Ah....Organization!

As the kids are getting ready to go back to school (YAY!) and we buy new school supplies and organize for a new year, I have been doing a little organizing myself. I am typically digging through piles and piles of paper to find the one sheet I am looking for. It has caused endless frustration, trust me. But I found this little cubby system on Craig's List and life has become just a little bit easier. Now I can easily see all of my papers and save oodles of time. Isn't it wonderful how the simple things in life can make you so happy?

My Phone Is So Me!

I am so excited! I found this great website that can take any image you have and turn it into a cover for your phone, laptop or practically any other device you have. So, naturally, I sent this image of Swell Bird off to http://www.skinit.com/ and voila! Now my personal electronic devices can match my personal style!

Inspiration

Inspiration definitely comes in spurts for me and right now I am fully inspired! I just finished the Seattle Gift Show this week and since then, I've been busy updating my site, organizing my studio, stocking up on supplies and finally embracing facebook and twitter a bit more.

I did add almost 30 new pieces including Brocade Tree.  I love the way this tree is reaching to the right. It makes me want to sit underneath is and read a book! Check out all my new listings at http://www.mychloeflower.com/ when you have a chance.

Over 30 New Pieces!

I have been so busy lately! I have been working furiously on so many custom orders! Fortunately, I have found some time to catch up and post some new work on http://www.mychloeflower.com/.  I just finished adding over 30 new pieces to my site! I am exhausted from typing, but it feels so good to get these new pieces out there! Check them out here: http://www.mychloeflower.com/category/Art-for-your-Home/c47
Now, back to the studio!

Wedding Birds

I was recently asked by a friend to make a special wedding gift. Her friend was getting married. It was the second marriage for both and they were blending their families. He had one child and she had two. What my friend was looking for, was a piece that featured five birds. So, here it is, the five birds of this newly formed family. It was done on book pages and paint and each little bird has its own patterned paper. I love the way it turned out, and hope the newly married couple does as well!

Beach Reading

This little seascape has all of the serene, soothing colors and feel of a great day at the beach! The sand dune is made from book pages from Treasure Island. It seemed fitting that this one should be titled,  Beach Reading.  Makes me want to go to the beach!

Road Trip!

It may have been all of the traffic I saw last weekend, or it may be the sunny, summer weather that has finally arrived at my house. Either way, I am inspired by the idea of packing up for an old fashioned road trip! I love this piece, My Trailer. It has the fun, vintage style that I love so much. I have used maps in the past, and I always like the way they give a piece a bit of intrigue. Bird on the Go is another great example of this. The whole bird is made of a map featuring the Pacific Northwest. Although, I may not be hitting the road this weekend, I am there in spirit.

Wolves

I am always excited to try something new! I recently completed several custom pieces and, one of the most challenging was this piece. A woman requested that I make a piece depicting two wolves. It was an anniversary gift for her husband. It just so happens that her maiden name and her married name both mean "wolf." Now, I have never tried my hand at creating wolves, so I was intrigued. I have to say, I love how this piece turned out! I've made hundreds of birds, trees and flowers. Now, I can add wolves to that list!

Wishing for Summer

Well, I am still waiting for summer weather at my house. Although the skies are cloudy and the air still has a bit of a chill, I am dreaming of hot, summer days at the water's edge. That is definitely the inspiration for Trees by the Water and Three Trees.  Bright summer colors, lily pads in the water, that cool, refreshing water. The kids are out of school and we are all ready for some fun down at the lake. Hope the weather turns around very soon!

Classics with a Twist

I love classics with a twist. That's why I love this new piece, Houndstooth Birdies.  The background paper on this piece is essentially a classic houndstooth pattern done in a modern color and texture. When I added the birds in the fun teal patterned paper and a couple of extra details, it became a fun twist on a classic pattern.

This palette is in keeping with the many new pieces I just posted on mychloeflower.com.  Although I am not seeing a whole lot of summer sunshine at my house yet, I am doing my best to summon it with the bright colors and patterns scattered all over my studio. Here's to hoping that the sun will follow soon!

Summer Birds

Here's one of five new birds I just completed. I found some great new papers in yellows and blues and I just love the fresh, summer feel that they have! Blue and Yellow Bird is a great example of this summer feeling. I've been working whenever I can on new pieces. I am super inspired by new papers and the start of summer which I cannot wait for! I hope to share many more pieces in the next couple of weeks. I'd better work as much as I can before the kids are out for summer!

Feature in Etsy Treasury

I was so excited this morning to find my piece, Bird Cage on Book Page featured in an Etsy Treasury! It is part of a great collection of bird cage inspired art, jewelry and handmade goods.Check it out!   Etsy Treasury 

Retro Cool Bird

I am working on several new pieces for spring. I am really inspired by the fresh greens I see all around outside! These fresh, colors are popping up in my art lately. Chevron Bird is an example of this. The canvas is a soft, butter yellow and the greens in the leaves and and the bird are great. I wish my photos conveyed colors and textures better! What I really love about this piece though, is the patterned paper the bird is cut from. It has this cool, retro feeling and, I am sure that if I went back through my grade school class photos, I could find some kid wearing a sweater or velour shirt that looks just like it!

Black and White Bird

What is more classic than black and white? Here's a simple color scheme with a stand out bird that would look fabulous in any room! Black and White Bird a bit of a departure for me because I tend to gravitate towards color, but the patterns, textures and the striking bold black paper here are irresistable.

Birds in Threes

I love this new series of three 16x16 inch birdie pieces. The patterns in the background of these papers are modern and cool and the colors are so fresh. Flowers and leaves are just starting to spring up around here and that great, new green color reminds me of these birds and leaves. Individually, they are fun but they are really best all together. I can picture them in a kitchen or any bedroom. So fun!

More Birdies

I've used this paper many times before, but I just love it. The pattern is intricate and the colors are so rich. The oranges, reds and silvers in Birdies on Silver are so pretty. I especially love the combination of the colors with a pretty grey or silver. I used shimmery silver metallic paint on this piece. I love the metallic paints. I just wish the photos did them justice!

Love Birds

Valentine's Day is coming up so it seemed right to make some love birds. I love these new papers that I found. Great colors in muted reds, blues and golds.

Two Birds on Spa Blue has such a fresh and elegant feeling. The pattern on the background paper looks like fabulous old wall paper to me. I just completed several new pieces and posted 12 new ones on http://www.mychloeflower.com/. I am inspired by these colors and papers, but also I am getting ready for a fun event this Friday. I will be one of the artisans selling at Naked City Taphouse. They are having a "brewtique" where beer and shopping can come together. Even my husband is looking forward to this show! Come out, have fun and find a Valentine's Day gift for your sweetie!

Feeling like a Caged Bird? Here's a Couple of Sweet Ones!

I have made many little birdies, but none have been in cages. Something about these caged birds seem so delicate and fragile to me. This piece also has some color combinations that I just love. The painted canvas is green tea, the bird and the berries are a orange/red and the cage is a vibrant blue. Love them all together. Caged Bird on White and Caged Bird on Book Page are two other variations on this one. Back to the studio for now. New pieces coming soon!

Moon Birdies

Here are a couple of my favorite new birdies. Grey Moon Birdies are two sweet little birds gazing at a soft moon together. I love these. I think I will hang them in my own room for now just so I can look at them often. Something about them is so serene and sweet. I love this grey background with the bold black birds. The birds have delicate little writing and details in red and green. I also made this in shades of blue. One already sold, but Blue Moon Birdies is a brighter, lighter version. Love them both!

Birds on Book Pages

This is part of my latest series of birds. I just finished four of these little pieces. I started out with a page from a couple of my favorite books: Mrs. Piggle Wiggle and Treasure Island. Then I added different paints and textures. This made for a great background for a birdie in a tree. To finish it off, I tore feathery pieces of a deep blue paper to create blossoms for my tree. Here it is! Blue Bird on Books. If you like this, you should take a moment to check out Red Bird on Books, Grey Bird on Books and Green Bird on Books. I love the way they turned out!

I feel like I have been living in my studio lately. I have been so busy with orders and getting ready for holiday shows. I love being busy and I love making art. All I need to do is figure out how to fit in some Christmas shopping very soon!

My Holiday Table

Hope that everyone had a great Thanksgiving! I love having a big holiday meal with friends and family. I also love setting a pretty holiday table. This year, for Thanksgiving dinner, I made these ornaments with everybody's name and used them as place cards and special souvenirs to take home. It is always nice to have seating arrangements planned out to avoid unnecessary confusion, and this little token added just little something special to our celebration!

Little Owl

The last few weeks have been incredibly busy! There have been holiday shows, with more still to come. I've been in my studio making so many new pieces! It has been busy, but fun and inspiring at the same time. Someone at a show a couple of weeks ago asked if I made any owls. I didn't have any, but always looking for new ideas and new inspirations, I made my first Little Owl. It is, as my youngest daughter would say, super cute. It would be adorable in a child's bedroom. Or, as I was inspired by the owl on my kids' shower curtain, maybe in a bathroom! It is a great example of taking an idea and trying something new. I love it.

As I said, I have been busy in the studio. In fact, I recently posted 36 new items to mychloeflower.com. I have never posted so many new pieces at one time. Take a look at some of my new favorites: Field of Black and White, The Forest, and, Aloha Birdie. As I mentioned, there are 36 new pieces, so check them out! I will also be making more in the next few weeks. It is the perfect time to do some holiday shopping for a unique, handmade gift that is truly special. It is not too late for special orders either. Plenty of time to get those delivered in time for the holidays!

Coffee Break

Many of the pieces I make are the result of custom requests. I love doing custom work. It is great to try new things. I've done many custom trees, flowers, birds and nursery pieces. Once in awhile, I have a request to try something really different. Recently, I had the great opportunity to make desert landscapes for a friend of mine who lives in Tucson. So much fun working with an entirely different color scheme and different plants and trees! My latest request was for some coffee themed pieces. Now, I love coffee, so I was excited to give it a try. I love the results! Favorite Orange Mug and Favorite Blue Mug are so fun and would be a perfect addition to a kitchen or office! I've also been using alot of metallic paints lately. I am loving all the different shimmery hues. Coffee on Copper shows off one of my favorite new metallic paints. So much fun to try something new!

Pinecone Tree

One of my newest pieces, Pinecone Tree, makes me feel so warm and cozy. It is especially nice to gaze at as I sit here blogging during a cold, and very windy storm! Fall is definitely here and this piece has all of the best in autumnal colors. Great texture, really fun patterns and cozy colors! Gotta love it.

I am getting ready for a couple of shows next month, so there are many, many new pieces in the works. Will be posting some of my favorites soon. Happy fall!

Bewitching Halloween Trio

Happy Halloween! I love this time of the year! I have all of my own Halloween decorations out and it seems that I can never have enough! I was inspired to create these Halloween pieces- best together - celebrating everything I love about Halloween- witches, spooky fun, and, of course, a bit of sparkly glamour! Don't settle for the same old decorations from the discount store- add something special and unique to make a great Halloween statement! Bewitching Halloween Trio is fun and fabulous!

Happy Birthday Joanne!

Another veggie/fruit piece! I made this beet for a friend's birthday. I love this paper that has little beets on it. It's just perfect for a little piece in a kitchen. I found a great little stand to go along with it so that it can sit on the counter. Hopefully, it will bring smiles while Joanne is cooking one of her fabulous dishes! Happy Birthday, Joanne!

Field of Orange Flowers

I love the colors and patterns of these flowers. At first, I thought it might be too much pattern, but once it came together, I just loved the way it all worked together. I guess sometimes more is more! The patterns and layering here make the texture of Fields of Orange Flowers amazing. It makes you want to just reach out and touch it! This piece reminds me of some of my earlier fields of flowers pieces. Each time I revisit an older piece, I think they just get better and better. The colors here, much more muted and warm, also remind me that autumn is on it's way in. It is a cozy but elegant feel. Loving it!

By the Lake

We've been spending a lot of time down by the lake this summer. There is something about sitting by the water and watching the ducks, the birds and even the bats at sunset that is so relaxing. As we get ready to head down to the lake a few more times during these last few weeks of summer, I thought that I would share one of my newest pieces. It is inspired by the lake and, although the trees at my lake don't look quite as whimsical and colorful as these, the fresh, fun feeling of this piece is the same. By the Lake uses more Amy Butler patterns and the apple green paint that I can't seem to get enough of lately. This is a fun piece that would add life to just about any room!

An Old Favorite Made New

I decided to revisit a past design of mine.

Bird on Pink Circles and Bird on Blue Circles are often asked about. They sold long ago and although I am always happy to remake any of my pieces, or work on a custom piece inspired by my work, I still recieve inquires about these ones in particular. Bird on Green Circles and Bird on Bright Blue Circles are updated, improved versions of these past pieces. I love how these turned out. Bird on Green Circles is constructed using Amy Butler's paper design. Her designs are so bold and graphic. I love them. Bird on Bright Blue Circles uses my current favorite color combination. I love bright, aqua blue and deep red together. I have used this combination in my own home. These colors bring life to any room!

Although the weather has been a bit cloudy and rainy here, it has encouraged me to spend more time creating art. I have a few more pieces that I am working on and I can't wait to share them. Despite the productivity that cloudy weather brings, I do hope that the sun and heat will return soon. Summer always seems to fly by!

And a Lamp to Match...

 I wish that I had taken a "before" picture of this lamp. It was very dark, brown and boring. I felt that it needed some color and some personality if it was going to stay in my studio! I've never applied my collage art to a lampshade before, but I love the way this turned out! I spray painted the base and then, as I do, I sketched, cut and glued until I had a lampshade that was a little more me. The colors, papers and general design was inspired by one of my latest, favorite pieces, Garden Tree. I am always excited to find something new to work on, and this was definitely different. I may have to look around the house and see if anything else needs my attention!

In between coats of paint, I was also working on a couple of new pieces. They are a nice mix of some of my past works but use new papers. I love finding new paper that inspires me! I will post the new pieces very soon!