michelle my belle

artfully distracted... once again!

had to put that last painting on hold and just chill in the comfort of my journal pages.
i think these pages speak for themselves.
not finished, but you get the idea.


my inspiration.
i've always hated my hair.
straight, thick, two large COW LICKS (front & center) and a ginormous widows peak.
i feel like i'm singing that christmas carol!
therefore-
....
i wear hats.

oh, and now we can add rapidly graying to the list!

getting my creative juices flowing!

i've been spending quite a bit of time sketching and throwing down colorful paint.

she's looking kind of cute here... but WAIT!

changed my mind!
now i'm off in a whole new direction.
a direction that i'm not even quite sure of.
check back tomorrow, i may know by then.
but then again, maybe not.
hehe.

check out this gals dreamy studio space! lovin it.

scribbles & thoughts

just messing around...
pushing creativity.
resisting comparisons.
pushing back on what my brain knows.
embracing what makes me-ME.
what comes, comes.
in due time.
so thankful.

art canvases are in the house!

i'm jumping up and down right now!
we just got our new line of giclees in the shop.
and they're beautiful!!!
being able to offer unique, high quality art at affordable prices is near and dear to my heart.
so this is really a dream come true.

giclees(zhee-klay) are high quality prints with excellent color accuracy to the original.

each one has wrapped edges and comes ready to hang.
hope you like them as much as i do :)

art journal pages

some recently finished journal pages.


full of randomness and doodlings.

 

 

drab to fab - diy

it's finally garage sale season!
much to my hubs vexation!
i try to remind him that i'm SAVING money and all these pieces of trash will soon turn to treasures.

all it takes is a little primer.

and some pretty colored spray paint!

and there you have it!
inexpensive, quick and rewarding.

giving handmade

i've tried to make it a point to give my kids handmade things as gifts.
either made by me or other artists.
i want them to grow up with an appreciation of art and handmade things.

so this was the little birthday story box i made her.
she wants to own a bakery someday hence the chef hat.
would she have preferred a itunes gift card or $$?
probably.

 

totally tubular sweet 16!

i can NOT believe i have a 16 year old!
did i have her when i was 10?
cause i could swear i'm still in my 20's! *ignore wrinkles*

thankfully, i can proudly say that she is-in fact, a SWEET 16 year old.

she chose the theme of the 80's for her party.
for some reason this is really funny to me.

i know the bicycles aren't really "80's" but it is something she likes to do and they're cute so i couldn't resist.
Katy, my graphics gal, took a Cindy Lauperish body and put Lex's face on it.
then my hubs mounted it and cut it out in wood. super fun!

can i just say, parties are A LOT of work!!!

candy is from a candy store.

bicycle toppers from lulu's cupcake boutique.

and what's a party without some 'gag me with a spoon' party favors?!
white chocolate dipped spoons with glow in the dark aliens tied to them and some homemade 'too legit' magnets.

i now have 5 years to recover before my youngest hits 16!
happy birthday Alexis! we love you!

bicycle topper & crafty star man

here's a little guy that i used as a demo during my dangling dudelings workshop.
he still sits sadly unfinished.
too many other things to work on.
paperwork/emails up the ying yang.
oh... and this-

throwing my oldest a birthday party.
i think this was the most involved party i've ever done!
i have kind of lagged on parties for her so i figured i owed her a good one.
found these fun bicycle cupcake toppers and knew they'd be perfect for her, as she likes to ride.
i'll post more pictures tomorrow!

dangling dudelings - arftest workshop #3

the final workshop i taught was dangling dudelings.
we worked in paperclay using a simple armature technique to make mid size creatures.
and again, a fabulously talented group of gals as you can see for yourself!


i LOVED each and everyone one of their finished pieces.
i wanted to keep them all!

i finished artfest with a huge smile on my face and love in my heart.
such kind and talented women.
all embracing creativity and learning new techniques.
i already can't wait till next year!!!