Moving Along

These past few weeks have been crazy busy.....to say the least. Football season will be coming to an end here in the great old state of Texas soon and I'm thankful. I've enjoyed my boys playing of course, but it has definitely taken me away from a lot of my work. I'm still illustrating a book and supplying to my stores as well. I've been so busy that the new art in my brain for the past few months, well, it's still there. In the coming weeks I plan to create some much needed new pieces. I'm leaving you today with a little piece to the book I'm illustrating now. I've created so many monkey's and each one has always been different. I love the expression I created for this one...his mouth is full of bananas. Well I'm off to create and enjoy my 13 yr. old last football game tonight. Have a great day! Marnie V.

Summer....Summer

This Summer I think has to be my all time busiest yet...and i didn't even go on vacation. My boys have gotten older which means sports camps all summer long, birthday parties, and summer evenings with friends. I also took it easy on a little work and business. Well, I mean...I ran my business, filled orders, but in more of a summer leisure fashion I should say. My orders have been steady all Summer long which was great and you know me..just fitting it in to driving around to sports camps every day.

I'm sooo ready for the rest of this year! I'm creating new art for my stores...so excited. And I'm also going to be adding NEW MODERN abstract paintings to my Home Decor section on my website:). The best part is that they will be within a low price range of $40-$75 for sizes ranging in 8x10"s and up! And I'm giving FREE SHIPPING in the US only for the rest of this year off my site starting AUGUST 9th!
New changes are coming to my website as well...so stay tuned. And in the mix of all of this...I'm still illustrating a book. Oh MY! Look at the time. I'm off to football practice this morning!

Marnie V.

Busy is the WoRd!

Hello again.....I'm back. Not that I meant to be gone anyway, but I've been devoting my time to massive orders of painting and I'm illustrating a children's book. Above is the storyboard for it. And I've also been just busy with life in general. I honestly think this has been my busiest year between my kids and my work. I guess that truly means my business is growing :). This is the last week of school with my kiddos and I can't wait for the stress relief. As your kids get older...it's true, you stress more and about everything. My oldest is going into High School next year and just the thought of college right now makes my stomach turn. My boys are very good students, and in advanced classes...I stress success a lot to them. I actually fed that into there brains at an early age...and it shows. I'll be back in a couple of days to post again...I promise...lots to share. Have a great day-Marnie V.

I Hate Computer problems.....

Wow! It's February and March is around the corner. We've had the worst winter here in Texas and we all know how my computer loves cold winter weather and don't forget thunder storms in the spring. I've had the worst computers problems lately. That's pretty much why I've been a little absent to this blog.
My day consists of when the computer works..I can get shipping labels printed, email customers, and try to upload photos. I can't wait for summer!
I've included some recent work that was sold to a client that has a Westie terrier. She loves my work and wanted her dog included. They turned out great....Thanks again Kathy!

Have a great day! Marnie V.

Welcome 2010!

*SOLD*
"Camp Out Marshmallow"
Original Painting 24x24x1 1/2"
Acrylic on Canvas

"Yellow Bear"
6x6x1 1/2"
Acrylic on Canvas

"Hawk the Dog"
6x6x1 1/2"
Acrylic on Canvas

I'm welcoming myself onto this blog actually. I've been so busy...honestly...I think the end of 2009 was my busiest of the entire year. And with Christmas thrown into the mix, made it even crazier. I didn't even have time this year to bake for neighbors and friends for the holiday and who knows what they thought about that. I've made treats for people every year and this season it didn't happen.
I also had a solo art Hawk show at a local modern art gallery in my town. I've actually sold quite a few pieces but there are still more left. Above are some that are still available. If anything interests you you can contact ART251 for prices and they will ship in the US. They have more, which I'll post tomorrow. I have another show(gallery walk) that's going on in a couple of weeks also so that should be pretty busy as well. I've been painting a lot of Hawk.

I also made the decision to close down my Dallas showroom due to the fact of the economy and the buyers for stores just aren't attending shows due to the economic status. It hasn't affected everyone, just for some reason me in Dallas. I'm not saying I won't return but for now my Los Angeles showroom Thea is booming :) Thanks to my fabulous rep Brandi! So if your a store and your looking for my art a show contact brandi@theashowroom.com
She can give you show dates for the entire year of 2010.

So what will be coming in 2010..I know your wondering....
Here's a sneak speech!

New galleries that will be showing Hawk art!

New paintings of Hawk and friends on Bamboo wood panels:) 100% eco Love that!

NEW updated J.AUSTINRyan website- thanks to my fabulous web girl Melanie at Grapevine Creative.

Oh...and my 1st ever book deal to illustrate a children's book :)....I get chills every time I think about how exciting this is...hard work...but sooo excited! I can't wait!

Well, I'll be back tomorrow to post the first Hawk painting for 2010.
It involves wallpaper, a mouse, a little door, and of course Hawk himself!

Toodles! Marnie V.

Hectic.....schedules

Hectic schedule is the story of my life these days. I'm busy painting preparing for my first solo art show on Dec. 11th. Hawk will center stage and I'm so excited. My personal life is full also. My boys are finishing up there football seasons, wrestling season is starting, and my husband just finished his Masters Degree. We are so proud of him. He walks this Friday night and I'm hosting a huge PARTY for him this weekend...which I'm trying to get ready for as well.
Did I mention we have a Super Bowl football game for my son Austin's team and a wrestling Tournament on Saturday. I'll let you know how I survive.

And in the mix of all of this, I of course still have time to schedule Jason with Munfy.com, to come take some Christmas photos of my boys. Above is my oldest Jacob. He truly is an amazing son. He's 13..almost 14 on Dec.15th, just finished his football season and now it's wrestling season. Our theme for these photos was football, as you can see.
They came out amazing and soon I'll be posting more...well, in a couple of weeks.

So, I won't be on the blog much over the next couple of weeks due to life functions, Thanksgiving, and preparing for this HUGE art show. :)

Have a wonderful week! Marnie V.

My Halloween

Hope everyone had a wonderful Halloween...I did.
Even Garrett came over to say hello or scare me. He's the little boy on my website.
He cracks me up! Love you G!

Of course, my kids thought it would be fun scaring little boys and girls this year.

My son Austin carved this pumpkin....he did a great job!

And, this is where I sat all night passing out candy and drinking coffee to stay awake
after our long day of football games.
Thanks for looking!
Marnie V.

What Keeps Me Going...

My son Ryan with his footall team.

My youngest son Austin(AV) with his team.

I sometimes feel like I come on this blog and complain about all the computer issues I have, but OMG I have them. I have had two viruses within the last two weeks, in which I've been late meeting deadlines. I'm afraid to even mention to clients just because I don't want them to think I'm a flaky artist, and I'm not. I usually get comments on how fast i turn things around. But let me tell you when you live in Texas and it rains for SEVEN days straight, and I mean flooding rain, and your computer is WIFi...you are bound to have issues. I haven't been able to load anything on either of my sites and not able to load pictures period. Then yesterday...I finally got a picture through. I have had 3 weeks of feeling so frustrated over the issue but things are starting to turn around. By week 2 I actually just decided to myself there was basically nothing I could do and to just focus on my kids and painting. So you'll see a lot of new things popping up in the ETSY shop this week. Have a great day! Marnie V.

A Whole Lot of.......

Hello.....
I've been doing a whole lot of.....

Painting
illustrating
thinking
football practice(EVERY NIGHT) :)
shipping
horrible car problems...yuck...but getting better
running 3 miles a day for stress relief
eating
sleeping.

I think that pretty much wraps up all that's in my life right now.

The photo above is one of the first paintings I created when we moved to Texas. I've always loved the simplicity and design of it...the title...
" My Favorite Train."
My inspiration....My son Jacob, who is now 13, has a passion for trains. I honestly think he always will. Of course, now he has a passion for cheerleaders, yeah...I won't be painting those.

Have a great day! Marnie V.

What Vacation

I'm back from vacation...well, I've been back actually. The picture above is me and I completely look exhausted in this picture, which cracks me up because I was. It was the most rewarding and exhausting trip I have ever taken. We had a blast though and so did my kids. The picture below is my son Austin walking along the Vietnam Memorial checking out all the names of the men who died. If you look there is a reflection with my husband David and my son Jacob in the picture as well. It was really something to see.

I came back over a week ago but have been slammed in work. And honestly, I'm still slammed, so if i don't make it onto this blog everyday for the next couple of weeks...just bare with me. I just finished a show in LA Cali. and am currently having a show in Dallas, which I'm not even attending. Let's hope my showroom rep writes some good orders for me. With all the work I have to do and throwing my 12 year old a birthday party tomorrow, that's my excuse for not attending. I'll be sure to come back on next week to post on a few new items and about my first art show in a gallery ..that I am so excited for. Well...it's time to get this party going!
Have a great weekend- Marnie V.

So Where should I Start!

Hello everyone. I've had quite an interesting last couple of weeks...mainly why I haven't been on this blog. My computer has had a virus and still does...and I'm still trying to get it fixed. I've been working off a laptop and my husbands computer, but since everything is mainly linked to mine, I've been unable to even load new art on my Etsy shop and my main site. I am so frustrated...I can't even tell you. I am also sorry to those who I haven't emailed back, because it was my business email that got attacked by a nasty virus. I will get back to you and hopefully soon.
And on top of this I've had numerous things falling apart in my home, car, and kids that have needed to get fixed. Let's just say when it rains, it pours. Oh...and I'm leaving this Thursday for vacation. We are taking our boys to Washington DC for an entire week to see some history. We are very excited and I'm hoping my home /work issues get resolved before I leave.
While I'm gone, my shops will be still open and I will be checking my emails frequently if you do need to email me. I do have to say that the nasty virus did allow me to get all of my recent show orders and store orders out...which feels amazing since I'm about to go on vacation. Well, I'm off to take my son Ryan to the Doctor to check his ear...swimmers ear that didn't clear up.
Talk to you soon-Marnie V.

Boys of Summer

Austin- 9yrs.

Ryan- 11 yrs.

Jacob- 13 yrs.

These are some photos that were taken recently by my friend Jason Munford over at Munfy.com
These are the boys of summer. There days will be filled with wrestling and football training. Texting girls...which drives me crazy. Numerous trips to the neighborhood water park. Swimming all day in our own pool which will result in a few swimmers ear infections. Movies in the park. Our big trip to Washington DC, which I haven't mentioned yet. Required reading everyday to get ready for the next school year. And let's not forget how much work I won't be getting done on time because of these three. Gotta love summer! Marnie V.

New Updates, a Show, and a Feature!

There is so much going on in my life and this biz that I really don't know where to start. My website J.AUSTINRyan is getting updated with new content, color changes, new images, and more features. These will all hopefully be done soon. My customers who have been ordering, well, let's just say I've been getting phone calls to place orders, since my site has been down.
I also had a photo shoot with the ever funny Garrett who is pictured above, he'll be popping up on my site as well.
More and more stores are adding my art which is honestly amazing and scary as well, my biz is growing and I basically just sat my kiddos down to tell them they are the new maids of the house this summer. Yea...those were the words that I told them when they came home from school today, which was there last by the way.
Other news, I have a Dallas show that starts tomorrow and I can honestly say " I am ready for it!".... gosh that felt good. It's a four day show and hope to pick up some new accounts.

Dallas Show
World Trade Center Building Dallas, TX
8th floor, Kids World Studio, Showroom #8701-45
June 4th-8th

I was also featured today on Penguin and Fish. Allyssa is the artist and illustrator behind these most amazing products and images. you seriously need to go check out her stuff. She has a ETSY site. And she has her own main site like me which features all of her talents. Thank you so much Allyssa..I love her blog, and I'll be visiting it every day from now on.





So I'm signing off and will hopefully be back soon, and I'll wish myself luck on this show.
Have a great weekend....Marnie V.

Seriously! What else!

Collage above is a custom Rocket Dog I'm working on right now for a client.


This past week has been seriously unpredictable, and not in a good way. We have had a few bad storms these past few days, and last night being the worst. I looked outside and it was basically a hurricane type whatever, even though we are not even in Hurricane season.
The bad thing is these storms cause my internet to go WACCO and it turn reflects on me not getting any computer work done at all. I have two trade shows coming up within the next couple of weeks so I'm scarily a little behind.
On top of all of this, football ends this week with my boys, parties and all..school ends next week, so I need to go find teacher gifts and i go crazy doing so. And because our weather has been so crazy with the temperatures dropping and rising, my boys all have sore throats and the sneezing thing. We are battling football injuries as well...oh yeah...I could seriously go on and on.
But what topped it all off.
MY POOL IS GREEN! I hate when my pool is green. And, one of my neighbors behind me, there fence blew over into my yard last night...of course. Now I have to go around the block, bring our Home Owners Assoc. papers with me, and explain how since a certain part of the fence is on there side that they need to repair the fence. I'll let you know how that goes.
Ok..I'm done complaining and somewhat feeling a little better for doing so.
Have a wonderful day! Marnie V.

#11

I had to post this picture today courtesy of Jason Munford. It's of my son Ryan #11 scoring a touchdown, but it's the ref that makes the picture. The opponent missed the tackle, rolled, and the ref had to jump....so cool. And great job Ryan...you truly are a stud!
I'm still working on this big custom safari themed order which I'm hoping to post some pictures of tomorrow...so please check back. Have a great day- Marnie V.

Home Preview- My Son Austin's Room

Hello....just taking a break from a HUGE custom job I'm working and I need to step away from for a little bit. I've been showing little bits of my home every couple of weeks and today I'm bringing you my youngest son Austin's room. He is a serious trinket collector, football lover, book reader, and the sweetest 9 yr. old ever! The letter A above I made when we first moved in, the wood came from scraps that my house was built with. Oh and the foot on the wall...that's a football fathead...of course.

Austin's bed where he loves to read. These are some of his favorite books, but he switches them out from time to time. The little wooden box usually has some sort of special rock or whatever in it, and clay mask he made at school.
When he was a baby, he loved Curious George, and I wish I had pictures of his nursery. Just picture, modern furniture, butter cream walls, vintage prints of Curious George on the wall, toys in baskets on the most adorable scalloped bookcase, and vintage charm.
And of course, my first ever Rocket Dog that I painted adorns a wall in his room.

His trophies that he has earned sits along his shelf. The shelf shown actually wraps around his entire room. I built it myself...a lot of work but completely worth it. Austin loves putting things on display in his room. The picture on the left he colored and received second place in an art contest.
The famous walkie talkies( not sure is i spelled that right), that he is always having me carry one around the house...just in case he needs me to bring him something.
I also installed this garage bead board in silver then added hooks and string so Austin could play with all his little men. This is below the shelf and a really smart idea I had, he loves it.
And...what better thing to hang on your door than a "Are you fan enough" sticker. It's football related...I know..didn't get it at first either.
Well, I better get back to this order and hope you enjoyed the pics! Have a great day and will soon show more of my home...Marnie V.

Happy Earth Day!

Original Painting- We are Growing
Size- 5x7


Happy earth Day everyone. It's finally beautiful weather here today in Texas. We have had so many hail storms, rain, and I'm done with it. It's in the 80's today and I'm still feeling stressed out about all the work that needs to be done by me. That's really the main reason as well as to why I haven't even gotten on this blog....YES...stressing about finding the time to blog. Well, a little walk with Hawk this morning definitely sparked my spirits ..a little bit. I was also reminded by my son Ryan today as how well I hold in my stress. He was leaving for school today and I had mentioned how much work I had to do today, and he just laughed. He said, "What do you have to do that is so much work?" I replied in a sweet little voice, even though I was at first thinking how dare he, " just a little painting."
Well, enjoy this Earth Day as I will be stressing about getting my orders out on time, but I always do.
Marnie V.

The Drawing Lesson

As you know with my three boys, are nights are filled with their sports activities and homework. My youngest son Austin loves to draw. He really doesn't pose much interest in wanting to be an artist when he grows up, so I think he just enjoys spending time with me. In that, he is always asking for a drawing lesson.
When we lived in California, my boys were sent to a Montessori Preschool. And to help with the tuition, I taught art classes to all the children twice a week. Let me just say that ever since then I have the most respect for teachers, it's not easy. So I would give the children a warm-up at the beginning of each class in that there were two blocks shown on a piece of paper. The first block would have different shapes and lines on it. The second would be empty. The children would have to mimic the same exact placement and shapes as I did in their own block. At first the warm-ups would be simple and as the weeks went on, they had more shapes and even characters. But, the best part is that the children got better and better each week at learning to look at something and having to draw the same thing. It also taught them a lot of patience.

So Austin still loves when I give him these warm-ups and I love to see his improvement.
Above is one we did last night. The X's going down are the beginning of the columns. The blue circled blocks are mine. The far left column I did all three and you can see how well Austin did. The second X column I only did the fish and he copied me. The other two, he did the first block and I had to do what he did.
Another great thing about this exercise, it makes children really sleepy for bedtime!
Have a great Day! Marnie V.

Spring Pics!

A few posts back I had mentioned that I would start showing bits and pieces of my home. So today I decided to take some pictures of my front garden. It's been a work in progress over the last couple of years and it's finally looking the way I had planned. And with Spring finally arriving here in Texas... my flowers are really starting to bloom.

This vine growing over the arch is Jasmine and their is a mother bird and her nest tucked inside.

The window above is my studio. I get really sidetracked sometimes watching the birds, rabbits, and squirrels that enter my yard....and the pretty flowers of course.
I hope you enjoyed the Pics! I'm also updating my Etsy shop all this week full of bright spring little paintings. And if you want something before Easter it must be ordered by Wednesday April 8th so I can ship it priority to you.
Back to work- Marnie V.

I'm Back! Finally.....

I'm finally showing my words again. And I'm sure you thought I was busy painting, creating invoices, and recovering from 2 trade shows. Well, your right! All-in-all considering this crazy economy....I opened up some new accounts and met some wonderful new people along the way. I also took a few days off to spend with my family(the boys) since my hubby has been out of town. Of course, spending time with my boys involves football practice, football games, swim practice, sleepovers( I did have one night to myself..it was fabulous!), and we did manage a few games of scrabble. Well, I'll be back tomorrow, but don't know when, and for now I'm off to UPS!

Photo above is of me in my current state with my boys. Oh ....and it was taken by Jason Munford, an amazing photographer!