Early Work Update...

Well hellooooo there and good evening. Seems we've taken a break from watching Coraline for the bejillionth time (who would have thought that would be the movie Audrey would become obsessed with? She always demands "Watch Cor'line!")

I DID manage to sneak in some work for the Early Work Mercantile update and I hope you like her....this is Mary Alice, and oh what a story she has to tell! Full of adventure and mystery. Learn more about her HERE (and maybe even claim her for your own!~)

She is a bit inspired by the most BEAUTIFUL book that I ordered from the Rosalie Whyel Museum in Seattle-- The Heart of the Tree. It was a big splurge for me, but ohhh so worth it in the amount of inspiration.

Not just a history of the doll in the 1700s-1850s, it really is a history of our nation too. Something so simple as a girl and her doll making a terrific ocean voyage into the wilderness....this definitely inspired "Mary Alice."

My mother has always said if I had only a dollar to my name I'd spend it on a book, and I'm afraid she might be right. But she can't talk much because her mother says the same with her and magazines. But...if I had TWO dollars....I'd buy a book and a magazine ;) It's a curse....

Anyhow...Oh, the things I am cooking up for you my little arty friends! I am so impatient about it too. But all in good time.....

Now go shop the mercantile!~

H

A little bit country

"Play it, Maybelle"

So I think this may be my first guitar? I dont recall ever painting one before...But I think you can tell what it is :) I started this painting the other day at a little craft session with my little crafty friends Beth and Holly. Even though I originally thought of a banjo, this ended up being a young Maybelle Carter with her guitar and fetching flapper 'do.

I'm happy to say that she is now available on etsy, dont you want her to sing you to sleep?

Check her out HERE

*Edit: Maybelle is sold!~

There's a bit of a glare on the photo, but at the top of the painting is stamped "sing your heart out." And if you look hard...on her shoulder it says "twang."

So, this morning I'm going to head over to Shades of Brown and take down the art show. It was a good month I think! I can't wait to tally up which paintings got new homes...I have so many ideas for new projects and products. I'm fairly bouncing off the walls with them! So hang tight!

Til then, enjoy this painting! And remember-- the August Early Work Mercantile update is coming up very soon! It's all art and craftwork inspired by early american work, something I really love. I've already got my little painting finished, and oh what a story she has to tell....

Put a little twang into it

Last year I came back from Arizona dreaming of Mexican Icon art. This time I came home inspired by something a little closer to home....

The Carter Family

Think I might paint my first banjo soon ;)

I just love this. Flappers + instruments + old timey music= love

I think I'll be listening to a lot of Gillian Welch in the studio. So dont get a hitch in your giddy-up....

;)

PS! Do you have a facebook page? Wanna be a fan of Audrey Eclectic there? Well come on over! Here's the new Facebook page. See you there!

A rambler...

Wanted to share with you a little commission I finished last week before we ran off. This is a fun little family portrait called "Inked in Love." I created this for the very sweet Jennie who is an awesome dollmaker currently featured in Art Doll Quarterly. Go Jennie!~

Inked In Love

I created fun little tattoos for everyone, including the baby ;) I think it turned out rather well!~

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As for other randomness, I cheated and finished The Sugar Queen before we ever went to Arizona. Oops! It was a good, fast read. This author is very light and sorta feels like gossiping with a good friend. Which can be fun. There was even a bit of a twist to the end which I'm happy to say I didnt see coming. All in all, this is a good book to have by the poolside!~

For the bulk of my trip, however, I started re-reading a book I read years ago. So many years ago, that I've forgotten much of the action so that's good. Its a nice, sweeping romance novel called Into the Wilderness. Set in 1792 in the rural wilderness of northern New York it's a bit "Miss Lizzie Bennett meets a frontiersman and oh the trouble they get into." The main character is even called Elizabeth!
I discovered this series of books because Diana Gabaldon-- one of my very favorite writers--- endorsed it. It's a smart historical work, that's for sure. But with plenty of romance. If you're headed to the pool....and staying a while....bring this chunk of a book with you!

And as a true Gabaldon fan, I of course had to stop by The Poisoned Pen in Scottsdale where Gabaldon has lots of events and they carry a great stock of signed books. I got a signed copy of Outlander there, after my copy of the novel literally fell apart from too much reading. I thought this year I would be super-smart and go there looking for a signed Twilight book. I thought--- for sure--- They probably carried Stephanie Myer there because a) they seem to really promote their local authors and b) they have an outstanding collection of signed editions.

I was amazed to only find two of Myer's books there, and neither one signed. Made me wonder what the deal was...but, you see, I'm nosey like that.

Lastly...I think all this reading has gotten my writing gears working again. But dont worry, i will still be painting! Also, the Shades of Brown gallery exhibit of my work ends Friday, so those works that havent sold will soon make their way to Etsy. I am happy to report that 2 of my 3 largerst paintings there have gone to new homes!

Ohh, and one more thing! Don't forget about my Early Work Mercantile shop!! Lots of traditional-inspired paintings still available there. Go take a peek!

I promise...this is the end of this post!~
~H

Snapshots from the desert....

It's Saturday morning and we returned from our desert adventure late last night. It was a good trip, and nice to just be the two of us for a change, but by Friday I was so ready to be home-- to soft green leafyness and ofcourse, little miss audrey who I wanted to hug and squeeze. I swear, she is bigger than when we left just Tuesday morning!

When I wasn't bumming around pretending to be an heiress at the pool I went shopping in Scottsdale's Old Town and we made a fun visit to Frank Lloyd Wright's Scottsdale home and school Taliesin West. Will is all about FLW...
We got some beautiful shots of the desert while there....I was glad to get out of metropolitan Scottsdale, as lovely as it is...it was just so manicured and perfect. I wanted to see the desert for real. The Wright home did not disapoint, situated in the ruddy desert mountains....

There were so many beautiful things to see in Arizona, so much of it so foreign to a girl from the prairie. It was very pretty in its own way and the city was extremely clean and vibrant, although a little quiet since July (for obvious reasons) is the off-season for the desert....

I've come back refreshed and ready to paint. I cant wait to get new projects started! Are you ready?

~H

Polly & Pitch

Buy the painting HERE on Etsy

Well, here's one for the road :) One last painting before we go. Heading out to the desert tomorrow. Anyone know of any neat haunts in the Phoenix area?

Anyhow...This is "Polly and Pitch." They are reminescent of my painting last fall "The Last Jack O Lantern." Love those little knit gnome hats, dont you? :) And who doesnt love a pretty black cat??? He's Pitch, of course.

The Ghost of Crescent Hill

Well....Here she is!~ The first painting of the season. A spooky little ghost who haunts a forgotten grave yard on the over-grown Crescent Hill. I'm sure she has a story to tell....

You can find her listed HERE on etsy~

I have been so happy with this change in the weather. Today, I swear, it felt like October. I am in love with fall. I was born 3 weeks late, and I'm sure it was because I insisted on being an Autumn child :) some years, the first day of autumn is my birthday.

There is just something so wonderful about autumn. You're reaching the end of another year, hopefully satisfied with what you've accomplished ;) you've enjoyed your summer and are now ready to snuggle up with a sweater and a good book, see the leaves change and intensify, prepare for the slew of holidays and festivities.

It has now become the start of 'show season' which is so fun. Indie Emporium will be Oct. 9 & 10 this year and I can't wait! I also cant wait to celebrate 5 years of being married to my bearded sweetie on Oct. 29. See, I loved Halloween so much, I thought it would be fun to be married just days before it ;) ah, halloween....

Now for momre spooky paintings....

Thursday Lovelies~

"Emma & Elisabeth"

Wanted to show you a recently finished commission of mine, I really love how it turned out. Very dark and time-worn. Love it. These are two little ladies in their Early American finery holding two beautiful Queen Anne dolls. I think they turned out sweet!~

Ah...the rain finally came. In the night, as it does so often. I love a good thunderstorm when you're safe under the covers. Finally, we have a break in the heat. For days and days now the heat has been unbearable. The neighborhood deserted with no children out playing. So hot you almost feel sick when you're just trying to run basic erands.

Its only going to get to 94 today!! Oh, I'll almost need a scarf!~ ;) rains are sweeping down from Nebraska and Kansas and we're so thankful.

And perhaps as a mental block against the heat, I've started thinking about Halloween art! In fact I have two spooky paintings just started. Nap time willing, I'll make a lot of progress today! I am in such a spooky mood :)

Audrey and I have also been watching the 1993 version of The Secret Garden and are a bit obsessed with it. Pretty flowers + spooky house + adorable victorian clothing= love!~
I used to watch this version all the time when I was a kid because....I was the same age as those kids when the movie came out! Now Audrey likes to cuddle up and watch it too. I was also obsessed with the Shirley Temple version of "The Little Princess." Frances Hodgson Burnett was such an awesome writer. I've even got out my own tattered copy of The Secret Garden and been reading through...I had no idea when I was reading it in the 4th grade that the illustrator would have such an impact on my life as a grown-up.

Anyhow...I are off for a morning walk to enjoy the coolness of the morning. How many days until fall??....Oh, it's the day before my birthday this year! I cant wait...

~H

Words + Art

I like to think that when I paint something I am creating a story. Because to me, stories and art go hand-in-hand. When I was a little girl, before I could even really write, I would sit and write and illustrate stories through dozens of thick college notebooks. Most of them were pioneer adventures, stories about hopping in the covered wagon and going off across the prairie. I'm not really sure what it was that drew me to that genre-- watching too much Little House maybe, or perhaps I was inspired by the Kirsten doll I received for Christmas in the second grade. She came with a set of her own beautifully illustrated books....art telling a story.

It seems like the stories you read as a kid stick with you in a deeper way than stories you read as an adult. Of course there are books I love as an adult-- but I can always remember the shivery spookiness of books like A Doll In The Garden, Stone Words and my all-time gradeschool fav-- Prominent American Ghosts. All of these books I still have!

And although I'm always reading (and Audrey is too, the little sweetie) Words have recently come back into the picture and reminding me how much I enjoy writing. A good friend and former editor of mine asked me to do home features at a local magazine and its super dreamy. Opening up the ol' Microsoft Word inspired me to open up a story I started writing last June and I was surprised to find...it was a good story. So I think I will finish it...someday. I wont think about finishing just yet ;) I'm also dreaming up plans to combine words and my own art. Something I've been wanting to do since I opened up my first notebook at the grand age of 5. Maybe those kitchen table dreams do come true???

At any rate, I'll have plenty of time to scheme about it next week when we head off on a desert adventure. I'll be tagging along with my husband on a business trip to Phoenix and plan and bringing the laptop and lots of books to read.

So far my books I'm bringing include More Than You Know (recommended by Alyson when I was looking for something very spooky set in New England) and The Sugar Queen. Its by the same writer as Garden Spells and Im hoping it will be whimsical and sweet. Good poolside reading, right?

Anyhow...I cant wait to share these little projects with you in the future. Hopefully they will come to fruition. But there's no harm in dreaming, right? That's what its all about~

~

My first collage painting.

Fall of 2007

It was almost two years ago that I made this painting. I'd read an article in a magazine about collage painting and was intrigued. I just thought I'd try it out, see what happened. I was clumsy with acrylics, having painted with watercolors for so many years. But when I was done I was proud of myself. I didn't know this was the beginning of a whole new direction.

Lately I've been able to look around at things and feel very satisfied. I get to do what I always wanted to do--- even if I thought a million times that it was too far-fetched and could never be in a practical world. I feel really lucky.

I'm beginning to see its really possible to make your dreams come true. Half the work is just taking the chance :)

~H

The Artist is In

Obviously, we're busy at work in the studio....well, everyone but Henry. He is a notorious studio napper.

;)

Wanted to let you know that I have set up a commissions page on my wesite outlining basic sizes and prices. Check them out here:

http://www.audreyeclectic.com/commissions

A court of Queen Annes

Just finished this large painting and what a perfect day for it-- cool and raining with forboding clouds and thunder and lightening. Perfect day for a spooky doll painting. You see, for a while now, I have been totally in love with this early American style doll. Popular around the 1700s, many of these dolls were actually used as mini clothes models; dress makers would make their fashions in miniature, stick them on a doll, and then peddle them around to discerning ladies looking for new frocks. I think these dolls are a fine balance of beautiful and creepy. I heart them :)

My painting features four different styles of Queen Anne dolls. There were all sorts, but they are recognizable (to me anyway) for their stylized eyes, either glass or painted with dotted lids and brows and pale skin.

Getting your hands on a real anique Queen Anne will cost you a few pretty pennies...think a hundred thousand dollars, easy. Sheesh! But lucky for us, there are some stunning reproductions out there made by very talented artists.

Here are some of my favorites:

Christine Crocker

Kathy Patterson

Christine LeFever

Julie Bailey

I hope one day to have my very own doll. :) Til then, these ladys will hold court....

Tasha Drama

"I'm not one to gossip, so you aint heard this from me...." - In Living Color

Innocently searching for information on our dear Tasha I came upon this story out of Boston: http://www.estateofdenial.com/2009/06/19/tasha-tudor-burial-estate-dispute/

Evidently all is not harmonious in the Tudor clan. I honestly had no idea that Tasha was estranged from 3 of her 4 children...although I sort of had an inking, now that I think about it. I always wondered why none of Bethany or Efner's books were ever offered at Tasha Tudor and Family. Or heck, they were never mentioned at all.

According to this article, children Bethany, Tom and Efner are at odds with Seth, who inherited the bulk of Tasha's estate. They are also disputing Tasha's burial....a year after her death. Evidently her remains are in grandson Winslow's care, waiting on burial.

Its sad to think that someone we love so dearly, who portrayed such an ideallic and beautiful life had such termoil. After reading this book though, it sort of chipped away at the perfect image. But as a lover of Tasha, a woman who took such pains to give her children such an amazing childhood, I am saddened to think that as adults that closeness was broken.

However, I think there is still much to love and appreciate from Tasha. And if anything, this family tiff probably shows how much she was just like the rest of us, worts and all. Even escaping to your little farm out of the 1830s...life still is complicated.

PS: Just found this video of Tasha's garden in Japanese on Youtube. It is gorgeous and worth the watch:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fWuttXhFxHc

Folk Art portrait: Girls and Dolls

Hello all! We are back from our lake adventure and I am ready to settle down and play and try new things. The show at Shades of Brown will be up and for sale through the entire month of July. And the fun thing about this show (for all you impatient shoppers such as myself) is that you can buy all the art right off the wall that very day, you dont have to wait until the end of the show to pick up your art.

I've got a few custom portraits lined up and others already finished. A fun one I just completed is this pretty rustic-style portrait done of three grand-daughters and their rag dolls. The girls are dressed in circa 1860s children's clothes and hair styles and the large slab of wood was decorated and then aged so the portrait looks like it just got pulled out of granny's attic:

Close-up of the girls, evidently the angle at which I snapped this makes the girls look like they're leaning, but its just an illusion.
I look forward to painting more girls and dolls and have been very inspired by the Queen Anne reproductions I have been seeing lately. I am so in love with that style of doll!

And in craftly randomness, I've been looking into rug hooking and seriously wanting to take a stab at it. I found a little book about beginning rug hooking for a whole $2.50 and bought myself a hook and some cloth. I love fiber arts but am so bad at them-- although I keep trying! What I like about rug hooking is that it is NOT exact....it's very go-with-the-flow and a big like painting with the tracing of the patterns. So....I'm planning to give it a try and always searching for info. Anne from Annetiques was very sweet to start me off in the right direction and shared some youtube videos. You know...God Bless Youtube and their craft tutorials ;) there's nothing you cant find there!~

Alright, I'm off to prep some new collages....
~H

Art show snapshots

Well everyone, I'm back at home and all tired and glad to have the show up and on display. We had a nice low-key night visiting with friends, some we hadn't seen for a while. Here are some snapshots from the night:

My husband and sister-in-law hanging out

Me and my two jennys

My BFF was there and I was super excited, cant you tell? ;)

So, that was a bit of our night! The paintings will be up all month. And whatever I bring back home you can bet I'll be listing them on Etsy :)

Also-- thanks SO much to everyone who took the time to swing by and visit and see the art. It just warms my little heart that you'd do that! Truly, truly. Thank you!~

Getting tired now...we're headed to the mountains for the holiday tomorrow. The Ozarks call. Hope you have a happy--and safe--- 4th of July.

~H

Tonight!

All the cool kids will be there. Plus me.

Early Work Update

"A Summer Cottage Garden"

Well, it is July 1! Officially summer. Don't tell but...I'm sort of already ready for Autumn ;) Til then, I do have three new little rustic Early American paintings to share with you! All three are being offered at Early Work Mercantile. The painting above is my second landscape of a sweet little cape style cottage that reminds me a bit of Tasha Tudor's garden-- that was the inspiration anyway!

I also have two small portrait plaques done in the Early American style: "Jane Elisabeth" and "Goodwife Tudor"

Both these plaques turned out very rich and pretty. I dont think I've painted a 'granny' before and I'm very happy with how it turned out! I took inspiration from a photo of Tasha Tudor in "Tasha Tudor's Private World." In fact, each of these paintings was inspired in some way by my reading of my Tasha books.

If you're interested in purchasing any of these, visit my mercantile shop for more info.

Happy shopping!

H