As you know I always love experimenting with new ways of making art. Pressed leaves are making a comeback in the art world, they’re reminiscent of decades and centuries past when people would press flowers into books to preserve them and then turn them into keepsakes. Pressed flowers and leaves have a classic appeal, so…
We finally got around to updating the sliding closet doors in our teenage son’s room. With a little DIY paneling and stain, they look completely different! We gave his room a refresh by painting the walls and updating his bed linens and shelving, and he’s letting me take a few pictures to share with you…
I played tourist today and took a walk around San Francisco, specifically between the Marina and Fort Mason. The weather was pleasant and mild with panoramic views of the Bay and Golden Gate Bridge. I attended West Coast Craft with a good friend of mine and left very inspired by all the artists and makers.…
There are so many flowers in bloom right now! I stopped by my local Trader Joe’s to treat myself to two bunches of peonies. I was inspired to make some floral motif vases to show them off and guess what I used… floral paper napkins! These vases are created with a decoupage method using Mod…
I’m flying home from Florida today and headed back to work. I had a few inquiries about the white and woven console I’m using for storage and display in my art and gift shop. It’s not one piece, it’s two cabinets pushed together, and I just discovered they are no longer available from the source…
As I’ve mentioned for weeks, I expanded my online art shop into a 300 square foot studio that’s open to the public two days a week in my hometown. I’ve spent a lot of time coming up with a vision for the shop and a layout that would combine my art prints, ceramics, and goods…
I’m flying to Florida next week to meet my daughter and her friends to spend a few days in Sarasota at our house. Next week I’ll be giving the guest room a refresh in a sunset hues inspired by the palette we see as the sun sets over the Gulf Coast in the evenings. I’m…
Hello everyone! I’m nearing completion of my new art shop/studio in Sonoma County, I’ve been working on it all week. Soon anyone can come visit on Fridays or Saturdays when I’m holding open hours to the public. I sell art prints and ceramics and also destination and botanical themed gifts. My new shop is also…
My local shop is taking shape and will be opening in Sonoma County, California in May. I’ve had a few people stop by the studio and ask me about the picture frames I’m using to showcase the art and photography, so I’ve rounded up six frames I’ve used repeatedly (in the shop and in past…
I’m getting ready to paint the bookcases in our downstairs study that I’m converting to a library/reading room. Right now they’re plain white and that’s been fine for a few years but the more I look at them the more I want to paint them a rich mid tone shade of blue or green. I…
I had a two day stopover in Istanbul after I visited the country of Malta and I had a few things on my list that I wanted to see but couldn’t. I missed seeing the interior of the Blue Mosque, it was temporarily closed for renovations. I missed a boat cruise of the Bosporus because…
Happy Easter everyone! I hope you’re enjoying this spring day with friends and family! Having recently returned from Turkey, I’m still craving the food so I’m making lamb chops with mint dressing for dinner. I have a busy month ahead, I’m still moving into a local art studio that I leased for a year where…
Yesterday I left Malta and today I’m in Istanbul for a few days before flying home. What a lovely part of the world! Malta is small and easy to see in four days, I’ll share details soon. I’ve been fortunate to visit many countries in Europe over the past two decades and there are cities…
Today’s project is another way of displaying art around your home, this time it’s an image transfer onto wood! I’ve been wanting to do this project for a long time and finally got around to trying it out and I was delighted and surprised how well it worked. This method is a great alternative to…