Santa's Little Elf

I'm on a quest to create Christmas gifts for clients....before Christmas, and I've got one down!  Yes, Stephanie and Russ's painting is finished!  Though I may be the elf that created this beauty, there is a whole team of elves generously giving this painting as a gift.  I always love this idea of a group gift, and this time of year is no exception.  With all the stresses of finding the perfect gift, I think it's great when a handful of people can put their heads together and alleviate each others worries.  No worries this season, only togetherness.

It's the season of giving, but my next gift can't be opened till Christmas!

Tacos for Turkeys

You may have noticed that I took a little siesta from blogging.....well I did, literally.  My family traveled to Mexico for the Thanksgiving holiday where we dined on tacos and tortillas for the very American holiday.  The resort was very generous though and indulged our traditions with a lovely Thanksgiving feast that made us all gracious for this food heavy holiday, as well as, the fact that we could be in such a tropical place this time of year.
So, now it's back to reality which does include snow and work.  I didn't have time to post before I left, so here is the current update on Stephanie and Russ's painting.  It's so appropriate for this post....a little bit of fall color with a burst of the tropics. 
I hope everyone enjoyed their holiday, wherever it was spent, and is as thankful as I am for all that we have.

Flowers are Popping Up

I've been steadily working on my newest painting, and I thought it was time for an update, as well as some more info on this painting.

 

The flowers are slowly starting to emerge on this piece that contains Stargazer lilies, stephanotis, ivory roses and mango calla lilies created by Flowers by Christine located in Bartlett, Illinois.  Christine was such a delight when I met her to take the photos.  Owning her business for 25 years now, Christine prides herself on supplying the Bartlett and Bloomingdale area with quality floral arrangements and personalized customer service.  Her shop is a haven of flowery smells and beautiful gifts for any holiday or occasion.   If you are in the Bartlett area, I highly encourage you to stop by and visit Christine and all the fabulousness in her shop.

Indian Summer

Can you believe that just last weekend it was Halloween?!  We are in the thick of fall where the colors are changing all around us.  This was evident in the bouquet I shot last weekend for my next painting.  I was delighted to see some fall color in a bouquet I am calling a representation of an Indian Summer.  It has the autumn look with the mango calla lilies, but then there is this burst of bright pink from the starburst lilies that remind me of the summer that has past.

The stephanotis have these fantastic large rhinestones in the center of them giving the bouquet a little "bling".

I am so excited to start this painting that I have already sketched it in!  I've got the painting bug, and after my last one, this will be a great breather.

 In my updated posts, I'll let you know who this secret florist is and the generous folks giving this painting as a gift.  Happy weekend!