We are drawn to art for all sorts of reasons. Sometimes it evokes an emotion or memory. Sometimes it is as simple as loving the colors in an abstract piece or finding a work of art that depicts things we like, such as the beach or a field of lavender. And sometimes we want something that fits a particular room in our home. Art is a great way to add life and color to your home. Custom art is even better since it is uniquely yours!

​I recently had the pleasure of creating a custom painting inspired by one of my tiny kitchen paintings. An Etsy shopper contacted me and asked if I could create a large 10" x 30" version of this little 4" x 4" painting:

It was not going to be an exact translation since we were going from little square to big rectangle. I still had some photos of the original still life set up, so I worked from those to create a sketch of the layout. After my client signed off on that, I created a custom listing for her to purchase on Etsy.

Last year, after a special request from a family member, I painted a sweet little puppy portrait for a dog named Beans who was eagerly awaiting adoption. The painting was auctioned off to help pay his vet bills. I also did three other paintings which were sold as custom orders with proceeds going directly to help Beans. These paintings were so much fun that I decided to offer pet portraits in the shop. We all love our furbabies! (I have a thing for orange cats, myself.) 

​I now offer two sizes of pet portraits, 5 x 7" and 9 x 12". This past spring, I donated a gift certificate for one of the larger pet portraits to my kids' school for the spring fundraiser auction. I recently painted the winning portrait of this adorable fellow:
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Isn't he so sweet? It almost makes me want a dog. But with three little boys at home, the last thing I need is more noise and dirt! Ha!

If you are interested in a portrait of your pet, you can check out my listings under the SHOP tab or send me a message via the CONTACT page. 

(And a rare shot of me working!)

This piece was a special commission to honor a lost loved one. The man had served in the Marines and after his sudden and untimely death, his niece wanted a commemorative painting, as well as matted prints to give as gifts to her family. Her grandmother, the man's mother, received the original painting. It was a very special gift for her loved ones.

I always love it when I have the chance to not just make something beautiful, but also meaningful. So, I'm happy to now offer a larger format painting specifically for military portraits. You can find the listing in my Etsy shop.

2015 has really been a great year for me. I’ve expanded my custom art offerings beyond people portraits to homes and pets. My house portraits have been very popular. I’ve sold them to Realtors as closing gifts and to individuals who want a memento for a loved one. They make a lovely, nostalgic gift for anyone who has ever been attached to a home, sweet home.
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Because these are drawings with a simple color wash, I am able to offer them at a much lower price than my paintings. The smallest, a 5×7, starts at just $55. And even better, it only takes me a few days, so clients can have their drawing in as little as a week! If you are interested in a house portrait for this Christmas, the last day to order is December 14.

Each drawing is done in archival ink and watercolor on textured paper. I can even add a mat so that it’s ready to frame! You can find the listings in my Etsy shop.

I’m enjoying one of those rare months where the ideas and their execution flow in a rush of creativity! For me, that usually comes from having an end goal. In this case, I’m doing a small craft fair at my kids’ school. It’s not a big venue, but it is an opportunity to share my art with the world, and that is always a good thing. I did the show last year and was woefully unprepared. I had only large paintings and prints. The paintings were far too expensive for the venue. My booth was in a bad spot with very little traffic. I had no booth design in mind, just threw a cloth on a table and winged it. Not my finest moment, but a learning experience to be sure! Knowing more about what it will be like, I am better prepared this year with a range of products and prices.

In anticipation of this little market, I painted a new series, “In the Kitchen”. The kitchen is the heart of the home. It is where I spend most of my time because I love to cook and I love to eat. I’m intimately acquainted with all my various kitchen tools, from the measuring spoons and cups I use daily, to the potato masher and ice cream scoop that are for occasional treats. They all hold a beauty and meaning beyond what they appear to be.

I am first and foremost a people painter–portraits and figure painting are my first and one true love. This past year, however, I’ve been branching out. I did some architectural drawings and started offering house portraits. I even did some pet portraits (people love their furbabies!). Lately I’ve been interested in trying some still life painting. It’s a skill I’ve not practiced since college, so a good challenge for me! And just because I am slightly masochistic, I chose glass and metal objects for my still life paintings. Yay! Reflections! It’s pretty much the opposite of painting people. 
Some prints from this series are now available in the shop. Everything else will be listed the week of Thanksgiving in time for Small Business Saturday. #shopsmall