Available Paintings on Etsy

Thursday, December 31, 2009

Wishing Everyone a Wonderful New Years!


May 2010 bring continued blessings to you and yours! 
I will be back at the easel this Monday...I'm taking a few days 'off' for some much needed 'me' time. God bless & thank you for your continued support, kindness, and interest in my work!

Thursday, December 24, 2009

Wishing Everyone a Truly Blessed, Family Filled Christmas!


Hope everyone has a holiday filled with family, fun, and lots of laughter! Thank you for your support & encouragement throughout this year and for your friendship! God bless!~Lara

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Fine Art Giclee Prints...Now Available!


With the new year fast approaching I wanted to start offering fine art giclee prints of some of my original oil paintings. I know not everyone can afford an original painting so I thought a quality print is the next best thing! You can find them in my store on etsy and ebay, or feel free to contact me direct!

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Last Minute Gift Idea...Pet Portrait Gift Certificate! (or Custom Painting)


Need a GRREAT last minute gift idea? 
How about a Gift Certficate for a Custom Pet Portrait or Oil Painting by me! 
Just contact me with the address of the recipient 
and I will send them a gift certificate in the amount you specify! 
Pet portraits are a wonderful, personable gift 
they will cherish for years to come!

Saturday, December 19, 2009

A Couple More Itty Bitty Paintings...


 
These are teeny little ACEO paintings, only 
2.5" x 3.5" on stretched canvas (and a mere $19 each)
...no need for framing, can be hung as is and truly adorable with a captial 'A' ;)  Available on Etsy. I am also linking this to D. Dzine's Artwork Friday :)

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Wee Little Paintings on Etsy...





 ...so small they can fit in the palm of your hand :)  
Available in my store on Etsy.
(*I need to replace the 2nd photo 
once the sun reappears in Michigan)

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Blue & White LoVe...


 

  I just cannot get enough of blue and white!I'm not sure what it is about the color combination, but it just seems to work...these pieces are available in my store on Etsy along with some other little gems! :) **Buy HANDMADE for the Holidays**

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

My item for the Blog*Bid*Hope Auction, 5"x 7" Custom Oil Painting




**UPDATE: The auction is over and a BIG THANK-YOU to theduchessofh for her winning bid of $100!**
The auctions to benefit Anissa Mayhew have started, and there are many great items to bid on! Everything starts at only $10!! Here is a link to my item, a Custom 5"x 7" Oil Painting of something you treasure.

Monday, December 7, 2009

Blog*Bid*Hope




Please take a moment to visit this link regarding a benefit 3 day auction starting this Wednesday that will raise funds for Anissa Mayhew, a mother of three who collapsed this Thanksgiving after suffering a massive stroke, and is now in a hospital bed fighting for her life. To read more please click here. I have donated a Custom Oil Painting for this auction, all bids start at only $10! Even if you decide not to participate, please copy the button above and help spread the word! God bless!

Thursday, December 3, 2009

Red Spode and Russian Doll Under Cloche


"Red Spode Plate and Russian Doll Under Cloche," 3"x 4",
oil on stretched canvas, (available on etsy)
 I wanted to paint a little somethin, somethin for the Cloche Party over at A Stroll Thru Life and came up with this little number. I was hoping to get a couple little gems done, but I am super busy with commissions and holiday projects so I could only get one piece completed. If you use the search box on my sidebar you can view some of the other cloche paintings I have created in the past few months :) Enjoy!

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Our Jedha has Cancer...





Our Jedha went to the Cancer Specialist today and has a cancerous growth that will need to be removed...to read more click here.
*When in doubt, get it checked out!

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

My ART GIVEAWAY on "As Good As Cake"!


 
*Be sure to head over to Kate's blog "As Good As Cake," now for some AWESOME Holiday Giveaways! I am giving away a Miniature Custom Oil Painting of something you treasure! Head on over there by clicking the button above or here! Good luck!*

Sunday, November 29, 2009

Tiny *Gems* in my Etsy Store...& ART Giveaway!











 
With the holidays fast approaching I managed to get a few small oil paintings done for my etsy store. Most are painted on stretched canvas with the edges painted, no need for framing, they can be hung as is! Please take a peek here at my store on etsy and feel free to pass this post along to family & friends!
*And a reminder to check out Kate's blog here for some GREAT giveaways from such talented people as Annechovie, Janet Hill, Lisa Leonard Designs, Style Key West, & many more!( my giveaway will be on her blog today!! :)
**Linking this up to the following blog parties :)





 



Thursday, November 26, 2009

What a Gift it Would be to Win This!...a Sleep Number Bed!


(I suffered a lower back injury over 10 years ago, and winning a bed like this would be a dream come true...check out this great Giveaway!)
*The Details:
The Sleep Number p5 Bed is Select Comforts most popular bed, it features a unique air-chamber design and breathable knit comfort layers. Comfort Layers
11-inch European-style™ supersoft pillowtop features a knit that’s breathable to help you sleep comfortably.
A full two inches of our exclusive Intralux® comfort material responds quickly as you move.
Three unique zones naturally support your body’s curves
Approximate Retail value for the prize is $2,049.97 (Sleep Number p5 bed set plus UPS shipping).
*To enter to win one of your own visit: Our Ordinary Life HERE.

Wishing Everyone a Truly Blessed, Family Filled Thanksgiving!...& a Great ETSY Giveaway!


I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving! One that is filled with lots of laughter, fun, & of course yummy things to eat! Seems hard to believe there is only a little more than 4 weeks until Christmas!!
**Also!I just discovered a great Etsy Giveaway going on at the Team CAC (Christian Artists and Crafters)Blog  
be sure to check it out!

Friday, November 20, 2009

Great GIVEAWAYS!Annechovie,pve design,Janet Hill, & MORE!!


Be sure to head on over to Kate's New Holiday Giveaway Blog 'As Good As Cake Reviews & Giveaways', there are some really AWESOME Giveaways happening NOW and throughout the next few weeks! Here is the list of some of the sponsors that are participating one of which is me! I am giving away a Custom Oil Painting on Nov. 30th! So be sure to stop by her blog today! :)
Good luck!!

Confirmed 2009 Holiday Giveaway Sponsors:

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

*Christmas*Pup*Paintings*(Available on Ebay Now :)


 "Berner's 1st Christmas," 6"x 6",

 oil on stretched canvas,(available on ebay

"Saint Bernard Puppy's 1st Christmas," 6"x 6",
oil on stretched canvas,(available on ebay)

 "Papillon's 1st Christmas," 6"x 6",
oil on stretched canvas,(available on ebay)

Here is a trio of delightful pups experiencing their very 1st Christmas snow! Each is painted on stretched canvas with the edges painted black, so they can be easily hung as is! No framing necessary! A perfect gift for the holidays, or a treat for yourself! :) (*These paintings will help us pay for our Jedha to be seen by a canine cancer specialist, he has an appointment set up for next week, please feel free to pass on this post to family, friends, & fellow dog lovers! Thank you!:)



Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Prayers Needed for Our Jedha...


For the next few weeks I will not be able to donate 10% of each painting to dog rescue, as we need to have some lumps checked out on our dog, Jedha, at a cancer specialist and need to save up the money to do this. If you are looking at having a portrait of your pet done, please consider scheduling it soon as it will help us pay for the examination, and if need be, any procedures they may need to do (fingers & paws crossed they will not). In the meantime, please keep our precious Jedha in your prayers that these lumps are not cancer. I just cannot imagine losing him. He is by far the most gentle, loving wonderful bundle of fur I have ever known. He helped me get thru my homesickness when I lived in Australia, and he is my little buddy here at home in Michigan.

Friday, November 13, 2009

Show & Tell Friday...My Late Grandfather's Carvings


 


(my sister Heather, 'Bupa' Hammerstrom, and me)


Over at My Romantic Home, Cindy is hosting a Show & Tell Friday and I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to share the wood carvings my late grandfather made...they are something I will always treasure. My grandfather passed away at the end of June...(you can read more about him here.) He is greatly missed by my Grandma, his children, and many, many grandchildren...Thanksgiving & Christmas will surely be bittersweet this year, but I am thankful that he is in Heaven now and no longer suffering.

ART FRAUD on ebay & even Michaels!!


 
 
PLEASE do REAL, hardworking artists a favor and be aware of the rampant ART FRAUD on ebay & now even at Michaels!! 
Check out this new blog sent to me by a fellow artist:
http://ebayfraudbusters.blogspot.com/
I also wrote a GUIDE on ebay last year on How To Spot a FAKE Oil Painting. Click here. It seems that the problem is only getting worse as computer programs such as Photoshop make it VERY easy for anyone to take a photo, alter it, and make it look like not only an oil painting, but a watercolor, drawing, charcoal, you name it! If something looks 'a little too good to be true', chances are it is a FAKE!
**And the latest dog rescued from being chained!!! from Coalition to Unchain Dogs :) enjoy!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vjzOMq38wy4

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Beautiful Asha, Australian Shepherd Dog Portrait in Oil


"Asha," 9"x 12", oil on canvas,

10% will be donated to Heeling Hearts ACD Rescue 
 
I am really thrilled with how Asha's portrait turned out! I actually used a couple different photos to create this piece as I wanted the gentle face from one photo to be paired with the playful ears of the other. I so enjoy painting Australian Shepherds, because their coloring is just so unique! If you are interested in having a portrait done of your precious pup, feel free to contact me!

Monday, November 9, 2009

I Can Make That!...Miniature OIL Paintings, & Handcrafted Heirloom Santas!


 
 
(3"x 5" Miniature OIL Paintings under $25! 
Great Gift Ideas!available on etsy
**BUY HANDMADE this Holiday!**)

 Over at Just a Girl, Chris is hosting an "I Can Make That!" Blog Party to inspire bloggers everywhere to see what they can create for the upcoming holidays (ONLY 7 Weeks left!!). I decided to do what I do best, and create some tiny oil paintings which will be available in my etsy store at a reduced price, just in time for the holiday gift-giving season! Be sure to stop on over and join in the fun! :)
**I also wanted to mention another great gift idea, beautiful Handcrafted Heirloom Santas by Rose at A Santamaker's Journey! 


To view her collection click here
You can also contact Rose by email.
**I'm linking this post to the 12 Weeks of Christmas as well!Be sure to check out that Blog Party too!


Thursday, November 5, 2009

Currently on my Easel, a Golden Retriever & Australian Cattle Dog


 
Just thought I'd give you a peek of what is currently on my easel...a HUGE Golden Retriever painting (18"x 24") and a beautiful Australian Cattle Dog. I also am working on a Sheltie and a pair of Miniature Schnauzers, and will be starting a Black Lab soon as well!I can feel the holiday rush already starting!Less than 8 weeks left!**Also, a VERY Special thank you to Rose over at a Santa Maker's Journey for the wonderful post she did about my pet portraits on her blog :) I painted her adorable Yorkie, Duchess, a few weeks back.

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Sophie Dahy Designs: $300 Floral Giveaway!!


Be sure to check out the awesome Sophie Dahy Design give-away at Verdigris Vie! The prize is your choice of a beautiful arrangement at a value of up to $300!!Enter now through November 15th!

Thursday, October 29, 2009

An Afternoon with Degas...the remix & a Home Goods GIVEAWAY!!


 
"Degas' Dancer with Bouquets (Master Study)," 6"x 6", 
oil on stretched canvas,(available on etsy)

I took a step back from this piece this past week and decided to change it a bit by adding the antique chair and I am thrilled with the end result! The soft lilac compliments the beautiful tutu the ballerina is wearing and the flowers behind her onstage just perfectly!This piece is currently available on etsy.
*Also, I thought I should mention a great Home Goods GIVEAWAY going on over at Bella Casa!