Adventures in Art, Product Design, Home Decor, Cooking, and Gardening
Color is back–in a big way. And everyone including Target, the folks at Design-Milk.com, and the Saguaro Palm Springs Hotel are embracing it. Well, hallelujah! It’s about time. Good bye beige, your long, drab run is over. Hello color–bright, beautiful, bold color. Here’s a hotel that really tickles my fancy. Love the rainbow colors. Imagine how much fun it was choosing the color palette for this design. You can see more photos and read about the makeover here.
I just treated myself to these gorgeous Fleur3 pillow covers from Caitlin Wilson Textiles and this beautiful Surya Archive coral rug from RugsUSA. I plan to use them in my living room to add a splash of fresh color for spring. The coral pillows and rug will look amazing with my turquoise chairs. I can’t wait to see them in my living room. Photos courtesy of Caitlin Wilson Textiles.
My beautiful German Shepherd girl, Mary, is normally camera shy but I managed to get these great shots of her sporting a hat.
Colored pencils on Canson Mi Teintes pastel paper. I wanted to share this amazing colored pencil painting of a champion warmblood that my daughter created because, well, she’s my daughter and I think she’s awesome. The level of detail and realism she’s achieved on the horse’s bridal are truly remarkable; it really looks like leather. You can view more of her work here.
Congratulations, Alecia. I hope you enjoy Susan Sargent’s book, “The Comfort of Color” as much as I do. Email your address to afternoonartist@gmail.com and I’ll drop your book in the mail.
This adorable illustration of my dog, Piggy, was created by the talented Sarah How of Ninja Beaver Studios. You can view more of her fabulous work here and on my daughter’s online sim game here (shameless plug for my daughter’s game).
The drawing was a surprise gift from my daughter a few years ago. I just found it on an old computer and thought it was time I put it to good use on my blog. I think it’s especially appropriate for use as my avatar since Piggy always manages to make an appearance in my photos. I think he enjoys the limelight.
Here’s a free giveaway for color lovers to celebrate the one-month anniversary of my blog (and over 1,200 views!). Thank you for your comments and encouragement. Leave a comment below–only one entry per person, please. I’ll draw a name on Friday, April 6th, and announce the winner. The winner will receive a copy Susan Sargent’s book, “The Comfort of Color,” one of my all-time favorite interior design guides.
As promised, here are some photos of my colorful spring garden. It’s amazing what a little hard work and a dozen or so cans of spray paint can accomplish.
I spent the last two days cleaning up my yard and tending to my garden. The Phlox are in bloom and I don’t want anything to detract from the spectacular show. My garden always needs a lot of attention after a long winter of neglect. The puppies, especially the boys, are excellent garden buddies–and always so helpful. They enjoy digging holes, stealing my gloves and small garden tools, soaking up the sun, barking at neighbor’s dogs, and engaging in a game of tag, or two, or three.
I also spent the last two days with a dozen or so cans of spray paint in a multitude of colors. My garden furniture needed some serious sprucing up and I wanted to add touches of pink to play up the color of the Phlox. I ran out of light before I finished painting the furniture, so I’ll have to take additional photos and post them tomorrow. I’m so pleased with the results of my work, and boy am I achy.
In the meantime, here are photos of my boys doing what they do best–frolicking in the Phlox, eating grass, and enjoying a few games of tag.
Steve in the Phlox
Piggy in the Phlox
Dexter enjoying the Mandevilla
Piggy with the Mandevilla
Steve and Piggy enjoying a game of chase
Steve in motion
And the best thing after a hard day’s work (and play) in the garden–besides the dogs being seriously tired for the rest of the night–is the fabulous dinner my mother had waiting for me when I was done working (eggplant Parmesan, a green salad, some rustic bread, and peach iced tea). Love you, mom.