50 Projects: 52 Weeks (27. Glossy Greeting Cards: Happy Rock and Farm Dog Jack)

This was too easy. Found a great deal on Shutterfly (10 Free Greeting Cards! Just pay shipping); I have ordered cards from them in the past, and have always been happy with the quality and thickness of card stock, etc...

These are just prints of two photographs I have on Etsy for sale. Super quick. Looks professional. 

50 Projects: 52 Weeks (26. An Autumn Sunset)

Misty. Ethereal. Chilly. Warm. Autumn is my favorite season and I know that I am going to miss the colors changing in Wisconsin. Colorado doesn't get the spectrum of colors like the shores of Door County or the hillsides of Devil's Lake would. Inspired by a sunset, this is another painting I hope to put on Etsy soon but deserves a little blurb here. 

Layering and representing streaks of sunlight is challenging for me to paint. I am probably my own worst critic. But this one has been a work in progress for, years? I don't even remember when I started this.

But, just put on a sweater and think Fall. Chai anyone?

50 Projects: 52 Weeks (24. Teal Squares)

Because we just had to make our cans of Oops! paints go as far as they can, you're probably going to see a slew of projects with the same colors over and over. Don't judge. This was a hand-made floating shelf/cube thingy that I bought at Goodwill for $2.99. At first, I tried to sand and stain it. Horrible idea because the stain didn't take well.

It's the teal paint from our bedroom and it's a pretty fun display for Steve's (massive) collection of (empty) beer bottles.

50 Projects: 52 Weeks (23. The Blue Light Special)

Repurposed from a stand-up cheapie metal lamp, I pulled apart the cord and shade, bought a can of spray paint in an almost Grecian Blue, spray painted the light and hung it upside down. Voila! $3.50 for the spray paint and now we have a sweet pendant lamp.

50 Projects: 52 Weeks (21. Sunset at Devil's Lake: A Two-Piece Wedding Landscape)

For the beautiful bride and groom. Devil's Lake State Park in Baraboo, WI. I've been working on perfecting reflections and water. It's a challenge to paint, but I love the way this one turned out. 

Congratulations, Mike and Jen!

Up and Running

Tada! The first round of my photographs are up and running in my Etsy store: Soul Journer Studio.

I'm nervous and excited. I'm reluctant and exhilarated. I'm hesitant because I am my own worst critic. I am excited because this may open up windows, maybe even doors. The next round of items (I hope) will be greeting cards and paintings I've completed. 

Support starving artists. Please.


P.S. For any of you with a keen eye, YES, I did organize my Google Chrome Bookmark Icons by color. I am that OCD about it. . .

50 Projects: 52 Weeks (20. Repurposed File Hanger Plant Stand)

Another one in the books for repurposed. My friend Elizabeth pointed out that the metal frame is actually a file-hanger (I had no idea). $1 at ReStore. The glass? Free from Freecycle. 4 silicone feet for the glass? About another $1. 

$2 for a great plant stand or garden table. I have a second one outside which would look GREAT with a chaise lounge and an umbrella drink and a good drink. Just like the entryway table, in small spaces, glass helps keep the space looking open and uncluttered. A heavy table would look out of place in such a small apartment. And the glass draws the eye outside to enjoy the fantastic Colorado weather.

Another tip? Buy tropical starter plants. $2.99 for 2.5" pots (the ones in the photo were replanted). It saves a lot of money and they are already growing strong. Happy planting!

50 Projects: 52 Weeks (18. Ainsley's Blossom)

Happy Golden Birthday, Ainsley Truth Dudek!

Steve and I got to celebrate our dear friends' baby girl's first birthday this past weekend in Estes Park. The sun came out along the drive up and it was a gorgeous day for a celebration. 

Jen always wanted a painting and I could think of nothing better than a beautiful rose. I took inspiration from a photo I took in New Zealand at the Hamilton Gardens. 

I had a blast painting this one afternoon and I'd definitely do it again!

Soul Journer Studio (pre-Grand Opening)

Well!

As some of you may know, I am piecing together items for my up-and-coming Etsy store (It already has a storefront and it's called Soul Journer Studio!) I'd love to bounce ideas off of some veterans, but the whole premise of the store is to discover Purpose in Nature. Since I'm a woman of many trades, I didn't want to just splatter random items without a theme, but I also didn't want to be stuck knitting hats for the rest of my life. I have a vision in my mind and I'm going to run with it.

Sneak preview of some of the items to follow!

Journey: An Artist in Progress

Orchids 2007

Rose 2007

Orange 2008

I wanted to start featuring some of my paintings to get the word out that this is something I LOVE to do. Most of these are gifts and are already given away; and there are many more paintings which I never actually documented, but this is what I do. I also paint landscapes and it is actually some of my preferred work as of late.

Cannon Beach 2007

Sevilla