Emily's Walk

The ice came yesterday, but God-willing...we still have power. its snowing in fast fat flakes at the moment. It's beautiful, but I hope it doesn't last too terribly long. There are things to do! Places to go!

Yesterday I finally finished up this little painting, made from one of my winsome, strange little sketches. This one is called Emily's Walk:

I'm not sure why these photos are loading so tiny. But do click on them to enlarge so that you can get the full effect ;) I think she is quite the gorgeous little thing...doing some intense thinking out there on windy moors of Northern England...because she was inspired by Emily Bronte, you know....
"Emily's Walk" was created on a very sturdy and thick slab of repurposed oak. A local custom cabinet making company is kind enough to send me their scraps...and what gorgeous paintings they make!

Her face is the best part...I tried some new techniques on this one. She is my practice for "The Sea Captain's Wife", the sketch I showed you yesterday. But her face has lots of detail and minute color that you just can't get in a photo.

If she grabs you're heart, why, she's just waiting for you AT THE SHOP.

Stay warm everyone!~

~H

On a winter's day

It's a blustery cold and very gray day outside. One we've all been waiting for with agonizing anticipation as a large storm makes its way across the prairie...bringing rain and ice and snow. And imagine, yesterday it was 60 degrees outside. What a fickle place this is!

In case of power loss, we gathered fire wood by the back door and I need to get the candles out and set about the house. Hoping things wont be too bad, but after bad ice storm that left so many without power for days, even weeks, two years ago, we're all wondering how this storm will leave us, and dreaming of an end to our long winter...

However, I think it will be a good day for painting. Nothing like the frightful cold to keep you inside at the painting table! I came up with some new and a little strange and winsome sketches the other day....like this sea captain's wife, braiding her hair....I'm going to start painting today. And there are chocolate chip cookies to make. And girls and puppies to cuddle with. All in a day's work.

To all my fellow Okies and those in Kansas and Nebraska and all the prairies--- stay warm and safe! Now back to watching the skies...

Tasha Tuesdays Post # 19

Happy Tuesday...

"Whenever I get one of those questionnaires and they ask what is your profession, I always put down housewife. It's an admirable profession, why apologize for it. You aren't stupid because you're a housewife. When you're stirring the jam you can read Shakespeare."

--- Tasha Tudor, "The Private World of Tasha Tudor"

Illustration by Tasha Tudor

I ran across this Tasha quote last night while trying to come up with something to post about for Tasha Tuesday and loved it immediately. It surprises me that someone we would identify as one of the most beloved American authors and illustrators identified herself as a housewife above all else.

But I admire it.

For a few decades now, the connotations of the word 'housewife' or 'stay-at-home mother' have implied that you don't work....that you've given up your dreams. You're living for other people. Well, Tasha certainly did nothing of the sort, and I am happy to see a new generation of housewives out there that care for their families with pride-- while pursuing their dreams.

Not to get political on here, but I think the most pro-feminine thing we can do is take pride in what is traditionally 'women's work.' Things like knitting...embroidery...handcrafts...all these things are making a strong comeback among a new generation of mamas who do it with pride. I think for many women of the past few generations, they mistook these skills as things that frittered away a woman's time when she could have been doing 'more important things.' But they didn't realize that--- they are important in their own right.

And I might not be reading Shakespeare while making jam, but I paint during nap time, started a business between laundry loads, and spending a day with my little gal is the best spent 8 hours I've ever spent during a work day. I don't miss that bored and futile feeling I used to feel while sitting behind a corporate desk. Since I've become what one would call a 'housewife', I feel like I've been the most productive and creative I've ever been in my life.

I think Tasha was too.

Rustic Pin Keeps

I have to admit, i have been a little distracted lately. I feel like it's growing pains-- the art kind. Just restless and wanting to try new things...being completely uninspired and then so inspired that I can't figure out what to do first. A bit like an information overload, but with inspiration. Ever had that happen?

One of my new endeavors has been exploring the world of embroidery. I recently came across the work and patterns of Stacy Nash and am just smitten beyond words. Her work is so authentic of the early old days, and is aged to perfection. I'm working on my first pattern of hers right now....but it also got me inspired to create some other little things....this always happens to me...

Last night I got the idea to create some little pinkeeps for sewing pins and all those little various needles that you need for various projects. Pinkeeps are very handy because they keep all those tiny little sharp things you're working with all organized, out of little's one's hands (and out of the carpet!) and they also look pretty cute.

I actually made five of these little pinkeeps....three with my art on them and two with these old vintage photos. Of course the ones with the art ended up bleeding or fading a bit during the staining process. Even though the printable fabric sheets I used claim to be washable, I found that any image containing red ink started to bleed....
But I'm very happy with how these two fine little darlings came out--- they are aged to a beautiful grittiness thanks to a nice coffee stain (they also smell delish, but I'm thinking that will fade with time, haha)

The first pinkeep with the young woman is called "Aunt Edith's Prairie Companion" and the little red one with the young girl I called "Rebecca's Treasure." Visit the shop to see further images and also read the little stories I made up for each one. Because everything's better with a story....

~H

Lovey Art

Hello there my friends~

Just a very quick post to let you know that I've finished two very sweet, very lovey little paintings that I think are just perfect for Valentine's Day :) Maybe you know someone in need of one of these little sweeties...or maybe it's you???

"For Always"

I love to paint pastoral scenes, but this time I decided to paint a little woodland couple near their little rustic cabin. I think they came out very sweet....and you know I love a good beard ;) Click HERE to see it at the shop.

"You Make My Heart Sing"

This one is so dainty and fair and country-sweet. You can just tell that they're head-over-heels. You can see this piece at the shop by going HERE.

And of course, there are much more creations there that might suit your little heart, or someone you love!

Now off I go....

~H

Alice....

Annie Oakley and Clementine at their post

It has been so nice here the last few days. Sunny and bright and reaching the 60 degree mark. I know. Don't be jealous ;) However, rain and gray skies are back again, and we're going to take a cue from the kitties and cuddle up a bit in the little house.

Although we've been enjoying the outdoors more in the pretty weather, we've been so busy too. I'm working on a couple of little things for the shop and my crafty friend Holly even came over to teach me to embroider yesterday. Lovely....another hobby for me to get obsessed with ;)

Something else I've been working on is this painting for the "Unbirthday Party" for Art Beat Oklahoma. The theme, fittingly, is Alice in Wonderland. Here's my Alice:

Thought I'd do a little something different with this one and added some coffee stained lace and a big tattered satin ribbon to it. I think she looks sweet, I'm pondering making more since you can submit up to three pieces. Because you know me....I always need 5 millions projects going on ;)

Here is Alice up close:

Also--- thank you all for your kind comments in the last post about the little book I made long ago. I think creating some sort of little illustrated book will be a serious endeavor for me this year. I'll probably just put it out myself so that I can do it at my own pace and as my schedule allows. But thank you all for the encouragement, it really makes me feel excited to pursue something like that.

And now....paintings to finish today....and off to buy a hoop for my new embroidering habit ;)

~H

Tasha Tuesdays Post # 18

Hello, and welcome to Tasha Tuesdays.....

Here we are at post #18. That's a lot of Tasha, isn't it? I wanted to tell you all how much fun it has been to read your comments. And how much I do appreciate those of you who have emailed me to say how much Tasha means to you and how much you love these Tasha Tuesdays. I knew there were others out that that loved Tasha Tudor, but didn't realize what a chord it would strike with so many. It's amazing, and I'm just happy to be part of something you look forward to. I look forward to it too :) And so here we are....18 posts in....

Cover of "Corgiville Fair" By Tasha Tudor

Of all the things to love and admire about Tasha Tudor, the most glaringly obvious is her talent as an illustrator and an author. Its because of her skills at telling stories with art and words that we all know about her. The rest came later.

Tasha once said, "I always wanted to be an illustrator, and so I am one." You can't help but admire simple drive like that. As if....all you have to do is make up your mind and then suddenly you are what you want to be. It always seemed that way with Tasha, but for the rest of us, not that simple.

I wanted to be an illustrator too. And a writer. Set up at the kitchen table filling reams of notebooks with stories and illustrations. Out of all the things in the world to capture a child's imaginations, writing and drawing captured mine.

The other day I found a bunch of my school papers in a closet and came upon this little book, "The Diary of Emilee Tailor."

I wrote and illustrated this little gem back in 8th grade for a history class. The assignment was to use a particular period in history and create a journal using historical events. I chose the American Revolution and wrote a story about a girl whose step-father was a Loyalist and her brother ran off to join the patriot army...lots of drama ensued in my 14 year old imagination. It seems so fitting that this period was the one that I chose then because it has captured my imagination as of late. I have the feeling of coming back to something.

my own illustration....I've improved in the last 14 years, but some things remain the same...

What I remember most about this book is sitting in my desk in A-3 history and my teacher (an awesome instructor) perched herself up on a stool and had my assignment in her hands. I froze, wondering what was going on. She proceeded to read the whole diary to the class and show off the little ink illustrations. After she had finished (and my heart was hammering away in my chest) she revealed to the class that I was the one who wrote it. I felt this extreme emotion of wanting to burst with pride and melt into a puddle of nerves. I don't know if, at that point, I'd shared my writing with many people--- let alone my whole history class. And each of her other history classes, as it turned out.

In my grown up life....I've now spent many years where I was either a writer or an artist. Never the twain have met. But maybe its time to change that up? Flipping through my old tattered volume of "Take Joy", my mind's been working. According to Tasha, all you have to do is try and the life you want is yours. Could it be that simple? I guess the only way to find out is....try.

Inspiration everywhere~

This weekend I played around with some little watercolor illustrations. My inspiration, as you might recall, was this pretty little tin match box I recently bought that features an 18th century hunting scene. I heart it madly.

The scene with the leading lady being a hunter inspired me to create these two little illustrations, both a set which I've called "An Uncommon Lady." Both little drawings feature the same lady--- the first features her in her hunter's garb, the second features her in her fancywear. I thought it would be an interesting comparision:

This first painting features the uncommon lady in a hunter's suit almost exactly like the lady featured on the little box. Can you imagine trying to hunt and scoot through bramble in a full skirt like that? Although I admit, I love the jacket.... And old-time guns are pretty impressive, literally as tall as she is. And of course after her outing, she would return home and put on a pretty party frock---- because who says a rustic gal can't like a pretty dress?

This pretty lady's costume was inspired by a fashion doll featured in a book I have. It is one of my most treasured sources of inspiration--- "The Heart of the Tree", a volume on early wooden dolls put out by the Rosalie Whyel Museum of Doll Art in Washington. So what do you think of these portraits? Do you think they'd make a nice print set? I was thinking of making a few copies to see how they print up....

And speaking of inspiring books, I just finished this book by author Laura Frantz, The Frontiersman's Daughter. I picked this one up out of the new arrivals section at my local library and it was a great read. Set in the 1770s and 1780s in the wilds of "Kentucke", the heroine is the daughter of a famed frontiersman (think Daniel Boone) and follows her from a young girl on the verge of womanhood to a strong adult and healer.
The book is packed with historical detail and vernacular that only enhances the story, doesn't read like someone's history report ;) there is also a very strong thread of faith woven through the story and it really explores what it took for our ancestors to brave the wilds of this country. Highly Recommended :)

Well, I am off to run some errands this morning and then plan and scheme for future projects. There is also some embroidery in my future, since I just signed up for the Okie Stitch-a-Long (I'm going to do a portrait of Will Rogers!) and Miss Holly from Sweetheartville is going to come teach me some embroidery skills soon :)

Til then....

Happy Monday

~H

Oh, my Valentine....

Where Ever We Wander....

Oh my, can you believe it's time to start thinking about Valentine's Day art? I love sweet art for sweethearts. This painting is one of my very favorites. I still have the original, its very quaint and lovely and full of colors to match any decor.

I've got a print of this available in my shop--- perfect gift for a guy or gal. The text collaged into the sky reads "Where ever we wander, together we are home."

There are some other lovey-dovey pieces, such as THIS original painting called Prairie Courtship available to buy now. I hope to add some more in the next few days, so that there will be plenty of tokens of affection available to give.

Winter Birds....Take Two

You may remember I did a painting called "Winter Birds" just recently. When the painting was done, I thought it was sweet, but it just didn't get the detail captured in it that I wanted. I'd made a sketch that was more whispy and winsome, but with the collage and charcoal media, its hard to get that sort of detail.

And so...with the idea of trying my hand at watercolor again after a long (years!) absence, I sketched it out again....this time on watercolor paper...and tried to remember.

Over all, I think it turned out sweet, and I do like the fine lines of this version. After painting so many grubby and dusty and time-worn toned paintings, this girl seems abnormally bright...but that's necessarily a bad thing in mid-winter!

I've put a print of her in my shop in case you'd like to take some winter birds home with you :) I'm still churning over what to paint inspired by the little box I got recently. And oh! I am almost done with an Alice in Wonderland painting for the upcoming "Unbirthday Party" For ArtBeat Oklahoma. So more, much more, to come soon!~

~Heather

Old Timey Inspiration

Do you ever stumble upon things some where, an antique shop--- at a craft show--- and think it's lovely, but you put it down thinking you don't need it? And then spend the coming hours/days pining for it until you find yourself racing back to snatch it up? That happened to me just the other day with this lovely little match box case. My passing fancy with the 18th century and its art and decor seems to just be intensifying these days, and I thought this pretty case just had to come live with me....

It features a pretty interesting hunting scene that you have to look closely at to understand. What I love most is that the hunter (far left) is actually a woman--- and get a load of her gun, it's as tall as she is! From what I can tell, she's hunting pheasant or quail, some sort of little bird, with falcons. Behind her is her entourage, a man carrying an interesting perch for her hunting birds and a man with horn walking what looks like a spaniel crossed with a dalmatian (I'm guessing it's a black and white spotted spaniel, its hard to tell. I'm pretty sure dalmatians aren't used as bird dogs!)

The case is made of tin or some similar light-weight metal and inside it slides a box of matches. I have no idea how old this is--- it seems fairly old to me, but maybe around 50-100 years. It can't be too old because I didn't pay too terribly much for it.

I am just so in love with the image and the artisty of it....I know it will inspire some art. And I love that it's a lady in charge of the action, too.

I need to grab my sketch book...and see what comes out of this....

New painting: The Strummin' Steeley Family Singers

Good Wednesday morning to you--- we've been up since just before daybreak. Why do little ones think that 6:30 is a good time to get up? However, the sunrise is a gorgeous peachy brilliance coming up over the frosty back field. I'm glad we got to see it.

Taking advantage of the bright morning light, I snapped this photo of my latest finished painting that will be on display at Heller Theatre in March. This painting features a made-up musical family that I called "The Strummin' Steeley Family Singers."

I always love a good vintage photo, and some I really enjoy are the old-timey musician portraits. Especially with children. Can you imagine w

hat life must have been like for a child in a perfor

ming family back in the day? For some families, it was done in the pursuit of the idea of stardom. For most, however, it was a means to make a living. I imagine this family as a husband and wife duo--- perhaps they met in the Appalachians

and were brought together by the music there? And behind them is their daughter, who I'm sure had the voice of an angel.

Collaged into the the painting you'll notice some sheet music--- it's a fragment from the tune "Dixie" from a vintage song book I have. I thought it fit them.

There's a lot you can imagine when you make up portraits like these ;) I hope this one captures your imagination....

Tasha Tuesdays Post # 17

"Life isn't long enough to do all you could accomplish. And what a privilege to be alive. In spite of all the pollutions and horrors, how beautiful this world is. Supposing you only saw the stars once every year. Think what you would think. The wonder of it!"

-- Tasha Tudor, The Private World of Tasha Tudor by Richard Brown

New Painting: Winter Birds

This winter, with the snow on the ground and the trees all bare, I love to look out my back door at all the pretty little winter birds. They'll perch in the trees or on the fence, all fluffed up and sweet....Cardinals, blue birds, chickadees....I've been throwing out some sunflower seeds I had, I need to get them some real birdie feed....because in the winter, we must remember out little feathered friends! That is what this latest painting is all about:

"Winter Birds"

This painting is done in really subdued winter tones. Lots of dreamy creams and browns and blue with a punch of red in the details--- like her hat and mittens and the dear little cardinals. The painting is done on canvas with the sides painted a deep chocolate so that the canvas can be hung unframed.

"Winter Birds" is currently available at my new shop--- Come see her HERE

And also, come see my handy-dandy knitting needle case I just made over at Mama Says Vintage.

A Velvet Treasure

I love nothing better than a family treasure. My latest prize is this little pin cushion-- made of well-loved orangey-brown velvet (I also have a thing for orangey-brown velvet, we'll save that for another day, haha)

My mother gave this to me the other day, it had belonged to my Great-Grandma Emma. When she was asking me if I wanted it, I knew exactly what she was talking about in that 'flashback to childhood' sort of way.

One of the strawberries has come unglued and is literally hanging by a thread...I have no idea how old this cushion is, although I suppose the presence of glue should give me an idea ;) I love the idea of having something she used so much for decades and decades is now here for me to use. And perfect timing, with my budding interest in sewing....
This was the cushion's first owner. Great-grandma in the 1920s. As the second eldest of 12 in a rural Missouri family, and then as a mother of three during the depression, I'm sure Granny made lots of use of her sewing skills.

I stayed with her and my great-grandpa all the time when I was little. Perhaps spending so many tender years with people in their 80s made me the old lady I am today? ;)

When I think of her I dont have a clear memory of her face, but I do remember summer gardens with leggy poppies, shooing birds from what seemed to me a massive vegetable patch, and sitting on the porch swing.

Lovely memories~

Warm within, Cold without

This morning at the Little House, it's warm and snug. So warm, in fact, that the paperwhites have bloomed! I love looking at them here in the kitchen, and then looking out the window at the lingering snow. Winter is made just a bit more bearable with flowers blooming.

However, outside it's cold. I mean real cold. They literally cancelled school here for the rest of the week because it's cold. Have you ever heard of anything like that? Not because of snow, or ice....it's just so cold they worry that kids at bus stops will get frostbite or hyperthermia. However, I realize that 'real cold' is a relative term because I'm sure they're having school up in Canada today. We Okies just can't deal with extreme winter weather ;)

No matter though...we're safe inside and I can find plenty to keep me busy. I've got paintings to create, and hats and things to knit! I am so proud-- I knitted my first hat this week, a larger version of the gnome hat I got Audrey last year. I also knitted my bearded man a very manly cowl-- you can see them both proudly displayed at Mama Says Vintage.

Alright, back to cuddling on the couch with coffee + girl+ dog!~

Stay Warm,

~H

Annie, get your gun....

My first painting of '10 is a large one....and its little Miss Sure Shot, Annie Oakley!

At Indie Emporium this fall I was approached by a director at Heller Theatre in Tulsa about doing a gallery exhibit during one of their 2010 shows. Of course I took them up on it! So I will have a grouping of paintings on display during their March show run and I've named my collection "The Passing Show."

The idea for it stemmed from the idea of theater...and then performing...in the old days. So I'm thinking Vaudeville, the Wild West Shows, dancers, musicians, and the folks that would come out to see it all as the inspiration for this new series.

Of course Annie was the first one to be finished:

I've been in love with Annie Oakley since I was a little kid. I remember my grandparents had a little dictionary of some sort from the 50s or so, and I would always look up "Annie Oakley" and my grandpa would read about her to me. I'm sure I was drawn to the entry because of the photo of the young girl and her shot gun. And what an amazing, rough-and-tumble, do-it-yourself story she had!

So Annie...get your gun, you'll be coming along to the theater!

Tasha Tuesdays Post # 16

If you've ever read much about Tasha Tudor, you will find that beyond her love for the old timey, for gardening, and for art, she had a strong love of dolls that lasted until the end of her days.

Not only did she write and/or illustrate numerous books featuring dolls (she illustrated the most recognizable version of "The Little Princess" which features a doll, and also wrote and illustrated "An is for Annabelle" and "A Doll's Christmas.")

She also made many dolls for her children (yes, including boys!) created marionettes, and has perhaps the hugest doll house ever seen (it was large enough to play with normal sized dolls in)

Tasha's love for dolls never waivered, and I must admit, some of my most prized possessions are dolls. A few months ago I received this beautiful doll from the talented dollmaker Christine Crocker, I nearly cried when I opened the box and saw her. She was just that enchanting.

This girl is also one of my most prized possessions:

She traveled from Illinois to the the oil fields of Oklahoma in the nineteen teens, when my Great-Grandma Pansy was a little girl. A long time ago I wrote about her history HERE when I made a portrait of her for my grandma, who gave me the doll. When I was a little girl, I used to stare at her and dream of holding her when ever we went to visit my grandma, who kept her in a beautiful glass case.

After I was married and we bought our first home (the little house) my grandma gave her and the antique case to me. I love her so, and now so does Audrey. However, she wont be holding her any time soon ;)

Audrey has managed to find a few of my beloved dolls from childhood though-- here she is looking pleased as a little cat with my "American Girl" dolls and a little porcelain doll that was mine as a child. Audrey, in turn, has turned into quite the doll lover.

I have a feeling that many of us with artistic natures loved our dolls. Playing dolls is the most basic level of imaginative play, and it is imagination and urge to create and be in our own world that I think leads many of us to artistic endeavors. So I think its so important for little ones to have this time....unstructured and uninterrupted. It helps little ones create worlds and situations and personalities, pretty big stuff when you're still wearing diapers.

And who knows, it might just lead one day to more artistic adventures....I really think it did for me. And probably Tasha too!

Happy Tasha Tuesday!~

~H

Welcoming the New Year

Well, look! It is now 2010! I am happy to wake up to a new year. 2009 was a great year at the Little House. I was able to do so many wonderful things-- galleries, shows, having my artwork published. I think for me, 2009 was a year about trying to see how far I could reach, and snatching open the door if opportunity knocked. It was great, but it was also a bit tiring once the year drew to a close.

And while I hope 2010 to be an even lovelier year, I also hope it is a little more slowed. I want to be able to take time and enjoy things a little more, do little projects just for myself. The pace of almost continually working on some big show was exciting, but didn't leave much time for growing and exploring.

That, my friends, will be what 2010 is all about!

The Paperwhites are just about to bloom...any day now....

I hope you come along with me this new year as I try new projects and explore my art a little deeper. I have a new game plan for 2010, and while I might be slowing down my rather frantic painting pace--- I also plan on making my offerings available more for online purchase instead of hording things for shows. So, that should work nicely for my far flung friends.

I have plans to continue redecorating the little house--- and I want to change my veggie bed (which didnt do too well last summer due to lighting difficulties in my tiny yard) into an old-timey herb garden.

I want to try my hand at sewing more. And continue my knitting progress. I want to paint just for the joy and when the inspiration hits. I want to do more fun little projects with my girl.

These are my goals for the New Year. I am so happy its here. Lets get started....

~H