Messages (5)

Messages (5)

Evolution

I've always loved to paint and draw. For some odd reason, I got my degree in Economics...and didn't take one art class in college. I wish I could have a do-over. Maybe someday I'll take some art classes, when I'm not so busy whiping little butts on a continual basis! :-)

When I was pregnant with Nora, I felt an intense desire to be creative. One of my best girls from college, Marissa,  makes bows.  The thought occured to us that I could paint bow-holders for all the bows we have for our little girls.  Here's what I came up with for her little girl, Madelyn. 

Since then I've been painting murals, bow-holders, birth announcement plaques, growth charts and whatever else I think up.  I opened an etsy shop and I've been having fun with my creative outlet.  More recently, my art has evolved to hand-painted backdrops for my photographer friends.  I've painted six so far, and I love it!  I love the larger scale and the freedom to be more abstract when painting the backdrops.  Of course, I LOVE seeing the professional photos of the backdrops.  It never hurts to have awesome photographers shooting your work!  Shannon took these photos of our adorable little baby friends Ruby and Karalee with my most recent backdrop. 

My inspiration for the design on the backdrop is from a blog I read, Jones Design Company.  It's painted on heavy-weight muslin with acrylic paints and the stencil was traced with a paint pen.  It's my DREAM to have a little, growing painting business, so I'm hoping to open another online store featuring backdrops soon!  You'll be the first to know when I do!

Erica

A Picture Says a Thousand Words

So, you probably noticed the adorable pictures of my kids on my blog header.  We had one year pictures taken of Nora and decided to get the other two in on the action!  The incredibly talented Shannon, from Shannon Leigh Anderson Photography, did the photo shoot.  She did such a great job!  I seriously got teary going through them all.  They were taken at the U of I Arboretum.  Nora has such a BIG personality for such a little girl, and Shannon captured her, Braiden, and Audrey perfectly!  She put some of the best ones on her blog, but really there are many, many more!   I will post some of her pictures of the backdrops I painted for her tomorrow.     

     I think these pictures show my kids' true personalities and how they relate to each other.  Priceless!  Thanks SO much to Shannon for giving us snapshots to remember this precious time of their lives! 

 "I love you, but please don't touch me."

I think this one is so cute!  Nora's about to make a run for it, Aud is striking a pose, and B has the sweetest face looking at his sisters!

"SEE YA!  I"M OUTTA HERE!"

 

This would make a great "Peace on Earth" Christmas card!

   "Check out this awesome flower!"

"See, it's SO cool...I'm really excited about it!!"

"Maybe it's just life, I'm really excited about!"

I have so many great pictures, and some ideas up my sleeve of some art to create using them.  Stay tuned!

Erica

Happy Birthday to the Twins!

Happy Birthday to my Mom and Aunt Sue! Both my mom and Chad are twins. I always thought I wanted twins, but now I know one at a time is plenty. :-) Here they are in front of my brother James' vet. They are very close, and as a result our families are really tight. Aunt Sue is like a second mom to our family.

Here's my mom and the kids after Nora was born. She lives in California, so we only get to see each other a couple times a year. She was home (in Illinois) recently for almost 2 months. It was great having her close again, even if it was just for a little while.

Don't they look great for 51?! I hope I look that good in 20 years!

I found some great old photos in my dad's basement. Here's one I scanned of my mom and me. We love you and miss you mom! Have a great birthday!

A Little Bit of Everything

It's my first blog post ever!! I am going to document a little bit of everything on here. So here's a collage of my art work and babies to get started!

Erica