Tasha Tuesdays Post # 31

A very happy Tuesday morning to you and welcome! It's that time again....

Lets see. Before breaking for the summer, our last Tasha Tuesday was in April. So it's been a while! We've had a summer with so many things to do, but as summer finally comes to a close I feel like it's time to get back into the little things again. Get back to enjoying time outdoors (it has been so miserably hot for weeks and weeks now...can you believe the low 90s feel like a cool break?) back to little holiday projects, knitting for all these little babies we know who are due in the spring, back to baking and curling up with good books while it rains or even snows! It's a delicious anticipation.
All these little joys remind me in some way of Tasha. Because if Tasha was about anything, it was about savoring those little joys. It never fails that this time of year I find myself pulling some of my Tasha books off the shelf to get a little inspiration or just a little rest. It was this book that first introduced me to Tasha...quite by accident, some years ago. I just fell in love, right in the middle of Borders (the same place where, ironically, my husband and I had our first date. Ah, fate!)

I knew then as a girl who family called 'born 100 years too late' who loved farm critters (well, any critter) and beautiful brambly gardens, and old houses, and dressing up, and of course drawing and painting....I had found a kindred spirit.
Another love I have recently found--- doll making--- is another passion I share with Tasha. My dolls are very different from hers, but I am quite addicted to the creation process, which I'm sure Tasha was too. There's no fun in making anything if you dont enjoy the process.

"I love making dolls and doll clothes, I love little things," Tasha said in the dvd Take Joy and I have to agree with her. Tasha loved creating a little miniature world.

So on this Tasha Tuesday, I would like to bid a farewell to the diversions of summer! I am fully ready to embrace fall--- which falls on my birthday this year. How perfect!

What Tasha-inspired activity are you anxious to start this fall? Is it a return to your knitting? Pumpkin picking? Baking? Making handmade holiday goodies? If you don't know of one...perhaps its time to start a new passion? I know I'm always new things to start--- if only there were more hours in the day!~!

A lovely Tasha Tuesday to you....

Heather

To learn more about Tasha Tudor, visit her family website HERE

PS!~ This is the last day for the give away! Comment on the Tasha Tudor Day post below to enter to win a free print!

Little Odd Birds

This past week we had some changes in our miserable weather and had some coolness sweep in. We had some crisp gray mornings and nights lit by fat orange harvest moons and I could have sworn it was October.

Of course all this led to a feeling of fall...and when I think of fall I like to paint some of my most favorite type of paintings--- autumn and spooky paintings! I started with the large painting, but had a bit of a disaster happen with the sealer...which led to creating the smaller piece, in an effort to get it right....
This charming girl I named "Little Odd Bird." I LOVE girls with pretty pointed knit hats and little owls. Years ago, before I started doing mixed media, I painted THIS painting and its always been one of my favorites. I like to think that I've evolved and as I have, its fun to revisit old themes.

Something fun I did with this piece as well was use cheese cloth within the painting to give the scarf some real texture. I LOVE the wispy look of it! And how it gives a real 3D effect to the painting, but not obnoxiously so.

If you would like to have Little Odd Bird for your very own, she is currently for sale HERE.

This piece was the first I made with the theme and the experimentation with the cheese cloth on her scarf. It is a really pretty painting, so rich and I love how her face came out. She looks a lot like a family member, which I didnt realize until I was done!

Alas, there was a bit of a mishap when she was drying from being sealed. I thought I had waited late enough in the evening to varnish her, but evidently it was still a bit warm so some of the sealer crystilized. Its not too obnoxious, but it is also imperfect. I thought if any of you thought that she was pretty enough to want with the little imperfections, I would offer her to my readers at a discounted price. If you're interested, you can email me (see contact section on left). If she doesn't find a home, I will keep this cutie for myself....

And so! These are the Odd Birds of Autumn! Aren't they darling?

Off to make more.....

~H

PS: dont forget to enter the print giveaway on the post below! There's still some time left!~!

Tasha Tudor Day!

Hello my friends! I want to wish you a happy Tasha Tudor Day! I am so happy that we can all celebrate together, thanks to Story Book Woods and her organizing this special day where we can all get together. Be sure to visit her blog to see all the other bloggers around the world who are celebrating this amazing woman with us!
Several years ago I opened up a book in a bookstore and opened up a whole new world. Not only did "The Private World of Tasha Tudor" lay out for me in photos and rich detail the life that I dreamed of but couldn't quite articulate, it also brought me so many kindred spirits who, through a mutual love of Tasha, have come to be friends. So on this special day, Tasha's birthday. I wanted to do something special for you!

Whether we're new acquaintances or old friends, if you have a love for Tasha, I'd love to hear about it! Tell me what you admire, what your favorite book is, whatever you feel. And if you aren't familiar with Tasha, do check out her family's website to learn more about this amazing woman who wrote and illustrated dozens of books, raised 4 children, ran a farm, and embraced the old fashioned life.

Take some time to leave me a comment and enter to win a FREE print of your choice from my shop :) you can go to www.audreyeclectic.com to see the selection. The contest will be open through Tuesday, which will be handy because....

This coming Tuesday will mark the return of Tasha Tuesdays! A weekly column of mine that focuses on some aspect of Tasha, the simple life, art, and just general inspiration. I hope you will come join me! And if you'd like a refresher or to get caught up, you can read the thirty previous posts I did when I began.

Autumn is on its way...I think it's time to start talking Tasha again, don't you?

Happy Tasha Tudor Day!~!

Heather

~Olive~

I'm happy to report that it is gray and rainy today, with rain drops trickling down my little window here in the studio and the dog snoring on the floor beside me. I wish it would stay like this for always!

I've come to realize that I have a few mousey tendencies....I like to burrow in a pile of blankets and pillows no matter the time of year (I live in a house full of cover-kickers) and I'm pretty content to spend a cool rainy day cuddled up in my little space.

One thing I've been working on for a bit while bunkered down in my little room is this girl, Olive:

I made her out of canvas--- sewed her up, stuffed her and painted her. She's a true 3D painting :) I think I will make several more just like her because she is pretty darling, and oh the outfit possibilities when you just paint it on.....
I'm thinking this fall there will be many more dolls at the Audrey Eclectic booth. My local shoppers--- what do you think? I'm not sure how people will embrace the 'doll paintings' but I do know that they will be something you wont find elsewhere at the shows! I love them though, and I hope others do too....

~H

Good News!~

I just love opening up the mailbox and finding things like this:

It's my spooky halloween painting "Nevermore"! Published in the October issue of Somerset Studio. My favorite art mag and my favorite issue that they put out!

I remember finding my first halloween edition of Somerset Studio years ago.....and I remember looking through it at a booth at Village Inn one evening....probably having the chicken fried steak skillet, and mooning over the magazine and wanting so badly to be a part of whatever this newfangled mixed media art thing was.

And step by step, one little thing after another and many many paintings later, I am thrilled to be a part of 2 halloween Somerset Studios. And look at this! A full page! I love that feeling of things coming full circle.

Thanks to all of you too who have always encouraged me and made me want to create more and do more. Knowing that there are people out there that love the things I make is the best feeling. And you make me want to make more. So thank you!~

Happy Monday!!~

h

PS: I have been invited to be the featured blogger at Mama Reads this fall! You can read my first post HERE.

Bunnies in the art room....

There's all sorts of shenanigans going on in the studio lately ;)

It's been so hot lately that Mr. Darcy and Lizzie have temporarily moved into my art room. Definitely gives it a new creative vibe ;) Miss Audrey can't keep her hands off the rabbits...who would have thought Mr. Darcy would be so docile and adorable?

Back to painting.....h

Gals from Days Gone By

So if you've read this blog for any length of time you've probably noticed that my 'obsessions of the moment' are huge factors in what I'm passionately painting at the time. However I think the vibe of old-timeyness runs strong throughout my little creations.

Lately I've been super into vintage fashion (can't forget this, right?) old hats, gloves, pretty dresses and the thrill of the estate sale hunt. Old yearbooks and forgotten photos. Magazine advertisements, and dress patterns.

Above are a couple of little 1920s era ladies I just finished. I think they are so sweet, and a little moody too. My plan is to create quite a few of these little portraits with a 'days gone by' vibe to present at my upcoming craft shows. As least for me, small always sells better than large. And I'd rather sell it than pack it back up ;) and people seem to really like my flappers. Which is nice, because I like them too :)

The past couple of weeks I've been picking up these little dress patterns at estate sales (who can beat a quarter????) although I am by no means a dress maker. Something about them made me snatch them up. I didn't really know why at the time. But going through them, I decided that even though I cant make the patterns, they're great inspiration for art. They give such detail not only in the construction of the clothes, but the hair and accessories. I painted the little girl above, she was inspired by the girl on the pattern in the far right corner.

Of course I had to have a little vintage flair for myself. I recently got my bangs whipped into a more 'early 60s' style (and starting the long process of growing out the rest of the bangs) I meant to go blonder....but a series of unfortunate home-dye events led to this.....very brown ;) which I dont mind. I recently saw THIS movie and loved the girl's look in it. Now I just have to fade this summer tan and I'll look like a moody pre-Beatles Londoner ;)

Also wishing desperate that this cool gray weather will last (I wore a sweater today!!! A SWEATER!!) but alas, I know....its back to 101 this weekend. Boo! Sounds like I'll have to lock myself in my studio and pretend otherwise ;) all this sun and heat is doing me no good. Perhaps I have 'Hot Weather SAD'? Surely there's such a thing, right? ;)

Til next time.....

~H

Stenciled in Chocolate

Ok, perhaps the bedroom isn't really stenciled in chocolate, but it looks like it. And I love it. I thought I'd show you the 'pretty much' finished project of my painted and stenciled bedroom. It was a big undertaking but I think it came out very romantic and old timey. And oh-so-green....

I wish I could figure out a way to make the stenciling show up in photos as it does in real life. It looks rather vague in these photos, but I didn't want it to shout and scream "look at me!!! I am stenciled!!!!" I wanted it to have a bit of an old victorian vibe. And I must say I love how it highlights my old fashion etchings and little strange dolls and every day things....
Like this hat :) I got this little woven hat at Anthroplogie in Arizona, it was positively singing to me when I walked past it once....then twice...and then said "ok fine, you can come to Oklahoma with me...." On the hat I randomly stuck a pretty little peacock headband that I got from local artist Feather by Feather and I think it looks really pretty together and with the walls~
And also all my little dolls are enjoying the new ambiance, including two beautiful girls handmade by doll artist Christine Crocker. They are the prettiest little thing! And they dont even care that their little chipped companion was a $7 oddity from the antique mall. They're some of my most favorite treasures.

It's amazing what a little paint can do, isn't it? ;)

Remembrance

Thought I'd share with you a little something I just finished, "Remembrance."

She's also for the Pre-Raphaelite art show in Indianapolis this September. I've been trying to keep busy but the weather is so miserable here. We've been indoors for weeks, it seems. Over 100 for more than a week, heat warnings, heat advisories....waiting for a 'cool front' of the lower 90s to come this weekend. I'll positively need a sweater ;)

Thanks for the necklace love and a big thanks to those of you who ordered one :) I plan on making the necklaces a constant feature in my shop and absolutely a feature in my upcoming shows.

Speaking of shows, I'm ready to turn my attention to things to sell this fall. I'm thinking flapper girls....old timey dolls....jewelry....all sorts of fun things. Hope to see you at a show!~

~H

Bejeweled in Audrey Eclectic

I'm terribly excited to share these with you--- something I've wanted to offer for a very long time and now can! I've been a busy little worker this weekend, playing around and finally getting a hang of making these lovely little handmade glass tile art necklaces:

These little pieces are so sweet, and offer you the chance to have a little bit of Audrey Eclectic with you all the time :) they're made of a high quality thick glass tile and hang from a 24" silver plated ball chain. I love how they look under glass and with light gleaming off them. Perfect alone or stacked or intermingled with other favorite strands....I can't wait to make more!

You can find them all listed at my shop, eagerly awaiting new homes :)

Also--- I will probably do a post soon on my room revamp and the stenciling over on Mama Says Vintage in the near future. However, I wanted to stress to you have relatively easy it is to stencil--- and that by no stress of the imagination am I a patient person, haha. You dont need to be artistic or have the patience of a saint to do something like I did with the walls. Just some stick-to-it for an afternoon or so and you'll soon have the hang of it! My stencil is made by "Stencil Ease" and is the "Filagree" pattern (code SWPoo16)

Hope that you had a nice and restful weekend! Let the week begin....

~H

Popping in to say hello!~

I can't believe it's friday already. And although I dont have much in the way of little paintings to show you, I have been painting. Boy, have I!

I decided to give my bedroom walls an epic makeover and it's almost completed! I painted the cream walls "culinary herbs" green and on two of the walls I overlaid stencil work. I think it has a pretty old timey wallpaper effect without the commitment. But boy, am I tired!
Things are in a bit of disarray but it will get done. And I'm working on pre-raphaelites and flapper cowgirls...its an eclectic mix to say the least. I've also started getting back into estate sales. What an intriguing pass-time. Pure joy for a nosey person who loves old things. Come see some of my treasures on Mama Says Vintage....

Hope to have the room done over the weekend and some paintings as well. I cant believe its already time to start thinking about Indie Emporium! I am so excited to get back into the swing of things. Look out Tulsa....this is gonna be the best Audrey Eclectic booth ever!!!!

have a good weekend!~

H

Arizona Annie

For a couple of years now I've had this old postcard (a photo by Ralph Russell Doubleday in 1921) hanging on my inspiration board in the art room. I'm pretty certain I got it on my first trip out the Arizona. So it was only fitting that it would capture my attention for a recent painting...

Meet "Arizona Annie." What a perfect combination of things I love! 1) the old west 2) Arizona landscape and 3) flappers!~

I am suddenly in the mood for 20th century fashions. I really love how this gal came out, despite the fact that the horrible temperatures here resulted in a sealer malfunction :( happily though, she has found a home despite the sealer flaws (it bubbled in the heat and caused a bit of a grainy shimmer in some parts. Luckily, it didnt happen on her face) and I already have another flapper cowgirls in the works :)

Another thing I have in the works is tearing up my bedroom for a makeover. Uh oh.....I stopped at Wal-Mart and got a can of really dark bluey-green paint. Its called "Culinary Herbs." Let's hope it all turns out fabulous ;) I'm going to take my time on the project. Mainly because I can't move most of the heavy bedroom furniture by myself. Here's to hoping its Anthro-fabulous!~

And thanks you guys for voting for my Mad Men Casting Call! I have more than 100 votes! I feel so loved. I know that's not just me and my grandparents, hehehe! I appreciate it!~

Now....what to paint first.....