swamp

I was completely enchanted by the swamps in Louisiana. So many beautiful shades of green.

louisiana florals

We had a lot of fun posing with different plant life. And smelling magnolias. 

new orleans sketchbook

 

new orleans jazz and heritage festival

Yesterday I arrived home from 5 days in New Orleans. I'm still there in my mind; what a beautiful place. We attended two days of Jazz Fest where we saw Willie Nelson and Fleetwood Mac in addition to lots of other incredible musicians. The first day was rain and mud, the second lovely and sunny, and both were amazing. The top photos are of the Mardi Gras Indians, who have an intricate history and spend a full year making their costume for occasions like Mardi Gras and Jazz Fest.

I hope you all had a beautiful week! xo

silver pigeons

 "A semblance of the reclaim"

acrylic on masonite, 11x14"

Pigeons are one of my favorite birds; I find them to be so elegant and friendly and symbolic of the city.

How is everyone doing? I hope the week is being good to you. xo

Boston

It has been a long, heartbreaking week here in Boston.

Tonight, we've finally found a little bit of closure and relief. I am so humbled by the grace and selflessness of my city and that of all the officials who've helped us through this. I'm so thankful for how this all ended, with no one else harmed in the process. I hope this helps the healing begin for Boston, especially those so directly affected by all the recent events.

The city has developed The One Fund to raise money to aid those who have been injured and those who have lost family members in this past week's tragedies. There are five special listings in my shop of which 100% of the proceeds will be donated to The One Fund - these items have free shipping. I'll also be donating 50% of all other sales through April 30th to The One Fund.

100% of the following print sets will be donated to The One Fund:

Two Fenway Park Prints - $35

Two Fox Prints - $35

Two Tattooed Lady Prints - $35

Two Camera Girl Prints - $35

Two Nature Prints - $35

Love to all of you! 

xoxoxo

Amanda

blue and green, sea and flower

 

Last night, I attended the Anthropologie Spring fashion show with beautiful Julia Denos. Per usual, hanging out with Julia filled me with endless inspiration! She is one of those wonderful people - full of kindness and ideas - that you feel truly lucky to have as a friend.

The show was beautiful. The clothes were gorgeous, of course, and unattainable. :) Anthro really knows how to throw together a party.

I hope you've all had a wonderful week and happy celebrating if you're enjoying Passover, Easter, or the like! xo 

time capsule

Tonight I went looking through this blog for my old Peanut Butter Cup recipe. I knew I'd put it on here in March of 2011, during the time I was painting for Depending Upon the Nature of the Beast.

This blog, like my real journals and sketchbooks but in a different manner, is a keeper of time capsules. Different months of my life have merged together to create specific "times" that have meant certain things, creating personal seasons that don't fall in line with spring, summer, autumn, or winter.

Anyway, I've always remembered the March and April months of 2011 to be lovely and special, and that what I was posting on my blog reflected it. Thinking of that time reminds me of the color pale pink, of listening to Henry Mancini endlessly while painting for my show, of the pine trees in the yard behind my apartment and walks at dusk.

Below are the things I was writing about on here in March 2011.

 peanut butter cups.

 my room.

 new business cards. (still the design I use!)

 Mary Blair.

 what to put in these vintage Easter egg capsules for my show's installation.

 The Dance of the Goldfish in Fantasia.

 frames.

 my first solo show at Three Graces Gallery. <3 p="">

 horticulture.

 the phases of the moon (phases lunaires).

Marilyn Monroe reading.

Roger.