xoxo

hello sweethearts!
Love is in the air. Soon it will be Valentine's Day. I really love (no pun intended...okay maybe a bit of a pun) Valentine's day. I love making Valentine's Day art. Pinks and reds and lots of hearts.
I've been pretty busy getting some deadlines done. I'm working away on the Author's Series paintings. They are going to look great as a collection of cards. I also am working away on the Sketchbook Project.

It's a good way to just let loose and try different techniques. The sketchbook project is an interested art show featuring art from around the world. They are going to be bringing all the journals to Toronto, I can't wait!
I have a new Valentine's Day painting over at My Etsy Shop. Frida with one of her loves, her kitty!

I should have a few more lovey dovey things in my shop soon. xoxo

The Authors Series

Hello Friends! As you may already know, I've been working with the greeting card company Allport Editions for close to 10 years now. My current line of cards are really fun! It's called the "authors series" and features my rendition of famous authors painted on wood with collage papers added.

These cards are doing well in museums and gift shops. I throughly enjoyed painting them! If you are interested in getting a pack of these cards the company Bas Bleu sells them on-line. Now I am starting work on a brand new authors series. So many authors, so little time...haha... Here is a preview of Charles Dickens:

Here is Mark Twain too :) :

Wishing you all a fantastic day! It snowed here. The first time this year that the snow actually is sticking to the ground. I was hoping we could squeak through to Spring with no snow, but no such luck. Keep cozy!

Lily says "hi"

Lily requested a shout out. She wanted you all to know that she loves each and every one of you out there in blogland.

Silver Fox

Today I would like to talk about "natural beauty". Beauty that comes from within. Deep in the soul and radiates out like sunshine. This is what I strive for. I want to be beautiful on the inside....both spiritually and health wise. I want my body to be healthy and functioning at an optimum level. I want my inner peace to shine. This is a tough battle living in a society where looks are everything. The exterior. I am constantly having to *explain* my grey hair to people. They will ask things like "why don't you dye your hair?" and "What's going on with your hair?" or "what happened to your hair?" I say "I like it like this" and of course, they look at me like I'm crazy.

I know about hair dye. Yes, I've heard of it before. In fact, in college I had my hair purple. I liked being different....and I guess I still do. I like being a rebel with my grey hair. I like going against the grain of societies norms. But more than that, I like being natural. I am proud of who I am. This is me. My grandmother had snow white hair, she went grey early too. I feel a kinship knowing the grey hair "gene" was passed down to me. This connection I feel is far stronger than what some fashion magazine says I should do.

Sure, I may look "older" than I would if I dyed my hair chestnut brown.....but does that matter? Age is wisdom. Age is love. Age is enlightenment. As I get older I feel so much more compassionate and insightful. Why try and hide that by looking younger and less experienced? ;)

This is my life. I choose to look like this. I want to focus on my mind, body and spirit. It is all that matters.

I have a lot to say on this topic that can't be covered in just one post. I will post more later. But for today I want to leave you with this photo of a beautiful woman.
The author and illustrator Tasha Tudor. She aged gracefully. Pure beauty.