Every dog has a little banjo playin' musician in 'em!
Monday, December 31, 2012
The snaggle-toothed pup
Two posts in one day for New Year's! Angus is the cutest little snaggle-toothed Lhasa Apso who lives in Northern Ireland. I did several pet portraits over the holidays, his being one of them, and they were all lots of fun! Here he is with his favorite toy in his adorable jumper:
Every dog has a little banjo playin' musician in 'em!
Every dog has a little banjo playin' musician in 'em!
New Year's 2013
This is a bit of a personal, wordy post. Beware!
I haven't posted much recently because I have been so darn busy. Yes, the same old excuse, but still- a true one. Art illustrations, work, dogs, running around in spare time to get ready for the holidays; I never thought I would be as busy as I was during our wedding- boy was I wrong. I think this holiday season I have been more busy than ever before! I am patting myself on the back for keeping it all together and getting it done... except for my poor little old blog.
2012 is passing this evening and I have been in a reflective mood these past couple of days remembering days past and a year that has been one of the best of my life. Moving to Portland, OR was a long time dream for Patrick and me. Now that it has happened and we have planted more roots here it has only made the days more sweet in the Pacific Northwest. This past year for myself (and Pat & I) have been one of big growth and creating a home. After years of moving- back and forth from Massachusetts and Chicago, to Scotland and back, to different apartments and spaces where I tried not to acquire much so that I could move freely- these days this year really came to a close for me. I now find myself in a house that I can make a home, in a city where we can really grow our business and I can further integrate my art and myself into. It just feels so great to be 'home' and not immediately moving to the next place. To live somewhere I love and that I can continue to have new and exciting adventures.
In the past year we grew two businesses, moved into a new house, and of course the biggest event-got married! I can't imagine a more busy and exciting year!
I am not a big "New Year's Resolution" kinda gal. I believe if you want to do something or change your life, just do it. So I don't have a list of things I want to accomplish or change about myself. What I see in 2013 is continuing on the path that I am on- and once you get married that path is no longer 'I' but 'we' which is how I think of it in my head- Patrick and I- 2012 was amazing, I cannot wait to see what 2013 brings!
Happy New Year to all!
Oh, and I will always be thankful for my favorite little guy:
Now to go sing some Karaoke at a friend's birthday bash this evening... Should be interesting with my stuffy nose and plugged up ears, (on top of everything I got a cold on Christmas) gonna be a fun way to bring in the new year!
I haven't posted much recently because I have been so darn busy. Yes, the same old excuse, but still- a true one. Art illustrations, work, dogs, running around in spare time to get ready for the holidays; I never thought I would be as busy as I was during our wedding- boy was I wrong. I think this holiday season I have been more busy than ever before! I am patting myself on the back for keeping it all together and getting it done... except for my poor little old blog.
2012 is passing this evening and I have been in a reflective mood these past couple of days remembering days past and a year that has been one of the best of my life. Moving to Portland, OR was a long time dream for Patrick and me. Now that it has happened and we have planted more roots here it has only made the days more sweet in the Pacific Northwest. This past year for myself (and Pat & I) have been one of big growth and creating a home. After years of moving- back and forth from Massachusetts and Chicago, to Scotland and back, to different apartments and spaces where I tried not to acquire much so that I could move freely- these days this year really came to a close for me. I now find myself in a house that I can make a home, in a city where we can really grow our business and I can further integrate my art and myself into. It just feels so great to be 'home' and not immediately moving to the next place. To live somewhere I love and that I can continue to have new and exciting adventures.
In the past year we grew two businesses, moved into a new house, and of course the biggest event-got married! I can't imagine a more busy and exciting year!
I am not a big "New Year's Resolution" kinda gal. I believe if you want to do something or change your life, just do it. So I don't have a list of things I want to accomplish or change about myself. What I see in 2013 is continuing on the path that I am on- and once you get married that path is no longer 'I' but 'we' which is how I think of it in my head- Patrick and I- 2012 was amazing, I cannot wait to see what 2013 brings!
Happy New Year to all!
Oh, and I will always be thankful for my favorite little guy:
Now to go sing some Karaoke at a friend's birthday bash this evening... Should be interesting with my stuffy nose and plugged up ears, (on top of everything I got a cold on Christmas) gonna be a fun way to bring in the new year!
Sunday, December 2, 2012
Artemisia- Collage with Nature
Happy Sunday! I am stuck inside on this rainy day drinking coffee and working on the computer- oh so exciting. Anyways, enough with my boring weekend, I am so happy to announce I have some pieces for sale in the lovely Artemisia terrarium shop here in Portland, OR:
I created several new wood slice paintings, so go take a look! Makes and excellent holiday gift ^^
This little hedgehog is my favorite
I was so excited to put work into this shop as I feel so inspired by their well curated shelves:
I could just spend all day sitting in this shop sketching!
I also would be perfectly fine with my holiday gifts all coming from Artemisia:
I can has, yes?
I also just want to add that if you ever have an idea in mind (for example a specific animal, portrait, even tattoo design!) that you would love to have illustrated, feel free to email me! I do not list all the type of commissions I do on my etsy but as you can tell from this blog, I do a large versatile mix of things! Getting full up on Holiday orders, so if you would like something, get in touch soon!
Thursday, November 29, 2012
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Mei & Daniel, a couple's portrait
I recently did a couple's portrait (my first ever!) for the cutest couple ever- Mei & Daniel! Seriously, learning about these two and their lovely story made me feel all ooey gooey inside. Mei had contacted me about the portrait right before my wedding and of course I was a wee bit busy at the time. When I returned from the honeymoon we touched base and I found out she got engaged! How exciting! She wanted to have this done as a surprise gift for her soon-to-be hubby. I was super happy to do this piece for them:
I wanted to include personal things in the portrait- he's from Chicago and always wears a cubs hat and plays guitar. Mei is a photographer from Wyoming and they have both recently moved to Portland- hence the Douglas Fir pine cone, along with oregon grape flowers (the official plants of Oregon) and Cardinal feathers (state bird of Illinois) and Meadowlark feathers (state bird of Wyoming). Also, Mei has a beautiful tattoo of an indian paintbrush (the Wyoming state flower) so that had to be in there... she is holding them :)
Mei is also a very talented photographer, check out her work here. Seriously, you won't be disappointed, this girl is good!
I wanted to include personal things in the portrait- he's from Chicago and always wears a cubs hat and plays guitar. Mei is a photographer from Wyoming and they have both recently moved to Portland- hence the Douglas Fir pine cone, along with oregon grape flowers (the official plants of Oregon) and Cardinal feathers (state bird of Illinois) and Meadowlark feathers (state bird of Wyoming). Also, Mei has a beautiful tattoo of an indian paintbrush (the Wyoming state flower) so that had to be in there... she is holding them :)
Mei is also a very talented photographer, check out her work here. Seriously, you won't be disappointed, this girl is good!
Friday, November 16, 2012
Changes!
Oh more changes! The hubby and I found the perfect new house to rent and are moving.... this upcoming week! I am so excited- big yard, studio room, and lots of space, all close to Alberta Arts neighborhood and other great spots too! Right now, most of my art, computer stuff, and studio are already at the new house, so it's a little bare bones where I'm at currently. Though I have this little cutie named Pearl keeping me company this weekend- puppy sitting! (Biscuit is being a spoiled only child right now sulking in the corner). Art updates coming soon!
Saturday, November 10, 2012
On how we got married...
*Be ready for a very long post*
Here it is... the wedding post! Patrick and I actually did it, we are, indeed, married! It was perfect, lovely, sweet, and everything I dreamed- I mean it! I can't even believe how everything came together. Even amidst the chaotic and craziness leading up to the day (leading up to the very last minute!), everything fell into place for the best day of my life.
Biscuit is a very sleepy boy amongst all the commotion of getting ready
Getting his bowtie on
Lots of bustling while getting ready!
Our wedding theme was woodland animal, ho-down vintage barn wedding (I guess?) It was pretty loose! We made so many things for our wedding, DIY all the way! Leda and I made our Mr. and Mrs. signs-I just loved how they came out. We used old antique tablecloths we had lying around (from my great grandmother), Leda made the cutest little flage signs for all our tables (saying Booze, Sweets, Nosh, Din' Din'! Can you say best maid of honor ever?) and my mother and I foraged pinecones and twigs along with my painted animals for the center pieces. My mother also did our beautiful flower arrangements, all bouquets, and the boutonnieres! I made all the programs, invites, save the dates...you know the deal.
We tried to keep the wedding true to us- down to our rings and what we wore. Patrick and I are very silly and slightly superstitious- we always 'knock on wood,' kiss the ceiling of the car when going through a yellow light, and say 'bread and butter' whenever we are separated by a poll while walking. We had our rings engraved, Patrick's says 'Bread' and mine says 'Butter.' We go together like bread and butter :)
I am not a super fancy gal and Pat's not a super fancy guy- we wanted to be comfortable at our wedding! My dress was made by Nataya and purchased online, my wonderfully comfy and adorable pink/coral shoes are by Fluevog, and my wax orange blossom veil crown is an antique from 1920's (something old). Patrick is not a suit guy, so we found a pair of slacks, bowtie, and vest along with some Desert Boots- perfect! Biscuit of course couldn't be left out and after spending hours scouring online shops, etsy, and pet stores I threw up my hands in exasperation and bought him a men's silk bowtie- best decision.
I loved my bridesmaid's dresses made by Darling- they matched our theme and colors perfectly with little blue birds and flowers, just adorable! The boys wore what they wanted in the theme of things- suspenders, bowties, and blue button ups.
Ya- the group pictures were pretty priceless!
Patrick and I knew when we moved to Portland we would be having our wedding out in the Northwest- so beautiful, and it already felt like home. I knew I was really pushing it with our wedding date- September 29th, in the Northwest? An outside wedding? Am I crazy? Fall is our (Patrick and I) favorite season and we really wanted a fall wedding, but I was worried about the rain. However, I worried for nothing, because it was incredibly beautiful the whole day with not a cloud in the sky and a full moon at night. I couldn't ask for more.
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