CHILDHOOD REVISITED

I recently spent the day with my beautiful niece doing all the things I loved to do, myself, when I was her age.

**OK. It's official... I'm old.

You know this is true when you start saying things like,

"When I was her age"

But, I have to say it was so much fun!

First thing's first!

I braided her hair the night before to insure beautiful, flowing waves to follow in the morning. This was a bit difficult to convince a 5-year-old that suffering through the pulling and tugging of french braids is worth the outcome...

As I'm sure I did the first time my mom braided my hair in the evening...

Seeing as though I requested this ritual many, many times in my childhood.

And quite frankly would still be requesting braids if my husband new how to braid...

Hmmm, I wonder if...

On second thought, maybe it would be best to save this childhood ritual to visits back home.

In the morning, after my coffee - of course. We painted our nails. Only HOT PINK will suffice! And then released the braids!!!

Only to hear the little princess in the bathroom mirror exclaim,

"AWESOME! ... oh, that's awesome!"

She's hooked.

It will be braids in the evening, waves in the morning until she's...

Well, maybe until she has her own niece or daughter to tell of this tiny miracle.

Next on the list of things to do when spring rolls around...

Sidewalk Chalk!

You see, in my family - where creativity reigns - sidewalk chalk is the coolest form of expression! (next to finger paints, of course) What could be better!?! The outdoors - bright pastels - decorating the driveway!

We picked daffodils and celebrated spring - though a bit chilly on this day, beautiful! And as spring always does... the season arrives bearing the gift of happiness!

A special thanks to the beautiful princess with the long, flowing locks!

-kissing the frog

Except she says she will NOT be marring any prince,

because Daddy says she can't!

I wonder how long she'll keep listening...

WELCOME TO MY BLOG

Hi there!
I am a novice in this department; however,
I intend to document my anything but,
'ordinary everyday'
life in the studio.
I do hope you will follow me on this journey!

Let me start by "singing a little jingle" about myself.
I am a young, southern gal, born of a small town,
although I never actually fit the mold of a small-town persona.
Upon the approach of high school graduation, I decided, last minute
- as most of my decisions occur -
to apply to a large university,
was accepted
and off I went!

Through a string of uncertainties, I ended up in Art and Design.
It was, however, a rough road...
had I known this would be a roller coaster of doing what you love
and getting beat down for expressing your love,
I don't know that I would have pursued this field to start.
In the end, of course - as all things are - it was worth it!

Well, a little not so secret about me... you see,
I've always thought I knew
exactly what I wanted to be when I grow up...
As a little girl, it was a dance teacher
- just like my greatest influence, 'Miss Vicki' -
then it was a fashion designer
then, I fell in love with painting
- and well, it never actually occurred to me
that it would be quite difficult to make a career of painting -
So, I dabbled in a handful of things in my first years out of college,
but never found my niche - my career happiness.
Recently, I have had the great pleasure of embarking on a special project
for some very dear friends!

Of which, brings me to now...
I am newly wed,
and loving every minute of it!
Although a recession can be quite a dark cloud
on the ignorant bliss of being crazing in love,
we are still finding the simple life a blessing in our marriage.
Speaking of the recession,
I was a victim, so-to-speak, of this downturn in our economy
when I lost my job just before Christmas in 2008.
Since then, I have taken life as God has handed it to me.
That is not to say it hasn't been a struggle and true test of my patience
- and those of you who know me well, know patience is not my greatest virtue -

Through my wonderful husband,
I have met a great number of friends!
There is one couple in particular, who share my appreciation for art,
and they asked me to paint something, anything, for them!
Turns out this would, in fact, to be a great blessing for my soul.

For the last few months, I have been diligently working in my studio
- producing - creating - healing -
and have found creative self, again.
I have discovered the source of what makes me
a more enjoyable person.

I have recently completed this special project,
and want to share it with you!
The following, is a series of seven custom acrylic paintings...
of which I feel are - anything but your 'ordinary everyday' portraits!

"Artemis"

"Bella"



"Elvis"



"Hannah"



"Zeke"



"Charlie"



"Abbey"

These precious faces are the 'children'/pets
of the couple I mentioned above,
and they have burned their bright-eyed smiles into my heart!
For that, I will be eternally grateful to my friends.

I think that wraps up my first post!
In the future, I will try to keep these a bit less lengthy!
Thanks for reading! Tell all your friends!
And, stay tuned!