Oiseaux

When I Don't Have Words for Things

When I Don't Have Words for Things, 8 3/4" x 8 3/4" 2008

 

Khairun's Giveaway

Okay, it almost kills me that I'm posting this because I WANT this painting. 

But I was just checking up on Khairun's giveaway, and a paltry six people have entered to win this gorgeous piece of work. Hello? Is everyone too busy with.. I don't know, what is everyone too busy with?

Enter her giveaway and lessen my chances of winning, go ahead.

The Child Poet

The Child Poet, 8 3/4" x 8 3/4"

Today is a particularly happy day because:

1. I finished the above piece! It was niggling me a bit.

2. I reached my 200th sale in my etsy vintage shop today!!!!

3. Today marks my 6th year living in this little house; it's the longest I have lived anywhere, ever, in my whole entire life.

Off to have a glass of celebratory wine!

:)

The Swarm

8 3/4" x 8 3/4"

I was having a frustrating time last night: I've been working on a mixed media collage that never seems to be finished. 

I made this, and I feel much better.

I'm in the mood for fall

... but it's 98 degrees outside.

It's October tomorrow. Why is it 98 degrees outside???

These great illustrations are from a book about fall: Where Does Everyone Go?, written by Aileen Fisher and illustrated by Adrienne Adams. It was written in 1961, and I think I found my book when I was thrifting up in Santa Barbara, back when all the great thrift stores were still in business on State Street.

>sigh<

Anyhow, the pictures make me happy and fall-ish, even in my air-conditioned house.

Isn't this last picture the best? I could stare at it forever. The moodiness of it brings me back to how I felt as a child, something about that yellow sky.

Does anybody know

... nifty things to do with this stuff?

I picked up this clay at a toy store because it looked fun; I had vague fantasies about making little bowls or small cups or coming up with some all-new mixed media thing-a-ma-jiggy, but now I'm not really sure.

Ideas?

New Bookplates

I have some new bookplates that will be hitting the shop tonight...

Vintage Swing Personalized Bookplates

Vintage Wynken Blynken and Nod Personalized Bookplates

... and two new sets of assorted blank bookplates that I just listed a day or two ago:

Animals mix pack

Boys mix pack

This last week was like a vacation with Beau in pre-school for the first time, and I did nothing but sleep and read magazines for the hours she was in school.

But now I'm feeling antsy to make some art-- I have several collages in the works on my art table, and some ideas for a painting or two, and two large mandalas that I've been working a bit on. I'll take some photos later of those to post, they're starting to look pretty good.

I was so honored to read Lisa's post about my work on Go Make Something! It really made my month. Now I really want to go make something...

And one last thing: Sofia Barão is hosting an autumnal swap on her blog, pop by to check it out, I signed up immediately because it looks like a lot of fun.

Cool...

My husband started saying this to my daughter last night while she was having her bath, and I thought it would make a great t-shirt. A few clicks on the computer, and viola: coolness! 

Feel free to download this and use it as you like. I just might make a t-shirt for myself, too.

Amy Thompson

I discovered Amy Thompson's art through Sofia Barão's blog, and I am just blown away by her work. I love the way Amy mixes classic illustration with collage. Her images feel wistful and nostalgic to me, simply beautiful.

From top to bottom:

Late Summer, Moon Child, Chickadee Fluff, Depart Not, Discovering the Universe

Beau's First Day of School

Beau is officially a pre-schooler! 

I'm so proud!!!!

(Adorable birdie dress made by Kiki from All the Numbers, you can get one here.)