Flower art

A friend asked me recently to consider creating a piece for a charity auction coming up for a great agency she's involved with volunteering for. I told her I'd mull it over -- what would I create, and how could I best represent what I do at this type of event?

I starting playing this weekend, and my process evolved through some sketches and well, taking out every fabric I own and throwing it around the family room, and voila! I came up with flowers on canvas. Now, I do not think these will be the final pieces for the auction but I am liking the direction. It seems to have a fun, whimsical feel while allowing for tons of variety in color, texture and feel.

I am wondering, how do these feel? Are they kitschy, fun, different enough to look like my art, but feel thoughtful and finished enough to work in an art setting?

Thanksgiving is next week!

I can't believe it is the Friday before Thanksgiving! I am so ready for the holiday...to take a little break, have the kids off school for a few days...chill! But, I know for those of you who are preparing for Christmas it is a busy busy time with decorating, and all that goes along with it. So, I whipped up this little print for Charm this week, and thought I'd offer it up as a free printable for framing!

Enjoy! Spread the word to friends! And while you're here, won't you join my Raspberry Sisterhood, so you can get my new e-zine, as soon as it becomes available? Just send me a note here!

New supplies...

In Kansas City on the first Friday night of each month, downtown comes alive with art! It is such a creative person's dream...just strolling from one gallery to the next checking out every nook of the Crossroad's District from the street performers to the food trucks and aart, art, art inbetween.

On of my most favorite places to visit is Hammerpress. I remember the first I stepped foot into that place, and I fell in love with letterpress printing. (This was way before Letterpress was cool. Not that there was really a time it wasn't cool, but you know what I mean.) I was a graphic design student on a field trip...and I thought I'd hit the big time! I was so happy to be in a creative field and visiting this printshop downtown was a big deal for me.

It has since moved on to a much bigger building, and a great gift shop filled with my favorite things: baker's string and kitschy potcards, not to mention a great selection of washi tape and darling wrapping paper. So I picked up a few gems and can't wait to get back to creating this week! Thanks KC for a great Friday night spot for inspiration!

Art class today!

Check out the outfit Gracie picked out for her first day of art class at the Nelson! Don't tell me this girl isn't an artist in the making? Now, I am a proud mama of course but I have to say, she's got the art genes. She's fiesty and creative, her drawings aren't too shabby, and now she's off to the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, and nothing's going to stop her!

Hot pinkie...

This is another peice using the quote from the secret garden. And it has extra-special gems in each of the flowers. Looks like this little treasure will be available at the new Charm Boutique in Martin City starting next Thursday, September 20. I am visiting tomorrow, and will have a chance to show off the place and tell you more about it then!