my new best friend

Look what I got! A fabulous collage as well as some goodies from the generous Stacie Rife. If you haven't checked out her dreamy art, you should. Something about the color combination as well as the images she used, relaxes me. She sells her fantastic creations on ebay and etsy. Click here to go to her blog!

Just got to thinking how fantastic the internet is. I have met so many fantastic people - most of them sharing the same interests as me. I try to think back to the days of LP records and Atari but this seems like ages ago (and I'm not THAT old yet!) and can't understand how I functioned with out a computer! This old laptop is going on 3+ years old and I have now purchased a new companion with a bigger screen and a whole lot of memory! Funny, this is considered a necessity, not a splurge. Who would of thought!

Oh, and before I go, got a little guy listed on ebay again, another one using scrap. I've got some more to list but this requires time which I am limited to. We'll see if I can't get more up within the week.

etsy now opened...

Decided to finally open an etsy shop for my
larger pieces. I am really looking forward to
seeing how this pans out!

Meet Paul

Meet Paul. He is 35 years old and my husband. He is an engineer. He is very clever. He likes to create tools to help make his life easier. Here is an example:

Yesterday, we laid new carpet in our kids' room. Paul created a contraption to hoist their bunk bed in the air so we didn't have to take it apart and move it out of their room. I don't have a picture of that but you can imagine how nifty that was. I like to tell Paul that he is a nerd. He says that he doesn't mind. Paul is cool.

just messing around...

"Perfection"

12 cm x 18 cm or 4 3/4" x 7"

mixed media on canvas

The weather here in Stavanger has been wonderful! In fact, it has been so perfect that we spent almost the entire day out in the garden! After trimming bushes, clipping hedges and putting together Ikea furniture, I needed some time to relax in the studio. Finished this piece with the scrap laying around on the table from other larger works. Also, finished this funny piece...

"Looking Through the Peephole"30 cm or 12" squaremixed media canvas

Of course, can't have these laying around the studio collecting dust, so they are listed on ebay.

I don't know how many of you feel about packaging up artwork, but I absolutely hate it! I have two rather large commission pieces to get packaged up and sent to the US. Not only does it take an eternity to find packaging materials big enough and suitable to protect it, but I feel like some sort of contortionist trying to tape it up. It also takes away valuable production time for other pieces. If only I could train my kids. Unfortunately some of these pieces are as big as they are! Oh well, the time is now 11 pm and I have put this moment aside all day. Guess it is time to get the tape gun out! If anyone has any tips on how I can effectively package things up in half the time, I would love to hear from you!!

Vanity

"Vanity"

16" or 40 cm square

mixed media on wrapped canvas

I am starting to prefer working on larger canvases. Something about having a lot of area to move and experiment (as well as make mistakes!) pleases me. There are many of these pieces laying about unfinished. Stay tuned for more...

finally done!

Got the last of my 31 pieces for Creative Underground's swaggin' garland done. I can not tell you how happy I am! I am the type that can't do anything easy and decided for this swap I was going to make something special for each and every participant! Each piece is closed with the persons initial - you can slide this around and open it up to reveal a little surprise piece of art! This took me much longer than I had anticipated. I can't wait to see it hanging with all the others! I mean, who doesn't need a 7 foot garland hanging in their studio?
(A is for Angela - you get a sneak peak at yours!).

Leave it to a 7 year old to capture a nice picture of the neighborhood. Taken from the balcony, the colors and sky were so nice, thought I would have to post it here for you to have a little peak at my world.

while I was painting

I have lots of these little canvases in the works. While I am waiting for the paint to dry on a larger piece, I go to work on something smaller. Here are a few finished ones, now offered up for sale on ebay.

click here to go to ebay

Odd Molly

If you know me well, you know my weakness for nice, well made clothes. Things with a cool detail i.e. a special button, a ragged hem, an asymmetrical cut. You get the idea. So, you can imagine my excitement today when I went into a trendy store here in Stavanger (yes, we do have a few cool shops) and found that the sweater I loved but couldn't get myself to pay full price for, was 50% off! I will not disclose the price I paid for it in case my wonderful, dear hubby reads my blog (however I doubt it), but I am so excited I thought that I HAD to share!
Now, if you visit the Odd Molly site and you know me, you will ask yourself, "Why didn't she buy that fabulous skirt?" or "Why didn't she buy the wonderful long knit jacket?" or even "That blouse! Perfect for Erika! Why didn't she splurge and get that too?". Well, the answer to your question is that they don't have the entire collection or I would of! I did try on a fabulous jacket though but it was on hold for someone else. The good news is that the shop called and said that the person never picked it up so I am off to grab this beauty tomorrow!

And, they had this dress, perfect for me, right up my alley but on sale it was still $200! I do have to say stop sometime so I did for this but it was hard...



next time...

I'm Back!

Sadly, we returned back from a fabulous trip to Southern France. If you have read any of Peter Mayle's book on Provence you have a pretty good idea of all the things France has to offer. The scent of lavendar in the air, the miles of olive groves, not to mention the fantastic food. We wined and dined with the upper class in St. Tropez and Cannes, combed antique stores and small alleys for treasures and relaxed on some of the nicest beaches in Europe. Every good thing comes to an end (why is that?) and we are now home again.

I am also busy at work not only creating some new pieces but finishing some promised collages and other projects. I will post soon when the laundry is washed and put away.