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:

A Vintage Vibe...Portrait in OIL by LARA

N

Now you may be wondering why this lovely lady is missing her face...well this is a portrait I've been working on for the past few weeks and it will be given as a gift, so hence it is in disguise for the time being. I still have some more work to do on it, but I'm really liking the overall vibe. Stay tuned for the grand finale!

Who Doesn't LoVe Hydrangea?...Painting in OIL by LARA

 

I had so much fun creating this piece...a little bit of everything I love, hydrangea, a robin's nest, vintage plant mister, transferware plate, and some old books yearning to be read. I need to get a better shot of this piece tomorrow... available on etsy. (*Kind of funny to think that the painting above comes outta this crazy mess below :)

 (**Linking to Between Naps on the Porch 
Metamorphosis Monday :) Be sure to enter my ART giveaway here, and the giveaway at My Domestic Bliss!) Both are part of the month-long giveaway extravaganza going on at My Cottage Charm...don't miss out! :)
**Linking to: 

 

A Stroll Thru Life

BuTtoNs aRe SeW CuTe...doN't eWe agRee?

I

I dare say I don't think I could ever get tired of painting vintage plates...and buttons are pretty addicting as well :) This piece is available on etsy, the greatest handmade marketplace ever!
(*Linking this to the 'I Made It' Blog Party at Everything Esty :)

Hydrangea & Roses in Antique French Sevres Vase Painting in OIL

From my new blog, Turquoise Tuesday...a beautiful antique French Sevres vase filled with delicate pink roses and soft shades of green hydrangea...one of my 'Itty Bitty Bits of Pretty' :) This piece is available on etsy. (*Linking to an awesome new blog I discovered called Le Chateau des fleur.)
**Be sure to enter my ART GIVEAWAY below!

My Cottage Charm GIVEAWAY!...You Gotta Have ART!

 THE WINNER IS #144: Happy Cottage Quilter! Thank you SO much for everyone's kind words and comments & for entering!

I'm participating in the 4th Annual Cottage Charm Giveaway, and up for grabs is this miniature 'Itty Bitty Bit of Pretty' oil painting, a Sparrow's Nest oil painting, as well as your choice of a free giclee print from my etsy store. 

 

 

*To ENTER:

1) visit my etsy store and then leave a comment on this post telling me your favorite print or item in my store!

**FOR EXTRA ENTRIES, leave a SEPARATE comment for EACH ENTRY:

2) Become a follower of my blog, leave a comment telling me so! :)

3) Become a follower of my fellow artist, TJ Lynde's Blog, leave a comment telling me so! :) (*note-on TJ's blog scroll down to find his followers list...This is an example of his brilliant work, NOT a part of this giveaway)

4) Tweet about this giveaway on Twitter & leave me your twitter id so I can check :)

5) Post about this giveaway on your blog, comment with a link to your blog post.

6) Post my Blog Button on your sidebar, leave a comment telling me so with a link to your blog! :)

Good luck everyone! And be sure to check out all the other wonderful giveaways going on in this multi-blog event!

**Winner will be announced May 31!**

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!

The Feather Collection Painting in OIL

 

 

  "The Feather Collection," 8"x 10", 

oil on canvas, (available on etsy)

There is something truly beautiful and magnificent about feathers...hoping to get a better photo up once we get a bit of sun here in Michigan...paintings always look better up close & personal! (*Linking this post to Smiling Sally's Blue Monday :)
Also! Be sure to enter my painting GIVEAWAY here!

Robin's Nest with Eggs Painting in OIL by LARA

Not exactly turquoise and not exactly Tuesday, but I'm an artist...I need some flexibility :) This piece is available on etsy.