THE BLOGGING SISTERHOOD

Patricia's superior version of a thank-you note

Patricia van Essche - President of the "Artists' Support Network"!!

A gift package, van Essche style! What a gift for presentation!

One of the guys in my "break room"

The view at my recharge spot - not bad, eh?

My break lounge

You know, things have been really crazy here lately. I love my work, but it's also beyond amazing to get away for a couple of hours for a break and recharge. Nothing kills creativity like fatigue, and all it takes sometimes is just a short 2 hour break. When I do need a break, I head to one place in particular, a quiet local beach. Sitting there listening to the surf and soaking up a few rays is my way to relax and I feel so blessed to have such an incredible"breakroom"! Some of the guys there are a little pesky, especially when they come over to beg for food, but I just ignore them and they eventually fly off.

One of the drawbacks of being an artist is that you generally work alone, although that's also how I work best. It's imperative that you make time for social interaction and have a support base to keep you balanced and inspired. That is why it's been so wonderful, since I've been blogging, to meet some incredible people who share many of the same interests and challenges. One person in particular is Patricia van Essche. I am sure many of you have seen her work before and read about her on my blog, as well as many others. She is an amazing artist and one of the nicest, most genuine people I have ever met. I am excited that she is going to start her own blog very soon. Although we've never met yet in person, she has already been such a great friend to me. She has offered me some wonderful advice, sources, support and feedback. The other day, I got a wonderful package in the mail from her. The best part was that she took the time to send me the best thank-you card I've ever received, a hand rendered illustration that's not only adorable, but incredibly clever as well. There was also a charming little painting on wood of a crab. Very apropos for my location! Knowing I love anchovies, she was also thoughtful enough to include some Dutch fish spread her husband loves (she recently returned from a trip to Europe with her family, her in-laws live in Monaco). Her instructions made me laugh - "Eat this on toast with parsley, LOTS of parsley". I am guessing the parsley is to counteract the deathly toxic breath the fish spread probably gives you! LOL. It definitely put a big smile on my face. Thank you, Patricia! I will let you know how it goes when I open the can.....

My point is that, as the year begins to draw to a close, I am so thankful for all the friends I have met here. There's an endless list of people I could thank that includes many fellow bloggers, readers, and clients. Especially, Patricia van Essche, Courtney Barnes, Joni Webb, Ronda Carman and Holly Becker. Thanks for serving as such an inspiration and support network. There is a real "sisterhood" (and brotherhood, too) that's very real, despite the fact that there are many miles between all of us.

ANNECHOVIE ON DESIGN *SPONGE

The brilliant design writer, Courtney Barnes and her chair that I painted - the centerpiece of her blog banner I designed.

LA decorator and Style Queen Ruthie Sommers

A pair of delightful chairs Ruthie re-habbed with a delightful Palm Beach look to them

Thanks to Courtney Barnes of StyleCourt for the mention as guest blogger this week on Design*Sponge. DesignSponge* is a top design blog with pioneer design blogger Grace Bonney at the helm. A daily must-read for me, chock-full of everything a design buff like me thrives on! Stylecourt is also, as you may already know, one of my faves. As usual, the ever-knowledgeable Courtney is going above and beyond with her contributions this week. Today's post featured the great LA decorator Ruthie Sommers and her penchant for rehabbing furniture in her trademark amazing way. Remember that cheesy makeover show, "The Swan" from a couple of years ago? Ruthie's work is to furniture what those plastic surgeons' work was to patients. Similarly jaw-dropping. You will be amazed at what can be done with these "diamond in the rough" pieces she picks up and transforms. She should be dubbed "The Princess of Potential"! Ok, it's obvious I'm a big fan. So, I was doubly pleased to be mentioned on the same page with one of my style heroes. Thank you Courtney and Grace! Be sure to check out both Design*Sponge and Design*Sponge Guest Blog if you haven't already!

All images courtesy of Design*Sponge

THANKS, COURTNEY!!

I just wanted to thank Courtney Barnes of StyleCourt for her post today on my work appearing on Domino online. The actual chair in the painting is Courtney's own. She commissioned me to paint it last Summer and it also serves as the icon on her blog banner that I designed. It's been one of my most popular paintings and is now featured on note cards and greeting cards as well as a print. Thank you, Courtney, for all your support.

ANNECHOVIE ON DOMINO MAGAZINE WEBSITE

My work has been chosen by Decor8 blogger Holly Becker for the Domino Magazine online gift print gallery. Thanks Holly and Domino! You can view it HERE.

THE PARIS APARTMENT

One of the finds on the online boutique

Special thanks to the illustrious Claudia, of The Paris Apartment for her mention of my work yesterday on her blog. Claudia is a well-known author, (The Paris Apartment) who opened The Paris Apartment (shop version) in NYC years ago, a shabby-chic emporium and vintage store full of European finds. She now resides in Miami, FL and has both a blog and online boutique. You can read her post here.

PORTRAIT COMMISSION

Gouache painting on Arches paper (5x5)

This is a pair of small sketch portraits of a sister and brother I just completed, intended as a Christmas gift for their mother. (Hope mom isn't one of my readers!)

Please feel free to contact me for information on commissions! A great gift idea!

THE INSPIRED ROOM

I want to thank Melissa, of THE INSPIRED ROOM, for featuring and "interview" with me on her delightful blog today. Melissa's blog has quite a following and was recently voted as one of the Top 10 Design Blogs to Watch. Melissa is a talented woman who balances being a wife and mom with a blog and design business of her own based in Portland, Oregon. You can check out her POST here. Thank you, Melissa!

ANNECHOVIE IN ARDSLEY!

FINE ART PRINTS

NEW IKAT CHAIR FEATURED IN NOTECARD SET AND PRINTS

SILHOUETTE COLLAGE NOTECARDS

CHAIR COLLECTION NOTECARDS

Just another reminder that tomorrow artist Patricia van Essche of Ardsley, NY will be at the Concord Road Elementary School Holiday Boutique selling her gorgeous work, along with some of my cards, notecard sets and prints (a sampling pictured above) and the work of two other artists. If you live in NYC or close to Ardsley, stop in and see her. Hours for the boutique are 4:30 to 9:30 PM. The school is located on Heatherdell Road in Ardsley, NY. A portion of proceeds goes to benefit the school. So come out for a good cause! I know there are lots of readers in the area and Patricia would love to meet you!

HOLIDAY SALE ON NOW!

Hello Everyone!
I hope you all had an enjoyable Thanksgiving! I just wanted to say thank you to all of my readers, customers and clients who have supported my work and, in turn, Indie Art.

I don't know about you, but I am not the kind of person who likes to spend my Thanksgiving weekend rushing around and obsessing over my Holiday shopping. I believe in celebrating and savoring ONE holiday at a time. So, beginning today, I am kicking off the holiday shopping season with a special offer of 20% off all merchandise on my Etsy site good until the end of November (THIS FRIDAY!). I have slashed all my prices on the site by 20%. This includes prints, cards, notecard sets, collages, EVERYTHING! Due to many requests, I have recently added boxed notecards and greeting cards in new designs to my store. So check out my Etsy online store now (http://www.annechovie.etsy.com/) and find a great gift for someone special!!
Thanks and have a wonderful Holiday Season!

ANNECHOVIE AT HOLIDAY BOUTIQUE IN ARDSLEY, NY!

Just an invitation to all those readers in the NYC/Westchester County area - my talented artist friend, Patricia van Essche (of PVE Design), has secured a table at the Concord Road Elementary School Holiday Boutique. The sale will be at Concord Road Elementary School on Heatherdell Road in Ardsley, NY on Wednesday, November 28th. Hours are 4:30-9:30 P.M. Patricia will be selling her charming work and inexpensive holiday gifts, including some of my prints, greeting cards and notecards. Also, another friend of Patricia's, who sells unique recycled cashmere creations, will be represented at Patricia's booth. A portion of all proceeds will benefit the school, so if you live nearby, or know someone who does, you will be sure to find some great gifts there and support a great school at the same time. If you get a chance, stop by and meet the lovely, talented and gracious Patricia van Essche and support a great cause!

ANOTHER NEW NOTECARD SERIES!

Silhouette collage notecards (4 different styles - 2 of each)
CLICK HERE TO BUY!
I am excited to offer another new notecard series in time for Holiday gift giving or post-holiday thank-you notes. Each boxed set contains 8 cards - 2 each of four different styles pictured above. These are all based on my chair silhouette collage series. Three of these original works were purchased by the editor of one of America's top design/decor magazines and now hang in her office!

IKAT CHAIR

Ikat/Courtney Barnes Chair Notecards (set includes 4 Ikat chair cards and 4 Courtney Barnes Chair cards and 8 envelopes)

Gouache and acrylic on paper

New design now available as a print or notecards

CLICK HERE TO BUY!

Last week, while I was reading StyleCourt, I noticed a post Courtney Barnes did on a vintage chair that designer Jen West had rehabilitated. Knowing I have a thing for chairs, Courtney suggested that I needed to paint it. I thought it was a great idea and didn't need my arm twisted, so here it is! It's now available as an 8x10 print or in a set of notecards along with the Cortney Barnes Chair on my Etsy site. As you can see, Jen painted it a crisp white and then reupholstered it in a beautiful Ikat fabric. You can read the post from Monday on StyleCourt. Thanks for the post, Courtney! Wishing everyone a wonderful Thanksgiving, and for those around the world who don't celebrate Thanksgiving, a great day! I am thankful for so much, not least of which my readers and fellow bloggers who have added so much to my life. Thank you!

ARTIST'S PORTRAIT * ANDREW DANIEL

Andrew Daniel

Birdie Tree

Collection of Lollipops

Warmth of the Sun's Rays

Garden of Delights

Imaginary Floral Landscape

Imaginary Hybrid Flower Bush

Radiant Forest

Andrew Daniel is a painter I first discovered early this year on Etsy and was immediately drawn to all the beautiful, bold color and pattern he incorporates into his paintings. His works exudes a robust, sunny liveliness that sets it apart.

Andrew is a Los Angeles native born in 1974. In his youth, he moved to New England with his family when his father, a minister, was appointed to a church in Houlton, Maine. Andrew graduated from high school there and went on to study art at a community college in Augusta, Maine. From there, he transferred to the University of Maine and then moved back to California, graduating from Humboldt State University in Northern California. He now resides in nearby Arcata, California with his wife, Alice and 5 year old daughter, Abby. Besides being a gifted artist, Andrew is a genuinely nice guy who also has spent much time working with local children in after-school programs. He was kind to submit to an "interview" and tell us a little more about himself and his art.

What are your earliest memories of being involved making art or wanting to be an artist?

I knew a guy at the Unitarian summer camps that could draw anything. The other kids would always crowd around him and admire his talent. He was known as the go to guy for cool artsy graphics. He did a great job illustrating the Summer camp memory book. So some time around fourth grade I resolved that I wanted to be able to do that too. From what I hear, he went on to social work, because the art thing came too easy for him. He wanted more of a challenge.

What inspires you most as your subject matter?

I like to look at patterns in fabric and nature. I can get really inspired by the colors in someone’s paisley blouse or equally inspired by the way the pattern of leaves shimmers in the wind on a tree. Okay, maybe not equally, Trees inspire me quite deeply actually.

Where would you live if you could live anywhere?

Well, we really like it here, but sometimes it sounds fun to go live in Mexico. Imagine, just running a simple internet business and being able to live off of it down there! Anyway, I don’t think it would happen.

What do you find is the most challenging aspect of being an artist?

Finding time to create, having ideas ready to work on during that time and not getting distracted during that time.

Any projects you are currently working on that you are excited about?

During the last few large paintings, I have tried to base them off of other works of art. I have often collaborated with folks and for whatever reason, the end product is not completely satisfying. By working off of another artists work, I can collaborate with whatever creative genius I choose, but I get the final say on everything! HA HA!

Who are some of your favorite artists? Pierre Bonnard, Francis McCormack, Richard Diebenkorn, Sol Lewitt, Laura Fayer, Brett Bigbee, Fairfield Porter, Eduard Manet, John Singer Sargent, Max Beckman, Robert Colescott, Edouard Vuillard, Hundertwasser, Joan Mitchell, Leslie Price, Terry Winters, Elmer Bischoff, Beatriz Milhazes, Laura Owens, Fred Tomaselli, Neil Welliver, Gustav Klimt, Claude Monet………… Ask me another day and I could provide another twenty!

Thanks for the interview, Andrew! Keep us updated on your latest! Wishing you continued growth and success and a wonderful Holiday Season for you and your family!

Andrew has a website, an Etsy store and a blog. Check them out here!

Website: http://www.artofandrewdaniel.com/

Blog: http://www.artofandrewdaniel.blogspot.com/

Etsy store: http://artofandrewdaniel.etsy.com/

DEAR DESIGNER

Some photos I snapped yesterday at the beach on my "day off".

You may be wondering what these photos have to do with the title of this post?? Well, nothing actually to do with the title, BUT, just keep reading...

Firstly, I just wanted to thank Emily Johnston, of the Dallas-based blog, Dear Designer, for featuring my work this week. Emily is a young designer with the novel approach of educating and providing the client with stylish, yet affordable options for those of us who are looking to make the most of our budget. Emily contacted me this week for some art/design work and I am looking forward to working with her! Thanks, Emily!

I am constantly surprised and amazed at all the wonderful people I continue to meet here worldwide through this design/blogging community. As the time for Thanksgiving approaches (can't believe it's next week!) I am reminded to take a breather from my feverish pace of late and look around me. I have so much to be thankful for. Sometimes, in just trying to survive and stay on top of things, we forget to pause and be refreshed and inspired by the beauty and good things in our lives. Yesterday, I took a rare day off and was reminded why I am so blessed to live here in Florida. The natural beauty here is incredible! It really does inspire creativity.

It's true that no matter what we are going through in life, good or not so good, there are always things to be thankful for. The people who love and support us, new friends, the natural beauty, and the simple pleasures in life. The capacity to appreciate things is, in itself, a priceless gift from God.

CHAIR COLLECTION NOTECARD SET

New boxed notecard set of 8 different chairs notecards with envelopes

CLICK HERE TO BUY!

The first notecard set is here! Featuring my Chair Collection, these are high quality 4.25 x 5.50 inch matte notecards with white envelopes in a clear box. These are just in time for the Holidays. They would make a great stocking stuffer or a gift for friends, teachers, hostesses or anyone on your list!

JONI WEBB IN HOUSTON HOUSE AND HOME

Congratulations to my friend and fellow blogger, Joni Webb of Cote de Texas! Her beautiful home was featured in this month's Houston House and Home. With her trademark humor-infused frankness, Joni gives us some background on the photo shoot and what she went through in preparation for it on her blog. Entertaining!

ST. HONORE FRAMBOISE

Acrylic on board (6x6)
CLICK HERE TO BUY!

This is an original painting of a wonderful pastry, the St. Honore Framboise, from the famed Parisian Patisserie, Laduree. This delectable treat is "floating" on an aqua background. Painted on 1/4 inch gesso board w/painted edges. Perfect for framing or leave as is. A thoughtful gift for someone sweet!

MORE CARDS!

Aqua Interior


Louis Chair No.1



Louis Chair no. 3


Vintage Mini Cooper
CLICK HERE TO BUY!

More greeting cards have been added to my Etsy site! 4 more of my most popular designs are now available: Aqua Interior, Louis Chair No. 3, Louis Chair No. 1, and the Vintage Mini Cooper. Special discounts are available when you buy several, plus, it saves on shipping! These 5x7 cards are the standard size greeting cards, blank inside and come with an envelope in a clear protective sleeve. They are even suitable for framing, if you want a "mini" print collection. Great to have around for many different occasions. Look for the notecard sets coming out within the next week also! I will also be adding some holiday cards - hopefully they will be on my site by next week. I am in the midst of jury duty now, so I am a little distracted and short on time this week. Hope everyone's week is going well so far!

MARTHA STEWART'S STUDIO

If Betty Crocker had a face........

I am sure no one reading this would argue with the fact that Martha Stewart is not a woman known for doing anything half-way. I am certain the term "Slacker" is one that has never been applied to her. She can hardly be accused of laziness or anything less than taking just about every effort to a whole new level. Though she may have her share of detractors, you have to admit that she has more talent in more realms than most people, male or female, are willing to admit. Designer, writer, entrepreneur, gardener, gourmet chef, crafter, decorator, baker, mother, TV host, CEO and the list goes on. Like her or not, the creative output of this one woman can be described as nothing less than "phenomenal". I came across these photos of her home craft room/studio on her website. Look at this room! A place for everything and everything in it's place. Perhaps that is how she gets so much done. Maybe it's why she gets so little sleep. I love it. She has EVERYTHING down to a science. What did her parents feed her as a baby? Did she ever have an unproductive day? Was she knitting her own booties in her crib when her mother put her down for a nap? Whatever the case, she has managed to inspire me once again........


Notice how she makes use of every inch of space

I wonder if her drawers always look that tidy? Hmmm, probably!

Craft operating table

Have you seen her craft line at Michaels? Papers, party accessory kits, tools, ribbon, stickers, you name it! Amazing! She could almost suck you into scrapbooking....almost......

Does someone anal-retentive live here? Check out her website HERE

Vive la Martha!

Photos from MarthaStewart.com

ANNECHOVIE GREETING CARDS ARE HERE!

ORANGE BERGERE CHAIR CARD

COURTNEY BARNES CHAIR CARD

CLICK HERE TO BUY!

After many requests, I am now introducing my own line of Greeting Cards sold on my ETSY site. The first 2 cards will feature a couple of my best selling prints - my Orange Bergere Chair and Courtney Barnes Chair. These cards are printed on quality card stock and are standard greeting card size (5x7). They are blank inside and come with an envelope (of course) in a clear acetate sleeve. I will continue adding more cards very soon, as well as packages of notecards and some holiday cards, so check back often! Wholesale prices are available to retailers who buy 20 items or more. Have a great Fall weekend!