Custom Monogram

Occasionally, I finish a custom order and it turns out better than I expected. I'm never sure exactly how things come together. Sure, I have an idea, a sketch, a plan... but I never quite know how it will translate in the final product.


In this case, I used acrylic on canvas board, sealed with varnish. The giraffe pattern is paper that I incorporated into the design. The basic premise was to create a monogram canvas using turquoise, orange, lime green, brown, and a giraffe print.

Here we go again...

With any luck, I'll be better at updating this blog in the future. In fact, I think I will add that to my list of New Year's Resolutions. And unlike some of those resolutions (Caffeine, I'm talking to you), hopefully this one will stick.

So, what has been going on since I last posted? I suppose the better question is what hasn't been going on... But with the holidays behind me, I'm hoping to build up my inventory and paint a few things to decorate my new house. Stay tuned...

LuLu

So, once again it has been some time since my last post. I've been working on a few bulk orders, as well as house hunting 12 hours away (in Richmond) and preparing for the arrival of baby #2. Fun times, right?

I recently sold "LuLu," the little birdie pictured above. It was probably one of Abbi Kate's favorite things I've painted thus far. Sure, she loves flowers and pink (yes, pink is her favorite color), but she absolutely loved this little bird. I guess someone will be painting Abbi Kate her very own version of LuLu when life settles down (let's pretend that is something that is feasable, just to humor me).

LuLu was textured with sand and painted with heavy body acrylics on an 8x10 gallery wrapped stretch canvas (sides measuring 3/4").

a new work in progress...

I wanted to try something new, and so I have a current work in progress.  I had some spare wood in the garage from a special order I did a few months ago and thought I'd do some experimenting and make something for Abbi Kate's room.  

I even experimented with a new "font"/writing style that I'd used only once before on a gift for a friend's baby.  I'm not sure what else this needs.  I'm contemplating painting a border and I'm not sure if I want to attach a ribbon to hang it or simply put a traditional hanger on the back. Decisions, decisions...  

long time, no post...

oh my...

I will openly admit that the post-Christmas season is hard for me in terms of wanting to paint.  I paint so much during the Christmas season that the mere thought of doing anything involving a paint brush and any sort of creative thinking makes me want to run far, far, away.  

However, due to some recent custom orders I recently started painting again.   And this week a magical thing happened... I discovered I actually wanted to paint a few things (admittedly inspired by some baby bedding I found for Mr. Liam who is currently hanging out in my belly). 

I did this particular piece thinking in terms of one using only the first initial, and offering different writing styles and customizable color auctions.  Now as I look at them, I realize that one of for each letter of the name, one for each initial, or even one single canvas with all 3 initials would be super cute in a nursery as well. 

Now for the details: these are painted on 8x8" canvas boards with wire edge ribbon for hanging.  Hand painted/written with acrylics.  I've sealed it with a gloss acrylic sealer for easy cleaning (and protection) but it can be sealed with matte or satin sealer if that is preferred. 

So, here's to hoping that this recent inspiration lasts...

finished...

I haven't been around all that much due to pregnancy kicking my butt.  I realized the other day that I hadn't yet posted pictures of my finished "work in progress" and since I got a brand spanking new happy early Christmas present from my awesome husband (aka:  a Nikon D60), I thought I'd put it to use.  

I ended up mixing some vintage text I found on etsy with the acrylic paint for added texture and then adding another layer of vintage text (not torn and covered with paint) to some of the circles.  I finished it off with using a blending medium as well as charcoal for shadowing.   

When I was finished I was so smitten with the final result that I decided to keep this painting for myself and my husband couldn't be happier.  He is constantly complaining that I never paint anything for "us."

vote!

just a small public service announcement....

updates to come soon on what I've been working on.  Oh, and that "work in progress" ???  It's finished.  I'm currently undecided on whether or not I want to sell it because it looks pretty awesome in my living room.  pictures soon...