Owls

Stocking up on some Owl ornaments and felt rings for my show in May! Super excited about all my new work.

Whats been keeping me busy....

Sooooo much to say...It has been a busy busy spring and now summer has finally arrived and I am still going going going!

I'm not sure where I left off or even where to begin. I wanted to share a few things that have been keeping me busy and at least give you the excuse as to why I am horrible at updating my blog. : (

Last month Steve and I traveled to Chattanooga Tn for a folk art show which was so much fun. Since then I have been selling some of my work here or there with full profit going to Jude's recovery.

I started selling my work at Bell's Handcrafts and now I am selling at Corner Arts Gallery downtown Newnan. I have sold two pieces so far and that just puts a smile on my face and I hope whom ever has bought too!

We went to the beach the last week of May and had a great time just being a family. Got to soak up the sun at one of our favorite beaches Steve and I used to go to when we lived in Florida. Now we get to take our girls there.

We had swimming lessons two weeks ago and last week was VBS! Me and my good friend Jodi always teach the crafts.....exhausting but so much fun! I claim her every year cause she is a real teacher and knows how to run a class. LOL

We are still homeschooling but because we go through the year we are doing four days a week right now. So excited about starting 1st grade soon. Emma amazes me and makes me laugh everyday.....not all days are perfect though. : )

Well just a few tidbits about what has been happening at the Smith's house! We are having a blast and excited about the future. I will post new work as I make it.

Happy Summer my friends!

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Bell's Handcrafts

Well my friends I have exciting news. One of our local stores here in Historical downtown Newnan is selling some of my work.

I haven't sold my work in a store in a few years. Actually about 5. I have changed so much as an artist and there have been so many changes in our lives that I've stayed pretty busy. However, I am finally at a place to give this a try again and see how I do.

Go check out their Bell's Handcrafts website and find their facebook fan page and click 'LIKE"!!!

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Who-fest 2012

OK, so I am really late on posting any pictures from Who-fest this year but I got tons of excuses.....just maybe not good enough ones. So here are a few pics of our fun weekend. Unfortunately we had to leave Sunday morning due to the rain so I did not get to visit or take as many pictures of my friends as I normally do. Bummer!!!! We did have a great time and appreciated all the hard work involved in making this a successful show. Looks like a Who-fest too is coming this September and if all goes well I plan on being there.

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Some of my new work

A few of  my favorite new pieces I made for Who-fest that sold. We had such a good time and I just love seeing people walk away with my work and a smile! : )

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Painting for Jude

It has been such a beautiful spring! I cannot believe that June is just a breath away. Trying to keep up with homeschooling and domestic duties keeps my time pretty much filled but I thought I would sit down and type a bit about what has been going on.

Well, first off I posted a few weeks ago that my brother's little boy Jude has been diagnosed with leukemia. It was a shock to all of us and especially to them. Jude has been in and out of the hospital with a few complications but we are reminded daily God has him in the palm of HIS healing hands. Their baby girl is due this Friday so I will have a niece which is their first girl! I know they are really excited about that but weighed down with new responsibilities and stresses. They have a long road ahead but seem to be handling things well. They are very blessed to be surrounded by so many that care for them and are able to help. I wish I was able to do more but we live too far away so we do what we can and pray! If you are interested in keeping up with Jude's journey to recovery here is a site my brother is updating as he can. http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/jbgriffinhttp://www.caringbridge.org/visit/jbgriffin

A few weeks ago I felt led to paint this painting. I wasn't sure how it was going to turn out but by the end of the day I really liked what I saw. So I posted it on my facebook fan page and a friend of mine saw it and said she wanted to buy it. I told her all profit of this particular painting will be going to Jude's medical expenses. A few minutes later another friend said she wanted one too so I decided how ever many of these particular paintings sold I would donate the profit to Jude. After a day another friend contacted me and requested one too. lol

We were at Who-fest in Chattanooga TN. a few weekends ago and I sold another painting in honor of Jude. This is the painting that sold.

Precious Hands

A few years ago I decided to make over our bedroom. I needed it to be a place where I could get away. Everything I do and anywhere I go involves my babies. I am not complaining, but in the evening when they go to bed I don't want to look at toys and the product of our day. I just felt like making my room a get away with calm tranquil colors would be awesome! However I wanted to incorporate something of theirs that tied my theme and design together. So I took a few old frames. I painted them a dark umber brown and distressed them. Then I made three separate collages to put in each frame to hang above our bed. The far left one is a cut out of Emma's hand with her name and the word "faith" on it. The middle one is two birds with the word "Love" on it. The one on the right is a cut out of Abbie's hand with her name and the word "Hope" on it. I love these pieces dearly and will always cherish them! Just wanted to share!

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Crochet flower ring with painted button center

I wish you could see my kitchen. Because I do not have my own studio yet (hopes for the future) I create mostly in my kitchen with my girls at my feet, in my face ALL day. No complaints cause I know it won't last forever. Anywho, I have several unfinished projects lying all over my counter tops and table. IT IS SPRING, that is what I do....create! I saw a flowered crochet ring somewhere lately and I thought I can do that and decided to make my very own. One that went with my own style and colors. I am extremely excited about this, I love big, funky jewelry. (I have some favorite pieces of my jewelry I plan on posting about later.)

I painted a wooded button and then sewed it onto the crochet flower and super glued it to the ring.....fun and easy huh!

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Felt Monster (Boo)

My two year old calls this "Boo". This past Halloween she really became aware of things. During that season there are so many monsters, witches and pumpkins and her older sister would say "BOOOOOOOO" to her so she started associating all things Halloween as boo.

I am not the best sewer or even great with stitching but this was just something fun I made one day sitting outside while my girls were playing in the beautiful weather. His name is "Boo"!

Key to my Heart

My good friend text me a few nights ago about a folk song she knew I would love. I fell in love with it. I am going to teach it to my little birds. Here is the link if you are interested in hearing it. It is by Elizabeth Mitchell called Little Bird.

I painted this piece the other day. I'm thinking it is my favorite. At least until my next one is my favorite. I had such a good time working on it. It was a peaceful, beautiful first day of spring and I will always remember it when I look at it. The hard part about being an artist is selling a piece of my soul and memory to someone who wasn't there the moment I created it. Sometimes I give myself permission to keep them.

I remember when Emma would cry and get upset that I was packing my art to go to a show. She didn't want anyone to have them. I can relate to how she felt. Sometimes when a piece has sold I get so excited knowing it is going to be hung in someone else's nest and they will smile every time they look at it and yet I am saying goodbye to something that I created from my heart.

My sweet little baby birds do have the key to my heart. They are 2 reasons why I  take a breath each morning.

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XOXO owls mixed media

While Emma worked on her math and writing I painted. That is one reason I LOVE homeschooling. I haven't painted owls lately and so I wanted to do something with owls. My supplies were scrap paper, acrylic paint, felt, buttons, and some stamps to add texture and more layers.

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My friend Ashlie Blake with Painting Bliss

I am so excited to pass the word along about my friend Ashlie Blake with Painting Bliss. She has been an Internet art friend for several years but we have communicated more in the last few months and opportunities are popping up everywhere for her. I am so happy and keep watching in amazement on what is happening in her art career. Her work is centered on nature and life and the beauty she sees in it. I am drawn to her and her work because of the colors, her use of texture and style....oh and SHE LOVES HELLO KITTY so that means she is definitely a sista to me!



This is one of my favorite pieces! I love birds. Another reason I am attracted to Ashlie's work so much.

Ashlie

Check out her about me page.

Ashlie is a Kindred Spirit and I am so lucky to be her art friend! Check out her newest adventure with her blogging and art Here.

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Sketches done on a cold and blustery day

I am gearing up for one of my favorite art shows and I want some new work. I haven't done much painting this winter and it is time to get my mojo working. I sat down yesterday, curled up on my couch with my sketchbook, a cup of hot peppermint tea, while Footloose was on the TV. These are just a few pages of sketches I came up with. Although they may not make any sense to you, I know what they mean.

Not all my thumbnails will turn into a painting this year or even next year but I love to look back at old sketch books and see what I came up with. Sometimes it sparks a new idea.

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chirplove shared an Instagram photo with you

Hi there,
chirplove just shared an Instagram photo with you:

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"It is official. With much thought and somewhat turmoil I have closed citygirlstudios.com. I have evolved and grown so much as an artist from when I first started city girl studios in 2004. It is a chapter closed, but with that a new one begins. I am so excited to be starting my new, fresh chapter. I will be updating my blog as best I can. I am a stay at home mom and stay busy with keeping up with my home, homeschooling my 6yr old and my art. I hope to keep you coming back to see what I am doing. I hope we can grow as kindred spirits. xoxo"

Thanks,
The Instagram Team

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Well February is about over and I am sorry to say I wished it away since it has been such a rough month with kids being sick.  I am ready to free my mind of the clutter, let go and get my PAINT ON!!!!

Today I got all my supplies out on my kitchen counter and started going through scraps of paper, materials, buttons, and paints. There is just something about sitting and looking through my treasures that kick starts my creative button. These are the two pieces I did today.

My first piece for Spring.....sigh!!!!

"Stay Calm, Chirp On"

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