Art
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Creative Budget-Friendly Party Planning Tips
Huge extravaganzas, blockbuster affaires, five-star entertaining…who has the energy or disposable income these days to plan over-the-top parties anymore? And, really, it’s just not necessary if what you care about is bringing friends and family together to celebrate or mark a special occasion. As someone who has done her fair share of events for work and pleasure, my most successful endeavors come from summoning up a little creative MOJO, some DIY spirit, and keeping it simple. Pick an Un-Themed Theme Rather than pick something standard or choose the latest, popular character theme, try to brainstorm a bit about the guests of honor and the people who will be attending. Think…
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Artist: Tricia Courtney
Recently I came across the work of artist Tricia Courtney whose oil paintings really struck something with me. I love the colors she chooses and how the flowers seem to pop off the canvas. We had a chance to speak this week about her work and her upcoming new book Floppy Sue’s Birthday Adventure that will be published as an eBook through Pixel Mouse House. Here is what she says about what inspired her to start creating and about her new story. A happy experience at the George A. Spiva Center for the Arts in Joplin, Missouri “many, many years ago” led to Tricia Courtney’s lifelong love of art. “My…
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Fun Craft: Christmas Family Trees
Christmas trees – they serve as both the main Christmas season decoration & a great bonding tool for family during the holiday season. Decorating them with your family enjoying carols & laughs along the way is one of the things I look forward to all year round. But why not take a twist to the traditional tree with your little ones? Nothing is cuter than a set of tootsie trees hanging on the wall. Materials: Non-toxic paint – green & yellow Black or brown marker pen Canvases – one for each family member Small items to decorate your tootsie trees – we used stick on jewels How To: First of…
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Artist Flora Bowley
The creative process is such a personal journey I love to hear about artists who do what they do so well and love their “job”. I came across Flora Bowley a few years ago and have admired her ability to draw you in to her paintings, which I find so calming. Read what Flora has to say about her journey as an artist and the new project she is working on. What was your inspiration for wanting to be an artist and create? I think I may have been born to be an artist. My happiest childhood memories included things like sculpting clay that I found near our house, braiding jewelry…
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Artist/Illustrator Carolyn Le
One of my favorite things to do with my daughter is to go into the local bookstore and look at all of the beautifully illustrated children’s books. There is something quite magical about sitting down and opening up a fresh-off-the-press book with your child and reading through it together. I am drawn to many types of illustrations – I wouldn’t say I have one style I favor over another as I think it really depends on if the illustrations can make you smile, laugh, and even cry. I came across Carolyn Le’s work at a local Society for Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) function about three years ago. …
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ARTIST: Eli Halpin
I asked my good friend Jennifer Mercede for some artists she could recommend as I want to feature artists in all their glory on dandelion moms as I feel art can move and inspire us. One of my favorite things to do pre-kid (and when I had more time on my hands), was to go to estate sales as you can find the best abstract artwork from the 1950’s in our parts of the woods. My entire house is filled with this estate sale art as well as from some of my favorite local artists including Jennifer Mercede. One of her recommendations was Eli Halpin, an artist based in Austin,…
