Simple joys and painting progress

“Nobody can be uncheered with a balloon” A. A. Milne 

As happens every once in a while, I’ve been feeling nostalgic for Winnie the Pooh lately. Then the other day I came across the quote above. Nobody can be uncheered with a balloon. 

Don’t you love how the best simple wisdom lives in children’s stories? Some things and experiences are just plain fun, no matter how small.

As Isaac becomes more aware of his surroundings, I’ve been looking at the world through his eyes. I think I’d forgotten how to experience the world like this in the midst of all the hustle, to appreciate sunlight flickering over the wall or the quiet hum of a fan, to be entranced by a bright color or the texture of a soft blanket.

I love how the world is so available to us in this way and babies have the beautifully unique experience of witnessing so much for the first time.

Let’s be cheered by a balloon today (or something equally small and fun)! Allow yourself that simple joy. Here I am enjoying mine:

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Progress on this monthly sticker project is brought to you courtesy of my mama, who held a sleeping baby during a few recent afternoons while I sat at the kitchen table and painted (I’ve been carting my painting supplies to my parents’ house in a cardboard box).

I’m now half way done! Eric and I have been doing research into how to turn these little paintings into stickers and we haven’t yet finished working out all the details. In the meantime, here are the paintings I’ve finished:

I’ve challenged myself to keep these paintings colorful yet simple, and to avoid adding too many details or layers. I’ve been really happy so far with how they’re turning out.

Now on to the next 6!

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

I just can’t wait as we head into September and closer to the Fall season. The summer has been so hot that I’m craving the cooler weather and the fresh start that comes along with it. Who else adores Fall? My favorite simple joy in Fall is walking through fallen leaves and hearing that satisfying crunch under my shoes. Soon enough.

Now that Eric is finishing up his summer classes, he’s been helping me turn the animal paintings into prints (yay! we finally have the time!). We’ve been testing paper types and sizes and deciding what will help these animals shine the brightest. Here’s a sample of what we’ve been working on:

The prints will be offered in 3 variations: unmatted on 8.5 x 11 and 13 x 19 papers (pictured above) as well as 8.5 x 11 matted to 11 x 14.  The 13 x 19 paper is a new size, and much closer to the size of the original paintings. How beautiful does Mr. Bear look? I’m so excited.

I’ll have a shop update coming up soon when the new work is ready to share. In the meantime, have a beautiful, cheer-filled day!

With love,