Let me introduce you to my friend Niccole who is an amazing photographer. I love her little bio of why she does what she does "I just can't get enough...little giggles, long gazes, TINY TOES, bashful smiles, tender TOUCHES, slobbery kisses, windblown HAIR, holding hands, ice cream dribbles, SILLY faces, living, LAUGHING, and loving." She's doing a $ special on sessions right now, you can check out her site for details.
Check out Anne's blog for her LIVE studio painting! It makes me want to get into the studio and CREATE! I look forward to someday meeting this amazing woman that continues to inspire me. (anne-hope you don't mind me grabbin this pic of you?)
Seeking inspiration to get my rear end back in the studio to begin creating new lines for summer shows, I ventured out to see my dear friend Kristine, aka "Cheese", from the good ole Portland Saturday Market days! We went to lunch off Alberta Street in Portland. What a fun street, I hadn't been there in several years and so much has changed. This little gallery, Redbird Studio, had the most darling window. Umbrellas made out of their handmade cards. Clever! Next door to it was Guardino Gallery showing work by artists Chris Giffin and Tabor Porter. Both amazingly talented and inspiring.
I don't know what it is about artists' messy studios that always tends to inspire me. Kristine has a great open space filled with things to make art.
With her crazy use of color you can see why we're friends! Check out more of her wonderful works on her website. Thanks Kristine for a great afternoon!
Look what my mail lady dropped off yesterday! My friend April is so thoughtful and giving! Thank you April! You made my day. If "make time count" is my motto then sending out some surprise gifts should be on my goal list.
I didn't take pictures of the goodies unwrapped cause I thought I'd be able to find it all on her website but the only thing I was able to find was this little love bug.
She even made these cute felt fortune cookies. Here is the link to her tutorial on her blog to do some yourself.
She has some darling things on her website. I especially love the Brag Boards they make! How perfect for your little arteest!
"Some friendships do not last, but some friends are more loyal than brothers."
Proverbs 18:24
I met Thomas Leiblein of Silvie Goldmark who does these amazing pewter salt and pepper shakers. The more I looked at his line the more I fell in love. They are perfect gifts for those people who have everything. Check out his selection here.
Thank you, thank you Thomas for my wonderful gift! I love them! I will be ordering some more for Christmas gifts.
I know the candy does not exactly match, but I have never really been one for "matchy, matchy". I've had this dish now for about 5 years I'm guessing, and I have never grown tired of it. I love pulling it out for the seasons (or any other time when there's an excuse to buy absurd amounts of candy). I know not everyone can relate to this kind of art, maybe that's why I like it so much! I had gotten my pieces in Philadelphia from the artist, but am so excited now that I realize they have a website that you can buy from. Below are some of their other works of art that I own and cherish.
Since I've been busy doing the business side of things and have had no time for being creative I thought I'd share a couple links to some talented people.
Love this gal's site, love the colors, patterns... she's amazing.
Another charming blog is Dudadaze. Diane Duda has a super cute style. Love it!
Actually found this site tonight through someone else's. Cuuuuuute stuff. Her blog is great and she also runs a gift swap if your interested.
Enjoy!
I finally found something I thought my office manager, Trish and studio manager, Alison would enjoy. Super cute slippers by Goody Goody.
I have to admit, when I read my friends blog and she talked about doing up these cute gifts for some of her friends, I wondered if I was one of her friends! So, when I got home today and worked up the energy to and made it into the studio and I saw a gift on my pile of papers, I squeeled with excitement!
In this great little package was some moose smooch lip balm, quotable magnet, some yummy and super cute chocolate covered sunflower seeds and this great aluminum pen and paper thingmajig for in my purse! Love it! Thank you my kind friend April!
A highlight at the show was seeing my friend Fern and her extremely talented daughter Lia Rose from the band Built for the Sea and her fiance. Such a great family. Check them out here.
Finally, here is the shot of my hair. Although I'm already "over it"! It's only been about a week and I already can see the grow out! Uhgg! Check out the cute polka dotted wall paper behind me. This is in the bathroom at the hotel!
