Tasha Tuesdays Post # 28

Hello my friends,

Well, we are at post #28. Can you imagine? 28 weeks....If I recall correctly, we started our Tasha Tuesdays here in September. We are now greeting our third season with Tasha! Hard to imagine, isn't it?

I wanted to share with you this quote from "The Private World of Tasha Tudor":

"I'm drawn to the old ways, convinced that I lived before, in the 1830s. Everything comes so easily to me from that period, of that time: Threading a loom, growing flax, spinning, milking a cow.

Einstein said that time is like a river, it flows and bends. If we could only step back around the turns, we could travel in either direction. I'm sure it's possible. When I die, I'm going back to 1830."

I think if anyone goes back to the 1800s, it'll be Tasha. The idea of a kindred time in history is an interesting one, no matter what your feelings on 'the bending of time' are. After her death, Tasha's son had said that his mother's quotes about this should be 'taken with a grain of salt.' Even if she did say this tongue-in-cheek, I do know that she did feel a strong sense of connection to this place in time--- she showed it in her dress, her hobbies, her lifestyle. However she did drive a car. She took advantage of electricity and modern convinience. I think the lesson to learn here is to be thankful of modern things that help our lives be simpler--- but still embrace what was simple about those times long ago.

That is what I strive for day to day, although some days I succeed more than others.

Out of curiosity, is there a time in the past that you feel a connection to? I have always been an old timey girl. But now I realize that I am probably a more contented girl with a washing machine, dish washer, central heat and air.....but still. I do admire a time when people didn't need all these bells and whistles to entertain themselves. When our foods were good and homegrown and not filled with scary man-made things. Everything was enjoyed more slowly and thoroughly. I would imagine if I stepped through the looking glass, it might be back 100 years on my same beloved prairie.

Where would you go?

Shop Update

I just updated my little shop this morning with new prints and original art! I hope you get to stop by and see all the little treasures!

Visit the shop HERE

Back from Wonderland

And so! Yes, we are back from Wonderland...the Unbirthday Party to be specific. What a whirl of a night! I hate to tell you this, but NO photos of me came out :( I think I must have channeled the ghost of Alice because each photo of me is a blur, grainy, underexposed, you name it. I tacked on of Will and I on at the bottom, that's about the best I could get!

This is my Mad Hatter escort for the evening. He was quite charming! The event was held at the Nightengale Theater, a theater I had never been to before. It had great ambiance. However, we walked in and found that we didn't know a single soul...after milling through and looking at all the Alice art--- we started to morph into a pair of clams....social butterflies, we are not....

This is my largest Alice piece on one of the walls. I think she stood up to the giant pieces quite well! I am a little nervous to admit that I have NO idea where my paintings are at this moment. Between here and OKC I would guess. Because of the event's rescheduling I guess, the magazine staff had to clear everything out the next day before noon. I had no idea about this, so they have everyone's art for now....I hope to get mine back very soon if they haven't sold. I have no idea at the moment....
My watercolor painting is on this wall, looking teensy-eensy. Can you spot it?

Some of the folks of wonderland....I'm told it got pretty packed in there, but we had to leave fairly early to get back to a toddler who refuses to sleep until we are all accounted for....

More art....

And yes, the best photo I could salvage of Alice and the Mad Hatter. What a spooky evening, don't you think???? ;)

Busy busy....

It's been a busy week. I'm looking forward to slowing down in the coming days, but still happy with all I got done this week :)

Tonight is the re-scheduled "UnBirthday Party", it was postponed due to snow last weekend. Finally! I will be Alice! But my poor Mad Hatter has a cold :( he'll have to drink lots and lots of tea!

This weekend I'm going to get down to work and photograph the original paintings I want to offer for sale. My plan is to present the shop grandly updated on Monday. So check back! I'll have new prints and originals!~!

Also wanted to invite you over to Mama Says Vintage--- the old timey lovin' blog I share with Holly of Sweetheartville. Lately I've been really involved in the idea of 'back to nature' food....and getting back to a simpler diet such as our ancestors enjoyed. Of course "Little House on the Prairie" has been a big inspiration for finding that authentic diet--- and I just finished reading the "Little House on the Prairie Cookbook." You can read about those foodie adventures HERE.

Ah....so today some morning errands--- then hopefully a walk to enjoy the clear skies on the walking trails--- then home....to start creating. Also wanted to share with you that a tizzy of events has lead to us not moving. And as far as I'm concerned, I will stay here in my own little house on the prairie for a good long time. And I'm happy to do so! It's amazing how you can go through things, try to get yourself in new environs, and then suddenly you find out that what you want is what you have. It's an interesting lesson to learn. And I'm glad to already be home :)

And now, with that settled, I'm ready to make.......

Have a great weekend!~

H

Audrey Eclectic at The Tulsa Project

It's only Wednesday, and what a lovely week it's turning out to be! I was recently interviewed by "The Tulsa Project" as one of their local artists. Click HERE to enjoy!

Thanks for thinking of me! I'm so happy to be a part of the Tulsa + Oklahoma art/craft scene!~!

Tasha Tuesdays Post # 27

It is decidedly spring time here on the prairie. On Saturday, we had swirling waves of snow falling softly all around, covering the newly sprouted tulips and daffodils, and chilling us through. Today.....the sky is clear, and bright springtime blue. It will get to 70* today. This season is a bit exhausting ;)

Of course this all makes for a beautiful Tasha Tuesday. One I hope to enjoy a lot of, with windows flung open and the breeze blowing through. I hope you have a beautiful Tasha Tuesday as well.

And in honor of the day, I thought I would let this by your Tasha Tuesday. It's your turn to share your thoughts! So tell me.....How did you discover the artist Tasha Tudor? What is it that made you a fan? What do you admire most about this remarkable woman?

I look forward to hearing your replies....

:)

~H

Primly Proud

Today I went out to the mailbox to check the mail...we hadn't managed to make it out Saturday because of the snow. Yes...snow on the first day of spring. I hadn't imagined that getting the mail would turn into such a fantastical event but oh! Was it ever! In my mailbox, having nestled there all night, was this:

I am one proud little painting gal to be a part of this magazine. It is sort of...my dream publication! Art inspired by a bygone era.....could anything more perfectly describe my love for art? And the art dolls in this magazine? Forget about it....they are amazing. Just stunning. Makes me itch to get out the old paper clay and try my hand at doll making again (my dolls tend to come out looking like strange old women)

I feel sort of like the geeky freshman who somehow finds herself on the varsity cheerleading squad. I am pleased as punch to even share printing space with the likes of Nicol Sayre, Jane DesRosier, Christine Crocker, Racheal Kinnison, Colleen Moody and Michelle Conte Sylvia. They all inspire me so much. I am in love!

"A Court of Queen Annes"

My painting of a grouping of Queen Anne dolls was chosen to be a part of the issue. I am very flattered since most of the art featured were dolls. The grouping, ironically enough, was also inspired by a group of dolls I saw made by Kathy Patterson last summer (another of her dolls inspired the dress for my painting Isla, Adventuress) I can't believe that my girls got a whole 2 page spread!

My little heart is full :)

Prims will hit newsstands all over the US come April 1 :)

Winter Wonderland....

Oh dear! Its the first day of spring....and there is snow! Snow everywhere....a little blizzard from mother nature before she lets us move on to a cheerier season....

The Unbirthday Party that was scheduled for this evening has been postponed until next weekend. And so, my Alice will have to wait a bit more, in her Winter Wonderland..... :)

Isla~

Lately my mind has been churning and a bit overwhelmed. A lot going on. A tizzy right before spring. Honestly, I haven't gotten much painting done in the midst of this. Except this one, a rather bold girl called Isla, Adventuress!

Some of these cold brown days have inspired a longing for the tropics! I envisioned a girl setting off for the islands-- the Indies--- and of course she would need a trusty parrot. Fittingly enough, her dress was inspired by a large Queen Anne style doll (dolls traditionally used to model the fashions of their day) made by the talented doll maker Kathy Patterson. You can see the doll HERE to see what inspired Miss Isla's wardrobe.

I love the name Isla (pronounced EYE-la) I believe it's Scottish. I would have totally been game to name my girl Isla, but I can feel the strange look my husband would have given me...plus, a hard to pronounce first name and a hard to pronounce last name? I thought I'd spare her the playground frustration ;)

So, this is my Isla. And I think it fits her perfectly! Especially with the Islands...the sun...and how well it sounds with 'adventuress'.

She will be just one of several originals I plan to list at my SHOP very soon. Expect a big update from me come early next week!

Now...all I have to do is some finishing touches on my Alice costume for the Unbirthday Party. And wouldn't you know it--- that day, the first day of spring--- is supposed to be in the 30s and a chance of SNOW! Oh my......

Spring on the prairie!

~H

Tasha Tuesdays Post # 26

Although the skies here are gray this morning, the bulbs are peeking out in the garden and there is a strong promise of spring. Can you believe it??? It's here! Spring is at our door step! We've made it through!

I try my best to enjoy every season....but I admit, it can be tiresome towards the end. Well, maybe its just the brown coldness of winter or the brown burntness of late summer that gets tiresome ;) I could live in perpetual spring or autumn....
This is the time when I get out my books featuring gardens--- especially tasha's garden--- and drool and dream!

What are you most looking forward to with the coming of spring?

Becoming Alice

In preparation for the Unbirthday Party this weekend, I have been gathering up an Alice-style wardrobe to be dreamy and victorian and a tad bit goth. It is all coming together quite well, thanks to a raid of my granny's closet and some of her "Dynasty" style gems she kept from the 1980s and a lovely, decadent bejeweled marvel I recently purchased from the queen of decadent bejewelery-- Katinka Pinka!

Poor Miss Katinka practically had drool all over her facebook page when I came across one of her lovely creations. The dainty jewels, the vintage gold watch and the pocket knife...well, that says Wonderland to me! All I need are some fake eyelashes and some dripping lace victorian socks and I'll be set....

All is set for the show on my part, I dropped off my Alice paintings (one collage, one watercolor illustration) and can't wait to see how they do at auction. I've never auctioned a painting before. Maybe they'll go for hundreds of dollars? Ya think? ;)

The reception at the Heller Theatre on Friday too was very nice. I got to overhear lots of nice compliments as I tried to act cool and wander under-cover while people sauntered through. No matter how many shows I do, I always get a little shy and bashful, but I do my best to be social ;) Two paintings have already been spoken for! And that's worth being a little social!

Well, I suppose its time to put my jeweled treasure back in its lovely box.....a million thanks to Katinka for a very lovely trinket!

Artful Events

"The Diva"

Appearing at the Heller Theatre through March 21

Often times creating art is a solitary event. Tucked away in the studio or done at a quiet time at the kitchen table. I enjoy this quietness, but every once in a while its good to get out and appreciate art with other folks, and that is just what I'm going to do for the next couple of weeks!

First up--- this evening is opening night at Heller Theatre in Tulsa, Ok. for their new play "Clean House" and the art gallery--- filled with my paintings! I have about 15 paintings hung in the lobby and yes, most are available to buy :)

Before the show starts at 8 pm there will be a little reception, and I'll be there. Can't wait to enjoy the show!
Also--- next weekend is an event I've been anxiously awaiting for months! The "Unbirthday Party" of Artbeat Oklahoma Magazine. To celebrate Oklahoma's fanciest art publication, they are having an art auction/costume party in the theme of Alice in Wonderland. I am in the process of procuring the perfect Alice get-up ;) I hope all my crafty Tulsa buddies are in attendance! I think we will have so much fun!

And to top off all this artsy fun, one of my paintings is currently in a fab etsy treasury...come see it HERE! Pretty cool!

Here's to a good weekend! Hope yours is art-filled!~

~H

Tasha Tuesdays Post # 25

Good morning! It is a bright and clear day here, I am hoping that spring has finally decided to come to my little corner of the prairie. The bulbs are peeking up out of the mulch....the skies have changed from winter gray to robin's egg blue....its time for rambling walks and being outside in the fresh air again!

Of course, couldn't let another Tasha Tuesday go by without something Tasha! It's unheard of, right???

Lately I've been working on a fun project for a party/fundraiser for a local art magazine (Thanks to ArtBeat for having me on their cover in December!) The theme is Alice in Wonderland....it will be an 'Unbirthday Party' and I'll have some art available at auction to help raise money for the publication.

Working on this though has had me thinking about other artists' interpretation of classics. Tasha has even interpreted some beloved stories:

In the U.S. atleast, its Tasha's illustrated versions of "The Secret Garden" and "A Little Princess" that are most often seen in libraries and bookstores. Her illustrations are so sweet and detailed--- a fine balance between light and dark, much like the stories themselves. I have a childhood copy of "The Secret Garden" that is very tattered.

Tasha was versatile because she could create strongly in both watercolor and pencil--- an important skill since most publishers prefer black and white printing on the inside of chapter books like these. I've been working on my sketching, but I'm not nearly as proficient as she was in graphite.... (the artist's fancy word for 'pencil' haha)

Here is an illustration I finished up last night of Alice in Wonderland. It's a reworking of an illustration I did five years ago. Its interesting to compare the two and see how my skills have improved. Funny to think, the first one was done in a little apartment when I was newly married and had no little gal. Things have changed...

I'm trying to decide if I want to bring her to the UnBirthday Party....Rabbits are not the easiest little critters to paint! I wanted to make her dark but sweet...its harder (for me) to be dark with watercolor...I just need to be better about mixing my colors.

Do you have a favorite classic illustrated story? If you could illustrate a classic, what would it be?

Have a happy Tasha Tuesday!~

~H

Show at Heller Theatre

The past few days have been so extremely busy. Busier than I've been in a good long while...in the midst of it, I have also hung a brand-new show! I was pleased to be asked by Heller Theatre in Tulsa, Ok. to be their featured artist during the March show run.

The majority of the paintings on display are for sale. Locals interested in purchasing one can view the paintings at the Theatre (either during a show or call to make sure the theatre is open to see during the day) Paintings can be purchased and taken home on March 21st during the last matinee.
Everything looks very nice hung up in the hall! I'm pleased to be one of their first artists asked to hang :)
The play opens this coming friday and is called "Clean House." There will be a little opening party for the play and the art before the show that evening, and I'll be there! Hope you locals can come :) I've been told the show is 'adults only', so it's not necessarily a family event. But sounds like a great date night! Hope to see you there....

*Happy*

A few days ago I was tagged by the lovely Mathyld from Encore Petite for the Happy Blogger Award. Now....to think up ten things that make me happy.....

1) Books. I love love love to read. All sorts of things. Especially things that have a historical element and/or a ghost story to it. I love an old-timey tale. I read anything from young adult fiction, love stories to biographies. I have also been known to take books out of the 'juvenile' section of the library. Just finished a book called "Ghost Cadet" about a young boy who meets the ghost of a boy soldier on a Civil War battlefield. I love stuff like that....

2) Spooky Things:

A photo I took at the Crescent Hotel last October. The hotel liked it so much that they asked for a copy!

As I mentioned above, I love a good ghost story. Always have, since I was little. "Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark" was a childhood staple. I suppose I'm intrigued by the thrill of there being something in the world beyond explanation, or the idea that the past still touches the future. This has led to a fascinating with Ghost Hunting shows, old buildings, old houses, books about ghosts, and of course...ghostly paintings!

3) Knitting: Last September I decided to give myself the gift of learning to knit, something I've yearned to do for a really long time. I love the rhythm of stitching, of making something useful or cute out of what used to be just a ball of yarn.

4) Magazines + Lunch: This might be silly, but one of my very favorite things ever is to sit down to lunch with a new magazine to read. I can't explain it, but this is really enjoyable to me ;)

5) Skating: An old love of mine, its been recently revived now that my girl is taking skating lessons. It makes her ol' mama so proud to see her loving something that was once so important to me.

6) Historical Landmarks, Museums, Roadside Delights:

Audrey and Ruby dressed as prairie babies at the Little House on the Prairie historical site in Kansas

I love a good historical place of interest. Anything from small town historical museums (my town has a great one), places where beloved authors lived (I've visited two Laura Ingalls home sites in my life...I'd love to visit more!) and museums devoted to local culture, like the Shiloh Museum of Ozark History. Museums and historical places don't have to be stuffy and formal and dry. In fact, in most cases, they are anything but.

7) Coffee + Cocoa: Any time of year, any time of day. I love a good coffee or cocoa.

8) Vintage Photos: I've been collecting them since I was a kid, and have gathered quite a nice collection. My favorites, of course, are family photos. Something is so comforting about being surrounded by family, even if they are long gone.

9) Little Fuzzy Creatures: Can't help it! I've got a strong Ellie May Clampett tendancy. Anything from little dogs (like my sweet Henry) to kitties to bunnies to heck-- I love baby llamas! They're all just too much to resist...

10) My Darling Girl:

Do I even need to explain this? She is my lovely little one.

Tagged:....

YOU! Whoever would like to muse over ten things that they love, you are cordially invited to take part.....

Happy Thursday!~

h

Tasha Tuesdays Post # 24

Hello my friends. No, I didn't forget it was Tuesday and therefore Tasha Tuesday. Just took a little bit of a break :) Had to take my budding skater to the ice rink to work on her 'skating moves.' She desperately wants to get herself in the harness that the bigger girls use to learn their axels.

"You've got to learn a few more things before you try that," I tell her. "Be patient."

Which is a bit of the pot calling the kettle black, me trying to tell her to be patient ;) I am certainly not known for mine. I am also excellent at worrying. I don't know if I realized the depths of my 'type A' tendancies until embarking on the whole house selling adventure.

In times like this, its easy to look to Tasha as an example of how to live in the present moment--- to take joy-- to not let all that could go wrong in the world effect what is going on in your little piece of time. It is so hard!

Found this Tasha quote and it made me smile: " When I'm working in the barn or house I often think of all the errors I've made in my life. But then I quickly put that being me and think of water lilies. They will always eradicate unpleasant thoughts. Or goslings are equally comforting in their own way."

So...here's to the waterlilies and goslings in our lives. And taking joy~

~H

Picturing the Prairie: Sam Lamb

Oh, it's March 1st! Spring is just a whisper away! And when I think of spring, I can't help but think of the work of one of Oklahoma's loveliest photographers....

Meet my sweet friend Sam Lamb:

Sam and I met, fittingly enough, last spring at the Deluxe Indie Craft Bazaar in OKC. I think we looked at each other's outfits and then each other's work and said, "well, obviously...we should be friends."

We reside in literally opposite corners of Oklahoma, but her beautiful and dreamy images of the prairie remind me of home--- or an idealized home--- in an instant. If anyone can capture the windswept loveliness that is Oklahoma, it's Samantha Lamb!

Sam's work takes her all over the state and the country, doing everything from corporate photography to band photography. But I think its her farm and nature photography that is dearest to her heart. Even on the coldest winter days, just looking at her photos make you feel all warm and summery, like having ice tea out on the porch.

I have this photo of the honey in the spring blossoming pear tree in my room. During this dark and gray season, it's always a nice thing to see....

I also adore her series "the Sea, The Surge, and The Seamstress" you can see the whole thing here on her flickr page.

Who would have thought that a photo with thread spools could be so beautiful? I have a couple of pieces from this series. She also prints them on metallic paper, so each image has this shimmering dreamy quality to it.

So much prettiness.....

Now! Don't you just feel a bit lighter and happier after seeing all this gorgeousness? It is amazing how even the littlest thing--- from a pot of mums to a spool of thread, turn into little prairie treasures under the gaze of Miss Lamb!

You can find our more about Samantha Lamb at her website, www.samanthalambphotography.com

I also highly suggest getting lost in her lovely blog, where she is renovating an old family farm down in Hobart, Okla.

And if you'd like a piece for your very own, she has a beautiful store

Visit HERE

Happy March dear readers! May spring come quickly for us all!~

~H