February Sale!

Hey folks!

So, in anticipation of a big move coming up, I've decided to share the love (it is February after all, isn't it?) and have a month long sale.

So, starting today, EVERYTHING in my shop is 25% off when you enter the coupon code FEBARTSALE at checkout.

Go, Shop, Enjoy.

:)

Much love always.

Happy Anti-Valentine's Day

Even though I am happily married to probably one of the most romantic men I know; I loathe Valentine's Day. In fact, I've banned my husband from specifically buying me anything on February 14th (every guy's dream right?). Most people wonder, a usually sunshiny, happy, lovey dove type would have an all out vendetta against the "Holiday of love".

Well, I'm going to tell you...

Maybe it's my stubborn side, that refuses to do what I'm told, coupled with my oddball sense of romance; but I've never been into the whole idea of Valentine's Day for many reasons:

1. It's one of the most depressing days of the year for many single people, who have to endure 24 hours of everyone else's mushy lovey dovey boasting about their AMAZING significant other. When other people are sad and excluded, it makes me sad.

2. It's a HUGE amount of pressure for newly formed couples, to impress one another with the "perfect gift". As my brother used to say...dating season is off from December 1st to February 14th, so as to avoid the big gift giving bonanzas.

3.I love you should be said with words and actions...not gifts.

4. Love is a constant. You should feel it, experience it, live it, all year long. Give sweet cards in the middle of September; surprise someone with something nice on a random Monday; pour your heart out just because, not just because it's February 14th.

5. Lastly...and this is mostly just in our family. Gifts cost money. Money that's hard to earn. So, frivolous spending is saved for bigger better things. No cards at Valentines, means more money in the bank to go on vacation, or buy a new tv, or just have an extra family dinner out. Little sacrifices can mean better things in the future.

I'm usually a holiday junkie. But, a holiday that expects love to be displayed primarily with extravagant gifts amongst the happily attached...eh, it's just not for me.

Out with the old...in with the new!

Happy Last day of 2011 everyone! Hope you all stay safe, have fun, and ring in the new year in whatever way pleases you (even if you'll be greeting it from dreamland, like me) ;)

A big huge thank you to all my loyal customers, fans, and friends. You guys have made this year an absolutely amazing one for me creatively.

Cheers to 2012! It's going to be even better!

xoxo

Lauren

Countdown to the New Year!

I've always been a person of new beginnings. Every moment, every new day, every new week, month and year, is a chance to start fresh. I love knowing that every second, I can make changes, start over, or just tweak things to make different parts of my life new and interesting!

Over the past month, I've been taking this idea of change and applying it to my art. Unlike many of my fellow Etsy sellers, December was a fairly quiet month for me in terms of sales. Which, for many reasons, I am grateful for.
One of those reasons being, that I was finally able to sit down and experiment with new forms of artwork.

One of the things I have come up with, that I am most excited about, is my new Art Pendants!

When I started experimenting with the pendants, I had no idea if I could pull it off. It's hard enough to paint on a small scale, but cutting paper tiles and mosaicking in miniature, proved to be quite a challenge!
But, after hours and hours of practice, several sets of failed resin pours, lots of "oops!" and a couple swear words...I finally got the hang of what I was doing and started having a lot of fun!

I'll be rolling out my art pendants some time within the next couple weeks. So stay tuned to see all the fun new miniature works in store!

And being as I seem to be all about "shaking things up" right now, be sure and keep an eye out for even more new things! And perhaps even a Giveaway or two ;)

Much love to you all!

Nose to the Grindstone...

What is it about having a deadline that really lights a fire under your butt (I mean, besides the obvious?)
In just a few short weeks, I'm going to be participating in a local art/crafts fair for the holidays. The day I got the acceptance email, it was like someone put my artistic motor into overdrive. I had a whole bunch of new ideas, copious amounts of enthusiasm and motivation, and the sudden ability to function on minimal sleep.
For me, the moment someone sets a date on my calender, it's like I become a speeding freight train...completely unstoppable.

I just wish I could harness that kind of energy for the times when I didn't necessarily "need" anything done in a specific time frame...you know, like the months proceeding the holiday mayhem, or that random afternoon when my son decides to take a four hour nap.

Don't get me wrong...I definitely get things done. It's just so exciting to see the kind of progress I make when I have a deadline to meet. I like working on lots of different things at once, and it seems like I only ever do that, when there is some deadline to meet or some event upcoming.

Perhaps, I need to find a way to incorporate more timelines into my work schedule. Whether by participating in more events, or setting personal deadlines.

What sets your creative fire blazing? What are great motivators for you?

A little Pre-Holiday fun...

So, this year I've decided to try my hand at making fun little Holiday Ornaments, using my love of paper mosaic.
Here's a little preview of the first four I've finished. Aren't they cute?
They are a lot of fun...but, wow, the smaller I get with these things, the trickier the mosaic becomes. I think I've glued more paper to my fingers over the last week, than I ever have before!

At peace with it all...

The last four months or so have been a whirlwind, fraught with life challenges, life changes and just a whole lot of living.
I'm finally at a point where I'm past worrying about what's happening and just riding the wave, through good or bad, I'll take each step as it comes.
As is the case with most of my work, this latest piece, "Lotus Blossom" is a visualization of that acceptance and inner peace.

I truly wish every person who sees this could see the actual painting in real life...it is so serenely peaceful. The greens and yellows are so delicate and the gold border is shimmery and uplifting. I am so happy with how it all came together.

This one is definitely going to be hard to let go; but it is a painting I hope will be enjoyed by many, because it is just the kind of piece I feel is meant to be shared.

Much love always.

Lavender Festival

Just got home from a lovely little art show reception for our local Lavender Festival's art contest.
Didn't win a prize, but it was definitely a fun experience, and I got to meet and chat with a lot of fabulous local people.
The two pieces above were my entries, and while they didn't win, they definitely garnered a lot of attention and interest. :)

Well...this tired momma is off to bed, it's past my bedtime. Goodnight all. Much love always.

Dia De Los Muertos

In honor of Dia De Los Muertos (which takes place today and tomorrow) I thought I'd share with you a picture of my Halloween costume. I decided to draw inspiration from some of my Sugar Skull artwork and create a piece of art for my face.
It was quite a fun undertaking, that's for sure! My two year old kept trying to "help" and thought mommy was pretty hilarious putting "funny paint" on her face.
(I'm just thrilled he thought it was funny and didn't run screaming from the room, because mommy suddenly didn't look like mommy anymore)

Dia de los Muertos has for many years, been a celebration I've found so much passion for. Celebrating the lives of those who've passed on, sharing stories, building alters...and most importantly, smiling (instead of crying) for the loved ones we've lost. I feel strongly that joy in the life lived is far more valuable and honorable than despair in the physical body we've lost.

My grandfather passed away a few days after Dia de los Muertos several years ago. It was my first experience being with someone I loved as they slipped away. I held his hands through his last breaths and told him that I loved him and that it was ok to leave...I would miss him, but I would never forget the joy he brought to my life.
My grandfather (whom I also share a birthday with) was always an incredibly special person in my life...and every year, Dia de los Muertos is a chance for me to celebrate that joy and the special connection I had with him.

A softer side of me...

As you may have noticed...my work seems to have softened up a bit lately. I'm exploring what I call my "gentle" side. The quiet, muted, more delicate side.
Being as my life outside of my artistic endeavors is very loud, crazy and hectic at the moment, it's nice to work on mellow, soothing pieces for the time being.

I find that lately when I sit down to work, I am so tired and stressed from the other things in my life, that bright bold colors are too much. So, while I have several bold, beautiful, colorful pieces in the works, it may be a little while before I finish them.

So, for now, I'm embracing my quiet and enjoying the new opportunities it is presenting. :)

Much love always.

Busy Bee

Well, it's been a while since I've popped on here with artsy updates. But, here are a few new pieces. I have an art fair coming up this weekend and two entries submitted for a local juried exhibit. (Fingers crossed)
It's been a little hectic around here, so hopefully I'll be more on top of the blogging, now that I'm back on top of things. :)

Much love to all.

What I've been up to lately...

Just some new stuff I've been working on. :)

Newest additions to the portrait collection!

A few new pieces, just finished. Which rounds out my new portrait collection to four total pieces. (with more to come soon!)

This has definitely been a fun and exciting new direction for me. I love it.

As I Am...

So, who am I? This crazy mosaic chick who posts here...well, I'll tell ya.

I'm a wife a mother, a woman who worries too much, who loves very deeply, who feels VERY strongly, who forgives easily, who obsesses over cleaning and saving money, who would rather be happy and will find any excuse to be so, who feels a connection to every human being on earth, who loves bold colors, who can be very serious when called for and extremely goofy and childlike the rest of the time.
I sing in the car (at the top of my lungs), I dance in the kitchen (to the soundtracks of old musicals), I enjoy a good dirty joke, I love watching television shows from the fifties and sixties, I am a chronic klutz, I have the thickest hair you've ever seen (I'm glad my mom is a hairdresser, because it would cost a small fortune to actually pay someone to cut/color/style my hair), I enjoy swinging on swings, I'm a sucker for chocolate.

I practice yoga, I walk as much as I can, I'm a health food nut (stemming from the fact that I can't tolerate any wheat or dairy), I love people watching, I love to hug, I meditate, I love the smell of lavender.

I'm a closet nerd, I love watching movies, thanks to my husband I'm a budding car enthusiast, I'm a photo nut (with over 27,000 photos on my computer alone), I have tattoos, I hate makeup (wear it as little as I can) but love jewelry (the stranger and more unique the better).

I'm a whole mashed up mix up of things...I'm a crazy colorful mosaic of me. And that is why I created my newest piece, "As I Am". It is a self portrait, inspired by an old photograph of me (in heavy makeup...oddly enough). It's hard to put into words, why this piece is so much of who I am, but it really is. The stark seriousness of the face, contrasted against the swirly, pink and purple vibrancy of the background is pretty much me in a nutshell...

I have the mind and wisdom of a fifty year old, the body of a twenty something and the spirit of a five year old. I take life very seriously, but there is always an opportunity to sing, dance or just lie in the grass and look for bugs.

So, who are you?

My Favorite (Etsy) Things

Love Bird by Meredith Dada

Today's favorite is one of my dearest and closest friends and the most fantabulous! (yes, I'm making up words today) artists I've ever known. She can do anything...but what she does these days is not only beautiful, but mind bendingly tedious and time consuming. (or, as she likes to call it...lots and lots of hours of "meditation")

I've bought several pieces from Meredith in the past as gifts, but last week decided it was time to buy myself a little something from her collection. So, I helped myself to this darling little Heart ornament I've had my eye on since she first made it.

Heart Ornament By Meredith Dada

Meredith creates beautiful three dimensional artworks out of various mediums (most often air dry clay) then paints them, and finally covers the entire thing with teeny tiny little itty bitty (get the idea) seed beads, rhinestones, charms and other decor.
Not only does her artwork end up looking exquisite when it is finished, but often times people just don't realized how many painstaking hours and how much hard work is poured into each and every piece.
But the moment you lay eyes on one, you can tell just how amazingly intricate and beautiful they are. One thing you might not realize is how durable and well made they are too.

For Christmas, I purchased this beautiful Bee Charmer Bowl for my mother.

Bee Charmer Bowl by Meredith Dada

My mom was ecstatic. She delicately placed it on a tiny display on the top of her piano, along with her favorite pictures so she could enjoy seeing it every day. Now, it just so happened, a few months later, she was having "one of those days" where she had broken a flower vase, dropped and spilled a trashbag, broke a dish etc etc etc, when she decided to dust the stuff on top of the piano. In true "clumsy day" form she bumped into the bowl's display and send it flying off the piano and bouncing along her wood and stone floors. And, wouldn't you know it...not one single bead fell off! (*Disclaimer* I am in no way advocating throwing her artwork around here people...that's just bad form) But, both my mom and I were amazed at the incredible quality and durability of something that appeared so delicate.

Meredith is a wonderful, kind, and fun artist. She puts her heart into everything she does, and it really shows. If you want something beautiful, unique, and wow inducing, definitely check out her Etsy shop HERE.
She's also a pretty fabulous person to know, so I highly recommend also checking out her blog http://meredithdada.blogspot.com. (Lots of great updates on her works in progress and the occasional bit about cats catching fire...curious? Then go check it out) ;)

Love Birds by Meredith Dada

People painting...

I'm on a roll...and it feels fantastic! I was up half the night last night, sketching out new ideas for these portraits I've been playing around with, scrolling through photographs and playing around with different ideas.
Today I have now started painting two new pieces. One is a self portrait of sorts (it is inspired by a photograph of me, from several years ago, in heavy "artsy" makeup) and the other is because, well it was just recently the Fourth of July and I'm still feeling patriotic.

I've got about five more sketches in the works and I'm itching to paint the rest of them. (...just never enough hours in the day!)

I feel like someone lit a fire under my butt and it's time to get busy!

ArtSpeak

Sooooo....I am trying something new!
I've always loved the harsh, contrasted look of stamped portraits. And, I am obviously in love with bright bold color.
I occasionally dabble in photography, and a few years ago I started playing around with digital paintings, rendered from photographs. It was just a random hobby of mine, used to hone my Photoshop skills and let loose a little creativity when I didn't feel like hauling out paints and pencils:

I never actually considered physically painting something in the style of these fun, pop art inspired portraits until recently. I started my latest piece, "Artspeak" (inspired by a dear friend of mine) and realized that I was in love with the bold, colorful, quirky look of these pieces. So, I'm on a mission...to paint a whole bunch of fabulously colorful, fun, and interesting portraits!

Anybody want to be a guinea pig? ;)

Say What?

The hubby and I were watching Ocean's Eleven last night (the George Clooney/Brad Pitt one) and I realized why I love it so much. The dialog between Danny Ocean and Rusty Ryan. It's snappy, quick, they cover an expanse of meaning with a short sentence, and somehow, no one ever needs a lengthier explanation.
It's like Brad Pitt's character Rusty says, "Don't use seven words when four will do."

Which brings me to the point of this post. I've realized that my husband and I, after a decade together, have started talking in these clipped little sentences that sound simple and straightforward, but mean so much more. And somehow, even though most people would be left scratching their head, we implicitly know, in entirety, what every little blurb means.

Actual Conversation...

Him: What movie do you want to watch?
Me: Nothing too heavy.
(Leaves to pick a movie and comes back with three comedies)

Me: So, we're going with comedy?
Him: You said nothing heavy...(points to movies) No dead bodies.
Me: Dead Bodies aren't always heavy...what if they're skinny?
Him: Dead weight is dead weight.

Actual Meaning...

Him: What movie do you want to watch? I'm letting you pick, because I have no idea, or I don't really care that much.
Me: Nothing too heavy. I'm in a bad mood and anything sad or emotional will probably make me cry.
(Leaves to pick a movie and comes back with three comedies)

Me: So, we're going with comedy? I meant no Schindler's List; you didn't have to go straight to the Dukes of Hazzard. What about something in the middle. I can handle a little emotion.
Him: You said nothing heavy...(points to movies) No dead bodies. I wasn't sure how sad you were, so I went for uber goofy. Besides, if I brought back something less funny, it probably wouldn't be right either.
Me: Dead Bodies aren't always heavy...what if they're skinny? We do have movies that aren't emotional, but aren't giant gobs of goofiness either. But, I guess a comedy will be fine.
Him: Dead weight is dead weight. Just pick a comedy...you're going to fall asleep anyways.

I like to think I'm more the Danny Ocean of our relationship, you know, the leader, charismatic and funny, but then again...I'm probably more like Rusty; covered in tattoos and always eating.

Inspiration Lightning!

It has struck! I'm finally out of my fear driven creativity rut. This afternoon, after perusing through some of my old photography work (yup, I've dabbled in that too) I came across some pictures of one of my dearest friends and best photo models. She is one of the most beautiful women I know, and I was inspired to try my hand at something a little bit different, inspired by this lovely lady.

Obviously, this is just the paint up. There is still some fun-tastic and colorful mosaic work to be done, but already I am in love with it. I think I'm going to try some more "people" stuff. I love the human face. The ability to convey so much meaning in a facial expression never ceases to amaze me.

That's about it for now...much love to all and hope your week is turning out to be a beautiful one!

So, this is what art FEELS like...

She Trusts by Chrissy Foreman Cranitch

Today, I just had to share with you one of my favorite artists and a most loving and beautiful person, Chrissy Foreman Cranitch. Chrissy and I "met" through Etsy, sharing our passion for art, our love of one another's artwork, and our general zeal for the good and beautiful things in life.
This morning, as I ran into the post office to grab my mail, I was excited to see that I'd received my print of "She Trusts". An artwork Chrissy specifically chose for me as a visual representation of many of the emotional things I've been dealing with in my life lately.
Chrissy describes this piece as such:

'She Trusts' is an artwork about a beautiful, open and loving woman who has decided to let go of worry about the future and begin a new life - Coming from an inner sanctuary where she trusts herself and she trusts her life to unfold in kind and nurturing ways.

It spoke to me the moment I saw it online and I could only imagine what it would be like to hold the actual print in my hand.
But, nothing could have prepared me for the exquisitely beautiful creation I laid my eyes on the moment I opened that envelope. It literally took my breath away as the tears welled up in my eyes. I have always been a person who "feels" VERY strongly. Whether it is happiness or sadness, I feel it to the greatest extreme; and today, my heart burst with joy at the very sight of this artwork.

Chrissy's artwork is vibrant and soulful. It is packed with emotion and spirit. The colors, the movement, and the presentation of it just burst with what I imagine our emotions to look like on canvas. She pours herself into every piece and you can just sense "who" she is from every individual line and shape.

I am often moved by artwork, but this was the first time I'd felt so completely encompassed and engulfed by the feelings that were evoked in me. It has been an incredible blessing in my life and I can't wait to hang it up on my wall.

I highly recommend all of Chrissy's work and encourage everyone to take a peek at her Etsy shop here. She is an amazing woman and an incredible artist.

Much love to all. xo