fresh picked whimsy

Spreading some love

Lots of new art today. ♥ Art for lovahhhhs ♥.  These are some pieces that i've been working on...inspired by this time of year.  I was married in the month of June, so springtime always reminds me of weddings and love.  All of these are available in my etsy shop now.  Perfect gifts for weddings, showers, anniversaries and engagements. 

art for her: 

art for him:

 

maybe a housewarming gift for the happy couple?...

wedded bliss in cotton candy colors...

this one was inspired by my Mr. Wonderful...but i know you've got one of these fellas, too.  So, here you go...

 

Love is in the air! 

xo, Lori

Never forget...

Flag by by G, age 9

I will never forget the horror of that fateful day 8 years ago...and I will also never forget the unbelievable feeling of my country united...by patriotism and love.  There was an American flag hanging in front of nearly every home, strangers coming together, holding hands at candlelight vigils and sharing tears.  Political beliefs were cast aside as we all grieved and rallied together to proclaim to our enemies and the rest of the world "UNITED WE STAND!".  Sadly, we have lost sight of that unity in the eight years that have past. 

I pray for all the innocent souls we lost on September 11, 2001.  I am so thankful for the emergency workers who responded selflessly that day and for the service men and women who continue to fight for my freedom every day.  I will continue to pray for peace and keep the faith that God will bless my fellow Americans and God will bless the USA.

I am...

• happy to have the sun shining today
• happy to be able to create every day with the gift He gave me
• happy to be loved by Mark so much ♥
• happy to have leftovers for lunch
• happy to receive such lovely notes from friends after my blog post yesterday
• happy to be the mom of these 3 awesome kids
• happy to not have to do laundry today
• happy to celebrate my nephew, Sam's 6th birthday today
• happy to paint something for him and to decorate his Spongebob cake
• happy to live down the street from my whole family
• happy to love my neighbors
• happy to work at home
• happy to be happy!

Heart on my sleeve

Warning:  hormonal mom rant...  My babies are growing up.  I've been feeling particularly emotional and vulnerable as a mom lately.  It's similar to the feeling that i had when K, R & G first went to pre-school and we were no longer fully in control of the influences in their lives.  They are all blossoming into these fantastic young people and I could not be prouder.  K & R have begun to spread their wings and i can sense a bit of detachment and independence...which is important and vital to them to be able to navigate their way through life.  I just can't believe that we are here...at this point in their lives.  How is it that they grew so quickly...in what feels like overnight?  I suppose my heavy heart can be attributed to the fact that I am just days away from turning 40, which is a reminder that my young mommyhood is fading.  I find myself envious of the moms with little ones in tow at the grocery store, even though ironically,  when I was knee deep in those days, I remember being envious of the moms who were able to get their shopping done much more efficiently because their kids were in school.  The Today Show had a segment on this morning about sending kids off to college for the first time.  I watched with tears streaming down my face because I am keenly aware that I am about to blink and 3 years will have passed and Mark and I will be sending K on her way.  It will no doubt be a proud, thrilling, exciting and heart-breaking event in our lives.  Forty-shmorty...it's just a number...I'm going to savor the next decade of my life and the joy my kids bring to it. ♥

merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily...life is but a dream!

All things nautical today...this little illustration came to me in my sleep last night!  Seriously!  I doodled it out in my sketchpad this morning and then played around with the wacom.  It's late and I should be in bed.  R has a big doc appointment in the morning...poor guy has been such a trooper about being in that awful back brace all summer.  He is absolutely counting on the doc telling him that he can ease out of it tomorrow.  I pray he is right.  We will get results of a scan tomorrow and find out the next step.  We are staying positive and completely giving it up to God.  He is captain of this ship. 

The latest new print in my shop is this one from an Illustration Friday piece I made last year.  I hadn't made any prints of it until now...it's one of my favorites.  I hope you enjoy it.

P.S.  Lots of new blogs added to my yummy blogs list over there to your left.  There is so much amazing talent out there.  Steal away a little time, won't you, and allow yourself to get lost in the blogiverse for a while.  It's dreamy.

a cozy little home

Nests....don't you love them?  I am crazy about them.  I think it all started with this sweet pastel picture that my daughter, K, made when she was 10. 

Isn't it cozy?  And there are 5 eggs...just like my little family.  Every since she made this...i have been drawn to nests.  I have them scattered around my house.  In the front hall...

on the fireplace hearth (this one is a real one that was abandoned on my driveway a few years ago)...

In the family room in this vase of branches that I painted white...

and this REAL one in my tree!  Wish i could see who's living up there!

In fact, i've painted quite a few of them.  Always for someone else, though, never for me.  I really do need to paint one for my little birdie family.

Today was no exception...i spent the morning working on another one for a friend/client. She's giving it to her hubby for Father's Day.  (those are some new village houses in the background there...back-to -school themed).

All done...

Another canvas is standing by for yet another birds nest commission for a client.  The paint is calling...

Illustration Friday: sail

There will always be ups and downs, but don't forget to enjoy the view as you sail through life.

First Day of School Blues

My whole world got on 3 different school buses this morning heading for the elementary, middle and high schools.  It is always bittersweet for me.  I know they are where they need to be and I would be a horrible home-schooler...but i just love having them home with me.  There's just something about watching them get on to a bus and parting with them for the better half of their day...that takes some getting used to every school year.  That feeling is compounded this year by the fact that our oldest started high school today.  Even Mark was tripping a little bit about that last night.  We were folding laundry and he saw the shorts that she was going to wear today {that she's worn a hundred times already this summer} and he freaked out about how short they were.  Seriously, they were NOT that short.  I know he was thinking about all the high school boys we saw at the freshman open house in the spring.  Those boys look like men!  His "she's my little girl" meltdown was very sweet. 

And...even though i probably saved money by not having them with me today at the grocery store, it was lonely.  I feel a little lost in this big house today.  I can't wait for them to get home to hear all about their day.  I'm going to go put some cookies in the oven.

Yellow Monday, week 4

I spent the weekend working on the character developement of the book.  The book.  I still can't believe i'm illustrating a book!!!  Anyway, i started working with Adobe Photoshop.  I have caught the Photoshop bug now and you will be seeing a lot of Photoshop pieces on my blog from now on.  It's such a cool tool.  I'm able to scan my original drawings into Photoshop and then digitally color each drawing so quickly.  Then, i can make changes as often as I like.  That's a new experience for me.  I am loving it!  Mellow Yellow, above, is an original pastel that i did a few weeks ago. 

   

I am truly humbled

I just don't know what to say.  I am so overwhelmed by the emails and comments you have all sent my way since yesterday.  It means the world to me.  I am so so blessed.  With all of my heart, thank you.  I am definitely feelin' the love!

This is a quote that K's best friend told her and it inspired me to draw this: