postcards and paintings, oh my!~

Happy Memorial Day my friends! It's dusk here on the prairie, and our three day weekend is coming to a close. We had some very hot days, some playing in the sprinkler, lots of good food and more than a little bit of ice cream ;)

But its back to work for me, and I don't mind it a bit. That's the nice thing about pursuing what you love :) and I have some fancy new things to share with you! First off, I ordered some new postcards, including some new designs. I call this the '2010 collection' and it includes a few of my best sellers, as well as some new designs. A set of 6 is $8 at my shop. Come see!~
And as promised, I'm getting some of my paintings that were at the gallery show listed, and I just listed these in my shop as well. These are really neat paintings (if I say so myself!) and I handmade wire hangers for each to hang on. I hope you go see all the new stuff !~

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And for those of you who've wondered, my little furry babies are doing wonderfully!
This is a photo of the rabbits, Mr. Darcy (the brown one) and Miss Lizzie (the brown and white one) taking it easy in their little yard against the house. I think they like eachother tolerably well ;) Maybe we'll have a whole litter of Jane Austen themed babies by fall !~

Rabbits are very much like children, each have their own distinct personality. Lizzie is very vivacious and curious and very brave. She's always the first to check things out. Mr. Darcy is very calm and sweet-- perhaps the most calm and gentle rabbit I've ever seen. He'll just sit where you put him and doesn't mind being held (Lizzie is often way to busy for cuddling, there are things to do! things to burrow into!) they are quiet the funny pair.

Its been hot out lately and rabbits hate the hot more than the cold. So I decided to give a little terra cotta pot to play with and lounge in in their hutch, since the clay stays relatively cool. As you might of guessed, Lizzie is totally hogging it ;)

Well, off for now but I have more things to share and list! Thanks for coming by to see me :)

~H

Mirabelle's Midnight Walk

Everyone who has known me for a length of time knows that I love autumn, the harvest season, and the spooky fun of an old timey halloween. No gruesomeness or horror for me....but I do love a good story, and an autumn night is the perfect time for a spooky little tale. And hayrides. And cider. And pumpkins and squash. Chilly evenings and pulling out that favorite sweater or knit hat or gloves. Yes, I am an autumn girl....

I don't know why exactly, but I found myself in a bit of a halloween mood and so Miss Mirabelle came to be, jaunting through a moonlit autumn night with her little jack-o-lantern to light her path, and her friendly pet crow perched on her shoulder. I imagine she's spent the evening dancing in little silk shoes, eating pumpkin pie and flirting with the local bachelors. But then its time to return home to the farm, by the light of her little pumpkin and a big harvest moon. Do you see a story here?
When I finished this painting up, I admit, I was rather pleased with her. Love that feeling, don't you? But I have decided that perhaps she's meant for another home, so I am going to list her now so that if she's meant for you....she's waiting :)
You can find Mirabelle's Midnight Walk HERE in my shop. Now...back to summer!

Audrey Eclectic at Shepherd's Cross

Hello my friends!~

I am pleased to be able to share with you that can now purchase original Audrey Eclectic works and prints at Shepherd's Cross in Claremore, Oklahoma.

If you're local you must come see this beautiful and peaceful place~ lots of activities and learning experiences for little ones, knitting and spinning class, as well as learning about the care of sheep and how nature and the shepherd shape our faith.

Shepherd's Cross is not only a working farm, but also a Christian mission. To learn more about them and what they do, visit them here.

I feel very blessed to be able to be just a tiny part of what they're doing there in the rolling green hills of Oklahoma~

Little Red Bird

"Little Red Bird"

Even when its 90 degrees out, I still love knitwear ;) I decided to try out one of my favorite themes, the little gnome girl, on black plank.

Perhaps its the ice skating lessons I watched this evening....but she took a winter turn :) Whenever I take my little gal to her skating lessons, I always pack my knitting to work on while she skates. There is no better place to knit in the heat of summer than at the edge of an ice rink :)

New Painting: Adored

I'm still painting like a busy bee, when I can. This weekend I took a brief rest from painting on wood and started painting on the house. You can see what I did HERE. Don't you just love it when your husband leaves for the afternoon and then returns home later and everything has completely changed? Hehehe....I think this runs in my genes....

This is my latest painting, fresh off the studio table. It's called Adored. And I've got it listed in my shop :)

We're headed into that time in life where my baby is decidedly not a baby any more. No more pudgy baby legs or the constant smell of powder and baby lotion (well, if I"m lucky, haha) what I've got now is a tall, tan, gangly little ball of energy and personality that never stops until she falls asleep. She's a girl!

I think we'll have a fun summer. The new community pool is going to open, there's places to go, people to see....including our very brave attempt at a trip by car to Arizona this summer with the above mentioned 3 year old ;) We're gonna see America!

But before then, I'm still painting away. I even listed the painting Trois Soeurs if you liked them (shown in the post below) I think they're one of my favorites.

Well, gotta keep painting while I still have some nap time to spare ;) What are your plans for the summer?

~H

Trois Soeurs

Perhaps you can tell by my current banner that I completed a new painting :) This is the most epic one yet because it combines the painting on black with collage texture AND has more than one subject in it. I called this piece "Trois Soeurs" which is "three sisters" in French.

I was inspired to do this painting by an old daguerreotype that I found online of these three darling little girls. They are three petite soeurs from Louisiana, chere, so I thought the french twist was appropriate. From the dress of the photo, I would say they are little girls of the Civil War era, a trying time to be a southern belle....
I did perk up the oldest girl a bit. I sorta love her sour-puss expression in the photo, but didn't know if it was right for the painting ;) What I love about the new technique I'm playing around with is that it gives everything a sort of old-fashioned wood-block print look, which I love. But I wanted to take this thoroughly old-fashioned image and give it a little modern pop.

Lots of layering went into this piece....here's a peek of 'half way':
Kinda dark and "Adams Family-esque." These three were looking pretty spooky for a while ;)

I will list the original of this painting soon in my shop. I was thinking maybe a print too? I think they'd print up lovely.

At the moment, my ideas are endless....which is the perfect time to paint!

Tallulah

So I've been merrily painting along trying this new method of painting on black. This latest painting is called Tallulah:

She's so fun! And I particularly like her flower bouquet. She is really like a queen of summer. You can find her listed HERE in my shop.

This afternoon my mom is coming to take Audrey so I am eagerly anticipating hours upon hours of uninterrupted painting...........yay!!!~

Also, thanks you guys for all your concern about the storm, but let me reassure you--- we're fine! It's always better to be safe than sorry, and we Okies are pretty used to piling up in bath tubs or halls....we did drills all the time in school....it's just part of our day-to-day knowledge like people on the east coast know how to deal with hurricanes, or people on the west coast know how to do with earth quakes. Every place has its nature to deal with ;)

And while severe weather is nothing to be flippant about, I think that most natives to our state seem to enjoy a good thunderstorm. I know I can appreciate a good rainy day. And Audrey seemed to think camping in the tub reading some books was pretty fun--- the most worried member of the family was our dog, Henry. But he soon was napping in all the bedding ;) So, we're no worse for the wear!

Now....on to scheming more paintings!

~H

Growing Pains

So yesterday I was sitting in a bathtub full of pillows with the girl and dog trying to hide from a tornado and I felt a bit in a rut. I've been feeling in a rut for a while, in many things-- including art. To be honest, the last few things I've made (including the epic whaling painting) have fallen short of what I want. Its so frustrating to see it in my head, but not be able to get it out.

So.....after the sirens stopped blaring and the storm passed (this is so not new for those of us in good ol' Tornado Alley) I started cleaning the studio like a crazy person in order to rid myself of clutter-- physically and mentally. And while I did take out a trash bag full of things I didnt need in my space, I'm still working on the mind clutter. I decided I needed to try something new.

Rosalie

So I decided to try the traditional folk art technique of painting on a black surface, something that really intimidated me but looks really cool when I've seen others do it. My focus in my practice is 'faces and flowers.' I started this girl with no real plan....and let me tell you, half way through, she looked a frightful mess. But I saw it through and I actually like Rosalie. She seems very exotic.

In a reassuring flash, like all times I feel I've succeeded after a long period of struggle, inspiration was back. And she's calling to me from the painting table. It's time to paint.

New Painting: Peace in the Valley

It's another one of those mornings.....the wind is switching and the sky is dark, a line of storms is headed our way. This is May on the prairie ;)

However, I was quick enough to get out and take a few photos of my latest painting nestled in the hastas before it got too wet and icky to list her today. Despite the low light, I think you can see how pretty she is:

"Peace in the Valley"

This painting, to me any way, is about the peace that can be found while out in nature. I love to be outside. There is nothing that can clear your head and calm your heart like a long walk...or a visit with a sweet fuzzy critter....or just getting out of the walls that enclose you. However, you may see something entirely different in this, and I hope you do--- art should speak to you on your own terms.

You can see her for sale at the moment in my little shop.

Anyhow....I'm working on a large painting at the moment, just getting to the detail stage. It's very different for me, a seascape! I saw a program on PBS the other night on the history of whaling and it just inspired this idea for me. Hope to share it with you soon....

~H

Pretty Things

Pretties from the weekend.....

as found in the flower bed ;)

Colonial dreaming on a rainy day

After a very long journey, the ladies are back....

Yesterday I got a big package in the mail from Prims magazine, and it was my Queen Anne Dolls painting, "A Court of Queen Annes." They think they are very big celebrities now, having gone off to the west coast to have their picture taken and appear in a magazine. Its funny to think that this creation of mine has gone off to places that I myself have never been. But its nice to have it home again, safe and sound.

It's been such a rainy sleepy few days. Yesterday I was unnerved to find that a tornado had plowed through a mere couple of miles from my home. I had awakened in the night when I heard the wind hit the house like a ton of bricks, and the rain pour down. We had no warning, no siren, nothing whatsoever. I'm just so glad we were so fortunate as to have missed the path of the worst of it.
On this rainy day, however, we've been spending time painting in the studio, and sifting through a pile of the magazines above. I love Early American Life and Early Homes. It is so easy to get lost in these stories that are part home feature, part history lesson. I've decided that my dream house is now a colonial-style house. A quaint little salt box or perhaps a cape style home. With a little picket fence garden and a studio in the attic. Wouldn't that be lovely? As always, I'm channeling my inner-Tasha ;) What sort of home would be your dream house?

If you're having a rainy day like we are, I hope you're safe and warm. Its a perfect day to cuddle up. I'm not sure when we'll get out of our PJs. Maybe at dinner time?

Have a good weekend....

~H

New Painting: Susannah, My Love

For a long time now I've been wanting to try something new, but like with all new things, I was a little relunctant about it and not sure I would like the end result. But I decided to just go ahead and give it a try and out came "Susannah, My Love" in the process:

This is really my first try at a more traditional take of a portrait. No collage backing, just acrylic on wood. I was really afraid the whole scene would fall flat without the richness and texture of the collage backing that I've done these past few years. But Susannah surprised me.
I called her "Susannah, My Love" because I imagine this piece as something that would have been cherished by a young man with a sweetheart back at the old home farm. Perhaps he went off to make his way in the wilderness? Or joined a military cause? Maybe he's gone off to make his fortune so that he can return to give Susannah a pretty garnet ring. The story ideas behind these little scenes are endless....that's what I love about painting them. They are little fragments of a story, just waiting for your imagination to take hold.

So...what do you think? Would I have made a proper folk painter back in the olden days? :) What a life that would have been.

And now....if Susannah is speaking to you--- you can find her at the little shop. She'd love if you came calling. Find her HERE.

~H

A sleepy afternoon

It's a sleepy afternoon here today. Gray and wet and drizzly. With a chance of storms later on today....

I need to start working on some collage bases for paintings. Now that I have all the big events of the last couple of weeks behind me, I can settle down and let my muse meander.

Lately she's been meandering in the garden. Yesterday afternoon the girl and I planted a tea garden, an idea I got after visiting a little shop that sold real loose-leaf tea. You can here all about it HERE at Mama Says Vintage.
Also wanted to show you a couple of little photos I was sent! These pics are from Theresa, who has been so sweet as to buy several of my pieces and prints. These are some pieces in their new home--- all framed or hanging up and enjoying the scenery. Don't they look lovely?
Well, I wont lie to you. I'll probably take a nap with a certain little toddler who thinks she doesn't need a nap but most certainly does. Then...I promise....I'll get back to work!

Til then....

~H

New Painting: May Flowers

I feel bad for taunting you with new paintings and then scooping them up to take to the gallery ;) so I sat my little self down in the studio and wanted to make a painting for no other purpose than for just because--- its sort of an amazing process for me to make something and that piece speaks to someone out there--- someone I probably don't even know--- its my favorite part of all this arting.

So, meet "May Flowers." Inspired by....well, the return of the flowers! It was such a long and snowy winter. Gray, dreary, devoid of any green. And now its like spring has come back more intensely than ever--- my garden must have enjoyed the snow because my plants are huge and full. I'm so proud of them ;)

May flowers is a pretty little piece done on a scrap piece of some fine cabinetry oak. It's rough and uneven--- hence, why it made its way to me and not someone's kitchen. I love repurposing this fine stuff, and I love the look of painting on wood, as nice as canvas can be.
If you want to see and learn more about May Flowers, just pop over HERE to my online shop! She's waiting, demurely, for someone to snatch her up. Care to come courting?

~H

Back from Baker Creek

This weekend we headed off to the Missouri Ozarks and the weather couldn't have been more perfect. Not too long ago we found out about the Baker Creek Spring Planting Festival and met up with some friends there to enjoy some 'old timeyness.' I was among *my people* ;)

My little gal in red on the far right--- that little cage was full of baby chicks!

Bonnets and calico, old fashioned cotton shirts and bearded men galore....this was one of the neatest festivals I've ever been to. The weather was perfect--- even with some forboding clouds that only brought in some cool breezes without the rain. I always find events like this fascinating because its like all the people who have a love for old timey things come out of the woodwork and I think "where have you been?"
There were plenty of herbs and veggies and plants, crafts, handmade wares, fancy fowls and lovely scenery--- and of course lots of great old timey music.

I, of course, tend to fall in love with the architecture and the beautiful stores and this lovely home that was situated on the grounds. There was a little shop on the grounds called the Apothocary Shop and it was full of home made teas and soaps! I bought some loose-leaf tea to bring home and now I am fascinated with the idea of growing my own tea ingredients--- a tea garden! Doesnt that sound lovely?
I think this photo may be my favorite....my little sweetheart leaning up against the garden gate. In her little red dress and wooly tights, she could be straight out of 1900, don't you think? It was a lovely place to take photos....
The festival takes place every spring in Mansfield, Mo. Which, if you're a Little House lover like me...you know is the same home town of Laura Ingalls Wilder :) so of COURSE we had to jaunt down the road and visit the last Little House on Rocky Ridge:
The house was honestly smaller than I thought it would be. It even looks larger than it really is in this photo. The ceilings were low and the kitchen cabinets extremely low--- Laura was a very diminuative little lady. It was a thrill to ramble through her house, and sit on her front porch. Got to visit Pa's fiddle, see Mary's quilt and so many relics of Laura and Rose....it was a trip to fill the inspiration well, to be sure!

And now...back now. Gotten my rest, cleaned my house up, worked on the flower beds and now I've prepped several new paintings. Its back to life as normal here on the prairie. And I'm glad of it. It's always fun to go on adventures, but there's no place like home~

~H

Down on the farm~

Last week Audrey and I got to go on a very special adventure! Our friend Samantha, the roving Okie photographer, invited us to tag along with her to do a shoot at the Shepherd's Cross , a sheep farm out in Claremore, Okla. and we were only too happy to come along!~

Shepherd's Cross is a working sheep farm in north eastern Oklahoma that also specializes in educating And what we found when we got there was the most lovely, lush and beautiful place. It had a quietness and a thoughfulness to it that you don't often come across.
We got there in the midst of a spring downpour, although the sheep didn't seem to mind ;) Audrey and I got to listen in with a little field trip group that had come to tour the barn, where they give sheering, spinning and knitting demonstrations and classes and also sell wool from their own stock. I even got to learn to spin a bit of raw wool and I must say I was no natural at it ;) but the idea of making your own fibers is so intriguing to me.
When the rains let up we got a private tour of the Bible Garden, which was the gardens around the old farm house (aka my dream house! It is beyond gorgeous!) which is planted full of plants found in the Bible. There was even a little prayer garden that had a little path and a small prayer bench hidden in the bramble. Sam took some photos of Audrey traipsing through it, I hope some of the photos come out nicely!
The family that runs the farm is the sweetest. They made us feel so at home and comfortable tromping around in their fields to take some captures of the sheep and their adorable little lambs. We climbed rocks, hopped over babbling brooks, and watched Samantha do her thing with the magic of her camera :)
And I have to admit....after our visit to the farm, I think perhaps the sheep have dazzled me away from my Tasha Tudor-style love of goats. The sheep were just so dear and peaceful. And to think, you can raise your own yarn from them! And tell me, who could resist a field full of frolicking, weeks old lambs?
Til next time.....

~H

Water Street Gallery~

Hello Friends!~

Goodness, I have been on many adventures in the last few days. And I can't wait to share them with you all! Sheep....festivals....a little Laura Ingalls...it was a busy weekend indeed ;)

First I'd like to share with you some shots from the gallery opening:

Water Street Art Gallery in Sapulpa is precious. I love the little old building its in, and its located in such a picturesque part of town. Saturday morning was the opening for my exhibition, which runs for most of May. All the paintings looked very happy to be hung all together:

Thanks to my friends that came out to see the art! I hope you enjoyed it! I know I love making it, and I hope the pieces go to some good homes.
Had to take a little photo with the little gal. A few hours after this opening we hopped in the car and whisked off to Missouri for more adventures.
Well, its back to normal and back to painting. My inspiration well is very, very full! Hope you had a great weekend as well~

h