A Visitor in the Studio

Well hi there! Happy Saturday to you.

Our house was a little fuller this week, as we had Jack in town for his spring break. 

 I can't ever get him to pose for a picture, so this is the best I got of him all week! 

We spent Wednesday working together in the "capsule" (my tiny studio.)

 Jack worked on a Flash animation.

  I worked on a Dala horse for Matt. 

He's been asking me for a year to make him one. Sorry it took so long Matty! 

We peacefully coexisted in these tight quarters all afternoon. 

Here are the end results. Enjoy! 

New and Notable

Hi there. How are you?

For quite a long time now, I've been thinking about and talking about turning my abstract Moleskine doodles into a sell-able product. (Read more about that here and see some drawings here.)

This week, I finally made it happen!

The "Trade Winds" series as I like to call it, is a collection of 4 drawings I did on a vintage National Geographic map of Africa. I like the way the map gives some interest and context to the these flowing abstractions and I love the little bits of red text.

The line actually flows from one piece to the other. 

Though these pieces were created in a group, I really do think they can all stand on their own. Each piece has its own title, usually coming from the text on the map.  This one is called "Off Dakar, Feb 15, 1954."

I like how the map backdrop helps to further the implication of movement and/or travel.

Each piece measures just 4" x 4" and is mounted on a 3/4" deep panel. 

All four pieces are for sale individually in my Etsy shoppe.  If you are interested in purchasing the entire series of 4, please contact me.....You will receive a discounted rate. I have already had an inquiry about purchasing the whole set, so do act fast! 

Do let me know what you think of these new pieces, and do enjoy your weekend! Ta-Ta.

We Bought a Fixer - The Built-in got Bigger!

Hi again. How are you?

I had a really productive day in my studio, pumping out some new work. 

I just couldn't tear myself away to write my Wednesday post until now! 

A few weeks back, Matt added a little extension to our built-in.

He constructed a desk to span the space between the bookcase and the entertainment center.

Pretty smart use of space if I do say so myself! 

Despite the fact that there are "his and hers" chairs here, Matt has claimed this as his domain. 

I'm totally OK with that....as I have my "secret room" studio.

(I promise to show you my studio when I get it fully decorated!)

We recently picked up this sharp looking desk chair at a yard sale for $5. What a steal!

We love its warm, worn look, and clean lines. 

I've had this chair in my personal collection for years.

I love the way it plays against the dark, heavy desk chair. 

Well, that's all I've got to say about that. 

What you you think about our newest DIY? Do tell!

 

P.S. Be on the look out for new listings in my Etsy shoppe any day now!

We Bought a Fixer - Guest Bathroom Gut

Hi there! How are you?

 It was a long time coming, but I am happy to report that our guest bathroom remodel is complete! 

 You may recall the creepy space we started with. (Read more here.)

Quite a transformation....Isn't it? 

The vanities came from Ikea.

We really like how the narrow sinks work in this long, skinny room.

I dig the little towel hooks and metal tray that came with the sink.

Adds a little bit of "counter space" for a guest. 

The tile may look familiar to you.

We used the leftovers from the kitchen  to do this job.

We used a dark grout to give it a little more contrast. 

 

 The creepy brown "lowboy" toilet......

....was replaced by a "comfort height" water saving one. 

The carpet was replaced with tile. (Yes, there was carpet in 2 of our 3 bathrooms.) Gross! 

We used something very similar to what we have in our kitchen. 

 

The tired cast-iron pink tub......

......was replaced with a white tub and gray surround. 

This is the only part of the bathroom we didn't do ourselves.

We paid a plumber to install the tub, surround & shower fixtures.

 

We got this Italian - English translation shower curtain for a wedding present. 

Love how it works in this bathroom. 

We're pretty darn proud of our new guest bath.

Come visit, and you can use it!

Ta-ta for now!

Lawn Chair Love

Hi there. How are you? 

I'm happy to have another finished work to share. Entitled "Summer will come again. Someday", this piece seems quite timely. Winter just doesn't want to leave us this year! I about had a come-apart this week when it snowed all over my dafodils! 

I came across this scene while I was attending a party at an old golf course clubhouse a few months back.  I was drawn to the vintage metal chair, but also liked the way the plastic chairs were stacked up behind it. 

 

 

You may have noticed that lawn chairs and outdoor scenes have become quite common in my work. I just can't seem to get enough!  My trusty iPhone camera is filled with scenes featuring lawn chairs that I find when I'm out and about.

I found this one on a porch in Lowertown Paducah, Kentucky, when I was doing an art fair there last spring. 

This guy was found on a roof-top balcony on the boardwalk in tiny Makanda, Illinois. 

My newest piece,  features these beauties that live on the front porch of my friend Heather's house. 

Do you have a favorite lawn chair? Would you like to see it featured in my work? Please send pics! If I use your chair, I will send you a free print of the piece when it's completed. Sound good?

Hope you all is well in your world. Ta-Ta for now!

We Bought a Fixer - Matt Made Built-Ins

Hi there. How are you today?

I'm happy to have another finished space (well, almost finished) to show you!

If you recall, our living room is just one long, open space. 

With the picture window on one wall..... 

......and the fireplace on the other, we were having a hard time figuring out where to set up the TV. 

Matt decided to make a built in. 

Here it is in its very early stages. 

 Here it is now! 

It's amazing what a little paint does to MDF. 

 

 Matt designed the shelves on the right side of the unit specifically for typewriters. 

This is Matt's favorite.

This is mine. 

The back of the unit is sheathed in pallet wood that we salvaged from the perpetual construction site we once called home. (The condo we spent the last year in was one of the first on the street. They are still building there, and probably will be for another year. So glad to be out of there!) I love the industrial look of the wood and the texture it adds. 

Along the back wall of the room, Matt constructed a wall of bookshelves to house his massive collection of books. 

Ta-Da!

 It was really tough to get a good shot of the whole thing, with the light coming in from the window. 

I spent a few evenings styling the whole thing. 

I arranged the books in rainbow order on the bottom shelves.

Matt thinks I'm crazy for taking the time to do this...

I really like the way it turned out! 

Matt also designed a space to house his speakers and records. 

Matt's most favorite part of this whole built-in is actually outside.....

He's following in his mother's footsteps and has developed an affinity for birdwatching. 

We found this planter in our back yard when we moved in. Matt recently moved it and filled it up so he could watch out his bookcase window.  He loves to see that the seed is getting eaten and is frustrated that the cardinals that hang out in the bush right behind it won't touch the feeder.

I really do like how the built-ins have given purpose and division of the space.
I have to give Matt so much credit on this project.
 He made a great use of every inch of space on that back wall.
I love that I have a crafty husband!

Until next time. Ta-Ta.

To read our entire "Fixer Upper" saga, make your way here.