I chose this piece today because it was one of my first pieces to get published.

I remember loving this when I painted it and I still do.  I would make some changes if I were to paint it again but it still makes me smile.  You can see this on my Frog Fabric Line.  I still have “Thinking Of You” prints in several sizes.

WILL YOU PAINT A CUSTOM PAINTING FOR ME?

At this time I cannot promise many custom paintings. If you have an idea and would like to get on my list I will be happy to add you. I try to squeeze one in every few weeks.

If you are self-publishing this book then lets talk. If you would like illustrations for a picture book then lets talk. If this is your first book then you should know you can submit your book without any illustrations. In fact most publishers like to find their own illustrator.. There is so many ways to submit a book and so many great resources out there. A wonderful place to start is Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators.

I use tracing paper. I draw everything in pieces and I can erase and erase and erase.  When I have my drawings the way I like them I can transfer them to my nice paper. You can move your drawings around to get a better visual of where to place things.  Once you figure where to place them, flip the tracing paper over and follow the lines.  You will have a reverse image.  If you don’t want to use the reverse image you will need to flip the tracing paper over before and trace the lines.  Then flip it again and trace to your paper.  You will have a clean drawing on paper without erase marks ready to paint.  Waaaa Laaaaaa!  I get my tracing paper from Walmart.  That is the cheapest I have found.

The next day about 11:00 am I remembered the painting!  I searched the artists name and was super excited to see he was an artist from Estonia (where is that?) and his art is really worth something. I found out some info on him, and I realized a  painting of his was auctioned off in 1989 for 150,000 eeks. So I’m all excited except I don’t know what eeks are and how much is that??? Well after some very excited searching for currency exchanges, some trial and maybe an error, I think it might be $18,000 bazillion dollars!  So I tear down to the thrift store to collect my gift from Osvald Eslon of Estonia/ticket to the Antique Roadshow.

Driving the whole way there I was terrified someone saw that same painting and bought it. Why didn’t I hide it? Or buy it.  I love that painting! It was the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen!

I parked.  Dashed in, eyes darting.  There it was!!! Holy Cow! I’m going to the Antique Roadshow!!! Trying to remain calm I gently picked it up, handled it a lot more carefully then the day before.  I took my beautiful painting to the counter. Now where I got the idea to say this I will never know. But remember I can be really cheap sometimes.  I said to the man working behind the counter , “Does your art ever go on sale?”
He said, “Yes”.
I said, “When?”
He said,” I make the sales.” And he picked it up to ponder the worth.
I said , “I really liked this painting yesterday but I would need to buy a frame…..”

He said, “1953, that’s old!  Look you can still see the paint by numbers lines. Har har har!

I forced a laugh here, and smiled at him letting him know how clever he was.

He said, “$37.50.  I said a little too quickly, “That sounds good.”  And I whipped out my credit card. With tax, it was $40.59!!!
I lovingly took my treasure home and am now an owner of an original Osvald Eslon that could be worth 150000 eeks, whatever that is!

I collect frogs and you will see some of them here and there, most are gifts from people.  This one in the hammock is pretty darling.

This shelf doesn’t really hold anything I use now that I look at it.  Fabric.  This cool lamp was from my grandparents house.  The little castle  has their name on it.  I loved it when I was little and am happy it’s now mine.  Actually, this lamp also became an inspiration for a set of vocabulary cards I did.  I painted the cobblestones in pretty colors instead of the usual grays.

Some of my fabrics.  I like to see them all folded and colorful.  I don’t sew, so they just hang out here.

Some more of my fabrics. From this upstairs window I can see a neighbors yard.  They have five (yes five!) horrible dogs.

I removed my closet doors.  This feels warmer. Behind these curtains is a lot of stuff.

Two computers.  I’m going to get a second 27  inch one pretty soon.  I don’t like how one is all big and glorious and the other  sits there with it’s feelings hurt.  So in order to spare that injustice I will get another big one.  Plus it feels so imbalanced.

July 20, 2010

Pebbles… The reason I am getting very little done this week. Having her is like having the circus come to my house. She follows me around and I in turn fawn all over her. What? Show more photos, you ask?

Naps… unfortunately not full time in her crate yet. We are still in a stand off about it. But maybe by the end of the week. The rest of the time she is in, on and all over my bed and me.

She loves my pool but the jury is still out on if she can actually swim. I’m guessing from our few trials she would be a better deep sea diver.

I love dressing her up. She doesn’t. She makes me feel guilty like a child’s beauty pageant mother. I keep reminding her that it is her dream to be a model and I’m just helping her fulfill it.