A Whimsical Bohemian

My Etsy Shoppe REopening is finally going to happen.......

2012-02-19T16:52:30-08:00

img from here

I have been doing a bit of cleaning, dusting, scrubbing and redecorating to get my Etsy Shoppe ready for it's Grand REopening with the anticipated date of March 1st or sooner.(can you believe March is nearly here?) My Shoppe has been empty so long the cobwebs and dust have built up and the windows look smeared. I am hoping with a bit of elbow grease and determination I should be ready to announce the date soon. This is what I get for waiting so long and neglecting it the way I have, all the while inventory is stock piling. I forgot what an arduous task it is to gather everything and have it up and ready before the doors open. My hope is that visitors will stop by when it does and have a look around at the new merchandise - many have passed by wondering why it's been empty so long. Maybe I'll have to march around with a sandwhich board announcing it's REopening...either that or wear a chicken suit but then that would make people think I was selling food. Scratch that.

Below is a collage of some of the merchandise to come (you can click the image to enlarge).

The above collage are paintings of various sizes and there will also be prints of various illustrations as well.

Keep Smiling...it's contagious!

and hugs too!

P.S. This is something I'm working on for my house.....can YOU tell what it might be. I'll be curious to know what you think it is and what it's made of. I am hoping it will be finished this week.

What's Up Tiger Lily?

2012-02-13T12:32:38-08:00

(the title of this post is from a Woody Allen movie of the same name - I couldn't think of a post title. I saw the movie about 1970 or so at Winterland in SF before a Pink Floyd concert) It's a Japanese film where he redubbed the sound with his own comedy script - it's really funny) None of this has anything to do with this post.......

I was going to start this post by apologizing for being gone from my blog for so long but then I got to thinking who am I apologizing to really? Sometimes it just happens that we get busy with other things and suddenly days and maybe weeks go by. I'm sure anyone reading this gets that. To be perfectly frank there isn't really much to blog about...........I've done those paintings I mentioned in the previous post......done some fiddling about with sketching and fleshing out of characters in my art book and sketch book or just doodling while watching TV at night (as seen below)...........still looking for a job (not successfully). Still planning to get my Etsy shop reopened (even I'm sick of hearing that - what is my problem that I haven't done it yet? Anyone?)

My hope is to get back on a more even keel.....start taking photos again.....become more interesting. To be honest I've had a bout with some anxiety lately but I am working on sorting myself out and getting my joy back. It happens to the best of us. I am normally a pretty upbeat and silly gal so it has been a bit disconcerting to to deal with. I'm just keeping things real people. Those that have dealt with this will understand......it's up to me and only me to get back on track - I know I can.

It's cold and rainy today....feels like winter. For quite awhile now it's actually felt more like Spring. Goofy Mother Nature....she's a fickle gal!

So here are the aforementioned doodles and drawings of late.........

This is "Marie AnTREEnette".........a sketch I did and colored with Copic markers one evening while watching TV. I am thinking of redoing her on canvas and changing her up a bit.

"She's an integral part of her garden" (markers and pen)

Sketchbook drawing, doodling

Just a drawing in a sketchbook in a style I started a few years ago....the big, bald headed characters with little bodies.

pen and ink in an art journal I bought a long time ago made of handmade paper.

I'll be back - hopefully with bells on!!!

In the meantime......my hope for everyone is that you are happy, healthy and following your bliss whatever that is!

P.S. I am still not sure of the exact dates for Our World Our Art.....PLEASE do not post as if it's going on now.......that has already happened with someone. If you want you can add the badge to your sidebar so anyone can click on it and get the information of what it is. BUT it definitely is not close to starting yet. I will let everyone know as soon as I have the dates set. Please be patient. (see left side bar)

Where does the time go?

2012-01-26T11:18:30-08:00

Holy smokes it's been ten days since my last post.........I am currently working on sorting myself out on a few issues while creating new art pieces. My aim is to get my Shoppe reopened very soon so I am working on getting proper photos of everything while continuing to create. ART is THE best calmer there is.....it soothes the soul for sure.

Sneak peek at the ones done so far.............hmmm what do they fully look like??? In due time, in due time.

In the meantime I hope all of you are healthy, happy and following your bliss!

See you soon....hopefully 10 days won't go by again!

OUR WORLD OUR ART NEWSLETTER UPDATE

2012-01-16T10:19:28-08:00

Hello all - I wanted to let everyone know that I found out today that the site I was using for the OWOA newsletter is shutting down for good the end of this month. Today I sent out the final newsletter. I want you all to know that my blog will be updated as necessary so PLEASE check back. IF I find a new site I have downloaded the email list just in case - but for now the information page contains all you need to know:

http://awhimsicalbohemian.typepad.com/a_whimsical_bohemian/what-you-need-to-know-.html

I apologize for this as I know reminders are helpful. Sometimes things happen that are beyond our control.

The post below has the new badge/avatar you can add to your sidebars as another reminder as well as letting others who frequent your blog know about it. Please make it clickable to the above info page link.

As I said in the newsletter the date has not been set yet but I am thinking near the end of March to start Spring. I will be announcing the exact date sometime in February so get those creative juices thinking.

Your support and enthusiasm about this brand new event is wonderful !!! and remember this is NOT One World One Heart anymore...........I know it's easy to call it that after 5 years but this is a brand NEW event with a brand new name: OUR WORLD OUR ART!

Much love and appreciation,

Lisa

P.S. I have a new painting to share in my next post!

New Our World Our Art logo and some quick info

2012-01-10T15:16:58-08:00

I wanted to let you all know no date has been set for the start of this event yet - it is possible it may not be until sometime in March for various reasons. Would be a nice way to start Spring though, don't you think?. So keep watching this blog, sign up for the newsletter if you haven't already, and/or click on the logo in my left sidebar for additional information as it comes in. The next newsletter should go out in the next week or so. This is a HUGE undertaking as you know so things need to be aligned for me to give it my full attention. I am currently seeking employment so it may mean when the event begins links won't be added until each evening. But we'll cross that bridge when we come to it. Oh to make a living with my art!!!

Here is the logo:

Below is a small one for sidebars (or you can copy the larger one to your computer and resize to whatever size you need)- please make it link it back to the URL below (you can copy and paste it) so those that see it on your blog that don't know about it can get all the information by clicking on the logo in your sidebar.

http://awhimsicalbohemian.typepad.com/a_whimsical_bohemian/what-you-need-to-know-.html

If you do not know how to add this to your sidebar as a clickable image and you are on Typepad or Blogspot you can email me for directions (it's really easy). I am so sorry but I do not know how to add an image with a link in other types of blogs.

So that's it for now........Happy New Year a bit late. I am making no resolutions....they always set one up for feeling like a failure if they aren't met. Who needs that? I hope you are well and happy and following your bliss! See you soon!

Celebrating Christmas and a Friends Birthday on the same day.......with ART to share

2011-12-27T13:08:39-08:00

Hello all, I trust you all had a good holiday whatever you did and whomever you were with. It's hard to believe it's over but if I am to be honest with you, I'm somewhat glad. December is a tough month for me as it's a time of remembering and missing my Mom even more and my oldest brother and all the raucaous family gatherings of yore. BUT it is what it is and we got through it - thanks in large part to going to our friends on Christmas day....they may not be family by blood but they are family nonetheless and it made the day very special.

They are our dear friends June and Ray. This is the second year we have gone to their home for Christmas in the lovely Santa Cruz mountains.

(I borrowed this above photo from her blog of their beautiful tree and just some of the decorations)

So BohoHandyman and I made and brought 4 quiches of various kinds and 5 loaves of pumpkin bread......these served as appetizers and were nearly all scarfed down right after we put them out. (that's always a compliment) We actually made 6 of each but kept a couple quiches and one bread at home. The house was busy with people and cooking and a lovely table set when we arrived.

There were 12 people for dinner that included us... Ray and June, June's parents who came to stay for the first time from Nevada - it was wonderful finally meeting them, both are so sweet and her Mom is a very talented needlepointer and plans to join in OWOA in Feb..... one of her sisters (who I hadn't met before either) came for the first time as well and she is a crack up......There was also Ray's Dad

who is as spry and sharp as a tack, still lives alone and drives over the hill..... and he is 92!!!! (the above photo was taken last Christmas while we played a game, he's wearing one of the party hats I brought for June's birthday that year) After meeting him I formed a mad crush. Sadly I didn't take photos this year...I was just too busy visiting.

Ray's 3 grown kids were there too......and Ray's best friend Mark (who I've come to consider a good guy friend) and us. It was a great group.Their home was decorated up beautifully, the long table set so lovely and all the food was served with love.

But that's not all we celebrated that day, you see June was born on Christmas Day so of course that is celebrated separately......later after dinner Ray brought out the cutest snowman cake made by a friend of theirs (sorry you can't see the front of him but he had a real carrot nose and real twigs for arms)...

The other cake was made by Ray with three snowmen atop and a big # "2" candle instead of a bunch of candles. He used a 2 to celebrate it was their second birthday/Christmas together. How sweet! I was so chomping at the bit to give her my gift ALL day but I waited....we did the singing, the cake and she opened other gifts first and then......

(By the way for those of you who have done One World One Heart over the years.....Ray and June are a love connection that came from the 2010 OWOH event. She had wanted to set up a blog AND be a part of OWOH after hearing about it for so long...so that year she did. A blogger in Montana who "met" June through OWOH that year saw where June lived and informed her she had a male friend who also lived in June's area and thought perhaps they'd be a good match. She and Ray ended up emailing one another, finally met in person.....and the rest is history. How about that? I laugh that I am responsible for them meeting in a six degrees of separation sort of way) Anyway.........

Insteading of wrapping the doll I set her in a plastic bucket padded at the bottom and lined in a garbage bag then surrounded her and covered her with a towel. When it came time for June to "open it" I had her close her eyes while I took it out to place her on the table. As I was placing it on the table everyone was gathered around and let out a sort of gasp sound (to my delight) which sort of freaked out June as to what the heck I was doing. I then had her open her eyes.....she saw it, started to cry and then grabbed me in a hug. (luckily BohoHandyman thought to grab the camera)

(just the reaction I'd hoped for)

Here is the backstory of the gift......(before I show you)..... June is a very talented artist who in 2010 decided to do some art with more whimsy to it thus she did some watercolors of various characters. From those characters she began writing a story that has since become an entire book she is hoping to get published. I've read it and it's REALLY good....one of those characters became her favorite and THAT was what I decided to base my gift on. I studied her illustration and she began to come to life. Keep in mind even though I knew I wanted to make this for awhile I didn't start until the morning of December 20th - (talk about putting pressure on yourself and having to work on it truly 10 hours a day) But it was a labor of love. I am always tweaking and touching up and reworking so it could have even been better had I given myself more time...but she is sweet nonetheless and she giggled as she came to life (always a good sign).

click images to enlarge.

This is a closeup of her original illustration of Mathilda Wickcliff

Here is Mathilda come to life in the form of the "art doll" I created for her

This is the full illustration (I only did Mathilda)

This is the full piece. The various elements around her represent elements/characters in the story. In her right hand she is holding up an actual leather bound book I made with the title of the actual book on the cover. The character likes to have tea parties so I have her holding a cup of tea and she LOVES her music CD's so I incorporated that too. The stump she sits on is from our orange tree which represents the Grandfather tree in her story and the key represents a major element in the story as well. I need to have June measure the height of the entire piece (I forgot to do that) but it's definitely over a foot tall.

This is Mathilda from the back, again the items you see are representations of other characters in her book. Too long to explain each one. The back of her t-shirt says "The Musky Deers" which also comes from the story.

This is her from one side.

This element represents a part of the story where the 3 children go through a "Gateway" that is surrounded by a gel-like water. I put an LED tealight behind it for the glow - she can turn it off and on.

The surprising (or maybe not so surprising part, is that except for one thing I had everything else in my studio stash) It has really helped to start up the mojo again and now I plan to bring to life some of my own illustrations and perhaps for others who may want to special order a 3D image of one of their own illustrations ......... Email me if you are interested!!

After all of this we all sat and played a game I'd not heard of before - it was fun AND frustrating...... it's called What's Yours Like?....... click here and watch the video on how it's played....you may want it for your next gathering.

Well my friends this has been a LOOOONNNNNNGGGG post. I hope you are all relaxing from all the food, drink and festivities! I'm off to think about my next 3D Illustration Doll while having a slice of Mediterranean quiche.

I wish you all peace and I thank you if you read this entire post - always appreciated!

Love,

Wishing all of you.......

2011-12-21T09:01:23-08:00

A VERY HAPPY, HEALTHY, PEACEFUL & MAGICAL HOLIDAY!!!

LOVE, LISA

XOXOXO

A long post....house stuff first then some OWOA business

2011-12-07T12:22:38-08:00

Greetings everyone..........I suspect you are in the midst of Holiday fever......shopping, decorating, baking, making lists etc. Then again maybe you're like me and you're just going with the flow. Either way I hope you're taking time to just breathe and enjoy!

I have a couple more home projects to share........things evolve on a daily basis around here....my head spins. Nary a Christmas decoration is in place yet BUT this weekend we hope to accomplish that providing things are put back in place.

Since we did the kitchen makeover I found that living with certain things the way they were just didn't work for me so, of course, I changed some things. One being the kitchen table. I had replaced the original rectangle with a round one but I knew after all this time I wanted to bring back the original one but revamp it AND find some cool old benches. Well we found a long bench that BohoHandyman cut in to two and then made new "legs" using the original as a pattern since cutting it in half there weren't enough for both ends of 2 benches. I will not be painting the benches. I have never liked the orangy finish on the table so we took it out back and I proceeded to sand it with a hand sander. The intent to bring it down to plain pine and a more rustic, natural finish....well to my utter disappointment it's not even a pine table...oh no. It was painted to look like one including knots that disappeared the minute I sanded them. So what's a gal to do...PAINT it of course. And while I was at it I decided the shelves we had on the wall were too white AND the hutch was too big in there so the shelves are now black and the hutch replaced by a find from my fave consignment store...........see what I mean about evolving.

You can click photos to enlarge.

Before:

After: (top painted with Annie Sloan chalk paint in "CoCo" and the bottom with "Chateau Gray"{which is actually a green tone}) I prefer a more rustic look......French farmhouse???

One of the end arm chairs to the table is waiting to be painted and the seat recovered to go on the open end. (only so many hours in a day) I am still deciding on the perfect center piece and I have 3 plates waiting to be hung on the wall below the chair rail. Have you heard of these? I had to order them.

Another change was the front door on the inside.......it's a metal door made to look wood and ready to paint or stain. It's been plain for years.....that is until 2 days ago. I wanted drama!

Door before: (photo taken when we first started to look at wall colors etc)

Front door after: I painted it 3 colors until deciding on the faux aged look with teal. In person I must say it's fab. (that's the new wall color and trim painted with Ben.Moore "Hush" on the walls and "Elemental" on the trim)

Base boards aren't painted yet as we plan to replace them with new, higher ones.

And finally the new living room curtain panels......I had different ones from Pottery Barn in there but decided I want to use them in our room and replaced them these.

They really bring a "happy" feeling to the room, the deep teals and turquoise, red and persimmon and sage greens in the print go with everything I have. I like mixing things up in terms of rustic, Frenchy, plain, bold, and so on. Strangely they are similar to the area rug.

Trust me I didn't plan for that to happen and I know to some the two together may seem a bit busy but trust me it just works!

And finally..........are you bored to tears with all my house stuff yet? We did find the same fabric that is on the settee I found (see post below) - BUT in thinking about it and having cats we decided it was not sturdy enough as it's really a drapery weight, silkier fabric. So I kept looking knowing I still wanted it a rich ruby-like color and found this:

This is the best photo of it out there and does it NO justice whatsoever......the background is deeper, rich and luscious and the chenille damask is a lovely golden dark taupe. (and it picks up the deep color in the curtains too) Hopefully I'll have the fabric after the first of the year and can get it over to the upholsterer. I can't wait!

Of course the walls are still bare, we need a coffee table and the accessories out.........that's a whole other project. This is why I wake up with "monkey brain"....thoughts swinging from tree to tree. AND not to mention if I don't do some art soon I may explode!

So there you go, you can wake up now....splash a little cold water on your face and you'll be good to go! HA!

NOW on to OWOH business:

I wanted to let everyone know that I sent out an OUR WORLD OUR ART newsletter today......a very short one regarding new date information. This new event will take place at the end of February in to the first couple weeks of March 2012. I decided to push the date back so that everyone can relax and regroup after the holidays and New Year. I will send out (as well as post) the exact dates after the first of the year. IF you have signed up but did not receive this new one or have not received the first 2 newsletters with all the information sent earlier this year...........you can now click the flyer in my left side bar to get up to date. I realize there is a lot to read there but this way you can go back to it, copy and print it to read later....whatever you choose. PLEASE NOTE: By signing up to receive the newsletter it does not obligate you to participate in this event. When you sign up in the upper right sidebar you are merely saying you want to receive information about the event, it does not obligate you to participate. If you do not wish to receive the newsletter anymore you can opt out by clicking on "manage my subscription" at the bottom of the newsletter page.

This event is a BIG job and I really need to not only prepare as the host but as a participant as well......it takes a LOT of time so this new date is important for myself as well.

Soooooo...now it's time to end this novel and do some more "stuff" around here!!

See you soon..........hopefully before a week or more goes by!

Love and dreams of sugar plum fairies,

Lisa