5 year Blog-a-versary

I missed it.  October 10th was my blog's 5 year mark!

(Scarbrough) City Grocery - Complete

Tonight I finished Scarbrough City Grocery.  Who would have thought?  Shhh, don't tell Dad.  He will find out in 2 months!  I almost blew it this weekend when he was here.  He was helping me carry something and started up the stairs!

I had to include this 'behind the scenes' picture.  I did some furniture moving this weekend so my helper is stuck to me like glue....a little unsure!

City Grocery Round 3 - YES 3

After visiting Oxford this weekend I was determined it was time to finish this once and for all.  (I started this in 2010...embarrassing.)  I have honestly been scared and intimidated and was not crazy about where the painting was headed.  I was able to use a working varnish to bring it back to blending life...slightly.  Worst case scenario....I mess it up.  Best case scenario....Dad has a Christmas gift.  Wish me luck.  This one has more lines than Square Books (I didn't think that was possible)!  It is possible I could finish this in one more sitting...definitely two.

 Then I can work on my next piece.  Here is the inspiration.  Yes, it is a picture from a picture (the original picture came from Hunter's phone).

Cotton Wreath

Thank you Pinterest for another wonderful wreath idea (and Dad who gathered cotton for me in the rain)!  I had planned to put the wreath on the front door but am afraid the cotton would become too weathered.  I want to use it next year, too!  

Ann's Magnolia - Framed

When Ann (my aunt) passed a way last month I knew I couldn't let go of this painting.  There is no doubt she and my Mom were my blog's top viewers.  On top of that, she loved magnolias.  I thought I was a crafter until I spent an extra long weekend in New England at her house.  She puts me to shame (in the organization department as well).  I will always look at this painting and be reminded of her!

Photography Class

I had come to terms that my pup would never learn to love the camera.  Then this happened.

Something changed.  Sure, I learned the focus beep was not helping the situation but it wasn't until this week that Brody really felt comfortable in front of the camera.  I am THRILLED.  This comes at the perfect time.  Photography classes have been on my mind for some time.  Thanks to a Groupon and Sarah's encouragement, classes start Wed at the Bham School of Photography.  I cannot be more excited!   I have taken one class before BUT it was pre-digital...so this should be fun.  I think a little photoshop is even involved...

Southern Magnolia Take 4

I had no plans for this painting when I started (just practice getting my feet wet again) but I think I have already found it a home (guest bathroom)!  Darn if I always end up loving the paintings on odd size canvases.  Framing will be a chore. :(  I am not allowed to buy canvases anymore without standard size frames available!

Southern Magnolia - Take 3

I love documenting a painting's progress!  It never gets old (to me)!

Southern Magnolia - Night 2 (and my new student)

I have a student in the art studio these days.  I think he is beginning to like it...the bone helps. (Meet Brody!)

Southern Magnolia

I've wanted to paint the magnolia photo mentioned in this blog post for awhile now.  In fact, I am horrified to say it seems like yesterday but it was 2 years ago.  Scholastic activities ARE over...so here we go!

Let the fun begin!

Business Cards

I cannot remember how long ago I first mentioned business cards.  Exactly one day after I finished my last final, I designed two! They came in this week.  Thanks to Tiny Prints for the $20 gift card.  Two of my very favorite pictures are on the cards.  Not sure when I will be using them...but good to have nonetheless!

The back is precious with a leaf imprint design.  I am not showing the picture because my phone number is listed and I am not sure I want to broadcast that on the web quite yet, especially with the spam messages I've received lately.

I will be learning Photoshop soon to edit pictures.  I AM SO EXCITED.  Maybe I can channel the inner nerd from middle school.  I had a website on geocities and made graphics of animals and my friend and I would "adopt" them out to homepages.  Too much info?  :)  I purchased the software with my student ID.  I have to live it up while it lasts. :)

Not exactly art

I have done absolutely no painting in MONTHS.  You haven't missed anything.  Great news is I picked up a little something on my way to class Monday.  I hope it is my ticket to painting again.  ONE MONTH.

I was thinking today at lunch of an old blog post on my yard and my resodding.  Gosh, it was almost exactly 2 years ago. 
Happy Spring!