New Project!

I got a request to paint some canvases for a baby's room a few months ago. I was a little apprehensive at first but once I got started it actually was a lot of fun. Baby Madeline's grandma had made her an ABC quilt and I was asked to paint an "A", "B", and "C" canvas to match the quilt. They came out nice!

Here's an example of the fabric used for the quilt

Thanksgiving Sunset

I'm a little behind! Before I post and Christmas stuff I should get my Thanksgiving pictures up first. Thanksgiving day was cloudy and dreary but by dinner time I noticed a pink glow coming from outside. I quick grabbed the camera for some awesome sunset shots!

Butterflies

I have raised Monarchs for as long as I can remember. It's a super fun summer hobby. My kids think it's cool at times too! This season has been really good. I've had over 30 chrysalis's hanging at one time! Unfortunately the season is winding down and my hobby will soon come to an end. Hopefully all the butterflies will make it down south before it gets too cold!

Lampshade Art

Tried something new! I hand painted lampshades! Turns out if you want to purchase lamps with graphics on the lampshades you are going to pay 2-3 times as much for them. My friend wanted lampshades with silhouettes of trees and birds so I thought I would try to paint them on by hand to save my her a little money.
The first shade is based off a tattoo and the second shade is based off a purse and my tree out my front window. They turned out awesome!

Happy Holidays

Life has gotten so busy lately and I realized I haven't posted anything on my blog in forever!
First and foremost I want to wish everyone Happy Holidays!
I wanted to post a couple of pet portraits that I have created. This first one is for my best friend Sandy. She wanted me to do a portrait of her pug "Gus" who passed away a couple of years ago. She asked me back in May but at the time my thumb was recovering from yet another sprain and I couldn't even think about doing a scratchboard portrait. She wasn't in a hurry. Whenever I would get to it would be fine. My thumb finely was feeling better a couple months later but then I thought I would get the portrait done for her 50th birthday in November. I never mentioned the portrait to her but I was working hard on it. She thought I had forgot about it. By the time her birthday came around I had given the portrait to her husband to have framed and he surprised her with it! She was at a loss for words! She sat for hours staring at her Gus!
I enjoy the tears I create with my portraits!
The next one was a commission by another girl I work with. Her families dog Luke has just been put to sleep after finding out he had a brain tumor. She asked me to do a drawing of Luke for her parents for Christmas. I had about a month to do it but I got it done! Here's Luke...

I just found out today that they loved the portrait and they cried! Just the reaction I hoped for!

Smokey Quartz Earrings and Necklace

Here's an earring and necklace set made for a woman I work with. She had gotten these three brown stones free in St Martin at one of their jewelry stores. I'm going to say they are smokey quartz but I'm not totally sure. She has already purchased a smokey quartz and goldfilled wire ring from me and wanted some jewelry to go with it. I thought I would use brass wire to keep costs down so instead of making earrings and a pendant, I incorporated the stone into a whole necklace. As an accent color I used some Aquamarine Swarovski crystals. Here is what I came up with and I'm hoping she likes it! She hasn't seen them yet.

Hammer Silver Ring and Leather Necklace

I finally got around to getting the torch out again this summer inbetween baseball ending and school starting. I fused fine silver rings together and hammered them out flat and gave them texture. I thought leather would go great with the silver so I made one in brown and one in black. I just love this design that I think I'm going to keep one for myself !