Born to Ride

Luca is obsessed with bikes. So are the girls at the studio.
For his 2nd Birthday coming up in late August he's getting a bike.
My parents are buying the helmet. We can only hope he's born to ride.
He calls them circle bikes- because the two front wheels are... Circles.
He makes me smile!

Hooray for the Fourth

Today I thought I'd show a photo of our studio at night. The 4th of July has always been one of my favorite holidays. I love the patriotism, the birthday of our country's independence,the time of the year (summer), the parades, the bar-b-ques, the marching band music & of course the fireworks. Luca is looking forward to the big display our little town puts on every year. So on that note I'll wrap up our week! Happy 4th to you & yours. (think the photo shows that x-mas lights can work year round....)

My Summer Garden

Today I thought I'd share a few photos from our summer community garden as well as some garden art. Having this close by was a nice source of inspiration when I was working on the garden book for Barefoot. We have the help of some neighbors with some great gardening knowledge. (that I'm lacking) I guess I make up for it with admiration & appreciation of what a wonderful thing this summer garden really is! The art includes a little song I put together. A small tribute to the summer garden. (layout like my favorite part of a Little Golden book- song at the end)

Ahhhhhh SUMMER...

Now in full bloom & you can't beat it! (paintings & patterns pieced together from my sketchbook)

Thanks Dad!

So we all know there's a very important day right around the corner.

I think I have the greatest Dad in the world.  He's been right by my side for all my big & small moments.  He's generous, honest, tender, energetic, kind, playful, wise, patient, silly, manly but not macho, a mentor and most of all my Daddy.  He's always made me feel so safe & like the sky was the limit.  He's been a true gift in my life.  

When I met Antonio I saw so many of the qualities I admired in my Dad in him too.  This sealed the deal!  I take in the special moments I see between Luca & Antonio.  The beauty of it is hard deny.  It's so obvious to me I'm watching the circle of life.  So Thanks Dad & Thanks Antonio for being a real man & a wonderful Dad.  

Express Yourself

While I was looking for a file today I ran across this Art Studio piece Liz & I made about 2 years ago. We had a morning of NPR discussing the loss of Art in school. That day this was our attempt to save the arts. (however we completely left out music- I don't think clearly when I'm all riled up, also a little selfish & unfortunatly not musical)
I got a kick out of it when I saw it again today. We had taken it to a show or two & clients always seemed a bit baffled by it. (I always thought it would be a fun kids puzzle) Thank God for art I would be in big trouble with out it. It's my happy place! Wish I had more time to dabble in all the different categories. Guess that's were Luca comes in. I can re-explore with him. He's recently taken to drawing & painting with us. (with a very limited attention span) I love his little creations. (he also likes to art direct, which is SO sweet he knows what he likes)

Purple Garden

Today I thought I'd show an older piece but one I still really like.  We're part of a community garden this summer.  (I'll share some photos soon)  It's been such fun to explore the scents, the critters & the new eatable goodies with Luca.  (He really enjoys running his fingers across the basil & tomato plants & there's still some much more to come)  All the line-work vine in this piece make me think about the garden.  I can feel lots of great inspiration coming from our summer efforts in the garden.