Shop Update

There are some new things in my etsy shop:

 These new watercolors (measuring 4.25 x 5.5" each) are listed in the Original Paintings section of my shop

and my "I Love Pizza" girl is now an 8x10 print in the Signed Prints section.

Happy mid-February!

xo, Amanda

the elephant valentines

As you've perhaps noticed over the years, I like to commemorate Valentine's Day on this blog by sharing what I call "the elephant valentines."

The Elephant Valentines were hand-painted (or sometimes hand-crayoned) valentines created by e. e. cummings for his wife, Marion Morehouse.

There is so much to love about these valentines: the ever-present elephant, who seems, to me, to be a symbol of friendship, loyalty, playfulness, and gentleness; the beautiful, painterly, made-by-hand, labor of love quality; the simplicity and the tradition.

Valentine's Day will forever for me be an elephant holiday, thanks to e. e. cummings. 

I hope that you all have a beautiful February 14th, no matter how you celebrate!

Love, Amanda

Local Love

 Today I tabled at the BCAE's second annual Local Love pop-up shop. Snow threatened to put a damper on the day, but wonderful people braved the weather to come out and shop. I want to give a heart-felt thank you to all who came!

 This is my super cute and talented friend Alaina, who just began her calligraphy and paper goods business, Extras by Alaina. It was so fun to have a friend nearby.

 I taught portrait painting in this room a few years ago. It was enchanting to teach here. I had found out that Sylvia Plath had taken poetry courses at the BCAE long ago and it thrilled me.

 I spent the day prior to the show back home at my parents' so I could finish up some ideas. I really love the task of making. I found the above gold oval frame at Saver's and thought that my new whale girl would be perfect in it.

 I also relished the fact that I was going to be in a Valentine's Day show (I love Valentine's Day!) and, for the first time ever, crafted some valentines with my artwork.

I hope you all had a beautiful weekend!

xo, Amanda