~HAPPY NEW YEAR!~

~My Moms doggy ~George~
~My nephews Austin & Joe~ & my baby sister Megan~

~my little sister, Megan & I~ ~our very pretty tree~ we used tinsel this year~ so very pretty~
~Here we have just a few photos to share~
~It was a lovely Christmas~~ Just right, I think~ Lots of yummy food~ Getting together with
family & friends ~ More~yummy food~watching "Mama Mia"~ over & over~ smiles, joy, laughter, sharing~not sharing~more yummy food~
~ I hope you all had a beautiful Christmas~
~I am So Very Blessed~
~And~ am looking forward to this coming "New Year"

~Many, Many Blessing to You All this coming New Year !~
~HAPPY NEW YEAR!~much love~Amy~
~my oldest,~ Gabriel~

~And The Winner Is~

I had to wait for Rowan to come home this morning~ She & Hannah had a Sleep~Over at my moms last night~

I put 18 numbers in a Santa Hat~ & the number was .......16~

I counted down the comment list~ & that means Paz ~ is the winner~

So, Paz~ email your address to me & I will put your Snowman in the mail
tomorrow~

Thank you for playing~ and~ MERRY CHRISTMAS !~

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~AMY~~~~~~~~~~~~~

~Christmas~ Give ~Away~

~My computer has been acting painfully slow~ so that is part of the reason I have not been around much. ~ the other part is the readyment of Christmas~ Namely my commissions~

~So, I will not be posting for the rest of the week~~~~~~But, I am so hApPy to say, that I am going to have my first ever ~Give Away~ All you need do is leave a comment and on Saturday ~ Rowan will pick a name~ ~~~~~~ The prize?~~~~The Snowman Christmas Friend~~ that you see pictured above~

~Here you see Little Ms. Rowan all decked out in her Christmas costume, ~ for her ballet recital~ Really a wonderful evening, that was~

~Many, Many Blessed Moments to You~

~JOY~

~Amy~

~Lovely~

~4 of my Little Christmas Friends are now in my Etsy shop~ They are Lovely ornaments~
~Their little head were sculpted by me some with paper clay & some with polymer clay~
~I am going to keep making these little guys~ I enjoy the time I spend creating them~they make me very happy~
~Lovely Jennifer, from Hot Tamale Art Studio
~Gave me the Lovely Blog Award~ Now~ isn't that Lovely ?~ Thank you, so much Jennifer~
~Lovely is one of my favorite words~ :)

~I am going to have to brake the rules , because I have so many Lovely Blogs that I visit~
~All my bloggy friends deserve this award~So, I am passing this award along to everyone who
has left a comment for my in my last two posts~
Later I will get busy & tag you~
~Have a Lovely Monday~
~Amy~

My Sister & Me

~Well~ I sold one ornament at the craft fair~ It was at a school & it was the first year they had this fair~ Bottom line~ there were not that many people there. ~But~ I had a wonderful time anyway. Did I mention that it was my big sister, that signed me up for the fair? Bridget is an actress~ but~ a very artsy, crafty kinda gal.She made Muses ~ they are beautiful & so full of soul. Here is one ~ they are mixed media~ collage~ angel~ muses~I love them~ She sold two.
But~ the hot seller of the evening was Rowan(my 8 year old)~ who grabbed one of my boxes of beads as we were leaving and set up shop right there on the spot. She started whipping out beaded necklaces.
And sold everyone for a dollar! She made six dollars :)
~It was very nice setting and talking & laughing with my sis.~ And~ watching Rowan wheel & deal~ she is quite the little sales girl~
~So, I will be listing my little~ Christmas Friends~ in my Etsy shop tomorrow~ I just love these little guys~ they really do come to life as you work on them & I get attached to them, as they let you know who they are & how they should look. Like that little white kitty up there. First she was black, but that didn't look right, so I painted her w/ white paint, Then made her a gray tabby, no that didn't look right, back to white, then I tried orange kitty, no~ back to white to start over again. As I sat there looking at her~ "Oh, I am sorry" "Your a little white kitty"~ silly me~ "Why didn't you say so in the first place?" :)
~ Oh, what very silly buggers we artists are~

:)
~~ Amy~~

~A Christmas Photo Shoot~

~I hope everyone has had a lovely Thanksgiving!~
We really did~ all of it was just delicious~ the family~ the friends~ oh & the food.~

~sadly at this point, I cannot share the portrait work I have been doing~ I don't want to ruin any Christmas Surprises~

~But~ i can share what I have been up to in the evenings.~ While watching all my favorite Christmas Shows~
~I have been a busy little elf too~
~So, without further ado~ I would like to introduce, just few of my "Little Christmas Friends"~ I love them~
as I work on each one, they reveal to me their little Christmas spirits.~ They are my little ornaments~ I have made many over the years~ but, this year, they just keep coming.~
I love dressing them in all the glitter & color, ribbons & bows.
~ They are going to a craft fair this weekend. And, who ever is left will be put in my etsy shop or ebay.~
I didn't have time to give them a proper photo shoot~ but, I will take better pictures before they leave this house on Friday.~
~Merry Christmas!~
~Amy~

~Catch these Moments~

~My little helper~
Rowan & I made Banana Bread yesterday~
I looked over at her & thought~ "How lucky am I"
~You are just so cute~ & ~helpful~
~look at those slippers~ her little apron~ my mom made
for her~ she is wearing one of her big brothers shirts~ unmatched
socks~ & her hair up "like mommy wears hers"~
~hold on~"Where's my camera?"~


~Amy~

~Let it SnOW~

My~My~
Time is just doing what it does & I am finding myself trying to do what I do~ Time is winning~
~But~ I am holding my own~ as we ready ourselves for The Beautiful & Blessed Celebration that is soon going to be here. Reminding myself to slow down & take care ~ don't let this time go by in a blur~ Drive slowly past the Christmas decorations that are starting to appear in the our neighborhood~ look up and be amazed at the incredible beauty of the winter sky's & they have been breathtaking. And~ oh, how I hope we get snow this year~ I want to build a snowman this year~ that would make me so happy~ So, all you wonderful people who are already getting snow~ please send some SNoW FlAkEs to Richmond Virginia~ we haven't had a SnOw DaY in over 2 YeArS~ "That's just not right!~ And, it really is the simple things that make the for the best memories. ~Like building a snowman, sipping hot coco & the smell of warm cookies~

~This coming week, I must dig my heels in & hunker down~ for there are angels to paint, decorations to make & commissions to complete. It is so very important to keep my spirit happy & not feel rushed as I work on these portrait commissions. They are going to be Christmas gifts ~ ~I am doing portraits of peoples children, gifts, that will be given on Christmas morning~
Really, an incredible honor~

~So~ I leave you this morning with the two~ SNoWMan~ pictures above, both created by me~
One, a chalk drawing ~ & ~ the other, a real SnoWMan~ loved that snowman. That was an awesome day!~ See~ that was years ago, but, I will never forget that snowy day~

oxox~Amy~

~AWARD DAY~

I am so very blessed~ I have such wonderful friends here in my "Bloggy World".~ When I first stumbled upon blogging~almost a year ago~ I need to check, because I believe my one year "Bloggy Birthday" is coming up.~Anyway, I had just quit my job as Master Scenic, at a local theatre here in Richmond. And was searching the net for the , "now what" answer.~I gave up my job, that I really loved, because it was incredibly time consuming. 9 full on, all the bells a whistles
productions a year. This theatre also is the largest children theatre tour company in America. Sending out portable theatre to schools all over the U.S.~ starting in the fall & going till the end of the school year.Vans arriving, more than likely at an elementary school in your hometown, filled with sets, costumes, props & most importantly the fine young actors that pull the whole thing off.

Anyway~ I loved it. But~ I was never home. And when I was I so very tired. Never mind that it left little time for my own artwork.~ After all, I am a studio artist, I became a scenic while looking for a job in the arts in my late 20's.
So~ there I was surfing the net ~ looking for answers. Then I happened upon a few artists blogs. And~ I was hooked.~ What is this?~What are these artists doing?~ Look you can leave a comment.~These artists are so talented!~Cool!~I want to do this.~ I need this!~How do I start?~I knew very little about the computer(still learning).~ But, I wanted/ needed to take part in this "Bloggy World".~
And~ I am so very happy that I did.~ I cannot begin to explain just how wonderful & important being part of this Bloggy World has been for me. I have met so many talented artists here. I have received incredible support & even love from my dear friends.~ Having my blog has made me accountable for goals that I want to achieve.~~~I only hope that I can be as helpful to friends, as they are to me.~~~~So, here I am on a Friday Morning~ waking up and finding that I have received a bloggy award & having been tagged.~ I had also received an award from my darling friend Katie May awhile back & really was touched, but could not give it the attention I felt it deserved.~ So, I am doing it today~
~~~Now, How Cool Is This ?~ My Very Own Award Ceremony~ on a Rainy Friday Morning~~~
~What a Wonderful Day!!!~

~1~ The Arte y Pico Award~ given to me by Katie May ~ I don't remember when I first met Katie, but, I can tell you that I was amazed from the start, by her talent & her very dear outlook on life. She is an artist that has only just recently started putting her art out there. For someone who has just now started painting on a regular basis, I am completely blown away.She has all that talent bottled up inside her. I am so happy that she is putting it out there for us all to enjoy!~Thank you Katie~Amy~
The Rules:

1. You have to pick 5 blogs that you consider deserve this award through creativity, design, interesting material, and also contributes to the blogger community, no matter of language.

2. Each award should have the name of the author with a link to their blog.

3. Award winners have to post the award with the name and link to the blog of the person who gave them the award.

4. Post a comment on each recipient's blog so they know they've been picked.

5. Show these rules and this paragraph explaining the awards origination. "The Arte y Pico Award has arisen from the daily visits that I make to many blogs which nourish and enrich me with creativity. In them, I see dedication, creativity, care, comradeship, but mainly, ART, much art. I want to share this prize with all those bloggers that entertain and enrich me day to day. Doubtlessly, there are many and it will be hard to pick just a few."
~Now the hard part~
~1~ Kim, at the Twirling Dragon~just an amazing artist~ really~ check her out~
~2~ Christine Mercer Vernon~ I love visiting her, her art is personal & beautiful.
~3~ Jennifer Young~ love her paintings & she is always willing to answer questions.
~4~Myrna Wacknov ~she challenges you to learn more & her work is fabulous.
~5~ Greig Leach ~my brother-in-law, the most incredible artist, go see his art! & I love him very much. :)


The The Marie-Antoinette -A Real Person, A Real Award , was given to me by my Bestest Friend Leslie~ Thank you Les~ I love you too~

So, the rules for winning the award are as follows:

1. Please put the logo on your blog

2. Place a link to the person from whom you received the award

3. Nominate at least 7 or more blogs

4. Put the links of those blogs on your blog

5. Leave a message on their blogs to tell them.

~1~ Jennifer at Hot Tamale Art Studio ~ I love, love her paintings & the way she mommy's~

~2~Di at Duda Daze~ what can I say~ hers was one of the first blogs I followed.
~3~LuLu at My Pink Turtle~ every time I visit, I want to stay~
~4~ Paz at Pazs a N.Y. Minute~ she takes everyday pictures of N.Y., so beautiful!~
~5~ Eric Orchard~ the everyday life an incredible illustrator~
~6~ Susan at A Walk In the Park~ love to see what she is creating on a daily basis~
~7~ Penhollow Street~ very inspiring~

~WoW~ I will have to do my "Tag" tomorrow~ Have a Wonderful Weekend~Amy~

"Fancy Paint Stick"

~So, I have gotten a few emails & comments, asking about & where do you get a paint stick~
~That is easy~ my "fancy paint stick" is just a bamboo stick.~Scenics use them to extend there arm, so they can paint standing up.~ Most drops~i.e. the backdrops you see in plays are painted on the floor, then hung when they are done.~ Most backdrops are quite large and yes, very often you are standing on what you are painting.~You want to paint standing up for several reasons,1~,you get a better view of what you are painting & 2~ it is much easier on the back.

It does take a bit of getting used to, painting with a long stick & standing up~ but, it really works & it's fun.

So~ back to the "fancy paint stick" & how to make one. First find a bamboo stick, one that works with your height. Since, I am such a shorty person, not many can use my stick~ I have had this one for years, & am lost without it.It's like my magic paint wand.~ Anyway, you simply slit the top, as you see in the top photo and wrap rubber bands around it.~ Now, you can put any paint brush you want in the stick & paint away~ Switching brushes as you need to.~

~I hope this helps~ ~Amy~ have a lovely day!~

~Painting the Floor~

Painting the floor really is my favorite part of working on a set. ~So here I have tried to show you the steps that I use to create a beautiful wood floor. ~
















~1~ I put lots of under color~ tones that that you would see in wood~ yellows, reds, browns~
I scumble those colors around~ don't think about it~ just get the color down~
~2~I use my "fancy" paint stick & lining stick to lay down the lines of the wood floor.
~3~I start painting each board, one at a time, with a washy brown. ~ letting some of that
under color I put down show threw.
~4~when you have painted each board, you are ready to put a clear coat on top.~ I use a water
base semi gloss~ I tint it with a bit of my brown paint.~
~5~ I go back over each board again with the tinted clear coat.It just adds to the "real wood"
look.
~6~ And your done~ You now have a very pretty hardwood floor~ :)
~Amy~

~YES WE DID !!!~

~ Enjoy this very special day~
~Amy~

Halloween

~Halloween~
It was quiet. Rowan was sick and could not go TRICK~or~TREATING~
So~ I decided to share our past Halloweeny Days~
In these photos~ I am the little short one with dark curly hair. ~ I hope everyone had a lovely time.
We cuddled up. ~Amy~

N.Y. City set

Well~ here is a little peek at the set that I have been painting. So~ the show is ~ Tick, Tick....Boom. A musical by Jonathan Larson~ the guy who wrote Rent. And~ this is his story, about choosing to be a New York artist.
Here you see plaster walls with brick. This is a roof top. But~ it also gets used as different scenes in the play. This is a very neat little corner of the set. First I painted the wall to look like old plaster, then painted the brick, here & there. Then went back over parts with more plaster/painting.
~The set designer is a friend of mine~ I love painting her sets for her, we work very well together.~
~ That very beautiful window you see up top is going to have a scrim (a black mesh type of curtain) hung behind it. Then it will have lights, Christmas lights, that will look like stars.

~Philip (my hubby) did a beautiful job building this set. That window is so well built, that it could actually hang in someones home. He was not willing to fudge things, he never is, if he is going to build something, than he is going to do it right. ~ You know that is what he does, he is a cabinetmaker. The building company he works for is small, but, they work on some of the most beautiful homes here in Richmond.~

Anyway~ I think this is going to be am amazing production. Very exciting.
Next~ I will show you how I paint the wood floors.

~Amy~

~VOTE~ :)

Last night I was at the~
Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds~ Last Chance for Change Concert, held at the Siegel Center at V.C.U.~ it was a fabulous concert. Leaning towards being mellow. Acoustic Guitar Artistry really~ Both Dave & Tim were clearly enjoying themselves, as they played for 2 1/2 hours. Tim did not say a word~ but Dave delivered, what I can only describe as the most charming campaign messages, for Obama or any political message, for that matter, that I have ever heard.~"I'm well-compensated for doing what I love to do so go ahead and tax me heavy so someone else can take a little break."~

6,000 attended this free concert.~ Last Saturday morning, my friend Leslie called~ saying, I am on my way to get you~ they are giving away free tickets to a Dave Mathews concert at the Marshall Street Obama Campaign Office. So, Leslie, Rowan & I stood in line for about an hour & a half, chatting with the other folks in line, really a very pleasant morning. Got our two tickets each. And~ last night had a very lovely evening. I took Hannah~ this was her first real concert. Leslie brought her daughter Maria. It was all very good~

So~ I have been "crazy busy"~ working on the set. I took pictures today, to share with you. And~ show you a few of the painting techniques I use. But~ I left my camera at the theatre. Thats o.k.~ I'll post them toomario~ :)
~Amy~

~~~WELCOME !~~~

Today is the day! The day that the Magical Vanessa over at A Fanciful Twist is hosting her Halloween Party~~
SO LETS HAVE FUN!!!!

AND ~~~ ~ GIVE YOUR FAVORITE SCARECROW
A BIG HUG & KISS FOR ME ~~~~



~I have made these Sweet Pumpkin Earrings
in celebration of this very Pumkinney Season~

~They will be available in my etsy shoppy~


NOW~ I am off to the Halloween Party!~

~~AMY~~