Love is in the Air

love birds© samos

I accomplished quite a bit this weekend and have been itching to paint. I pretty much have all day to read and write papers, so I jumped at the chance to paint.

Love Birds is the second in a series that I've been working on.

 ( I wish you could hear Lexi snoring right now. It's hilarious!)

Have a wonderful start to your week!

detail

detail

Lazy Girl

We're one of those weird families that don't watch television. We have a nice tv, but only watch movies on it. So it's on maybe one to two nights every other week. Why? Mainly because I have the full potential to be the best couch potato you've ever seen. And then I feel guilty for not getting anything accomplished. Time is wasted and life just passes you by. Well, even though I tend to be a workaholic at times, I do have the occasional lazy streak that runs through my blood. Every now and then I come across a tv show that is on dvd or Netflix that I become addicted to. Two weeks ago, I discovered Lie to Me. I thought I would be okay, because I thought there was only one season. But I was seriously mistaken. There's three!!! So now that my Friday has come and gone, I have to find the will power to stay off of Netflix for a whole week so I can get papers written, books read, pots thrown, and paintings finished. Wish me luck!

a new leaf

wheat © samos 2011

So we're coming to the end of the first month of a new year and I'm feeling like I am already playing catch up. Not really how I wanted to start 2011. I have commissions that need finished and new work that I'm excited to create. In the meantime, I'm getting back into a routine that I have done before, but it's been several years. What on earth is she talking about? I was accepted into a graduate program at a local university and started classes last Monday. I am working towards my Masters in Education with endorsements in art and ESL. Since I already have my BA I will be student teaching by next spring! But that means a full load this spring, summer and fall. I'm already working my study time into my day, but am still working on the creative time. Today has been the designated day to finish up one commission and ship off a few orders, then I can work on this weeks assignments. So if I seem a little absent sometimes, that is why.

I hope you all have a wonderful week and as always, I look forward to hearing from you!

Off to a make some art!

hearts, hearts and more ❤❤❤'s

12 hearts bowl

double heart dish

xoxo mug

12 hearted lil bowl



hearts and love bowl



bowls, dishes, and elephants?

Sheesh! Have I had a busy weekend!

 I've been having lots of fun making new pieces for MuddyPotts...



xoxo heart me dish




i heart you bowl



heart dish

...and even making time to paint here and there.

you aRe loved © samos 2011

zumba + yoga = lots of energy + creativity

Today was the second time I've taken a Zumba class and am totally hooked! It is so much fun! I used to tap dance when I was younger, and not just the occasional dance lesson here or there. I love dancing and haven't done it for years! The class I'm taking is taught by a childhood friend, so that makes it all the more fun. That and my friend Ellen is there too! And I've been faithfully doing yoga in the mornings three times a week. With Zumba and Yoga, my body and mind are ready to tackle new art projects and keep my creative juices flowing.

Last night I was reading kateyeview on linear perspectives. I love how she can capture the line. I'm a huge fan of perspective and line. She inspired me to take a look back at some of my old photos that I've taken throughout my travels. Here are a few of my linear perspective shots:



vysocanska  © samos 2011



walkalong  © samos 2011

cobblestones  © samos 2011

shodiste  © samos 2011

arches  © samos 2011

Studio Remodel SALE + Pencil Drawing

As you know, I have cleaned my studio and did a little rearranging the other day. I love the new look and am getting settled in. Now its time to move some art! Out with the old, in with the new!

 Right now, I am offering FREE SHIPPING on anything in my samos etsy shop for the rest of January.

and just today I've decided to take 20% off any original painting until

Sunday, January 16th at midnight (MT time).

Use the coupon code: 5DAYSALE

Feel free to pass the news along to your
friends, family and coworkers too!

This afternoon I was thumbing through my art journal and found a page with two eyes barely sketched in. I sat down, picked up a pencil and this is what happened. I can't tell you how great it felt to be drawing again! Like most artists, drawing was my first love. When I was younger, I would sit on the floor of my bedroom with a VOGUE or ELLE magazine and draw whatever caught my eye. 

 

francis © samos 2011



close up

francis ii © samos 2011

if i were a dog...

I would be laying next to the fire, sleeping on my favorite pillow all day long. It snowed last night and it's pretty cold. I've been outside several times to shovel snow, feed and water the horses, and to play with the pups of course. But I really haven't accomplished much else. I did make a few cards to send out with some orders, but that's about it. 

 I'm being extremely l a z y,  wishing I were a dog just for the day so I wouldn't feel guilty for not getting anything done. Oh well, there's always tomorrow!

Here are a couple pieces that came out of the kiln last week.

xoxo dish

white hugs and kisses bowl

 heart bowl

bears and hippos

cuddly bear

I've been busy the last couple days with another sewing project, a new commission, and some bowls for Valentines Day. My niece's birthday is coming up this weekend and I've been wanting to make her this little bear ever since I found it in one of my sewing books. It's called a Cuddly Bear even though I think it looks like a hippopotamus.

xoxo

waiting to dry for a bisque fire



love









Don't forget to leave a comment on the giveaway post to enter for a free print! The winner will be chosen on Saturday the 8th. I prefer to have a random winner, but this time, the most entries wins! I suppose there could always be a tie or two...Have a great day my friends!

Thank You GOD: 36 and Counting

danikeith
thosealaskangirls
moxieandoliver
stepanka

Feeling full of love and gratitude, the L.O.V.E. necklace by Dani was the perfect choice for todays top four etsy picks.

.....Sometimes I miss those cold wintery Alaskan days. I couldn't help but favorite these scruffs to put inside your xtratuffs. Wish I had them when I was on the boats. They look nice and warm!

If I had an iPad (hint, hint) I would have to have this beautiful leather case to protect it.

Who wouldn't love to have this fun ceramic pillow on their wall? I have the perfect spot for it in my studio!

Amsterdam + Studio Facelift + Giveaway

Happy New Year!


As always, I've been so blessed this past year. Good memories and lots of art have been created. I look forward to a new year, a fresh start and moving forward with what lies ahead.

Before the year ended I wanted to clean and reorganize the art studio. I should have taken before pictures, but I was to anxious to get started and didn't want to lose the momentum once I was going. Here are a few after shots. I love how it turned out!  I have been standing alot while working on my new paintings and raised the drafting table up to a good standing height.

desk and work area



books, glazes, pottery and my new retro wall of photos

easel and paints

A few days ago I added another painting to my travel series: Amsterdam.  I used one of my old black and white photographs of a Selle Royal bicycle as a photo transfer and continued to paint with acrylics and ink.

Amsterdam (c) samos 2010

This past year I took the Flying Lessons e-course with miss Kelly Rae Roberts. It was so inspiring! After the class ended I became more aware of my blogging, my personal art goals, and made some amazing new friends along the way. Last week I hit 100 posts for the year! That is the most I've ever had! In celebration of my blog, a year ending and a new one beginning, I am offering a print giveaway! To make it a little fun and interesting, here are the rules:

• in the comment section of this post tell me where you would like to travel to if you could and why(1 entry)
• go to my etsy shop and  tell me which print you would like to have if you win the giveaway (1 entry)
• follow my blog (1 entry)
• follow me on twitter (1 entry)
• become a fan on my fb page (1 entry)

The winner will be chosen Saturday, January 8th. Have fun and Happy New Year!!!