Shadow #1

B was disappointed that I just kept painting Shadow #2. So here you go #1. I was planning to send these to the gallery, but my sis scolded me and told me I must keep them. Now I don't know what to do. I told my shadows that I would do a real portrait of them when they are 12 to keep. They are not excited to have to sit forever. B loves these. I think I will keep one, sell one. We'll see. She is the funniest poser. She can't not smile. These ones are rare, because all the other photos are restrained smiles. I like the moody poses which is why #2 is ideal. Moody little actor. #1 is all sunshine. We don't know what shadow #3 is yet. Cannot wait to see. These are small. 8 x 9".

Bluer Skies

I am so sick of the hazey Utah smog.....I could scream if I wasn't afraid I would choke from the acid air. I am relegated to the inside of my car and the inside of my gym and the four walls of my house.....I might go crazy.

So Maui, take me away. Not a cloud in the sky for a whole week, this is the view I woke up to every morning. If it hadn't been for the handicapped room with a low toilet, shower and bed, it would have been totally dreamy. Okay no complaining, it was still dreamy. I want to go back!

Just give me a blue sky please!!!!

Love love love

I saw this sensitive little drawing on Cassandra Barney's blog and bought it right up. I love it so much! She sent me all sorts of goodies with the drawing including a painting......a painting as a gift......who is this girl? I am in love with it and I am in love with her. I will upload it later too.

Framed

All framed and sent off to the gallery. I really like this format and think I will do more triptychs and diptychs. I titled it "child's dream triptych". I like to think that children are so carefree that they dream of twirling and dancing on sand. I hope they don't dream of the stress in their life and tragedies. I hate that idea, but I think they are stressed.

This is a commission I did for an artist I just met (Sean Wallis) for a trade. I love the painting I got from him. I will upload it later....

Scary Snowman

Don't judge. He is pretty scary but you try to create a perfect snowman out of dry powdery snow on demand.....

Small Triptych

These are small (7 x 9" each) but I think I will frame them all together as one piece. I was worried they are maybe a little too "precious" but I really enjoyed painting them because it is a little different subject matter for me. I think they turned out nice. Let's hope someone else loves them with some money in their wallet....

I worked from photos of my own kidlets and invented the clothing and hair.....can you tell?

'Elusive Satiation'

I loved all of the comments on the last post. I should ask your opinion before I title the paintings. The title I settled on is 'Elusive Satiation'.

Always searching for the feeling of completion and total contentment. I was definitely thinking about my role as a mother and contemplating the option of another child, the ramifications, and blessings of another little personality entering the mix. I hadn't thought about the idea of holding my babies close and reluctantly allowing them to grow up, but i like the imagery. I found those little antique dolls at a great little antique shop in Logan and I was immediately inspired and excited to start introducing them into my paintings. My own little shadows were also excited to be represented.

My sister Amanda took this photo of shadow #2. I love the photos she takes of Naomi. Somehow she captures this side of her, her thoughtful, wise-beyond-her-years side. This is from the day we spent this summer with my twin little sisters in their summer abode in Coco Lala, northern Idaho. We made some memories that we will always treasure! Thanks Amanda!

Newest Painting

I want to know what you think I was thinking about. I am not even going to tell you the title.

Yummiest Cake

If you are looking for a easy and unique (semi-fancy) dessert for dinner tonight or maybe for your wedding next week, look no further. This Swedish Almond cake has been to so many of our family parties, everyone is claiming it as their own invention. We shamelessly stole it from my cousin Shauna who is an amazing naturally talented cook. I served it to book club who asked me to post it maybe 3 months ago (sorry but thanks for the reminder Amanda) and then my other cousin and I made a zillion for a family wedding last month. And I still could eat an entire sheet pan. Who couldn't? And don't be dismayed by all the butter on the counter. Our cakes served at least a dozen guests.....ok hundreds.

I suggest you make this cake one of your go-to memorized recipes to impress your mother-in-law next time you are staying at her house. Tell her you will whip something up for dessert. Then use no notes and say you just thought of it or tasted it at a little Swedish cafe and wanted to try it yourself. I swear I am going to do that. Start memorizing. Your sneaky little secret is safe with me.

Swedish Almond Cake:

1 c flour

1 c sugar

1 stick butter, melted

1 t. almond extract

2 eggs

Mix together. Pour into a regular pie tin. 350 degrees for 30 minutes. You don't need to grease the pans. I am pretty sure there is enough butter in the cake.

3 times the recipe in a jelly roll sheet pan for a big crowd (or wedding).

So good to serve warm. Top with mixed berries and whipped cream.

Then eat the leftovers for breakfast with or without the fruit and cream....

Enjoy!

Autumn Smells

The weather has officially changed and I can smell autumn. It still makes me nauseous from pregnancy 1 & 2 since the 1st trimesters were in the beginning of fall. Mr. Fife thinks it smells like football, I think it smells like vomit. It is sad I know, but I always sucker for it and take a pregnancy test around the end of September because I feel so nauseous. But no, not a pregnancy, just my "smell" memory which has proven to be a lot stronger than my regular memory (that I seem to be losing at an alarming rate). These pictures are of my front and back yard, just some planters that I threw together in the spring. I mean, what I wish my flowers look like. I like to think of everything as an annual since everything dies after it touches my acid fingers. Someday I will figure it out, I am sure.

Newest Acquisition

I bought this wonderfully charming lithograph from one of my favorites, Emily Mcphie. I have never seen her lithos (which are a lot like drawings set in stone). I love the drawing and of course the subject matter. Thank you Emily I love love love it! Check out her blog on my list of favorite artist on the right sidebar. What a treat to find this little baby in the mail last week. Can't wait to frame it and hang it up.

Lil Pole Dancer

Shadow #3 pole dancing. I swear I don't know where she got this from! And it was completely spontaneous.

Headshot...ugh

So my gallery in Texas asked for a photo of myself....ugh. So what do I do if I have never seen a photo that I like of myself in the last 10 years? I tried, or maybe 1/2 tried. I took maybe 20 pictures of myself sitting on the couch with my arm out holding the camera. They were ridiculous. So I sketched myself. I am not sure it looks exactly like myself, but isn't that the advantage of being an artist? I turned a bad hair day into a good hair day, lessened the purple circles under my eyes because of bad sleep, and straightened my posture (hunchback), oh and subconsciously thinned out my face.....brother, I didn't know I was so vain. But I do like the idea of a drawing instead of a boring picture holding my paintbrushes or something or climbing a mountain with my dog.

PS....my baby just looked at the computer and said "Mommy...painting". I guess that does answer my question. It must look like me!

PSS.....for all you stalkers out there, this drawing is not for sale!

New Talent Show

The new gallery in Austin Texas (Wally Workman Gallery) has put together a "New Talent Show" for the 5 newest artists they have picked up. These are the paintings I sent off today. Please take care of my babies UPS! Too many hours of work to count. I wish I could go to the show and I hope it goes well. Click on THIS to get to the show page and see the other artists.