Meet Buster and Gustav

Can you imagine having these two ever so cute critters living with you, well Christy Marchand can, and they do. Christy, who is an amazing stain glass artist, contacted me about doing an illustration piece of her two little critters. Buster is the skunk, who was a gift from her daughter. And Gustav, actually came in during Hurricane Gustav in Louisiana...so you can see where he got his name. I was so excited when Christy contacted me and told me so much detail on their behavior and how they are during a normal day. She even sent me UTUBE footage of them...and that was hilarious. Basically, Gustav the squirrel is the active one and Buster loves to sleep. But Buster definitely loves to be played with with all the photos I saw. This was truly one of my most favorite projects so far. And here it is...Gustav is trying to snatch Busters snack, while he's asleep of course.


5x7" 1/8" thickness
100% recycled canvas board
Needless to say, Christy loves it. And please go check out her work here and her ETSY shop...she is one talented lady! Well...I have a sick kid at home who wants mommy to take a nap with him. Oh... maybe I'll dream up a hurricane coming through Texas which will drop off some cute little squirrel named Henry! Marnie V.

New Banners

I thought I'd stop in this morning and show you some new banner ads I've been working on. These are going on a new site that will be launching next month called the Giggle Guide. I can't link you to it because it's not ready. Its basically an online resource/yellow pages for the baby and child industry. And if you make and type of product for that industry, I highly encourage you to jump on board. I signed for a year of advertising with them and know it's going to be well worth it. Leave me a comment if you want more info on it.
I'm signing off to get two boys off to school, take care a sick red eyed, puffy face, sinus infection kid, and work! Marnie V.

My Pretty Calendar

Just thought I would post today on this fantastic deal of a beautiful calendar I bought from
Lotta JansDotter. It's made out of linen with a hand silk-screened calendar on it. It was only ten bucks and it comes in three different colors...you can go here to purchase one for yourself. I wouldn't wait too long though, these are just so pretty even in person. What caught my eye was the simplicity of it. I wouldn't dare show you my real calendar, it's full of deadlines, scratch marks, my son Austin's doodles, and spilt coffee. Anyways, just thought I would post on a great find. Tomorrow I'll be updating my shop with new art, which is explaining where I've been for the past week. I'm getting ready for a big show in LA Cali. , where 25 pieces of art need to be done within the next couple of weeks.YIKES! Marnie V.

New Hawk Series

I hope everyone is having a great week and I have to say that today in Texas, the weather is gorgeous! I have been waiting for days like this to come and it's finally here. I am also going to wish everyone an early Happy Valentines Day. Tomorrow I'll be going to Dallas, to the showroom to be exact, and Saturday I promised my husband that I wouldn't work. I also wanted to start showing everyone little spaces in my home that pretty much reflect us, to be point blank. So above is out fireplace that is in our family room. As you can see it's decorated for Valentines, but not with your typical red and pink hearts, mine are multicolored. I have three boys, even though they do love pink. This felt garland was made by me last year and it used to hang in my showroom in Dallas, but I opted to bring it home and I'm glad I did. My boys told me last night how good they thought it looked on out fireplace and after taking this picture, I have to agree.

So on to some news. I am launching today on my ETSY a new series of little wood paintings called " Hello my name is....". They are little pieces of eco friendly wood hung with hemp string and are painted with a character on each. On the back of each one it will say " Hello...my name is Hawk"(example). They are really cute and each one has special painted patterning, I call it. Their will only be fifteen in the series and I will not be duplicating them. I will introduce two into the shop today and every day more will be added. I also decided to do free shipping on these items since this is a special series...they are really cute. So again have a wonderful Valentines Day with the ones you love. Marnie V.

ESTY NEWS!

I just got an email from Katie at the ETSY blog saying she handpicked my painting above "Never Let Go" in the cuter than cute contest on Etsy. And you can go vote and pick your favorite item that you think is the cutest! Go here to go vote.

Katie also told me that I'll be on the Etsy blog and in the gift guide....HOORAY! Thanks Katie!

WINNER of the Little Lovely Painting!

I first have to say that I was so nervous and excited about this giveaway and honestly, this is my first. The excitement of it led me not to have a great night sleep, I was so anxious to pick a winner. I also really enjoyed everyone's all time favorite Love Songs! And this giveaway was fun and I'm definitely thinking of Easter for my next. Ok...I know....I know, announce the winner already! So the winner is.......

Allensha22

Congratulations!
You are the lucky winner of this lovely little painting! To claim your gift please email marnie@jaustinryan.com ASAP within 24 hrs. so we can arrange delivery.

Thank you to everyone for playing and leaving the wonderful comments about my work!
Well, I'm off to run...a three mile run that is......

VALENTINE GIVEAWAY!

" Let's Play Our Love Song"
Size- 5x7" with 1/8" thickness
100% recycled canvas board

Hello everyone! Today is giveaway day of my series of Lovely Little Valentine paintings. This is #7 of the series and it's up for grabs starting today, February 7th-February 9th 10pm. CST.

So this painting has a little extra than my normal little paintings. As I had mentioned in January, that I will be adding more into my little paintings such as furniture and such. And with this one I did. I titled it " Let's Play Our Love Song ". Now who doesn't have a special love song. These two cute little mice are dancing on the piano and playing a sweet love song. And for music lovers, I know you'll enjoy my robin's egg blue french piano. My boys even got involved with this one and told me to add a picture above them with the two mice kissing. I think their great idea was perfect! This is a perfect gift for a special Valentine and better yet it's my special gift to the lucky winner!

Painting details- This is an ORIGINAL painting painted with acrylic paints on 100% recycled canvas board. Sealed with a non toxic non yellowing UV sealer. Pop this into any frame of your choice and their is no need for any glass. I WILL NOT be printing this.



Ok.. here are the rules. To win this cute little painting.
*This Contest is for US Residents ONLY!
*Leave a comment below telling me your favorite Love Song or tell me what you love about this painting. CLICK on Comments!
*Only one comment per person.
*You have until 10pm CST February 9th to leave a comment.
*And finally...DON'T MISS THIS!

That's it! I will pick a winner at random and give the BIG announcement Feb. 10th. So please check back on my blog for your name. If you win, you'll email me your shipping info so I can ship ASAP priority mail( 2 day ).

Now go make a comment to win this Little Lovely Valentine painting!

GOOD Luck! Marnie V.