A doll, the state fair and some new stuff too!

So I have to start off with this ultra adorable picture of Penny.  My friend Leslie, yes the one I have been constantly talking about, shot this when she came over last week to photograph some of my latest and not so latest pieces.  I think you'll agree - this is amazing:

What a Doll!

Next up: The State Fair!

Taking advantage of the fact that Ryan has no job, we went to the state fair - of course poor Jon couldn't come with us because he was at school - but a ginormous bag of cotton candy seemed to heal the wound a bit.  It was bittersweet because we've been taking my mom to the state fair with us for the last few years - she loved it, the carney food, the exhibits, the animals (behind cages of course), but most of all watching the kids enjoy all those things.  Her first state fair ever was when Jon was about 6 months old.  She was so excited and kept singing that song from an old Judy Garland movie.  I can't remember the title at the moment, but I digress.  

So we took the littlen's and ate and enjoyed all that the fair had to offer.  It was especially exciting to watch Penny.  When she gets excited it is HILARIOUS!!! If she could jump out of her skin, I think she would, her eyes get big, she squeals, she stomps her feet and shakes her hands - its either pure excitement or charismatic worship, whatever it is, it is a riot.  She LOVED the chicks and roosters and quickly caught on how to communicate with the animals.  Her true favorite though, was the horses.  I am simply amazed at how all three of my kids have never had fear of these enormous creatures.  There were some fits for sure when it was time to leave the horse barn, but they quickly dissipated once we entered the sheep barn and Penny happily BAAAAA'd her way through.  Drew even got his opportunity to ride some of the rides on the midway - it was a good day.  This is truly one of the best things about kids- getting to re-appreciate the little things we take so much for granted. 

Off to the races!

I think the chicks thought her fingers were ultra fat worms because they flocked to her, either that or she is a small version of Snow White!

The two finger shark-touch approach to petting large animals

Drew enjoying his motorcycle ride

Penny the fearless horse whisperer

I do have a few new and old Penny Pickles canvas' to share.  These are some that I have done for either a friend or just because I wanted to try it out, in any event - enjoy!

I did this for Penny before she was born, glad she didn't come out a boy -baby Liam (boy name=William) would have had some issues.

Om is a universal vibration and it is used in yoga practice and meditation, since I love my yoga, I thought I'd give painting the symbol a try.  I plan on framing this with a dark brown wooden edging and I think I'll give it to my yoga instructor over at Pathways to Wellness. If you live in my neck of the woods you have to try out this studio, it is awesome.  The owners (and two of the instructors) - Linda and Eric Banter (mother and son) are two of the nicest, most wonderful people you will ever meet!  

This little diddy, was inspired by a friend who recently went to Ireland.  I thought hmm, I could do my own spin on the Claddaugh symbol for friendship and love.  So here is my spin - not that it needed improving, just my own little version.

I've got a few others up my sleeve, but need to wait until my clients get them.  Thanks again, enjoy this beautiful weekend and see you next week!