It's Mardi Gras Season

It's Mardi Gras time in Louisiana! Our local Mardi Gras parade is tomorrow. I have friends that will bring their camper downtown sometime today, park it and have a spread of food there tomorrow. Mid afternoon is a Mardi Paws pet parade (can you say "aawwee") - with the parade later in the evening. It's a fun time for family and friends, and very different from what you will see in New Orleans. It's the "G" rated version of Mardi Gras. :)

Last week I created this painting for a silent auction fundraiser at a local Mardi Gras ball.

"Let the Good Times Roll!" (Laissez les bons temps rouler.)

Size: 20" x 20"

I'm planning something fun next week for Mardi Gras. I've always wanted to host a Murder Mystery Dinner, so I'm organizing a "Murder at the Mardi Gras" mystery dinner. We are all excited about this fun evening. Everyone has been assigned a character with a description about them. I'll post about it afterwards.

Next week the Creativity Tribe is having a blog hop. Be sure to check back. I'll have links posted to the main sight so you can follow all the participants. Our theme is "Love".

Happy Friday, Everyone and Laissez les bons temps rouler.!!!

Routines and Calendars

I know many people won't agree with this, but I actually love January! It's the end of the holiday hustle and bustle and a time to start organizing and getting back to "normal" (whatever that is). I've already filled up my new datebook through March, but I like planning ahead. It makes it so much easier when something pops up unexpectedly. If it doesn't fit in the calendar - I politely decline. It feels much better than over extending myself.  It also helps so much with commissions. I can pencil in my non-commissions pieces around my schedule. It helps keep me on track from week to week.


If you are an artist, what do you do to help organize your studio time?

And for those of you that are enduring bitter cold winter storms, remember, it soon will pass. Here's a quote that I just love.

 Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence. - Helen Keller.

 I just finished up one large commission and have another one to start right away. I'm loving that we have an unusually warm January here in the South. I have natural light in my studio and these bright sunny days make it such a cheerful atmosphere to work.

Here is a piece I finished last month. It has already found a home with a collector.

 "Quite Contrary", 20" x 20" (in private collection).

We are getting ready for Mardi Gras here in the South. Just for fun, I'm in the middle of planning a fun Mardi Gras themed dinner party. Sssshhh.. Can't give away details just yet.

Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful weekend!

In search of the Mardi Gras Dachshund

September, please bring cool weather quickly. (smile). The turning of the calendar days closer to fall, has me looking forward to cooler weather, even though it's still in the high 90's here. The changing season will still come. And that makes me happy.

To be interested in the changing seasons is a happier state of mind than to be hopelessly in love with spring. ~George Santayana


I want to do something fun. Years ago on my old (gone) art website, I had a page for people to sign in on when they found me by seeing my Mardi Gras Dachshund at Mimi's Cafe Restaurants. I want to do that again, but with photos.



She looks similar to this photo but has evolved over the years. If you happen to run across this jazzy dog, I would LOVE to hear from you - and even better yet - have a photo of it, or you AND the jazz dog (that part is up to you). Tell me which location you found the jazz dog at so I can put the location with the photo. I'd love to put them up on future blog posts. You can leave a message here. If you sign in with an e-mail address, the e-mail address will only be visible by me - or you can go to my Facebook Page and upload the photo there.



This photo was sent to me this summer by Jansen in Lakeland, Florida of her daughter with the jazz dog.



Linda from California sent me this photo about 9 years ago. I forgot what location she was in, but I think it was near San Francisco.

Thanks for stopping by. Have a great day and don't forget to turn the page on that calendar.

Newest Art, Sunflowers and New Orleans

Gosh - I can't believe it's been almost a month since I've posted anything. So sorry! I HAVE been busy creating, tho, and sold another dachshund painting. Oh, and if you want to have your own mardi gras dachshund painting, I JUST created an Etsy listing that gives you the option to customize your painting. Check out the link on the sidebar and check it out.

I LOVE New Orleans art. I love creating it. I love dreaming up new scenes. This is my latest piece. It's called "Mardi Gras Night", and depicts a huge French Quarter window with the view of the St. Louis Cathedral. And, yes, I included a little dachshund in the painting. It's 24" x 30" and it's for one of my collectors. It will actually hang at their apartment in the French Quarter, 2 blocks from the Cathedral. I'd love to hear your comments on it. Do you think I should do a series of paintings like this? Ideas...I can feel 'em coming!






And here is one more summer painting - one of my favorite flowers - sunflowers! It's a mixed media collage. It's 24" x 30" and it's listed in my Etsy store.






And next week I'll be getting a huge surge of inspiration for more paintings. I'm going to spend next weekend in the French Quarter. The smells, the sights and the sounds! Gosh - It's going to be overwhelming. I can't wait. Have a wonderful week and check back soon!