
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.
August 9, 2008 | Categories: Art with Children, etsy, illustration, inspired by children, life, Pace-Wynters, Painting, painting for sale, paintings, Uncategorized | Tags: ACEO, Maria, Maria Pace-Wynters, mixed media, original art, original painting, spitting, summer, watermelon | Comments Off on Eating Watermelon

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.
August 8, 2008 | Categories: Art with Children, etsy, illustration, inspired by children, life, original art, Pace-Wynters, Painting, painting for sale, paintings, Uncategorized | Tags: ACEO, blowing kisses, Maria, Maria Pace-Wynters, mixed media, origianl art, original painting | Comments Off on Blowing Kisses 101

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.
August 8, 2008 | Categories: Art with Children, bright colours, etsy, illustration, inspired by children, life, Pace-Wynters, Painting, paintings, Uncategorized | Tags: ACEO, growing up, Maria, Maria Pace-Wynters, mixed media, original art, original painting, summer | Comments Off on Summer Grin

11.5″x15.5″, mixed media on 100% paper.
August 6, 2008 | Categories: Art with Children, illustration, inspired by children, life, Pace-Wynters, Painting, painting for sale, paintings, selling your paintings, Uncategorized | Tags: Maria, Maria Pace-Wynters, mixed media, original art, original painting | Comments Off on I See You

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.
August 5, 2008 | Categories: Art with Children, bright colours, dreams, etsy, flowers, Home, illustration, inspired by children, life, Pace-Wynters, Painting, painting for sale, paintings, Uncategorized | Tags: art, Edmonton, Maria, Maria Pace-Wynters, mixed media, original art, original painting, pear tree | Comments Off on The Pear Tree

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.
August 5, 2008 | Categories: Art with Children, illustration, inspired by children, life, painting for sale, paintings, Uncategorized | Tags: ACEO, birch, Maria, Maria Pace-Wynters, mixed media, original art, Painting, vintage coat, winter | Comments Off on Winter Birch

This is Scarlett looking less like a baby and more like a girl with attitude!
This is an original mixed media ACEO on 100% rag paper.
August 4, 2008 | Categories: Art with Children, bright colours, collage, etsy, illustration, inspired by children, Pace-Wynters, Painting, painting for sale, paintings, Uncategorized | Tags: ACEO, girl with attitude, hat, Maria, Maria Pace-Wynters, mixed media, original art, original painting, Scarlett | Comments Off on Every Girl Needs A Big Hat

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
August 4, 2008 | Categories: Art with Children, collage, flowers, illustration, inspired by children, life, Lillies, Pace-Wynters, Painting, painting for sale, paintings, Uncategorized | Tags: dragonfly, Maria, Maria Pace-Wynters, mixed media, original art, original painting, poem, pond, staying cool, water lilies | Comments Off on The Water Lilies Keep Me Cool

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.
August 1, 2008 | Categories: ACEO, Art with Children, etsy, Home, illustration, inspired by children, life, original art, painting for sale, paintings, Uncategorized, Victoria | Tags: art, Maria, Maria Pace-Wynters, mixed media, Painting, rain | Comments Off on Victoria Rain

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.
August 1, 2008 | Categories: Art with Children, Children's book, etsy, inspired by children, life, original art, Pace-Wynters, painting for sale, paintings, Uncategorized | Tags: ACEO, art, circus, circus girl, high wire, illustration, Maria, Maria Pace-Wynters, mixed media, Painting, tight rop | Comments Off on Watching The High Wire Act

Continuing the Circus theme. This is an ACEO of a bearded lady. I actually don’t know if this woman (?) was in the Circus. I found this photo online and thought I’d do a little painting of it. I just don’t know … she really does not look like a woman. But then again, what would I look like with a big bushy beard?
July 30, 2008 | Categories: collage, illustration, mixed media, Pace-Wynters, paintings, Uncategorized | Tags: ACEO, Add new tag, art, bearded lady, circus, Maria, Maria Pace-Wynters, original art, Painting | Comments Off on The Bearded Lady

This is an original 2.5″x2.5″ mixed media painting of Circus Girl ( I think she is going to have an actual name very soon!) I am working on this character for a children’s book. Every now and then, I just have to paint her to get myself all inspired about this story again. She really is beautiful and I love painting her. After the disaster painting day yesterday I thought I should ease myself into painting by doing something that I know I love. The story is slowly coming together. I am trying not to rush it but maybe it is time for a little more of a tough love approach. My husband thinks so. I don’t know.
July 29, 2008 | Categories: Art with Children, Children's book, collage, etsy, inspired by children, life, mixed media, Pace-Wynters, painting for sale, paintings, Uncategorized, writing | Tags: Add new tag, circus, illustration, inspiration, Maria, Maria Pace-Wynters, original art, Painting, tough love | Comments Off on New Mini Canvas of Circus Girl

Boy, today was difficult.
Some days, you go to the drawing table and it works. Most days, thankfully. It may take a little pushing or pulling but eventually, it works.
Today was not one of those days.
I was finally feeling well enough to work, Chris took the girls out, and the loft had cooled down to a workable temperature, but no matter how much I pushed, pulled, prodded, stamped my feet, yelled, pulled my hair – yes, it came to that – not matter what I did, it just did not work. It was like the opposite of the Midas touch. Dare I say, I created some mighty, mighty crappy art today! I started to think : maybe I have lost my touch. Maybe I will never create another good piece of art ever again. Maybe everything I create will be like a mediocre piece of grade 7 art- not even that good when you were in grade 7, and even worse when you are … well, we don’t need to go there. I feel bad enough already.
I know that we need to make little messes every now and then to get to the good stuff and that it is all part of the creative process, but it was still a very frustrating day.
I can’t post any art today.
It would just be to embarrassing.
July 29, 2008 | Categories: Art with Children, life, Mother finding time, original art, Pace-Wynters, painting for sale, Uncategorized | Tags: Add new tag, art, art process, crappy art, frustrating, Maria, Maria Pace-Wynters, midas touch, Painting | Comments Off on What Is The Opposite Of The Midas Touch? (‘Cause That Is What I Had Today)

So, isn’t it nice when someone you don’t even know, out of the blue, gives you the greatest of compliments? I just discovered this blog about my art: http://witezine.wordpress.com/2008/07/21/amazing-art/.
What can I say? It feels good to be validated. Some days I wonder what I am doing or if I should even bother. When someone is moved enough to comment on your art or write a whole blog it means a lot.
Check out this other supportive blogger and artist:
http://smastroni.blogspot.com
Thank you!
July 27, 2008 | Categories: collage, life, mixed media, paintings, Uncategorized | Tags: blogging about art, etsy, Maria, Maria Pace-Wynters, original art, Painting, validation, wit ezine | Comments Off on Supportive Blogging

This is a 11.5″ x15.5″ mixed media painting done on 100% rag paper.
This painting kind of strays a little from what I usually paint or at least the way I paint. I used a historical photograph I found on the web as inspiration. I usually take all my own reference photographs, but I just found this photograph so intriguing. Who is this girl holding a fox? It just looks like something from an old fairy tale. I had it pinned on my wall for the longest time and just had to paint it.
July 23, 2008 | Categories: Art with Children, bright colours, Children's book, collage, etsy, flowers, inspired by children, life, Pace-Wynters, painting for sale, Uncategorized | Tags: fox, girl, historical photograph, illustration, Maria, Maria Pace-Wynters, mixed media, original art, Painting, poppies | Comments Off on Girl With Fox

I did this ACEO today of Scarlett. It is another study of a moment when my two year old was unusually still and contemplative. A moment to celebrate.
July 23, 2008 | Categories: Art with Children, bright colours, etsy, illustration, inspired by children, life, Mother finding time, original art, Painting, painting for sale, paintings, Uncategorized | Tags: ACEO, art, Maria, Maria Pace-Wynters, mixed media, original painting, Pace-Wynters, stillness, two year old | Comments Off on Another Still Moment
I was looking for fairies in the Garden
I left a little cottage teapot for them
So that they could set up house
Perhaps they would prefer to sleep within the flowers
If I were a fairy I’d live amongst the poppies
Their big papery petals would be my walls
and close by I would have lupins and foxgloves and hollyhocks too
Their lovely fragrance would surround me as I
drift
off
to
sleep
July 21, 2008 | Categories: Art with Children, bright colours, Children's book, collage, dreams, etsy, flowers, Home, inspired by children, life, Pace-Wynters, painting for sale, paintings, Uncategorized, writing | Tags: art and children, fairies, foxgloves, illustration, lupins, Maria, Maria Pace-Wynters, mixed media, original art, Painting, poem, poppies | Comments Off on PRETEND- Illustration Friday -Looking For Fairies Amongst The Flowers
I adore Beatrix Potter’s illustrations of tiny little mice. Angelia Ballerina looks great in a Tutu, I’ve always like Mickey and Mighty and I will admit, Stewart was a great addition to the Little family. Cinderella made clothes for them, Snow white cleaned with them. Both sang to them, and their cute little mouse voices. Remember Gus’ little gruff voice? Just adorable! But what is the one thing that these stories have in common? THEY ARE FICTION! Yes, mice are CUTE … on T.V., in cartoons, books and movies!
NOT in my house! Not in MY house! Not in my HOUSE!
I saw him come out of the heating vent. I screamed and he ran back into the vent. I was standing there stunned and a little too still because he came back out again. I took one look at him, pointed my finger and stamped my foot and yelled:
“You get back in there RIGHT NOW!”
And he did.
It makes me think of the book Theo le Seig wrote:
… “now you know,” said the mouse. ” You know what there is in a people house”.
Well, I know what is in my house! A MOUSE!
July 4, 2008 | Categories: Children's book, life, Mice, Pace-Wynters, Uncategorized | Tags: Add new tag, Angelina Ballerina, Beatrix Potter, Cinderella, Dr Suess, illustration, Maria, Maria Pace-Wynters, Mice in your house, mouse, Snow white, Stewart Little, Theo leseig | Comments Off on MICE!

This is a painting that I just completed of Scarlett sitting at the dining room table. She is so still and at peace, not at all like her normal two year old self. There was just a beautiful stillness at that moment that I wanted to try to capture.
June 11, 2008 | Categories: Art with Children, bright colours, collage, etsy, flowers, illustration, inspired by children, life, mixed media, original art, Painting, painting for sale, Tiger lilies, Uncategorized | Tags: Maria, Maria Pace-Wynters, new painting, Pace-Wynters, Scarlett, stillnes, two year old, William Morris wallpaper | Comments Off on A Still Moment

I don’t get a chance to shop very often. Unless you count grocery shopping, and I do not consider dragging an almost two year old and an almost five year old around the shops, really shopping. Gone are the days when I could try on a dozen items, checking myself out for extended periods of time. Now to think about it, way too much time! Oh, if I had all the wasted time of singleness. But that is a whole other story.
Top 5 ways I shop (or at least feel like I have!):
(Not in any particular order)
The Dash In, Dash Out
Ok, so I have your kids busy in the double stroller. I don’t’ know how, perhaps one is asleep and the other has a newly bought toy or a treat I have withheld until just the right moment. This isn’t about giving you ideas on how to get your kids to be good while your shopping, it is about what you are willing to do to get some done, so figure that part out for yourself.
The dash in, dash out consists of running into the store of choice and quickly scouring the racks, usually the sale racks. Often you admire the clothes that are completely inappropriate for a stay at home Mother. Those beautiful pencil skirts at Club Monaco right now, for instance. Great for the office, not so great for running around the park or looking under furniture on your hands and knees for wayward puzzle pieces. This kind of shopping can result in not very well thought out purchases that hang in your closet, mocking you whenever given the chance. It also does not work very well when shopping for bras or bathing suits, which is, perhaps, why all my bras are a little older than I would like to admit and my bathing suit is celebrating a decade. On second thought, forget about trying anything on. You’ll never get that double stroller in the change room with you anyway! Just buy what you want and get out before anyone gets hurt!
Cover to Cover
Recently, I have discovered the joy of magazine shopping. I don’t mean catalogue shopping. This is more like window shopping while looking through a magazine. You know the magazine: Wish, Lou Lou, Chocolate are just a few. You can analyse each page, filled with the latest and greatest, without risking any compulsive buying and while the kids, at arms length, are splashing around in a bubble bath. This is definitely the cheapest way you’ll ever shop, just the cost of a magazine. Of course, if you are like me, you seriously run the chance of spending way to much on magazines! They are so conveniently displayed at the grocery store check out and remember, this is the shopping that you still do!
Ham, Peas and Panties (Oh, just get your mind out of the gutter!)
As I mentioned earlier, I do get to grocery shop. So what do those smarty pants at Joe do? How unfair, putting all those cute little numbers right next to the produce . How can you help but buy that sassy little blouse or those kick ass shoes? They don’t cost much more than a chicken. And besides, we’ve been eating way too much chicken lately.
Ebay Express
My husband has great luck buying clothes on ebay, but I can never find anything I like enough, or that fulfills the bargain shopper in me. Part of me is never completely convinced that by the time I’ve paid shipping, I couldn’t find a better deal somewhere else. Also there is the fear of losing the bid. When I want it I want it. I really only look at ‘buy it now’ items anyway. This could be part of the problem. Control freak that I am.I know, how did this get on my list if I don’t even like it? I guess, I just wish I could find something because you can do it in the comfort of your own home. . I just need to keep browsing, perhaps tonight with a glass or red. Now that is a relaxing way to shop!
Paint ’em
I really do love clothes. I mean, I love them! I could never, ever, ever get tired of shopping! EVER! It always makes me happy! Are you starting to see my dilemma?
This brings me to the fifth way: my new painting series, Things to Wear. These light hearted paintings allows me to enjoy( or even covet) a new desired trend without having to leave the house or having to spend any money. I may never have a enough money to buy a pair of PRADA shoes but I can paint them. I know, not quite as fulfilling but let’s face it, where am I going to wear a $500 pair of shoes? I have to admit, clothes are fun to paint, with all their different patterns and textures. It also gives me licence to mix styles, colours, and prints, in a way I never would in real life. But, by far the best things about painting this series are never having to look at the price tag, everything fitting perfectly and last and not least, never having to look at your butt in one of those three way mirrors.
http://www.mariapacewynters.com
April 22, 2008 | Categories: Art Statement, Art with Children, black and white stripes, collage, life, mixed media, Mother finding time, original art, Painting, shopping with children, Superstore, trying on clothes, Uncategorized | Tags: Cub Monaco, double stroller, Ebay, JOE, kids, PRADA, shopping | Comments Off on Things To Wear

Just finished this painting yesterday. For some reason the image of girl wearing brightly coloured argyle socks popped into my head before I went to sleep the other night. Don’t ask me why but here it is.
http://www.mariapacewynters.com
April 8, 2008 | Categories: Argyle Socks, Uncategorized | Tags: bright colours, collage, girl, mixed media, original art, Painting, patterns, socks | Comments Off on Argyle Socks

April 4, 2008 | Categories: Harlequin, Tiger Lilly, Uncategorized | Tags: Painting | Comments Off on Imogen Harlequin