Monday, February 28, 2011

AT HOME IN GEORGIA

    This painting of a living room interior was commissioned as a gift for a client's mother. This room is a favorite gathering place for the family and my client thought it needed to be immortalized. What a nice surprise for her mother, the matriarch!  Feel free to contact me for more info and pricing for any commission you have in mind.

Friday, February 25, 2011

SWEETS TO THE SWEET



These two gouache/ink illustrations were recently commissioned from me by stellar foodie blog
Blue-Eyed Bakers.  A very fun departure from my usual subject matter - the only drawback is that my mouth starts watering as I paint. Good thing their blog provides me with some great recipes to cure my craving!  For information on commissioning your own work, please feel free to contact me here.
I am heading out of town today to meet up with a good friend - hope you all have a terrific weekend!

Thursday, February 24, 2011

RUSH FOR THESE DESIGN ICON STEALS!

$249 FOR 2!


$199 FOR 2!

$699

I don't normally post on Thursdays but couldn't resist sharing these amazing deals for contemporary design icon aficionados. They are by Kinetic and available on Ideeli - click here to join for free!

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

LILLY IN THE STUDIO






Inspiration comes in many forms. The other day it came in my mailbox.
The Spring Lilly Pulitzer catalog arrived and brought the visual perks for the day. I loved the artist's studio theme. Go figure......What can I say? I live in Florida, love bright colors, the classics and I am an artist.
I was connecting.
Anyway, I'd recommend checking it out online.....Lilly is like Spring blossoms....always good to see & perenially pleasing.

Monday, February 21, 2011

SPRING CHINOISERIE FROM THE STUDIO



I hope that you enjoyed your weekend! It was beautiful here....again. Sunny and warm. I am so grateful to live in Florida - such a beautiful place with a mild climate. This time of year I can leave the doors and windows open and fill my place with fresh air and light - it does a lot to inspire the soul, believe me!

New from my studio for Spring is my "Lattice" Chinoiserie style chair silhouette available on canvas in 4 different colors that are abundant here in Florida- Aqua, Orchid, Tangerine and Key Lime.
This new work originates from a hand-cut silhouette of an antique Chinoiserie chair that I created a couple of years ago. They are all available HERE to bring some cheer and clean lines to your decor.

Friday, February 18, 2011

SPRING AT ANNECHOVIE



The calendar may not agree with me, but Spring has definitely sprung here at my studio! 
I refuse to accept "colors" purely because they are dictated each season. I have my own color forecasts and like to go with the colors I am passionate about, rather than to try to fit in with something that may be acceptable but doesn't "light my fire" creatively speaking. Right now, I am infatuated with what I would call "cantaloupe" and "geranium" pink. My love for color hasn't always been understood or appreciated, but I am learning that there are always like-minded souls out there who "get" me and what I am doing and it's such fun to encounter so many of you through this blog.
These new collages are now available in my Etsy shop.
I hope that your weekend is filled with good things!

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

VISUAL VAMP STYLE IN NOLA




My spunky and stylish friend Valorie Hart is a designer and multi-talented woman who lives in New Orleans and authors the very popular blog Visual Vamp. This girl "takes a licking, but keeps on ticking" as they say. She and her husband and dance partner Alberto (they are international tango champions) have been through a lot recently, but you just can't keep them down. Valorie continues to triumph both personally and professionally and uses her touch to transform spaces for clients and bring her own je nais se quoi to homes. These photos are from her own home in NOLA and I was delighted to see one of my canvas prints as part of a tablescape on a console. I also love her take on a dance studio adjacent to her living room. Rather than having a large mirror running the length of the wall, she created a gallery of mirrors. Genius!

Monday, February 14, 2011

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!


Wishing all of my amazing friends & readers a very Happy Valentines Day!!
Remember to tell all of the special people in your life that you love them.
I leave you with a couple of my designs featuring favorite quotes on the subject.

Friday, February 11, 2011

THE IRISH COUNTRY HOUSE




I recently received a copy of the new book The Irish Country House by Desmond FitzGerald,
 Knight of Glin, and James Peill. It's a stunning volume full of rich photographs and informative text that provide a window into a very unique world.  Here is what the publisher has to say about it-
"A land of legend and lore, Ireland is also home to some of the most breathtaking residences in the world, ten of which are explored in The Irish Country House. The book tours these historical homes and castles, all of which are still owned and lived in by the original families. From cabinets filled with monogrammed china to cabbage-rose slip-covered sofas nestled beneath tall Gothic windows, to lavish living rooms and bedrooms, each home reflects the multi-generations of the families who have lived there."
You can find it here.
Have a restful and relaxing weekend!

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

TANK YOU





















I'd like to thank all of the blogs above for their gracious and supportive mentions recently. It's very important for me to acknowledge your kindness. Without the support of my customers, readers and fellow bloggers, I wouldn't be able to do what I love doing. Each one of you plays an invaluable role. Thank you so much and check out some of the blogs above, if you haven't already.....I am just one miniscule part of a thriving and friendly subculture here in the blogosphere!

Monday, February 7, 2011

SKI LODGE


Got snow?  It seems like a lot of the country does right now. This is a commission I created for a client who wanted to give her in-laws a special gift  - a watercolor portrait of the family's ski lodge in New Mexico. 
Why not commission a painting of a place that holds special memories for your family?
Please contact me here for more info.

Friday, February 4, 2011

ANNECHOVIE IN NORWAY



It is always a thrill to see where my work ends up.
I spend a lot of time at my local post office, so much so that I could almost write a thesis on the interpersonal relationships I observe with the employees. Yeah, I see them THAT often.....I am familiar with their mood swings, who's nice, who's crotchety, which employees work harmoniously, which pairs hate each other, etc. Sometimes when I walk in, you could cut the tension with a knife....not pretty. No wonder someone coined the term "going postal".
Ok, I am rambling. AGAIN. The point of telling you that was to say that I send packages all over the world to my customers and clients. Sometimes I get to see one of my pieces hanging in it's new home. The other day a blogging friend all the way from Norway sent me this link to a post on her living room re-do. Above her sofa was a custom-colored chair silhouette she ordered from me - thanks, Dagny!
Check out Dagny's fabulous blog, Scandinavian Chic and  her post here.
THANKS FOR READING & HAVE A WONDERFUL WEEKEND!!

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

CREAM OF THE CROP



I was recently given some Borghese Dolce Notte night cream to try. I am not big into creams and lotions, but as I inevitably get older (grrrrr) I think it only wise to give my face a little TLC so none of the tourists here in Florida mistake me for an alligator. Believe me, there are women down here whose skin does look a bit gator-ish after years of exposure and neglect. I don't want to be numbered among them.
My skin is very sensitive, so I was curious what effect it might have on my face. I can honestly say that it's a great product and I am very pleased with the results. The Vitamin A is to correct dryness and dehydration (which is something that I am especially susceptible to this time of year).
It features mallow and comfrey that calm skin and promote cell growth and a patented Acqua di vita complex that sweeps away dullness and impurites with an MPG compound (a gentle alpha-hydroxy derivative.)
 Put this on before bed - it will encourage cell turnover, yet will not clog pores. I was also glad to find that it has a very light, clean scent and is not too heavy or greasy. You can find it here or anywhere that Borghese Cosmetics are available.
 
http://clickserve.cc-dt.com/link/click?lid=41000000028477615