Love is Still in the Air ;)

Bridal portraits, couples, Mother/Daughter dress portraits, & more! Visit Lara Harris Weddings on etsy or feel free to contact me! Happy Summer everyone! :)

A Collection of Original Janet Hill Paintings...(ALL SOLD)

"Colossal Cakes" Original Oil Painting by Janet Hill 
11"x14" 

"Profiteroles" Original Oil Painting by Janet Hill

"A Green Thumb" Original Oil Painting by Janet Hill 

"Olives & Cassis" Original Oil Painting by Janet Hill 
9"x12"

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!

Shhh! It's a Secret!. . .Summer with Matthew Mead

I can't reveal what it is I will be doing, but Matthew Mead has asked me to do something special for the upcoming issue of SUMMER with Matthew Mead & of course I jumped with joy at the opportunity to be a part of one of his creations again! Stay tuned & in the meantime, hop, skip, & jump on over to Matthew's blog!

A Truly AMAZING Find!

Can I just tell you I had one of those 'this has to be too good to be true' moments yesterday? We were just coming back from walking our two dogs when I told my husband I wanted to just run through a garage sale just down our street because you just never know what you might find. So I'm strolling through all the knick knacks, old books, used golf balls, and glance up to see some random prints for sale. Well, I just about lost my breath when I saw this vintage, limited edition (retired), hand signed & numbered print entitled, "Cousins" by none other than N. A. Noel! I didn't want anyone to notice my excitement, as I almost ran from the garage to get some cash from home...thankfully when I returned a few minutes later, it was still there. True, I felt a little guilty considering how little they were asking for this print, but for whatever reason the owner was letting it go. It's so rare these days to find such incredible items, or at least before all the scavengers get there...so this was my moment of true victory! I do love this artist's work, and have contemplated keeping it, but for now it's available in my store on etsy.

*Linking to Show and Tell Friday at My Romantic Home:

She Told Me to Squint...

One of my all-time favorite artists is Karin Jurick. I discovered her work a number of years ago on ebay and was instantly smitten as many who view her work are. And as an artist, she is someone I not only admire for her talent and ability, but I truly appreciate how willing she is to share what she has learned on her painting journey with so many others. She started a wonderful blog called Different Strokes from Different Strokes over two years ago, in which she challenges fellow artists to explore different subjects, share techniques & ideas, and learn from one another. Now on her personal blog, she is taking questions from artists which she answers during the weekend...so of course I jumped at the opportunity to ask how I can 'loosen up' as an artist. I tend to be a details person, but I want to evolve into an artist such as Jurick, with a more painterly feel to my work vs. strict realism. Anyway, here was her response to my question:
"With respect to staying loose - it's the biggest struggle with me. Enter the boyfriend again - he constantly catches me painting too tight and reminds me to stop.

There's some hints to stay loose - squint, squint, and squint. Use wider brushes. If you paint from a photo, make the image smaller. You tend to not nit pick."(Karin Jurick)
So I tried doing as Karin said on this small painting, and I have to say it really seemed to not only work, but was a truly freeing experience. I know it will continue to be a struggle for me, but perhaps with practice it will start to come a bit more natural.  Thank you Karin!

It's Official! I will be a part of Matthew Mead's HOLIDAY!

I can't say a great deal more than I will be designing something special for the upcoming issue of HOLIDAY with Matthew Mead! I'm such a fan of his amazing work, 

as well as Linda MacDonald of Restyled Home, 

and was also thrilled to find out 

that Nie Nie(Stephanie Nielson) 

  

NieNie Dialogues

 will be included in the issue as well!They are taking PRE-ORDERS NOW and if you order either today or tomorrow you will be entered into a wonderful GIVEAWAY of one of the flower holders below! So hop, skip, & jump on over today!

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!!

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!

*Artist's Portrait* Anne Harwell

What a small world we live in! I learned just a few weeks ago that Anne Harwell is not only an artist like myself, but a Michigan native as well! It is a true pleasure having her share her story here...

Where were you born?
I was born in Detroit, Michigan.

What are your earliest memories of being involved in making art or wanting to be an artist?
From an early age, I was obsessed with any and all kinds of art and office supplies. I would spend my compulsory "nap time" as a kid, creating things from paper cuttings, mucilage and crayons. I would then use a wet cloth to dampen the hair around my hairline and rub my cheeks to convince my mom that I had actually slept a little.

What type of subject matter inspires you most?
I am drawn to design and interiors, in particular.

Tell us a little about your family and where you live.
I am single and live in Bonita Springs, FL on the Gulf Coast. I love the mild climate and living near the beach. It's a perfect, laid-back setting that is great for day-to-day living, far from the urban angst I have experienced living in large cities elsewhere.

What are some of your favorite things or things that are essential to your success/well-being as a person and an artist?
My relationship with God is the most essential thing to keeping me centered, content and sane in this crazy world. My family is also a great source of support and I am very grateful for a close relationship with them. I love being outside, frequenting bookstores, cooking, keeping up with my friends, getting quiet time and plenty of sleep. I also always have a bottle of water with me....always!

Where would you live if you could live anywhere?
That is a hard question - I would probably live here in Florida most of the time, but would also love to live in Paris, London, or Barcelona for part of the year.

What are the most challenging things for you being an artist?
Probably the fact that I am entirely responsible for every aspect of my own business and I have to be a self-starter. Building up a client base and a consistent income can be a challenge as well, but hard work and perseverance pay off. I wouldn't trade the joy and satisfaction that I derive from being an artist for the mundane security of a predictable job, though.

Here are some examples of her work...the first, an intricately hand-cut silhouette of a classic Chinese Chippendale chair is one of my favorites by far!

(Currently available in her Etsy store.)

And I really love her framed quotes!

Be sure to visit Anne's Blog . She also does commissioned work as well. (click here to contact her)

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! :)

Kate's Painting, Tea & Roses

Tea & Roses, 3"x 4", oil on stretched canvas (nfs)

This is not the best photo, but the sun seems to be playing hide and seek with me, so unless I can catch the sun I will have to wait till she gives in and allows me to get a better photo! This piece is destined for Kate Coveny Hood , one of the winners of my recent Blog Art Giveaway. I will be choosing another winner of one of these tiny little gems this coming Friday...and will choose one winner every other Friday for the duration of the summer from those who originally entered my giveaway...why? because being nice matters! :o) Have a wonderful Sunday and if I get anything finished today I will post it later this evening!
(*Update: I replaced the photo, although the painting is still a bit more vibrant in real life :o)

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)

Trio of Vintage Swimsuits, 3 Paintings in Oil...and Exciting News!

Trio of Vintage Swimsuits, 3 Paintings in Oil,
4"x6" each, $89(plus s/h)(available)

When I painted these cute little vintage swimsuits I was really hoping someone would buy all 3 as I think they would make an adorable, summery grouping in a cottage or home so I decided to sell them together!

**I thought I'd also let you in on an exciting secret!...well not all of it or I would be giving it away, but I am currently working on a special piece for an amazing designer/stylist! I won't be able to reveal who it is, or exactly what I am working on until after July 25th, but I am pretty excited to have been given such a wonderful opportunity to share my art with this person :o) ...And I will also be getting started on the paintings for the winners of my Blog Art Giveaway! So, stay tuned!


(**this is the initial sketch of the painting for Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality
she was one of the two winners of my recent Blog Art Giveaway...as soon as I have more completed I will post another photo! :o)

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!

Hooked on...Russian Matrioshka (Nesting) Dolls

I've never really done one of these blog party things, but I thought I might try and add to the mix with one of the many things I am 'hooked on' being Russian Matrioshka dolls! I used to help a friend who sold them to help fund his missionary trips to Russia, and of course being an artist and art lover I was blown away by the amazing talent these artists have!Some of the dolls would start out rather large and go down to literally the size of a grain of rice! They use a magnifying glass to paint on the smallest doll....I also learned that they actually start by carving the smallest doll first. I will have to add to my collection when I get a hutch to put them into :o) To visit the blog party visit Hooked on Houses and join the fun!