The home that these three kitchen bar stools were painted for is a beautifully cohesive combination of rustic, ethnic, and elegance. It is an old log home that is being refurbished – furnished with elegant furniture, chandeliers, fine china – and decorated with African art. It works! Since the space is all open to the kitchen where these stools will be displayed, I wanted to combine the elements.
Alright, I’m sure most people wouldn’t think of a snowman as art, but as it does take some creativity and since I haven’t added anything new in a while, it will have to do. We got some really heavy wet snow today and it was just perfect for making a snowman so I couldn’t resist. I’m basically just a kid at heart. Plus I was in a really awful mood and needed to do something that would blow away the dark cloud following me. And frankly, if building a snowman does not lift your spirits then I don’t know what else will. Thanks to my husband for his creative idea for eyes (as we lacked coal) and a makeshift pipe.
This is Charlie the Beat Poet. We named him after Charlie Mackenzie of the movie, So I Married An Axe Murderer, (you know, the Woman Woman Woman poem?) because of the pipe and his kicky beret. He is giving his Winter Winter Winter poem. A slight variation from our Mr. Mackenzie’s famous lines. We think he’s very COOL!
Meet Charlie the Beat Poet
My friend Marlene hired me to paint a wall in her guest bedroom. I thought for a while there that it was the mural that had no end. But, great rejoicing in all the land, I finally finished it today! This was really a fun project especially since she gave me complete artistic license to create whatever I wanted. I chose the colors based on the bedding and other artwork already in the room. Each different color has multiple layers of pattern and design. All of it was done completely free hand save for two small stencils and two rubber stamps. I had no preconceived draft to work off of. Only the picture in my head. Marlene has a very eclectic mix of antiques and modern art in the room so I wanted something that had the feel of both, and also to give the room a lot of warmth and brightness.
It was very difficult to get good pictures because it is a small room with bad lighting. The colors and detail haven’t come out as good as I had hoped but you get the idea. (The closet area has been blacked out in the full wall photos because it was too distracting from the mural.)
Every year local Talkeetna businesses sponsor an artist to decorate a moose to put on display. Then in July all the moose go through the parade at our Moose Drop festival. Afterward, they are auctioned off as a fund raiser for the Talkeetna Artists Guild. This is my 2009 moose on display at the Talkeetna Post Office.
It has been an exciting journey getting my first children’s book, The Bird Who Wouldn’t Sing, published. I am happy to say it is now available for purchase. You can find it on Amazon.com or at PublishAmerica.com. The official release date for the book is July 6th.
See the new link to my page about the book under the link, About the Artist, at the top right corner of this page.
I recently started learning how to mosaic (something I’ve always wanted to do.) Since I was already playing around with polymer clay, my mosaic mentor, Mary, turned me on to making hand made tiles. What she didn’t realize was that she was creating a monster! Once started I could hardly stop. It satisfied an itch I didn’t even know I had. It is amazing how simple items like clay, rubber stamps, and mica powders can produce something so brilliant. Like little jewels and mini masterpieces. I can’t wait to incorporate them into an art project I have all planned out. These photos are just a sampling of the tiles I’ve made thus far.
Ok, I’ve done some pretty fun art projects in my life but this takes the teeny tiny cake! A close friend of mine was talking about wanting doll food for her daughter’s dolls. But, of course, to buy the accessories for dolls can get very spendy–that’s how they get you. So, I told her I would see what I could come up with using polymer clay. The pictures are just a sample of what I have made and have now dubbed “Aunt Sandy’s Itty Bitty Bakery and Teeny Tiny Takeout.” Thank goodness, the dolls wont have to starve now!
Some of the photos are a little out of focus. I was having problems with the lighting and it distracted me from the actual photography process. Oh well, I’m an artist not a photographer!
It was a well kept secret but not for long. I’ve been writing. Not many people knew that I was; but I was. Children’s stories. I was always telling my husband stories that would pop into my brain. At his encouragement and enthusiasm I began a while back to write them down. A funny thing happened when I began to write; more stories would pop into my brain to replace the ones I had saved on the PC. A few of them got to the place where I felt I could “do something” with them. Something such as pursue publication. After almost talking myself out of it a few times I figured something out…1.) If I don’t do anything, then nothing will happen (profound, huh?) 2.) If I try and they say, “no” then I am in no different position than I am already. 3.) If I try and they say, “yes” then…well, then a new door opens and I walk through to see where it takes me. You might say, “Yeah, well duh, that’s pretty obvious! You had to figure that out?” But when you’re talking about making something public that has so much of you involved in it…putting yourself out there for critics to potentially eviscerate your creation, a thing that brings you much joy, then it causes a moments pause at least. After more enthusiastic encouragement from my husband, I did take the plunge.
Friday morning I got a call from a publisher. They said, “yes.” When I say, “I am going to be a published children’s author.” it doesn’t sound like I’m talking about me yet. Oh yeah, and did I mention I’m also illustrating?! Yes, that’s right. Written and illustrated by: (insert name here). Like I said, it doesn’t sound like me, yet, but I’m sure I’ll get used to it. And for all those other little stories of mine waiting in the wings; hopefully you’ll get your turn soon enough. This is just a start and I’m eager to see where this new open door leads me.
I just had an order for 2 signs to be done for the lobby of our new grocery story opening Dec. 17th (yay!) A few days of grimacing over tedious lettering and a constant stream of Christmas music playing in the background to keep me going and viola! The logos for both the signs were already designed, I “just” had to translate them in paint on wood.
Everyone is excited for our first OFFICIAL grocery store!
These signs are headers for bulletin boards in the store lobby
I have had birds flying around in my head lately. And no, that is not the same as having bats in your belfry! I love little birds and my creative brain has been just swirling with them. So, when I started working on a picture for our Christmas Cards this year, of course, they came out to roost! I call this “Winter Cheer”.
Winter Cheer, acrylics on canvas board
