A new baby!

My friend Chad from work is about to have his first baby. He already had two beautiful step-daughters, but there is just something about your first baby. Chad originally told me that they were going to have brightly colored bird bedding for the crib so I painted him the peacock, but then just as I was about to finish it, he called and told me that they got pink and brown ladybug bedding. So if anyone needs a peacock painting, let me know. Since Chad is the only man in a house soon to be filled with four girls, he said that he was going to make this one a tom-boy. So to oblige him and possibly a princessy little girl, I tried to do both. And who doesn't love glitter paint and sequins?

However, I have realized that I have to get a new camera. In order to take pictures of my paintings, I have to photograph them outside and still do a whole lot of photoshopping to get them right. Today, it was of course raining and I had to take their pictures in my dining room, and they didn't come out as good as I would like. I guess I have to get more orders, and save up for something awesome.

Two More

As some of you know, my family and friends were nice enough to come together and gather up money to send me to a Children's book writers and illustrators conference in California. There will be publishers and agents and writers and other illustrustors all coming together to talk about children's book publishing. I am super excited and more than a little nervous, but hopefully I can make some contacts and hopefully nose my way into this field. Here are two more paintings that I did for the occasion. Thank you again for everyone that pitched in. It's probably the best birthday present I've ever gotten and a good way to kick off my 30's.

A Flamingo For Bella

I have been trying to make new things to pad my portfolio for my trip to California in a couple of weeks. So, I asked my neighbors daughter what she would like a picture of and she responded with a flamingo. I think she likes them because they are pink. Heath had the idea to do the scene from Alice in Wonderland where Alice is playing croquet with a flamingo and a hedgehog. I have to admit that my hedgehogs came out ridiculously cute. When I told Bella that I had a surprise for her, she asked if it was a princess dress. I think that she was a tad disappointed that it wasn't a dress, but she seemed happy with her flamingo.

Congratulations

My friend Kellye jumped over every hurtle that life has thrown at her and still kept a smile on her face. I am very proud of her for graduating from college, even though it took her awhile. I asked her what she would like to commemorate this special occasion, and she requested an owl. Today is also her birthday, the big 3-0. I love you Kellye. Hopefully life with get easier from here on out.