Henry and Betty

Betty

Henry and Betty are a couple of my newest pieces. Each one is 5x7 on 140 lb. watercolor paper. Now if only I could stop with these silly black circles...they've ended up on everything lately!

Henry

I'm a winner...literally

So how lucky am I? Last week a little package arrived with this lovely original work of art, Alice with Tulips by uber-talented artist Stacey Merrill. It is even more beautiful in person. And get this...she gave it away in one of her blog giveaways! And lucky me...my name was drawn! Woohoo!!!

My hubby was even impressed and got bonus points with me for being able to identify the various media used in the piece...my interests must FINALLY be rubbing off on him a little :)

Check out Stacey's work here in her etsy shop.

And if you haven't visited her wonderful ArtSnark's Artifacts blog, be sure to stop by. She offers weekly giveaways, introduces you to amazing artists through their respective studios, and lots LOTS more...oh and my very favorite feature...Random Thoughts Tuesday.

~Alisa

Recent work and the Visual Fringe

Here are some shots of the Visual Fringe opening at the beginning of August. It was a wonderful experience, and was the first time my work has ever been hung in (gasp) public. Luckily a very talented stencil artist and co-worker talked me into participating in the show and kept on me until I finally consented.

Here's Pete and his lovely wife Annette standing next to three of his pieces in the show.

The opening was fabulous...I got to stand around sipping free champagne and talk to people about my art. And people were interested! Both of my pieces sold during the opening and are up through the end of the month. It was such a great experience that I may have to do it again sometime :)

The two pieces with the sold stickers in the middle are mine.

Here they are close up.

After my successful debut on the local scene, I finally found a little motivation to create some new pieces. Here's what I've done thus far.

"Love" ACEO 2.5"x3.5"

"Little Ladies" 8x10

"Headed West 2" 5x7. This one is similar to a piece that sold during the Fringe and is a gift for my father-in-law (I hope he doesn't read this).

The most adorable custom illustration...ever!

I recently won one of the best blog giveaways ever. It was for a custom illustration done by none other than Marisa of Elegant Snobbery. I've admired her work (and that of her daughter) for several years, so when I saw the giveaway I just couldn't pass it up.


Per my request, Marisa did an illustration of a little blonde-haired girl (my little Ella) holding her pink stuffed pony. When the package arrived last week, I was positively elated. The illustration is just so perfect...I'll always treasure it! Oh and Ella loved it too! Thank you so much Marissa!

If you're not familiar with Marisa's work, be sure to check out her blog, Elegant Bloggery and her etsy shops, Elegant Snobbery and Elegant Paperie. You'll be glad you did!

~Alisa

Back from Disney

We'll we're back from our family vacation to Disney World. We all had a great time, but it is soooo nice to be home and away from the Florida humidity! Instead of doing a recap of the trip, I put together my personal list of Disney tips. Enjoy!

1) Four days at Disney is one day too many for a 2 and 4 year old (okay and their parents too).

2) A cheap spritzing fan from Walmart will keep a 2 & 4 year old entertained for hours, just be sure you don't buy cheap batteries and keep said fan blade out of the mouths of two year olds.

3) Eva (2 yrs old) hates sand and getting dirty, so the beach probably wasn't a very good choice, especially if you have to drive more than an hour to get there.

4) Buy a double stroller...it's cheaper than renting one at Disney for 4 days.

5) If you are going to eat at one of the Disney parks, order one of their $5 kids meals...even if you're 30.

6) Even if you are trying to stay away from the high-priced souveniers, buy the kids some mouse ears...the photos alone are priceless.

7) Enjoy the Magic Kingdom in the Fall, Winter or Spring or sometime when the weather is cooler than 97 degrees with 100% humidity...especially if you'll end up carrying around a little one who is too hot to walk (or ride in a stroller).

8) Stand in line and get the autograph of a guy dressed in head-to-toe green mesh...you never know when you'll see a sight like that again.

9) Let your two year old drive the race cars...even if it gives you whiplash.

10) And finally...as much as you hate riding on the Jungle Cruise, some captains tell really funny jokes, so go ahead and ride it 3 times to make your two year old happy.

~Alisa

We're Headed to Disney!

Well...it's finally here...the vacation that has been in the making for two years. In less than 24 hours we'll be on our way to Orlando! Magic Kingdom here we come!

This is a very exciting trip for us...you see, Dave and I have been there several times, but we were much younger then and didn't have kids to share the experience with. We were the kids :)

This is me several years ago...it was taken at the Norway Pavillion in Epcot.

So, my etsy shop is on vacation mode (as am I). I can hardly wait to soak up the sun and sip margaritas poolside...and experience the thrill of my very favorite Disney rides, Pirates of Caribbean and the Haunted Mansion (okay and the Carousel of Progress too).

I can't believe how young hubby and I look in these pics...after all, they were only taken about 15 years ago.

~Alisa

Blog Giveaway Winner

Thank you so much to everyone who left me a comment and a title suggestion for my recent piece. I decided to use the title "Waiting"...thank you to terrysweet and lucy for the suggestion.

I used the random number generator to pick the winner...so congrats to number 4 - Tina Wright, who will get a $25 gift certificate to my etsy store, prettylittlependant.

Thanks again to all who participated!

~Alisa