My Birdsong

Vintage Charm for a Warm and Fuzzy Bunny

I have a collection of vintage China doll heads from Germany. Years ago, I won an ebay auction for a number of them and a sweet friend gave a bag of them to me. I am always trying to find ways of using these remants of the past in my art, and a spun cotton rabbit seemed natural. This little gem is currently available on eBay and will end on Sunday evening. Wishing you warmer days and bunny smiles!

California Dreamin'

I have always been in love with the lost art of spun cotton. It has such a Victorianesque look to it. The cherished ornaments were lovingly placed on the tree, and I can imagine the "oooh's" and "aaah's" that followed. I've been working on perfecting my technique, once I began this cotton journey more than a year ago. So I've been working in my studio preparing for my September travels. 

I'll be jetting my way to California Thursday to join some 24 other artists at Tinsel and Treasures Folk Art Show. The event is sure to be a crowd pleaser with so many different talented artisans in one place! And...all in beautiful, quaint downtown Danville!

Shops, restaurants, farmer's market...all within steps of the Danville Veterans Memorial Building, which is where I'll be Saturday, Sept. 15, from 10 am to 4 pm with an assortment of my vintage inspired spun cotton Christmas ornaments and figures and Halloween goodies! I can't wait to spend time with my dear friends and see my wonderful customers. Soon my California Dreamin' will be a reality! See you all soon!

New Items in My Etsy Shop!

Several new items have been listed in my Etsy Shop. Head on over and see what's new! Hope you are enjoying the beautiful fall leaves! The tree in front of our home is in full color and the November skies are just gorgeous. Happy November!

Halloween and Vine in One Week!

I've been busy creating all sorts of Halloween delights for my debut at Halloween and Vine, Saturday, Sept. 24, in Petaluma, CA. I'm so excited and honored to be part of this outstanding show of Halloween artists! It's a week away, so grab some friends and make a date! Petaluma is a quaint town, with yummy places to eat and comfy hotels for your stay. Or make a day trip and hit the wine country on your way home. Get all the details on the show website. Can't wait!

 

 

Inspiration Comes with Two Tails or One?

 

I get so inspired by mermaid paintings from great artists like Arthur Rackham, Edvard Munch, and Peter Rubens. They all have different styles and they all seem to portray mermaids differently.

For some, the mysterious women of the sea are beguiling sirens trying to lure sailors to their deaths. While for other artists, mermaids are innocent beings just wishing to be human. Above all, it seems artists of yesterday and today vary as to whether mer people should have two tails or one. 

Disney's Little Mermaid is a one-tailed kinda gal, while the smiling saleswoman of Starbucks, sports two. I like the depictions of both, as evidenced from two of my latest paintings found here and in my Etsy shop. But I probably favor one long tail that can be swished from side to side. Of course, this all leads back to my own art and how I illustrate these mythical creatures. 

I've been creating a variety of mixed media paintings, and my mind keeps coming back to the ocean and these sirens of the sea. 

Mermaids seem so lonely to me and yet, so at peace in their underwater surroundings. The vibrant colors of the ocean floor teeming with life provides great opportunities for the artist to splash bright colors in an ordinarily dark world. I imagine the colorful living landscape seems to be like brilliant flowers in springtime, attracting passers-by to stop and enjoy them. I just wonder, do mermaids swim to these beautiful oceanic gardens with two tails or one? 

 

 

 

Dreaming of the Sea

I can hear the sea calling, as I prepare for my next show, Glitterfest Spring, in Southern California, Saturday, March 19. Not that I will be visiting the Pacific on my trip, but I have been researching and reading about the ways people enjoyed the treasures brought forth by the ocean. You see, in times past, ship captains would come home after a long journey at sea and present their loved ones with shell encrusted boxes. These signs of love make me so nostalgic, and I am creating my own take on the long ago tradition. This along with other boxes will be available at my booth.

Additionally, I have been learning more about the lore of mermaids, who were believed to be as fickle as the sea itself. They were thought to be fierce like a raging storm and then quickly become peaceful and serene. I love the mysterious nature of them, along with their magical beauty. All of this lead me to create my next folk art workshop at Gilding the Lily in Fullerton, CA, to be held Sunday, March 20, the same weekend as Glitterfest. "Enchantress of the Sea" is a glass theater, and you can click here for more details and to register.

Can you hear the crashing waves?

Drawing on A Rainy Sunday in January

It's a rainy day here in Northern California which means the perfect time to draw. Thought I'd share what's on the drawing board, as I think about mermaids, shell art and more in preparation for the Spring Glitterfest folk art show, Saturday, March 19, in Santa Ana, CA, and the Enchantress of the Sea Glass Theater workshop I'll be leading on Sunday, March 20 at Gilding the Lily, in Fullerton, CA.

The Dawning of a New Year

The year 2011 is here and I can't believe another year has gone. Many of you know our family's story and the sadness we have in our hearts always. As each year passes, our broken hearts scar over. The wound becomes a part of us, shaping us into who we are now. Sometimes, our life before seems like a dream. Maybe that is what happens to all of us at one point or another.

But it is a time for rebirth and new beginnings too. I take extra care to enjoy my family and friends and "be in the moment." Recently, my love of cooking has been reawakened and I'm enjoying my time in the kitchen preparing fresh, healthy meals for my husband and son and on special occasions, creating adventurous delights for family and friends.

I find myself also getting back to basics in my art, sketching in my art book to hone my skills and enrolling in a local drawing exploration class to further my abilities. It also means a fresh start for my studio.

After years of collecting vintage finds and art supplies, I've realized that I've supplied myself out of a work space! My studio was too full for me! So I am shedding the extras. Thankfully, I am participating in a local Craft Tent Sale, in which several local artists will gather at our downtown antique shop and sell our overflows to other eager artists looking for embellishements for their work. The sidewalk and tent sale will be Saturday, January 29, 9 am - 3 pm, at Cottage Jewel Antiques, 100 East Prospect, Danville, CA. I will, however, have to control my temptation to buy from my fellow participating artisans!

  So it is with regret and eagerness that I welcome the new year. My wish for you all is that it is filled with peace, understanding and gratitude.

"This moment is unique in all my life and I will appreciate it fo itself." ~ Martha Whitmore Hickman

Off and Running

 

I am in high production mode for my  upcoming Tinsel and Treasures Folk Art Show, Sept. 18, in Alamo, Ca and Glitterfest Fall, Oct. 2, in Santa Ana, Ca. But...I managed to paint an original Halloween watercolor postcard and list it on eBay. I was inspired by a vintage postcard with similar Halloween elves hurrying scurrying, and thought I'd put a different spin on the little creatures.

If you like my watercolors, I will have originals for sale at both shows and many of my prints. Please stop by to say hello! Happy Haunting...Iva

Preparing for an Underwater Party

 

I hope you will join me Saturday, as I prepare for a Mad Tea Party! I've invited many guests from the deep including some lovely mermaid friends of mine. There will be many others participating, thanks to our hostess Vanessa Valencia. See you in the cool blue ocean right here on Saturday!