loving the work you do + a new painting

TITLE: By The Light of the Musical Moon (SOLD!) Prints available in my etsy shop

Last weekend, I went to a cabin up north for some rest and relaxation with friends in the woods. I had a ton of fun boating and swimming and reading all day on the porch. And I've got lots and lots of sunshine filled photos to share with you soon! 

But a funny thing happened on this trip. It was the first time I went away and brought my art supplies. And I realize now, I might be a bit obsessed with painting. 

I hear people say all of the time that they can't go more than a few days without at least sketching, if not painting. For me, it's always been that I love to go off and explore and meet new people on vacation and then I come back into my studio and allow those new experiences to filter into my art. Two very separate processes.

But this weekend was different. I wanted to paint the entire time! And when I wasn't painting, I was thinking about it. 

And for the first time in my entire life, I realized I actually love what I do. So much so that I want to be doing it all of the time, whether it's actually creating or even the creative business side I used to not like so much. I love it all now!

by Janelle at Brimful Curiosities' daughter

And how could I not? When I get absolutely adorable mixed media drawings like this one in the mail as a thank you. Oh my gosh, this one made my week! I created my SUMMER and the BOOK DRESS painting for Janelle at Brimful Curiosities and it just made me so happy to get this lovely drawing from her daughter. (Anyone who enjoys writing and children's books might like to check out Janelle's blog too).

Thank goodness I went away last weekend with my art supplies. I had the most amazing time painting beneath an overhang on the cabin's back porch while it rained. It was so incredibly perfect, and I swear I could do that for days straight!

 And of course this painting changed again and again. I layered acrylics, pastels, ink, vintage sheet music, and gold origami paper from my great aunt june's collection. And then I ran out of time and submitted it to the color challenge like this. 

 TITLE: By The Light of the Musical Moon. Prints available in my etsy shop

Before I worked on her all weekend, until I was really happy with it and she ended up like this. I just couldn't leave this little painting alone. I kept tinkering with the glitter background and the space around her face until finally, FINALLY, i adored her. 

I just love getting to that place where I feel my character looking back at me and really saying something. And this little one is certainly standing soft BY THE LIGHT OF THE MUSICAL MOON.

TITLE: ME and MY MONSTER. The Original Painting and Prints in various sized available in my etsy shop.

PS. I have another giveaway going on at The Handmade Gift Guide. Stop by to read a bit about me and my art and to enter to win this mounted print of ME and MY MONSTER. You can find it all right here!