Mixed Media Artist

life

The Thinker

It is amazing to me how children become who they become so early on in life.  Imogen has always been a thinker.  Very compassionate and sensitive.  When she was less than a year old, you could not sing certain songs to her because they would make her cry.  Really cry, like her little heart was going to break.  Two of these songs were My Bonnie Lies Over The Ocean and Momma’s Going To Buy You A Mocking Bird.  As she has gotten older, it hasn’t really changed.  She basically doesn’t like songs sung in a minor key.  This kind of rules out  lullabies.  Maybe that is why we didn’t sleep for that three month period when she was first born!  We thought we were comforting her but we were actually distressing her!   I have since asked her why she didn’t like the Mocking Bird song and she said because the mamma kept taking everything away from the baby.

My friend took this picture of her and  it seems to capture her in a moment of deep thought.  Who knows what she was thinking about at the time, she could have just been contemplating what she wanted to whine about next!  A five year old’s prerogative, you know.

SOLD


Green Eyes

New ACEO of my green eyed girl looking so innocent.  I wonder what she was up to?

ACEO available here http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=16765407


You’re Beautiful When You’re Mad

You’re beautiful when you are mad.  You’re beautiful when you are tired and even when you just wake up in the morning .  And you don’t even care.

Beauty is wasted on children.

Meanwhile back at the ranch … here I am.  Mad, tired and constantly  feeling like I just woke up.  And all because of children!  And I DO care!  As my five year old would say “That’s no fair!”.

SOLD


Anderson Cooper

What can I say?  I am a CNN junkie.


The Orange Peelers

I finally finished this canvas of Scarlett peeling oranges!  I have been putting it off for a long time but I’m done now and I am really happy with it.  As you may know, this is not the first time I have painted this subject, but this is the first time I have painted multiple Scarletts.  God knows that one of her is plenty!  I can’t imagine dealing with six of her. She found  the idea quite hilarious, pointing at each one individually and yelling “Scarlett!”.

This painting is a 11.5″x47″ mixed media painting on a 1.5″ profile canvas.

SOLD


The First Snow

This is an ACEO that I did today.  It actually hasn’t snowed yet but I am anticipating it.  It should happen any day now and lasts for … oh, ten months …OK eight …OK, OK six.  Tomorrow is supposed to go as high 19 (that is nearly 70 for you Americans)!  Maybe, for the kids’ sake it will hold off until after Halloween.

SOLD


Scarlett Plays The Piano

I did this 8″x10″ mixed media painting today.  It is of Scarlett at the piano.  She really takes her playing quite seriously.  My five year also takes Scarlett’s playing quite seriously.  When Scarlett plays,  it SERIOUSLY bugs her!


Poppies

A beauty amongst the beauties.  Don’t you think?

8″x12″ profile canvas (3″deep).  The sides are painted red.

Double click on the painting to get directly to my etsy shop.


Imogen Harlequin

This painting was featured in Cynmb’s treasury on Etsy.


The Green Corduroy Coat


I love this coat so much. I just took it out of Scarlett’s closet so I could pass it on. Most items of clothes go through this process with out much thought but this outfit (there are matching pants) was worn by both of my girls and is a reminder that they are growing up way too fast!

This is a 8″x10″ mixed media painting on a Paulowina Wood profile strecher frame.


Imogen Takes Off … sniff

It was Imogen’s first day of school today. She put on a brave face but was a little nervous to be sure.  What a sweetheart.  I was so proud of her.

When she got home for lunch she said to me:

“I liked Kindergarten,  but I didn’t LOVE it”.

Hilarious!


The Checklist

Going to the park checklist:

Drink, Check.

Snack, Check.

Picnic Blanket, Check.

Sun Screen, Check, check, check, CHECK, CHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEECK !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Miss Independent gets into the sunscreen! Oh well, at least we know she will be protected!


Eating Watermelon In The Backyard

I eat my watermelon slice sitting under the apple tree

Sorry birdie

No seeds

The watermelon is so good

Sweet and cold

Juice dribbles down my chin

I squeal with delight

This an original mixed media piece on 100% rag paper.

SOLD


Now That I Have Your Attention

The meeting will now begin

What do two white ravens need to discuss?

The would like it to be noted in the records

They are not albino

They simply have some type of mutant gene

They like that they are symbolic of peace

And they really like the gold sequins on your hat

That is all

The meeting can now be adjourned

Hello everyone, now that I have your attention, I just wanted to let you know that I will be having a Etsy showcase in the Art section Aug10 starting at 12 am for 24 hours. All of my new stuff from the last week will be up. I’ve been working really hard and I hope that you enjoy it!

Thanks,

Maria


Eating Watermelon

Watermelon is such a great way to stay cool during the summer. My kids love watermelon but I have to be honest, this no seed business really kind of freaks me out. And besides, wasn’t spitting watermelon seeds all over the backyard part of the fun? Maybe it is just me.

This is an original mixed media ACEO on 100% rag paper.


Blowing Kisses 101

The title pretty much says it all. Both my girls love to blow kisses.

They especially love it when you catch the kisses they’ve blown to you.

This is an original mixed media ACEO on 100% rag paper.


Summer Grin

This is a new ACEO I did today.  Even in this heat I managed to get a little bit  of work done.  

I love this cheeky grin.  This summer, I feel like I have watched baby Scarlett turn into little girl Scarlett.


I See You

11.5″x15.5″, mixed media on 100% paper.


The Pear Tree

We have the most amazing pear tree growing in our back yard. I get real pleasure looking at this tree that we planted, only three years ago, in a yard that had nothing (and I mean NOTHING) in it. Not only has this tree tripled in size but it has fruit for the first time! This in EDMONTON! Truly amazing. This painting pays homage to our pear tree. The fruit hasn’t really made it to this size but one can dream.


Winter Birch

I did this original mixed media ACEO on 100% rag today. I just love this vintage coat. It reminds me of a movie I saw set during world war ll. The boy in the movie was running through a forest of birch trees, there was snow on the ground and of course, the movie was black and white. Don’t ask me where all that came from. The picture looks nothing like it but it must have been the feeling it evoked in me. Anyway, I did a large version of this one a little while back and have wanted to paint it again ever since.


The Water Lilies Keep Me Cool

The water lilies keep me cool

They bob around my floating head

My hair mimicking pond weeds

I feel the little fish bump up against my legs

A dragonfly lands on me

Perhaps he thinks that I am a log or even a flower

I am so still

Maybe he is kissing me

So very gently

As I lay here

Drifting


Victoria Rain

This is an original 2.5″x3.5″ mixed media piece on 100% rag paper.

I guess Victoria was on my mind today. I miss it, what can I say …

rain and all.


The Orange Peeler 2

This is an original mixed media piece on 100% rag paper.

I had this little painting taped down for ages. I needed the the drawing board so I decided to finish it and I am glad I did. Poor little neglected painting.

This painting is of Scarlett peeling oranges. I have done several versions of this subject and am working on a large canvas of 5 Scarletts peeling oranges in a row. I call it The Orange Peelers or The Orange Peeler Factory. It all started when I discovered that by giving Scarlett a bowl of tiny oranges to peel I could buy myself at least 20 – 30 minutes of free time. This was an event to remember and to even document! HA!


Watching The High Wire Act

Poor Circus Girl. Watching the high wire act still makes her nervous.

Another Circus Girl study. This is a 2.5″x3.5″ mixed media painting on 100% rag paper.