Super Excited!

Ok, a good friend suggested I read a book called I Just Like to Make Things and she let me borrow it for a bit. It is a pretty great book with some valuable resources by Lilla Rogers. She is an artist turned agent, primarily, and complied this kinda go-to book for various types of artists to find out how to really get their items out there. The best part of the book is the interviews she did with various companies about how they get their art, how to submit art, and what they are looking for in an artist and their art. I wound up submitting art to two places; Galison for paper goods and gift markets and Wild Apple for wall decor. I also contacted a lady through Twitter who works for Family Fun magazine. Whether I get a call or not, I still feel pretty good about writing up my artist statement, following through, and just kind of putting it out there further than local stores. Who knows?? Maybe I'll get a response...Thanks Jenn for the encouragement!

Oooohh...on another note, The Market in Smyrna closed where we at Faithful Strokes had our second studio so we are a bit sad on a couple levels, but the silver lining is I was able to purchase some cool stuff; 3 huge cubby shelves and a very cool giant IKEA dandelion light fixture. See pics! 

Who's Ready for Spring and Warmer Weather!

I know I sure am...late February in TN, we start expecting some mid 50's, but for a week now we have been cooped up inside because a relentless layer of thick ice and now more on top of it tonight as I type! I did get a little productive painting done for upcoming Easter classes at Faithful Strokes and some beginning ideas for summer camps.

These two grids were some I had left over from the previous year and Christmas. Let me know if you are interested in any of them.

New, original swirly cross design with chevron background; completely customizable!

Here were my new designs for Faithful Strokes for the Valentine's/end of winter season this year

Here's a remake of the popular 'I Will Praise You in this Storm" We do plan on having a new, fresh line of scriptural/representative art COMING SOON!

Here is one I love for the simplicity in the foreground, yet intricacy in the background.

Three piece set of black and whites with burnt orange umbrella.

Original chevron painting with an encouraging quote from a friend.

Original painting of a beach sunset.

Cute family tree idea a customer saw on Pintrest.

Well, these are just a few of the paintings I've done since I posted several pieces back in Februrary! Where does the time go! Here's one of my sweet boys...growing up and getting awards at school!

I did get to go to Winter Jam this year again which was amazing!!

Posting all this, although very random and just trying to play catch up, it makes me feel really blessed. I get to stay home most of the time to be with Colton and available to go to school related stuff with Preston. Then I get to teach art for Faithful Strokes while getting to do custom work on the side. The Lord has tremendously and perfectly provided this year and continues to amaze me. I felt a little bummed when I got on here because I was behind and haven't had as many orders as I had hoped, but going through my pics made me realize, I really have been uniquely blessed by the Lord in every area of my life. Just because my life is not just like someone else's or they have more "success", etc doesn't mean I'm not exactly where the Lord wants me. Plus, no one has the exact blessing I do and, for that, I am thankful. God bless you all. I am thankful for you as well!

Wow! It's Almost Been a Year!

What a whirlwind year I have had; raising a baby into a toddler really prevents you from doing stuff that kind of gets put on the back burner like updating your blog. I have continually updated the website though. This blog was really kind of serving in that capacity until I finally built/designed a decent website. Still, I shouldn't neglect my blog completely!

In February, Colton was dedicated to the Lord and that was such a special time for us as a family.

 In early Spring we got to go an a weekend vacation with just my husband, myself and the boys. They are my little angels and mean the world to me. It was a wonderful time for family and relaxation!

Next came Colton and Preston's birthdays which were a blast. Anytime you can get together with friends and family it's a blessing.Summer was busy with fun parties at Faithful Strokes. Anna and Elsa and other great summer camps will keep you laughing and on your toes!

Later in early fall we were able to go visit my great uncle Tommy and his daughter and grandchildren in Pensacola. That was a nice time because she was just about to have her third baby and was off work so we got to visit quite a bit.

October got to be a little hairy and sad with the unexpected loss of our last cat.Our sweet Cocker Spaniel passed in Feb 2014 and Kitty Monster on the lower right passed in Summer of 2013.

We did get another kitty, "Angel" is a blessing to us and our family, She helped the transition to be a little smoother.

Other fun stuff in 2014 is getting healthy by doing Piyo in the park.

I also got to share my cardboard testimony!

Christmas was a nice end to the year. Spending time with family and making meaningful memories was the best part.

I pray you have had a wonderful and blessed 2014 and I wish you a Happy New year in 2015!

Two in the Works!

I love both of these!!

I'm back!!

Hey there....sorry I haven't been posting lately, but definitely been working on the website www.initialdesignsart.com so go check that out and let me know what you think ;) 

A lot been going on, mostly good, but a lil sad :(. Below is a painting I did to remember our sweet dog, Lucky, who we had to get put to sleep last week. He was 16 yrs old and going through all that goes along with that; seizures, blindness, deafness, incontinence, but what made our decision along with a lot of prayers, was his lil back legs kept giving out and he would fall :( He was a very sweet puppy dog and is dearly missed but will live on in our hearts!

This one is for my friend's teenage daughter's room and matches her perfectly.

This one is also in her bedroom

Abigail loves doggies so I incorporated that as well as the bedding design around the edge.

Baby Ava has a Classic Pooh nursery and this one was sent to Virginia; which I think is a new state for me to have art in so I may be up to 27!! Very cool feeling! What a blessing!

Chase went over to North Carolina as a baby shower gift to match Mod Pod Pop Monkey Bedding; this may also be a new state for my art. Gonna have to check my list!

This was ordered for a baby shower gift as well. Love Biblical stuff for babies because they need to know of God's perfect and enduring love!

These also went to NC for a birthday gift for my sweet Aunt's niece on the other side of her family.

 

This is them hung up in her bathroom. Love getting these!

                                         

Above is Harvest Moon done for a friend's bedroom

Love getting these pics!! Loved doing this one to match this lil one's big boy bed!

The four below are original designs for O Baby! 3/4D Ultrasound, Spa, and Boutique in Murfreesboro, TN

Max and Ryan share a room and love to fish and camp so I incorporated

 their love with their plaid bedding design

This is an original painting and poem of mine that was very healing

This was ordered by a friend for a Christmas present for someone in her family to celebrate important dates

 This is a Valentine's mantel a friend sent to me

I can paint on glass as well

The next five are in a friend's new house

All these have kept me busy and from posting, but busy is good and that means I'm able to be home with my sweet baby Colton and can attend everything at school with my precious big boy Preston :) I'm loving how God is continuing to bless my family and enjoying his perfect provision!!