Copper pear...

I painted this pear this afternoon. I was attempting to try a speed painting but it turned into an hour. Oh well. My favorite part is the metallic copper I used for the blush on the pear. I LOVE metallic paint!!!

Meyer Lemons Sill Life

I had a great Christmas this year.  Being with my family and seeing my girls enjoy Christmas was the best.  But I also managed to come away with some new stuff!  I got new paint, brushes, and a "stay wet" palette!  I also went shopping at Barnes and Noble and found a great book by Vanessa Rothe.  It's called "Still Lifes and Florals".  It's kind of a beginner book and although I don't feel like it need all of it I've never been to art school, so it's great to get some good foundational knowledge built up.  I like her methods.  They are very straight forward and easy to follow and it leaves room for my own style and personality to shine through my art.  Here are some photos of my first project using her book.  I haven't done any of the tutorials, but I am following her instructions in painting my own still life.  It's of my meyer lemons!  Yes, I grew my own lemons!  In Ohio!  Well, I DID at least.  Right now, my lemon tree isn't looking so hot.  Anyway....

Something new....

I just started this new painting. I have my doubts that it will turn out but so far, I really like it!  It is going to be nasturtiums. I truly think they are the happiest flowers! :)

Painting Fun...

I've been painting a lot lately.  Mostly in acrylics.  I do love watercolors too, but right now I'm on an acrylic kick.  I've never enjoyed painting this much.  I am finally able to do what I've wanted to do for years.  NOT concentrate on the details.  I knew in my head that I needed to focus on the general feeling and aesthetic of the painting but I couldn't make myself not see the details.  I don't know how, but I can finally do it!  Or at least start.

Here is my latest painting.  I started it with a yellow ground and used a photograph that I took of my roses at our last house.  I miss those roses.  They made me so happy.

Here is my little art studio.  My husband is going to build me an h-frame art easel to go in it!  I can't wait!

New Blog and Christmastime at Our House!

So here's the start of my new blog!  I am so excited to share with you my love of all things art and my creative endeavors with my three girls.  Being a stay-at-home mom and a homeschooler doesn't leave much time for creative pursuits, but I am trying to make time for it.  It is important for me to make it a priority because it really clears my head and I feel much less "fuzzy" if you know what I mean.  Everyone benefits if mommy gets a few creative moments every day.  Lol.

Anyway, it's Christmas at our house right now and here are a few decorations we have put up for the holidays!  This tree has been a trip and to be honest I didn't like it at first.  It is growing on me though.  We went to a cut-your-own-tree place this year.  We usually go to Lowes and get a nice full tree there, but the cut-your-own trees are a little more wispy and pokey.  This tree HURTS!  The kids didn't like decorating it at all.  But the experience of getting our own tree was priceless.  It will definitely be a treasured memory.

My haphazard mantle.

Our Advent calendar.  I first saw this on Pinterest and thought it would be a great thing to do this year.  The girls just love it!  Even the two year old asks for it every night now.  I'm sure it has nothing to do with the fact that there is candy in each one.  I have also included a Bible verse and a Christmas joke in each one.  

Why couldn't the Christmas tree knit?  ...because it was always dropping it's needles!  Ha!

My glitter houses I made a few years ago.  Still going strong!