Of glamour and coffee, jewels and paintings...

Sitting here this morning with a new old book and my new favorite coffee cup :) a few days ago when I picked up all those Tasha books at an estate sale, I picked up another book called "The Power of Glamour" about old movie stars and how they defined glamor.

Lately I've decided that I need more glamor and style in my life (good thing you can't see me sitting here in rumpled pjs!). I dont know if you've ever felt like this, but earlier this year I felt like I was at a cross roads between being the cute girl I used to be (I came in second place for 'best dressed' in my high school. I know this because I was the one who counted all the votes, haha) and just submitting to frumpy momdom and forever trying to camouflage things I didn't like. I decided I wasn't done being cute ;)

So after this summer I am now 10 pounds lighter (with more to go!) and thanks to birthday money and a stint at Anthropologie, a little bit more well dressed ;) No one ever said that a plain ol' mama from Oklahoma couldn't have a little glamor, right?

Photo by Katinka Pinka

Another bit of glamor in my life is this gorgeous necklace that Miss Katinka Pinka made for me including a cross that had belonged to my great-grandma. I wanted something simple but interesting and beautiful that I could wear most every day. I so love this little necklace and all its beautiful charms--- at once gritty and elegant. I love it!
And, of course, last but not least, a little painting that I finished last night and the moment she was done I thought "awww, now aren't you precious?" She can out particularly darling if I say so myself ;) she's sweet but a little dark. Light hearted and a tad gritty. I added some crackling to her and I love how it gave her an aged look....
The painting is called "Polly's Pumpkin" and can be found HERE. Now....on to more paintings and more dolls as well! I've now got a month until my first show, and I am so excited. I can't wait to get back into the swing of things. Hope to see you there....

~H

Tasha Tuesdays Post # 35

Something about the temperatures turning cooler and the leaves deepening to autumn colors puts me in the mood for Tasha. So many of her stories revolve around the cozy seasons of fall and winter, and many of her hobbies (knitting, painting, sewing, etc) are perfect for quiet days nestled in the house.

"Pumpkin Moonshine" Tasha's first book

It only seems fitting to me that Tasha's very first book was about a little girl who picked a pumpkin to make a jack 'o lantern-- or Pumpkin Moonshine as she called them. I can't wait for the season for pumpkin picking to be here! I'm already thrilling at the appearance of squash and carving pumpkins at the store.
I've already got a pretty scarf on the knitting needles that needs to be done. And I cant wait to break out the boots and the sweaters! What's your favorite part of fall?

~

Lately time just seems to be getting away from me.....so many things going on....

Last Thursday I turned 29 :) I will perhaps remain 29 for the next several years ;) depending on how I feel come next September! I also ended my time working at Anthropologie by royally burning myself with an industrial glue gun (can you say youch!) and now suddenly feeling the full weight of upcoming craft shows with so much anticipation and trying to find the inspiration for that last burst of creativity.

I am so happy it is finally fall though. It was positively chilly this morning. I think the rabbits will enjoy this sort of weather, the type luxurious fur coats are made for! We had some big home improvements done to the little house over the weekend, including the finishing of our back porch which I am so excited about. I now wish it would rain so I can sit under my new porch roof and enjoy it :)

I've been working on a little family commission that is almost done and then plan to refocus myself big time for completing more holiday paintings and more dolls. What are you working on this last week of September?

And finally, I wanted to share with you that the art show in Indianapolis that I will be a part of is fast approaching--- "Useful and Beautiful: A Return to Myth and Romance in Art" will open on Oct. 8 at Big Hat Books in Indianapolis, In. with a reception from 6-9. Unfortunately I wont be there to see it all in person but I know its going to be a fabulous show, and you're nearby you should definitely go check it out!

Well, back to the art table for me...looking forward to a quiet week of painting ahead of me....

~H

Tasha Tuesdays Post # 34

Well, look at that! It's Tuesday again! And of course that means it's 'Tasha Tuesday' :) I dont know about you, but I had a good Tasha week this week. I got a message from a sweet friend, Holly of Holly Rocks, saying she was working an estate sale full of Tasha Tudor books! You know I scurried right over and found....
How exciting is this? And I came on half price day. They had several more Tasha books, but for my budget I only bought the volumes I didn't already own. Except for "Private World of Tasha Tudor." I bought an extra one of those because a) I love that book and b) my copy doesnt have the paper cover, it was ripped and that's why I bought it marked down in the first place ;)

I am super-thrilled to get Amy's Goose and Carrie's Gift. I had never heard of these books. They're little stories written by Tasha's daughter Efner and illustrated by Tasha. They're really sweet little stories, very much a narrative that older children would enjoy (not just simple one-liners.) They all seem to be first editions bought when the books first came out, because the woman who owned them wrote her name and the date she received them on the inside cover.
It makes my heart twinge a little to know that there was someone local who loved Tasha so much who is now gone. I wonder how she came to love Tasha---because she certainly did. Her collection was impressive. She owned every biography/personal book about Tasha as they were published and each volume was in impeccable shape. Did she read the books to her children? Did she just admire the lifestyle? What spoke to her about Tasha? I will never know, but I'm hoping that, where ever she is, she's pleased that these books ended up in my possession.

And a million thanks to Holly for looking out for me and my Tasha obsession! you're the sweetest, although I knew that long ago.

Have you found any treasures this week? Or have you found a particularly wonderful Tasha treasure lately? I'd love to hear about it.... :)

Happy Tasha Tuesday!~

Changes

I've noticed that for a year where I wanted to 'take some time and pace myself' that some changes have come along to Audrey Eclectic. Perhaps you've noticed them too? It was all a fairly incremental process but I think anyone who perhaps hasn't seen my work since last autumn's shows will notice that there have been some changes afoot. And I hope that you all will consider them good changes.

Most noticeably will be the army of dolls that I am so crazy about making :) They've had such a warm reception and I hope that reception translates to the shows (and of course, them finding good homes!) one part doll and one part 3D art, I think that they are something that is unique and perhaps captures something of childhood love and modern sensibilities. They aren't exactly cutesy. They are pretty gritty, a tad spooky, a little sweet. They have knowing expressions or sometimes wistful ones. But that's what I love, and hope you do too!

Another thing you may have noticed--- and that I really hope that people embrace--- is that I'm rarely using collage any more. One reason for that is it is so much easier to start and produce paintings without having to painstakingly collage each base and then wait days for it to properly cure. I also was beginning to worry that the collaging was becoming a crutch and wondered if my art could stand on its own without it. You can't imagine how happy I was to find that it did.

I worry though that perhaps it was the collage aspect of the art that people loved best--- I love texture as much as anyone. But over the past couple of years collage art has become more massive and a collage art angel can be found on countless new art blogs. It was hard for me too to have other people approach me saying they'd seen 'my art' massively reproduced or sold under another name....when what they were really seeing was other people's art and mistaking it for mine.

Every artist, me included, is a bit sensitive to that because we want to think that we are so distinct in our style and method that we could never be mistaken for someone else. And I hated the thought that I was a part of a fad and so I felt the need to pull apart from the crowd.

And I hope you're with me on that, and chances are if you're still reading this after all my artsy growing pains, you are. So thanks :)

Lizzie and Darcy enjoy a nice fresh salad in their love nest

There are also some new changes here in the little house itself--- although those changes currently do not include a nest of baby bunnies ;) Lizzie and Darcy seem to be thoroughly enjoying their life as a childless couple. I have no doubt that they love each other though! They are hysterical to watch as Mr. Darcy seems content to just hang out in his little house and let Lizzie be the leader and watcher of all that goes on.

Some things that have changed though have been in the works since this summer, like my campaign to finally get rid of the baby weight--- which seems appropriate because you cant really call it 'baby weight' when the baby is nearing school age ;) It's been a long summer of work, but I'm happy to report that I'm making changes that I hope are for life. Trying to be more active and conscious of food, and I signed up for a twice a week pilates class. So with baby steps, I hope there will be less of me to see at the fall shows ;)

And a particular change for this week is a fun one--- Tulsa is getting an Anthropologie (you probably heard me scream with delight when I found out) and a few friends and I have signed on as temp workers to help them get set up and opened. It includes some long days and some new situations as I moonlight as a working mom. I know I will be thankful though to return to the quietness of our every day life and rhythm of the my own pace and studio time. But its also good to try new things. And that 40% discount on clothes? It's worth working for! ;)

So. Those are some changes going around here. I'd love to know your thoughts on the artwork changes. Or any tips you have for getting back into pre-baby jeans. Life is constantly in-process. And that's a good thing!

Tasha Tuesdays Post # 33

Well, it's Tuesday again! That means its....

Like many an Oklahoma girl, my 'life on a farm' experiences consisted mainly of farms with cattle and horses. I had never really thought of farming in terms of small animals such as sheep or goats, that is until I started reading about Tasha...
I mean, how cute is that little nubian goat?! The first time I saw this photo I had an extreme Ellie May Clampett moment of "oooh I want a goat!!" How could you resist a face like that? What is also great about goats is that they can be raised and utilized without their 'use' resulting in their ending up on the dinner table (in a not alive sort of way ;) ) Sure, you can eat lamb or goat, but in my 'someday farmer' state of mind, I don't think I could do it. I think I'd be perfectly happy with fresh milk or cheese or wool. Just like Tasha.
This past weekend we headed out to Shepherd's Cross in Claremore, Ok. to visit the farm and the critters and take part in a photo shoot for Oklahoma Agritourism. This is also the place that currently sells some of my artwork! Of course our favorite part was when we got to pet and snuggle some of the critters, including this little lamb (her mama died and she had to be bottle fed all spring) and this sweet little Mr. Goat.

And guess who cried for her own goat half the way home? lol.....well, as much as I'd love one, it wasn't me! But look at those little faces? That goat was such a sweetheart, and loved the floppy ears.

On my 'someday farm' I think it would be fun to have a few little goats and a few little sheep. And some fluffy footed chickens. And a big sheep dog, of course. And perhaps some ducks (what are ducks for though, really?) barn cats and of course my bunnies! So far my farm consists of just the bunnies though ;) and they still haven't seemed to figure out how to have little baby bunnies. I'm wondering if they'll be the first childless bunny couple in history ;) but they seem content to just be together! Oh, Mr. Darcy and Lizzie.....

What about you? Do you have a dream of owning some acreage and animals? Do you already? What would you have on your farm, or what do you raise? Has Tasha ever inspired you to adopt a certain critter--- say a goat or a corgi? Oh, let's add a corgi to my list too ;)

I'm going to be a very busy some day farmer!~

Heather

Don't know who Tasha Tudor is or wanna learn more about her? Why, visit HERE my friends!

Dolls of Autumn

I love autumn. You probably know this. Did you know that if I had been born on the first day of autumn in 1981, I would have been named Autumn? Obviously, I wasn't (although it falls on my birthday this year!) but the love for the season is still there :)

So of course it didn't take me long to come up with the idea to do some dolls that celebrate my most favorite time of the year. And the first to be done are these girls, Bettina the Bride and Delores:

Now available in my shop

I think they were the most fun yet! And God bless coffee stained cheese cloth! It is so unbelievably spooky and ethereal! I may have to start ordering this stuff in bulk, I am that goofy excited about it ;)

Of course my first idea had to be a spooky bride! I was a bride myself on Oct. 29! It's proximity to halloween was no accident...I thought "How fun to celebrate Halloween on anniversary trips!" Lol, this year I will be doing a craft show on our anniversary....probably peddling spooky gals like Bettina....
She's made with a beautiful lace body as her dress and little details and a rippling veil of tattered cheese cloth. Of course both these girls are handpainted and one of a kind. This girl has sort of a knowing side-ways glance which is so cute.

And then there is her lovely friend, Delores, a dark beauty with striking green eyes. Delores was an experiment of mixed media--- on the front of her dress I sewed an image of a group of victorian era women dressed as witches having tea. I love it! over her shoulders is draped a tattered aged shawl...she is ready for any autumn chill....
Both these girls are now listed in my main shop and looking for a good family to love and adore them. Perhaps that's you???

Have a great Friday....this week has flown by! ~H

Tasha Tuesdays Post # 32

Hello!~It's time again.....

In the book "The Private World of Tasha Tudor", author Richard Brown writes:

"It took a determined spirit and fierce resolve for Tasha to live out her childhood dreams. She has lived out the maxim of one of her favorite writers, George Bernard Shaw.

"I cannot quote it exactly," she confesses, "But the idea is that so many people complain about their circumstances, but those who get ahead make their own circumstances."

This little quote so simply and powerfully sums up something very important about Tasha Tudor-- the artist, author, mother and farmer-- and is something I think we can all take a moment to chew on.

So often, especially in these days of recession and hard times and seeming lack of opportunities to thrive, people tend to give up on what is possible. I think it's important to remember that when Tasha began her family and her way of life, she was doing so in the midst of the Great Depression and then later WWII. Those were not easy days, as they aren't easy now. Yet through an amazing sense of purpose and focus, as well as a drive and will to think independently, Tasha Tudor created a life for herself that was nothing if not tailor made.

It's an empowering example to have in an era of 'can't do this' or 'it's impossible to dream.' If Tasha can tell us anything, even if we have no passions in common with her, it is that it is ok to dream. In fact, it is very necessary. Don't let the world tell you how to live, live the life you have imagined.

And in doing so, As Tasha and Henry David have reminded us, we will meet with success unexpected in common hours....

Happy Tasha Tuesday...

~H

Autumn Girls

For a day at least, we are feeling the chill of autumn. I love it. I wish it was October for always! But it will soon be here :) In an autumn type of mood, I finished these two paintings yesterday. The little one is already claimed, but the bigger painting "Midnight in the Pumpkin Patch" is still looking for a home...
This painting was inspired by old homespun halloween and harvest festivities. It features a pretty little lady in early 1800s dress going up to the pumpkin patch at midnight to find the perfect jack'o lantern while her sleepy village nestles in under a bright crescent moon. This painting brought to mind Tasha Tudor for me...since this was the time and look she loved so well.

And I had fun creating a little hamlet of salt box houses and a tiny white church in the background, the perfect sleepy New England village. If you would like "Midnight in the Pumpkin Patch" you can find her HERE.
I also painted this tiny girl called "Kit and Cat" about a girl and cat that are the very best of friends. I love her little pink coat...thought I'd try a different color palette, this one is more soft and subdued that usual for me. And if you know me, you'll know that I love coats and so I enjoy painting them. Keep your shoes, I want pretty little jackets and coats! Tweeds and velvets and courderoys.....love!

This girl has already been claimed since I listed her on my art facebook page yesterday. If you're not already a 'friend' you should come over and see me, because I often list items there to show before they are officially listed in the shop or blog. Its a fun way to get a head's up about what is going on and see updates first. So shall we be friends?

In other goings-on, I'm trying to clean up my little mousehole room. Its gotten a bit overwhelming. But last night I started packing things away by show and I think that I've pretty much got Indie Emporium stocked and finished! Now on to stocking Heart of Tulsa, which will be in November. Beth and I received our info for that show yesterday and it sounds like we got a nice location for our booth! Hope to see some of my Okie friends out there this fall :D

Now, lets open these windows and let the cool breeze drift through.....time to feed the bunnies and start the day....

~H

An old fashioned romance

Perhaps they're high school sweethearts. Or maybe they met on a train. Or in line to see a movie picture. The story is completely up to the viewer, but I love this little couple.

Inspiration for them came from thumbing through an old 1929 yearbook I have. Its one of my favorite inspirations--- all the clothes! All the hair! Even my great-great aunt Jessie May is in it, it was her junior year....
I'm really enjoying these little portraits I've been doing. Like the characters sat for a photographer, but I just made them up completely! I dont do a lot of fair-headed blondes, so this girl was a welcome change. What do you think their names are?

This painting and several others are being prepared to debut at Indie Emporium. I'm so looking forward to the show! Last year I was honestly burned out on doing craft shows. I spent so much time prepping, and when it was all done I was so physically frayed that I literally got sick the moment I packed up the booth and headed home! I am so bad about doing that....and I am determined this year not to do it.

After weighing options and researching shows this summer, I've decided on two distinctly different venues to display my Audrey Eclectic wares this fall. First will be Indie--- my very first show and so close to my heart! I love feeling like I've come among friends when I set up there. Its always good to see familiar faces, vendors who are now friends, and meet other young crafters and artists. So you can always count on me for Indie!

My second show is a big step for me--- and one I am so nervous/excited about. I'm going to do one of the state's largest and well known craft shows, the Tulsa "Affair of the Heart" known as "Heart of Tulsa." It will be a 3 day event (longest I've ever done previously is 2 day) in a huge building on the Tulsa Fairgrounds. I've attended this show as a shopper for the past few years and it is packed and chaotic but things are selling. It has a different vibe than Indie, its more traditional crafts with items that are not always handmade. It's a wider variety of wares to be sure, and appeals to a vast age group. Lets hope that shoppers there enjoy handmade folk art! But I think its time to try out a large venue, and this one is perfect since it is so close to home. I'll be sharing a booth with my good friend Beth of Art by Bethany. I hope you local shoppers will come out and see us (we might look a little wide eyed and nervous!) I just can't wait for the experience.

Some day....in the future...when I get up my gumption...I'd love to do the War Eagle Mill Craft Show. It's a huge show in the beautiful Ozark Mountains, one that I remember going to as a little girl, and one for hard core craft show shoppers. But before I pack up my wagon and head for the mountains, I need to gauge how I do at the coming fall shows. But I am so excited....

But anyhow. That is my craft show schedule for the coming season. I am so happy that today is September 1. Because that means fall is really on its way! And ohh....I need to paint MORE!~!

And of course, I haven't forgotten about the giveaway!~!

The winner of the free art print in celebration of Tasha Tudor Day is......HEATHER!

Congrats to her! And thanks to everyone else for entering! And don't worry....there will be more in the future! Thanks so much :)

All best on this stormy wednesday......

~H