Summertime Dreaming

With the sunrise coming earlier, and the noise of sweet

birds chirping, and garden centers adding spring flowers;
my thoughts ~ and paintings ~ are turning to the delicious
warm days of summer. My studio is filled with nostalgic images
of bathing beauties captured on canvas.


This painting, based on an old photograph of
my sister, sold within hours of listing to a happy
buyer in Canada. Guess all the snow and ice of
the winter Olympics have her dreaming of summer too!


Perfection
This 8 x 10 " painting was inspired by a vintage
photograph of a woman diver. I kept the composition
simple so the focus remains on the beautiful form
of the woman.


Lady Swimmer
Another 8" x 10" painting inspired by
a vintage photograph of a bathing cap clad beauty.

These paintings are just a few in my "Vintage Pool Series"
which I'll be posting - and listing in my shop - in hopes that -
like the early sunrise and sounds of spring - they'll bring
the warm days of summer that much closer.

Custom Portrait - Two "boys" on the beach

A new custom portrait of a

Grandfather and his Grandson
by the Ocean shore.


The Original Photograph
How sweet is this?!

The Painting -
Stage One
Laying out the composition and color values .

And more new works from my busy studio...

Girls by the Shore Hand Painted Art Block

Fashion on the Beach Hand Painted Art Block

Can you tell I'm over the cold weather - Nothing like a little
bit of beach art to lift the winter doldrums!

Ready for 2010

After a wonderful holiday season and a little

down time from my "normal" work routine, I'm creatively
re-charged and ready for good things and good times in 2010!

During my "break" I was busy creating a new line
of items for my art work - which I will be listing frequently
during the next few weeks and beyond.

First on the list - what my husband lovingly calls
a triple threat - A Set of Three Hand Painted Art Blocks
that feature a reproduction of my painting ~
"My Sweet Valentine".
Each block has been hand painted on all four sides ~
so they can arranged or stacked in many different,
creative ways.


The Front


The Back - "You're nothing short of my everything"


Creatively arranged

Finally - An adult set of wooden blocks that
bring back our inner child and allow us time
to relax and creatively play! Make it one of your
New Year's Resolutions to add more fun to your
overworked schedule! Enjoy
www.MagicMarkingsArt.com

Hand Painted Christmas Gifts

I

am feeling
the time crunch
of the "I need this for
Christmas" deadline fast
approaching. Friday, December
18 is the cutoff date for shipping
packages within the U.S. to ensure
they'll arrive in time for holiday gift
giving. And, custom orders continue
to come in, all of which I gladly welcome
and - with the weather being like it is - I am
more than happy to stay inside and paint! So,
if you are interested in a custom order, don't hesitate to
contact me ~ I would love to help you create a special holiday gift
for a loved one
or friend.


Here are a few ideas from custom gifts
that I've been busy painting this weekend.
You can click on the picture for more information.


A set of Custom Hand Painted Portrait Ornaments ~
Hand drawn from the customers photographs, painted and
outlined. They are in my kiln now for the final firing process.


Hand painted portraits on Canvas. I am working on three ~
one 16" x 20" painting of a newlywed couple; one 5" x 7" painting
of a friends mother posing on a dock - taken in the 1960's; and a
5" x 7" painting of grandparents walking with their grandchildren.


Wine bottles slumped (flattened) in my kiln - with
attached custom labels and ribbon ~ and pottery
ornaments painted by my Sunday afternoon
art students - who will be arriving shortly for another
afternoon session of holiday art.

Please let me know if there is a special gift that
you would like me to create.
Have a wonderful day and Thanks for stopping by.

Two New Vintage Vingettes for the Holidays

This weekend I finished two more hand painted snap shots of life in the 1960's. The first, and one of my favorite photo's, is of my little brother on Christmas Morning.

The original photograph - love that bathrobe
and the masculine, red footie pajamas!


My take on the scene...using a complimentary
color palette.
Santa's come...Ready to Play!

The second painting is of three children saying
their bedtime prayers. One can just imagine what
they might be thankful for, or...asking for... at this time
of the year!


Christmas Blessings

As the Holiday Season begins this week, I wish
you Health, Happiness, and many fond memories
shared amongst family and friends!

New Paintings...From Vintage Family Photo's

After recently spending countless hours going through
my mothers cache of old photograph's, I've been inspired
to paint small vignette's of life in the 1950's and 1960's.
Here are a few 5" x 7" Acrylic Paintings on Canvas
of life in the "simpler times".

Christmas Morning 1963
My brother, in his cowboy hat holding a
toy gun. Me, in my cowgirl hat holding an
iron. :) This just cracks me up!


Coat Tails and Cocktails
My father and his brother sharing a highball.


My grandmother and her two sisters
bonding in the kitchen.

Each of these paintings are available in my shop ~
Magic Markings Art. With more to come just in time
for the holidays.
I hope you enjoyed this little vintage voyage into
my families photo album!

Three New Hand Painted Portraits

A Day in My Studio...

Three Different Subjects +
Two Different Painting Styles =
Artistic freedom and Creative fun.


The first commission request ~
A hand painted photo collage
of three adorable children.


5" x 7"
Hand Painted Photo on Canvas
This little piece of art is going to their Nana as a Christmas gift.


The second commissioned piece ~
A good friend and her newly adopted rescue dog.


Hand Painted Pop Art Pet Portrait
8" x 10" Acrylic on Canvas
This piece is a gift from one dog loving friend to another.


And the third commissioned request ~
To combine these separate photographs of two sisters into one
hand painted photo collage on canvas.


5" x 7"
The finished art work ~
A hand painted gift for their mother's birthday ~
from her two loving daughters.

Thank you for visiting ~ I hope you enjoyed my little art show :)

A Great Big Hand Painted Happy Birthday Surprise.

This is a long story...
so grab a cup of tea, sit back, relax and enjoy.

My cousin, Nancy and I, although we vary in age by four years and lived
hours away from each other, were the best of buddies growing up. I always looked forward to my family's semi-annual trips up north, so Nancy and I could reconnect and she could share her worldly wisdom with me. Oh, the memories I have of our times together.

I remember hearing all about her new boyfriend, Ken, and year's later standing at the front of the altar ~ in my light blue bride's maids dress ~ as they exchanged their wedding vows.
Eventually ~ family, school, jobs, and distance made it difficult to maintain our youthful exuberant relationship. Although whenever we talk, the energy, laughter and memories come bubbling back to the surface.

Recently, Nancy, Ken and their beautiful children - um...young adult children (Yikes) traveled south for the day, and we were able to spend some time together on the beach - reconnecting and catching up. Later that same week, Ken e-mailed me asking if I would mind painting a portrait of their children as a surprise birthday gift for Nancy. :) I guess you can imagine my response! What an unexpected honor!


The Original Photograph of their children in front of the Brooklyn Bridge.
I love the composition, the colors, and of course,
the children - are they not gorgeous!

To create this hand painted photo on canvas,
I had the original photograph enlarged ~ in black and white ~
to fit an 18" x 24" canvas board. I hand painted the children
with acrylic paint ~ cut them out ~ hand painted the New York Scene ~
adhered the figures to the background ~

added additional paint to both the figures and the background ~

added more paint to the figures and background ~ signed the front ~
and painted on a gloss varnish to seal and protect the painting.
Ken came by today to pick up the finished piece. We were both so excited, and couldn't wait until Sunday ~ Nancy's birthday ~ the day he was giving her our gift.
Well, this evening I received a phone call, and noticed on our caller I.D. the call was coming from their home. Oh no.....what happened....did the canvas bend....did the rain ruin the painting....did the varnish stick....oh crumb I'm afraid to answer the phone!

It's Nancy!! Laughing and thanking me at the same time. :)
Ken was too excited to wait until Sunday ~
and I was too excited not to share this story and painting.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY NANCY!
THANK YOU KEN!
GOD BLESS YOU BOTH.

Family Portrait Painting Class

A good friend of mine asked if I could help her come up with creative way to celebrate her husbands 50th Birthday. She wanted a private art class during which she and her children could design a special gift to give to their father. After some discussion, it was settled. A hand painted family photo collage painted by my friend and her children ~ with a little of my help and guidance .


The original family portrait - taken in Costa Rica by
Surfing Nosara

The family of artists ~ ready to paint.

Busy at work ~ painting their portraits ~

and ~ the canvas board background ~

alittle bit of help from big brother ~

Mother and daughter trading painting tips ~

And the finished piece of work.
A true keepsake given with love and creativity.

For those of you who visit or know about Wareings Gym In Virginia Beach ~
you might recognize the family. If so....shhhh....this is a surprise gift!!!

Surfer On Yellow Board

This is the original photograph for a commissioned 16" x 24"
Acrylic Painting of a Son Surfing

Step One
Laying down the colors for the underpainting

Step Two
Adding more color value and detail

Step Three
Painting in detail, highlights, shadows and finishing touches.

Finished and ready to ship.
Thank you Paula for trusting me with another treasured photo and painting!

If you are interested in information on a commissioned painting,
click on this link: Magic Markings Art

ACEO's - Original Hand Painted Surfing Series

What is an ACEO?

Art Cards, Editions and Originals
Miniature pieces of art that have become very collectible due to the fact that they are whimsical and affordable. The cards can be any medium, but must measure 2.5" x 3.5" - the size of standard sports trading card. I discovered aceo's this past week and thought they were so cool that I had to create some myself. Here is my first attempt at an ACEO series of surfing art.


In Search Of....
The first in my series of ten surfing/beach aceo's
Acrylic on 246 lb. linen canvas

Anticipation
Number two in the series.
Acrylic on 246 lb. linen canvas

"In Search Of...."This series of surfing art will highlight a day in the life of a surfer. With his sights on the horizon, envisioning the limitless possibilities of the ocean. To be a surfer is to be free ~ a couple of boards, a pair of trunks or bathing suits, some wax, and a reliable car or bike ~ makes the "to do list" complete.
"In Search Of....a day in the life of a surfer" ~ check back throughout this week as the story line, and illustrations focus on this carefree lifestyle.

In searching for ACEO inspiration and information ~ Here are a few artists whose original ACEO's inspired me.

LeBerge on Etsy
Everyone is an artist on Etsy
Tapestry 316 on Etsy
These are many more wonderful pieces of little art on etsy ~ so if this has grabbed your attention ~ go to etsy and type in ACEO ~ you ~ seriously ~ won't be disappointed.
And ~ if you want to check in to see what happens to surfer dude ~ here is my link
Magic Markings Art on Etsy

Fashion On The Beach - Tybee Island

Tybee Island Photo Shoot

While searching the web the other day,
I came across this fashion photograph on
Olive Rue's Blog.
The photo, taken by Crytsal of
Beadale Photography ~
was an image from one of her trash the dress sessions on Tybee Beach.
I fell in love with the photo and asked Crystal's permission to use it
as an inspirational starting point for one of my hand painted photo collages.
Permission was delightfully granted ~
~ So ~
~ here is my take on her beautiful photograph ~

Fashion on the Beach
8"x10" Hand Painted Collage on Canvas

Both pieces are available -
just click on the title under Crystal's photo
or my painting and it will link you to our respective shops.

I look forward to creating more hand painted collage pieces in
conjunction with Crystal and her beautiful photographs!

Have a wonderful, creative weekend.

Wedding Portrait - Custom Order for 30th Anniversary

Life has been pretty busy recently ~

trying to get custom orders painted and
out the door before this weekend.
So I'm not going to write much today ~
but leave you with a visual diary
of my some of my custom paintings
from this past week.

30th Wedding Anniversary

Wedding Portrait and Hand Painted Photo Collage
8"x10" Canvas

Friends Celebrating their
50th Birthday's and
47 Years of Friendship!
!
Original photograph and Hand Painted Photo Collage
on 5"x7"canvas


Original photograph and Hand Painted Photo Collage
on 5"x7" canvas

Kathy - Thank you for your custom orders
and for letting me share them!
A big toast to
you and your husband
and your friendships
and life long relationships.