Spring it On! Some Spring Changes at Home

I made a few little changes to my home for Spring, hoping the weather might follow! For my entryway, I brought up my blue and white vases from the basement, and added some forsythia branches with my existing branches. Here's my new entry way:

Here it was during the Fall season ( I forgot to take a picture during Christmas, but it wasn't much different as it is here). I finally threw out that white pumpkin - it was the everlasting one! I hope I can find one like that this year. My family room mantle always gets a switch up. Here it was during the Winter:

I painted a new painting with some of this salmon and coral color that I love. Since the orchid blooms on my real orchid have all fallen off, I decided to paint some orchids: Here's a "mini-me" of the larger painting. I have put this one on etsy. Click here to view "Orchid in Salmon" on etsy.
Another orchid in blue and grey. Click here to view this painting on etsy.

Here's another painting, this one is called "Blossoms". Click here to view on etsy.

I made some other little Spring changes I'll post soon. For now, our family is off to a transitional homeless shelter where we are sprucing up a room for a family. I'll post on that too later.

We have Spring break this week, filled with tons of activities. Have a great week!

Pum Tree

"Plum Tree" for sale on Etsy. Click here to view.

Priceless

This to me is the most priceless art there is. Art made by my children. Out of their hearts. Without being told to do it. This was made by my 6 year old. It warms my heart.

A Vineyard and a Lavender Field

Hi everyone! Sorry for my lack of postings. I have been trying to make more time to paint, as I have had to juggle some schedule issues these last 2 months. Here are a couple of my latest paintings listed on Etsy.

"Vineyard Orange" click here to view on Etsy

"Fresh Lavender" - click here to view on Etsy

Have a great Monday everyone!

Inspired

Let me tell you the story of what inspired the painting above. Several weeks ago, Joni from Cote de Texas did a fun magazine inspired makeover in her family room. We all know this magazine cover from House Beautiful - Jill Brinson's beautiful home in Atlanta. Just to jog your memory, it was this home in the Dec/Jan 2010 issue: (All images from House Beautiful website; photos by Simon Upton)

I was inspired after reading Joni's post and re-reading my dog-eared copy of that HB issue. I had this image in my head of a painting. I went straight to my studio and painted the above artichoke painting. Don't ask me why artichokes. I think I was delirious from being sick all week, and practically coughing up a lung!

So, because I hardly ever get to see what my paintings look like in my clients' homes, I thought it would be fun to see what my painting would look like in the home of its inspiration.


Can you see it in the upper right hand corner by the stairs?

Or how about here in the dining area?

What do you think? I think it looks good here - wishful thinking, huh? Oh well, it was a fun exercise to see what it would look like. I like it! Thanks Joni, for the fun post, and thank you to Ms. Brinson for inspiring me with your gorgeous home!

"Inspired Artichokes" for sale on Etsy. Click here to view.

Dahlias, Lilacs, and a Pansy

Is anyone else sick of Winter? The snow has not melted here like it normally does. We have a little pile of snow in the backyard that is now part of the landscape. I'm desperate for warmer weather.

My latest painting is a preview of fresher things to come (season-wise, that is)! Cut flowers - Dahlias, Lilacs, and a Pansy. My husband says this painting reminds him of Swedish Pancakes....?! It reminds me of Spring and Summer.

"Freshly Cut" is now for sale on Etsy. Click Here to view.

More Fruit

Hello All! Happy Monday! Just wanted to show you my latest Etsy listing:

"Three Muted Pears" on Etsy. Click here to view

Cinema Style

I'm going to DVR "Cinema Style" on Fine Living network tonight. So excited to watch it when I work out in the morning! I can't wait to see the designers Thom Filicia, John Saladino, and Richard Mishaan recreate their versions of rooms inspired by their favorite movies!

John Saladino's "Girl With a Pearl Earring" inspired home
image from Fine Living Network

Cherries

"Bing and Rainier in a Basket" for sale on Etsy. Click here to view

I went to the grocery store yesterday for my fruits and veggies. Poor selection of fruit. Can't wait for fruit season - plums, nectarines, peaches, and especially cherries.....

We pick cherries from my parents' cherry trees in the summer. They are yummy!

Speaking of Restaurant Decor...

I love Canadian HGTV! Most of my favorite design shows are from Canada. While we have Candace Olson on HGTV in the U.S., Sarah Richardson's Design Inc. is only on the Fine Living channel where I live. The episodes are also delayed at least year or so. I'll take what I can get though......

photo from Design Inc. website

The above episode is a reno of a popular restaurant called Mr. Greenjeans. Like all Design Inc. episodes, a fun transformation to watch.