painting

I don't know what initially made me do it.

But sometime after Zach was born, I picked up a paint brush. And no, it wasn't the kind used to paint walls. I took a trip to Michaels or Hobby Lobby, not sure which, and spent hours pouring over the art supplies. I had no idea what I was doing.

I still don't.

But one thing's for sure. I am hooked. I think it must have been my inner self trying to awaken after having 3 kiddos in less than 4 years. I suffered from some horrible post partum depression back then (ok, if I'm being honest - I probably still do to some extent) but playing with paints and glorious colors and releasing my pent up creative self was so freeing.

It still is.

I found some time today to just play with some colors and this is what popped out...

'waterfall'

The kids asked me what it was, and I replied I didn't know. Chloe called it a waterfall. Sounds appropriate, even a little artsy - no?

It's a goal of mine this year to paint more and stress less. I have another goal to actually sell a painting. There I wrote it out, so it must be official now. I'm even contemplating opening an etsy store. I still have no idea what I'm doing and feel almost silly even thinking someone might want to actually spend their hard earned money buying one of my creations. But stranger things have happened, right? 

Plus, it would be sooo nice to actually earn some money some how. Since becoming a sahm almost 10 years ago (gosh, I still can't believe it's been that long!) it would really feel great to contribute to the finances a little.

The Nester had a great post today on 5 Minute Wall Art. Check it out here.

my favorite painting

2 years ago, while surfing etsy I came across something that made my heart skip a beat. It was a print of a sweet little watercolor painting. But not just any painting, you see. It was the spitting image of my son!

Was it mere coincidence that we had just returned from a family trip up to Lake Michigan, where my little guy had frolicked in the sand among seagulls and surf? I like to think it wasn't :)

The artist who unknowingly captured my son's first real beach experience is Mary Ellen Golden. You can find more of her amazing watercolor paintings here. She is so talented and I love the way her paintings capture such intimate scenes in nature. Her prices are very reasonable, and she prints on actual watercolor paper so even though it's a print - it mimics the real thing quite well, imo. Here are a few of my favorites:

'beach visitor'

'sunwashed'
'cedar island horses'

'tracks in the sand'

'bald head lighthouse'

'arlie oak'

Can you tell it's hard for me to pick a favorite? Her work is so gorgeous, I could sit and stare at it all day! And sometimes I do, actually. As I hung my sweet little painting in a spot I visit quite often - our master bathroom :)

I just stuck it in a $1 garage sale frame and it's definitely not perfect, but it makes me smile every time I see it.

Do you have a favorite piece of art in your house? Please share! I love to find new artists and meaningful decor for my home.