'Hidden Fortunes' collages:) Origami paper, maps, scrap paper and happy fortunes. 

'Soon You Will be Sitting on Top of the World'

'Many Successes will Accompany You This Year'

Paintings inspired by photos taken on a trip to DC. Looking at all nature pictures I have with a different eye now. Anything with fun lighting calls to be painted!

I've also been working on my checklist for my etsy shop...working through packaging ideas, shipping costs, business cards, pricing...so many things to think about! Whatever happens, I want to look back and know that I was persistent and committed, even if  intimidated.  Okay, really, really intimidated. 

Monkey

This picture just gets me every time. I think you can tell who's in charge around here! Happy nine months to our little man...it's pure magic getting to be your mom. <3

Nasturtiums

I have these sweet, fuzzy memories of being in the backyard with Natalie when we were kids, and being super, super excited about my mom's nasturtiums. A pretty flower...you could EAT!!! What is cooler than that when you're a kid ( or an adult for that matter!?). This spring, my neighbor was growing them in her yard, and it transported me back to those flower-munching times. I snapped some pictures, and just came across them again a couple days ago...painting ensued! 

A Painting in Rewind

Commission from beginning to end! I don't really love showing every step, because, let's face it, it looks pretty horrible in the beginning. So this is for you Esther! ha:) I'm learning that painting takes faith that something beautiful is going to emerge from all those layers of underpainting. I also met an artist in Penticton, Grace Shaw, who said, 'When I paint, I just take a deep breath and go for it!'. I love that! You can't over think it; you just have to go where it leads you. 

Done for lovely, lovely friends out in California, the Ebners! Based on a photograph taken by their  talented photographer son, Jeff ( check out his blog here!).

A Couple New Ones

I really don't know what happened over the last year. It's like taking that painting class unleashed an inner person I didn't know I had, with one idea not coming out complete before another one tries to push it out of the way. I'm kind of scared!  My plan is to not over think it, and just keep being inspired by the beauty in God's creation; it's endless! 

Continuing to 'stock pile' in an effort to have enough for the show in October (thank you, Megan Thomas! I MISS you!), and enough to have a (hopefully) decent looking etsy shop soon. Any other artists have suggestions on how to have a body of work for showing, and still have enough to sell?

Went back to one of my first ideas. There was a cherry tree in the background of a car ad, and the striking white against the solid color background will probably have me playing with versions of this for a long time to come. Fun to paint partially from photo inspiration and part from imagination. 

 A sweet neighbor and friend commissioned these for her beach loving husband's birthday, and I've been waiting to put up pictures until she gave it to him ( not that I think he reads my blog, but you can never be to careful! ha) Thanks so much Anna and Dallas! 

Favorite Things

What is better than coming home to a bag full of delicious organic veggies on your door step? If you live in the Jacksonville area, you should seriously talk to Matt and sign up for Palmetto Organics. We've been getting door step veggies for about a year now, and wow. Affordable. Good for you. Crazy convenient. And I've gotten to experiment with so many veggies I never would have been brave enough to purchase on my own! Love. It. 

Hello, bag bursting with deliciousness. 

This week's goodies: rainbow chard, cremini mushrooms, green peppers, costata squash & sunburst squash, green beans, golden grape tomato, gala apples and bartlett pears!

Cute Lil' Cousins

What incredible fun to get to see Rowan and his sweet cousin Everett together. This is the first time they've seen each other and are old enough to care that the other one is there! 

 'Sharing' the piano:)

Loving a toy that Natalie and I played with!

Everett wanting to know what that thing taking his picture is!

And I haven't posted a recipe in a long while, but these two are too easy and tasty to pass up! Natalie and I roasted beets the other night, and made this delicious curried butternut squash. Adding to my imaginary wish list: please make Arkansas and Florida just a little bit closer. I really like seeing my sister.