New Addition & Big News!

We have added onto our family! On April 14th we adopted a puppy!! Now that I no longer work outside of the house we decided it was a good time to get a dog - we already have three cats but there is just something about the companionship of a dog. I started a search on PetFinder.com and fell in love with this sweet puppy - so I though what the heck I'll fill out the adoption questionnaire and see what happens. Never in a million years did I expect to get a call the very next day - talk to the foster father of the puppy that night and then be heading to the airport to pick him up two days later - he was flown in from Texas! It was a whirlwind! Jack is just like me, a survivor - he battled back from parvo, a disease that kills 80-90% of dogs that contract it - but not my Jack! He had a very loving foster family that took great care of him and his sister, sadly his brother died from it. Here is the website of the Carney's who fostered Jack - they specialize in sick dogs at high risk and amputees - very special people. Check out their site - www.mypuppyfarm.com. I'm now new mom to a 16 week old black lab/catahoula leopard dog mix named Jack Houla! He is the best dog I have ever owned - smart as a whip and so laid back - he is my napping buddy and just what I needed! Here is a picture of Mr. Houla. He is curled up in the cat bed - that didn't go over very well so we have since bought him his very own plush doggie bed!

My other exciting news is that last Wednesday night I GOT ENGAGED! So much excitement! Ralph and I have been together for almost 6 years, own a house together, three cats and now a dog so naturally the next step is to get married right? Yippie I am so excited! No date has been set just yet I'm giving myself more time to heal - I would like to pass the one year mark in my remission from leukemia and then we can start talking some serious plans! Here is a picture of my beautiful ring!

So yeah not much going on around here! - LOL Now to get back to my artwork!

Repurposed Paper Mache Trays

A few weeks ago at a thrift store I found a great set of four vintage paper mache trays (they measure 4.5 x 7.75) - wasn't sure what I was going to do with them but I knew I couldn't leave them behind. I grabbed them off my studio bench today and transformed them into very fun hand painted art trays. I took a few pictures of my process.

1. The tray as it was bought - I am sure you have seen these before they always have a Japanese design on them - I have also seen coasters like this to.

2. I decoupaged fabric to the surface - makes for a great surface to apply paint and it also adds great texture

3. Once the fabric is dry I covered it with black gesso and it is all prepped and ready to be painted.

Here are photos of the first two that are finished - I'm headed to my studio to paint the other two - I will try to post pictures tomorrow.

A little bit of art for the soul

I'm back again after a little break. About two weeks ago I started my maintenance chemo so I have been resting a bit and giving myself a chance to get used to all the new meds that I will be taking for the next two years. I have slowly been feeling better so I have been in my studio doing some work. I realize how much I miss creating when I take these mini breaks from my work - after I spend a chunk of time in my studio I come away feeling great - I truly believe creating art has amazing healing powers! Here's what I've been up to.