Pink Roses and Hydrangea in Antique French Sevres Vase Painting in OIL

This is a 3"x 4" oil painting on stretched canvas of a beautiful antique French Sevres vase filled with delicate roses and soft hydrangea. Available on etsy. Part of my Itty Bitty Bits of Pretty Collection :o)

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? :)

*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)

Little Pink Clock & French Fruit...

"The Little Pink Clock," 3"x 5", oil on canvas,

$29(plus s/h) (available)

"French Pear," 3"x 5", oil on canvas,
$29(plus s/h) (available)

"French Apple," 3"x 5", oil on canvas,
$29(plus s/h)(SOLD,thank you!)

I just finished this trio of miniature oil paintings, each with a bit of a French twist...bon appetit! :o)

Summer Nights...

"Summer Nights," 10"x 12", oil on stretched canvas,

(SOLD,thank you!!)

Someday I will throw a fabulous summer party like the one I painted here...but for now I will just have to dream a little dream :o)....I will need to replace the photo tomorrow as I ran out of summer sunlight this evening! Have a great weekend!

(*Update: Replaced the photos and some AWESOME news to share!

I finally reconnected with my art teacher from high school after almost 20 years!, Mrs. June Fox...I was able to let her know that I am now a full-time artist and thanked her for all her support and encouragement back then! I know I would not be where I am today had it not been for her believing in me! Teachers are the best! :o)

Shell Collection & Vintage Nippon with Floral

"Shell Collection," 4"x 6", oil on canvas,

$39(plus s/h) (available)

"Vintage Nippon with Floral," 4"x 6", oil on canvas,
$39(plus s/h)(SOLD,thank you!)

Well, as you can see I finished these two paintings this evening so I was not able to get a good photograph of either. I will replace the photos at some stage tomorrow as long as the sun is available. Do you see an ongoing theme here in Michigan? Anyway, both will be available on etsy. A customer recently asked me if I do commission work and the answer is yes! I have a link in my sidebar or you can visit my website (Studio Lara) to see my prices.

**AND, Kate Coveny Hood did a really nice post about yours truly today :o) be sure to check out her blogs, I have two of her blog buttons in my right side bar, Wishing True, and The Big Piece of Cake...my kind of girl!

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)

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)

Back at the Easel!...Russian Nesting Doll Paintings in Oil

All in a Row, Traditional Vintage Russian Nesting Doll
Painting in Oil, 5"x7",
oil on stretched canvas,
$49(plus s/h)(available)

Vintage Strawberry Russian Nesting Doll Painting in Oil, 4"x6",
oil on stretched canvas,
$39(plus s/h)(SOLD, thank you!!)

Vintage Floral Russian Nesting Doll Painting in Oil, 4"x6",
oil on stretched canvas,
$39(plus s/h)(SOLD,thank you!!)

It feels really good to be back at the easel after an emotional week with my Grandpa's passing...I did a few more paintings of Russian nesting dolls as a recent customer was thinking of putting together a grouping of them, so I will see if they are interested in any of these pieces...if not, they will be available for purchase on Etsy in the next day or so. If there is something you would like me to paint, feel free to send me your suggestions or commission me to do a piece! I hope you have a wonderful, family filled 4th of July!

(an old photo of my sister and me with my
Grandpa Hammerstrom...
I think this will be how I will always remember him, happy & healthy)

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)

Strawberries on Red Spode Plate, Still Life Painting in Oil

Strawberries on Red Spode Plate, 3"x4", oil on stretched canvas

$35(plus s/h) (SOLD,thank you!)

Hopefully this is a better photo of the painting above as the sun made an amazing appearance here in Michigan this afternoon! However, a bit of the plate and brown table underneath has been cropped a bit...I will include the 2 photos of this piece on etsy so you can see what I'm talking about....I think this piece would look delightfully sweet in someone's kitchen ;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!

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)

Getting Ready for Summer...Vintage Swimsuits

Each painting is 4"x6", oil on stretched canvas,

$45 each(plus s/h)(available)

Can I just say that it could not be any greyer today here in Michigan :o(...it's funny I never realized just how many grey days we get here until I lived in Australia...Cairns which boasts some 300 or more sunny days, and even Sydney. Somehow my husband agreed to moving back to the US to be closer to my family, but we are both now asking ourselves, 'why did we leave'? (sorry Mom)...I think in the next year or two we will be looking at either North or South Carolina....anyway, to make a rather long story short, if the sun doesn't come out soon I will need to replace the photos tomorrow as they are just dreadful...the paintings are much more vibrant and alive...so stay tuned!

**Update :o) Who-hoo! The sun is actually shining today so I was able to get some better shots of my vintage swimsuits, or swimmers as my Aussie husband would call them...now I will be packing up our kitchen as we move tomorrow!I probably won't be back at the easel until Monday or so...Have a great weekend! :o)