The Latest ...

 11x14 custom order [SOLD]. 

 new 11x14 quote canvas [SOLD].

 5x5 Mark Twain,  found here in my shop. 

5x5 Irish Blessing found here in my shop.

I'm here! :) Just busy ... February flew by. Extremely fast. The bathroom project wore me out. I also have had other little projects pop up like hanging up all of Kyle's military memorabilia in his office finally [will post a pic soon] & also framing our new 16x20 family photo to go above the mantle [ditto]. Besides those projects, I've been planning Libby's 5th Birthday. I've been brainstorming for Libby's PreK class auction gift. My own school auction gift. What to do for Autism Awareness month. Davis's Birthday's around the corner [same day as Easter]. This is our busiest time of year - SPRING. But I'm thrilled it's on arrival. BRING IT ON. With warmer weather & some sunshine, I can handle just about anything. :)

Small Things ...

Back by popular demand ... in  pink,  green  &  indigo. :) I love these little canvases. And I love my new books from the thrift store with the fabric covers. I got them just a few hours ago & already I'm putting them to work. :)

Love. Frustration. Back to Love.

This is was what I found on Pinterest yesterday. :( See the source in the top right corner?

Sold in my shop last summer ... here's one similar that sold [I think its twin was part of a give-away].

We all know the internet is big. HUGE. But it must not be that big ... if I've had 2 friends in the last 3 weeks find my artwork on Pinterest. Not just my artwork, but artwork with the wrong credit given. Wrong site link. Or no site link & no credit. The positive spin on that is that I really didn't know how "original" my artwork was, or that I had a "look" until people spotted it & right away said "it's Rachel's".

One of my friends saw 2 pieces of my artwork on Pinterest just 4 days apart. Again, one with no credit & one with wrong credit. She was quick to mention me with a @RachelTwenter in the comment section. Then I clicked on the original pinner & left a comment as seen above.

It is frustrating to say the least. The above screen shot is just 1 example. I commented on 4 yesterday with a subtle request to change the link, if possible.

It's also frustrating to see your stuff with the title, "So easy to do! Cute idea! Have to remember to do this."  I have seen my artwork copied brush stroke for brush stroke. Each & every letter of a quote canvas [& colors were spot on] was recreated by somebody & shown off on their blog. I know it is not just happening to me. Yesterday I saw one of my friend Lindsay's canvases knocked off with the title [something like] "Look what I made after being inspired by Pinterest!" It was not inspired by "Pinterest". It was inspired by a person who made something that was put on "Pinterest".

It's a thin line ... between being inspired. And copying something that somebody made out of their own creative thought & sells. Liking something. But not giving credit. I have never done this to "make a name for myself". It's just fun for me. And after doing this for about 9 years, I have found my niche. I'm not the only one with the niche of painting quotes on canvas. But ... I worked hard to get into my little teeny pin head dot in the art world. I know it's a needle in a haystack. But if it's something I spent time on. I hand painted. I came up with the design. I scoured books & the internet for quotes. I doubled checked who said it in order to give credit. I painted it. I photographed it.

I did it. Not the person whose Tumblr site got 2,283 "likes & reblogs" on one of my quote canvases where zero credit is given.

I did it.

But then I look at what people are pinning & it's not my message. I didn't say it & I know it. In fact, on the minis that are only 4"x4", I still try & make my initials smaller than the name of the person who said it. They said it. I found the words to be inspiring, so I painted it for all to see. I am happy they like it. And I know Mother Teresa [or whoever else I am quoting] wouldn't want my blood to boil with such a sweet message [that is meant to spread LOVE] being spread like wild fire. That's what people are "repinning" anyway. The message. I just gave the message some visual aesthetics.

So then I get over it. And learn from my mistakes. And try & do what I can to keep my niche in the creative world while not bringing a negative tone to my shop with the comments on Pinterest. I tried to be 'helpful' while not sounding greedy or bossy.

I need to learn from the quote that brought me much frustration yesterday ... "do small things with great love." What I'm doing with my paintings is just one small way to spread ... love. And I need to rise above the stuff that is taking away from that.

Or at least get better at trying to rise above it. Work in progress, here. :)

New Goods & Giveaway ...

While working on another painting, something caught my eye. It was something that's been on my bulletin board for close to a year. A doily & a 'Life is Good' sticker. Just two separate things I liked & combined. As seen below... [from Oct. 2010]

Seriously. Who doesn't love doilies? They make me happy. And they do make everything sweeter. Whether it's a quote. Or a cupcake.

Had a few trial & errors, but overall loved the look combining paint, doily & a sweet quote. And I had fun with the color combos. My favorite being the yellow, pink & red. Do you have a favorite?  Happy Friday! Oh & don't forget to enter the GIVEAWAY. Ends tonight at midnight!!!!!! [*now closed*] So far it's a small pot ... your chances are pretty good! ;)

Go with the flow ...

[Look how old & mature he looks here. He'll be 7 on Friday!]

Story behind these paintings [& the print]:

Remember when I went in to talk to the 1st graders  [Davis's grade] a couple of weeks ago? Well, I had dug through my old college & high school portfolio, in order to bring in vast artistic styles of some things I had done. One of the pieces I brought in resembled these above. It was all black & white - done with either ink or watercolor. Very interesting to look at & when I handed out large drawing paper to the students, it was one that I urged them to try. I even showed them how to do it with a dry erase marker on the board.

Well, that weekend, Davis was bored. When he gets bored, he ain't happy, it's not pretty & nothing seems attractive to him. It's a challenge.  I was absolutely beside myself thrilled, after hearing him declare he was "bored", to look over in the dining room & see him trying to replicate that piece. I went over there, watched & gave him some tips. He did a line. I did a line. Then we turned it in to a game. We had so much fun & so many laughs. So fun to bond over art. [LOVE]

I made a mental note to try it on a canvas later. So fun, therapeutic & addicting. I did another & another & another & another 'til I ran out of canvases. As I painted each line, various ideas & quotes came into my head. All of course having to do with your ability to change, bend [but not break], & go with the flow. These all are very important qualities to have when dealing with a person who has Autism ... and these are all things as a parent, I am trying to teach my child [Brett] who has Autism.  And like the lines in these pieces... I'm hoping love, patience & understanding for Autistic people spreads & has a continued ripple effect.

I've already sold 2 of the 5 original paintings like this. But I'll be making more. The paintings & prints are available in my shop - 30% of the paintings & ALL proceeds from the prints are going towards my fundraiser from 4-2 - 4/30. For more info, click here. :)

New 4x4's ...

I had a special request to recreate the mini heart canvas [Elizabeth Barrett Browning quote] ... someone had bookmarked it almost a year ago & came back long after it sold. She had saved it in her 'favorites' knowing that when her little girl got her "big girl room", this should go in there.  I love requests like that ... makes me so happy for originality.  In this big creative world, it makes me feel like I've left my mark.  So thankful she came back to have me do this special piece for her special little girl. :)

While I was down there painting, I recreated two more of another favorite:  the Mother Teresa quote, "Do small things with great love". This is probably my favorite quote for the mini 4x4's because a lot of love goes into that small canvas. :)  Blue & Gray 4x4 found here.  Rose & Blue 4x4 found here!

Heart Love ...

E.B.B. Quote in Teal found here in my shop.

Just in time, huh?  Just in time for you to have already decided what you're getting your love for Valentine's Day.  Yep.  That's me.  Day late. Dollar short.  :)  Oh well.  Hearts & sweet quotes are good for all seasons.

More to be listed in the shop just as soon as my laptop quits showing me a rainbow pinwheel [AKA the hourglass].  Happy weekend! :)

Coming soon ...

What started as a 4"x4" has since grown to a 5"x7" ... and even more to an 8"x10".  They are fun.  They are something new.  They are my breath of fresh air that I so needed.  :)  I love painting the cursive lettering ... it is so thin & tiny.  But yes ... it's all hand-painted free-handedly with a steady hand & my favorite paintbrush.  :) I have sold out of all the 4"x4" canvases that I introduced a week & a 1/2 ago (and the twin of the Mother Teresa one went to knack as part of a give-away).  So ... back to work.  :)

Proof of life ...

I know you have been wondering about me.  Whether all I'll do this summer is eat ice cream cones &  chase fireflies.  But no.  Occasionally I do pick up the paintbrush.  :)  Here's proof.  Soon these little guys [4x4s] will be in my Etsy shop.

But for now I have to rescue Davis from the laser that keeps capturing him.  He "really really really" needs my help.  If you don't hear from me again soon you'll know that it has captured the both of us ... and you'll need to send help for us & the rest of the Superhero Squad.  :)

Have a Wonderful One ...

The top one was a custom order which sold, but the last 2 will be available in my shop as soon as it opens again tomorrow. They are the last 2 of the 5 I originally made, but I think I'll do some more [in various colors & quotes] & keep them in the shop long past Valentine's Day. I think they're fun. :) Have a wonderful weekend & a Happy Valentine's Day!

I Heart ...

These have been in the works for a few weeks. It was a struggle coming up with the design, colors & the perfect quotes for them. In the end, they look way different than I thought they would ... but sometimes that can be a really nice surprise. They're little love notes [on a 4" x 4" x 7/8" canvas] ready for gifting. :) Let me know what you think!

[Available here]

On that Note ...

Last week I found my under $10 item. My friend Dana urged me to have one at the holiday sale I was doing, but I was stumped. My sister suggested notecards ...

So last week I played around with layouts & shopped around for printing companies & various kinds of paper. I was all over the map [literally & figuratively] ... but finally settled on these.

It was my intention to make something ... different. In layout, size & shape. What I'm learning more & more is this: the people who like it, will LOVE it. The people that don't like it, have other options. And there's nothing wrong with that. :) But when given the opportunity to stand out in the crowd, we should try to take it. Different is what could turn people off ... but different is also the thing that gets people's attention & brings them to you.

I don't know how many of these I will do ... but I had so much fun with them. We'll see where they go ... not sure if we'll see some in the shop or not! But I'll for sure be sharing some with my sister & Ms. Dana. :) Thanks for the ideas, ladies.

P.S. FREE SHIPPING going on right now in my shop! :) From now 'til .... ?.

Playing with My Food, Part 2 ...

So I had one more mini canvas that needed tweaking.  I liked the strawberry ... but it was hard to sell.  Too boring?  Not sure.  I think sometimes you have to see it in person ... but with Etsy, I don't get that opportunity.  So after I did the apple, I looked at the strawberry with fresh eyes as well.  This time the voice said "... Dip it in white chocolate & drizzle with semi-sweet.".  Amen, sister.  :)  This one will be sold as a team once I get it listed on Etsy.

Have a FANTASTIC 4th ... be safe!  :)

Playing With My Food ...

The other day I looked at my sad apple canvas.  No one wanted it.  No one even marked it as a "Favorite" [Etsy lingo].  Shh ... don't tell her.

So staring at the sad little Granny Smith, I heard a voice say "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade".

I thought, "But I don't have any lemons".

And the voice replied "No kidding.  You have an apple.  And what do you do when no one wants the apple?"

I thought about it for a minute & said "Throw it in the compost?"

The voice said "Okay ... no.  The apple's not on it's death bed.  It's just not looking appetizing right now."

"Ohhh ... I got it.  Lemons, Lemonade.  Apples, Apple Tarte Tatin?  How does that sound?"

And the voice said "Sounds like you've been watching too much Ina Garten". 

[OMG I totally have.  How did she know?  And why does she have to be such a smart aleck? By the way ... this is now up on Etsy {here}.]

The Freckled Frog

I got the aching to paint a new Mini.  I know soon I'll be getting my fill of Quote Canvases, so I decided to sneak this guy in.  I needed to "man up" my Etsy store a bit.  There was too much pink, sugar & spice. It needed a slimy creature ... the Freckled Frog ought to do it!

Hop over here to pay him a visit.

Things I learned from Georgia O'Keeffe...

I have NO idea  what kind of flower this is {taking suggestions in the comment section}.  But I fell in love with it last June, when I saw it at the San Diego Zoo.  I took many photos, including the ones below.

Two posts ago, I mentioned how much I enjoyed the Georgia O'Keeffe Museum.  The more I learned about her, the more confident I became with the way I paint.  Here were 3 things that occurred to me ...

*It's okay to sketch it out first.*

Although, I often do this... I couldn't help but think it was a form of cheating. In the museum, there's a watercolor painting of hers where you can still see the pencil lines ... and even a color key where she had planned out something along the lines of "1 = white, 2 = blue, 3 = yellow".  From this I learned that even great artists carefully plan their paintings.  Sometimes you can just get on the bike, but other times you do need training wheels.  And it's okay.

*Artwork doesn't need to be flawless.*

Another painting of hers that is in the museum has a thumbprint, as the security

guard pointed out.  [he knew all the scoop]  It was hard to see, but if you knew where to look, you could see where she had left a thumbprint on one of he charcoal drawings.  I get irritated when something's not perfect ... when there is a flaw {large or small} in or on my artwork.  But hey - if Georgia O'Keeffe can have artwork with a thumbprint ... so can I.  After all, we are human.  Artwork is created by real people, not machines.

*We aren't expected to know how to do everything; it's okay to use references.*

Similar to the 1st lesson listed above ... I always thought it was cheating to have to look at things.  I have never been very good at drawing or painting things off the top of my head.  I always do much better looking at something either in person or in a photograph.  This has always annoyed me ... but I learned that she, too, liked & needed to thoroughly examine things.  Even when she was painting the view from her window, she would go on walks to get up close & examine the elements of the landscape.  There are some artists who can just create off the top of their head.  But I'm not one of them. I don't like making things up & I have trouble painting something that's not there.  That doesn't make me a bad artist, necessarily, it just means that it's not my particular style.                                       

     I definitely got my $8 worth there.

Now back to the big white flower I photographed in San Diego... I painted it yesterday.

It's on a 4x4 mini canvas. {You can find it here...}

The bee left behind a little mess... 

(and there was a bee, see?)

"When you take a flower in your hand and really look at it, it's your world for the moment. I want to give that world to someone else. Most people in the city rush around so, they have no time to look at a flower. I want them to see it whether they want to or not."                - Georgia O'Keeffe