My Mother's NEW Site: My Michigan Memories!

If you have never been to the beautiful state of Michigan (my home state) you can take a glimpse by visiting my Mother's NEW website: My Michigan Memories. She is also making some prints available of her Michigan paintings which are available on her website as well as her new store on etsy. The piece above is by far one of my favorites!

Christmas Pillows & A Feature on Fresh Vintage! :)

Christmas pillows! How great are they?! This piece is available on etsy. And special thank you to Fresh Vintage for doing a feature on my work! I love nice people! :)

German Shorthaired Pointer Dog Painting in OIL

(available on etsy)

The holidays are fast approaching, only 10 weeks until Christmas! If you or someone you know is looking at having a pet portrait done feel free tocontact me and/or visit my website at Studio Lara.com :)

IttY BittY BiTs of PreTTy...Dress Paintings in OIL by LARA

Some more of my Itty Bitty Bits of Pretty paintings...available on etsy. ;)

Custom Pet Portrait ...Westie, Daschund, & Labrador Retriever Painting in OIL

A large private commission just finished last night...3 pups kicking back and relaxing on a couch :) Feel free to contact me if you would like a portrait done of your pup or visit my website: studiolara.com

Turquoise Tuesday...a New Blog Adventure!

"Ocean Breezes," 9"x 12",

oil on canvas, (available on etsy)

"Bows on Her Toes (the Remix)," 9"x 12",

oil on canvas, (available on etsy)

So I decided recently to start yet another blog...true, I need another blog like I need a hole in the head, but humor me and take a look-see :) at Turquoise Tuesday!

I Made the Front Page!!

Yes, I know yesterday was Easter, not Thanksgiving, but my Mom gave me these old news clippings from when one of my drawings made the front page of the Novi News...circa 1978, I believe I would've been 6 years old :) I probably won't add this to my list of credentials, but it's a pretty neat keepsake for sure!(*my drawing is the one at the top...a Pilgrim and Native American)

My 1st live interview today on Blog Talk Radio!

Starting off the New Year with an on air interview with Red River Writers on Blog Talk Radio at 4:20PM EST! I've never actually done a live interview before so it should be interesting. You can even call in with questions, or just have a listen. Here is the link to their page. I'm also back at the easel and will be posting new work soon! Hope everyone had a wonderful holiday and all the best in 2010!!

*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!:)

**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!:)

My Return to Houghton Lake...

On our way home from a week-long vacation up north in Michigan, my husband and I stopped by a familiar 'friend'...my childhood cottage at Houghton Lake. It has since been updated with new siding, windows, a new deck, but I recognized it just the same. It was where my family spent each summer before my parent's divorce. I loved those summers at the lake. As a young girl all I cared about was swimming for hours on end, fishing with my Dad, and walking up to the local party store with summertime friends. I felt such a mix of emotions as I looked around the cottage grounds, so much has changed, and it is so hard to believe it was some twenty years or so since I had been there. I looked at the grouping of three trees where I used to play kick-the-can, out at the lake where we used to have our favorite fishing spot, along the shoreline where there used to be a beautiful, sandy beach, now replaced with a concrete retaining wall...it all seemed so familiar and yet I was looking at these things not thru the eyes of young girl, but of a grown woman. I will admit, quite a few tears were shed that day. I loved our cottage at Houghton Lake, summers spent with family & friends, peace and serenity...what I'd give to get some of that time back.
As we prepared to leave I looked around one last time and realized that this place has indeed changed, it is no longer the 'friend' I once knew, it belongs to a new family...the place I remember is in my heart, and that is where it will always remain. And someday, if I am so blessed, I hope to have another cottage in which new memories can be made...laughter among friends, crackling bonfires, waves lapping against the shore...the simple beauty of life.

Home at Last...

Finally arrived home this evening after a much needed, week-long, internet-free vacation to the upper part of the lower peninsula of Michigan ;o)
(try and repeat that three times quickly :) I will be back at the easel first thing tomorrow!
And a little bit of shameless self-promotion here, the delightful Anne Harwell posted an interview about me on her blog which you can find by clicking here. I look forward to interviewing Anne herself in the very near future! I am not only an artist, but collect art as well, and I always find it so fascinating to learn what inspires other artists, how they got started as an artist, etc.
Thank you again Anne for such a wonderful post! :)

Abby & Ivy, Sheltie Sisters...Painting in Oil

"Abby & Ivy," 18"x 24"  (nfs, private commission)

I'll need to get a better photo of this piece as soon as the sun makes an appearance today, but I think I am finished. I ended up removing what was a bannister from a porch on the right of the painting because it just didn't seem to add anything to the composition and may have, in fact, been a bit distracting. I wanted the focus to be on Abby & Ivy, so I also lightened up the background a bit. Overall I am really pleased with how this piece turned out! Both these girls are such beautiful dogs, it's been a pleasure having them spend some time with me in my studio :)
(*Update: I replaced the photo, although I still feel the piece looks much more vibrant in person :)

IT IS FINISHED!...and my B-Day Gift to Me :o)

(*you can view the step-by-step photos of this piece here)

(*Update: I just replaced the photo, I think it is a bit closer to how the painting looks in real life...paintings always look better up close & personal! ;o)

Ok, so it is yet another slate grey day here in good ol' Michigan so as per usual I was not able to get a very good photo of Rhoda's painting, but I think I am finished with it...I'll look again tomorrow when, hopefully we will have a bit of sun!(http://southernhospitality-rhoda.blogspot.com/ was the 1st winner in my recent Blog Art Giveaway...the 2nd winner is still deciding on which photo she wants me to do...no rush & no worries)
....and as I said before I thought why not bring a little more sunshine into summer by picking a winner EVERY 2 WEEKS of a Miniature 3"x 4" painting of a simple object(no portraits, please), until the end of summer from those who originally entered my 1st ever Blog ART Giveaway, and so, drum-roll please....the winner is:

Kate Coveny Hood :o)

I thought I would also share a couple rather random things from my life, heck, why not! Well I am turning the dreaded 37 this Sunday, you would not believe how many grey hairs I am getting...anyway, I bought this AWESOME Color Mixing Guide from Magic Palette as a Birthday gift for myself and I am IN LOVE! If you are an artist, I say grab one of these guides from Jerrys Artarama (best prices on many art supplies) it shows you how to mix over 841 colors!!! How good is that??

Finally, I had to share this photo of a charming little heart-shaped cherry I found amongst my stash in the fridge...isn't that the sweetest? :o) Have a great weekend!

Blog ART Giveaway, Winner #1 Update

Today I have been working on a painting for http://southernhospitality-rhoda.blogspot.com/ , one of 2 winners from my recent Blog ART Giveaway and I thought it might be fun to show some progress photos! I'm not sure if I will complete the painting today, but I wanted to show you where I am up to. I am trying a new technique today that I saw Karin Jurick use on her blog and it really seems to have made painting this piece a bit easier. I find it so interesting to see how a fellow artist approaches painting a subject. I often feel as though I am painting blind as I never attended art school...I was accepted at the Massachusetts College of Art & Design in Boston, but choose teaching instead. I often wonder where I would be now had I taken that different path, but then again I wouldn't take back the 6 years that I taught 3rd grade...those are memories I will always cherish! Stay tuned for the finish line! ;o) (*UPDATE, the painting is finished!:o)

Winners of my 1st Blog ART Giveaway! :o)...and a Surprise!

A super warm thank-you to all who participated in my 1st Blog ART Giveaway! I had my husband do the honors of choosing the 2 WINNERS!!, and they are....

PS~Erin
&
Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality

AND due to the wonderful response from this giveaway I thought why not extend it a bit by choosing 1 winner each week from July 17 till the end of the summer! :o) for a MINIATURE Custom Painting (approx. 3"x 4") of a Simple Object You Treasure(no portraits please)...the winners will be chosen from those who originally entered my Blog Giveaway, so no need to re-enter! It's my way of spreading a little bit of summer sunshine, so be sure to stay tuned! :o)

Saying Goodbye...

Although I find painting to be one of the greatest escapes for , I may not pick up the brushes until later today, if at all...my Grandpa is dying. It was so strange yesterday to hear that Farrah Fawcett had died (I grew up playing 'Charlie's Angels' as a young girl) as well as Michael Jackson (my first crush), and then there was my 'Bupa' as we used to call him, lying in his bed, fighting for every breath, family members whispering their goodbyes... Time just really seems to be so fleeting...I will be 37 this July, and yet I don't feel 'that old', but when I see those around me pass away it is a very real reminder of just how fragile life truly is...and how we need to be grateful for each and everyday that we are able to rise up, greet the day, whatever it may bring, and make the very most of this life while we have it!

Vintage Russian Nesting Doll, Still Life Painting in Oil by LARA

Vintage Russian Nesting Doll, 4"x6", oil on stretched canvas

$39(plus s/h) (SOLD,thank you!:o)

With all the talk about Russian dolls I of course felt the need to paint one....this is one of the more traditonal dolls that most people have seen at one time or another...this piece is a bit brighter and richer in color than my inadequate camera is able to show. Paintings always look better in person! :o) (*and be sure to look below as I am having my 1st ever Blog ART Giveaway!!Who-hoo!)

Blog ART Giveaway!...Custom Oil Painting by Lara Harris

(MY BLOG BUTTON at Right Sidebar :o)

Here ye!Here ye! I have decided to do a

BLOG ART GIVEAWAY (June 14-28)

**THE GIVEAWAY HAS ENDED**

to celebrate the opening of my New Store on Etsy!
**To See the 2 WINNERS click HERE!

Up for grabs is a **CUSTOM OIL PAINTING of something you TREASURE**...maybe that is a special teacup , a favorite pair of heels, a beloved family pet, or any other little knick-knack that holds special significance to you!

The winners will get to choose either a 5"x7" or 6"x6" on stretched canvas.

They will need to send me a few photos of their treasured object,

I will then do a painting of it in oil, and even ship the piece free of charge! :o)

(*no people portraits for this giveaway please)

Below you will find the ENTRY RULES:

1) For 1 ENTRY, simply become a FOLLOWER of my BLOG.

(at the right...if you already are a follower, simply leave a comment on THIS post )

2) For 2 ENTRIES, become a FOLLOWER and BLOG about this GIVEAWAY on YOUR BLOG with a LINK back to THIS BLOG POST.

(Leave a Comment with a Link to your Blog on THIS post.)

3) For 3 ENTRIES, become a FOLLOWER, BLOG about this GIVEAWAY on YOUR BLOG, and POST my BLOG BUTTON(right sidebar) on YOUR BLOG with a LINK to this blog (http://www.avintagetouch.blogspot.com/)

(Special thanks to Kate Coveny Hood and its so very cheri for helping me with my BLOG BUTTON!!:o)

4) For 5 ENTRIES!!, do all of the above plus add me as a friend on FACEBOOK AND POST about this GIVEAWAY on YOUR FACEBOOK WALL!

OR FOLLOW me on TWITTER and TWEET about this GIVEAWAY!

(you get a BONUS ENTRY for doing so!:o)
**PLEASE SEND ME A MESSAGE on TWITTER
or FACEBOOK so I can count your entries!

**WINNERS will be announced the week of July 3.

~Good luck & thank you for supporting self-representing artists!

Westie & Vintage Leather Chair Portrait Painting in Oil

Westie & Vintage Leather Chair, 8"x10"(SOLD,Private Commission)

As usual it is a beautiful cloudy day here in Michigan so I have not been able to get a good photo of this Westie portrait for the director of Westie Rescue of OC & Beyond...I know I should embrace the grey skies and somehow be thankful for them, but doggone it, it's supposed to be summer already!@#! Anyway, check back in the next day or two and hopefully the sun will cooperate and allow me to take a better photo. If you would like your precious pup's portrait painted feel free to drop me an email...I think it is a great way to celebrate your pup and for those who have lost their beloved furry friend, it is a great way to keep their memory alive! :o)**Update: Sun appeared, so I was able to get a better photo!Who-hoo!