Motherhood Series

I just completed a new painting that begins a new series I'd like to do on Motherhood. Ever since I was pregnant with my first child I've had a desire to express what that experience was like for me through a series of paintings. Unfortunately, I lost the energy and creativity that I had before I was pregnant, so it never surfaced. But, now that I'm pregnant with my 2nd child, I'm finding it to be a very different experience. Especially since the need to express has surfaced like never before. I have never felt so many mixed emotions about having a baby than I have with this new pregnancy. I never imagined being in the place where I would say I was unhappy to be pregnant, but that's how I felt for 3 insanely long months. But after completing this new piece, and with God's help and insight, I came to finally accept and be proud to be given the opportunity to be a mother to another child. It truly is a blessing, honor and privilege to be a mother.

Below are a few pieces that have led up to the latest painting called "Motherhood."

"Motherhood"

Fabric pieces stitched on Acrylic painting

"Sweetest Gift"
Acrylic Painting on Wood

"Precious"
Fabric on Wood

"Welcome Home"
Acrylic on Wood

Art Show Tonight at Square One Coffee

I've very excited about this show tonight, not only because it shows off some great handmade pieces by fantastic local artists, but I put up my first baby painting I've done since being pregnant. Not sure why, but it's been harder than usual to get myself to paint these last few months, but I'm glad I finally made myself do it. I found an awesome quote to use on it too, so get the kleenex now.

Another Baby Painting

A good friend of mine from San Diego, and her husband, commissioned me to do a painting for their new baby a few months ago. I knew I was going to be flying into San Diego at the end of August, so I was hoping to finish it by that time and take it on the plane with me to avoid shipping charges AND to see the couples faces when I presented the painting. Well, there's nothing like waiting till last minute, and I've found that I'm actually pretty good at it, so it wasn't a surprise that the morning of my flight I was still putting on the finishing touches. The worst part of doing that is never getting to actually enjoy the painting, so my husband and I were both pretty sad to see it go, but to see their reaction was well worth giving it up.

The painting is based on the song "The Sweetest Gift" and you can listen to it here. What a great song.

Painting 2 for New Baby

I have a friend in Portland who commissioned a painting from me right after she had her first baby a couple years ago. She just had her second baby last September and I'm finally finishing up the next one. I LOVE how it turned out and can't wait to hand deliver it to her tomorrow night when my husband and I fly into Portland to see her.

It's based on a story book with the greatest line in it:
"I love you right up to the moon and back."

Frame for New Baby

Shhhhhh.
This is the frame I just finished for a friend and mailed it off this week. I was too excited to not show it, so I'm risking the chance that she'll see it before it arrives in her mailbox.

Picture Frame for New Baby

My best friend in San Diego just had a baby so I made this frame for her. I'm loving the new swirly flowers I made and can't wait to use them again on another piece. I never would have thought yellow and pink would work together, but I think it turned out alright.