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!

Scottie with Vintage Scottie Radio & Baseball, Painting in Oil

"Scottie with Vintage Scottie Radio & Baseball," 9"x 12", 

oil on stretched canvas,

(available on ebay Sunday at 9pm EST)

10% will be donated to the Coalition to Unchain Dogs 

Can you believe I thought of this painting over a year ago and only now have had the time to bring it to fruition? I will need to get a better photo once we get some sun here in Michigan, but overall I am really excited with how this piece turned out! I will be putting this up for auction Sunday night around 9pm EST. Hopefully the right collector or Scottie dog lover will appreciate all the time and detail that went into this piece! 

*Also, I started yet another blog which will actually be more of a portfolio of sorts of my vintage dog paintings...it is called Vintage Dog Designs :) 

**Some Gift-giving Ideas from All Modern!**

With less than 10 weeks until the holidays, I created a post today of some gift-giving ideas you can find at All Modern. All Modern and the CSN network have over 250+ online stores, giving shoppers access to one million products from awesome lines such as Blu Dot, Alessi, Vitra, and many more. All Modern has a wonderful selection of Modern & Contemporary Bedding  where I found these simply adorable Duck & Frog pillows above. They are part of the Wetlands Collection from Amenity Home, along with the delightful Squirrels below.

 

The Dynasty Duvet Set below by Ann Gish is devine!

I love the combination of textures and patterns, just perfect for a master suite!

 

Another gift idea is this beautifully designed Espresso Maker by Aldo Rossi for Alessi.

Alessi has some really fun and innovative products,

perfect for finding that unique gift for someone special!

 

Finally, there is the Night Clock by George Nelson for Vitra-Vitra Design Museum. George Nelson is considered by many to be one of the founders of American Modernism, and I think this clock is a wonderful example of his impeccable style. Many other fabulous products fromVitra can also be found at All Modern.

 

So there you have it! Let me know what you think of my 'picks'

and visit All Modern to make your own personal 'picks'!

**ADORABLE Children's Chairs from Dozydotes!**

 

How cute are these chairs??! I just discovered the founders of this Michigan based company called Dozydotes, are the parents of one of my former students!(For those of you who may not already know, I used to teach 3rd grade for six years before pursuing my art full-time)They have all sorts of styles and fabrics to choose from, and with the holidays fast approaching I think they would make an adorable gift, don't you? Feel free to grab the blog button on my right sidebar and help spread the word!:)

Blog Party! Flea Market Style! ;)

 

 

 Over at Flea Market Style they are having their 1st ever Blog Party! You can share your favorite flea market/thrift store/yard sale find by creating a post and linking up to their post, pretty easy and a bit of fun for everyone!My favorite find is one of my vintage suitcases...I love anything vintage or antique, and have incoporated several things into my paintings. I often wonder who once owned this suitcase and where did they travel with it? Perhaps a shopping excursion in New York, or visting relatives abroad...one can only imagine!

Westie Atop a Vintage Suitcase, Painting in Oil

 

"Westie Atop a Vintage Suitcase," 9"x 12", 
oil on stretched canvas,
(SOLD, THANK YOU!!)

(10% will be donated to Coalition to Unchain Dogs)

 

It's been awhile since I've done a vintage inspired dog portrait, so I decided to paint one this past week. I decided on a Westie as I find them so fun to paint, and with a name like 'Baron von Gizmo II' how could I resist?! This piece may already be spoken for, but if not, it will become available in the next couple of days. Keep in mind only 11 weeks remain until the holidays!;)

(*photo used with permission: flickr id terra2055)

(*note: I replaced the photo, but there is still a glare coming from the right, I'll have to see if I can get a better photo in the next day or two...paintings always look better in real life!:)

Vintage Spode with Tea Tin Floral & Nippon Teapot with English Roses, Miniature Paintings in Oil

Vintage Spode with Tea Tin Floral,

3"x 5", oil on canvas panel,
(available on etsy)
(*note:the purple flowers are a bit warmer in tone than what may appear and it is not quite as dark as what might appear.)

Vintage Nippon Teapot with English Roses,
3"x 5", oil on canvas panel,(available on etsy)

I So enjoyed painting these two mini still life paintings :)...I think they would look perfect in a quaint, little kitchen corner, beside an elaborate garden tea setting, or perhaps atop an elegant vanity... A great gift idea for the approaching holidays (only 11 weeks away!) or a special gift for yourself! ;)
**SPECIAL NOTE: I added this post to the Blog Party over at Funky Junk Interiors as they were having a Vignette Party, so I thought why not show off these little vignettes that I created? :)

Golden Retriever Attacks Canadian Goose!...

To read the whole story click here :)