THURSDAY ART ADDITIONS

OK-so Thursdays are going to be the days when I add my own work to the AF blog.

 This week was a little challenging because I was procrastinating all week and doing other stuff. Plus, I'm broadcasting from our 5th wheel down in Louisiana right now- kind-of on vacation and visiting the travelling dad.

 At home I have more resources and space at my disposal , even though my "studio" is technically the playroom. So anyway I'm working with what I call my gypsy pack of art supplies and a computer with no software!  I did download a couple of free ones that I can work with--don't tell the hubby! He was complaining about all the pictures I have on the computer. I roll my eyes and assure him that when I upload them to my web albums I'll be sure and delete them. He rolls his eyes at me and we both laugh!

So I'm just gonna post a painting I whipped up last night while the family was unwinding in preparation for bed . Every time my husband would get up and walk around "upstairs" I'd have to stop painting because the whole place shakes slightly-when you are doing something detailed stillness is kind of a requirement! Seriously, it wasn't even that detailed! lol!

So what inspired this painting was a book I read to my son recently called "Mama will you hold my hand?" written and illustrated by Anna Pignataro. The story was sweet, but the artwork was beautiful and whimsical. The watery textures of her work really spoke to me.

 So here is the latest thing I've done-sorry about the imagine quality I had to take a pic of the painting and then edit from there so...like I said-- limited resources! I did however discover that I had in fact added some things to my web albums before we left so I'll post some stuff next week that I have "laying around"-hope you like!

 I also included Spring Birds I & II- they are about a year old, found them in my web album. I think they have a whimsical quality as well.



Live without limits-acrylic on paper




LWL pink trees edit one



LWL pink trees edit 2

LWL pink trees edit 3

spring birds II

SEE YOU TOMORROW FOR FRIDAY FOOD AND DRINK...

ETSY ARTIST WEDNESDAY

Welcome to Etsy artist Wednesday!

 There are SO many great things made by really creative people on Etsy. It's my great pleasure to find cool things and put them here on my AF blog so that others can connect with their work too! Wednesdays on AF might also feature a cool blog or two so be sure and check them out as well!!

While trolling Etsy in search of blue inspirations I came across a shop called SEVENPLY. I had seen this before as an Etsy Spotlight feature and I always really liked her stuff! Sevenply is the creation of a cool mom from the Garden State (New Jersey). A self professed 80's baby whose main concern is helping to make a greener future for her family. Her "green" work involves repurposing old skateboard decks to make jewelry-COOL RIGHT?

Another artist that reminds me of skateboard inspired design is S.T.E.P. She is a student in Washington who customizes shoes from Converse, VANS, & DC--pretty cool.

Of course no die hard skater fans could forget the bold graphics of the time coming out of Vision, Independent trucks, Vans and a host of others! These vinyl decals take me straight back to the mid 80's LOVE these from The Vinyl Voice in Salt Lake City.

 I think skater art really speaks to me because my brothers were skaters back in the day. I remember thinking all of their decks were so colorful and fun. Every kick-flip, railslide and ollie would put a new scratch or nick in the board until the poor thing couldn't be abused anymore and it would snap in half!

 I can't even count how many decks Dan snapped and how many pairs of shoes he had with holes worn in the sides from skating so much. Chris skated for a while but with Dan it really stuck. You know how if Forrest Gump was going somewhere "he was running"? Well, if Dan was going somewhere--he was skating!

We had a half pipe in our backyard for a while, just behind the pool-oh I'm sure my mom really loved that--I think I remember her saying something about hillbilly heaven but..it's been a long time..lol! My dad made them deconstruct it when one day the side fell down! I don't know why--there was only like 10 people up there! So funny!

 We even met Tony Hawk in the parking lot after a skateboard competition in Phoenix. We got his autograph--I was like 9-wow 25 years ago! Hmm maybe I should dig that out of my mom's attic and see what it's going for on Ebay--I could be rich right now!!!!

 Anyway all joking aside skateboarding was a big part of my childhood and all things skateboard related will always hold a special place in my heart! Be sure and check out the great "handmade" items from these artists on Etsy.

 P.S Dan you are so lucky I don't have a pic of the two-tone dye job you used to rock or I would soooo post it!! LOVE IT!

A LITTLE...TUESDAY JEN ZEN

Welcome friends!
      Since this is my first Tuesday blog post ever, I think I should take the opportunity to tell everyone what they might expect to find here on Tuesdays.

 This is the day when you'll find a "a little....of everything". Future segments  include:  Beautiful Homes-places I think are gorgeous even if they aren't what I might put in my home (it's all about appreciation people!),  DIY projects,  Furniture Make-overs-yay,  Martha's Minute-- - I'll be trying crafts from Martha!,  Aunt Roxy's House -- projects and pics from AR as she finds the perfect home and makes it over!, Jen Zen---what brings me calm in my mostly crazy world and Itsy Bitsies--just some stuff I think is cool and slightly informative-or not! lol! Hope you like!

JEN ZEN...

The first edition of Jen Zen is the beloved Ma Spa....oh yes, its the perfect recipe for calm--A little fire-roasted candle, a generous amount of fragrant bath salt, a delicious green tea moisture mask, (if I'm lucky) a sprinkle of pedals and of course a little duck on the side! Yum! Now if only the bathroom door had a lock...


A LITTLE....ITSY BITSIES

Well the Golden Globes have come and gone and we get to check out all the pretty things that came down the red carpet! One trend that wasn't so surprising? PINK! For those of you who didn't already hear-PINK-specifically "HONEYSUCKLE" has been chosen as the Pantone 2011 color of the year! Check out my pink deer--coming soon for sale on my etsy site--how do I know these things? LOL!

Oh pretty pinks--so sweet and comforting. I heard that is going to be the prominent theme this year-COMFORT. Yes, last years trendy fish taco craze is being replaced by....fried chicken! Seriously-this is what they are saying! "They" say.. it's comfort food and you can make it at home--- and thats just great because everyone is jobless, broke, depressed and apparently becoming more unhealthy! AWESOME! 

SEE YOU TOMORROW FOR :WEDNESDAY-ETSY SPOTLIGHT ARTIST

MONDAY INSPIRATIONS

The focus this week is BLUE-January tends to make most of us FEEL blue-especially here in Northern Michigan! So i dedicated this week to finding inspiration around the web in blue things...

(1) duvet-West Elm  (2) vintage bobbins- photographic print-dayslight.etsy.com  (3)  Poet sofa-designer Finn Juhl-dwr.com  (4) Annette Tatum bedding-$275.00-laylagrace.com  (5) Juncas grass-landscape ornamental plant (6) baby crochet knit hat-The Blueberry Hill-on Big Cartel  (7) Tie & (8) Elephant case-Brightwall.etsy (from Detroit MI)   (9) road trip bingo  (10) kids lunch box-Dwell Studio  (11) blue forget me not  (12) "scream remix" dot print-someprints.com  (13) kids banner-art&philanthropy.etsy  (14) Blue room -HGTV.com