surrounded by butterflies

After our recent visit to Como's Blooming Butterfly Exhibit, I felt so refreshed. In the midst of hundereds of butterflies, flying happily and freely, I realized just how how much my life has changed since then.

tilt-a-whirl

This commissioned piece hangs in a master bedroom. Inspired by the nostalgia of my favorite ride, "tilt-a-whirl" is a fitting title for this painting (and sometimes my life in general)!

for the love of dirt

I have a whole new appreciation for all the trucks I see each day. Who would guess that every single dump truck and roller truck sighting could create so much excitement for a little boy? Down the block we watch the trucks move dirt: free entertainment daily! And the newest construction toy set allows this little boy to be a "real guy working!"

zoo crew

I'm working on a series of paintings called zoo crew. Rad rhino and hip-hop hippo are my favorites so far. The vibrant backgrounds and colored edges make these funky animals pop from the square canvases!

home fries

I was so excited to receive my first etsy purchase in the mail from 3squares! I ordered a custom necklace which shows the Twin Cities with a Swarovski crystal at Minneapolis:


Etsy showcases thousands of artists. By ordering directly from them, prices are very competitive and you have the ability to request anything that you can dream up! Check out the pendants from 3squares:

http://3squares.etsy.com/

wow...

Such a gorgeous "painting!"
A view out the window during my last flight.
Breath-taking.

glow in the dark

"Living is a form of not being sure, not knowing what's next or how. The artist never entirely knows. We guess. We may be wrong, but we take leap after leap in the dark."

-Agnes De Mille

(neighborhood moonlight, 7.24.09)

sunny happy days

gerber daisies &

sand castles

inspiration

Looking out an airplane window I found inspiration for a painting. Here's what I saw:

Do you see the tree pattern within the patch-work fields? It immediately sparked an idea for this painting, titled trust:

summer moon

I just wanted to share this shot that I took of the moon last night -- so brilliant and bright!

monday design event

Last evening's design event for IIDA (International Interior Design Association) was the innovative space created by friends at 20below. A couture boutique by day, fashion show venue by night, OPM recently won a retail design award for this unique space:

back to the future

(photo of the old Wagner's Drive In circa 1995)

Wagner's Drive In, a neighborhood icon since 1951, will re-open soon as Galaxy Drive In.

I'm so excited to go there when it opens! My niece will be working there as a "car-hop" just as I did when I was 16!

I have been talking about it a lot lately and unexpectedly was able to work with the Designer and play a small part in it!

After my nephew's birthday dinner this evening, I drove by and snapped these two photos of the new signage:

serendipitous

Last week I was working with clients to select the paint colors for the exterior of their home. When I got to their house I said, "I've been here before, I did the faux finish in the lower level!"

The textured painting that I did for the previous owners (more than 10 yrs. ago) was still in their home and they told me I could come back and take pictures. What are the chances of that?!

They were excited to update the look of their home, including the door which is now fireweed red:

I'm working with another couple to transform the exterior of their home with color, new stone, and some minor architectural upgrades. She asked if I would continue to work with her on the interior design. The exterior will be complete in a couple weeks.

one tree

"Language... has created the word 'loneliness' to express the pain of being alone. And it has created the word 'solitude' to express the glory of being alone."

-Paul Johannes Tillich, The Eternal Now

the coolest invitation ever!

I received this invite in the mail:

My brother has out-done himself -- his daughter's birthday invitation really is the coolest ever! A "Live Turning Five" Rockstar theme, complete with a CD to reveal the location & map of the party and a song included!

(If you ever want a creative invitation or logo etc, here's his email: kpaulson713@gmail.com)

Isn't it cool?

looking up

"I think the world really boils down to two types of people - those who see shapes in cloud formations, and those who just see clouds."

-Danzae Pace

Here's a related entry from one of my favorite blogs. Liv has an amazing ability to capture and express what many of us are too busy to notice each day:

http://oneyearofbeauty.blogspot.com/2009/05/may-22-2009_22.html

little boy modern

Here's a peek at one of the rooms that I am working on:

Before: After:

main wall color: latte sw6108

accent wall color: yam sw6643

custom window valence: dwell studio fabric

custom painting (in the works!): sienna lynn studio

toilet under water

Under the sea toddler bathroom...

and another child's bathroom mural by Sienna Lynn Studio artist:

sculpture fun

I finally found a spot for my favorite metal sculpture! The metal toothbrush that I made in college sits prominately on a shelf in my 1/2 bath. The obscure assignment was to create an object from an unexpected material. I put my wood-working and art metal skills to the test by making a toothbrush mold out of wood, setting nails in the bottom for bristles, pouring metal into it, and filing it down. A little odd maybe.

Even more interesting was the assignment to show a found object in an unusual texture. My green astro-turf sink was a great compliment to a classmate's fur toilet. Unfortunately I didn't capture a photo of this! As soon as the presentations were over I pitched it in the dumpster. I did manage to keep a few of my sculptures around. Instead of "form follows function," I turned my forms into functional items!

This linear, non-figurative form is now a coat rack:

and the organic+geometric combo piece is now a book end!

kickball

Kickball! The popular sport from our youth has made a comeback in a big way. Park & Rec departments have organized adult kickball teams in most cities.

I mentioned a recent kickball game on my facebook page and got tons of comments from friends who are playing as well.

The coed teams are made up of Accountants, Attorneys, Designers, Pilots, and Parents...yet we're all still 5th graders at heart. Enjoying the nostelgia of some friendly competition on a gorgeous evening!

oliver & friends prints

now available on the sienna lynn etsy shop:
oliver & friends prints!

(mounted to an 8x10 musuem white mat ready to frame)

spring etching

Here's a picture from my front yard -- I love these blossoming trees! In the midwest the blossoms don't last long, so make sure to take in the scenery now!

The etching shows a blossom tree in a very different region. I recently completed this with watercolor and framed it with a black matte and frame.

this one's for the girls

Yesterday my mom stopped over to help me with some projects and show off her new car! She took me for a ride and Martina McBride's song, this one's for the girls came on the radio. We laughed at how perfect it was to have that song playing as we drove off in her new red car!

I actually didn't know who Martina McBride was until I saw her perform at a benefit dinner last Spring. I haven't heard this song since then, but now I downloaded it onto my ipod:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6MJwdY6Y0Hw

trust

"Trust that little voice in your head that says, 'Wouldn't it be interesting if...' And then do it."

-Duane Michals

(photo taken at alisal ranch, santa barbara)

visitors

Last week I had to complete something that was very difficult on many levels. As I read through it on my computer one last time before printing it, two orange and blue birds flew up to my window and sat on the ledge right next to me. These two little visitors sat inches from me, with only a window screen between us. They looked at me and moved their heads around and sat there for at least a minute. I felt like they were communicating with me. Maybe they wanted to tell me not to worry -- or maybe just "hi."

I painted a mini 3" x3" painting to remind me of my encounter.

happy mother's day

Thank you to my little sweet heart for the best

bouquet of flowers that I have ever received!

Thank you for teaching me a new perspective on life

by playing and laughing with me every day.

it starts with paint

I'm working on two projects: a master bath room (including a mural), and a little boy's room.

I can't wait to start painting! I'll post the room transformations soon!

journey

"I wish you a very good journey to an unknown you've never seen."


-Pieter V. Admiraal

(I took this photo on the grounds of dalkeith castle)

joy

I found this plaque at a little gift shop in Minneapolis. My Dad had this quote hanging up in his home office and I always thought, that's an obvious statement, what is so special about that saying?

I realize now that happiness and joy are often confused. Many "things" can make us happy for a short time (jobs, vacations, a new outfit or car...) but true joy can only be found in us. Thanks Dad, I think I get it now.

racing

...fast! ...fun!

what little boy wouldn't like huge race cars on his walls?

I had fun painting this one. It was a challenge working in a small room, but I was able to fit the red car racing around a corner!