Need a Chocolate Fix?
Here’s a peek at my “Chocolate Box” Collection. It wasn’t very hard to find inspiration. The many samples I purchased as “research” were quite the sacrifice for me. Oh, the things I do for art! ;0)
I absolutely love this artwork. It’s so versatile. Above are just a few product mock-up sheets I put together, I actually have a lot more, but this block will be going up on my newly revised portfolio page so I thought I’d share it with you now. I can see these products being perfect gifts for that chocoholic friend of yours, especially for a birthday, or just for fun.
Speaking of Chocoholics … Look what I found at Trader Joes! I’m a little fearful to try it, but fascinated all the same.
If you’re a SMART CREATIVE WOMAN – check this out
For all my creative and talented friends, I’m thrilled to share with you a link to an amazing new website. Artist and designer, Monica Lee, recently set out to start an exciting new forum for other creative women to share their stories, pass on some wisdom, and just plain have fun getting to know one another. The first interviews have been posted and they are fantastic. Monica has a wonderful way of interviewing her guests and making it seem as if you’re just a bunch of friends sharing a conversation over a cup of coffee. Check it out when you have a moment. It’s fascinating info and I’m looking forward to more interviews to come!
By the way, Monica’s artwork is absolutely wonderful and I feel so lucky to have a piece of her art in my own care. I was lucky enough to be grouped with Monica for this past year’s Christmas Ornament Exchange. Check out her website, Monica Lee Studios, here.
Cupcake anyone? I’ve got lots
I will admit, I have a cupcake obsession. Even before it was in fashion – I loved cupcakes. To me they are the perfect treat, and when the Cupcake-mania began some years back and all the little Cupcake shoppes started popping up, I was thrilled to say the least. ”Sugar Rush” (above) is one of my very first collections I put together as a licensing artist, and it’s always been one of my favorites. It screams happy to me. Lately I’ve been redesigning my online portfolio and it’s been fun looking at my body of work from a new perspective. I thought I’d share this one with you. I think I need to add a fresher arrangement of product mock-ups, but these show pretty well what can be done with this collection.
Speaking of cupcakes, I have a favorite spot to go to get my cupcakes, it’s called “Bake You Happy“. Who can’t LOVE that name?! Every day there is something new to pick from and whether you are celebrating or making yourself feel a little better, they have the cupcake for you. Recently I was at their store buying some cupcakes for a friend who just got a new job and happened to see this little baby above – the sign said it was a gluten, dairy, and wheat free banana cupcake with green tea frosting ~ and it was Amazing! I know, it sounds like it’s free of all the good stuff, but it wasn’t! Yummmm is all I can say!
I wish you a Sweet Day today!
Another Mona Lisa
I came across this story today on CNN.com. I find it fascinating that another image of the mysterious woman with the half smile was painted, especially considering how Leonardo notoriously guarded and cherished his copy until the day he died. It is believed to have been created by a pupil of Leonardo’s no less, and most likely painted side by side the Master in his own studio! Oh, if paint could talk! The artist is unknown as of yet but my imagination is running wild trying to think who it could be and what the circumstances were of the copy, not to mention are we any closer to learning who the mysterious woman was? Maybe it’s my cold medicine talking, but this may be one of the biggest stories of the century to come out in the Art world! I can’t wait to see how it all unfolds. If you happen to be in Paris, Mona’s twin will be on display at the Louvre in March!
Lesson Learned!
This past Sunday I was supposed to attend the CHA Winter Show in Anaheim (Craft & Hobbie Association). It was the only day of the show I could attend and I was really looking forward to it, but the Universe had other plans, or at least my body did. Apparently I’ve been pushing it too hard lately because I got hit with the ‘Mother of all Flu’ bugs. Instead of walking the aisles of creative bliss at the CHA show I spent my weekend taking medicine, sleeping, watching whatever was on TV, taking medicine, sleeping, watching a movie, taking medicine, sleeping, etc… you get the point. At first I was pretty mad at my body for not cooperating, but then it hit me while watching “Moneyball” (great movie, by the way), that who I should be mad at was me – the pusher of the body. How many times do we all push ourselves to ridiculous lengths to get everything done that we feel simply HAS to be done right away?! Our world is so incredibly fast paced right now that it seems that we need to be machines to simply get by, forget about getting ahead. Is that even possible anymore? It’s ridiculous and, quite frankly unrealistic. This weekend my body told me that it was DONE being a machine, and I quickly learned there really isn’t any arguing with it when it makes that statement.
SO, in a nutshell, LEASON LEARNED – Slow Down. We aren’t machines, we need to work but we need to rest, and we need to play. Are you doing enough of that for yourself? If not make a change. Your body will thank you. Your soul will thank you. Your heart will thank you. Slow Down. NOTHING is so important that you can’t stop and breathe first.
Here’s a little slow-down song for you to unwind to.
Color Palette – The Color of Rain
It rained earlier this week. It hasn’t rained much here since last Fall, so this rain storm was a very welcome and refreshing break. I took this picture while taking my dog for his morning walk. The way the light and reflections were all in harmony with each other was amazing and I had to share this color palette with you. Ironically, it’s warm and sunny as I type this post. In the mid-80′s according to the forecast. Sighhhh, I want another rain day.
It’s about the simple things … not your List of things to do
Today I had a List. You know the type, that all encompassing List of a million and one things that I had put off doing all week but needed to finally tackle today?!. Banking, shopping, laundry, cleaning, etc…. all the things I don’t particularly love doing but really feel good about when they’re all done. This List had become LONG and I actually woke up this morning feeling stressed (not a good way to start the day). But then, as I started to break it down and began checking things off I realized that I would survive. Suddenly – as I was just finishing cleaning my house and feeling a little tired and worn down, my husband texted me these pictures he took of a pretty flowering tree he thought I’d like that were blooming outside his office. It made my day and reminded me that it’s all about the little and simple things in life that make me happy … flowering trees, clean kitchens and bathrooms, food in the fridge, etc… I needed that. We all need those reminders sometimes.
One of my favorite bands is a group called THE WEEPIES. I love their quiet strong lyrics and tunes and they have a really great song that I’ve been humming a lot called “A Simple Life”. Next time you’re on iTunes, Pandora, or Spotify – check it out.
Enjoy some Beautiful Simplicity today!
I found this youtube music/video (not by The Weepies, but the images are pretty and you can hear the song):
What condition is your machine? and No, Christmas is not over… not even close
Christmas? Over? I didn’t get that memo …
I recently watched the movie “Hugo” (I highly recommend it). It’s full of beautiful and wonderful messages, but the one I love the most is when the main character, Hugo, describes his feelings for machines. In the movie he says how he always feels sad for broken down machines because they aren’t able to do what they’re intended to do. Such a powerful statement and I understand Hugo’s emotion. I know for myself, and in witnessing others, that when we aren’t able to do what we love it’s like we’re broken down machines… lifeless. It is amazing how we’re all uniquely wired to push toward different beacons of light, and it is this energy that drives us to go beyond our boundaries and power onward toward something we can’t quite explain. It’s beautiful when we are pounding the pavement, burning the midnight oil, and charging forward toward a goal or a dream. It’s a good thing that we’re all wired differently, too, or our world would have less color and magic in it to share. I admire so many people in my life who I witness daily pushing toward their intended purpose, even when the road is unclear … or, let’s face it, just plain scary. I especially love seeing my boys start to identify their beacons and make steps toward following their stars. The strength of us all lies in our ability to witness our challenges.
For the first couple of weeks each January I allow myself some time to sit and take stock in the activities (good and bad) of the previous year, and plan strategies for how to set new goals and tackle new challenges in the next year. I’ve recently been doing that for my business and it’s sometimes a little scary – especially when you see all that you hope to achieve lying ahead of you in wait. This year in my art I’ve set some goals – one of which is to increase my Christmas Art in my licensing portfolio. I’ve known for a long time now that I needed to focus on this part of my business, but I’ve not listened to this call. Now I’m dedicating the next six months to actually doing it (and to not be distracted or deterred by anything else). Sure I have many other intentions, but for now this is a huge one that I’m excited to tackle. And in tackling it I’m already feeling more alive because I’m no longer ignoring it. I’m excited for the challenge and look forward to showing my results at Surtex this May.
So, now I ask – what are your intentions for this new year? What driving force have you been ignoring? What intended action do you need to apply energy toward? My wish for us all is that we continue to forge ahead toward these driving forces. In them lie our futures. Cheers to being alive!
Oh, and in case you’re wondering – no, I don’t have my Christmas decorations still up, but I am playing my Pandora Christmas station every now and again for inspiration! :0)
Watch this Trailer for “Hugo”:
2012 Pantone Color of the Year – Tangerine Tango!
It is certainly a sign of an optimistic forecast when the color of the year is as bright and cheery as this year’s color. Pantone just released its announcement of the 2012 color of the year – Tangerine Tango, and I couldn’t be more in love with their choice. I went through my photo library and found these perfect color examples of this amazing corally-orange hue. Simply gorgeous!
To learn more about Pantone colors, and this year’s color Tangerine Tango, click HERE
Introducing my new “Wine Country” Collection
I am so excited to share with you my new “Wine Country” collection. Perfect for all those summer parties that happen to incorporate sharing a glass (or two) of wine! I see these fitting in PERFECTLY from the East Coast to the West Coast, and all the “wine countries” inbetween. CHEERS!
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To inquire about licensing these designs and others, please contact Joan Sargent at JMS ART LICENSING
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