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!

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.

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 ;)

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.