Celebrating Independence Day by playing with fire!

It's colorful and bright and fun and loud and dangerous. Kids are lighting off explosives by age 5. Yep, that's not uncommon. Not my kid. Wasn't able to hold a sparkler until age 10. Maybe.
Today I will enjoy some picnic food and fireworks without having my kids fingers severed. Have a happy and safe Fourth of July.

Old Man Pugsley the Pug Painted Pet Portrait

 
 An oldie but goodie. This old man Pugsley like most Pugs, sat obediently for his close up. Transformed this photo into a painted portrait with love. Vibrant colors. Loose strokes. Folk art whimsy. Acrylic on 12X12 Canvas board. Pugsley boy.

Norcross Pop Ins Vintage Pop Up Cocktail Invitation Cards Rooster and Whale!

My darling cocktail invites from Norcross Pop-Ins New York. discovered at an estate sale back in the day. NIB. They had two sets of each. For a whopping .10 cents each. So unique. So fun. So whimsical. And oh so psychedelic! Totally from the 1960's era. You'd have to get all gussied up in your fancy fineries to attend this type of swingin soiree. Super neat. In love with the graphics! I predict a whale of a time indeed.

Buttery and Fluffy Double Daffodils and Tulips growing in front yard

 I meant to post this in April then of course life flies by and you get side tracked. These lovely guys pop up every year in March and bloom for a whole month in my front yard. Gorgeous double daffs that were a gift from a friend. I've flagged them and as soon as the leaves die back (gotta give em their nutrients) I will dig em up and plant in selective spots throughout the yard. It seems to take at least three months for the leaves to turn brown and shrivel up. I dig up all kinds of stuff and transplant to a different location--hostas, irises, tulips, day lilies, perennial grasses. The amount of suffering and beating they endure is incredible. Still, they rise again each and every year bigger and stronger. Perennials sleep the first year. Creep the second. And then leap the third. Sleep, creep and LEAP! Digging in the dirt is a delightful feeling.

Vintage Forest Creature Collectibles Inspire Acrylic Painted Portrait of Baby Raccoon

The Raccoon that got into the trash was a naughty raccoon. At age 10, I wrote a short story about a naughty raccoon who got into the trash and caused a lot of trouble in the quiet neighborhood of Rockbrook. Oh such an original title. I was a huge collector of anything with a raccoon on it. The Westroads Shopping Mall in the 70's and 80's had a store called 'It's a Small World" where Hello Kitty and rainbow shoelaces lived. Yes please! I visited this fine shoppe as often as a free to roam child from the 80's could. This is a small assortment of my lovelies from those retro days. Inspired to paint a creature of the forest, This darling (and quite naughty) baby raccoon has come to life on a 11X17 canvas. Not only are the 80's one source of inspiration, but I've discovered this amazingly talented Chinese duo who currently illustrate adorable animals. I just LOVE them! Here is a link Xue Wawa . They bring such delight and cuteness in their paintings that I was immediately drawn to them. The raccoon painting was the ultimate inspiration! And forever will my guy live on this canvas of mine. Baby raccoon LOVE!