New Works

My grandpa is my hero. Not because you've heard of him, or because there are going to be books written about him, but because, in his quiet, strong way, he is someone I wish I could be just like. 

For starters, he has the most fantastic, well-timed sense of humor you will ever find (I don't think I can ever learn that). He might not say that much, but when he does, you're going to laugh til you cry. Even though he is super amazing and handy and knows how to do just about a million things, he is also incredibly humble.  Also, he's cool as a cucumber. Always. And the sense of adventure he has! He and my grandma have traveled to more places than I can count, and I only hope someday Ro and I can mark as may places on a map as they have. 

This last visit to their house over Christmas, they graciously let me go through the stacks of maps at their house, and take whatever I wanted. The collection is absolutely amazing, and several I am nervous to use, I'm so obsessed with how beautiful they are just as is. 

When I started dreaming of balloons recently, I thought I just might have found the perfect way to integrate one of the world maps. All of the paintings pictured were created from a single map, collaged paper, and acrylic paint. I hope they capture a sense of adventure and delight! 

First (and possibly last) DIY Post

Last week was amazing. My mom, sister and her little guy were in town, and I've officially decided that you shouldn't live far away from nice family. It's way too hard to say goodbye! Rowan worships his cousin; love the way this picture captures the adoring look he gave him all week!

And now...on to my project! There is a wall in our living room that used to have a charming wood burning stove attached to it. Thankfully (the not so kid-friendly)  stove is no longer there, and the wall was just asking for some lovin'.

Now, because I paint, you might think that I knew what I was doing. But the truth is, I only paint things that you put on a wall...not the wall. In fact, my only other experience was painting a kitchen that ending up a hideous lime green instead of Lemongrass, or whatever it was supposed to be. 

A visit to this site and two trips to Lowe's later, things were looking up. 

But...what good is a beautiful blank wall without something lovely to hang on it? 

I've been hanging on to any old maps I find for collaging..amazing how current technology has made them obsolete.  And what beautiful and meaningful collage material! I wanted to incorporate an Arkansas map, since it's where Ro and I met. I also had other tibits I was excited to use.

'Patchwork quilting' the pieces.

I sketched over the collaged pieces, and then went to town with my paints. 

Incorporated artwork from Masha Dyans, love how whimsical her paintings are. 

You know I have a thing about trees :) Love the way collage pieces can tell a story.