Black Friday

The start of an original canvas
painting ornament.
Approx. 2" x 2"
Black Friday found me finishing up some hand made original creations for sale at the Mercantile at The Lands at Hillside Farms. I'm so very pleased to tell you all that some of my work will be featured in their Mercantile store and I made a ton of stuff which caters specifically for them. I have loved going there just to sketch the animals and have enjoyed their fresh ice cream ("Chicken Scratch" is my personal favorite...they are sadly out of it this weekend.) and I can now bring my farm creations to the public and share them. I just got a sneak peek at the new pig "Otis" that lives there on the farm and I'm in love!!! He's absolutely charming and I can't wait to have some time to paint him or sketch him.

Today however, was about Christmas ornaments and I documented the process on one. Just a simple "Hillside" themed piece which was a lot of fun to paint. Enjoy your shopping adventures out there everyone.












Original painting ornaments
being offered for sale at Hillside this Christmas.

"Rain"
Graphite, Acrylic and Watercolor on Drawing Paper.

Even At Church....

Even during mass the need to sketch/draw never goes away. Some Sundays I can hold it at bay and keep my sketchbook in my bag, but other days, like today, doing that is nearly impossible. The urge to draw too great and I have to just draw.

These were a few sketches stolen during mass this morning. My favorite is the last one. I caught the pianist while he was singing a solo. His entire face changed when he sang. He looked so happy singing alone with the piano. It was at that moment he became a subject to sketch.

There Was More...

Porcelain ornament for 2013


There was more I wanted to write about and discuss this morning when I jumped into designing the Hilliside ornament. However, the actual production on the printing site for the ornament took hours and I'm left a little frustrated with less time to make things in the studio today. I'm happy though, that the ornament finally came together. I hope it prints well. I'm concerned (as always) about color and brushstroke reproduction.

Fingers crossed.

Christmas Preparations

A few new tile ornaments.
This week found me preparing ornaments and hand made wares for sales and display at a local mercantile shop for Christmas. I love making tile art. It's very relaxing and fun to do. I'm hoping the tile ornaments will be received well because I'm dying to make more. My favorite this session turned out to be the "I Love You" ornament with the pretty bead. It was just a lot of fun to pair up all those elements and watch them come together.

These ornaments, along with many other original offerings for the holidays will be made and offered for sale at The Lands At Hillside Farms in Shavertown, PA.

Couldn't resist making at
least one chicken ornament.
Pretty design, type, beads
and a little ribbon together make for
an interesting ornament.

"A Goodnight Kiss"
Acrylic, Watercolor and Graphite on Watercolor Paper.

I Love Painting!

My red door....just a little touch up.
I love painting. I love all forms of painting, including painting houses. I spent the entire week on a painting gig in a house this past week. After the job was complete I still had the painting bug in me and decided to pull out my deep red Benjamin Moore paint and touch up my front door.

Yes, my door is red, the most brilliant and deep hue of red Benjamin Moore creates. In my personal opinion, there is nothing quite like using Benjamin Moore paints on your projects. Smooth, colorful and in two coats the job it done.

But, I'm a maniac painter. Two extra touch up coats just wasn't enough. I went for the third. Sadly, I went for the third. And in the process learned that Benjamin Moore paints are brilliant in hue on EVERY surface.

The studio is now closed for the rest of the day. I'm going out to get some much needed fresh air.


Can slipped, hit the door,
bounced BACKWARDS and
onto everything behind me and the drop cloth...yes.
....scrub, scrub, scrub...etc.
Tool hero...scraper from my
pottery wheel making supplies.
Peroxide, Dawn Dishwashing Liquid and some Carpet Cleaner.
Carpet is clean but the chair is toast Im afraid.

"Good Night"
Graphite, Watercolor and Acrylics on Watercolor Paper.

Good Morning!

Brr...poor coffee mug.

Greeted with snow this morning. Thankfully, there was no wind and it was very beautiful; I have to be honest. I couldn't resist a few quick shots, including a "morning mug." Enjoy the day!


Brr...poor bird bath.
Brr...poor bird feeder.

In All Seriousness....

Creating one of a kind
Glass Tile ornaments.
In all seriousness, Christmas is almost here. At least the panic is definitely on for those of us who create holiday inspired art/gifts. There are only like two more weeks to really book and gets things completed for sale during the holiday season.

This year I'm centering in on various hand made ornaments to sell. I am very excited to announce that I will be selling my creations locally at The Lands At Hillside Farms in Shavertown, PA. I love Hillside. Each trip is always filled with great sketches of animals and people enjoying the sights and sounds of the farm and the ice cream (and fresh milk) is to die for! I am very excited and thankful for the opportunity to bring my artwork to the farm.

Once created the backings
need a bit of TLC.

"A Quiet Moment Together"
Graphite, Watercolor and Acrylics on Watercolor paper.

Sometimes....

A break in shipping.
Sometimes, I go to the breaks and sometimes the breaks come to me. This pretty little Arabian mix came to me this week as a rush repair. I honestly didn't mind adding one more as this week I'm centering in on any repairs that floated into my studio from previous shows.

The next show I'll be at offering repair will be the show in Leepsort, PA. Thanks!

In the middle of fixing.
All fixed and ready for the show ring again.