Longing for some warm weather!!!!

After sitting at my sewing maching for the last week, I was drawn finally to my easel to paint. I think the longing for some warm weather inspired me to paint this woman. Its almost like a self portrait of some sorts. Although I wish I didn't have any wrinkles like this woman..... I do love tulips and the warmth of the summer sun, and the warm evenings sitting outside listening to the crickets. This painting brings me back to a style I had long forgotten. I used to paint like this all the time, but changed into an illustration type of style lately. Not sure, but getting back to my grass roots is a change I needed. It seems like I am trying so many things trying to find that niche I long for.

Come Take A Look She's Finished

"Peaceful Heart" is finally finished. I worked on her till the wee hours last night and had to wait till today to take the photos while we had some sunlight. She is 100 percent hand made except for the base of course. Isn't it fully that I actually refer to a doll as "she" like she is a real person. Well, that's kind of how I feel now that she is done. Peaceful Heart is made out of cotton material, then coated with gesso. I painted her with acrylic paint. Her dress is painted with irridecent paint so it shimmers gently, just like the original painting I did. I am showing the print, but I should show the actual painting. When I take the photo I will post it. Then she is coated with acrylic varnish for protection. Before I coated her, I grunged her up with charcoal just like the original. I hope you like her. I am going to list her in my etsy store tonight.

Hugs to all

Okay Off Topic but I have a Theory.....

Today I am at work so I am going to write instead of posting a photo of my doll that I am working on. I am so excited with her and hope to finish her tonight. I will post photo when I am done.

I wanted to share a theory I have and then you can all comment on my thoughts.....this one is funny. Ok, so we have lotteries here in Canada, just like USA and last nights was 39 million. Gosh how I dream (along with 40 million other Canadians) that I would win and do my happy dance. I have that one down pat. I am jiggying along with my arms and legs flapping away. Well the computer has quick picks, meaning a computer terminal randomly picks the numbers for you and you take those numbers.

Well, I figure that if the computer is generating the numbers, what are the odds that those numbers are chosen in the end. Does each seperate computer at each terminal have a seperate "brain"? Meaning can a terminal spit out the same numbers? I figure that because a computer is giving you the numbers.....logically that some where along the line, someone should have figured it out. Someone should have figured out the odds of numbers coming up. And if all the computers are giving out randomly selected numbers, are those numbers put into the computer and then those numbers don't show up in the end. Kind of like a pre-notice not to pick those numbers. Not sure if this is making any sense, but really, like a slot machine, they say that random numbers and pictures show up at any time and that it is impossible to figure out when it will hit the jackpot. Unless the numbers show up by magnets, the computer is programmed somehow, and somehow, somewere, sometime it should hit the jackpot. Has someone figured it out, because if a computer was programmed by a human, then that human should know the exact combination of pulls and numbers drawn for jackpots. Ok, enough of that, I am just upset I didn't win again. I hardly buy tickets, but every time I do, I go through this ......Just a thought to ponder.

Have a great day

Art Doll Galore!.

I was sorting around my art supplies and old material and came across a book that I received as a gift when I was around 9 years old. It was titled, "My First Sewing Book". I remember making everything in it including a simple skirt and bandana....yes a bandana. The book was first published in 1970, which I am sure is the year I recieved it. I remember making these animals for myself and I thought my daughter would love them....sure enough, to get this picture I had to wait till she was at school. She has named them "Zinkies", "Roxy" and "Poxy". After sewing all weekend, I thought to myself, why aren't I doing this with my art. I have always loved to sew and have an ancient sewing machine in my art room. I gathered up all of my sewing stuff, which all looks to be dated from the late 70's and started working on an art doll. I modeled after my "Peaceful Angel" picture. I can't wait till she's done. I will post a picture as soon as I finish her. I hope to sell these in my etsy store. She is totally sewn with my own pattern that I made after the painting, then painted with gesso, then detailed with acylic paint. . I plan on detailing her more with black ink, but I haven't made up my mind yet. I also haven't made the heart yet, I was wondering what I should use, maybe paper mache'. This is a new beginning.....another one....haha.

Ever Wondering What To Do With Valentines?

My daughter and I started this project this morning. We gathered up all the valentines cards.... (did someone turn Valentines into Halloween?....because I think she received the same amount of treats on Valentines Day as she did at Halloween) (in the classroom). We then stretched a piece of paper around one of my wooden boards for sturdiness. Then I rumbled through my drawers and found just about anything pick I could muster up. She arranged all the candy bags first, then stuck the valentines cards on top. Then we colored, pasted and painted our way to the finished product. She will be munching on treats for days to come, all while remembering the valentines she recieved along with them. I must say though, the treats were sooo pretty and pink. I thank all the parents that went to all the trouble to make up the bags.

Has Anyone Used "POUNCE" on Etsy?

Oh my goodness. Today on my travels around the www i found etsy "pounce". Its really a neat gadget that allows you to scan all the the recently sold items on etsy. It might help to see what's selling there. Also, it tells you the undiscovered stores. Check it out, its a great way to see what everyone else is doing. I found some really beautiful things doing this.....my pocketbook is going to be empty soon. I found some really nice doll patterns. I have been wanting to make my daughter a doll from one of my illustrations. Lets see how that goes......seems like I take up something new every week. I wish I could just settle down with something....haha, but then again, that wouldn't be fun would it?

Old Collection of Paintings

I thought I would post some older paintings to show everyone another dimension. These paintings all sold on ebay years ago. I rumaged through all my old computer files and these came out. These were all done on blocks of wood, and all of them sold.....oh those were the good ole days.......lol

New Etsy Store

Well, after two years of saying I was going to and didn't, I have finally opened an Etsy Store. My link is to the right of this post. I am so excited. I anticipate more viewing than anything, but thats ok with me. Any exposure is good exposer I say. I used to sell alot on ebay a few years ago, but it died out slowly and I had so many other things I was getting into, I rarely had any time to work with my art. I have so many paintings around my house now, I have built up quite a collection to sell. I will try and list some original work. I did a few shows last Christmas, but found I wasn't hitting the right audiences. Most people would say to me, " I love your work, you should be somewhere else" like not in a school auditorium....haha. I thought at the time, it would work, and I did sell alot of knick knack items, but my larger paintings were to expensive for trinket shopping. I also work in an art gallery, custom framing shop, that's where i put my cards with my artwork on them. They sell quite well and I keep up with the demand. So we will see how this goes, and I guess I have nothing to loose and everything to gain.
Have a great day and don't forget to visit.

Great Giveaway at The Art Hermit

Visit the Art Hermit for some more yummy giveaways. Her stuff is gorgeous and well worth taking a look.

Happy Blogoversary Hands and Heart, shes giving a treasure to one lucky winner!

Congratulations Hands and Heart on your blogoversary! Visit her website today, she is giving away a gorgeous painting to one lucky winner. Her work is wonderful, its truly worth a visit on your blog tours. Cheers to the winner.

http://monicazuniga.blogspot.com/2009/02/happy-blogoversary-to-hands-and-heart.html