peace runs deep

The weight of my world came crashing down today.
But I will get back on my feet and dust myself off because peace runs deep in Him...

peek

Here's a little peek into what my day has been looking like...

this is the light I wake up to every morning. I stare at the lines for a long time before I actually get out of bed.

I ordered a piece of jewelry from Nervous System and this was the packing paper. 

more progress on the commission I've been working on.

playing with my food.

peek-a-boo

a.m.

Good morning.

I am blogging in the a.m.  That's new for me.

Thought I'd share a work in progress photo of a commission I'm working on that is turning out quite to my liking...

Also wanted to share some images that are really just doing it for me this morning.  So much happy color.

Jonas Wood via Pinterest

'Weekend' by Ariel Dill via Pinterest

flowers by Sarah Brysk Cohen via Design*Sponge
photo by Maxwell Tielman

Lola Donoghue via Etsy

That's my little blurb for this a.m.  Going to spend the rest of my morning drawing.

Happy Sunday.

love, me

the best day

I'm having the best day.

Really I decided to blog just to tell you that.  I opened the windows to bring some of that fresh spring air into the house, burned incense, ate a giant, beautiful bowl of fruit (again), bought this and this on Etsy from one of the sweetest people I know online, had a nice email correspondence with someone who totally made my day, worked on some new agate drawings and listened to this album on repeat.

My works in progress this evening.  I have high hopes for them.

Hope you are having a great day too and wising for you a weekend filled with simple pleasures and lots of love.

love, me

art for your neck

I tend to obsess over things.

Lately it's necklaces.  Here are a few that I am loving.

'Eva' necklace by Loumi

I am currently waiting for this beauty by Nervous System to arrive in my mailbox...a little self indulgence.

'Radiolaria' pendant by Nervous System

'Colorful Beaded Strand' necklaces by Nest Pretty Things

I own this lovely triangle necklace in gold.  It's the perfect necklace to wear with everything, everyday.  I'd love to have it in this black matte version too.

'Geometric' necklace by Curious Creatures Shop

'Silver Arrow' pendant by Datter Industries

'Molten Moon' necklace by Sahlia

it's alive

True story.  A little over a year ago, for my birthday, a friend of mine gave me one of her beloved plants.  A jade plant.  As she handed it to me, she said, "Please don't kill it."

>>> pressure <<<

I am not a plant person.  I would like to be but I just don't seem to be able to keep them alive and thriving like some people can.  So, as much as I love how green plants add life to your space, I don't bring them home because I don't like feeling inept.

Soooo... I have been seriously loving up this jade plant and treating it with such care and fussing over it and moving it around the house to make sure it gets adequate amounts of sunlight and talking to it and all that crazy plant stuff you have to do to make sure it knows you care about it.

And you know what?

It's still alive.

See Karen?  I didn't kill it.

lip balm, art and veggie burgers

It's after 6 p.m. and the sun is still shining.  Thank you DST.

I'm currently working on about 4 different art pieces at once.  Not something I usually do.  I'm a work-on-one-piece-at-a-time girl.  So I have nothing finished or interesting enough to post today.

But I will share with you some random stuff.  With links!

A little fact about me...I love lip balm.  Specifically Bonne Bell Lip Smackers in Strawberry.  I've been using it for years.  I know, how very grown up and sophisticated of me.  However, I have recently come to the conclusion that other than it tasting and smelling good, it doesn't hydrate my lips very well.  So I've been searching for new, more grown up lip balm.  My ideal balm is very hydrating with a touch of sheer color and shine.  I really love Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment in the Rose color.  It feels really nice on your lips and the hint of color is perfect.  The only problem I have with it is that you have to reapply it constantly.  And it's a little pricey for balm.

After being bombarded with advertisements for L'Oreal Colour Riche Balm I decided to give it a try.  I got the Rose Elixar color and I have to say I really love it.  Its hydrating and has decent staying power.  The rose color is the perfect rose/pink/neutral color for me and I think it would be flattering on all skin tones.  And it has just the right amount of shine.  Plus it's only about $6.  It has a nice scent as well.  Bonus.

I have been admiring a painting on Etsy by Nancy Desmond for quite a long time and finally decided to buy it.  It's one of a series she did of abstract landscapes.  I love original art so much and to have a new piece hanging in my home brings me endless joy.  I can't wait for it to arrive.

'Curve' by Nancy Desmond

And speaking of landscapes, I bought the best calendar for 2013.  I really planned on buying a calendar from Etsy this year.  There are so many beautiful calendars to choose from and every year there are at least 5 or 6 of them that I'd love to have (like this one or this one or this one or this one or this one).  But I really like a proper wall calendar with lots of space to write on so I always end up at Barnes and Noble at their after Christmas 50% off sale trying to find a Van Gogh or Kandinsky or Miro calendar.  This year, I went really late and there was only one art related calendar left but it was so perfect and I have been loving every month.

En Plein Air by Marsha Connell

Gardenburgers.  Have you tried them?  They are my favorite of all veggie burgers and my grocery store just started carrying them.  I'm kind of obsessed with them right now.  I made them this weekend using the pan fry method, with a toasted Ezekial sprouted whole grain english muffin, a giant pile of alfalfa sprouts and a tomato slice with salt & pepper.  SO GOOD.  I'm so obviously not a food stylist but you get the idea...

Finally, I leave you with this photo of Lucy, who is apparently suffering from the hour of sleep she lost last night.  Poor fur baby.

color

When it comes to art, I like COLOR.  I want the art on my walls to add color and mood and mystery to my life.  Or happiness and cheerfulness.  Something that makes me smile every time I see it.  Or something that stops me in my tracks and causes me to wonder.

I don't know if my art causes anyone to get lost in their thoughts but I'm certain it adds a bright spot of color and cheer.  Sometimes that's all you really need.  Not everything has to have meaning and depth.  Art for art's sake.  No function.  Just art.  I'm a fan of that.

Here's some of my latest work.  Agates.  Part real, part imagined.  And full of color.  If you are interested in purchasing a piece, shoot me an email to danagrandbois at yahoo dot com.  Otherwise they will be headed to my Etsy shop in the next few days.

'Georgina' (9 x 12)

'Virginia' (9 x12)

'Rhona' (9 x 12)

'Riva' (11 x 14)

'Owly' (7 x 10)

close up

So... happy 2013.

Sorry I wasn't around to wish you that about 2 months ago.  Clearly I have not been very ambitious about blogging.  But I got a few close up photos of Lucy the other day and you know I am always motivated to share cute pictures of my cat with you.

Seriously, isn't she the sweetest?

I actually have some new artwork to share but I will save that for tomorrow.

Today we just bask in the cuteness that is Lucy.

'twas the night before christmas

"...the children were nestled all snug in their beds,

while visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads..."

Merry Christmas.

love, me

a gift

Today was sort of hectic and emotional, but the sun going to bed was a gift.

And it's not even Christmas yet.

from there to here

It started with this...

I'm always looking for videos of First Aid Kit that I haven't seen.

They are officially my favorite Swedes.

Which led me here.

And I listened to this...

oh my.

More of that please.  So I went here...

And here...

And these lovely sisters' voices sang the day to the night without my even noticing.

Amazing.

painted rocks & digital snow

This past Saturday, there was a knock at my door.  The neighborhood kids were selling painted rocks.  Of course, I had to buy one.  They were only a dollar.  And, bonus, it was sticky.

They must have done well going door-to-door because on Sunday they were able to afford advertising...

p.s.

love, me

i'm still here

I'm still here and I will post something soon.  

In the meantime, here's some Lucy gorgeousness for your viewing pleasure.

love, me

blue wall & inspiration

Inspiration can come from anywhere and I was recently inspired by this photo by Paula Mills of Sweet William. Paula painted one wall blue in this room and I love the warm colors of the furniture and items in the room in contrast to the lightness of the blue wall.

photo by Paula Mills

My inspiration led me to create this feather...

'warm light feather'

Thanks for inspiring me Paula. 

no mistakes in art?

So, this week I've had a little lesson in practicing what I preach.  My 6 year old niece is quite a little artist, but she gets frustrated easily when her masterpiece isn't turning out exactly right.  So I tell her that there are no mistakes in art.  You can always figure out a way to salvage a so called 'mistake'.  Right?  

Yeah, right.  

I was working on a feather with a new color scheme and it was going great until I decided to put carmine red next to yellow orange and it was looking like ketchup and mustard...not what I was going for.  But I loved the top portion of the feather and didn't want to scrap the whole thing.  I ended up cutting away the part I didn't like and finished the feather with pencil.  Now I love it and it sort of represents a sketch turning into a finished piece.  I've aptly titled it "there are no mistakes in art".  I'm going to keep this one as a visual reminder to practice what I preach.

"there are no mistakes in art"

And here are a few feathers that I've just put in the shop.

"Alight"

"Flutter"

"Fresh"

feathers

After a long hiatus, I've finally put a couple of new feathers in the shop.

'Theodor Feather'

'Spring Feather'

send some love

Valentine's Day cards for anyone /everyone.  Find them here.

little artist

I've been looking through photos from this past summer.  My niece came for a visit and we painted together.  Here she is working on her first masterpiece on canvas.

Isn't that a brilliant sunset?

She was loving the gold metallic paint.

Really concentrating here. 

So adorable.