Big Arse Painting

 Autumn Sunset

Close up of Autumn Sunset

I did it! I painted this big arse painting shown above which measures 24"x30", and plan to paint on bigger canvas' in the future. Also, created my website, and check it out here www.artpippin.com. There are a couple of bugs to work out, but I am very pleased with the finished product.

Also, the next two months my artwork will be on display at the Central Studio in St. Louis. Big thanks to Mary Ellen for giving me an opportunity to show case my talent. 

Happy New Year!

Dancing Dragonfly's

Dancing Dragonfly's

I finished this fun painting a couple weeks ago for a super cool project, and can't give the details yet about this project. Stay tuned for details. Should be revealed in the spring. 

Below is my holiday card for this year, and I am smitten by this little owl. I painted this little guy on a piece of scrap wood I found in my alley. I will be selling my cards, prints, and original artwork at the Artropy Craft show December 8th 10-4 at the Regional Arts Commission. One can also purchase this little owl card at my etsy shop.

Inside the card says 'May your wintry world be warm and bright.'

Cabinets Makeover

Bought two cabinets at a garage sale for $4!! What a bargain.

 They're in pretty good condition, but just needed a little TLC.

Below are images of both cabinets before and after. 

First cabinet before TLC.

  

After a little TLC.

I used Annie Sloan's Chalk Paint ™ which has extremely low VOCs and has little to no odor. Next I glued handmade decorative batik paper that I bought at the local art store.

Close up of the drawer.

Images of the second cabinet, and used the same paint from Annie Sloan,

but applied different decorative handmade paper.

Before

 

After

Close-up of decorative paper.

 

These little guys were a hoot to fix up. 

I have a couple more pieces of furniture I plan to clean up.

 Stay tuned.

Commission Piece

Yay! I fished my first commission piece in St. Louis. The clients were very pleased with the painting, and bought two of my paintings last month at the Schlafly art fair. They wanted something similar to the piece below which they bought. I think the painting above the colors are more intense. I am now working on a piece similar for our house that will be a big bigger. Getting more comfortable working on bigger canvas.

Photos from Art Outside

Loving blue and green colors right now.

Plan to paint more number themed paintings.

 Really like the colors and the thin black outlines around the shapes.
This painting 'Fly Away' was my first sale last weekend!

I had a very successful weekend at Schlafly's Art Outside, and the results make me feel more validated  in the pursuit as artist. It was a fun time and I plan to be back next year. Signing up for this show, and then getting my work accepted, really made me focus on creating quality artwork. All the time and energy really paid off!

What I loved:

• Talking with people, hearing their thoughts, questions, and suggestions about my work.
• Chatting with the other artists who were at the show and all the inside secrets and tips they had to offer.

Count Down

Summer Flow

Heading into my last week of getting ready for the Schlafly's Art Outside. This painting will be one of many that will be for sale next week! Back to work!

Home Made Art and Brew

I will be selling my artwork at the Schlafly Art Outside is a three-day-long juried alternative art fair featuring affordable art from artists based here in the St. Louis area. Come and show your support for local art and local beer!

The art fair is September 7-9.

Check out this year's 2012 Artist Gallery now!

It's gonna be great!

Another Encaustic

Orange Flow

It's been brutally hot here in St. Louis, with temperatures in the 100's. I have not lived in such a hot climate, and now I know why I avoided climates that are hot and humid. I never knew one could have cabin fever in the summer. At least I am getting a lot of art projects banged out with this heat wave.

The above encaustic painting reminds me of the days when I use to swim in the ocean on hot summer days. I use to love to lay on my back and let the ocean transport me to another world. Now I use the neighbors kiddie pool to keep me cool. At this point one has to go to such extremes to not over heat.

Encuastic Rocks

 

Circle of Patterns

Finished this encaustic piece couple months ago, and still not sure if it's done. Taking a break from encaustic for the summer, because it's simply too hot in the summer to work in the material. So, now I am into pure painting. I call it pure painting, because the only material I use is paint. No paper, wax, pastel, blah blah blah. Ever since Flora Bowley's two day work shop in Boulder this spring, I am so motivated to just paint pure and raw. It's fun for now, but would love to get back into some more encaustics once it cools off. 

House sitting these little critters. I am in smitten by these guys. Can't wait to get one of my own when we buy a house, which is in the works! Put an offer in today, and fingers crossed the sellers accept.

Growth

Growth

Feeling a bit stuck these day, and like I am spinning my wheels. Getting a little itchy to be back at work again, despite the fact I am busy every day with various projects. Not sure what path I am suppose to be on, and second guessing my choices I made - especially not wanting to work in the corporate world. For some reason it's a scary feeling but also very freeing at the same time. This down time has been good to me, and was able to attend workshops from great artists such as Mary Beth Shaw and Flora Bowley, and to live my life on my own terms. Still I feel restless right now, and need a way to channel this energy. 


Came across this quote today, and oh I hope hope this is true.


"When you are on your path, and it is truly your path, doors will open for you where there were no doors for someone else." - Joseph Campbell

 This quote gives me great comfort.

Fun With Encaustics

Spring Blossom 1

Spring Blossom 2

Spring Blossom 3

Been working more with the encaustic medium. It's really addictive, and could spend hours re-working one piece. Warning to those we are thinking about working in this medium you will be hooked! Would like to do couple more pieces with the Asian theme.

Got some other projects I am working on, and would like to share them by the end of the week or so. Have been stalling on them, mainly I think it's a fear factor.

Magical Makerie

Me painting in the lovely Flora Bowley's class.

Getting in the flow.

Peaceful morning walk.

Ah the Makerie retreat....so magical. I am still trying to ground my soul after the experience. Everything about the retreat was great!  Ali DeJohn did a fantastic job of organizing the whole weekend. She has a heart of gold, and I am truly inspired by her dedication to help others follow their heart. 

I had the good fortune of taking Flora Bowley's two day workshop. Her approach to teaching is so spiritual, soulful, and fun. She made me not to be afraid to paint on such a big canvas, and to share my work with the class. There were times when what she said to us pulled on my heart strings. It was hard not to cry at moments in the class.

Lastly, I did renew some friendships and made new ones. I had the coolest cottage mates, and we would stay up late drinking wine and laughing. The Makerie retreat enriched my life on so many levels, and plan to be back next year!

April 2012 Art Goals

Lanvande

It's been almost year since I posted my April Art goals, and it's time I hunker down and write my list.

Keeping it simple, and here we go:

• Finish three to four encuastic paintings
• Launch my new bicycle poster series

The painting above was one of my very first encuastics, and it's a very fun and interesting material to work with. Yeah to hot wax!

Spring Bloom

Poppys

Soaking up all my free time doing fun, fun projects. Last week I had the good fortune to attend an encaustic workshop with Mary Beth Shaw and Julie Snidle, and what a blast I had!! Two days of hanging out with some cool ladies, making art, and laughing! I made four encaustic paintings, and will those images later. Big thanks to Mary Beth and Julie for a great workshop.

Spring is here in the mid-west. Lots of trees, flowers in bloom, and wonderful thunderstorms. I missed thunderstorms in San Diego. Glad to live in a city that has the seasons.

Enjoy the weekend!

Unemployment

This is what being unemployed looks like. Not too bad....

Numbers

On my second week of being unemployed, and still adjusting to the fact I don't have job. Last week did anything but work in the studio. Just wasn't in the mood to paint. The blues were my friend last monday, but am on the road to feeling better. What amazes me is how much energy and time I put into work, and how much idenity I put into my job, despite the fact my job was not my passion. Thought a lot lately what it means to have a job. Is it something that provides just money, health insurance, and a 401K? I am not interested (at least for the time) working for corporations. Am putting my time towards getting my Missouri State massage license, which will take about a month or so. Much longer than I anticipated. So in the mean time, taking advantage of the freeness I feel lately.

The painting above I used a technique from Mary Beth Shaw's book, where I paint with pastels and not paint. I love this technique! Thanks Mary Beth!

New Beginning

Spring Blossom

Yesterday I was laid off at my job where I work in graphics for a publishing company. I was relieved about the news, because I was thinking about leaving in the fall to concentrate on other rewarding projects. Such as starting my own massage business, and my artwork. The nice thing about getting laid off, is I have no guilt, where as if I left on my job on my own terms I would have some small ounce of guilt.

So today, I feel free. Kinda like I dropped some suitcases, and am walking towards something great, beautiful and peaceful. I did the encuastic painting above last week, and feel in love with the image of the cheery blossom picture. Spring blossom to symbolize a new beginning.

Excited about all the endless possibilities, and living my life on my terms!!!

Ah 2012 Is Here

Pink Label

Happy New Year everyone! Glad the holidays are over, and now I can think about what I would like to bring into my life for 2012. The year was off to a rough start with a very bad sinus infection/cold. No fun.

On the mend, and this Sunday I will be hosting my first vision board party, with a two of my new friends in St. Louis. I got the vision board party idea from Louise Gale. Thanks Louise! I haven't done a vision board in years, and feel it's just what I need to help ground and focus me. Needless to say just feel like I am free floating, which does not sit well with me.

Loving this painting that I did last month. I got the french label from Marisa of Creative Thursday, when I attended one of her workshops at Squam of fall '10. It was a great class on book making, and Marisa was kind enough to share some of her paper scraps. Think I want create more paintings with the french label theme.

Hope everyone is happy and healthy!

Matryoshka Christmas Card

Matryoshka Christmas Card

Last year my mom brought back a set of the Matryoshka dolls from Russia, and of course I feel in love with them. I think she is a real beauty, and fits into the folk Christmas theme that I love so much. The card is for sale over in my etsy shop.

Dala

Dala

Just getting in touch with my Swedish roots, and painted this little Dala horse. It's a Swedish icon, and has been around for many centuries. It was created by Swedish woodcutters in the province of Dalarna, and during the long winters, men would spend their evenings carving little toys for their children.

Getting ready for the holiday season, and will release my Holiday card this year next week. It's similar to the Dala horse folk-art-theme. Also, getting ready to be a vendor at the Skinker-DeBaliviere wintermarkt Saturday December 3rd 11-4. If you live in the area, stop by and check out the local artist of St. Louis.