Painting Bliss

Clove Orange's and Quality Family Time

 

 

For last week's tutorial thursday, which was rescheduled to friday on account of the holiday... I featured a clove orange tutorial.  Reminiscing about childhood and Christmas, I just had to do them for myself. It had been since kindergarten that I had my hands poking cloves into the citrusy fresh smelling rind of an orange... and I loved it. I loved it as much as the kids loved it, hell even my husband joined us! It was a nice time indeed :)

 

 

Yeah... the baby always sits on the table, bad manners I know. But look at that face! mwah! Out of all our oranges this on by far was my favorite and created by my 6 year old, it's a snowman orange.

 

 

   

 

Our house smells so lovely now.  Ha ha! Not that it didn't before! ok... the hamster cage aside! The aroma of clove and citrus is strong yet not overwhelming. The smell inspired me so much that today I decorated the house for Christmas, so now our house is a festive place :)

Wanna see? Alright then!

 

 

Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful.  ~Norman Vincent Peale

 

oh ok! one more! I love the chandelier in our dining room and I love decorating it each season even more! Our chandelier was about the only thing in our home that I picked out of a catalogue and it reminds me of times gone by.

 

This Christmas I decided glittery was the way to go along with some clip on feathered birds. I like the contrast of country pip berries and glittered garland.

It's old meets new, fresh, and fun!

 

 

May this season find you warm inside, and if it doesnt than may it warm you on the outside next to a woodstove a hot cocoa in hand.

Thank you for your visit today! I appreciate the time you take out of your schedule to check out what I have to say and share.

 

 

 

 

Be Kinder than Necessary

 

I have been thinking a lot about kindness lately... Especially after Black Friday.

I'm not Black Friday loony (ok maybe a lil'), but it is tradition to be up before the sun is (3 a.m.) and hit the sales in an effort to save money on Christmas for my family and friends. The line forms outside the doors and it's usually cold, really cold. This year we waited about 1/2 an hour before the doors to JCpenny opened. Just as the doors opened a car pulled up, a girl got out ran in front of me cutting 100 people in line and said, "and that's how it's done". How what's done? Rudeness?

Was I supposed to be mad? or was I supposed to thank her for her lesson in bad manners?

Now... being under-caffeinated and still in need of my beauty sleep it should of been my natural reaction to let some un-lady like words slip... but not this year. This year it bothered me. Not because she beat me in the door, I mean really whats the big deal? so what if she really gonna get the pillow I had my eyes on? come now Miss they DO stock for this day. I'll tell you why it bothered me... it bothered me because she was the text book definition of what people have turned into these days. What bothered me further is that inside of her, she was okay with her actions, her rudeness, and her lack of kindness.

So maybe I'm a pansy do-gooder... I open doors for the elderly. I tell people not to apologize when they reach for the same can of black olives... after all aren't we all shopping to feed out families? I smile at people for no specific reason. I smile when I pass by walking or driving in my car, it's how I was raised... to be kinder than necessary. Not even kinder than necessary... but kind out of necessity. A kindness that is natural, non forced and makes you feel warm inside. I'm the kind of soul that let's people cross in front of me in the parking lot. After all, I am in my heated car... they are walking in the rain. Doesn't is appear to be the right thing? nope... not to the man honking behind me. I'm not trying to brag here, that is not my intention... my intention is to open your eyes.

As the season of holiday love is upon us I ask you to look at yourself and reassess what matters. It's all sweet and nice to watch a movie that makes you wanna be that better person, or watch a commercial on t.v. about paying it forward... what about paying it forward for real? everyday? keeping that feeling throughout your every hour, not just in that moment?

So what if I holler to the line behind me  to see if anyone wants the extra coupon I have? It's only what I wish someone would do for me the day I'm out of printer ink. Maybe I'm just an oosh kooshy bundle of cinnamon and sugar... perhaps reading this you think, man she makes me want to puke! well... it's how I live my life. I live life being kinder than necessary and paying it forward. It's the only way I feel right inside, like I'm doing my part in this big wide beautiful world.

The expression "pay it forward" is used to describe the concept of asking that a good turn be repaid by having it done to others instead. Debt and payments can be made by doing good deeds.

 

Sharing Bistro on Main

 

 

My 12 paintings are hung in Bistro on Main and I am delighted. Today I wanted to share with you the pictures I took of the pieces in the setting they were painted for. My husband and brother hung them for me while I decided which spot was just right. The air was chill outside but inside the heat was warm and my belly was  full of Bistro on Main's incredible chicken bacon mac and cheese.

 

 

Bistro on Main has a warm and inviting atmosphere. The walls grey with a band of brick red, line your view. I was conscience not to clash any colors in my paintings with the colors on the walls.

 

 

Bistro on Main is located on Main Street in Oneonta N.Y. if you would like to sample their yummy food or view my paintings in person.

 

 

The weekend proved to be full of rest, love, and quality family time. Leaving is always hard for pieces of me stay behind. I have only been gone half a day and I already miss them like mad. Please winter don't be too harsh so that we can visit more often. Old man winter keep the snow from our path when we need to travel.

Thank you for your visit today, reflect on your weekend as I will be for days to come.

 

 

Artist at Rest

 

I found this painting online and thought it completely appropriate!

I hope Thanksgiving found you happy, loved, and full! I am taking a break for the weekend to enjoy my family and rest. I have been working so hard on all those paintings and blogging that this mind needs a creative rest.

May the weekend find you rested as well.

I will still post pictures and updates on twitter via my phone, so if you wanna see what I'm up to follow me at ashlie_blake

 

Thanksgiving Tutorial Friday

 

~T - H - A - N - K - F - U - L ~

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! I know none of you will be crafting today, or maybe you will... who knows! anyhow, I know there is a nice long weekend ahead of us and Thanksgiving tables to decorate so here are some things to get your holiday rolling. Enjoy!

Happy Thanksgiving Friends!! 

4 Tutorials for the 4th day of the week :)

Get your Craft on!

{{Clove Studded Oranges}}

I actually remember the very first time I made these. I was in elementary school, what grade I'm not sure. It was a project that intrueged me, grasped my full attention, and smelled good too. I remember being excited about it, and eager to bring it home.

I was proud of my little clove studded orange :)

The ones in this picture are not hanging ones, but if you like you can wrap it like  a present with yarn and hang it in a doorway. They last quite a while and scent your house perfectly for the season. These aren't just for Thanksgiving, these are a through the Christmas season goodie.

When they start to rot, just make more!

{{ Vintage Inspired Christmas Garland}}

 

This is really pretty and a great way to use old sheet music. Don't have old sheet music? get your rumpus over to the craft store, I'm sure they have scrapbook paper that looks like music sheets because I have it and have used it in my artwork! I think this would be especially nice done in Christmas colors with your family name. It would also make a really nice gift!

 

{{ Crochet Snowflakes }}

Every year I say I am going to make these and never get around to it... or have tried them and failed. I think this year will be the year I do,  as my crochet skills have improved greatly and honestly they arent that hard! this tutorial has step by literally step on how to crochet these little pieces of art. To harden them use fabric stiffiner or go the natural route and stiffen with sugar water.

We always go and cut down our tree the weekend after Thanksgiving, so if you are like us get those hooks going! These would also make wonderful gifts, brooches, necklaces, and more!

 

 

{{ Peanut Butter Fudge }}

Ok so this isn't  a tutorial... it's a recipe. But I figured since we all are gonna be un-buttoning the tops of our pants this weekend that I would share my favorite fudge recipe with you. This peanut butter fudge is practically no fail because it is made with a jar of marshmallow fluff! We all know peanut butter and fluff are a marriage made in heaven, and so is this fudge. I added chocolate chips to the bottom of my pan before pouring the pb fudge on top to set! mmmmm :)

Tomorrow I will be whipping some up to bring upstate and nosh on with the fam.

 

 

Happy Thanksgiving friends!! Get your craft on, your cook on, and your apron on! Hug the one next to you and the one on the other side of you as well. Blow a kiss to your dad, laugh with your mom, smile with a brother or two! Snuggle with your spouse, tickle your kids, and pass the sweet potatoes please! I will be :)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thankful Very Thankful

 

If I kept a journal, today this would be it's entry...

As I reflect on the year... and look at it more closely, the more my heart swells and becomes encompassed with gratitude for the things that make up my life.

This past year I have been my most low and risen to my most high.  In these 12 months I have dedicated myself to my art, my passions, and dream of becoming a successful artist (relative term of course ha ha). It has been a pleasure to work harder, fight harder, love harder. During these many days and nights that have passed I have watched my children grow, change, and become more individualistic. Pride has welled up inside of me for my husband who is so good at being a husband, a dad, and a passionate family man. I am thankful for those who love me, and for those I love. My family, my friends, and the friends I consider to be family... are all counted in my many blessings.

Life has it's ups, downs, and somewhere in betweens. It has it's late nights, early mornings, and unforeseen circumstances. Life is fickle, crude, and unpredictable... but just as you would flip a coin it can be glorious, rewarding, and full of the stuff that makes you warm inside. Warm inside... I recently went to a conference where a man spoke of his young daughter. She had shared her cookie with another child who hadn't had one... she asked her father... "daddy, what is that warm feeling inside when I gave him my cookie?", "it is love" he replied. May your long weekend, your world, your life give you that warm feeling inside. That loving feeling, for God's sake share your cookie!

Pass the potatoes, share the wishbone, and be thankful for the funny sound the cranberry makes when exiting the can. If you don't have a family to share that with, be thankful that you are alive. Be thankful you are you. Just be thankful... for something. 

Today I will be eating with the fam and feeling blessed<3 Pass the sweet potatoes bro cause I love them sweet potatoes!

Many blessings, thank you. Thank you for giving me just a little bit of your time each day. I am thankful for it, and thankful for your visit.

 

(Tutorial Thursday has been moved to tomorrow on account of the holiday)

 

 

All my Ducks in a Row

 

Finished! completo! long winded sigh and a smile!

Today I offer you images instead of words... here are all 12 of the paintings together.

Surprise! there are 2 new ones that you have not seen at the end, lookie see :)

 

 

 

I loved this painting from the very start. The morning after I layed things in place the sun shown through my studio windows and lit up the entire painting from the back. I quickly painted in what shone through with bright orange paint... I could not see what it looked like until I closed the curtians, thankfully it was a good call!

 

The Dream Catcher on this piece was created by a dear friend. It is crafted by hand using glass beads and guitar string. I have it sewn on with paper feathers and yarn ties.

It was really hard to photograph this one. The color changes between tissues are less drastic than they appear in this photo.

 

 

This photo does not do the piece justice as you can't see all the fine detail in the bird. If it werent raining and if it wasnt dark I would of been able to get a better photo.

Hope you like it just the same :)

 

So there it is! Months of hard work! I hope you enjoy these mixed media art pieces as much as I do. I'm excited to get them hung but also really nervous as they will be seen by lots of people. This is my first real time hanging work in a public place. I am putting my inner critic in the closet and my best foot foward! :)

 

 

Almost there! I can do it!

 

As you know I have been working diligently at completing 12 paintings to hang in Bistro on Main in Oneonta NY. I have completed 11 and have 1 more to go!

I can do, I can do it, I can do it, said the little artist that could!

If you haven't already seen these on facebook here they are!

 

 

This piece was created with an array of materials (as usual hee hee)... tissue paper, acrylic paint, decorative papers, stamps, ink, sharpie, white gel pen, white paint pen, and lots of love.

 

 

Happy Blooms was created with all the same materials as above. The tiny black circles you see between the petals are minuscule and drawn by hand... the bigger ones were created with a stamp pad and the top to my ketchup bottle! never under-estimate your recyclables! The largest of the circles were made with one of my favorite rubber stamps :) I like this piece because over the years my flowers haven't changed... just improved, as have I and my skills :)

Tomorrow I will share with you all of the pieces that will be going into the bistro. If you live in the Oneonta area located in upstate N.Y. I implore you to eat some kick @ss food while viewing my work. If you can't, no pressure silly! I will take photos!

As always enjoy your day!

 

Beauty Everywhere

 

As the last leaf clings to the limb that carried it through spring and summer, you may be thinking that nothing that is left, is beautiful. Looking around, perhaps all you see is brown and think the world is void of inspiration. I disagree...

After being in my studio all weekend and having no clue how warm it was outside... I stepped out and felt a pleasant breeze in the air.

A much needed break was on my agenda and it was found in planting daffodil bulbs with my eldest son, and then a walk through our woods as a family.

There is beauty everywhere... and just after I thought I had sqweezed the last bit of inspiration I had onto some canvases, the glory of nature brought it all back... filling my cup to the brim and just shy of spilling over.

 

Beauty was found in the berries left on my burning bush and in the leaves that fell from it's branches... The leaves appeared as if they were painted by fairies in the night, with little watercolor brushes and woodland paints.

The colors soft and inviting...

 

 

Where all around could be seen brown, green was still vibrant and calling for attention...

 

 

And from within that green came vibrant and outrageous orange...

 

 

And still there is life. Where all else has fallen into it's winter slumber... life, hope, wonder.

 

There is eye music everywhere, you just have to look for it. There hasnt been a year that I have looked forward to my garden sleeping, or cold coming... until this year. This year I am looking into the impending storm with a hopeful eye... for all will bloom again, and just because the blankets of snow keeps everything wrapped up in it's winter nap... I know that come march I will peak beneath blankets to find green daffodil nubs. Life never stops... it just takes a break.

 

As Thanksgiving comes I am spending a lot of time thinking about what I am thankful for this year, who I am thankful for... are you?

Enjoy your day, thank you for spending just a little bit of your precious minutes with me, my words, and the images I had to share today.

Botanical Creations Winner and An Artist at Work

 

Thank you to everyone who participated in the giveaway from Botanical Creations! Our winner is Kevin Hamby. If you are Kevin Hamby please contact me at paintingbliss@gmail.com :) Your wife will get a nice present after all! I recommend saving it for Christmas! :)

To all my readers, I am taking the weekend off from the computer! I have been working very hard as you know on 12 pieces that will hang in Bistro on Main in Oneonta N.Y. this coming month of December. I am hanging all of my artwork next Wednesday evening and am aiming to be done by monday so that tuesday can be spent wiring and wrapping for the ride upstate. Soooooo... hence taking the weekend off from the world wide web, and that includes blogging. I have 2 pieces to complete over the weekend! my heater and light area already warming up and coffee is just about finished percolating.

If you would like to see some sneak peeks of what I am working on over the weekend you can follow me on twitter. I will be posting pictures from my phone periodically as I work. You can follow me here... ashlie_blake

Have a great weekend and see you on monday!