.Study in Color.

Reflecting 2013

2014-01-11T09:37:00.002-06:00

Tree Slice Ornaments

2013-12-09T14:30:00.002-06:00

These little gems were leftovers at the local Home Depot tree cutting "farm" - I had no choice but to bag a bunch up and find a way to use them. They"re for sale, all except the one lambie for our lil bit.

Wheat Fields

2013-11-03T14:43:00.002-06:00

These are the first of many wheat field paintings. They change each time I paint a new one and continue to become more developed into the vision of light and dark oranges,yellows, and green/blue sky tones. I'm enjoying this conceptual idea and ephemeral style of painting!

DIY Fire Pit conversion to Meyer Lemon Tree

2013-10-18T23:47:00.004-05:00

Meyer Lemon

This 1 year old Meyer Lemon tree has produced it's first fruits! The lemons are so good, and the spot where the fire pit once occupied is now a beautifully landscaped lemon tree. When the fire pit gets all it's use, keep using it and convert it into a permanent landscape fixture. Find a fruit tree and plant it in the fire pit, fill with soil,and viola', it's a lovely new addition to the yard, and your taste buds.

Little Barn on the Plains

2013-10-10T20:52:00.000-05:00

4x10 acrylic on wood block

I love riding the back roads when traveling and seeing the old barns and sometimes resurrected ones. The stories and history that each one represents always captures my attention, even if just passing by. This is by far the smallest art piece in the collection at present.

Wheat Field

2013-10-03T12:59:00.000-05:00

1 0f 2 wheat field paintings on canvas. Preparing for art show with City Arts Boutique next week at Eastlake's PopUp show.

Creative Process

2013-09-25T13:15:00.003-05:00

Versions of a vision for painting wheat fields in an abstract manner have begun. These are the first of many in the process. Painting can lend itself to be layers and layers of ideas and blends of influences. I wish I could just hit the "finished" button!

Sketching with Oil Paints

2013-07-29T14:18:00.002-05:00

Finally, after years of dispelling the notion to ever use oil paints again, I have begun. The next series of paintings will have a variety of media and textures, all in fashion of previous works. The vision is from weeks of "thinking" and sorting through a montage of paintings,drawings, and commissions I have produced. Now that the vision of the new body of artwork has surfaced, it's like I've busted through my "wall" and found a perfectly manicured garden. The new paintings are popping up on Instagram,my new favorite way to communicate through media. The studio at home has taken a cozy place in my heart instead of just an idea to walk by and wonder about. After sitting down, placing the tunes in order and simply painting, it's now dubbed a favorite spot in my heart and home.

Etsy Shop for Paintings

2013-05-02T08:27:00.001-05:00

https://www.etsy.com/shop/AmandaBlake?ref=si_shop

VISIT updated Etsy shop! Click on the painting there for entire listings. Thanks!

DIY Birthday Hat

2013-04-05T16:30:00.001-05:00

Fabric,cardboard,ribbon,toile,a glue gun and lots of patience.

OH Happy DAY!

Studio Sessions

2013-03-18T13:41:00.000-05:00

2012 Snapshots

2013-02-26T15:38:00.002-06:00

California

Beautiful weather in Alabama parks

Silly time with this little girl at 9 months

We shared how we fell in love with each other here

Lil' bit's first pigtails

Thanksgiving

DIY Table

2012-12-31T10:45:00.002-06:00

All you need is a great neighborhood where your neighbors leave their old stuff by the road for pick-up. Most of you thrifty people know what I mean when I say "treasure hunting." We didn't have to go far when our nextdoor neighbors tossed out their old wheelbarrow. At first the vision was to put it to use with pinestraw, but with it's dangling wheel that was a no go. It was dismantled for parts and the ideas began to flow. I also have a favorite piece of wood we found two years ago amidst a firewood pile. It's not a log, but was definitely part of a beautiful tree at one time during it's lifespan. It had to be displayed as a tabletop sooner than later. ..but when? Before 2013. It was a stocking stuffer sneakret! While I was away getting goodies for his stocking, I returned, with much requested delay, to my new coffee table. I imagined it looking just like this. Very similar to one we saw at an antique store. We still plan on adding another layer of stain and polishing the metal, but as is I absolutely love it.

It also has now found a home on our front porch between our rocking chairs. I think a more suitable venue.

DIY Advent Calendar with Tiny Galvanized Pails

2012-12-03T09:05:00.002-06:00

These were leftover from our wedding decor and have made their way back on to the scene for another special occasion, Advent 2012. Simple red-glittery number stickers and twine, viola, it is done! Thanks to an idea similarly found in the latest issue of Pottery Barn's Holiday catalog.

We are enjoying each day's advent activity, with a reading from a devotional, scripture, and meditating on one of the many names of God.

New Artwork

2012-11-05T15:09:00.003-06:00

@ City Arts Boutique

DIY Fire Pit

2012-10-31T14:34:00.002-05:00

Last year's backyard project..and this year's luxury. After capturing over 700 bricks for free off craigslist and researching how to stack and design with them, my better half completed this job well done. A lot of digging, and some planning. Now we can step out back and feel like we're in the great outdoors...enjoy a nice fire, roast marshmellows and sip cider.

Seasonal

2012-10-29T17:31:00.001-05:00

A couple recent pieces showcased at City Arts Boutique

{acrylic on wood}

2012-10-11T09:48:00.003-05:00

Becoming a mom is teaching me how to rest, play, and enjoy more and more this sweet gift before me. There's not enough hours in the day, and yet I can remember thinking if there were less I'd have more time to sleep. Glad those days are gone and these have arrived.

Happy 6 months girl!

Baby Cave

2012-07-17T10:17:00.001-05:00

Slowly making my way out of the "baby cave" that has been my waking,breathing, and sleeping place over the past few months. I think I would stay here inevitably, watching, recording, and spending time with this precious little girl capturing my attention most of the days lately. Occasionally I have to come up for "air" and remember what day, year, and time it is in order to stay on track with the rest of my life.

(sweet friend's photography)

But I don't mind, just look at this little bundle, from her 7 day old photo shoot. She's just shy of turning 4 months! Where does the time go? Infancy doesn't last long, and now we're watching her every move in hopes to not miss anything. The thumb-sucking(she's trying so hard to not use her whole hand), to blinking and tracking with eyes, grabbing and kicking, smiling(alot!),giggles, and talking in her baby language often. She's so content most of the time. We know how much of a blessing this is for us, especially with jumping head-over-heels into marriage bliss and adding a little one within the first...well two months! This year we celebrated one year of marriage, a new baby girl, and being reunited after months of living long distance. Shew!

This year my hope is to s-l-o-w down somehow to take in the life around me and rest from such a whirlwind of a year.

Hello World

2012-04-30T09:44:00.001-05:00

This little baby came in due time, after two weeks of pre-labor (most of which I assumed was actual labor), 3 visits to the hospital to be sent back home, and beginning to almost "roll" from place to place. My experience like most, was unpredictable. You can plan, plan, plan, but the divine appointment that awaits you (ie. labor & delivery) does not always follow suit.

We arrived at the hospital for the 3rd time in two weeks to be told that I was still in pre-labor, and yet to begin active-labor. Amazing how long you can labor, before actually making ANY progress. Regardless of how you deliver, medicated or not, the labor intensive experience is as natural as you can get..and there's no way around it until right before delivery if you choose. The night led into day, Palm Sunday, and I was shortly admitted. Dilation resumed at a steady 4cm, but my water sac ( if this is "tmi"-skip this post- I'm not one for leaving out details ) was bulging, my cervix was way high, and little baby was way, way low, making for a complicated scenario. Not long after we were settled into a birthing suite, my nurse arrived chipper and buoyant announcing that " we're about to have us a baby! " For any of you first-time moms, you know how excited, nervous, and dumb-founded I was once we heard this news. Have a baby?? I've carried the baby, dreamed of the baby, talked to the baby, but...actually having the baby..clueless. Even after all the books (which I didn't remember one word of) and seeing my sister have four of her own, there are not words to describe the latter 5-6 hours of my life. Only that my husband was an amazing coach, my nurse rocked & at about half-way through delivery I felt like I had known her my whole life. As the doctor casually made his way in just before the baby arrived, my whole life changed, just like that.

For thirty minutes I envisioned running up a hill at every contraction, and then descending that same hill. As a runner for most of my life, alot of my life is related to my running experiences. The gritty, the glorious ( like finishing ), and the connection I find in my spirit with my Creator. My motivation came from this place, both in persevering for 9 months and later through labor and delivery. But, paling in comparison to a run, this was the most incredible experience and rewarding season of my life.

"For you shall go out in joy

and be led forth in peace;the mountains and the hills before you shall break forth into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands."

(Isaiah 55:12)

Springing Forward

2012-03-18T12:26:00.000-05:00

This weekend was likely one of the last "solo" weekends my hubbie and I will have for awhile, and the fun (plus excitement of little girl on the way) laughter was nonstop. One of our destinations (after my first Japanese steakhouse dinner) was the movies & we decided afterwards to jump in the "Fun Photos" booth and strike some poses.

We could NOT stop laughing at ourselves..and then came the surprise instant replay video of all the goofy moments in between(the 5 seconds to decide on another pose). I would have paid extra to have that memoir as well. My head and belly were so full of laughter I thought I would explode if I laughed anymore. We chose the "BestFriends" vs. the "I Love You" theme (I mean if you're going to be cheesy,go for the gusto right?)

And..

Of course we took one morning and walked to my favorite trail, Jemison Park in Mt.Brook, and took in the fresh air, shading trees, and birds in the air.

Photo op! I seriously look like I could go into labor at any second and I'm sure every onlooker and passerby was sure that was exactly what we were trying to do.

Music to my Ears

2012-03-16T16:38:00.000-05:00

We visited (baby and I) the Dr. today and received great news, I'm progressing! The anticipation and excitement and crazy forms of "nesting" have begun. Yesterday I raked the yard, cleaned and contemplated painting the bathroom. The leaves were enough to give me a good dose of outdoors and "hey, you may think you have alot of energy..but you're still pregnant!"mode. So today after a fun lunch outing with my bestfriend, home from the mission field in Honduras, I raked some more and bagged the leaves. Tomorrow starts the downhill to 38 weeks, of which I was also informed today I should expect to have her before or at least right up to my due date, no later. Can I just say, I've learned so much about my body, my mind, and how utterly out of control I am of my own life. .in a good way. The Lord has been so close and intimate with me and my hubbie that all we can talk about is how thankful we are for His provision and faithfulness. While thinking about labor/delivery is still overwhelming (maybe it always will be), it's amazing to think we'll be parents, holding a wee little girl in our arms in just a couple weeks. I'll leave you with this from Matthew 21:16

and they said to him, “Do you hear what these are saying?” And Jesus said to them, “Yes; have you never read, “‘Out of the mouth of infants and nursing babies you have prepared praise’?”

Le Pears : painting of pears

2012-03-14T14:30:00.001-05:00

piriforme : Italian for "pear-shaped"

Today I spent a couple hours at City Arts Boutique in the Woodlawn business district. The beautiful thing is I also found several pieces of scrap wood, perfectly cut for the paintings I had in mind. I love old Tuscan paintings as well as French etiquette (well, anything to do with France really) ... one day we'll meet Italy and France, face-to-face. Til' then I'll be cathartically working on paintings here in Alabama.

Artwork Brainstorm

2012-03-07T09:02:00.000-06:00

Where to go next? From angels, horses, landscape, private commissions, renderings, drawings, and abstracts here and there, I'm not sure where to go with my painting. I love victorian, time-worn images, antiques, old buildings, salvaged furniture, and always have been intrigued by the inside of medical care. Is that a diverse enough of interests to explain my dilemma? I like using wood, paper, pens, paint, and found materials. When I can, I love making abstract, yet recognizable subject matter in paintings. If you take a minute to scroll through, will take a minute and comment/suggest your most "likable" pieces. ..and no I don't have a facebook button to make it official, but I'd love to know what others might think or like or have ideas about after looking at my work. Don't be shy!

9 Months

2012-03-06T10:19:00.000-06:00

This weekend marked 9 months of marriage. Time is scooting by and we're learning to laugh ALOT more at each other, with each other, and the days ahead. We've also approached the 9 months near the end of pregnancy. We are planning adventures with our new addition on the way and hoping to live life fully right where we are. I'm so thankful for this man, his encouragement, support, and eagerness to serve me and love me so well. We have seen God's hand in amazing ways this first few seasons of marriage, through His word,prayer, and the church. I've learned a little more about faith, and how tangible and active that word is intended to be in my heart. A key verse that is growing hope,faith, and love in my heart recently is Proverbs 31:25

Strength and dignity are her clothing,

and she laughs at the time to come.

Mentioned recently during our weekly home group (community group), and then again by my husband. I want to look at the future and not worry, over-plan, or try to take control. There's freedom in trusting God, there's joy in the unexpected faithfulness of God, and especially hope in the unknown and unseen life of the future. Who wants to really have it all figured out anyway, you'd just be proved otherwise.