A Creative Week

Being creative as an artist can most definitely come and go in certain amounts. Meaning, an artist can be creative everyday, but maybe more one day than another. And today, Monday, I am feeling extra creative. And for good reason, in being I have a trade show in a couple of weeks in Dallas. I will be introducing a new safari line to my stores in which I will post next week.
I am also creating more with my Hawk the Dog series, which I sell on my ETSY shop.
Well, like I said, I need to get back to being extra creative today and don't forget to check my shop everyday for new items.
Marnie V.

A Hectic life of an Artist

Yes...I'm alive and well. I thought that was a first good sentence to describe my absence from this blog. I have been very busy filling orders, creating, shipping, and taking care of my three wonderful boys. I would definitely have to say that my three boys are the main reason. It has been a very busy school year for us so far. As i have mentioned before, my boys are also in football. I know some of you are probably thinking..yeah..big deal. Well, here is my typical day schedule.

1.Get up at 5am and make tons of COFFEE!
2.Wake up my oldest son Jacob at 5:30am to go to football practice. He's in 7th grade and in Texas they compete in the schools, just like High School. They have to be dressed and on the field by 7am.
3.Wake up Ryan my middle son to get ready for school.
4. Make lunches
5. Jacob gets picked up at 6:20am...we carpool.
6. Wake up Austin, my youngest. Get the boys fed.
7. Ryan leaves to walk to the bus stop at 6:50am.
8. Austin and I walk to school.
9. I then come home and either go to the gym or go for a run.
10. Come home and shower and have more coffee in the back yard with my husband. We talk about the previous and that days events.
11. I usually do a little house work.
12. Then by 9:30am I am in the studio until 3pm. I paint, ship, computer stuff, etc. Lately i have been painting and shipping a lot.
13. At 3:10 Ryan and Austin are home.
14. HOMEWORK! I usually make dinner during this time and have it ready.
15. Jacob comes home at 4:30...bless his strong soul. He is gone from 6:20am-4:30pm.
16. Football practice for the other two from 5pm-7:30pm, but I don't get home until 8:15pm.
17. We come home and they shower, eat more food, then read books, and then it's off to bed by 9:30pm.
18. I will either crawl into bed at that time or I'll crawl into the studio and force myself to accomplish something.
I'm a little exhausted that I just shared that and I am just starting my day. I think I need more coffee! Well, I have many new things on Etsy so go check them out.
Have a great day! Marnie

New Art Up

Hello...what's it been about a week since I've been on this blog. Well, I've been busy creating and doing a lot of side contract work for clients. I'm also in a hurry today because I honestly have so much to accomplish today but wanted to tell you about my new works on ETSY.
Above is titled "Hawk wants a Gumball." I love it, and it's so cute. I think it would even look great in a kitchen next to the pantry.

This one I love. "This is for you Hawk." A little squirrel sharing his snack. I love the background color on this one. I am having so much fun with all of these little paintings that I've created, and I hope you all are enjoying them as well.
Well..Enjoy your day and wish I could stay on here longer today but I have deadlines!
Have a great day.-Marnie V.

Rocket Dog Discovers the Universe

SOLD
What a week. It went by so fast and I can't believe it's Friday. And I promised to blog everyday and didn't. Maybe I'll shoot for that goal next week. Well, I have some new art going to the gallery ART251. It's called "Rocket Dog Discovers the Universe". I think it turned out really well.
If you want it click HERE to contact the gallery. You better act fast though, they have been selling out of all my Rocket Dogs..which is awesome, love that.



I have also been adding a lot more items to my ETSY shop and I keep promising to add things to my other site, but I have just been very busy filling orders. But I haven't forgotten and it will get done. I have a lot going on with some changes as well so please stay tuned. This is one of my new paintings that literally lasted an hour on Etsy before it sold. So I decided to make another which is pictured below. This time I added a cute little rabbit. Please go to my site to see the rest. I have also added some pocket mirrors that were made by an artist on ETSY named Timssally.
She does custom work with mrrors, magnets, etc. Go check her she site out, she has some great items as well. And she does a great job at that. Thanks again Timssally.

Well I'm off to deliver more art to the gallery, then to UPS, then to Home Depot to buy black widow spider killer spray, and then back to the studio to paint. Then my three boys will be coming home to make sure I killed the spider. Honestly that is my top priority today according to my son Austin. Have a great weekend. Marnie V.

Football, Football, and more Football

So I've been a little absent from the blog lately, but I have an excuse. Managing three boys with football these days is quite overwhelming along with growing this business that I've started. Football is constantly on my mind. And why shouldn't it be, six days a week is the schedule. Yes, six days. Sunday is our only day of rest..oh wait the pros play that day...TV all day.
I even went for a three mile run this morning, I'm a die hard runner, and instead of thinking about what I need to accomplish with my business, I thought about football. I thought about how my son Ryan, who plays running back for his team, has a scrimmage today. I was even running his plays that he has had to learn through my head...that is so sad.
I have come to the conclusion that I love football, love to watch my boys play it, and to see how much they enjoy it. My son Austin, who is pictured above, can't get enough of it.
Well, on to business news. I have many things going on that I will start posting about tomorrow. I am really going to try to start posting every day. I think I might have to do it at night though because I am so tied with my morning routine. So please check back this week for news, I have much to tell. I'm off to start my day of work with shipping orders, painting, and thinking about football...can't forget about that! Have a great day!-Marnie V.

Featured in IndulgeDFW

*click on this bar above to view*
Hey everyone...just sending out a shout about a write up on me in IndulgeDFW
Please check out the link below to go straight to the article. Then if you click on the article it will enlarge it so you are able to read. It's all true except the part about me teaching at the Y for swimming. I did teach swimming at a place called Aqua Kids swim school .
But I recently left due to the overwhelming fantastic response that I've had with my art.
Thanks for checking out.-Marnie


http://adserver1.harvestadsdepot.com/ftwthst/ss/084427/019/019.shtml?019_001/019_001.shtml#

The Handmade Kids Contest on ETSY!

http://www.etsy.com/contest/images/handmade_kids_main.gif

I have been absent from this blog for about a week, and I'm feeling horrible about it. I honestly just have not had any time. I have been busy with contract illustration work, contract mural jobs on the weekend, my three boys playing football(CRAZY), my J. AUSTIN Ryan line, and ETSY.
But I decided today to jump on and tell you about the Handmade Kids contest going on at Etsy through Sept. 8th.
I entered my Rocket Dog, which is pictured below on bottom left, and out of over 3,000 entries....I made the top 40. I feel so honored because of all the talent on Etsy. Well, please go and cast your vote in the Art section and look for Rocket Dog.
And while your there, vote in all the other categories as well.

The Rocket Dog painting below on the right is a new piece done especially for the Art Gallery Art251.
Isn't it cool. I love it. The title of it is called Rocket City. I won't be reproducing this painting or printing it. So, if your interested in it contact the Gallery and they will be happy with your purchase. It's a mixed media of vintage papers that were used for the city scape and acrylic paints. Well, I am creating more Rocket Dogs and can't wait to upload them onto my Etsy, so please check back soon. Have a great day!- Marnie V.