Home Is Wherever I'm With You-House Portrait

It's so hard to stomach when devastating things happening to such wonderful people. And even more heartbreaking when they are such dear Friends.

To say this family has been put through the ringer is an understatement! Very early in the morning, this past June, the Micklo Family woke up to the sound of their fire alarm and quickly rushed to safety. Thank God the fire alarm saved their lives, but sadly their beloved home in Glenn Ellyn was completely destroyed.

The fire had consumed everything. Everything. I can't even begin to imagine the overwhelming feeling of losing the big and little things, we all (especially me) too often, take for granted.

So when Annie, one of my very best girlfriends from Saint Mary's, asked me to try and paint a portrait of her sister's once beautiful home, there was no hesitation.

I will admit, however, that I was more than anxious to paint such a special gift. Not only was there the challenge of working off of a few of the remaining photographs of the house (one covered in snow! And the other showing a small portion of the front detailing), but I really really wanted and needed this to be good.

I so wanted this painting to capture the fun, bright memories of 555 for Erin, Kevin and their two children.

"Home is Wherever I'm With You"; Acrylic Paint on Canvas. 16 by 20 inches. July 2011

 Annie wanted me to add the saying, "Home is Wherever I'm With You..." to the top of this Painting.

I can't think of a better or more perfect reminder;

No matter what you have, or where you go...it's the Love and Friendship of those around you that mean the most. That make you feel Home.

Lots of Love and Hugs to Annie, Tom & Linda, Erin, Kevin, Maggie and Emmett!

Wedding Gift-Lakehouse Sunset

Last weekend, Patrick and I ventured up to Dubuque, Iowa to celebrate the Love and Marriage of our good friends, Joe and Katie!

When thinking of what to do for their Wedding present, we thought what's better than to give some original artwork of one of their most favorite places?

The Lakehouse.

The Lakehouse has been in Joe's family for forever and it is this great little slice of heaven just north of Chicago.

It is the Best place to sit and enjoy a summer Sunset.

"Sunset Lakehouse", Acrylic on Canvas. 16 by 20 inches. July 2011

  On the final product, I added the quote, "Here's to the Nights We Felt Alive..."

Congrats Katie and Joe! May you enjoy many many more beautiful sunsets and always remember the Nights you felt Alive.

Anniversary Gift-House Portrait

Commissioned House Portrait for a friend's parents 25th Wedding Anniversary!

"Ryan Home", Acrylic Paint on Canvas; 16 by 20 inches

Thanks again Angela and Congrats to your Parents!

Painting-Pilates Studio Mural

This week I embarked on another wall/mural Painting. This time it was at a Pilates Studio in the Southside of Chicago!

Inspired by the softer tones of a sunset/beach look, as well as painting the spelled out wording behind the Studio's Name- CORE (Create Overall Renewed Energy), this Large wall painting gave this small studio a beautiful new look!

Before...

During...

And the Finished product...

"CORE"; Acrylic Paint on Wall; July 2011

Floor to Ceiling painting, Done and done. :)

(Thanks to my Mom who kept me company the last couple of painting hours, as well as being responsible for the lovely action shots of the "Master" at work)

Home is Where the Heart Is-Birthday Gift Edition

Earlier this month I was commissioned to do a House Portrait to give as a Birthday gift! Contacted via Facebook, I finished this 16 by 20 inch canvas and shipped it off to the great state of Ohio, just in time for her Mom's special day!


Here are some pictures of the reveal!

 

                            Thanks again Meghan and Happy Belated to your Mom!

SMC Class of 2011-Senior House Portrait

The Senior Year College House. One of those places (at least for me) that I could never, ever forget.

A place where you lived with your very best friends. A safe haven where you weren't completely on your own yet, but had the freedom to do whatever. you. wanted.

Spontaneous Dance Party.. at 3 am.. on a school night.. dressed up in mix-matched clothing...singing screaming ridiculous lyrics...to a ridiculous song (you know the one)...

Yes. PLEASE.

Below is a commissioned, Senior House Portrait for a Saint Mary's College, Class of 2011 Graduate.

A perfect way to remember all of those Nights, with the People you will never forget.

Congrats Sara! (as well as any other 2011 Graduate!)

Sweet Home Chicago

A couple of weeks ago, dear friends of mine had a fabulous Celebration of Love!

I met these two crazy kids almost 2 years ago when they showed up one hot/humid August night, Uhaul packed to the gills, fresh out of the state of Georgia.  Ready to embark on a new adventure in a new city!

They moved to Chicago. Fell in love with this city, and even more with each-other. (if possible!) ((For a couple months later they would be engaged.))

To be considered friends of these two fabulous people is the Best (to say the least). Their Love, Respect, sense of Adventure and Fun is pure and real, and so so great.

For their Wedding, I painted our Boystown/Wrigleyville Chicago Apartment..good ole' 911 W. Newport Ave. (My old, their current).

To remember where it all Began... 
Our great Friendship and their new Adventures.

Congrats Jean and Will! Here's to many years of great Friendship, new Adventures and (of course) to...

                   Sweet Home Chicago.

Nursery Wall Painting-Baby Z

Last night I had the pleasure of painting this simple (and powerful) quote, on the walls of this already fabulous Baby girl's Nursery!

When you walk into this little room, you can't help but smile with all of the amazing bright and fun colors!

With this added quote and simple flower designs (inspired from the bedding) the wall painting serves as the perfect little welcome sign, (as well as a life-long inspiration!) for the already, oh-so-loved, Baby Z.

Thanks Kat and Aaron! And to Baby Z... I can't wait to see how you

Live the life you've Imagined. :)

Baby's Room-Monogram Initials Painting

A friend recently contacted me with a super cute idea for a new Baby's room!

My friend's sister recently had a new Baby Girl and wanted to give a painted canvas with the baby's Monogrammed initials as a gift for her Niece's new room. She told me the colors of the room and even gave me swatches of the fabric that make up Baby Clare's bedding.

With the initials, I decided to pull out some of the cute little flower and leaf designs from the fabric. Here's how it turned out!

"cLv" Acrylic on Canvas; 20 by 24 inches; 2011

A really cute and unique gift that brings a personal touch to welcome the newest addition to the family! 

Thanks Andrea and Congrats Natalie!:)

"To Do" Lists

I am a big huge fan of the "To Do" List.

Lists (for me) provide a true feeling of accomplishment, as well as keep me focused, on task and efficient.
Nothing is greater than crossing off something on the "List".

Since being in the "real world" I have come to love and depend on my "To Do" list even more and make it apart of my daily routine...

-Get coffee
-Make "To Do" list

When we had to move offices this past week, I stumbled upon a couple of old notebooks I had kept from my first days, months and years in the "real world".  Lots of scribbles and notes and ideas.
But mostly, lots and lots of "To Do" lists.
In these notebooks, almost all of my "To Dos" pertain to work related tasks...
-approve M&M turtle sculpt photos
-email licensing
-think new ideas, etc.

But in one particular notebook, I found a different kind of "To Do List".

The top of the page displays the date; 10/23/07

The title; Things To Do:

 

At first, I laughed and couldn't believe that among all of my work tasks was this "To Do"list for Life. 

Then, I smiled and thought how funny and ambitious I was for a 22 year old kid, fresh out of college.

And now... I'm inspired.

It's been 3 years, 4 months and 16 days (approximately) since this "To Do" list for Life had been written and I have proudly accomplished 6 out of the 26 mentioned goals.

Game on 22 year-old self, (with the world at her finger tips)... 

We've got Things To Do.
 

I Feel Home; A House Portrait

"Ali's House"; Acrylic on Canvas; Feb. 2011

"There are Few Things Pure in this World Anymore and Home is one of the Few..."

I Feel Home-OAR

A housewarming gift for a darling friend.

Thanks for the great weekend Ali ;)

Just Dance.

Some weekends are for running errands. Some weekends are for sleeping. Some weekends are for being productive. 

This weekend was 

                     for Laughing,

                        for Loving,

                        for Eating,

 

                         for Drinking,

 

                          for Catching up,

  

                            for Celebrating, 

 and for lots and lots of Dancing.

Thank God for great Girlfriends and Thank God for great Weekends like these. 

Because sometimes every time,

            All she wants to do is Dance!

Celebrate

A little friendly reminder for Friday...

Celebrate the Moment

Celebrate Life

And

Celebrate You

(Why thank you coffee mug, I think I'll do just that!)

Happy Weekend :)

Painting-Mural #3

Last night, I finished my 3rd mural! (So great!)

I love painting! So much. And because one of my life philosophies is Go Big or Go Home, I have always tended to paint Large. (The more color, the better!)

So when I get the opportunity to paint something HUGE like a mural..it's this crazy rush of an exciting challenge that an entire wall, has now become my own blank canvas.

Oh the possibilities! 

My super great cousin Erin, introduced me to her friend/neighbor who was in need of someone willing to give a splash of color and creative flair to her front entry/main stairwell. That's right, stairwell.

Again, I'm only 5'2, so when I saw the HUGE blank canvas that extends up a large stairway...

I took a deep breath. Smiled. And thought, Game On.


Inspired by Anthropologie's unique wall paper, "Dreamscape", 5 visits and 18 hours of work later..

Painting Mural #3...

                                   A success.