Friday-

(and now comes the hard part)

Hey there. It's been crazy busy around here but in a good (and productive) way.  The paintings pictured above are heading to a local shop on Sunday.  I was able to complete 9 new pieces and will add in a few items from etsy to round out the collection.  Today I need to title, sign and dates these pieces as well as paint all of the sides and attach the sawtooth hangers.  Those are the things I always leave until the last minute so having to do that work for 25 pieces is a daunting task (which explains why i'm writing this post instead of getting started).  That, and I hate hammering the backs of my paintings once they are done (i imagine it's the same feeling you might have when steeking a sweater which i don't think i could ever bring myself to do).This week I've also been giving some extra TLC to Rose (the chicken with the limp).  I have to say she was so sweet and didn't make a peep on the way to the vet where I found out she had fractured her leg.  We are assuming it happened when she flew off the porch after a back door visit (the porch is only six steps up but they do land on concrete).  So now we have now blocked the path so that none of the hens can come up to visit and I am giving her extra calcium and limiting her mobility and she seems to be doing better after only a few days.  The new chicks are already seven weeks old and ready to move outside but with the chilly temps and Rose's injury we are putting off the move until next week.  I really should get started on finishing. What project are you starting up or wrapping up this weekend?

monday excitement (in more ways than one...)

This morning started off with ice cream for breakfast to celebrate Theo's 14th birthday (a billups' birthday tradition) and then it was off to school for all three kiddos.  I had planned to spend the morning working on a new collection of paintings for a local shop that will be carrying my work starting May 1st. I am really excited about having work shown locally but I need to have a group of 8-12 paintings completed, signed and ready to hang by next week.  You know I'm a girl who likes a deadline and so I'm going to pull a few pieces from etsy as a starting point and round it out with paintings in a variety of shapes and sizes. I have already sketched out the images and have a pretty clear vision of what I want to do but  my plans for getting started have been changed by a chicken with a limp.  Yes,  now my morning includes getting  a chicken to the vet which is sure to be exciting in more ways than one...wish me luck!

Sleeping (in) Beauty...

Sleeping (in) Beauty

8x8

Oh my, it's been too many days since I've been in the studio.  The costume gig (for the kids play) has taken up much more time than expected, but tonight is opening night and everything is set and ready to go : )  It's been a really fun week and a half of thrifting, altering, repurposing and adjusting and I'm really excited to see it all come together on stage this evening (live theater is such a magical thing).  This morning I was able to spend a couple of hours in the studio and finished up this color and flower filled dream painting.  Art imitates life here as I have been filling the house with lilacs and viburnum and from the yard and dreaming of planting a small cutting garden once it's warm enough to sew the seeds for zinnias, poppies, cosmos, dahlias and sunflowers...any other suggestions welcome : )

Finding my way...

All Paths Lead Home

13"x23" 

detail of bottom and top

  Much of my work explores home as a personal narrative and All Paths Lead Home (pictured above) kind of brings that idea full circle.  It doesn't answer all the questions in the middle but it offers a sense of comfort, courage and connection as we wander. This piece started with all the colorful and text filled houses laid out like a quilt, but it was the magical cobblestone path that began very late one night in the studio that pulled this piece together. Once I build and paint the frame this afternoon it will be complete and ready for etsy. Warm wishes for a lovely weekend!

ps:  has anyone ever lost access to a flickr account? 

 i accidentally created a new account and i can't regain access to my old one : (

the kind of thing that breaks your heart wide open

Caine's Arcade from Nirvan Mullick on Vimeo.

Cain's Arcade

(via Swallowfield)

Spring is in full swing...

Everyone is back to school this morning after 11 days off from school.  We stayed in town, spent time talking about how much we all loved and missed Porter, did  lots of yard work and gardening and ventured into the city for a few special adventures.  It was just what we all needed, and now on this beautiful Monday morning, it is time to get back to work.  I'm heading into the studio to finish up a painting, picking up plants from the Ecology Center for the school garden (which i will help the 3rd graders plant later this week) and thrifting for costume pieces for a local production of The Curious Savage (all 3 of my kiddos are in the play).   What's keeping you busy on this gorgeous Spring day?

more blocks...

{Emotional Block No. 5, 6, 7, 8 & 9}

In the shop to mix and match for $35 each.  

unconditional love & loss...

Porter

5/99-3/12

On Friday our family said goodbye to our sweet, funny and mischievous dog, Porter.  In his 13 years with us Porter wore many hats: confidant, companion, clown, adventurer, mediator, traveller, protector and muse.  His passing leaves a gaping hole in our collective hearts which in time we will fill with fond memories and laughter.  But for now (and for a long to come i think) that hole feels empty and wide and our house feels much too quiet.  He was so dearly loved and was such a very good dog.