pve

monday motivation - be daring

2013-05-20T07:27:00.000-04:00

Sure, there are many artists who inspire and motivate me to create, but one artist that I just adore is the artwork of Cecil Beaton. Perhaps it was his passion for capturing society in his artwork, his photography or just his innate sense of daring style. I have looked at this so many times and I adore the reflection of the chandelier in the mirror and all the various vignettes in this room. What an imagination.

Who motivates you to be daring and different?

sunday - hide and seek

2013-05-19T07:22:00.001-04:00

Painting by William Merritt Chase - hide and seek

Yesterday we attended a special celebration, a Bat Mitzvah and the Rabbi spoke to us about the game of "hide and seek" and how it can correlate to one's life and living with honesty. It's true that God watches our every move and we certainly cannot hide from him or ourselves. It is up to us to live our life by owning our actions and not hiding from God.

Take time today to hide and think about what you are seeking in your life? What are you hoping to find?

eat your greens

2013-05-18T07:22:00.001-04:00

I really love all shades of green but loving this new vibrant green that I will be using in my new web site. I think I must have looked at a million shades of green. There is something fresh about green and that it has a multitude of hues. So much for eating my greens which I have been committed to doing and feel a huge difference in my focus and clarity. Are you eating your greens?

parched

2013-05-17T15:39:00.000-04:00

Feeling a little parched and ready for the weekend to begin. Good thing I have lemons, mandarins and some Cointreau to make this sidecar cocktail. What are you thirsty for?

springtime apprentice

2013-05-17T06:48:00.000-04:00

Last year was my first foray into having a student work as my springtime apprentice. That student is now finishing her freshman year at Columbia. I love sharing works that inspire me of other artists and take great delight in what the students share with me. I thought this would be a fun test. Can you guess who painted the above work of art?

Here's a hint. Surely you know Mr. Jeremy Fisher.

Can you guess who created this work of art?

Our local Ardsley high school has a marvelous program for students and our community. My twins participated in this when they had the option for an internship or externship. Now every student is required to do an externship. You have a student work with you for 4 weeks and let me tell you, it is a win win. I learn something new every Spring.

Have you ever thought of having a student as an intern? I truly believe that it is up to us to share with these seniors and to teach them what we know.

sweet treats

2013-05-16T17:55:00.000-04:00

A dear friend popped in today. Not only did I flip, but my dog Bentley goes crazy when she pays a sweet visit because he knows she is an animal lover and bearer of good treats. She came bearing these sweet treats.

I designed the card a few years ago for her to attach to her goodies. On the back is space to write the recipe or at least a note. My friend Taina has traveled all over and has an flair for baking and creating treats.

I've been really good about eating as much fresh and whole but I must admit, I had not one but two of these scrumptious scones. I keep telling her to sell her wares. It is an art to create such delicacies.
I ordered a dozen. I'd love to give her some positivity. Don't you agree she needs to sell her treats?

rockin my herb garden

2013-05-16T07:15:00.000-04:00

Local rivertown artist Jennifer Orkin Lewis hand paints these hip rock herb garden markers which you can find over here in her etsy shop along with some great prints and colorful artwork. Last weekend, we planted our herb garden and I have to tell you it is rockin. One son is home from college. He finished his sophomore year and rocked it with a 4.0. We've been talking a lot about cook's ingredients since next year he will be living in a house and cooking.

Aromatic herbs and spices do infuse a lot of flavor even to the simplest salad, omelette, pasta or main dish. It's fun to share knowledge with my son and try to give him some valuable advice so that he can get excited about preparing good flavorful cuisine.

Do you have a favorite herb that adds to creating a more flavorful life?

vignettist

2013-05-15T15:22:00.000-04:00

It's true. Call me a vignettist. I love painting artfully created vignettes. Little portraits that show an arrangement of a collected order. The cards for the above are available in my etsy shop. I have white, pale blue or hot pink envelopes to go with if you like. If you order today, I will add a surprise to your order that will make you smile.

I painted these in gouache a few years ago when I was new to blog land and fell down the most "Absolutely Beautiful Things" blog. I sent them to Anna to gift to her Mother. I need to paint some of my own beautiful things arranged in vignettes.

no limits

2013-05-15T05:34:00.002-04:00

I love knowing that there's a new kid in our town. My Mother always told me "the skies the limit" and I'm betting that this artist's Mom told him the same thing. I am literally blown away by his work.
Check out Alexandre Arrechia over here and here.

penthouse party

2013-05-14T06:50:00.003-04:00

Trolling around on pinterest and came upon this spectacular penthouse party or it could be some private club. (here it is 230-Fifth) I mean "wow." How's that for a Tuesday. Dreaming is fun.

monday motivation - creative courage

2013-05-13T07:04:00.003-04:00

"put 'em up" painting the lion at pve design studio 2013

I am so delighted to share with you a new friendship and a little "put 'em up" monday motivation.

During Storm Sandy, we met each other while juicing up our electronic devices at a dear friend's home who had power and was kind enough to share with many who scrambled to stay connected, fed and in need of a warm shower or meal. We were all feeling very vulnerable and incredibly sad for the devastation that Storm Sandy left behind and the courage to re-build and start moving ahead.

Yes, Matisse not only had a way with paint, but a way with words and indeed

"Creativity takes courage."

My new friend shared an image of a colored pencil sketch study of a lion and the desire to paint the king of the jungle on a very large canvas. I invited her to come to my studio and bring her fears. The transformation of witnessing another individual face a blank canvas head on and pick up a rag or a big brush and just "start" does take amazing courage.

Perhaps you need a little "put 'em up" or a bit of creative motivation to take time for you, creative time to allow yourself to face your fears and find your creative courage. I would be happy to help you. By helping you, you in turn help me. Creativity is an act of courage. What is the one thing holding you back from starting to live your life more creatively?

Mother's love

2013-05-12T07:45:00.001-04:00

As a Mom, I know that our love is not measured. It is not how much we give but how much love we put into giving.

My parents remind me to spread love everywhere I go and then I find the words of Mother Teresa to be inspiring and motivating. I wish all Mother's everywhere love today. Happy Mother's day. My Mom is 86 and I wish her love.

to inspire

2013-05-10T14:57:00.000-04:00

mask and "doodles" by Ulina

It's so incredibly wonderful to meet other artists along the way and meet with them in hopes of inspiring them to create and live a more artful life. This week, I feel that I have inspired two women who have already started plans to dedicate themselves more to their art.

I feel so full of joy to share what's worked for me and how I have been able to be here for my family while creating an artful life. Do you need a little push or some direction to get yourself living an artful life? I would love to inspire you. Feel free to connect with me. All it takes is passion and a plan to get started.

on the menu

2013-05-09T11:17:00.000-04:00

I did say that I was going to challenge myself to paint each day but have been so caught up with work and life so I thought I would share some of my recently published work.

One of my boys will be coming home tonight from college for a 3 day weekend and I am thinking about my menu. It dawned on me that I could turn to Sheridan Road "Good Eats" May issue.

I am eating as much whole and fresh as possible but I do love salmon and I know my son does too.
Dashing out to send off some artwork and then to the grocery. It's pouring here so I better wear my rain boots~

monday motivation - ceremonies

2013-05-06T12:47:00.002-04:00

I have a few wonderful events happening in my life, one was this past Saturday. I witnessed my son carry the American Flag for the color guard which was very emotional for me. He was awarded a Bronze Medal for Academic Excellence.

Today is our daughter's confirmation so I am busy gearing up for that. Lots of ceremonies to celebrate~
I have such a grateful heart for all the hard work that goes into each ceremony. I also feel so much pride and joy for all the students serving their country and in good faith.

Happy Derby Day

2013-05-04T00:00:00.000-04:00

Wishing each of you a Happy Derby Day. I created this work for J.McLaughlin on thursday and friday it was posted to the J.McLaughlin facebook, talk about fast! Hope each of you enjoy the Derby in style and sip a mint julep in honor of My Old Kentucky Home. Question, horse-shoe up or down?

avocado

2013-05-03T06:40:00.002-04:00

Motivated to paint something fresh each day as part of my May challenge, I am also dedicated to eat more whole foods and eat fresh. Avocado is one food that I love.

Have you ever heard that the avocado is referred to as God's butter?

Well last summer, at the beach, I overheard a Mother giving a spoon full to her child and telling him it was

"God's butter."

Avocado's are a "superfood" and so good for you.

Great alone with a little salt and honey drizzled on top or added to salads or fresh smoothies.

I love how they come packaged in a pretty green bowl.

garden path

2013-05-02T09:36:00.000-04:00

My first May painting a day. A spring garden path meandering down a hill to an open field. I could pick this apart and point out all the reasons to start a new painting but alas, part of my nudge is in fact to paint each day and allow the looseness of this exercise allow me to be less critical and just do the work.

I had such a wonderful afternoon yesterday at the MET, visiting the Impressionism, Fashion and Modernity exhibit. The one thing that amazed me most was the looseness the artists achieved by painting outside. I am off to work now for a client today but did want to share this work with you on this glorious day.

bullfight

2013-04-30T06:39:00.001-04:00

I would never be able to watch a public spectacle such as a bullfight but I could look at the artwork of Jean Cocteau every day. Look at the expression on the bullfighter's face, he looks as though he is sad over what has just taken place. The bull in fact looks sad too, head down and ready to surrender.

During the month of May, I will be fighting my own sort of bull and working on a painting a day which I will post. I was inspired by fellow River Towns Artist, Jennifer Orkin Lewis. It's hard to fathom that we are about to close the door to April and welcome the month of May.

monday motivation - get started

2013-04-29T05:11:00.002-04:00

During my open studio tour, one question that was repeatedly posed was,

"How do you get started with creating your art?"

Many visitors shared desires to create an artful life and wondered "How do I start?"

Job security has caused many to look at what sort of career they want rather than being subject to paranoia of today's economic environment and job insecurity. Perhaps you need to work part time at getting started to build your artwork and take a job to provide income in order to pay your monthly bills. It is doable, but one needs a vision and a plan of action in order to get started.

I will be adding this to my services if anyone needs coaching to get their artistry started.

I am happy to provide motivation by e-mail or phone.

Start by reading, researching and networking about your career as an artist.

Do you have a muse, a mentor or a plan of action to start your career as an artist?

Starting Your Career as an Artist is a comprehensive manual full of sound advice for artists seeking to advance their professional careers. Veteran art career professionals Angie Wojak and Stacy Miller show aspiring artists how to evaluate their goals, create a plan of action, and use their talents to build a productive life in the art world. Chapters cover topics essential to the emerging artist, such as building community through networking, collaborating, and finding mentors; setting up a studio; health and safety for artists; artist’s resumes and CVs; developing marketing plans; finding alternative exhibition venues; and refining career aspirations. In addition, the book includes inspiring and insightful interviews with professional artists and well-known players in the art scene.

What sort of tools or skills do you need to create your art career? How can you find a niche or an audience that will want your art? Is it a hobby? Is it something you can see becoming a full time career? If you need assistance to get started, contact me and I would be delighted to meet with you and objectively work with you to create a plan to get started. Contact me on my website here. We can meet, e-mail or chat by phone. I've been right where you are and in order to get started, sometimes all it takes is a little hand holding and positive support.

River Arts - day two

2013-04-28T07:53:00.000-04:00

Welcome to my studio. This is day two of the River Arts tour.

The home made cookies actually proved to be a big hit as were the fresh organic green apples.

It felt great opening up my studio and welcoming so many lovely people who were so complimentary
of my space and work. It was a huge boost of positive energy for me as well as the visitors. I think I just may have inspired a few to pick up a brush and to make art a part of their life.

My new chairs are from West Elm and they will be great for meetings with clients and students.

I did need four hands to assemble them but I do love them, they are also stackable which is a bonus.

There was a 45 minute wait at the local balloon shop so thank-you again Annette for picking these up and delivering them to my door. Balloons always add a lift of joy to an entrance. I popped my patio chairs and bright pillows for those who might need a seat after the climb up my hill.

The tissue paper flowers and artwork adorned my window and added an air of playfulness.

Visitors loved watching me work on this while they toured my space, I titled it "koi joy" - this pond was built by Julie of Monkey Grass Hill. Did you know that koi ponds promote health and wellness?
Hope that those of you who did not make it yesterday, will come out today and pop in for a visit. I'd love to have you.

studio tour 2013

2013-04-27T06:58:00.005-04:00

Today, I open my studio to participate in the River Arts tour. I hope that you can make it if you happen to be in the area. I would like to thank so many people that helped to make this day possible. Thank-you Stephanie, Michael at Rivertown Digital for all your fine printing work, Alyson for helping to create new business cards and finally -Annette for helping me set-up the studio and package items and to my family for all the encouragement.

I love that my advertisement in this weekend's Rivertown's Enterprise is next to an article about education and cultivating creativity in our children, a renowned educator Yong Zhao spoke at several of the local public schools last week.

Timing is everything.

studio tour 2013

2013-04-26T05:35:00.000-04:00

Preparing to open my studio for the River Arts Studio Tour this weekend. The one regret I have is not being able to visit other studios since I will be manning my own studio. It is always inspiring to visit and connect with other artists and see how they work. I have maps to direct you to other studios or you can always find on line over here. Hope to see you in my studio.

I would like to thank Ellen Crane and all those on the River Arts committee for her tireless efforts working to make the River Arts studio tour such a great success.

River Arts tour

2013-04-25T14:23:00.003-04:00

I am busy setting up for the annual River Arts Studio tour. I have some original artwork, some printed notes and other items all for visitors to see and available for purchase. I just baked fresh chocolate chip cookies and am planning to clean the windows friday.

I still have a few "piles" of items to sift through and things to put out. Hope you can pop in and visit.
Thanks to each of you who have made it possible for me to have such a wonderful spot to work in and share with each of you.

nautical

2013-04-25T03:56:00.001-04:00

While gearing up for the weekend River Arts tour, I came across this nautical print that I had designed. It's fun to look back at work and at prints and patterns I designed. Like an old photo, it conjures up memories. Was there a print that you remembered wearing as a child? My little brother wore a sailor collared shirt, and I always seemed to be wearing a stripe.

Here is a map for the River Arts tour just in case you need if you are in the area.