The Vintage Bath (After Cassatt) , A Special Thank You, & Giveaway!!

 

  

"The Vintage Bath (After Cassatt)," 11"x 14",

oil on canvas, (available on etsy)

I cannot tell you how enjoyable this piece was to paint! I absolutely love Mary Cassatt's work and have done a study of "The Bath," once before which you can view here...I loved the colors so much I decided to do a larger piece using the same painting by her. I think Cassatt is one of the best at capturing the special bond shared between a mother and her child, don't you agree?

I wanted to say a special thank you to Linda MacDonald & the Flea Market Style Magazine team for their wonderful post about my work on their blog which you can view here!

 

(On Newsstands Now!)

And one last thing! Be sure to check out the GREAT GIVEAWAY on Whimsy by Victoria as well as this awesome French GIVEAWAY on Chicory Nits!

 

Itty Bitty Bits of Pretty

 

"Vintage Pitcher & Violets," 3"x3", 

oil on stretched canvas,(available on etsy)

  

"Hydrangea in Spode Vase with Cloche," 3"x3",

oil on stretched canvas,(available on etsy)

  

"Pedestal of Roses & Vintage Teacup," 3"x3",

oil on stretched canvas,(available on etsy)

"Pink Sparkly Heels," 3"x3",

oil on stretched canvas,(available on etsy)

Can I just say, how cute are these little 3"x 3" canvases?! They are stretched with the sides painted. So tiny & adorable they fit in the palm of your hand! (*I'm linking this post up to the Cloche Party going on over at A Stroll Thru Life...be sure to hope on over for a visit! :)

(**Don't forget to enter my GIVEAWAY below for a FREE issue of FLEA MARKET STYLE MAGAZINE and a FREE print of my artwork :)

Woman in Blue Rhinestones-Original OIL Painting by LARA

 

  

"Woman in Blue Rhinestones," 6"x6",

oil on stretched canvas,(available on etsy)

I have to share something kinda funny, while painting this piece I could not stop getting the song, "Isn't She Lovely," by Stevie Wonder out of my head! It must be the rhinestone dress or perhaps her elegant pose...and I think she resembles Ashley Judd just a little. (*as a sidenote, if you've never seen the movie 'Simon Birch' in which Ashley appears, it really is a must see...a bit of a tear jerker for sure, but it's one of those movies that really touches your heart...the young actor who played Simon was just incredible, a true inspiration for us all I reckon :)

(**And THANK YOU to everyone who has entered the Flea Market Style Magazine Giveaway below & for all of the wonderful comments! I can't wait to see the Premier Issue myself! Still waiting for my copies to arrive from the editor! :)

Flea Market Style Magazine GIVEAWAY!!

 

  

  

To help celebrate and spread the word about the Premier Issue of Flea Market Style Magazine, I will be giving away a FREE ISSUE along with a FREE Giclee Print of one of my original oil paintings above...just let me know which print you would prefer, "Summer Nights" or "Madame X", or you are welcome to choose one of my other prints in my etsy store! 

All you have to do TO ENTER is leave a COMMENT on this post!

(*I do approve & read all comments to avoid SPAM-BOTS, so rest assured if you leave a comment it will be published!:)

For EXTRA ENTRIES do the following:

1) Become a FOLLOWER of my blog (please leave a separate comment telling me so)

2) BLOG about this post on your blog (please leave a separate comment and link to the post)

3) Join my PAINTING A PUP A DAY GROUP on FACEBOOK (please leave a separate comment telling me so with your facebook name)

4) Tweet about this on TWITTER (please leave a separate comment with a link or your twitter user name)
(*you can easily add this to twitter by clicking on the 'SHARE' link below this post)

**I will announce the WINNER NEXT Friday, 

February 19 @9PM EST!
(**linking this to: Look What I Made and Funky Junk Interiors)

The Romantic French Chair Painting in OIL & Exciting News!!

 

  

"The Romantic Chair," 4"x6", 

oil on stretched canvas,(available on etsy)

This is a 4"x6" oil painting on stretched canvas (no frame needed, can be hung as is!) of a lovely embroidered chair with a young lady and her suitor.(*note:the light blue on the chair is not as bright as what may appear, and the overall painting is a bit warmer than what may show)

**Exciting News to Share!My work was mentioned in Flea Market Style Magazine !
(Linking this to Le Chateau des fleurs by Frenchy.) 
**BE SURE TO ENTER MY ART GIVEAWAY HERE!

A Proper Seat...Manet Study 'A King Charles Spaniel'

 

(A Proper Seat, 6"x 6", 

oil on stretched canvas, 

available on etsy) 

This is a 6"x 6" oil painting depicting an interior with Edouard Manet's "A King Charles Spaniel," and a Union Jack Chair inspired by both Teo Jasmin and Jane Hornsby.This piece is on stretched canvas with the edges painted black (can be hung as is! no need for framing.) I've been intrigued lately with some wonderful dog portraits I discovered by such Masters as Mary Cassatt, Edouard Manet, and Edgar Degas among others, so I've started a series of paintings incorporating studies of their work. I found it fascinating that even back then dogs seemed to capture the hearts of so many as they do today. If you are interested in having a pet portrait done feel free to contact me, commissions are always welcome!
*And be sure to check out a great GIVEAWAY over at Flea Market Style!

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**

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!

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? :)

A Little Bit of French Country...

"French Country," 4"x 6",

oil on stretched canvas, $39(plus s/h) (SOLD, thank you!!)

"French Country Chair," 4"x 6", oil on canvas panel,
$39 (plus s/h)(SOLD)

Over at Bella Vista today, Barb is hosting a "Show Us Your Roosters Blog Party" and so I decided to share a couple Rooster paintings! To check out all the entries, be sure to visit her blog!

Garden Bath, (After Mary Cassatt) Painting in Oil

Garden Bath, (After Mary Cassatt), 6"x6",
oil on canvas, (SOLD,thank you!)

(close up of study of Mary Cassatt painting The Bath)

I will most assuredly need to take a better photograph of this piece tomorrow as I ran out of sunlight today, but this is what I've been up to the past couple of days...along with finishing up a couple of commissioned pieces. I absolutely love the work of Mary Cassatt, especially her paintings of mothers with their children. The Bath, is just lovely. I spent nearly 3 1/2 hours just painting the study of this painting, trying to get the colors just right...hopefully I've done Mary's piece some justice. This painting will be available on ebay this evening.
(*Also, I am still waiting to hear if I can share the name of the designer/stylist who I just completed a painting for...I'm hoping I will be able to spill the beans in the next day or two, very exciting...hopefully he will like the portrait I did! It was a surprise from another designer to this person...someone who just may give Martha a run for her money!! :o)

(**Update: I replaced the photo, but am still waiting for the sun to break thru the clouds to get a better photo...paintings always look better in real life! :o)

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)

French Country Chair LOVE...

French Country Chair, 4"x6",

oil on canvas panel

(SOLD,thank you! )

I really love this chair...as soon as I saw it I was in love with its' bright, cheery colors and who could not love the little roosters, or perhaps they are French hens?...now back to the easel to work on some Chocolate...Chocolate Lab that is ;o)

(* Also, I will be revealing the name of the designer who I recently did a portrait for this weekend...I'll give you only 1 little hint and then I will say no more! It is a male designer/stylist :o) SO hoping he will like the portrait I created! Very exciting!: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)

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!

Blueberries and Tea, Still Life Painting in Oil

Blueberries & Tea, 6"x6", oil on stretched canvas

$59(plus s/h)(available)

It is always a bummer when you complete a painting and the weather does not allow you to get a good photograph of your work...such is life here in Michigan. Anyway, I will be replacing the photo tomorrow as long as the sun makes an appearance. Now back to the Westie I've been working on...well one of four actually. Stay tuned! :o)

UPDATE: So I've replaced the photo but I am still not sure if it shows the colors the best...paintings always look better in person! ;o)

(*note...the blueberries & flowers are still a deeper blue ...)

I've been blogged! (x2) :o)...Feelin a bit Better

First of all, I just wanted to say thank you so much to all the warm wishes I have received this week not only in regards to our recent move, but especially with my rather painful trip to the dentist. I am finally feeling a bit better today, although still very sore...I'm steering clear of the vicodin though as it really made me feel awful, whereas the ibuprofen seems to be keeping the swelling down...anyway, what a wonderful surprise to have Maya at Completely Coastal include me in her post about Vintage Swimsuits!Thank you so much Maya!I will be sure to include a link on my blog to your wonderful site! Claudia at the Paris Apartment also did a nice write up about me on her wonderful blog as well!Thanks so much!:o) I am hoping to get out the paints today as I have several commissions that need to be finished and of course I would like to get some fresh paintings done for my Etsy store. Stay tuned and have a wonderful Friday!:o)

Great Opportunity for Women...A Free Ad! :o)

I just came across an offer for free advertising on The Paris Apartment blog, a great opportunity for women who have an online business and are in need of exposure (such as myself of course) :o)...to learn more visit this link at French Blue...and be sure to pass on the good news!

Hydrangea and Delft Teacup, Scottie in Vintage Tub...Miniature Paintings in Oil

Hydrangea & Delft Teacup, 3"x5", oil on canvas panel,

$35(plus s/h) (SOLD)

Bathtime, 3"x5", oil on canvas panel,

$35(plus s/h) (available)

Still packing, but I managed to squeeze in a couple mini oil paintings for my Etsy shop yesterday. I replaced the photos today, although they still don't seem to appear as vibrant as they are in real life...paintings always look better in person! :o)