Two NEW Paintings up on the web!

Yep, I’ve been busy in the studio. Not to worry, I haven’t abandoned my jewelry side; I’m just wrapping up a few canvases and a few other arty projects in preparation for the new Etsy shop. Yay!! I’m trying so hard to stay on track and I feel like I’m already a week behind. I caught some silly cold and can’t seem to muster up the energy to work on my Due-Date-List. (Such a bummer –  I don’t like to waste time. I mean, these are my dreams were talking about, right?) So here I am, in bed, coughing up a lung and sipping tea, with my sweet puppy at my feet, worrying that I need to do SOMETHING!

I thought I’d let you in on what’s going on over here. Like I mentioned, it’s been BUSY with lots of great goals on the horizon. My next goal is to get the Etsy shop up in the month of October with a few gifty-gift items – I’m super excited btw. After that I’ll switch gears and work on new jewelry designs for the boutiques and the web in time for the holidays. I know!! I have a lot to do. Plus, remember in between all the fun arty stuff, I’m up late at night designing new marketing materials, ordering more business cards, applying to shows and exhibits, working on admin junk that I avoid (filing receipts, QuickBooks entries, yadda-yadda) + reading blogs, surfing the web and staying excited about the things I love; art history, the current art and design scene, and travel – all good stuff that keeps me inspired. The point being is there is a lot to do – Always! But I love it ALL!

..........................................................................

 

So here are the new paintings:

This one is ‘Roses are...’

 

Roses are...

This painting is one of the smallest paintings I’ve ever done. It’s 14x14. I started it this summer while on vacation, specifically because the canvas is a nice travel size. I won’t lie to you, I struggled with this one. I don’t typically paint small and I have to say I found it challenging. Must do more and get past that. J

This painting is ‘Seasonal Improv’.

 

Seasonal Improv

It’s late September in Colorado now and the change of seasons is on the forefront of our minds. This painting was definitely influenced by this change.  I purposefully draw the viewer’s attention to the right corner. By painting with bright colors I feel I invite you in to look into the past, celebrating the seasons of spring / summer and meadows of bright wildflowers. The warm mountain breeze begins to change to cool winds, symbolized by the circles, bringing in colder temperatures and loss of leaves on the trees, and eventually the snow begins to fall.

Thanks for taking a peak into my world. Hopefully I get over this cold, like today, cause it seems I need to work all weekend to make up for lost-sicky-time.

 

Enjoy your weekend.

xoxo

Getting Outta Town - It does a body good!

I'm not sure if you're aware, but this is the FIRST summer in 6 or 7 years that I have not participated in summer art shows. (well, except for the summer I worked at the gallery)

My hubby, Coop, is the principal of a school in Denver and let me tell you... He has his work cut out for him. It's a struggling school, the kids AND the community NEED him; he works constantly, noon and night on their behalf. Seriously, give some love to your kiddo's teachers and administrators; they work HARDER than you'll know. And while I'm on my soapbox, take a moment to tell them how you appreciate them; let them know you care, etc. Do you know that one of the only times teachers and principlas hear from you, the parents, is when you want to gripe; never realizing how passionate the school is about your kids, their future, the school and community? Your educators sincerely put in grueling hours and really want to make a difference. The way I look at it, if you have a concern, or a problem, (and of course you should, it's your child's education), first, it's important to change your approach and secondly, consider providing positive feedback, ideas and solutions along with it. Just think how much better you'll feel and you'll be amazed at the response you'll receive from your teacher, coach, secretary, or principal.

Coop hosted a motivational event for his teachers.
I made similar inspirational cards like these for The Makerie Creative Retreat
so I decided to duplicated the idea for his event. 

 

Ok, can you tell I'm hurting for my man? He is so kind and so dedicated, but he gets pulled through the wringer - coming from every direction.

So now that I've had a moment to speak'n release...(thanks, I guess I needed that) :)

Because his schedule was SO hectic and he worked so many long hours + barely had a summer break - we made the family decision to forego summer art shows. Yes, this is how I meet most of my new clients, and yes, this is a large part of my biz income... And... Coop and I really enjoy doing them. We love meeting the new artists every season, and we love meeting all the customers and travelers who come from all over to visit Colorado. It is super fun. But ye know... sometimes a girls-gotta-do-what-a-girls-gotta do. Support her man. He needed a break and we needed time together.

The kids were done with school the end of May, but a summer program was placed in Coop's school for the month of June - so he worked until June 29th. During the final week we took care of details, got the car packed, the puppy-dog ready, and we high-tailed it out of town the morning of Sat, June 30th for a sunny road-trip,and some much need R&R. Awesome! Crested Butte, Colorado - here WE come!



I've been known to road-trip with a few Red Vines and Tootsie-Pops.
Some how it makes singing in the car sound that much better.



Crested Butte is one of our fave small towns in Colorado; great restaurants, amazing hiking and fly fishing, good people, LOTS of bikes (mountain, road and especially vintage cruisers), all rolled up into one happy, pretty, little, hippy town.

Just a few townies showed up on their bikes to hear some outdoor music under the mountains and stars.
Did I say they have a few bikes in the Butte? LOVE it!

Mt Crested Butte, right in town.

 

A view of the Maroon Bells, from the other side of Aspen/Snowmass

 

And CB is doggy-friendly. Jetson, our dog, had a BLAST, meeting new buddies over morning coffee, on the trail and during the outdoor concert we attended.

 

*Also, if you ever get the chance to visit... Listen to me now... THIS is important!

You MUST stop by Third Bowl Ice Cream. It is seriously the BEST ice cream you have ever had! We don't typically eat dessert, but we wandered over to this super-friendly, crazy-yummy place ever night just to try all the creative flavors. (The couple who own Third Bowl had just opened it the week we were there - how lucky were we?!)

 

The cute boy; having so much fun!

 

And Coop...??  He finally got to breath.  

 



THAT's my man. Doesn't he look SO happy on the river?

 

 

Here's a few fun pics:

  

My outdoor studio next to the river = FUN!

 

 

 

One morning we hiked Rustler's Gulch Trail - amazing 360 views!!

 

 



Jetson thinks that was just the BEST hike EVER!!

 

I don't know what next summer has in store for me and my normal,

busy schedule of shows - but I do know I'm so glad I took a break THIS year.

 

It was a summer to remember!