Here Comes the Sun

It's an absolute thrill to be featured alongside all the talented artists and artisans in Poppytalk's newest "Here Comes the Sun" Zine. It showcases all the splendor of summer happening right now at Poppytalk Handmade.

To celebrate, I'm offering FREE SHIPPING on all items in my Etsy shop for the duration of this Poppytalk Handmade market. Simply enter "BUYHANDMADE" at checkout.

So go ahead...dive on in! Cheers, Mandy

Open publication - Free publishing - More diy

new art in the shop + poppytalk coupon

    

"A Collection no. 10 - Navajo"

I've recently added a handful of fresh acrylic paintings to my Etsy shop. These paintings on paper + cradled wood panels are based on doodles of late and have been arranged in various groupings and color combinations. Perhaps one catches your eye? 

"Shapes of Blue" - Original acrylic painting on cradled wood panel

My Poppytalk promotion: 
As a participating vendor in the current Poppytalk Handmade "Paper Pops + Affordable Art" market, I'm offering 10% off all items (not just the paintings on paper) in my shop through June 1st! To save, enter "POPPY10" at checkout. Cheers!

"A Collection no. 8 - Black + Ochre"

Close up of "A Collection no. 7 - Silver"

"A Collection no. 6 - Cancun"

Close up of "A Collection no. 3 - Deep Orange"

sneek peek of new work

It's been far too long since I've posted any news here. Please accept my apologies. I've been helping my mom recuperate from a serious health scare that all began on Valentine's Day. I could not have done it without the help from my sister, in-laws, neighbors, and dear friends from both school communities and karate. Thankfully mom's health is improving and she is regaining cardio strength through rehab. A break from kidney dialysis is an added perk.

Thankfully I've been able to squeeze in some studio time here and there which has produced a few new paintings. I plan to unveil them on Monday when Poppytalk's Paper Pops + Affordable Art begins. I'll be adding some abstract paintings and drawings later in the week...spending this weekend in Spokane, WA cheering on my daughters and their karate classmates as they compete in the Washington State Karate Championships. ;-)

I can't wait for Poppytalk Handmade to start! I'm always grateful for the opportunity to make connections with fellow vendors and soak up inspiring works of art and artisan crafts. Won't you join me?

Cheers,
Mandy

And now for that sneek peek I was talking about:

2011 was a rewarding art year for me

2011 was a very fulfilling year for me art wise and I couldn't be more grateful for the opportunities to create.

My family supported my time spent in the studio so that I could finish my Dust Bowl Glimpses paintings (a year-long + project in the making). My daughters and I embarked on a clay project, "Tiny Rabbits". I stretched and gesso(ed) a stash of organic fabric that I later adhered to salvaged Mexican Chechen hardwood to make eco-canvases for my oil paintings. I met some incredible artists and artisans through my participation in several Poppytalk Handmade markets and through members of the Etsy Folk Reveries Team and Etsy -- you are such an inspiration! I also deepened relationships with dear, dear friends from within my art circle-- you are my heroes! And, I had a guest art tutorial published on the AMAZING design blog, Poppytalk: "Drink up these these kitchen colorants".

It couldn't get better than that, right? Well, I've just learned that my art tutorial has been chosen as one of Poppytalk's "10 Most Popular DIY's for 2011" as well as included in Poppytalk's "10 Gorgeous Wall Art DIYs". I'm speechless...it's truly an honor to be included here. Thank you Jan + Earl for promoting the handmade movement, indie artists/artisans, emerging designers, and trends -- you make our lives more beautiful!

Here's to a fruitful 2012 for all of us. Cheers!

my black friday thru cyber monday promotion

Random Berries No. 2 - Original drawing - pencil+ink boxwood leaves on coffee-stained
watercolor paper with wine-stained berries

To celebrate the season I'm offering a special promotion that runs Black Friday through Cyber Monday - FREE Worldwide Standard Shipping on all items in the shop. Enter "BUYHANDMADE" at checkout to receive this discount.

Choose from original art and handcrafted eco-textiles:

• Original Paintings here:
  

• Limited Edition Giclée Prints here:
  

• Original Drawings here:

• ECO Ornaments + Pincushions here:
  

Please be sure to check out these amazing deals from other participating Poppytalk Handmade vendors here. Thank you for considering handmade gifts this holiday season.

Cheers, Mandy

'tis the season....choose handmade

Christmas Dinner for Horses - Washington DC (circa 1918)
(click link to view all the beautiful details in the photo)

The holidays are my favorite time of year. There are traditions old and new, visits with family and friends, and plenty of excuses for eating all those decadent treats. As you celebrate this gift-giving season, please consider gifting handmade treasures. I for one enjoy receiving a gift knowing that it was brought to life by an artist or craftsman who is passionate about their trade.


Last year I blogged about the wonderful conversation that Jan and Earl of Poppytalk began in 2008 about buying handmade. Those reasons still hold true today.

Perhaps you'd like to get a jump start on your shopping. Check out these amazing finds over at Poppytalk Handmade's Pre-Holiday Market.


Cheers!
Mandy

poppytalk's indie love lookbook

It's truly an honor to be amongst the talented artists featured here: Poppytalk Handmade's "Indie Love" Lookbook. The presentation is equally beautiful. Enjoy!

Open publication - Free publishing - More art

making connections through Poppytalk Handmade

I'm thrilled once again to be participating in a Poppytalk Handmade online street market! The best part about participating is making connections with incredibly talented artists who share my passion and value for art, craftsmanship, and living sustainably. Thank you so much Poppytalk!

The Indie Love market starts today and celebrates, "Everything handmade, indie and things we love! -- co-founders, Jan and Earl". I invite you to check out all the AMAZING works of art, each handcrafted and one-of-a-kind.

Poppytalk Handmade is also celebrating FIVE hugely successful years of bringing emerging artists together with buyers, all in an online environment -- Jan and Earl are true pioneers! Congratulations for following your passions. Cheers, Mandy

poppytalk handmade Mix Tape + new oil paintings

Good morning!

I'm thrilled to be a participating artist in Poppytalk Handmade's Mix Tape curated marketplace that starts today. Poppytalk co-founders, Jan and Earl, quip, "Mix Tape is a compilation of all things handmade (and vintage). Like a mix tape of your favourite music, this is a mix tape of our favourite handmade goods." I'm honored to be included in this group of talented artists and collectors.

At my table you'll see original paintings and limited edition giclée prints from my DUST BOWL GLIMPSES series....and....NEW oil paintings on handcrafted eco-canvases (see below). They are a bit unconventional in that they are made from salvaged Mexican Chechen hardwood and eco-friendly textiles.

"Spring Snow, Melting" is an original oil painting of the tranquility following a surprise Spring snowstorm on the Colorado prairies. Having once lived there, I could always count on the warmth and light of the sun to restore harmony.

"Spring Snow, Melting" - original oil painting

Following traditional oil painting techniques, I sized, stretched, and gesso(ed) my organic fabric using museum-quality materials. I then used archival adhesive to adhere the fabric to exotic hardwood salvaged from a local furniture maker. I intentionally frayed the edges of the fabric to create a contrasting, unexpected frame for the painting -- I'm really pleased with the outcome. Lastly, I finished the wood with 100% natural tung oil for protection.

Both oil paintings weigh about a pound and can stand upright on any surface for easy displaying on a mantel, book shelf, or table -- I do hope you like -- thanks for looking!

"Midday Wheat" is an original oil painting that reminds me of the spectacular panoramic views of the Colorado wheat fields at midday...when the sun is high and the clouds lazily cross the sky.

"Midday Wheat" -- original oil painting