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.

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!

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!

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.

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.

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!

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!

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.

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!

TANK YOU

Love Where You Live

Anchor Cottage

Professor's Wife

Wishing True

Brooch the Subject

My Cup of Te 

Renee Finberg Tells All

Belclaire House 

Monaco Interiors

Muffy Martini

Lisa Porter Collection

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!

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.

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!!

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.

NEW FROM MY STUDIO

How was your weekend?  Mine was especially enjoyable.

Temps in the 70's, sunshine, some great company, sushi and a little bossa nova & relaxation.

Here's the latest from my studio, an original painting of more blue and white porcelain. This piece was painted on gessoed board with painted blue 1 inch edges. It's all ready to hang or set on a shelf or table. If you don't want the original, a print is also available in 2 different sizes - all are here in my shop. I know that a lot of you have requested more blue and white, so here's proof that I am listening and aim to please!!

NEEDLEPOINT IS CHIC!

A special thanks to Kelly Market for featuring a post on my needlepoint kits.  Needlepoint is experiencing a revival in this generation and it's not just for grannies anymore!! It's a timeless craft and now you can find kits with a contemporary twist to pep up your decor. There are an endless variety available here.
HAVE A SUPAH WEEKEND!!

ROYAL PROFILE

Blame it on my English blood (one of many strains this "mutt" - me has, including Italian, French, Irish and Native American), but I have a fascination with the Queen Elizabeth II's profile. I have had some fun pairing colors with these silhouette collages I created. They are both available now in my shop.

**Don't forget that I will also gladly create a custom silhouette of someone you love! You can buy a custom silhouette package in my Etsy store as well, specifying your color preferences. Time to get scissor-happy, kids!!

THE DAYS ARE GETTING LONGER....

A few shots from my phone when I was at the beach last night. I love the progression of the changing light. The Gulf was pretty calm, but the soft lapping of the waves was soothing. No place like the beach....

Hope you have an excellent weekend!

BONNIE LONNY

When I browse through a magazine, I am all about the visual stimulation, way more than the text. I am first a "looker" and then a "reader". If the visuals aren't tempting then I am probably not going to take it to the next step and actually read the text. Online magazine Lonny is one of my favorites - they never fail to deliver the eye candy I am craving and these two photos are my favorites from the latest issue.

The colors are reviving and inspiring!

YOUR FAVORITE CHAIR

This chair was painted on a commission from one of my clients in Australia. This is actually the chair her husband loves to sit in. Their incredible home looks out on the ocean and the view from this chair is phenomenal. I am available to paint your favorite chair as well, be it simple or ornate, modern or antique. Please contact me here for more information.

These commissions make a unique and thoughtful gift for a relative or friend as well.

I would also like to send some heartfelt prayers and well wishes to my friends in Australia who have been hit with devastating floods. I feel for you guys!

CHRISTMAS CARDS

I know that the Holidays just ended and you probably don't want to think about it for a looong time. The decorations have been taken down and put away and life goes on. The stores are already stocking Valentine's Day items - yikes.

You might want to keep in mind an idea for next Holiday Season, though.

This is a commission that I created for a charming Texas couple to use for their Christmas card. They are newlyweds who wanted to mark their first year together in their new home.

If you'd like information on commissioning something similar OR a painting of your home, pet or favorite things - please write me here for more information.