BERMUDA SWIRL - NEW PAINTING

I am not one of those people who subscribes to the theory that certain colors have to be confined to certain seasons.  I like color and don't think it necessarily needs "muddying" for the Fall and Winter months. 

Someone bitter and critical once told me that I liked what they resentfully termed "Circus Colors". That was probably the truest statement that ever came out of their mouth and I am not about to argue with it! 

So, I like circus colors......to each his own!  I will live joyfully with my circus colors and they can live miserably entombed with their "morgue colors". 

It's ironic to me how people that attempt to manipulate by insulting or tearing down others often times just have the opposite of their desired effect. More often, they cause you to become even more established in whatever preferences or behavior they are fighting against.

My mantra is "Live and Let Live". It's so important to let people be who God created them to be. I once heard someone say that the greatest key to influencing people is ACCEPTING them, just the way they are. That doesn't mean you deny the existence of their weaknesses, shortcomings or areas that can benefit from discipline and growth, it just means that you extend credit and grace to them, giving them latitude to be individuals and you don't try to mold them into what fits your own selfish desires. 

This is my goal: not to be a cringe-inducer, but a person who causes other to sigh with relief when I ENTER a room, not EXIT it! Ok, off my soapbox now. 

This original painting is available now in my online shop here. 

KEEP CALM MATCHES ARE HERE!

My "Bermuda Swirl" Keep Calm design is now available in matchbox sets. Great for stocking stuffers or as accompaniment to a chi-chi candle as a holiday hostess gift!

Get them here! 

EXOTIC TASTE - ORIENTALIST INTERIORS

Vendome Press recently sent me new release"Exotic Taste - Orientalist Interiors". I had to set aside some quality time to look over and visually digest the lush photos and fascinating text. It was a bit like sitting down to a 6 course meal. Most definitely not the kind of experience you want to rush through, as you couldn't possibly appreciate all the details in the photos and the wealth of information contained in the pages.

For those interested in Chinoiserie, you will especially enjoy this book as author Emmanuelle Gaillard provides a rich and educational background on design influences from not only the Far East and China, but India and the Islamic world also. The above photo of the porcelain cabinet at Charlottenburg Palace in Berlin gives a mere glimpse into just how amazing and sumptuous most of these interiors are (and I thought my mom was into her blue and white china!)  You will thoroughly relish feasting on the wonderful photos by Marc Walter and adding this to your personal design library for ongoing reference and enjoyment. Ask for it at your local bookstore or find it for sale online here.

KEEP CALM GETS A NEW SPIN

Here's the latest spin on my Keep Calm design.  A colorful swirly background from one of my original paintings, "Bermuda Swirl" capped off with the familiar slogan and my own version of the crown.  I like to think of it as a colorful infusion of optimism in whatever space it inhabits. This is available on stretched, gallery-wrapped canvas in my shop here.    

CHANEL BY ANNECHOVIE

The fourth painting in my "Luxe-Fumes" series is here!

This is Chanel No 5 by popular demand and the large print, 

as well as the original, below

both are for sale now in my shop!

These join the other 3 fragrances and there are more to come!  

These would make a charming collection of originals here or the prints here.

Hope you have a fabulous October weekend!

MORE MONOGRAMMED MATCHES!

I am introducing another new design for personalized monogram matches! 

The popular blue and white ginger jar design with blue monogram. They come in sets of 9 boxes each and are perfect to have around the house or give as a one-of-a-kind gift!  Get yours here 

MUSE INTERIORS

Muse Interiors is an Interior Design firm based in Greenwich, CT and founded in 2000 by Lauren Muse.

I love her ability to pair clean lines and bright spaces without sacrificing warmth or ambience.  Muse Interiors has been published in numerous design publications and recently chosen for an AtHome Magazine A-List Award.

Lauren also happens to be one of my customers and sent me a very thoughtful email with a photo of some of my prints she has framed in her office!  Thank you, Lauren!!

To find out more about Muse Interiors click here to go to their site. 

FALL FASHION?

Even dolls can be sporting the latest designer togs this season.  I thought this was adorable.....British Etsy seller "Wooly Rockers" makes these hand-knitted dresses for Blythe dolls designed to look like Orla Kiely's patterns.  Find this here. 

Have an AMAZING weekend!

ARTIST'S PORTRAIT * JOEL PENKMAN

Today I'd like to feature a fabulous artist who has been popping up all over the internet lately. Joel Penkman is a native New Zealander now living in Britain. His work caught my eye the first time I saw it and his attention to detail is amazing. I love this recent series celebrating trademark British delicacies as it combines 2 of my favorite things, food and art. He has been gracious enough to take time out and answer a few questions so we can get better acquainted with the man behind the work. 

Where were you born?

The South Island, New Zealand

What would you take if your house were burning down?

If James and Molly were ok, I'd grab our 2 teddy bears and my laptop.

Your favorite book?

Wuthering Heights

If you could have only 1 last meal, what would be on the menu?

That's tricky as I love so many things - probably something creamy.

Do you prefer hot weather or cold?

Hot, because I always feel cold.

Favorite artists?

 Edward Hopper, Richard Estes, Wayne Theibauld, and Andrew Wyeth

Pet Peeve?

Peple telling me what I want (how would they know?), litter and unscrupulous people.

  Best childhood memory?

Nothing comes to mind immediately, but I was always very happy making things from bits of rubbish.

Favorite travel destination?

I'd rather go somewhere new than return to a favorite place because you never know what you're missing out on, but Tokyo was amazing and I loved Morton island, just off the coast by Brisbane, Australia.

Favorite shop?

It's not exactly a shop, but I love going to our local carboot sale. Every week is different and you never know what great thing you'll pick up.

Most visited links?

Design Sponge, The Guardian, BBC iPlayer and does Google count? Google has the answer for everything.

What - to you - is the best thing about being an artist?

There are so many things. I love seeing a painting coming together, I love that there is something to show for my time, I love working for myself and I love making something that can make others happy.

A huge thanks to Joel for his time and for giving us a peek into his creative world. Be sure to check out his fabulous website here and his etsy shop here.

YOUR PLACE - MY PAINTBRUSH

I just wanted to remind anyone who may be thinking of giving a home portrait commission this holiday season that I am taking orders now for delivery in time for the holidays.  This watercolor of a charming Georgetown townhouse is just as sample of how I can work from photos.  A custom home, pet or "favorite things" portrait makes a unique gift that will be cherished for years to come!  You can even order custom note cards with the commissioned image as well. Take a look at my Flickr site for more ideas and please contact me here for more info and pricing.  

BEMZ DOES BEDROOMS!

Remember when you were a child and you had a favorite doll, but sometimes they needed a new outfit to freshen things up?  Now the Swedish company Bemz has given us a TON of new options for slipcovering our furniture to match our mood - it's like clothing for our furniture!

They've been offering slipcovers for popular IKEA sofas and chairs for a while now, giving us options other than the banal khaki, white, navy, or red that so many retailers are limited to. They actually have some APPEALING fabric choices, which is nothing short of a novelty in our mass market color-phobic society. They offer Belgian linen, makers such as Designers Guild (yippeee!),  Marimekko and more. Now, they are adding something I am very excited about......upholstered bed slipcovers and bed skirts. I love upholstered beds, but haven't been able to work up a heck of a lot of enthusiasm for the blah options that are affordable. Well, Bemz has changed all that - with a fabric range of more than 180 different colors and patterns, the only hard part might be picking a favorite. They are offering 10% off all bed skirts through October 9th.

Check out Bemz here. 

Have an outstanding weekend as well!

BRIGHT BOOKS

I have a notebook obsession and these little numbers from Campo Marzio are floating my boat!

Find them here 

NEW KEEP CALM PRINTS & SPECIAL PRICE!

Limey

Cloud

Bermuda Pink

Delray Aqua

Mackinac Lilac

Due to the sustained popularity and relevance of the "Keep Calm and Carry On" slogan, I have tweaked and revived my own design and am introducing some brand new colors (as well as ready-framed prints for $58-contact me here to order). Great to keep in mind for gift-giving and the upcoming holiday season.

 I AM OFFERING AN INTRODUCTORY SPECIAL JUST THIS WEEK OF 15% off the regular price of all Keep Calm prints with this code at checkout: KEEP15

Also, a new version below for all those of you who still value mom's advice AND an elephant version I designed a couple of years ago to benefit a charity that helps girls in India (these are available in all of the regular Keep Calm colors above). Check them all out here.

"Call Mom" version in Julia's Butter

Indian Elephant version in pink

Indian Elephant version in indigo

BUNK BEDS WITH VERVE

I caught a recent episode of the Home by Novogratz program on HGTV and loved their makeover of a bedroom for triplets in Manhattan's Hell's Kitchen.  Cortney Novogratz designed these ingenious bunk beds to save floor space for the active toddlers.  Bunk beds are such a smart and popular solution for kids or guest areas where you need to sleep several people.  I also loved the photo mural of the adorable triplets that filled up the facing wall. I was impressed with the new show that's now on HGTV and find the energy and enthusiasm of the Novogratz family to be very inspiring. I was happy to hear that they will be back for yet another season!

HOPE YOU ALL HAVE A TERRIFIC WEEKEND!!

MORE ROOT VEG MANIA

I am now officially on a root vegetable kick! I promise this is my last post on root veggies for a long time. Thanks to everyone who left a comment or recipe last week - you inspired me!

I tried roasting beets for the first time and all I can say is that it certainly won't be the last.

These vibrant little jewels are amazing, especially garnished with a little goat cheese. Prep is a cinch - all you do is trim the ends, wash well and throw them in a small baking dish with some olive or vegetable oil (light coating) and a little salt and pepper. Bake for about 1 hour at 350 or until beets can be cut through center with knife and no elbow grease. Truly amazing. But, the fun doesn't stop there.......

After trimming off the beet greens, I washed them thoroughly and then chopped them roughly, adding them to a little vegetable oil and garlic I had going over medium heat in a pan when the beets had approx. 10 minutes left to cook. 

Add some kosher salt or sea salt flakes and some freshly ground pepper while gently flipping in the pan and you've got a treat that is definitely addictive! I decided to go with a little sprinkling of goat cheese with the greens as well - yum. Would you try these? 

THANK YOU!

Dolce Dreams

Chocolate, Shoes and Coffee

Laura Casey Interiors

Brilliant Chic 

Prescription Craft Often 

The Pink Pagoda

This BlueBird

The Ministry of Pie

Did you have a nice weekend?  

The rainy season here in South Florida is ending and even though the highs are still in the low to mid 90's, the blue skies are brighter & clearer and it no longer feels like a steambath.  I am glad that Fall is on it's way! 

I'd like to thank of all these great blogs for their recent posts featuring my work.  Please stop by these sites and let them know I sent you. The support shared in this crazy blogging community is priceless!

 Thank you all so much and hope your week gets off to a great start.