New Year...new WIPS

 I'm not sure how far I will get on these projects as I'm at the in-laws trying to keep them happy while sneaking away once in awhile to my tiny room to work. Not that my in-laws are hard to please, but Dad is only partly ambulatory and Mom has dementia, so I'm never sure which Mom I get to deal with and whether or not I'm doing all I can to make Dad's last days here comfortable as possible. For now, in keeping with my ever vigilant effort to upcycle as I create I've got a lightbulb bunny in the works.

When I saw this remote I knew exactly what I could do with this, but first I checked to make sure there were no Magnavox TV's here anymore....lol and I've started the project, but will reveal more at a later date. It's amazing the things folks collect, even those who tend to toss everything not nailed down. My in-laws are no exception so I have a treasure trove of goodies to possibly turn into folk art. I've already connived a vintage button collection and Japanese coin away, hopefully that won't count as the inheritance...;-). Anyhew, I must dash off to the dentist for a cleaning and check up. What do you think I will do with this remote?

Just so heads don't roll....

 I often use rice in a tub to help steady what I'm working on, or for a place to put things to dry. I had so many little snowman heads though that I had to resort to a pizza pan to keep the little darlings from rolling over and crushing their hats. What do you use?

Here's a sneak peek at some WIPs I'm finishing up as well. The big show set up is Tuesday, eeek! I'd better get back to work!

Teenie Tiny Topsy Bunny WIP

I'm trying to make a mad dash in to share one of my latest WIP's. We shall see if blogger cooperates. :-) This roly poly little bunny is about 4" tall. I have a little chicklet that's waiting for it's ruffle but I will wait until the twins are down for a nap again. I'm even thinking of a little kitty in this style. These are so much fun to make that I may end up using all my egg shapes to create more, perhaps a puppy as well? I'll keep you posted. What are you working on right now?

Queen of Hearts Doll

 A new Queen of Hearts to start the new year off right. She's looking for a new kingdom to reign in as she has grown bored with her current location.

 She's asked her personal maid to get out her best gown, complete with dotted swiss, embroidered flowers, and layers of sheer tulle under skirt.

 Many of her elements are hand created, with careful attention to detail. We wouldn't want to make the Queen mad you know.

Stop by my ebay listing to learn more about her. Search AHA art.

Glitter or not, here he comes.....

 Sometimes it's a wrestle I go through to decide whether to glitter or not. The dilemma is the fear that if I glitter it will take away from or cover too much, the painted scene on the snowman's "globe".

I've wanted to do some stencil style paintings on a piece or two, and yet, I'm wondering if I'm completely done with this piece now.

The other dilemma is the red pom pom, does it belong, or should it go? Either way, I will be posting this fellow on ebay tonight, depending on whether I get him completely finished or not. So here's a call out to my fellow artists, what do you think, glitter or no, red pom or should it go?

Autumn is slowly wrapping us in her glow....

     As a gardener I tend to check the weather forecast regularly. I first became obsessed with the weather when we lived in North Pole, Alaska. I looked for the first day to plant, and the latest I could leave things out without losing anything to frost. By the end of August we had usually had a hard frost, so anything in the garden not covered well looked like something from an alien movie. Green slimy leaves, and wilted plants told the story all too well. I can still smell the high bush cranberries, and the Labrador tea, and see the Midas touch on the birch tree leaves, mixed with the vivid red of the Fireweed. By this time it can be so cold that snow threatens any day. I see that this year they are having an Indian Summer as they are basking in mid 60 temps until next weekend.
      Back to Utah though, although it will be 89 degrees today, by next week we are looking at mid 70's temps. The nights have been cooler; my one lonely apple on my columnar apple tree is huge and red. The light comes through the window at a different angle and everything seems to be touched by a sort of golden glow. The wild sunflowers are in full glory, and the hills are tinged with a purple hue come evening. Mornings are cool and comfortable for exercise, and the smell of baked desert soil is going away to be replaced by a sweet freshness.
     We are also getting ready for the big car and air show here in Wendover and the weather is critical for pulling off a successful event. It appears that we will have a nice sunny day for the show, not too hot, and perfect. We are keeping our fingers crossed as things can change in a week, but so far all looks good.
     I love this time of year and how it inspires me artistically. The painting above was one done back in 2006, but is timeless in it's appeal. I will be creating new paintings of a similar style this weekend and hope to post them. In the meantime I have 3 prints of this painting being offered at my etsy shop right now so if you have a moment, won't you stop by and take a look? Here's to a great and restful weekend for us all.

Rooster

Do you ever just sit down and paint something just because you want to? Well this was one of those pieces. There have been times when I've seen little rooster paintings and told myself that I want to try one some day. So yesterday was the day. He was a fun little project to do.

 He will be one of my PFATT offerings for this month so Saturday will be his debut.  I'm loving getting back to painting so I will be doing more of this sort of thing.