful friend name Jen.  Jen and I have known each other for since we were about 11 or 12 - so a little over 20 years, which makes me feel a tad mature if you know what I mean, to have known someone other than my family for that long.  Needless to say, Jen is one of my very best friends.  She is known as Auntie Griff to my kids and she is officially Cyd's girlfriend and home away from home. (With all honestly he tolerates us, I believe, because she comes over and he goes to her house, but I digress)  Jen was an essential person for me and my family during the time my mom lived with us and ultimately died. She would come over and have dinner, visit with mom, mom felt very comfortable with Jen, so the turban would come off and mom would be "big mare" once again.  My mom would always sing that stupid girl scout song - "make new friends but keep the old, one is silver and the other gold..." when I would talk about Jen.  She was so happy that we had remained in touch and such good friends.  When we were in the days prior to losing mom Jen would show up and do what "good polish girls do, we cook!" and made several dinners, breakfast and miscellaneous snacks for me, my family, and my brother, Anna and dad.  She took the kids with her for a slumber party and Wii fest the night before mom died and kept them all day, the day of her passing.  She took time off work to watch the kids for me when we had mom's wake and funeral. 

She has been instrumental in my healing and I quite honestly don't know what I would do with out her.  I love her and she is the sister I was never given by blood.  All that being said, I wanted to do something special for her for Christmas.  She had mentioned eons ago about doing a golf painting.  So I thought, eureka!  So I did a golf scene with her nickname - Jen is quite the golfer and I could go on about her handicap and scores and such, but I have no idea what the hell it all means so I won't waste your time - but she's good and she loves it.  You would think that since I live on a golf course that I would be able to paint one up in a jiffy, but I didn't like the tee box I am on so I went online and found a beautiful course in Connecticut to model my scene. Without further ado....

I had to give my golfer a "pouf" of hair, because if you know Jen, you know that she has a pony tailed "pouf" at all times, it is adorable!

Four!

The dreaded sand trap!

I am pretty sure that Jen loved her gift and I am so very happy that it turned out, especially since I am, ahem "handicapped" when it comes to understanding golf.  Pun intended!  I believe it has found its spot above her desk in her office at home.  A perfect spot for a hobby/sport tribute!  There is more where this came from, so stay tuned and thanks!

 

Go Pack Go!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas - I know I did and I can't believe it is already over.  The best part is that now I can post some of my finished pieces that were Christmas presents!!!  

It is no secret that my brother is an enormous Green Bay Packers fan.  He has traveled to the frozen tundra alone and with friends and family to support his team.  He's pretty passionate - to the point were he can be downright ridiculous, but we humor him all the same!  My mom, an avid Bears fan, wondered where she went wrong with my brother (the Packers fan) and me (the Colts fan).  Lets just say it would make for some interesting fun when our teams played one another!

In any event, a while ago Steve had asked me to do a Green Bay painting for him.  Years ago I did a 16 x 20 canvas with his name: Mr. Renzino, for outside of his classroom.  It had all of his favorite things on it, the White Sox, the Packers, Basketballs, his black cat, and much more.  I thought I would do his new canvas in the same size, in the event it was vetoed by my sister in law for home display and he could at least take it to school! So I painted the Green Bay and Packers names in their authentic green and gold, but instead of the typical "G" logo, I decided to switch it with a much more interesting icon.  The cheese wedge!

And yes my brother does own a cheese wedge hat - courtesy of me many birthdays ago.

Steve was surprised, which was nice, and I am pretty sure he liked it:

Once again, I hope that everyone had a wonderful Christmas holiday, there is more to come!  Take care, travel safe and thanks!!!!

Merry Squirrels.

Are you done with your Christmas gifts?

Sorry - I was screwing around on YouTube with my girlfriend Jen and we were watching those fainting goats -anyway, knowing that YouTube is a treasure trove of video delights, I stumbled on this fellow -I thought it was hilarious and had to share it - it never ceases to make me laugh. It also seemed appropriate since there are just a few shopping days left until Christmas!

One of the nice things about this Christmas and creating this new little company this year, I had instant presents for my nearest and dearest.  One those happens to be my photographer Leslie.  She has become a wonderful friend who I enjoy tremendously.  I truly believe that God sends people your way for a reason -  I have been blessed to gain some new friends in the last few years and oddly enough some of them embody different qualities that are so similar to my mom's it is almost like having her around.  Leslie is one of those individuals.  I felt instantly comfortable with her and we have similar parenting styles, not to mention politically we see eye to eye and she is one of those people who appreciates a random phone call just to brag about my latest bargain.  She also could handle discussions on random things, like Sicilian cooking, Abraham Lincoln and best of all Squirrels!!!!

It was obvious to me that I needed to do a Squirrel painting for Leslie for Christmas.  She is from a small town called Olney in Illinois.  I think I have mentioned it before, but it bares repeating.  Olney is known for their Albino Squirrels.  In honor of her heritage I painted this for her:

(I hope you don't mind I grabbed it!!)

I have a few more paintings to share this week - but for now, enjoy this one - I'll be back after this weekend away.  Thanks!

let's hear it for the boys....

Yes, I have returned after having fallen off the face of the Internet.  We went for a long visit to the in-laws in Tennessee.  It was interesting not checking email, facebook, web page statistics, etc.  It was freeing, really and with all honesty I didn't miss being "connected" every second of every day.  We are back though, it is nice to be home.  We got in late last night and this morning we got up and went to get our tree from Dull's Tree Farm, where we have been going to since Jon was a baby.  After the Colt's game, we need to pick up Cyd from his doggie hotel and commence decorating and grocery shopping (ugh).  

In the mean time I am so happy to be able to share these canvas' with you.  One of my contest winners, Steph, was kind enough to order two canvas' for her nephews for Christmas.  They were 6 x 6 canvas' with simple wooden frames.  The first was my Vroom, Vroom, Whoosh theme - that Steph specifically asked to focus on trains.  

"G" transportation

I decided to give "G" an sleek express train instead of a freight or steam engine.

The whoosh in Vroom, Vroom, Whoosh

The second canvas I did was my Dino-rific theme.  Every time I do this theme, I have a few dinosaurs that I like to include, raptors and barosaurus, and certain scenery, volcanoes (which were Jon's idea in the first place).  I do like though, to try out new dinosaurs and I am especially happy with my triceratops and pterodactyl.  Yes,I am very pleased with how this canvas turned out.  

"T" in Dino-land

"T" is for triceratops!

Uh-oh - it's going to blow -good thing I'm in water!

I love reviews - of course they've always been good, so I am fortunate - but I love them nonetheless.  Here is Steph's comments on the paintings she's received:

The paintings arrived!!! Oh and they are great! I can't WAIT to give them away at Christmas this year.  I am only disappointed that "G" and his parents won't be traveling since they are expecting a new baby in January and want to stay close to home, so we won't see their reaction in person.  

I'm so impressed with the way the colors on the dino-rific tile will go AWESOME with my nephew's room, even though we didn't know the room colors ahead of time! It's amazing and I love love love the little dino details. The teeth on the one in the water and the dots. The dots are always my favorite little touch!

The train on G's tile is perfect too.  I love the helicopter-- I don't think I'd notice the landing pad before and it's such a great touch! amazing!

Thanks so much again!!! The paintings are so great!!!! I love checking the blog and seeing all the other things you are doing too-- it's especially awesome to have the photos of the little details although having my own and having seen the two others in person, seeing photos does NOT do these paintings justice!!!

Thank YOU Steph - I can't tell you how wonderful it feels to have a repeat customer.  I really enjoyed working on these canvas' and like I said before it is always fun to tweak and change my existing themes.  I can't wait to hear how your family likes them, please drop me a note and let me know!  

I have a few more pieces to share in the days to come - I have a few busy weeks ahead of finishing up my own Christmas presents and doing a large piece for a new client.  I hope every one's holiday was a good one - take care and thanks!

garden girls...

My girlfriend Angie put in a request to have me do two paintings for her girls for Christmas. I was so excited to do these, because Angie's family lives on a farm and her girls are two of the sweetest little farm hands you'd ever lay your eyes on.  Maddie, is my son Jon's age and Avie is a few months older than Drew.  So I've known these girls since they were babies. Angie had requested my flowers are de'vine theme, but wanted to add a bit of the great outdoors to it.  Specifically adding some butterflies and roly poly bugs, which are the girls favorites.  Her girls aren't afraid of dirt, but definitely have a girlie side.  It is always so much fun to customize themes that I have, especially when I know the children I am painting for.

Who doesn't love a lady bug picnic?  I have to admit, Betsy had this song on her website and I was just starting this painting at the same time.  I thought - hey I can have a lady bug picnic!  So this is mine.  And yes they are eating watermelon and chicken legs.

Acrobatic roly poly bugs!

Thanks again to Angie for ordering these fun little pieces!  I can't wait to hear how the girls like them after Christmas!  I am leaving for Tennessee this weekend - have a wonderful holiday and once again...

Thanks!

Princesses of all kinds

As much as I hate to push the delightful cupcakes and ice cream cones down, I have a few princesses I'd like you to meet.  Welcome Ava and Mia:

Mia the mermaid

This crab isn't so crabby!

Ava the dancing princess

A princess has to have a castle!

If you've followed my blog, then you know that I have a new addiction of playing on Facebook.  It has been amazing in putting me in touch with so many people of my past.  Grade school, High School, College - people that I was close to, but with distance and time, have lost touch. One of these individuals was Elizabeth.  I went to college with Elizabeth.  We were two of 7 or 8 in our Urban Planning program at the College of Architecture and Planning.  Elizabeth and I connected through Facebook and pretty soon there after she contacted me about doing two 5 x 7 canvas' for her nieces.  I was thrilled!  She wanted me to expand upon my existing themes of Under the Sea and the Dancing Princesses.  I was so excited too, because her nieces have the shortest, but prettiest names and I would be able to fit their whole name on the canvas.  I think you'll agree they are perfect for two little princesses!

Thanks again Elizabeth for letting me work on this fun little pieces. I hope that your nieces enjoy them very much!

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend and stay warm!

Thanks!

Sweet, Sweet maria!

I have art to share!!!!

This has been a difficult couple of weeks, between Ryan being on a business trip, Drew's birthday, countless meetings for school, friends and otherwise, and 6 paintings going on a once - it is no wonder I am as pooped as I am!  But after seeing these pieces finished it is sooo worth it!

First up Sweet Little Maria!

Miss Leslie, my photographer, asked a simple favor.  For me to do a canvas for her dear friend Jill, who just had her third child, but first baby girl.  Being a lady who knows how exciting it is to make the jump from Dinosaurs to Princesses, I was thrilled with the opportunity.  The request, she would like a 24 x 24 canvas, and she was visiting them in a week.  Now to be clear, Leslie did NOT put me under the week constraint, but she has been so awesome taking pictures left and right and turning them around in no time, how could I NOT deliver? Well, I did, in fact I finished the painting in three days.  Of course the third day involved seeing the AM on the good ol' clock, but I couldn't be happier with this outcome. The only details that I was given, was to do a pale pink background with a darker pink "M" and add cupcakes and ice cream cones in pastel colors.  I decided to do a pink on pink stripe with a scrolly "M", and have alternating cupcakes and ice cream cones in a variety of "flavors."  I also added my sparkle - which I have become fond of.  After using it in my Tiny Angels painting, I realized in the right setting, it adds just the right finishing touch.  Of course in addition to my sparkle, when I asked my son Jon what I needed to finish the painting "I know mom, you have to add your dots,"  I've become predictable - hopefully that isn't a bad thing!  I consider my dots to be my "flair" or my signature touch.  Honestly this is going to become a new theme -it is SOOOOOO cute.  I think you'll agree!  So here is sweet treats for a little sweetie:

Cupcakes and Ice cream - what could be yummier?

Strawberry Vanilla

Chocolate with Buttercream Glitter Frosting

Chocolate with Chocolate Chip

I haven't gotten to talk to Jill directly, but the way Leslie describes it, Jill opened the box, grabbed the piece, jumped up and ran into the nursery.   She started to take down the art pieces she bought that inspired this piece and wanted to hang it immediately!  I look so forward to hearing from her and posting her response later this week.  

In the mean time here is what else Leslie had to say:

I couldn't wait until tomorrow to tell you how much Jill and Gaspare loved the piece for Maria!  I was so proud to give it to them, and they truly appreciated it.  You cannot possibly imagine how closely the pink you used for the background matches the pink on Maria's walls.  It's like you were a little fly on her wall! 

I am really happy with this one - it had been a while since I had worked on such a big canvas - it was such a nice change of pace.  While I love working on my tiny paintings, it is a treat now and again to work on something so big.  I am thrilled that I had another satisfied customer - beyond just my good friend.  Ryan just laughs because all day Saturday I was like, "I wonder how they liked it?" I get so nervous, it isn't even funny.  I'm just a people pleaser. 

I have several more paintings, but need to get clearance from the clients to post those pics this week.  For now, just enjoy Miss Maria's sweet treat!

Thanks again to Leslie for her great photography, feeding me and my chickens and for the record, Leslie, I like the name William.

Thanks!

New stuff coming soon!

Hello All!

No I don't have any pictures, but I do have lots of paintings finished. Tomorrow my faithful photographer will be back in Indiana and ready to photograph all that I have done!  I have six paintings finished and two more on the way. I am so excited to share these new works with you, some are larger versions of my existing themes, some are new takes on my existing themes and two are just completely new ideas!  I promise I will be updating you this week on these new paintings - thanks for checking in, in the mean time - these new pieces won't disappoint, I promise!

Until then - take care and thanks!

Night Fairies and Imps

I mailed out my final contest piece last week and in an effort to renew my confidence in the USPS, they got that painting to Steph in record time!  I couldn't believe it when she emailed me on Saturday and said that she had already gotten it!  Perhaps they heard they were on the bubble with me...

On to my canvas.  Steph had come up with the idea of Night fairies and Imps - so I thought this would be a quirky take on the fairy idea!  It was fun to do and I am so happy with how it turned out.  See for yourself:

Colorful, no?

Night Fairy

Steph followed up with this wonderful review:

Oh my gosh, we LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE the painting! It is utterly adorable, and seeing it made me realize that you really can't appreciate--until you see one of your paintings up close--just how careful and detailed they are. The flowers with faces are so delightful, the color scheme really really pops, and we just know that our little R will absolutely love seeing this personalized canvas hanging above her bed! it's amazing! I love love love it! Thanks so much-- we're thrilled with the painting and couldn't have imagined anything cuter.

Thanks again,
Stephanie & Jamie

Yeah!  Thanks again for the awesome idea - it was such fun to work on and enabled me to something so different from what I've done before.  I can't wait to have my next contest!!!

I'm busy here working on Christmas orders and birthday presents!  Things have been busy and great and I owe it to all of you!  Thanks again for keeping Penny Pickles busy and inspiring me to do some adorable, unique art!

Happy Pickles!

Auction Time - finished!

Well the auction for the painting I did has ended and I am proud to say the painting went for....

$200!  

I am so thrilled!!! The winner, Kelli, will donate all those wonderful dollars to the IJM!  I will be shipping out the painting later today and can't wait for Kelli to receive it. Thank you to all the bidders and thank you to Amy for being called to do "something" and really doing "something" about it.  As my friend Leslie would say, "God's fingerprints are all over this one!"  I couldn't agree more!  Just wanted to share this exciting news!

Thanks and have a great weekend!

If you haven't been keeping up with my posts, please scroll down, I've been busy with all sorts of paintings!  Next up - final contest piece!

Henrietta

I loved Mr. Rogers, I did, really I did.  More than Sesame Street, or the Electric Company, the Muppets, I just loved Mr. Rogers.  I still do- can you imagine being his child?  While I realize no parent is perfect, I can't imagine that him at his worst is me at my best.  I still like to watch him, his calm, hypnotic voice, so patient and kind.  Ahhh...the days before all these crazy characters.  My point, yes I have a point.  One of his characters, X the Owl lived in a tree, Henrietta Pussycat lived next door.  

In honor of my lovely friend Heather's birthday, I painted her an owl, I named her Henrietta because it seemed fitting, her personality reminded me more of Henrietta than X.  She reminded me of the whole scene in the Neighborhood of Make-Believe.  If you don't know Heather, also affectionately known as H.Lo, she is truly one of the most creative souls I know. She now lives ALL the way in Seattle and needless to say I don't see her much, but she has helped me out quite a bit with technical questions on websites and blogging, in addition to setting up my custom blog header.  So as a thank you and for her special day I present Henrietta the Owl.

Henrietta

Don't forget the auction ends tonight for my painting on the blog Calling for Justice, so if you are interested, please take a look, all proceeds are going to a wonderful group, IJM.  

I am nearly done with my last contest painting - just a few finishing touches.  So will get that out and up here as soon as I can.  Another quick note, don't forget all Christmas orders must be in by November 14th.  I've gotten a few orders already, so please contact me if you are interested for something for Christmas.  Enough announcements - thanks again and have a great day!

Tiny Angels

I am so excited to share these paintings with you!!!!!

I was contacted a few weeks ago by a wonderful woman named Robyn.  Robyn is expecting a little girl soon and wanted me to do a nursery piece for her daughter's room.  

The nursery piece was pretty straight forward, stripes and dots, I will tell you though, it was one of my toughest paintings.  Which seems ridiculous - but when working with straight lines and perfect circles, plus trying to give it a three dimensional look - well lets just say I had a bit of a temper tantrum and started over - but am so happy with the final result!

Rowyn's Nursery Piece

In addition to that, she wanted me to create a tribute piece to also hang in the nursery in honor of her twin daughters.  You see these two precious souls were born very premature, Robyn and her husband Keith lost Abigail after 6 weeks and Ameilia three weeks later.  I was so touched to be asked to do such an important piece for them.  One of Robyn's friends had written a beautiful poem for them referring to the girls as Tiny Angels.  Robyn wanted me to use this poem as a muse for my painting so that she could hang them up side by side.  I had to digest the poem and the idea of doing this painting for a few days, but was struck with the vision of a antique pram with two tiny angels helping guide to this bright white light, which represents heaven.  In the poem it talks about how these angels are so small there couldn't possibly be wings tiny enough to fit them, so they use balloons to help.  Robyn had asked if I would experiment with a bit of sparkle to add a bit of glow to the balloons, angel wings and heaven. Here is how it all turned out:

Tiny Angels

The Pram

Angel

Here is what Robyn had to say about her paintings:

Annie,
 
I just got the paintings, and they are absolutely perfect. You did such a fabulous job, I can't thank you enough. 
 
The "R" painting matched the bedding perfectly. I don't really think you know how exact the colors match, my husband and I were amazed. We are going to hang the R today, after we run to Home Depot for hanging materials. I will take a picture and send to you once we get it situated. It was exactly what I wanted.
 
The Tiny Angels is beautiful, it made me cry. This week has been a rough week for us, Wednesday was the anniversary of Ameilia's passing, so the painting came at a perfect time. This painting will get hung a little later, I am now going to get the poem printed on a different piece of paper that matches the painting a little better. The spot has already been picked out for this piece. The Angels have so much detail in the hair and wings, and I love the pram. I absolutely can't wait to show this to my family and especially my friend who wrote the poem. Everyone will love it. 
 
Thank you so much for these precious paintings, I will keep them forever! You clearly put your heart into every piece you do, and it's obvious. These two pieces are so special to me already, and I just know Rowyn is going to love them in her room. God has blessed you with a wonderful talent, and I appreciate it!
 
                                                                   Thank you,
                                                                    Robyn and Keith 

Robyn and Keith, I am touched beyond words to have been asked to do this painting for you.  I thank you for this opportunity and have been so moved by your experience.  I pray for a safe delivery of a very healthy baby and know that she will have extra "angels" looking out for her throughout life.  Thank you again!!!

Thanks for checking in and enjoy this weekend!

Finished and Facebook

I did it, I did it!  I finished six pieces, sealed, framed, all done!  I am so very excited. I finished my nursery art and the tribute piece - those will ship out later today.  I also finished a surprise for a friend, and the painting that will be auctioned off (more details to follow).  I also completed my first contest give away, which the winner, Lori, also purchased an additional one for her other son - so I have both of those that I will deliver tomorrow afternoon!  It was a busy night of getting things just so, now all I have to do is wrap, package and ship - which I can't do until I photograph.  

Thank goodness Leslie is back and I will be invading her home this morning with paintings o'plenty.  I will admit that it is so nice to have someone else take the pictures - first because she does an amazing job, second because in my infancy in painting for people it is so nice to get a vote of confidence from someone other than my husband and kids.  I mean they HAVE to like what I do, don't they?  Leslie of course is so gracious and kind -so I don't know if she'd be honest if she hated something -but the fact that she nearly cried with my latest piece makes me pretty sure it turned out well.  I am excited to share these paintings with you over the course of this next week.  

If your name is Steph and you are wondering, "Where is my contest piece?" Do not worry - yours is sketched out and I will be starting it tonight.  I only have one other one that I am currently working on and it is a Christmas present, so it will sit on the shelf until yours is completed.  I am so excited to start this contest piece because I think it is going to be quite adorable! - At least my sketch is - so it has to get better from there!

On to Facebook.  So I am a bit of a 70 year old when it comes to these new fangled online communities.  I was reluctant to join a cloth diapering forum last year when I began to cloth diaper Penny (which I still do btw- go me!), but that turned out fine and I actually met a couple of really great friends as a result of that online forum.  So I am slowly a believer.  I have been dodging the Facebook train for a while - mostly because I am more of a person to person type of gal - I have a friend that is amazed that I have met up with so many of the people I have met online.  That's just me.  In any event - I thought I'll take a look - and I joined, now I sound like an E-Harmony commercial! Well it has been pretty neat to be connected with my old high school friends, to see them, their pictures, their families. I will say that I have been reluctant to invite friends - do they want to be my friend? do they like me?  All of my insecurities resurfacing and it isn't helping that a handful of people, mostly college, have not replied.  Either they aren't as "active" on Facebook, or I do in fact suck.  I had a friend from college excitedly contact me early in the summer. I responded and never heard from her again - I guess a stay at home mom of three, who paints isn't so exciting.  Maybe when Oprah highlights me (I wish) - I will finally have value to some.....  ;o)

So I have been sucked in, as has Ryan. See I have a modicum of control, whereas Ryan does not. He was up until too late last night uploading pictures and looking for old friends.  Now don't get me wrong, I get kind of involved, and check my email, my blog comments and my traffic on my website more than I should, but I can turn it off and move on.  Mostly because I have to and have three little chickens distracting me so.  With that, I am glad for having joined, I am connecting with some great people and surprise, surprise, planning coffee with an old friend for this weekend!  

Okay, I'm off to check on any new friends - check back each day this week - I will be posting all the new paintings I've done and what's up for Penny Pickles.  Thanks!

in the jungle the mighty jungle....

I was contacted a bit ago by a lovely woman named Liz.  She had a request to do a canvas for a friend (lucky friend!) who was about to deliver her first. She photographed the bedding from the nursery and wanted me to use that as my inspiration and add the baby's name and birthday. We then discussed fonts and here's how it turned out:

The nursery bedding

My version!

Here is what Liz had to say about her painting:

The final product is WONDERFUL!  I'm very happy with how it turned out.  Thank you for your efforts to match the nursery...you did an excellent job.  I am certain that the new mommy and daddy will be thrilled when they see this new addition to their son's bedroom. Working with you was a delight. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

My favorite - the curious Mr. Hippo

Just hangin' with Mr. Monkey

This bedding was absolutely adorable and I loved its simplicity and the opportunity to add my own flare to it.  I was a bit nervous, since I had never done text like this, but I hope you'll agree it turned out great.  Thank you Liz for hiring me to do this for you and your friend.  It was a joy to work with you!

I haven't forgotten about the contest! I have chosen my winners and will be announcing them first thing tomorrow morning!  More about that later - for now - it's a jungle out there!

Thanks!

Random thoughts for the day...

Today is a collage of thoughts.  

Ryan had his follow up meeting/interview with a company in Zionsville.  He said it went very well - he is suppose to go in on Monday and they will firm up an offer.  Cross your fingers, pray, send good energy - whatever it is that you all do, do it please on our behalf, it would be nice to start the week with a job.  He is at an another interview this morning, he isn't back yet, so we shall see...

I am almost done with my most recent order for a nursery, its cool because I am hand lettering the babies name and birthdate.  The bedding that they have and what I modeled the painting after is so cute - I am moving right along and if I play my cards right I will finish this evening.  It is amazing to me how some pieces go so quickly and others not so much.  I need to do a quickie surprise gift, so hopefully this weekend I can whip that little fella up.  I am waiting on some feedback from two other pieces or else I would have some pictures for you.  But alas, I do not.  But I did find this little one - if you have a mac, you gotta love photobooth!

Me with two out of my three chickens!

Oh, the contest, okay so I am going to open up the contest on Monday!!!! I have my idea and I will explain what I need from you, then on Monday look for the posting, okay unless something bigger happens, then we'll start Tuesday, but for now its Monday!  I am excited for my first contest, now ask me next week when I have two entries into my contest, how excited I am.  So check back, tell your friends, until then...

Thanks!

Gimme a "M"

I wanted to do a quick post to show one of my newly received pieces:

Thank you Kelly for requesting my vroom vroom, whoosh! (In the midst of a move no less!)  It's just such a cute little boy theme - and what boy doesn't love cars?  (Big or small boys that is!) I am happy to report that she said "I love it!!  I WILL recommend you and your site to my friends. Thanks again. :)."  Nothing better than a happy customer!

I've got a couple of others in the mail, one of which is my first non-child art canvas- so I am VERY excited to share that with you.  The other is a surprise for a remarkable woman, that I met online (again very 21st century of me!) I will share her story with her in the next couple of posts.  

For now I am busy, painting a custom canvas for a nursery and a logo sign for an at home business.  I think I've decided on my contest for Sept.  I'll announce that one soon!  Until then... 

Thanks!

Updates

As much as I hate burying that picture of Penny down into the archives - I have some exciting stuff to tell you!  So I've had some questions and comments about adding a finished work page to my website.  Well, it is done.  I finished it some time ago - but needed my IT department to upload it and since I created my site on iweb, it requires some fancy transferring through "middle man" software.  Ah, but enough techy talk. It's done - check it out - I have my newest piece going out in the mail today, so that won't be adding until later this week - I CAN NOT wait to share it with you!  I am also starting another logo project that will need to be done in the next two weeks because the show it will be used at is in the first week of September- yikes! So I've got a busy week ahead of me!

On another note - I am going to be embarking on my second furniture endeavor.  I did a small wooden three drawer dresser for Penny- it was a gift from my mom, for her doll clothes and such.  I need to have Leslie photograph it for me, because mine, well stink (as you can see below).

Crummy snapshot of Penny's Playthings dresser

Speaking of Leslie, she is having me paint a table and chairs for her daughter.  She has given me complete creative freedom (scary), and I am excited to begin!  Of course she's given me no timeline - but as you all know I'm an impatient girl, so I've already got some ideas in my noodle, ready to start sketching.

I want to stress again, if you are interested in having some work done for Christmas, please don't think it is too soon!  I can't believe I am saying that!  Anyway - check back, we'll be posting some more new stuff soon!

Thanks!

some updates

So just to give a few updates:

Jon had a great day at school, but he missed his bus coming home because his teacher thought he was on bus 89 not 68.  Jon got all flustered and missed it.  All is well, he got to have a snickers bar with the principal as he waited for me- so it wasn't all bad.

Jon had football practice last night and ROCKED!  All those games in the basement during the Colt's games have paid off!  He even took a ball square in the nose and after some cuddling from mom and slap on the butt he went back out and picked up where he left off!

Okay- on to business - I have had several requests to add a page to my website of my finished work.  Well I've done it, but my technical advisor (Ryan) has been busy (I have actually seen him less now that he isn't working ) and I need him to make some adjustments before I upload the new page.  So in the mean time if you are curious how these little pieces go together or what I've done, then scroll through my blog's archives. I also will be adding some of my new themes and finished additions to themes so check those out as well.  

I finally am ordering business cards!!!!  I am so excited, I have had people ask (Jennifer) and ask, but I had a vision and I just couldn't get it to work.  Grr, insert Ryan here and he fixed if for me, so I will be ordering those later this morning. 

Today is picture day, I can't wait for Leslie to photograph some of my finished pieces and rephotograph some that I didn't do justice.  So check back for new and improved images!

Oh and while I am thinking about it - I received an email this morning from a prospective client, curious about doing work for christmas presents.  IT IS NOT TOO EARLY to think about Christmas.  I am one woman and I can paint fast, but even I have my limits.  That being said, if you think you might like to order something for christmas - lets start talking about it and at the very least get the ideas flowing.  Until then....

Thanks!

a machine

Hello!

Well, I have been very busy - I finished a quick piece for a friend, waiting to hear back from a client, finished all my frames and will get them attached and ready to go tonight and am progressing on my work-in-progress projects.  It is really going well.  

Tomorrow Jon starts school, we got up at our appointed time, got ready, fed and cleaned in record time.  As Ryan asked, is this for Jon or you?  Actually it is for me, I am LAZY in the morning and while I had full faith in Jon, not so much in me. Can I tell you what I am not looking forward too?  Packing lunch each night, ugh - it is so not part of my routine and it isn't like he'll take leftovers.  Can I tell you what I am excited about?  Jon and Drew not fighting every morning, I mean its like a ritual, we get up, we get along for about an hour and then we fight, about everything.  Oh yes, peace will be restored in the Page house, thank goodness.  That is until Penny starts to steal Drew's toys - then it will get ugly again.  Ah the cycle of life- like a friend once said - there are reasons why some animals eat their young.  

Well I have a visit on Thursday from Lady Leslie and her lovely littlen' Meredith and we will be photographing all of my finished pieces! Yeah!  I just can't wait to see how they turn out - and then in turn show them to you!

Okay, signing off - Ryan has another interview this morning, keep the good vibes going!  Oh and if you have any ideas for my September contest, send 'em in.  I have had one submission, and its a good one, but I'd like to see what else you've got!  

Thanks!

big boys and bugs

A couple of weeks ago, I received an email from a friend from college.  Heather is a fabulous lady that I had many a laugh with during my last couple of years at Ball State.  She was in the graduate Historic Preservation program and I was minoring in HP.  If you know Historic Preservation and some of the individuals that work in that field, they can be, oh how shall I put it, kind of dry in my opinion.  While that may be true, Heather was far from dry and she and I were the comic relief and had a ton of fun, regardless of our situation and much to the chagrin of some of our professors. Fast forward to today, Heather wanted me to paint my great outdoors theme for her son, Asa.  This art piece would also be one of their gifts to celebrate little Asa's first birthday!!!  I was so touched that Heather wanted me to do something so special for her little fella!  Here are my not so great, don't do it justice pictures of little Asa's painting:

Here is what Heather had to say:

Hey Annie --

I got the package yesterday and wrote you a note, it is wonderful!! Everything is perfect and we're going to find a spot on the wall for it today.

If you know me, I am impatient, so I HAD to post this painting - I do have to say that I am thrilled with a handwritten note - it is a lost art - one that I love!  So thank you Heather for your note!!!  I am also thrilled to be doing a custom piece for Heather that she will be giving to a friend that has a little one a few days older than Asa!  Talk about confidence, she ordered that custom piece before she received her own piece, so thanks again Heather, I am so touched!!!

Speaking of pictures, I have to give a shout out to my friend Betsy for connecting me with a fantastic gal (and photographer) Leslie, who will be helping me out with my pictures from here on out (more on Ms. Leslie soon). I have been functioning on my mom's little point and click digital, it doesn't do terrible, as long as the lighting is perfect - which is not always the case.  I am looking forward to Leslie's wizardry of photography to capture what I see and eliminate the blur!  

Have a great day and Happy First Birthday Asa!!!

what i said was...

Okay, so I promised I would photograph and post new pictures of my latest projects.  Well I did indeed finish them, and I think they turned out fantastic. I was able to finish them in record time, which boosts my confidence in being able to deliver a beautiful painting on time.  I also realized that it is really easy to finish 4 x 4 canvas' faster than 24 x 24 canvas' (insert "duh" here).  In all these realizations, I realized, "crap, I can't post these paintings!" Why you ask?  Well because I need to send them to the owners, and I believe the recipients should get the first peek!  So yes, I have finished two more projects, and no you can't see them - yet!  I am also happy to report that I have finished two more cause ribbon projects, just waiting for my dear carpenter, Ryan to return his saw home so I can get them edged. I've started a new cause ribbon painting, but that one is under construction, so to speak.  So I have nothing to show you today, sorry, but for the clients patiently waiting, your paintings are shipping tomorrow! I also finished my idea for the t-shirt vote at Jon's school, I will finish coloring that one tomorrow and submit it Friday - nothing like putting your ego on the table for 5 year old through 9 year olds to vote on!  Ah well, it was fun nonetheless.  Thanks again for checking in - until next time!