EXTRA HAPPY 4TH OF JULY

It all started with this lampshade.  We were in Target and Tim walked up to me holding this lampshade, knowing I would love it.  I stopped dead in my tracks and when he told me it was marked down to $5.98 I instantly had to design a space to put this.  I stood right there in the isle and redid the guest bedroom in my head.  We snatched up another matching shade and two bases.  Total for each lamp- $26.00!  I picked out a paint color (Sherwin Williams 6702 Lively Yellow) and found multi-striped sheets on a sales rack for $12.99.  I almost hate revealing my cheap sheets, but these were so absolutely perfect and they feel as good as the expensive ones.  I don't want to sound like I'm going all cheap on my guests so let's just keep this between us, okay?   I got the wicker table for $25 and sprayed it white.  The green pillows are Jonathan Adler for JCP and I framed one of my own paintings.  I will do more as time allows, especially with fabrics.  I am so thrilled with how effortlessly and inexpensively the makeover was falling into place.  Normally I hold High Mass over any and all creative decisions so this was a nice surprise.      

I remembered we had two chairs in storage that came from Tim's family.  I decided to paint one and I must admit, it was a bigger task than I wanted to tackle.  First I scrubbed it clean, then de-glossed it thoroughly before painting.  

It has been in the 100+ temperatures here, so I tried working indoors but paint splattered to and fro, so outside I went.  It took five coats in some areas.  I chose to not spray paint because there was just too much blank space.  I destroyed several brushes.  This one took on a personality of it's own.  I named him Guy.

  

The chair is finished and I made a new seat cushion and pillow from some of my Botanika fabrics.  Just in time for my daughter who arrives tonight with the kiddos.  It has been way too long since we've been together and I'm kinda giddy.  Hope it's comfy cozy for her.  

Have a wonderful holiday weekend filled with friends and family and thankful hearts for the freedom and independence we so richly enjoy.   

LIVING ROOM IS LIVABLE

While these are in no way Before and After photos, I took a few pics of the progress on the ole fixer-upper/ humble abode.  After we moved to San Diego I came across an antique french chair and sofa at a consignment store.  Before photos here.   I painted them a fresh white and had them reupholstered.  Just got the sofa back and I'm in love!!!!  I placed it right in front of the new floor to ceiling built-in bookshelves my MacGyver made from Ikea Billy bookcases (and some chewing gum and a couple coat hangers...you know how he is)!

I found that adorable orange side table at HomeGoods for less than $100.   I had a death grip on that puppy.

 Here's my two newest paintings.  The large one is called Spring Rain and the the smaller one on the bookshelf is from my last post.  It just hit me that my last two paintings are about rain; something I rarely see these days.  Hmmm?  On another note, do you say bookshelves or bookcases?  I flip back and forth.

Now it's time to make the pillows.  But no surprise that I've got three big projects going on so it'll be awhile before I am done.  Got my stack of potential fabrics and the start to this quiltie pillow.

So there you have it; another peek into a corner of my world.  Thanks for stopping by.  And as we said in Nashville, "Ya'll come back now, ya hear?"

NEW YORK, NEW YORK

I just finished recoating six canvases after six very bad attempts at some abstract mumble jumble.  So before I was tempted to commit seppuku with my paintbrushes I HAD to paint something recognizable.  ...QUICK.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK

I remembered that my friend Victoria Findlay Wolfe posted a rainy day image that was calling my name.  I got Vic's blessing and dove right in.  It turned out to be just the therapy I needed.  I painted around the sides and popped it in this frame.  Still experimenting with my signature.  Printing vs. cursive.  I was in a printing mood after making the PIZZA sign. 

We've been very busy on the fixer-upper.  Had to clean up for out of town company but upon their departure we decided to tear up a new area of the house.  I imagine if our guests stayed too long we'd be tempted to remodel them.  I guess it's just what we do.

LET THERE BE STEMS

I feel so powerful.  In my last post I quickly noticed that the stems in this painting were so short they were nonexistent.  So I grew, er, painted stems.  There you have it.  

DIVING BELLE

DIVING BELLS

We have been sorting through a few boxes of old photos and I got in a goofy mood.  I decided to do a little 1950's step back in time study.  All I had in the size I wanted was a high quality canvas.  Unfortunately, it had a very rough surface.  Big mistake for a small detailed piece.  But again, it was a study and next time I'll use a smooth surface, different colors, etc.  I love the lady.  My husband named this Diving Belle, which he thought was hilarious.  He had to show me on wikipedia what a diving bell was.  Okay, he wins, the pics of diving bells are quite funny.  

I have several paintings in various stages of completion, but have been under the weather and on round two of antibiotics from having oral surgery.  Paula doesn't do meds well, so this is about all I have to show you right now.  Trying to get myself in gear here since I have out of town guests coming in a week.  

SILL TO CANVAS

I have been busy bee since I last posted.  So much so that I'm a year older now.  Those birthdays sneak up on me when I'm not paying attention.  We have also been working on getting the courtyard and back patio in better shape.  One of our purchases was a white rose topiary that thanks us daily with new blooms.  I decided to paint this little bottle of roses sitting on my sill.  I popped the wet canvas in this frame to take a picture.  It helps me to see it as you would, and now I see what I need to change.  The flowers I painted had tiny stems, barely visible.  But now they will have proper stems.  Do wish I had noticed that before now.  Live and learn.  You seem to always see my "not quite" finished pieces.

A couple weekends ago we drove to Santa Ysabel to attend an art gallery reception.  It was such a beautiful drive that we took some photos with our phones.  I think it's amazing how a tiny camera in a phone can capture some pretty decent images.  You be the judge:

GARDEN TO SILL

The yard is taking shape.  Finally I have my very own Ranunculus flowers.  Oh, and for the first time I have Delphiniums!!!  My window sill is lined up with vases filled with glorious color and inspiration.  

MY FRIEND GWEN

Say hello to my friend Gwendolyn.  She's one of my Nashville buddies (sang in our wedding a hundred years ago).  Lately, she's has been hanging out on my easel for longer than anyone should hang.  But more oral surgery put me out of commission for a few days, then a boatload of yard work and changing my mind about the background has delayed progress.  Alas, I am back on track and wanted to show you the various phases I've put Gwen through to get her this far.  I still have a couple tweaks and then she's good to go.  Here's the progress so far:

The underlayment actually made me happy and in many cases would be considered done.  But it's difficult for any painting to get out from under my brush that easy.  

The original photo (above left) was taken on the beach and against my better judgement I tried to add the beach background and hated how distracting it was.  Let it sit thinking it might grow on me, but it didn't and I quit trying.  In the end my Mr. MacGyver was able to cut the rectangle canvas to a square and now I'm off to add the finishing touches and signature.  Thank you Gwen for such a joyful smile and golden glow.   

MODERN PATCHWORK

Hey, wanted you to know I have a new quilt tutorial, REGENCY SQUARED, coming out in the upcoming issue of Modern Patchwork, due out April 23.  You can preorder Modern Patchwork HERE.   

In other news, we are literally seeing the fruits of our labors.  Realizing the neglected thorny trees left in small containers were citrus we worked to identify and nurse them to health.  Transplanting, feeding, visits to the garden nursery with lists of questions and we are now the proud parents, uh, owners of a meyer lemon, blood orange, valencia orange and one more that is finally going to reveal it's identity this year.  I keep hoping it's a lime tree, but most likely another orange.  I made a marinade with lemon and dijon for grilled salmon that was to die for.   Oh dear, I might be turning into a citrus foodie.  Any recipe suggestions?

SUNSET IN PROGRESS

Have you ever had the incredible experience of catching the sun setting?  I say catching because it happens almost instantaneously.  I have been known to jump out of a moving vehicle just to snatch a quick photo of the brilliant sky works as the sun hits that horizon.  I was given an amazing opportunity to experience this phenomenon when I joined Tim on a work project in Hawaii.  Tim would make it home just in time to change clothes and I would have our glasses of wine waiting on the edge of the counter as we headed out the door for our short walk to Kai-Lani beach.  Many people converged and within minutes the sun did it's daily magic of switching out colors like a turning kaleidoscope as it fell below the horizon.  We all bid farewell and headed back to our homes, promising we would spend the next eve together, even if it was only for another 20 minutes max.  Can you imagine capturing this in a plein air painting?  I would still be setting up as it all disappeared into darkness before my eyes.

So this is a recent study I worked on in the Alla Prima class (meaning wet on wet, done in one sitting).   Each student worked from the same photograph (below) of the Santa Ysabel Valley and it was incredible how each of our paintings turned out so very different.  i can see some things I would have done differently, but working faster and looser is the goal.  

SANTA YSABEL VALLEY 

On a slightly different note, if you follow my blog you should be familiar with my friend Barbi of 40+ years.  Well, she came for a visit in January.  We galavanted all over San Diego; the beaches, Balboa Park and Coronado Island, soaking up all the golden glow with the purple highlights that is something I hope never to get used to.

BEACH BUDDIES

Here's just another path; one of many we've gone down together.

SPANISH VILLAGE

 So many fun photos from that visit, but I will refrain.  I did receive this awesome book from Barbi afterwards.  It is a precious source of inspiration from a precious friend and I will treasure this book...like forever.

SHOW + TELL CARMEL KITCHEN/FAMILY ROOM

Hey friends, I wanted to show you this amazing home I worked on back in Carmel, IN.  It's getting ready to go on the market so you are getting the inside scoop.   There are many more images, but as a designer I know where the heart of the home is and the first thing people want to check out. 

Right after I completed gutting and remodeling my own kitchen HERE, I got a knock at my door from a neighbor who ended up not only hiring me to remodel their kitchen, we became and remain dear friends.  I've been in this kitchen and home for many a gathering since it was completed. 

This mudroom is right off the garage on the way to the kitchen.  The door you see was nothing more than a plain, flat metal security door so I had an artist paint it to look dimensional!  People have to touch it to believe it's not flat.  There are built-in coat racks and storage on the left of the door to coordinate with the cabinets on the right.

Recognize the painting inside the cubby above?   I painted that for Nancy without having the vase or roses to work from.  Here's a CLOSEUP along with a closer look at some interior shots.

As you can see the kitchen, breakfast and family room areas were completely opened up.  I added three sets of french doors that lead out to a huge outdoor space and and fenced yard which adds to the spacious feel.   

Guess you can tell how much I love this home, the cul-de-sac, neighbors and Carmel, IN.  It's a coveted area, as you might remember from HERE  So I am just spreading the word to you.  Let me know if you are interested and I'll be glad to help.  Somewhat selfish, as my dear friends will be moving closer to our neck of the woods.