Newest Work-Custom Orders

These are some of the newest pieces I have finished! Things have been busy around here and I am happy to have gotten so much finished this week :)

The first two pieces also have photos to show the detail.....frustrating at times because a lot of the (very time-intensive) detail just doesn't show up in pictures! The "Happy Place" piece was a custom order (she wanted the heart & quote, the rest was left to me), and each of the circles as you can see, include lots of smaller details....they each also have their own pale green Swarovski crystal!

The "Sushi for One" is also a custom order and was made to be a partner to my previous Sushi piece. I have mixed an additive into the paint and if you look in the up close picture you will see that the rice is 3-D. Pieces can always be made WITHOUT the the 3-D elements......but frankly I think that's what makes them different. :)

The last photo may look familiar as I have made the salt & pepper "Perfect Pair" shakers before-----this was a custom order for a previous customer to match the equally bright pieces I have already completed for her kitchen.

*******Excited to have these fun pieces completed as now I have time to work on MORE orders! The Etsy shop has been a wonderful thing & I encourage you to go and have a look around, as I will be adding new pieces all the time! Also---feel free to contact me to do a custom piece for YOU, and I will set up a custom listing in my shop.

Have a fantastic weekend everyone!

Love & Cupcakes

Lo *CP's Resident Art Monkey*

Shanna's Shop Sign

These are the newest pieces I have completed-----these were for a girlfriend of mine here on base, for her in-home hair salon. I wanted to do something bright & fun, and something that she could carry over wherever she sets up shop next.

I am super happy with how they turned out--------& I have lots of other fun things in the works! Also, a big THANK YOU for my first Etsy purchase-----you know who you are----thank you for your support & for being a doll. You know WHEN you get out here I will make you whatever you want!



Love & Cupcakes----Off to paint!
Lo

With that being said.....

Well....the vendor fair was both good & bad. The bad was that I had several factors working against me----

it was a holiday weekend here on base

it was NOT a payday weekend

it was NOT in a very well-known area on base...

...with that being said, there was a huge upside.
I came into contact with some of the nicest girls-----and for the first time was able to show my art in person & talk about it to people (other than my verrrrryyyyy supportive husband). I was told more times than not that my art was "SO much cuter in person than online"...not sure whether that means that they just thought it was beautiful in person...or that I am just a really crappy photographer?


I will take pictures soon------but in bringing back much of the pieces, I have turned my dining room area into a makeshift "studio/art gallery"------I will keep all pieces that are completed & up for sell displayed here in my home. Not only will it keep them from getting damaged & dusty in some corner of a garage....it will allow them to brighten up MY home until they find a home of their own :) Plus---I believe that art should be treated with respect....many hours were put into each and every piece, so they shouldn't be walked on.....all except for the floor cloths of course, that's what they are made for! lol


So I now have my "studio" set up & a few orders on the table....and a trip planned for this next weekend to my Michael's Mecca for supplies. Also will begin work on setting up my new shop on Etsy.com---------------any prayers sent my way for this venture to be successful would be greatly appreciated!


To my BIL & SIL and their words of support today, I THANK YOU------sometimes it's nice to hear that you love the things that I do. Like I have said before----this would be amazing as an added source of income for my family (with the economy like it is, not sure who WOULDN'T benefit from extra income), but for now if it can just cover the cost of the supplies I will be thrilled. I have truly found something that I love to do....and strangely enough, people like my art! I feel very blessed------thank you to everyone who has supported me & my family with the start of this new company.

Off to work on an order that already has me smiling.......she wanted a painting that I already had finished...but wanted hers with (and I quote) "an obnoxiously bright color for a background"....how can you NOT love an order like that? ....and for the record, we decided to go with a bright pink that would make most people's eyes bleed, I love my job!


LoLo
"Maker of cupcakes that WON'T make you fat!"

Frames, and Mirrors and Floor cloths Oh My!

...And so it begins. That is how I feel going into this week ahead. What most of you may not know is that I had a job interview last week...my "dream" job working for a million-dollar spa. I was offered the job on the spot...and I turned it down. Crazy right? Right now we are in recession and I turned down a job.....somehow though I know that I am going in the right "direction" for once. While my art may not be "paying the rent" yet, it is one of the most enjoyable things I have ever done. Like my Diddy said, "sometimes it's not about how much money there is to be made, you will never be paid what something is worth, but if you can at least over your cost and do something you love....well there you go"


So with all of that being said, this week is all about forging ahead. I have my first "vendor" fair this weekend here on base and I could not be more excited. If you are going to be in Southern California...stop on by! I have several larger pieces that will be up for sale, including most of what is pictured here on the blog......if there is a piece you HAVE to have & it has been sold, just message me & I can most likely make you another!


Also for this vendor fair I am going to be debuting several "new" items-----custom painted picture frames, custom mirrors, painted wooden letters, some new "food" themed canvas, as well as my first floor cloth. If you are not familiar with floor cloths you HAVE to look into them. Simply put they are sealed pieces of canvas-type fabric that are painted/varnished/and used to decorate. They can be used as table runners, place mats, rugs, wall-hangings.....just about anything you can come up with! What makes them so popular is the upkeep involved...almost none! When dirty you simply wipe off with a damp rag and you're done, that is what makes them prime "rug" options for messier places like the kitchen or bathroom. One side note-----they are often rather thin, and if using on a slick or hardwood floor, you will NEED to put some sort of foam rug stay to keep it in one place.


So.....as you can see, for "Calorie-Free Creations"..it will be a busy week ahead! I currently have around 14 ITEMS that are in various stages of sketching/priming/painting/varnishing/drying.....Momma, I'm sorry but you would be aghast at the state of my dining area right now...everything is covered with painting supplies! One other things worth mentioning...I have decided that after this next weekends' showing, I WILL be starting my new Etsy shop!


There you go----all the news from my little corner of the world-----a ton of work to do, a show to prepare for, and a shop to start.......BUSYBUSYBUSY and I couldn't be happier :) ****Also earlier this evening as my husband & I were watching the "Survivor" finale (Go J.T.!!!), we felt our 1st earthquake! A 5.0 out of Northern California......only one small picture knocked over but it had my side lamp rocking back & forth.....w.o.w, what a night!


Good night everyone, heading to bed to prepare for a long paint-filled day tomorrow. To paintbrush wishes & acrylic paint dreams!


Your resident art monkey,
LoLo