OVashti Art

It was inevitable. While I've been clinging to their sweet pink and blue infant clothes and staring at their baby pictures, my babies have turned into kids! Amelia's first week of Kindergarten has come and gone and we're starting week #2! I'm adjusting. After walking her to school this morning Elliott and I got out the paints! I got to work on a commission piece & a piece for the gallery. Elliott painted his favorite characters from Larry Boy from Veggietales to Blaze & th

Today I was so torn! There are 2 photos of Amelia Jane that I wanted to attempt... Then I realized, duh! I can paint them both!! lol... I chose one for today and I will work on the other tomorrow... This is my Amelia Jane at 2 months old. She was a chunker and oh, so happy!! Here are some of the process shots from today's attempt... although, I think, I captured the joy, I can see where I missed some of the finer points of her face... There is so much that I want to tweak a

Good gravy! What a month! So many emotional ups and downs... I am grateful for them though as they taught me a lot! 2 years ago I took an online art marketing course from The Abundant Artist and, if I am honest, I did not fully complete the course! I got really hung up on the writing requirements (i.e. blogging, emailing, web content,etc.)! I am fine and excel actually at the social media aspect, but, mentally, I just struggled with... well, I guess what I thought my websit

What better way to finish this challenge than with a mermaid? Pallet boards, on their own, provide a very limited surface on which to configure a mermaid :) ... Put 2 pieces side by side, however... and my mind exploded with ideas! I love putting turquoise and orange together and this is no exception! This little mermaid looks as if she's lounging on the floor of the sea or just climbed from the waves in search of her lost shell. Lounging 16" x 6.5" Acrylic on Pallet Board

Earlier this week I painted a Hula Girl and although I have painted many Hula girls and many beaches I have never painted a Hawaiian Beach... and although I have never been to Hawaii, I thought I would try my hand at it! In my mind Hawaiian beaches are richer in color and foliage. I think this piece is a composite of pictures I've seen as well art. Vacation 17.5" x 6.5" Acrylic on Pallet Boards $95 This piece was completed on day 32 of my 30 Day challenge and was shared alo

Through this whole challenge I have intended to paint a Kraken, but the wood has not cooperated! Every time I got started sanding down a piece of wood with a kraken in mind I would get down to the grain and "see" something completely different. This time I would get my way! A song from my childhood came into play in the creative process of this piece. In the mornings this week, I have been playing music instead of turning on the TV. I found my collection of 2nd Chapter of

On June 13th I started my very first painting challenge, where I set out to paint 1 painting everyday for 30 days. Now it's 32 days later and today I finished my last 3 paintings (yes, I said today..lol)!! So many things have happened in the last 32 days in my home, our State, our Country & around the world. I have to say, even with so much grief and brokenness, having art to turn to and put in the work was really healing! To be honest I have never looked at art-making as

I looked at the calendar today and realized Today is, technically, Day 31 in my 30 Day Challenge!! I am 3 paintings short of my goal!! I have 2 pieces of wood, sanded and ready to paint, may bag of many colors standing ready, but how could I argue with a 3 year old when he looked at me with his big blue eyes and says; Mom, I meed you to sit, so I can hold you! Melt my heart Li'l Man!! I fully intend to finish 30 paintings this week, I hope you will continue to follow along

One of the very first, large paintings I did was of a Hula Girl, from behind. That was done in the days before I documented my work. Over the years I have painted several more, all smaller than the first, most from the back, some from the front, some on canvas, some inspired by Degas, a small one on pallet board last Christmas. I knew I just had to have one Hula Girl in this challenge! So between wiping noses, administering garlic and sniffy juice (saline nose spray) to m

So.. Elliott's allergies came out full force yesterday.. Poor little guy was up a lot last night, which means Momma was up a lot last night :/ ... He's burnin' off the crud today with a low fever.. Not my favorite of days! Between keeping him comfortable and Amelia occupied I have been able to paint today!! This board comes from a large shipping crate that my friend & Potter; Roger Elliott gave me after he had a new kiln delivered. So it's a little thicker than the pallet bo

I have had, as with most of the country, strong emotions over the events of the past month. With piece I was tapping into those emotions! There is a lot of personal symbolism in this piece. From the 3 stars, my bonus kids and granddaughter. The 3 sunflowers, John, Amelia & Elliott. And the 7 stripes, my siblings. The bubbles are my parent's voices... and on and on... My pride in where I live, Darkness and light... 'Tis Of Thee Approx. 12" x 24" Acrylic on wood $110 Thank

We all have goals, plans, areas of our life that we would like to change and remain consistent in, right? And LIFE gets in the way... Sometimes, as I posted earlier in the week "Life" is a holiday that "gets in the way" and then, sometimes "Life" is tragic! My heart is still reeling over the events of this past week & goes out to the grieving friends and families that are at the epicenter of these tragic episodes! I took a few days off from my challenge #30Days30Paintings,

My heart is heavy with the tragedies of the week & especially the last 24 hours. I have not been able to bring myself to paint today. I will be spending time with my children this afternoon, looking them in the eye, telling them that they matter and that others matter too! My roll as a mother has never felt more solemn. We will be attending our weekly services this weekend, feeling the need to gather with the people who taught me what Love is & to pray for our Country & Ou

Today was a busy day!I had a sweet friend come watch the kids while headed to get some things done! My first stop was to Mz. Millie's house to put a final coat of sealer on her beautiful mural! Now it's ready to face the world come rain or shine! Then I went on to pick up paperwork so that we're ready for Amelia's school registration in September (Ahhh!!! Time is going too quickly!!). I thought to myself; "why not skip a day of painting? You have a lot going on!"... But I

Today's painting took me a bit longer than it usually does! I have been wanting to do a combo piece, using 2 pallet boards, for a while now. When I got the boards in front of me though, all my plans went out the window and I drew a blank! I cleaned the kitchen, swept the floors and many other things before realizing, I just needed to commit to one idea and get started and so I did! Silver Bells, Cockle Shells & Pretty Maids Acrylic on 2 Pallet Boards 21" x (approx.) 6.5" $9

And actually I like to think of it as "Time Gained" as we had a wonderful July Fourth Holiday spent with my good friend Carolyn Seiler, her family and long time friends! We ate, we swam, we loved & laughed, it was awesome! So, today I jumped right back in and whipped out 3 more paintings!!!! Over the weekend I had someone place an order for a pallet board with palm trees on it. When I get a commission piece, I like to paint 2 that are both in the spectrum of what the client

This week I revisited some of my favorite subjects, but tried to take on a different perspective or practice a skill I hadn't pushed myself in as yet... like skin tones, the perspective of near vs. far, new flowers (plumeria), etc. I really liked how this pushed me! Some pieces were spot on & others I see I need to keep working at it! What do you think? Which pieces are your favorites? Have you signed up for my newsletter yet? This is a great way to see each piece firsth

I am so happy that you are following along! This week I finished 7 more paintings for 13 down, 27 more to go!! This week Amelia attended another week of art camp at the gallery so I did deal with some time management issues. I am so proud of the work that is coming out of this challenge, not to mention realizing how much more I can do & achieve! 4 of the 13 have already sold! SO if you want to be in on the first look click here to sign up for my newsletter... Follow this

If you haven't heard or if you haven't signed up for my newsletter, you may have missed that I have accepted a challenge to paint 30 Paintings in 30 Days! I have made it through the first week! In some regards it has been easier than I thought it would be and, of course, I have been challenge in areas I didn't fully anticipate! For instance; Time management was NOT such an issue! (I know, Shocker!) ... I was prepared with pallet boards & art supplies and set up to take pic

Here in Central Florida the temps are rising, the days are longer, the tourists are arriving in droves. My kids are out back splashing in their little pool, leaving sloppy trails across the tile in search of just the right toy to help them articulate their imaginations. We have a new member to our family, a rescue pup, Lucy. She is a Coon Hound who loves her new home and family & we love her back! In the midst of all of this, I feel the need to push myself further, to expa