Photo by i.Anton
I'll start from earlier last week... I finished the painting of Kaelyn! It was taken from a photo when she was four months old. Its a fun piece to decorate her room with and the light pink looks nice against her light lime green wall. David and I did get a bunch of remodeling projects completed. His upstairs railing is now in and lots of carpeting and painting is done as well. Still one more room and a bathroom left to do in our upstairs. Not looking forward to that project!
One of my favorite photos captured, even though she was looking at the other two.
We brought bubbles along for the girls, and after I blew some for them they decided to take over. Marci captured the one above of Sydney sharing and letting Kaelyn blow.
This was on the stroller ride home. The girls would hold hands only when being pushed. Glad I grabbed my camera to capture it even if it was a little hard to push straight and take a good picture. Come visit again soon girls! Kaelyn always shows her best behavior when she's around the two of you.
Busy week ahead. Need to get a lot of work done on the commissioned painting and really hoping to get some other design projects done that I've been hoping to do for awhile. Trying to get as much done before working on the third issue of Touched Creatively. Have a great week everyone!
Pretty much anything you want done to a photograph I can make happen. This was a project request from my brother and sister-in-law. They wanted this specific photo taken of the bantam and then told me what they wanted to see changed. I was asked to change the background, add a pile of dirt, change the name on the door, change everything to sepia (brown tint) but have a bit of the orange color coming through. They also didn't want too much white on the picture as white will not be an accent color in the room it is going in. So here you can see the before and after result. Its been approved and shipped. Thanks for the fun project! I love manipulating photos! If you have a photo that you really like but would like something changed on it to make it even better, please email me at enduringarts@gmail.com.
I am still in shock at how fast kids grow up. It seems like we just had Kaelyn. Why do they have to grow up so fast? Its like she went from 2 months to 19 months in no time. She sure is at a fun age though. She has us cracking up everyday with something new. Whether its her answers to our questions or imitating us. I wasn't feeling well last night and David put his wrist on my head to see if I had a temp. Five minutes later Kaelyn comes up puts her wrist on my cheek and I was wondering what she was doing. Then she crawls up on me and puts it on my forehead and I had to laugh; I realized what she was doing. The whole night she was Nurse Kaelyn seeing if my temp was okay! Due to a headache, sore throat, and an on and off again stomach ache I wasn't able to make it to art studio day today. I had been planning on going for a month, and was ready to get my commissioned painting finished up. Was bummed about that but I did work on it for awhile this afternoon at home. I've also been working on a picture of Kaelyn at night. It will work perfect in her room when I get it done. It makes her smile too.
I only have about a quarter left on Kaelyn's picture. This was when she was 4 months old. I love her smile! It makes the commissioned painting look small but really Kaelyn's is quite large. It is 2 feet wide! The house painting is only about half done. I have a lot of details needing to be added. I will post more pictures once they are completed. Have a great rest of the weekend and stay healthy!
This was too funny I had to share. I was busy printing and here Kaelyn grabs a little weight and just goes to town singing. By the time I got the camera her songs were pretty short, but they are still a good laugh! Who ever knew a weight would make a perfect pretend microphone! This entertainer just turned 19 months yesterday. (Sorry the video is sideways!)
I was pleasantly surprised to get an email saying one of my paintings was featured in an Etsy treasury. Thank you FiveSparrows for featuring "Seeking Your Path"! It is so much fun getting comments and emails about your work and knowing people really enjoy it.
I thought I would let you know that the fall issue is now available for purchase (just in case you haven't see it on Touched Creatively's website or blog). Choose between a download version or a printed issue if you want to see some amazing creative talents. I love the personality in this issue! I hope you check it out and find it to be inspiring. Have a fabulous weekend!
I had to share this photo with you that I took last Saturday. I love the captured rays streaming over their heads. Kaelyn must be jabbering away and daddy is happily listening. Natural, beautiful and sweet. Saturday started off with an auction in the morning. I got an awesome deal on a chair, then in the afternoon we headed to Wing Fest where David ran in a 5K. There were lots of fun things set up for kids to do so Kaelyn played for quite awhile in a huge sandbox. We then watched David finish his race. He came in fourth place over all! I wish I was that good at running! We then ate lots of wings that came from area vendors. Was fun trying the different kinds. Kaelyn enjoyed the chicken mess too. We were then off to snap a few shots, like the one above and then out for a nice dinner. We shared an absolutely amazing bruschetta for starters. Kaelyn behaved so well while we were waiting for our food to come. I think she was excited to see what else she was going to get to eat. It was a wonderful family day.
It doesn't seem that 6 years ago from today I was walking down the aisle. Both David and I feel like its only been two. I feel like the luckiest girl. I have such a wonderful husband who continues to amaze me, who supports me in every way possible and is the greatest father to our little girl. I can't imagine life without him. Thank you so much for marrying me!
Here is the finished modern painting for the newly married couple. This acrylic portrait measures 14"x11". I love the fact that no frame is needed. Simple color palette, but lots of pop! I always think its hard to pick wall decor but these would be the perfect answer. Now I just need some time to do my own family! I'll be doing one of Kaelyn for her room soon though! It's a must. If you want a custom portrait done feel free to email me at enduringarts@gmail.com. I can email you prices. It would make a great gift for weddings, any special occasion or just to brighten up your room with a picture that has a special meaning to you. I would love to have a set of 3 on my living room wall someday. Background color can be your choice.
I decided to go a step further and make the painting into a card and added their wedding date. I also laminated the top to give a sleek surface. It could be a creative and unique thank you card, or if it had been done well before the wedding it would have made some fun wedding invitations.
I'm also busy working on a modern style of portraits done with acrylic. I'm very excited about them! I have one planned for Kaelyn's room too that I can't wait to start but I have another commissioned drawing that is in line before I can start it. Anyways, I think these modern portraits will make great gifts and keepsakes. Here is a sneak peek of one in progress... I'll share a photo of the finished project before it ships off.
My awesome husband has been working on building some bookcases we really needed, one for Kaelyn's room and one for all of his books and magazines. And hopefully, keeping my fingers crossed, he will be able to start installing kitchen cabinets towards the end of this week. We're still waiting for our counter top to come in but it would be nice to at least get a start.
Here is my latest playful design. After 21 layers this is what turned out. I had been so busy working on the second issue of Touched Creatively that I decided to take a break and play around with a bunch of papers. I'm kind of liking all the bright colors.
Welcome baby Alexis! You are adorable! Designing your announcements was a wonderful break from my other projects. If you are looking to have any kind of announcement designed feel free to email me at enduringarts@gmail.com. Printable files are as low as $15 for a one side design. If you want your design printed on specialty papers and front and back just email me for more info. I would love to work with you!
My man's birthday was Friday! We were able to celebrate just the two of us for awhile on Thursday night... thanks to grandma for watching Kaelyn. :) It was a nice time away. Great Mexican supper and then to a movie! We haven't been to the theater for a year and a half!!! Not joking, we rarely go out. Friday we went to Sioux Falls to go on a family bike ride on their nice bike trail. I knew I should have brought the camera with us on our ride. It was BEAUTIFUL! We had to wait until after supper as it was the hottest day of the summer but that all worked out fine. The trail went along the river with different parks and bridges along the way. There was even one just for dogs, with a nice fenced in area for them to run. Kaelyn loved that and didn't want to leave. I definitely recommend the Sioux Falls bike trail to everyone. We started at the Sertoma Butterfly House and headed east. Here are a few shots of before and after the ride:
Note: the trail is much nicer than what you see in these photos and it is paved. Yes we all have sexy biking helmets! Ha, Ha! David is dangerous on a bike so we all wear one. He did almost crash into another biker due to losing focus on the path and watching the large tree trunks. I think I need to pull him in a cart!
Hats and balls. That's all Kaelyn needs to be happy. And I was happy to finally get some good pictures of this little girl who is always on the move! This is one of her new hats that arrived today. Thank you Debbie! You are so talented! You can see more of her adorable creations in her Etsy shop. Kaelyn loves going through her hat drawer. Even if they are too small she'll try and make it work! And she loves balls. If she's in a park she doesn't care about the slide and swings, she wants to play with the basketball! So I guess she will just be the cutest, most fashionable basketball player you will ever see!
Hopefully everyone had a great Fourth of July weekend. We were able to work on some remodeling projects. Saturday we spent time at the lake and took the boat out that David built. Kaelyn got her first ride and seemed to enjoy it! She was a little worried at first when she was put in but when David started rowing everything was okay!
David gave me a sewing machine on Thursday! So here starts a new adventure once again! It is exciting since I have seen so many things I would like to have and if I knew how to sew I could make them myself! So my sweet mom gave me my first lesson Sunday afternoon. (Well, I did sew one thing before when I was like 10...but since its been that long we'll just say it was like my first time all over again.) I realized it isn't as easy as it would seem to do small curves. She was amazed at how well I did. My goal is to conquer little curves on a sewing machine and make some super fun toys for kids. I have a few other fun ideas for adults, so we'll see what happens. I know many of you and even myself thought, I didn't need another thing to do!!! Ha, Ha! Might as well try as much as you can before you die, right!? Well, I need to get back to work. Have a great Monday!
I didn't have much time to make this so I used most of the design from my previous expecting congratulations card. I was thinking these would make cute baby shower invitations by just changing the text on the front. 
It is said that we can learn something from everyone we meet and every experience we have. Well when I did caricatures for the first time a few months ago for a high school prom, I didn't really think I would be doing anything like it again. Well, when I was trying to come up with a fun design for a card for my sister-in-law who is expecting in September and it just happened to come out like a caricature which I thought was fun! I first sketched her out in marker, scanned it in and digitally colored it in and typed in my own words as I usually can't find anything that says exactly what I want it to. I really enjoyed that it incorporates both fine art and graphic design. I'm still lost in finding the 'perfect' niche for me. Do I go towards fine art, graphic design, or both at the same time? I am open to suggestions!!! Anyone?
This is a little Norwegian guest house my Uncle
Kaelyn loved playing on all the stairs in their house. What a workout that was for everyone keeping an eye on her!
Her room is in progress and she loves it!!! She runs around in circles in their and its hard to get her to leave most of the time. David stretched the carpet in. He's amazing like always! We only have a little trim that needs to be added and shelving in the closet. Their are nice closet doors and curtains that have been added since I took these photos, so I will eventually post another picture when I have the room decorated. I know I want a lot of pink and white accents but now I need time to put that all together. Everything comes down to time doesn't it? I really need the clock to stop and me to keep going!
Three post in two days. Amazing! I figured I needed to share a little of whats been going on. I thought I would share my newest drawing in progress. Its about 3/4 of the way done. I'm used to drawing portraits but not so much landscapes and its my first attempt at water. Can't really see the waves in this photo. Still need to add more depth places. This needs to be totally finished by Thursday and I have to get some good prints of it by then too. Better get back to it.
My husband is a die hard athlete! It was 45 degrees and raining last Saturday morning and David still completed the triathlon in Watertown SD along with 25-30 other crazy athletes. Us normal people were wearing our sweaters and winter jackets! Really, all you athletes amaze me and you all should have won great awards for getting through that race! David was amazing to watch once again, and finished in 5th place overall! This was his first attempt at an open swim in the lake and he came out 7th in the swim portion! Not bad at all for being a beginner to swimming all together. Oh, the lighter picture above looks like the sun came out... it didn't! It rained the entire time and just got worse as the race went on. Kaelyn and I partied in the car while waiting for daddy's return. Before I go, I want to add, if anyone wants to sponsor my husband in his running, biking or triathlon adventures let us know!!! He has some darn expensive hobbies but I can't tell him he can't do it when he does so well! If he was able to practice more he would probably come in first.
Happy Monday! Had to share these pics of Kaelyn. She loves her new hat that I bought her the weekend before last. Kaelyn wants to thank her Aunt Amy for encouraging mom to buy it. She likes to wear it with pretty much every outfit including her pjs! Too cute! 
