Along The Garden Path

I was out at the Jamestown fleamarket last Sunday and came across another sweet vintage garden scene, and I had to have it! It seems that I am starting a little fettish for them. I already knew I had two packed away in a box from when I  moved from the beach cottage,where I once enjoyed them in my kitchen. Now I'm thinking I might put them out again in the new house. They are so charming and the path through each spring garden seems so full of joy and peace, just like I pray my real life path would be.

The Darker Side of Me

Last weekend during the Marketplace event , I had a couple of antique dealers come into my studio/shop and comment on all the pink, cream, and white and then inquire whether or not I ever do any darker colored paintings? So in honor of their request I thought I would share with you some of my darker inspirations.

More Reminiscing " My Laguna Beach House"

 I shared before that I had recently moved to a big house in the country ( Fallbrook, CA. ), where I have my studio/shop and also the Marketplace every 3 months. I am anticipating taking you along the path with me of decorating it and since I have not really started focusing on it yet,I first wanted to share some photos of the beach cottage I lived in for the past 7 years. I was so blessed and priviliged to have had the opportunity to  live in Laguna Beach, It was truly beautiful in so many ways .If my photos are a bit blurry its because I had to take them from my facebook photo album 

The Marketplace was an overwhelming success!

I woke up this morning and immediately started pondering the past 2 days of our event, I had never dreamed it was going to be as wonderful as it was, thanks to all our hardworking and creative vendors who put their best foot forward to bring us great merchandise, and for the lovely people who came out here to share in our first Chateau De Fleurs Marketplace, you made it happen ! Here are a few photos of the things we had selling at the Marketplace.

2 tents up, 9 more to go!

Today we are starting to set-up for the "Chateau De Fleurs Marketplace". The calls are coming in and directions are going out! I'm getting so excited to see all the Ladies participating and to view all the treasures they have been storing up for our event.Here are a few of the things Rita has made and she is bringing lots more today!

Something New Out Of Something Old

Honestly in this economy, I'm like everyone else, looking for new ways to use something I already have , recycling, re-purposing, re-creating or what ever you call it, it can be fun! Here is an old dresser I had with pretty beat-up drawers, everytime I looked at it I thought it was too damaged to decorate with artwork so I kept passing it by. Then one day I was going through my fabric box and pulled out a piece that I just loved but was too fragile to sew anything out of, then it dawned on me to decopauge the beatup drawers of my dresser with it! I love the look of my dresser now and I get to see the pretty fabric everyday. Another Idea came to me as I was staring at this french script paper I got at a scrap-booking store, I loved it so much and wanted to incorporate it into my artwork, then again, it dawned on me to decopauge the mat around my art with it! I love the french appeal it gave my painting of roses without spending allot of money.

One Step Forward Two Steps Back

Have you ever woke up in the morning and it seems something is different, and right away things start happening to test your patience? Like spilling the coffee grounds on the counter and floor , breaking a glass as you go to reach for it and loose your grip, having clear spray paint leak and shoot all over your hands and clothes and to top it off I had finished the 7 signs for the marketplace glued them to the boards and stacked them the night before only to find out the next morning they had all stuck together taking some of the letters off! Yesterday was a sure test of perserverance as I spent the day re-doing the signs, so today I could move on to the things I had planned for yesterday. I'm crossing my fingers and saying a prayer that today goes a little smoother and more productive. I would like to get some more artwork done before the show, that would be nice, but we will see, got a long list of projects!

My Sister, My Friend

Today I would like to share with you my sister in law Rita Reade of http://mammabellarte.blogspot.com/. Some of you may already know and love her. She is not only a wonderful wife and mother to my brother Dean and their 2 boys Alan and Raffaele she has been a very good sister and friend to me. She is one of the most giving and hospitable people I know, but not only that she is a very talented artist as well.Two of her creative strengths are woodworking ( she can build anything) and soldering ( she teaches classes). Here are some samples of the things she has done with me in mind.  She will also be hosting  the marketplace with me and selling her creations there along with 10 other vendors. To see more of her amazing handiwork visit her blog.

You are invited to come to My Home

Rita (mammabellarte ) and I , have been working none stop to prepare for our 1st Marketplace. We are so excited to share our event with you and the list of vendors who will be participating in it. Along with my home there will be 3 other Barn Sales  in my area participating, 2 full days of treasure hunting!

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

I am truly overwhelmed by all of your responses to me starting this blog. A special thanks to all my friends who posted about me in their blogs . I loved hearing from all of you. At times yesterday I had tears of joy running down my cheeks as you shared what my paintings have meant to you. What a wonderful world of encouraging women you are and I'm looking forward to continueing to share my path with you as well as you with me. I want to appoligize for my following gadget not working, I have tryed over and over to get it to work but its not doing its job , any suggestions?    

10 year anniversary

Wow! I woke up this morning and I was thinking about what I could share and I realized that it had been 10 years since Romantic Homes did the article on my first art studio in Laguna Beach. Although the magazine was an April issue it came out early March and caught me off gaurd. What a wonderful piece of exposure that was for me, and boy how it changed my life.This is the first yard long painting of roses I did and definitely the most published. Thankyou editors, Eileen and Rebecca,  for all your support back then. And a special thanks to all of you who have followed and supported my art and still do, I am forever grateful!