Having a Great Summer...

Wish you were here!

My neighbor and I

...hauling back to the barn

Seriously, we are having a great summer... and hope you all are too!

Coasters Almost Finished

Hand Painted Friesian Coaster Set

To Gail:

Here's a peek at your coasters...for you and the whole world to see. When I'm given free rein to do as I please it takes me a lot longer to get it done. There's so much I could do, so many color and design choices I could make and the ideas come one after the other.

I knew you had Friesians and that you said you would love anything with a horse so this is what I came up with. I do not pretend to know how a Friesian is put together...they are much different from the Quarter Horses I've known my entire life for sure. I looked at lots of photos and even some You Tube videos. They are magnificent. Talk about horsepower!

I love vintage fabrics and was inspired by the retro spiral designs from back in the day. They are so fun and lend themselves to almost any style. Instead of a floral motif over the paisley, I substituted a stylized rendering of a playful Friesian stallion. I toyed with the idea of filling in the the silhouette but I really loved the swirls showing through his body emphasizing the motion.

I am letting the finish cure, will add the felt backing tonight and should have them packed and ready to ship out to you tomorrow. Hopefully by the weekend you will be setting tall glasses of something cold on them.

Enjoy!

Ever had "Mouse Shoulder"?

I've been flying under the radar for the last week...sneaking in and reading my favorite blogs while not posting to mine. You see... I've had "mouse shoulder". My sister diagnosed me on Sunday afternoon, and I believe she was on target because I am almost as good as new after following her suggestions.

My right shoulder and neck have been so achy I couldn't even sleep on that side for over a week, and I walked around for days on end in pain, almost to the point of getting a headache. Hoeing the garden hasn't helped either, I'm sure.

Sister told me to stay off the computer or use my husband's laptop and keep my arm in a natural resting position while "mousing". It's a MIRACLE. I seem to be cured.

The second best part is that I'm amazed at the work I've gotten done this week while not on this darn thing, and I've read two books in the evenings to boot.

I do have to use my computer to market my art but I think I'm going to honestly try to limit my time and try to be more efficient while I'm using it. I have really enjoyed my week and plan to enjoy my summer mostly computer free. (I've discovered that I can Twitter from my phone if I must tweet about something.)

I will post regularly next week and have some fun photos to show you what I did out on my screen porch this week. Inspiration comes so much more easily when I'm not bogged down with information overload!

New Floorcloth Designs

Crazy Bear's Horse Tipi

Runner, Square or Rectangular Floorcloth

I have had these designs in mind and in my journal for almost a year and a half and today I finally have 6 new designs to reveal to the world. The inspiration is just endless so if these first few are well received there will be more to come.

The new designs were inspired by the beautiful tipi paintings of the old days as well as modern reproductions. I've always been fascinated with tipi art and the stories of the dreams of the creators'. Many years ago, I was able to watch a tipi pitched from the ground up. While the modern canvas was still on the ground I thought it would make a great floorcloth! I held that thought for quite a while before I had time to start playing around with ideas. One day, I received a brochure with a book order about a tipi book with wonderful illustrations. I ordered it immediately, thinking this was part 3 of my "nudge" and it was meant for me to do this.

First, I will be offering them as floorcloths and table top pieces. They all lend themselves of course, to round and half round rugs as well as square, rectangular, and I don't see why they wouldn't work in ovals and octagon shapes as well if requested.

They are simply painted free hand in the fashion they were first created and give honor to the spirits who had originally given them. The colorways are by no means historically accurate but probably more to my liking. They are easily changed to the customer's specifications at no additional costs.

The floorcloths and table top pieces are available at $35 per square foot. Table top pieces include table runners and place mats. Take a look at the rest...click on any image to see the whole floorcloth.

Select designs will soon be available on printed items. I'll keep you posted.

Crazy Bear's Horse Tipi

Round Floorcloth

Hugging Bear
Square or Rectangular Floorcloth


Hugging Lodge
Round or Half Round Floorcloth



Antelope Lodge
Square or Rectangular Floorcloth



Antelope Lodge
Round or Half Round Floorcloth

We Have a Winner for the Coaster Give Away

I just selected the winner of my coaster give away...by the name in the hat method. Our winner is Gail Ragsdale from Art by Gail H. Ragsdale. I am a big fan of Gail's work and if you haven't seen it you're in for a treat.

Thank you to all that commented and participated. I appreciate the feedback each week.

Gail, email me with your ideas for your coasters. The sky is the limit...any shape, color, subject.... My link is on the sidebar. I am excited to get to work with a fellow artist, and I know you have something very interesting in mind!

I hope you all will stop back by this week...I have new pieces to introduce. I have finally gotten my tipi inspired designs onto canvas and have 6 new floorcloths ready to show. They are vibrant and whimsical in feel while keeping the integrity of the original symbols and meanings. I am excited to finally have them ready.

Happy Monday.

Cactus Creek Daily

"Ride 'em Cowboy" hand painted floorcloth

Some time in April I was looking for new blogs and websites relevant to western art and design and luckily stumbled upon CactusCreekDaily.com . I think I spent a good hour there reading every page from the beginning. The blog is the brainchild of Tracy "Fancy" Smith. She is all about everything western, rustic, vintage and just very cool stuff in general.

I soon found Fancy also on twitter and facebook and saw that she is really a ball of fire. As I observed her enthusiasm for western and vintage style design for several weeks I knew I really would like to team up with her and join the fun. I am very passionate about the same things and get really excited when I find others that share the passion.

Today she is featuring western, rustic, and vintage rugs with selections you won't find in your everyday home decorating center. I hope you will go over and check out Fancy's discoveries; but just be sure you have some time on your hands...there's much to see!

One more thing...and another one of my new addictions...Cowgirl Life Radio....click here to listen to the interview with Fancy...

Okay, enough here, I've got to go to work!

Things May be Looking Up

Mom is having a very bad hair day but looks like she couldn't care less...

I remember those days with my own children - actually the flies were terrible that day and I caught her just as she was shaking her head.

Last summer I filled out a very lengthy survey for horse owners in NC. I almost threw it away thinking the worst, that it could only cost me something in the long run even though it was supposed to be in our best interest for the future.

Evidently, lots of folks filled out their survey and tonight I happened to stumble upon the results that I found on myhorse.com. Below is the snippet...I am still leery but it's interesting to see what's in the making.

news: association news
North Carolina Looks to Expand Horse Activities


While many communities are cutting back on horse trails and designated municipal equestrian centers, one North Carolina community group wants to boost the horse business.

Raleigh, North Carolina’s rural economic development center is proposing a series of steps to grow the state’s $2 billion horse industry, according to Triangle Business Journal. The total number of horses in North Carolina is, according to estimates, 306,210.

The center is proposing the appointment of an industry commission, reinstatement of wagering, and expansion of horse-related facilities. They are also considering a revision of the tax rules classifying horse farms as agricultural property.

Anything that will boost the horse business is now especially in my best interest since our daughter makes her living in it. I suppose we will just have to wait and see.