A-I-N-S-L-E-Y

An order had been submitted about a month ago for a seven tile spread that would match a nursery valance. I was thrilled because first I have wanted to work on a large canvas spread - 7 letters makes up a pretty substantial piece of wall art and second the bedding was just absolutely adorable!  Abstract with swirls and flowers and shapes - just beautiful.  I jumped at the chance and wanted to share with you one of my very favorite pieces I have done to this point.  

When Sarah, my client, contacted me and attached an image of the valance in the room and told me that the room was painted pink, I immediate had ideas on how to matte and hang this piece.  Normally, I would matte these pieces on white matte board.  I do this for a few reasons - first off the white usually pops of any colored wall and second it holds all the tiles even so that you don't have to make a zillion holes or use a laser level to get the plumb.  I thought with this spread though that it would be really beautiful to double matte it using both white and chocolate brown matte board and attaching pink polka dot ribbon - the piece can be hung from the ribbon - but I also added holes to the back of the matte board for a more secure hang, not to mention keeping the matte board and canvas' from warping.  It turned out better than I could have hoped.

I lucked out when I asked, Leslie, my photographer, to do an "action" shot and her daughter's bedroom just happens to be pink!! Perfect!

S-L close up

Bottom view

I received a nice note from Sarah and Matt regarding their painting (and for the record the box was HUGE!):

Hi Ann,

 

We received the painting yesterday and you were right the box was huge:)  We love the painting. It awesome to be able to display her name in a unquie and beauitful way. It matches her room perfectly! It is so much better than just putting wood letters up on the wall it it will last a lifetime. You did a beauiful job on the painting and provided excellect customer service. Thanks so much.

Matt and Sarah Hall

Thank you so much to the Hall's for allowing me to work on something so special for your daughter - it was so much fun to do!  It was absolutely my pleasure!!!! Enjoy!

I still have a birthday post and another girlfriend to cover, so stay tuned, I'm not done yet!  Also, I've tweeked the website a bit, added stuff mostly, check it out and enjoy!

Thanks!

My Girls...part four

After a bit of break, I realized I am so behind.  I mean, Monday was Jill's birthday and I should have posted this then, but here I am today realizing that tomorrow is another friends birthday and I have a painting that I have to post for her, but won't be able to because this one is going up late.  I'll get it figured out one of these days.  Plus this is a nice problem to have, I have so many paintings to post and not enough time to post them.  Not to bad.

I'm thinking about Jill this morning as I am eating my organic vanilla yogurt and my homemade granola from my yoga studio.  Jill.  Where do I begin?  Like my other girls I met Jill at HNTB.  She was an intern and she was doing her grad work at IUPUI.  We all immediately took to Jill because she is fantastic.  One of the most genuine people you will ever meet.  She was interesting too, she was my first vegan I ever encountered.  Now we all have run into "vegetarians" or even some of those people who think they are but still eat fish and chicken.  Not Jill, she was vegan.  She didn't eat meat, use any products with animal by products and doesn't wear leather, or anything that may have originated in some way to an animal.  I found it fascinating.  I also realized that all she ate was tortilla chips and salsa for lunch, so it was intimidating to figure out what we should fix when we started our monthly girls night.  We started out with at least two vegan things - something Jill would bring and one of us would brave the world of TVP or tofu or carob.  At first it might as well have been called spaghetti or stir fry night - we didn't have much imagination.  Jill will admit that if she hadn't been with Dan her wonderful, handsome, vegan husband, she'd be living on chips and salsa. She's a simple girl.  Our food choices expanded to all things vegan and our meals became quite extensive, chocolate cakes, chili's, dips, breads, sides, casseroles - there is SO much you can do vegan.  I love Jill for opening my eyes to a whole world of options out there.  Now she hasn't turned me vegan, but I really do like to cook vegan.  I also always tell her that if I had to kill it and prepare it myself I would be vegan, plain and simple.  In my world meat comes from a Styrofoam container or on a platter at the meat dept.  It doesn't resemble its former self so- in this case ignorance is truly bliss.  

Beyond being vegan Jill is as active as they come (I can hear her laughing), but seriously she is always spinning, walking, running, taking classes, kickboxing - I get tired of thinking about it.  She is a creative soul that has the most amazing heart and if anything that is one of the best things I have learned from her.  To love, love all and love it well.  She is a wonderful friend, rarely forgetting to send a card or surprise just when you need it.  I admire her passion for her beliefs, her love of her family, the relationship she has with her sister and her carefree attitude. I tease her because she can be a bit helter skelter about things (a la 22 containers of armour-all wipes in the backseat of her car) but I truly love her for it and it gives me the boost to let go a bit and relax.  

When I was thinking about doing a painting for Jill it immediately came to mind that I have gained so much wisdom from our friendship and that I find Jill to be that perfectly quirky friend that I love dearly.  So I thought lets do another Owl.  I decided to match her Owl to her very cool, black, white and red kitchen.  It is such a wonderful hub of her house - so many spices and goodies to make the most basic of tofu taste delectable.  So I present to you Ruby, created by me with love for Jill - love you!!!!

Thanks again Jill for your friendship and love!

Last up, but definitely not least: Heather!

a year ago today...

a year ago today...

Today is the first anniversary of my mother's passing.  I can not come up with the words to describe how this day feels.  I didn't know how I would feel, I'm not an overly emotional person, so I figured I wouldn't hole up in bed in the fetal position, crying.  I didn't do that when she passed, so I didn't anticipate that happening now.  I guess I really wasn't sure - on one hand I can't get over that it is a year, on the other, so much has happened between then and now that it seems so long ago.  What I do know is that I still have to pinch myself sometimes to make sure it is real.  

As some of you may or may not know I am an avid journaler - I started when Jon was a baby - first to mark milestones and then it because my release.  I could be honest and open and vent in an environment that was safe. I have continued that practice and I am currently on my 7th or 8th journal.  My kids will get an earful once I've passed and they read them.  On the flip side they are a wonderful documentation of who I am, what makes me tick and what I've experienced.  I journaled throughout my mothers illness and the days leading up to her death were no exception.  I don't share my journal with anyone, but I may at some point type out at least the journey with my mom, who knows.  What I would like to share right now is my entry from the day that mom died.  It I think best sums up where I was, am with losing her.  I've removed a pretty big chunk, after typing it out I realized it was pretty graphic and detailed.  I don't know that it is something that everyone wants to experience.  So I omitted some of the details of the night prior and day of her death.  What I have left, I believe is suitable to share.

I wanted to take a quick moment to thank all the wonderful people who have sent cards, flowers and shared kind words with regards to this anniversary date - I could not be as whole and healed as I am without that support.  For that I am eternally grateful.

Jan 27, 2008

Mom died today. 12:40pm.  

Tomorrow Steve, Anna and I are heading north to help dad make arrangements.  Its surreal while the last weeks were so long, they are now a blur.  I try to remember the last conversation we had.  Her voice, her smile.  I will forever miss her, her advice, unsolicited or otherwise, her random knowledge.  What will I do without her?  Although it was work to sometimes care for her, I don't know what I will do now with my days. Coming in her room, nursing Penny, talking and watching TV.  Our pedicures and shopping - the time we had.  The last three years have led to this day and I can not believe it is here.  That moment - she's gone - while I prayed for it so much over the course of this week is still so bittersweet now that it is here.  At least her hands were warm and I could lay my head to her chest and hear her heartbeat.  She gave me life and I intern cared for her to death.  I promised I would -  I wasn't perfect - I pray to God to forgive me for not always caring for her the way I should or losing patience and getting frustrated.  I did the best I could and I loved her so much!!!!  I still do.  I pray now for strength to get through the next few days.  I pray that I do not travel down the same path that she did.  I pray for strength and health in the days ahead.  I pray that my family is safe and pure joy and happiness are granted to us.  I am grateful for the life that my mom gave me, for the sacrifices and love. She was my mom - not perfect, but perfect in her own way.  Now she and we have peace knowing that she is in Christs arms, watching over us as an angel beautiful and serene.

Thanks.

My Girls...part three

Where to begin with Brooke.  Brooke and I became fast friends at first job at HNTB.  I know that we were every bosses nightmare - two twentysomethings, planning to get married, chatty and worse than that we were squished into one big "bull pen" which is the equivalent to two cubicals with out the separating wall.  The best part was we weren't the only ones in there either.  Needless to say, there was lots of chatting and not nearly as much work was done.  We were young and they got smart and separated us later on.  Brooke is a person you feel very comfortable with, right from the get go.  She's evolved since I've known her from a fun loving partying girl to a fun loving super athlete.  We all walked and ran the mini-marathon here in Indy together the first couple of years into our relationship, but Brooke got bit by the running bug HARD.  Since those early days she's run marathons, trail runs, she wins her age group pretty much every time, does mountain biking and has a pretty strong stance on high fructose corn syrup.  She is truly an amazing person and one that motivates me to make myself a healthier and better person, taking better care of my own body and my family's as well.  Her determination is so strong - I strive to attain half of that determination for myself.

I am also so very blessed to have Brooke as part of the small bible study that I do, it has taken our relationship to an entirely different level and has brought so much depth to an already pretty fantastic friendship.  Like anyone else Brooke has her ups and downs in life - sometimes the downs seem to be running the show, but her optimism and strength are no match.  Our little group has provided so much healing and learning in the short time that we have met.  I, we all agree that it is no coincidence that we formed this group and began this study.

When deciding what to paint for Brooke I was immediately moved by the Warriors in Pink dove.  It is representative of peace in a time of struggle, freedom and gentle joy.  These are all things that I wish for my friend and see within her.  So for Brooke I have the Warrior Dove:

You learn things about your friends - first off if you know Brooke she loves green and purple, hell they were her wedding colors and second, which I did not know, she has an affinity for birds.  Sometimes things just work out perfectly.

I'm pretty sure that Brooke was happy with her dove - I think I saw a tear, which is pretty awesome because Brooke is a very composed person.  I love you Brooke, thanks so much for your friendship and support.  I am eternally grateful!

Thanks!

Next up: Jill

My Girls...part two

Okay so I lied I didn't do it everyday.  Each day seems to escape me - it is unreal.  But my next girl is Angie.  Angie is another one of my HNTB girls, she now works for Ball State. She lives on this fantastic little farm, she has horses, and chickens and cats and dogs and is even thinking about goats. Oh how I love goats, I would love to have enough property to have some goats, I wanted to buy one at the State Fair a few years back - they only run about 30-50 dollars, but Ryan talked me out of it.  I wasn't properly zoned to have one anyway... So I allow my inner farmer to live vicariously through Angie and her family.  

Angie has two little girls nearly the same age as Jon and Drew and they are ADORABLE!!!!  Angie and her husband Aaron are a hoot and they are all around a wonderful family to spend time with.  So as our girls weekend was approaching I wanted to think of something that seemed "Angie" to me.  She has this great collection of what I call "Kitchen Chickens," I am sure they is some better name for it - but that's what I call it.  Seeing that she enjoyed those, not to mention the farm that she has and the abundance of roosters she has in her chicken population at the moment I thought a rooster would be a perfect fit.  Beyond the obvious, I can not tell you how much I admire Angie, she works all day, gets her girls to and from school, manages to keep up her house, get food on the table AND take care of her farm.  I know that her husband helps, but I know that Angie is the glue.  I admire her desire for living more simiply - working on her farm as a more full time thing and expanding into organic farming.  I liken Angie to a rooster on a farm, in charge, overseeing and makings sure all is safe and sound.  She is just a very, very cool person.  So my painting today is my rooster for Angie - I love you and hope you enjoy it!

I will admit that I painted this THE day we left for girls weekend, I had another one done, and I decided I didn't like it as I was wrapping them up.  So I decided to start over and I am MUCH happier with this Mr. Chicken.  Ah amen to last minute decisions.

Thanks again and have a great day!

Next up: Brooke

My Girls....

It has been awhile, but not without good excuse.  Last week seemed to blow by and then I was gone for the weekend for a much needed and anticipated girls weekend. I've mentioned my girls before: Annemarie, Angie, Brooke, Hea, and Jill.  They are my girls from my HNTB days and I have known them for nearly 10 years now. There is no price for what they are worth to me.  We try to get together every 6 months or so - Jill living up in Chicago and Hea down in Lexington.  To commemorate our 10th anniversary and just to say I love you, I painted and framed a canvas for each of the girls.  Each day I will highlight one of those paintings.  Today will be Annemarie.

Now it is weird how things work out, but I thought long and hard about each of my girls, where they were in their life and how I see them. Along with my blessings and prayers for them and what I see for their future.  So when I thought about it I saw the Tree of Life being the perfect muse for my painting for Annemarie.  The beautiful thing about art is that you don't have to recreate the wheel - you can take things that exist and make them unique because they are YOUR interpretation.  Here is Annemarie's Tree of Life:

There are few reasons why I chose the Tree of Life, the first being that Annemarie is adorably pregnant and expecting her second daughter at the end of April.  The second is that she is evolving as a working woman, part time working woman/stay at home mom to full fledge stay at home mom.  If you have ever made this transition, it is much, much harder than it seems.  Lastly, I am blessed enough to have a bible study with Annemarie and my other girlfriend Brooke, which is not only taking our friendship to a whole different level, but helping us, Annemarie flourish and set deep roots as a Christian. Thank you Annemarie for your friendship and your love - I am truly blessed!

Next up: Angie!

Thanks!

"A" flower patch for Amelia

Over the summer I had the privilege of working on a 24 x 24" canvas that was modeled after my flowers are de'vine theme, but added some touches from the Penelope bedding line from Pottery Barn Kids.  It turned out fantastic, so much so, that I had an additional order for that same painting came through right before Christmas. 

Since I am a supporter of things handmade and unique items - while the flower alignment and some of those touches from the first painting I did are similar, I changed the background, some of the colors and the leaves - I wanted to make sure that while my new client was happy with the art piece I was doing, my original client still felt like she had a unique piece of art for her daughter's room. I am pleased to say that I think I accomplished that task.  

My new order was from another mom at preschool who I happened to connect with on Facebook.  I post all my paintings in an album there - so she was able to see what I've done.  Melissa has three gorgeous girls, Maddie, who is Jon's age and they were in Kindergarten together,  Ella, who is Drew's age and they go to the same preschool and have lunch bunch together and Amelia, who is about a year younger than Penny.  Amelia has that same Penelope bedding from PBKids and Melissa wanted something to hang above her crib in her room.  I am pleased to share with you little Miss Amelia's painting:

Pretty Little Hot Pink Bird

Nestled in the flowers

I love working with gerber daisies for a number of reasons.  First off I love the flower they are such cheerful little plants, always seeming to smile.  Second, they are fantastic petals to paint.  The repetition, the shape, everything is just a pleasure to work with - so you will see more of them soon!

Melissa was very excited to get her painting and she was very happy with the outcome - I just know it looks great hanging above Amelia's bed.  Thanks again for trusting me to do something for your beautiful baby girl!

There is more to come!  I have several more paintings to post over the next week or so and I have a beautiful piece that I am just about done with to share in the weeks ahead.  Take care and Thanks!

Pretty Little Paige

In December we had our sweet little friend Paige's birthday.  Along with some High School Musical accessories, I painted her a canvas of her very own.  She is the last of the Hazelrigg birthdays, we celebrated Anna's and Charlie's earlier this year.  I matched her painting to her adorable PBKids valances and used a lower case "P", cuz I think it's short and spunky - just like Paige.  We love Paige and so does our little Drew - the two of them have gone to school together since the were about 20 months old.  They are like Mutt and Jeff - Paige, tiny and Drew, not so tiny, they are of the same mold though and Drew is fiercely protective of Paige.  Our secret hope is that they get married one day just so I can say that I have a daughter in law named Paige Page.  Here they are doing what they do best - being silly:

Here is Miss Paige's painting:

Happy Day to Paige!  Stay tuned for more art!

Thanks!

Four!!!!!

I am excited to show you another one of my Christmas gifts.  One I am pretty proud of, since I know nothing about what I painted.  I have a wonderful friend name Jen.  Jen and I have known each other for since we were about 11 or 12 - so a little over 20 years, which makes me feel a tad mature if you know what I mean, to have known someone other than my family for that long.  Needless to say, Jen is one of my very best friends.  She is known as Auntie Griff to my kids and she is officially Cyd's girlfriend and home away from home. (With all honestly he tolerates us, I believe, because she comes over and he goes to her house, but I digress)  Jen was an essential person for me and my family during the time my mom lived with us and ultimately died. She would come over and have dinner, visit with mom, mom felt very comfortable with Jen, so the turban would come off and mom would be "big mare" once again.  My mom would always sing that stupid girl scout song - "make new friends but keep the old, one is silver and the other gold..." when I would talk about Jen.  She was so happy that we had remained in touch and such good friends.  When we were in the days prior to losing mom Jen would show up and do what "good polish girls do, we cook!" and made several dinners, breakfast and miscellaneous snacks for me, my family, and my brother, Anna and dad.  She took the kids with her for a slumber party and Wii fest the night before mom died and kept them all day, the day of her passing.  She took time off work to watch the kids for me when we had mom's wake and funeral. 

She has been instrumental in my healing and I quite honestly don't know what I would do with out her.  I love her and she is the sister I was never given by blood.  All that being said, I wanted to do something special for her for Christmas.  She had mentioned eons ago about doing a golf painting.  So I thought, eureka!  So I did a golf scene with her nickname - Jen is quite the golfer and I could go on about her handicap and scores and such, but I have no idea what the hell it all means so I won't waste your time - but she's good and she loves it.  You would think that since I live on a golf course that I would be able to paint one up in a jiffy, but I didn't like the tee box I am on so I went online and found a beautiful course in Connecticut to model my scene. Without further ado....

I had to give my golfer a "pouf" of hair, because if you know Jen, you know that she has a pony tailed "pouf" at all times, it is adorable!

Four!

The dreaded sand trap!

I am pretty sure that Jen loved her gift and I am so very happy that it turned out, especially since I am, ahem "handicapped" when it comes to understanding golf.  Pun intended!  I believe it has found its spot above her desk in her office at home.  A perfect spot for a hobby/sport tribute!  There is more where this came from, so stay tuned and thanks!

 

Thank You 2008

While I could do a whole series on being thankful, I thought that it would be appropriate to take this moment to thank all of my customers of 2008.  It has been a heck of a year, but I think that everything happens for a reason - it isn't without purpose.  I would have never guessed this time last year that Penny Pickles Art would have been as successful as it was, that I would have clients that were not just friends and family, but complete strangers from referrals or from plain old cyber space (which in turn many have become friends!) What began as a sort of therapy to get through the days of caring for my mom, something else to focus on and get caught up in, has become so much more.  

It is amazing to me how as soon as I finish a piece and think, "Huh, I guess I can catch up on creating new themes, updating my website, etc. a new order comes in. My clients have been so truly wonderful to work with - so creative, so trusting, so patient.  I am floored with every order that someone thinks enough of me and my art to pay me to do a piece for them.  I have been able to stretch my artist talents with not only children's art, but some pretty amazing, inspirational pieces that have touched me more than I can explain.  2008 has truly been a blessing of a year.  Thank you to everyone that placed an order, told a friend or passed on a business card, I am so very, very grateful.

2009 has so many possibilities.   There are plans in the works of updating my website, creating more artistic and attractive packaging and best of all an etsy site (with much prompting from some friends).  I can't say for certain when all this will take place, but hopefully sometime soon.  I'm not complaining though - I'd rather have orders and opportunities to work with clients, instead of working with cardboard!  So keep checking back for updates and new pieces.  Penny Pickles has a few tricks up her sleeve that I believe will make 2009 even better than 2008.  

Thanks again, Take care and Happy New Year from me to you!