Christmas Spirit

It's after Thanksgiving, so it's officially the Christmas season!

I'm excited to present this year's Christmas card as "Christmas Spirit." All year I've been thinking of what to do for this year's Christmas painting and I came up with the idea of featuring an elk a couple months ago.

I did some prep work, including contacting (via Facebook) the Damascus Elk Farm to see if a local artist could come out and photograph their elk as painting references. Now, I've contacted a couple different people/places via Facebook and the majority of them have been positive responses (including the Drum Horses). I mean, you don't know until you ask and many people are quite open to inspiring artists. And this time, with the elk farm, I was lucky enough for another yes. I went out and photographed their herd of elk - there were cows, a bull calf, and a couple spikes, none of the impressive racks you usually see. But that's okay that there weren't any impressive antlers on the bulls. That's the beauty of art, you can create. 

More of my thought process of this painting was that it will be festive, with a vintage flair. I searched for vintage Christmas ornaments and based the ones in my painting after Christmas past. And for the overall feel of the watercolor painting, I wanted it to appear the viewer had caught the bull elk right after the act of getting tangled in a Christmas tree and hiding out in the fir trees.

I'm really pleased with this little painting. And now the Christmas cards are available in my shop, so feel free to share this with others and order a couple cards.

Holiday Gift Ideas 2016

This post is for you.

It's time for the holidays and time to think about something unique and wonderful to give loved ones. Now, what to get some you care about, someone who has just about everything. Here are somethings I know, that might help you find the perfect gift.

Have you ever looked on Etsy? It may seem like a beast, but it supports small businesses, makers, creatives, and vintage collectors.

Do you know any outdoor loving person? I love being outdoors and handmade creations, so I thought you might like some of these items: 

Custom Metal Wall Art

Hand Printed Kitchen & Home Decor

Rustic Wooden Signs

Wanderlust Inspired Art

Nature & Wildlife Photographs

Nature Inspired Jewelry

Not only is there Esty to chose from, but local artists in your community who may not be on this popular site and instead have their own shop connected to their website.

All the above links are ones of my choosing and in no way was I paid to promote these specific creators.

Autumn is my Favorite Color

I don't know about you, but my favorite color is Autumn - golden brown hues tinged with orange. The smell of the rain returning to the thirsty ground is invigorating, along with brisk weather with pockets of warm sunshine.

Saturday was my birthday. And I wanted to go to Pendleton for the weekend, which is a three hour drive from Portland. But the big draw was that about 30 minutes from Pendleton was the last couple stands of Poplar trees from Greenwood Tree Farm. Times are a changing and the six miles of rowed trees will be gone for forever very soon. Here is an article about the situation.

Live for today.

I don't know how long we were out there in the trees. It didn't matter. It was about living in the moment and enjoying the here and now. There were about 6 stands of golden-leaved, white bark monuments to time. Some of them are a little crooked from enduring the winds, snow, and life of a tree. On the perimeter the trees were a wonderful gold and as you look into the depths of the woods, they slowly transition into the spring green.

These trees have been used for many a photoshoot. As far as I know, this is the only place like this in Oregon. If you haven't visited yet, make the time. You won't regret going for a long drive.

Ginger & Dolly - Chihuahua Pups on Ornaments

These are the first two pups of the Christmas ornaments. This is Ginger and Dolly, very loved Chihuahua pups. These two are destined to be  Christmas presents for their mom down in California. I was happy to hear that I captured their personalities. Just because they are tiny dogs, doesn't mean they have small personalities. 

There's still time to contact me to have one (or more) custom hand painted shatterproof Christmas ornaments created just for you or as a holiday present for that special someone.