Obsessed

I know Pinterest has been around for awhile. I've been pinning things on the site for a couple of years now. This past weekend I caught some sort of nesting bug and I've been obsessed with finding ideas to revamp our house, inexpensively.

I'd love to repaint some rooms, but some new art and maybe add a new rug, or two. I really want to start with this wall in our "dining room." I'd love to paint it a deep blue, or dark grey and add a large, framed, mirror. I'd love to paint the little book shelf white too and add a little rug to go under the table. That floor gets mighty cold in the winter.

All of this will have to wait until I'm done with this Crafty show, of course. I'm itching to do it now, but I know it will only cause a great deal of stress if I start a project before finishing the last one.

 I've been pinning lots of house inspiration ideas lately, but I also like pinning art and really cute puppies. So, if you're into that kind of thing here I am.

The warmest day of the year, so far, was today! 63 degrees and wonderful!

I went for a 6 mile run, worked on some new pieces and played with Chloe in the back yard. It was fantastic.

Our garden is starting to really take off too. The Euphorbia is getting ready to bloom and the Forsythia has already started. I plated some kale and some lettuce, and I planted some lupine seeds and some poppy seeds on Sunday. I'm afraid I might be too late/too early with the flowers, but I thought I'd give it a shot. Fingers are crossed.

I was lucky enough to get quite a few art related things started this morning. I don't really know where the fox is going but I like it so far. I love making all of those tiny marks, and there is something about this little fox that I can't let go of.

The butterfly and moth are new too. I've had these little collages hanging out in my studio for weeks not knowing what to do with them. I've always felt a connection with things that can fly, butterflies and moths included. The fact that they are free to flutter about, but at the same time have to be so careful with the outside world.

Sweets. Mixed Media Collage and Illustration.

 I'm currently reading Flight behavior by Barbara Kingsolver which is story about butterflies and climate change.

Also, have you ever seen a moth's face up close. They're scary, cute and amazing. You should Google it right now. Oh wait, I did it for you.

The butterfly piece is done and already listed in my Etsy shop! Look at me being productive. 

Cat

It's mid January and I'm already craving sunshine. This is not a good thing.

I'm glad we're heading to San Diego for a few days. I just really hope it doesn't rain there.
I don't usually mind the cold and the grey. Well, not until May, typically...

I feel like the sun gives me energy and omph! Which I feel like I am really lacking these days. I laid in bed for 45 minutes trying to get myself up for a run this morning. I felt a bit stale creatively in my studio this afternoon too.

However, I did see a picture of a cat and decided that I needed to paint it. So that's what I did. And I like it. I like this style I've been working in. All of those little lines are brushstrokes. I find it so meditating to paint all of those little lines. I listen to music, think and paint little lines in different colors. I enjoy it very much.

I also finished my custom portrait of Dolly. The client is very happy with the end results and so am I.

My photos aren't great and it's because I'm not working with any natural light here. It's been pretty dark all day, and now it's even darker with evening coming in.

I hope you can get a good idea on how they look :)

Molly and her toy.

I've been working on two new illustrations and a commissioned dog portrait this past week.

I realized that I have quite a number of animal pictures done, and I was thinking of hanging them as a show somewhere.

Where? I'm not sure. The idea came to me this morning while taking a shower. Isn't it interesting that some of your best ideas come to you while taking a shower? Or reading a book? Or drinking a cup of tea?

Two new illustrations for the new year.

Anyway, the idea is there, now to shop around for a space!

Things and Things

Well, another election year has come and gone.

I'm happy it's over. I'm happy with many of the results including gay marriage in Washington State and Elizabeth Warren as the Senator of Massachusetts. Elizabeth Warren for President? Hillary for VP? Too soon? I don't think so. My heart is also happy that Obama was re-elected. I still have hope for our country and I feel like Obama can continue his good work. I try not to get too political on my blog, but I feel like these are important times and shouldn't be ignored.

Two foxes.

Anyway, I spent my glorious day off making a new fox illustration and listed my little jerboa painting on Etsy. I'm trying to get as much done as possible before Turkey day. I'm planning yet another big sale in my shop the day after Thanksgiving and I would like it to be filled to the brim!

Little Jerboa

Stay tuned for secret coupon codes!

Tearing it up.

New Animals

Fun times painting today.

Bunting and eggs.

I worked on this bunting painting and this cute little jerboa.

Jerboa

I hope to have them done by next week!

In other news, can you believe it's November? We started taking turkey orders at the store I work at yesterday. I'm not ready. Not the slightest...

New Work!

I'm trying to get some new things in my Etsy shop listed over the next few days.

Winter and Red

I have some paintings and some works on paper to list. I also have a new Holiday postcard that I'm excited to share.

Thanks for the Memories

So far I've been able to list two new paintings. They're both mixed media collage oil paintings. You can find the little fox here, and the deer here.

More to follow tomorrow and Friday!

Foxy

Yes!

Today I ran 7 miles. I cleaned the house. I took Chloe for two walks, and then I painted.

I worked on this little fox painting for most of the afternoon. The deer painting got a little love, and I'm still trying to come up with something to paint on this little collage I made the other day.

I think the deer painting needs something else. Like, maybe it needs some trees, or some sort of pattern going on in the background. I dunno. It's something I need to think about.

In other news, my good friend sent me her childhood stamp collection with the instructions, "For artistic purposes only."

 It's so cool. Really. I feel like I need to make something so incredibly special with them. Some of them are so beautiful, and they are from all over the world. Maybe I'll share some of my favorites soon.

Done. almost.

So, I think I'm pretty much done with my latest commission.
I'm going to work on the woman's hand a bit more, but other than that I'm done.

Hooray!

I'm posting a picture of the couple so you can see what they look like.


The pug painting was a success! My client loved it and so did her husband. It's always a relief when you clients love your work.

In other news, I've listed some new prints over in my Etsy shop. The originals are going to be in a group show for the month of July at Gigantic Gallery in Portland. I'm really happy with how they came out. I feel like I was able to communicate my love for drawing and mark making in these pieces. I feel like I was also able to express my love of living in the Northwest.

In other, other, news, Nate and I have been seriously thinking about adopting another dog. We met up with Amy over at the Pixie Project this morning. She brought a little guy named Turkey over to meet Chloe. Unfortunately, Chloe tried to eat him and seemed generally uninterested in meeting him.

Needless to say, I was pretty dissapointed. I've been keeping my eye on Turkey for months, and would have really liked to adopt him.

Amy was super sweet and said she would help us find the perfect dog for us and for Chloe. I hope someone adopts Turkey soon. He is a sweet little guy and deserves a great, loving, home.

 Well, tomorrow is the 4th! Hope everyone has a super fun week :)

Work in Progress

Okay, so here is the commissioned painting that I've been working on.

The faces obviously need lots of work, and I have mostly just blocked in the color, so not a lot of detail yet, but so far I think it's really coming along.

It feels pretty great painting so large. I'm not sure if I'll be able to go back to small paintings...

Three Sisters

Three Sisters

I posted a new painting in my Etsy shop yesterday.

I finished this piece a few weeks ago, but I haven't had a chance to photograph it and list it until yesterday.
I like how this painting turned out. I love the collage peeking out of the white, and I am very happy with how soft the feathers look.

I started a commission piece yesterday. I was contacted by a woman with two friends who are getting married and who are also farmers. She requested a painting in the style of American Gothic by Grant Wood. I was very apprehensive about doing this piece. I've never done a commission with people, and it's also much larger than I am used to. The size is 18x20", making it a bit intimidating. It took me about 2 hours yesterday just drawing it out, and making sure the dimensions were correct. So far I'm pretty happy with the drawing. I'm going to start painting on Thursday, so hopefully I'll have something interesting to share.

I thought it was time to take a leap, to take a risk, and to take on a challenge. I hope it was the right choice! We shall see....

Things and things.

I sold the last Steel Bridge painting that I will ever paint again. Well, I won't say never, but certainly the last Steel Bridge painting that I will do in that style.

I sold it to a lovely young lady who is buying it for her boyfriend for his birthday. She has never really bought art before, and she really liked the idea of supporting a local artist. That always makes me happy.

I can't say that I wasn't excited to be one of her first art purchases, and I was happy to be saying good-bye to the piece. It's time for new ideas and new paintings!

I've been working on these little watercolor pieces. I'm not really sure where I'm going with them when I sit down to work. I kind of just pick up the brush and let the paint and water do the work.

I think sometimes the results are pretty great, other times, not so much. It's certainly a lesson in editing.

I have two more big pieces that I'd really like to finish for the series of mixed media paintings that I started a few weeks ago. I tried to get some work done on them today, but I just couldn't seem to get into them.

I'm hoping to at least get some ideas for new pieces this weekend. However, I hear it's supposed to be sunny and 75 this weekend. SUNNY and 75 PEEPS! I don't think I'll be getting any work done this weekend. Not after weeks cool, rainy, weather. I want to be out there soaking up the sun and wearing a short sleeve shirt outside. Maybe shorts too?! Ohhhhhh I am excited.

Painting

I was able to get into my studio/garage today and get some paintings done!

I'm not sure if they'll be going into my Etsy shop or not.... 

I might wait a little while before I do. Until then, you can enjoy seeing them here!

Bird in Hand

Bird in hand.
Originally uploaded by michele_maule
I worked on this painting for 3 hours today.

It was one of those painting sessions in which my sense of time was completely out the window. The right side of my brain was fully engaged and extremely happy.

I like where this is going. It reminds me of some of my very early work. I don't know why I stopped painting in this style.

I think a lot of it had to do with selling on Etsy. I felt like my work had to be more colorful, more cute and more marketable. I love the work that I've done in the past, but sometimes I feel like I'm not painting for myself 100%. Maybe 98%.

I kept telling myself, while working today, that,"Maybe I won't list this on Etsy. Maybe I won't sell this at all. Right now I'm having fun and I'm not worrying about anything else right now."

It was a bit freeing.

This painting is also much bigger than I typically work. It's 2x2' and I think that in itself is much more freeing. I'm not confined to a 5x5" panel. I can make larger brush strokes and I can make more mistakes, and it's not as noticeable.

I feel good about the work I today, and it is such a wonderful feeling.

Getting Past

Rainy morning fun time.
Originally uploaded by michele_maule

Well, I took a few days away from blogging.

I've been having a good time making some collages and trying to get some painting done. I say trying because I haven't been very successful at making any paintings.

We all have good days and bad days, good weeks and bad weeks. I think I'm just having a bit of a down week and I'm hoping that it resolves itself soon!

In the mean time, I'm trying to take care of myself. I'm drinking lots of tea, running, and writing in my journal. I'm also trying not to be so hard on myself! That is a huge task, by the way.

anyway, hope all is well everywhere.

On a Roll

Watercolor on paper - Three

I feel like I've been on a creative roll the past couple of days. I was able to get some panels all collaged and just about ready to paint, and I finished up this pretty feather watercolor painting yesterday. For some reason it looks pretty blurry here...but not in my Etsy shop. hm?

 We're in our final days of our vacation, but I'm trying hard not to think about it. Live in the moment!

I made a promise to myself to never wait as long as we did to take time off. I get so wrapped up in things that I forget to do it, but it really is SO important.

I'm already planning another one is august!

Well, happy weekend! We actually don't have to work Saturday so it will be a real weekend for us!

Back to Work!

I started working in my little office studio this morning. I was able to get these two small illustrations done. I also got our garage in fairly good shape, and I'm hoping to get in there to do some painting this week. Good things all around.

Dark and Grey

Oh, my, it's so dark and rainy today. a good day for staying indoors and listing new items in my Etsy shop. although, not the best day for taking photos for my items. I'm going to need to re-shoot them, but at least they're up and ready to go. I feel good about that.

I listed my newest Portland postcard and also one of the small paintings from the Tilde show last month. I think the postcard really sums up the weather we're having today...

Matisse

I found this quote by Matisse while at the art museum this past weekend.

"There is only one thing that counts in the long run: you have to abandon yourself to your work. You have to give yourself over entirely, without thoughts, especially without afterthoughts. Only then does your work contain you totally. You also have to forget completely that the work you have created whether it has really been seen or experienced or not will always be judged by others. "

Something I've been thinking about the past few days.

Robert Hanson

Nate and I visited the Portland art Museum this past weekend.

We got to see some beautiful drawings by Robert Hanson, who was an instructor at Pacific Northwest College of art for a number of years.

We both loved the simplicity of his lines as well as his use of bold colors. There are elements of his drawings that remind me of the blind contour drawings we used to have to do in school. Then there are moments where he works out the details and creates a more finished area. It is quite lovely.

We were also able to get a glimpse of Titian's "La Bella." It was a little hard to get too close to it. There were quite a few people, and no one seemed brave enough to stand in front of the bench that was sitting in the front. It was beautiful and we were lucky to get a chance to see it in person.

 

Overall, a great weekend!
If you live in Portland I suggest you go out and see these works before they're gone.



I've been updated my shop with some pieces that I made this past summer for the Ristretto Roasters show. I've also created a sale section! I want to make room for new art and let go of some past prints. Once these prints are gone, they're gone forever! Change is good.