Giveaway Winner Reveal...

First... THANK YOU TO ALL PARTICIPANTS... your photos were ALL lovely! I wish I had more time to paint them ALL... and the winner is...
The photo submitted by Rue's Peanut Butter and Jelly Life ... it was drawn and painted...

$50 + $5 shipping or matted & framed $100 + $10 shipping EMAIL ME

Rue's photo was given a little Curb Appeal... flowers... a brick walkway... and a chaise to lounge with matching table to set her lemonade or libation... she can sit in the yard and admire her home... and oh, look...

SURPRISE! Enjoy a set of 8 notecards with matching artwork envelopes of your favorite photo! You can keep one to frame and mail art work out to your friends! Congratulations Rue's Peanut Butter and Jelly Life!

To everyone who participated, and to those who did not have enough time to get their photos to me on time... GOOD LUCK next time... YES... I will do another giveaway some time soon... STAY TUNED!

Painting with Anticipation...

In my tiny studio...

I've come up with a new painting just for ME... it shows my PAINTING DU JOUR side and my INTERIOR DESIGN side... I've made it my new LOGO... signature BIZ CARD... thinking of changing art work in my current header with this painting... what do you think?

Anyway... BACK TO PAINTING FOR ONE OF YOU!!!!!!

Perfect Day to take a Picture...

Enjoy your Sunday... don't forget your camera... capture a moment in time...

Photos above from All GIVEAWAY Participants... Winner will be Drawn and Painted Today... Winner and Surprise Revealed on Monday!

Chick Lit Book Cover Illustration...

Romantic novel idea...It was a lovely Paris day... the sun was shining through a lavender hazy sky... she waited impatiently on the steps... her heart was pounding to the rhythm of a Stravinsky Rite of Spring drum... anticipating his soft, warm lips on her... remembering the touch of his strong embrace... she felt she would crumble to the ground any second... her legs growing weaker every moment she lingered... waiting for her Paris Rendezvous...

Lovely Morning...

Drinking iced coffee... nibbling soft food... nice breeze blowing in through my French doors off my balcony (too bad I don't have a view of the Eiffel Tower) ... feel pretty good...

Painting my CHICK LIT BOOK COVER ILLUSTRATION for tomorrow's post... Selling from the comfort of my bed... what could be better than that... SUMMER READING NEEDS FUN ORIGINAL PAINTING (on both sides)BOOKMARKS... just sold all of these bookmarks above to one person...EXCITING!

SALE in MY ETSY STORE... come SHOP! (or at least take a peek)

DON'T FORGET THE GIVEAWAY DEADLINE... TONIGHT... MIDNIGHT PST

Resting at Home...

I know I promised an illustration Chick Lit book cover today... but I just was not up to being creative... sorry, recovery is exhausting me a bit... painting a bed to lounge in was the best I could do... thank you to Cote de Texas and Candice Olsen for the room inspiration...

$50 + $5 shipping or matted & framed $100 + $10 shipping EMAIL ME

Crate and Barrel for Kids..."The Land of Nod" Ohhhhh... To be a child again and have mom take care of you when you're not feeling well... bring you juice and dry toast in bed...

Love the girlie chandelier above this bed...

I could see my boys liking this room...

TODAY I will work on the Chick Lit book cover from the comfort of my bed while resting and reading blogs... awww... all your wonderful posts to entertain me! Thank you in advance!

How about a GIVEAWAY...

While convalescing after having a complicated oral surgery yesterday... reading all your wonderful compliments... I thought it might be fun to do a GIVEAWAY...

$50 + $5 shipping or matted & framed (11 x 11) $100 + $10 shipping EMAIL ME

You know... I love to do paintings from photos I find on blogs... this one is via Mrs. Plain Jane... inspiration from a photo she posted of a floral arrangement she made... she's GOOD!

Sooooo... here is my GIVEAWAY idea... Send me a link to your favorite photo (only 1 entry please)... I will print each one and put it into my paint box and I will randomly draw a winner... then I will paint your photo and post it on my blog and A "SURPRISE GIFT" WILL BE SENT TO YOU VIA SNAIL MAIL!

Deadline for my giveaway will be MIDNIGHT (PST) Friday, June 27, 08.

I can't wait to see all of your favorite photos!

Feels like a Venti Day...

A room with a view is what you get when you combine photos from Life in a Venti Cup...
This is my painting inspired by Franki's two days of posting...

7 x 7 original acrylic on archival paper... matted and framed on sale in MY ETSY STORE

First day came the view from Room 471 at Hotel Splendido...


Second day came a room decorated by Graham and Green ...

I couldn't help myself... both photos had wonderful elements... the first one had no room... the second one had no view... together I think they make for a wonderful holiday! What do you think? Would you like a reservation?

Early morning Concert Update...

Night at the Greek Theatre... Front Row with Mom... enjoying an evening with cosmos... these were tickets we won at a silent auction at the What a Pair event...
Opening act... Sharon Little... she has a wonderful voice and a great band! Planning to purchase her CD online... she was that good! Read more about her here ...
Fifi's toes were on the stage...
while the band played new music and well known songs of the past...
Allison Krauss and Robert Plant are a fabulous combination... You can read the review about the performance on Monday night at the Greek here or search online to read about the concert I attend (at this early hour, the review is not available.)
Yes... Robert Plant of Led Zeppelin...

The crowd was filled with a wide age range... young teens and up... sitting in the front row we got a show from a few GROUPIES... it was very entertaining!
All photos by moi in her front row seat... can't get any better than that... unless I was up on stage singing!

Evening in the Hamptons...

EARLY EVENING BREAKING NEWS... I won this book from "Summer Book Giveaway Contest for June!" from The (Mis)Adventures of a Single City Chick ...

Thanks Christina and Hatchette Book Group who is providing three copies of each 5 Spot book featured from now til September... HOW EXCITING... My first time winning a blog giveaway!

I would love to illustrate a book cover... I'm going to post a FAUX one on Friday just for fun... I'll have to come up with a FUN title too... or maybe you have ideas... Think Chick Lit and not too trashy... ANY SUGGESTIONS?

Tuesday is Ladies Day...

In the world of Golf... Tuesday at many golf clubs is LADIES DAY... the golf course is closed to men until noon...

July/August Golf for Women magazine rethinks the fashion of golf... Fashion Design Stars are looking at women golfers ... researching and solving where golfwear went wrong. Golf fashions are looking to the past for inspiration. Above, VOGUE of the 1920s golfwear and 2008 designer recreation.

Another look to the past... The Greenbrier... Resort & Golf Course in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia and the legendary decorator Dorothy Drapery... the resort retains the beauty created by Draper...

left: 1956 by Dorothy Draper - right: 2008 protege Carleton Varney keeps her spirit alive

left: 1956 Cameo Ballroom with custom-made chandelier - right: 2008 chandelier & scones remain
left: 1956 Baltimore Row cottage design - right: Draper's signature bright colours and floral remain

The Greenbrier elegant indoor pool was designed by Drapery in the 1940's and remains

"The Greenbrier's elegant architecture and renowned interior design are the subjects of our historic guided tours. This year-round activity focuses mainly on our lobby areas, highlighting the notable works and antiques that grace the resort's interior. Tours take place at 10:30 a.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday. On Saturdays, there is a combination Interior and Grounds Tour." - information via The Greenbrier website

Painting Inspired by Dorothy Draper...

7 x 7 original acrylic on archival paper... matted and framed on sale in MY ETSY STORE

Are any of you golfers? Are any of you fans of Dorothy Draper? Have any of you been to this resort? My answers to these would be: YES, YES... NO

Monday... Back to Work...

Lately, I have been looking at office furnishings since I am have been remodeling a well-known plastic surgeon's office and medi-spa... Interior Design magazine always has many articles and advertising for office design and furnishings...

Love the ironwork!
Ooooh... nice rotunda reception area
I want this staircase railing in my home
Love the chandelier... and the molding... and that is a shiny conference table... almost makes me want to work there... but I would want to be at the head of the table like Wilhelmina Slater, but much nicer...
This version of Wilhelmina's office (painted by moi - NOT design by moi) would work nicely with this office design too! Ugly Betty watchers... Are you a Wilhelmina, Betty, Alexis, Christina, Daniel, Marc or Amanda... at the office?

Tale of Two Beach Houses...

You decide... the Modern Decor Beach House...

Or the Country Cozy Decor...

Or... is a beach house a beach house, and you'll take either one... after all, it's all about location, location, location! Awww... nothing like the roar of the waves... the salty air and wiggling your toes in the sand! Have a great relaxing Sunday! I leave you with one of my seaside paintings...

All Photos via an email from BHG.com

Wine and Roses...

I lend my artwork to various non-profit organizations... doing art at the cost of materials... always good to give back to the community... today I will be setting up a silent auction... running to my son's swim meet... home to freshen up and off to celebrate at this FUN event...

Fourth Annual
“Evening of Wine and Roses”

Tonight the attendees of this event will

Enjoy an Elegant Evening including the following…
Savor a Delicious Gourmet Italian Dinner by Executive Chef Brian
Fine Wines featuring Toogood Estate Winery of El Dorado County
Exciting Entertainment by Cold Duck for your dancing pleasure
Enjoy BJ’s Restaurant Brewhouse Award Winning Beer
Join the Bidding Frenzy in our Silent and Live Auctions
Recognition of our annual Scholarship Winners
Unveiling of our 2009 Rose Float entry design
Tour at your leisure our 1912 Craftsman Home & Gardens
http://www.wcrosefloat.org/

EVENT UPDATE: Event was lovely... BUT... it was just too darn HOT... I was a wilted rose along with everyone else all day long... it was baking hot from 6-10pm... walking into my air-condtioned home at 10:30 was HEAVEN!!!!!!

SPEAKING OF GIVING BACK TO THE COMMUNITY... THIS MIGHT BE A GOOD TIME TO UPDATE YOU ALL ON MY 29-DAYS OF GIVING PLEDGE... I'M WORKING ON DAY 13... READ WHAT I'VE DONE SO FAR HERE ... Come join me and GIVE GIVE GIVE!

Fifi Flowers Gallery Showing...

These FUN and WHIMSICAL Unframed Paintings are COMING SOON to MY ETSY store... BUT are AVAILABLE via EMAIL/PAY PAL at the moment... approximately 6" x 6" original acrylic on archival acid free paper... ALL PAINTINGS are blog inspired... FRAMED paintings below are in MY ETSY STORE... SUMMER SALE on NOW until August!

All Things Bright and Beautiful... Blue Room"

50 + $5 shipping or matted & framed (11 x 11) $100 + $10 shipping

"SFGirlByBay... Cherry Blossom Room"

framed $100 + $10 shipping EMAIL ME

Just Imagine... Just Bliss"

$50 + $5 shipping or matted & framed (11 x 11) $100 + $10 shipping EMAIL ME

"Cote de Texas... Treasures from the Antique Store "

$50 + $5 shipping or framed $100 + $10 shipping EMAIL ME

"Vosges Paris... Meneer Kaas"

$50 + $5 shipping or matted & framed (11 x 11) $100 + $10 shipping EMAIL ME

"Please Sir... May I Have This Sofa"

7 x 7 original acrylic on archival paper... framed on sale in MY ETSY STORE

"Made by Girl... Day of Rest"
7 x 7 original acrylic on archival paper... matted and framed on sale in MY ETSY STORE

"Simply Grove... Weekend Lounging"

framed $100 + $10 shipping EMAIL ME

"House that A-M Built... Dream Bed with Black Chandelier"

7 x 7 original acrylic on archival paper... framed on sale in MY ETSY STORE

A Bird in the Hand... Peonies and Prom Dress"
7 x 7 original acrylic on archival paper... matted and framed on sale in MY ETSY STORE

"Simply Seleta... Beautiful Banquette"
SOLD... Prints AVAILABLE... email me

Classic Style in the City... Hot Pink Dream Chaise"
SOLD

"A Girl & Her Polaroid... Pink Tulips"

7 x 7 original acrylic on archival paper... matted and framed on sale in MY ETSY STORE

"The Paris Apartment... Provence Holiday" in MY ETSY STORE

"BeachBungalow8 ... Red Dress Vintage Boutique"

7 x 7 original acrylic on archival paper... matted and framed on sale in MY ETSY STORE

ALL OF THESE PAINTINGS ARE AVAILABLE IN AN 8 x 10 PRINT $20 + $3 shipping OR as STATIONERY - select a painting or 8 different paintings for a Set of (8) Notecards $16 + free shipping... sample of notecards below:


This Garden and Interiors Collection notecard set with Matching art work on the envelopes is available in MY ETSY STORE and if I run out... simply email me and I will print up more!

IF YOU DON'T FIND WHAT YOU WANT HERE... Look in MY ETSY STORE ... AND IF YOU STILL DON'T SEE WANT YOU WANT... EMAIL ME ... I CAN CREATE SOMETHING JUST FOR YOU! LARGER SIZES AVAILABLE.

Recently completed commission for Kathryn of Kathryn Bechren Ink Blot ... Thank you, Kathryn for your lovely posting about this painting especially for you... visit her site to read more.

THANK YOU FOR VISITING MY GALLERY SHOWING... PLEASE COME SOON... THERE ARE ALWAYS NEW PAINTINGS DU JOUR! I WISH IT WAS POSSIBLE TO SERVE WINE & CHEESE AT THIS OPENING... UNFORTUNATELY, YOU WILL HAVE TO POUR FROM YOUR OWN CELLAR... BUT ALL PURCHASES FROM THIS GALLERY SHOWING WILL ARRIVE WITH A SURPRISE!

MERCI BEAUCOUP... Fifi