Petits Livres

I made a few little sketchbooks for my girls. With mini-packs of colorful pens, they will make perfect stocking stuffers. They are only eight pages each (16 if you count each side), so I had to make a bunch. I'm afraid they'll fill them up by noon on Christmas morning. They really are so easy to make - I'll just make more! I used heavy card stock for the covers, four pieces of paper cut to size and folded in half for the middle, and one stitch on my sewing machine straight down the center. Easy cheesy, as delia says. So, ten days left on the countdown, and going strong! I'm in craft heaven. (BTW, sometimes I speak french to bug gavin, it really irritates him.)

Julia

I finally finished this Julia painting. It's my favorite thing I've done in a while.

Signing Prints

I love signing prints! I feel... professional. The other day my entry was inundated with large boxes. Some had artist proofs, a couple had prints to sign, then there were some fancy, empty boxes for me to ship finished paintings. There was something nostalgic and comforting about it. I had to call my mom and tell her that my house looked like hers. We often had boxes and boxes (similar in shape and size to my boxes) in the entry when I was growing up. That's when it hit me, I am an artist. I mean as a career. That's pretty cool. I should go paint. OK, when Christmas is over I'll really get to work and produce something worthy of my declaration.

Craftin'

I love making stuff! I love Christmas!! I have so many projects going this year - that I can't tell you about! I don't want to give away any surprises. These are bracelets with photos that I am making for my girls. Quick stocking stuffers. (Don't tell!) Cloe's has beautiful pictures of her dressed up as a fairy. For Delia's, I did our family so she won't miss us too much when she is at school. I think I'll do a drawing for Ezzie's and use a ribbon with a little clasp. So many projects, never enough time. Little sketchbooks sewn on my sewing machine are next... I'm getting revitalized by all this creativity. I love projects!!!

Majesty

This is a quick snap shot of one of the paintings I just finished (sorry about the flash!). I wanted the viewer to feel majesty. I set the figures in a grove of redwoods so the main figure could echo their height and grandure while countering their solidity with a greenish, transparent hue to her skin. The baby, on the other hand, is much more solid and real. It is to celebrate the honor and sacredness of her role. She has a very youthful face. I like that aspect, she is put in the role from the start. Youthful, but strong and set on gaining the wisdom she needs to do the job well. She knows she doesn't have all the knowledge and tools she is going to need, but she will get them by tapping into her instincts, attuning herself to universal truths, and imitating the character and wisdom of the great women she has known.

"Trust thyself: every heart vibrates to that iron string." -R.W.Emerson

Flight 3898

I just returned from Utah, a.k.a Winter Wonderland!!! It snowed like crazy on Saturday and stayed through Sunday. I got my fix for the winter and am happy to return to the AZ! I took the short trip to Utah for my fifth art show/print signing with my dad and my sister, Cass. The shows are really fun. As if I am not lucky enough to paint, to express my thoughts and feelings and create beautiful images, but I get to share my paintings and ideas... and lots of people like them, too! The best part is hanging out with Cass and my dad. We get around to all sorts of interesting topics, and we laugh a lot. We have a great time. I love my family! Sometimes we get a little silly. Cass and I wore matching dresses to church today. I had a wonderful trip (did I mention no kids? That's right, I slept till nine and read till noon... sigh). It was super fun to hang out with mom, Sari, Pete (thanks for the fudge), Jenn, Clementine (she could have fit in my suitcase and I seriously considered it), Dan (..is great, he makes us chocolate cake), Sunshine, Fiona, and Talulla sweethearts!!! Can't wait to come at Christmas time!