New Installation for Laura and LaBelle Mariposa

Here I am at Studio 41 in Oakhurst California with Joelle Leder setting up an installation for the next two months! I'm so thrilled to be a part of Joelle's vision of a beautiful place full of art and wonderful finds.  I'll be teaching a class there on February 28th. The details are yet to be worked out, but I'll share it here. :)

So, you may be asking... "Now what?" Well, I'll tell you! I'm gonna paint some new beautiful art! LaBelle Mariposa is taking off and I'm having a ball! This is so exciting! To have a mandate to do what you want to do anyway!

Oh, and there's the art car. I think I'm in love again. With a Lincoln town car! Who would've thought that? Well, we'll see. If it's not the one, I'll know. 

Blessings all!

-Laura

Living a LaBelle Mariposa life

Cypress Sunset painting created for a original art pendant.

I came up with the name of my business, LaBelle Mariposa, because it brings together two languages to say the beautiful butterfly. Butterflies represent transformation, flight, beauty, living for the moment, and so many other things. Monarchs pass their knowledge on to generations who complete a journey that their ancestors have made for countless generations. This communicates tradition. In so many ways, the monarch, and butterflies in general, are a special symbol of rebirth, transformation, and grace. So, living a LaBelle Mariposa life is embracing personal transformation, finding our purpose, and living each day to the fullest. 

Lately, I've been so blessed to have so many of my dreams coming into reality. Today, Jim and I will travel to Monetery to visit Cheryl Watt Pottery & Gallery on Cannery Row so that I can drop off more art. Then, tomorrow, we'll attend an opening at the gallery! Also, today, I will get to spend time working with a dear friend on her own personal journey before I purchase the vehicle that will be my art car to promote LaBelle Mariposa!

So, today, I am feeling very blessed and happy to be living my transformed LaBelle Mariposa life!

Miwok Sun Maiden

I've been working on this little 4x4 painting for a contest at my local Indian reservation. I was inspired by the beautiful women they have working in their Tribal Health office. Long almost black hair frames lovely young women. The workers often bring in their children to work and family members bring their children in to hang out with the rest of the family. The atmosphere is an interesting mix of modern medical facility and family reunion with lots of love an laughter. It's such an amazing place to take my family in for medical care. 

I really like the painting.  I hope the people who evaluate the art like it, too. It's just what I envisioned in the lobby, but now I'm thinking it may need something else.

If I add more to her, I'll share it here. 

I hope that you get to create what you envision, too.

Blessings,

Laura P.

Delivering art in the rain, and happy to do it!

Today I'm headed to Little Relics in the Mid-Town section of Sacramento, California to deliver art for a show in April. Susan Rabinovitz, the owner of Little Relics, invited me to show my art in her gallery way back in September. She was planning an Earth Day related month and thought my work fit in nicely. Since that time, I've painted lots of critters so I think it'll be a perfect fit. Part of the fun of showing in mid-town is the opening night and then Second Saturday which is kind of a city-wide party. That's why I don't mind shlepping down there in the rain, it's worth it.

For today's Inspirational Image I used a photo that I took on one of Jim and my many trips to the coast. I love the color green that occurs along the cliff here. It makes me think of what the coasts along the British Isles might look like. And for the message, isn't it true? Every day we wake up offers us a brand new chance to live our best lives, to explore new options, to love and be loved... Rain or shine, sick or healthy, glad or grumpy, when we intentionally start fresh each day we have such amazing opportunities.

I truly hope you find today to be a wonderful new day to create the life of your dreams!

Blessings,
Laura P.

What I did this weekend

The weatherman threatened rain, so I made plans to get some work done. As it turned out, it was  a mixed weather bag but I'm glad I got some work done anyway. I have a couple of events coming up that I thought some tiny paintings would work well for. I love to work on these darling paintings and, because they are much less expensive than larger works, it gives folks a chance to own an original without the higher price tag.

Please visit my facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/WalkInYourOwnFootsteps to see the Inspirational Image for today. I also updated my website www.WIYOF.com and added a page for the Inspirational Images.

Have a great week!

Blessings,
Laura P.

Here's my entire weekend's work... All finished!

The quarter give you an idea of how tiny each piece is. :)

Smaller grouping

This sunflower needed a happy little lady bug. I added a shiny product that adds dimension to the lady bug, I love how it turned out.

this painting is only 4 x 4. Big look for a tiny piece.

The fabulous LaBelle Mariposa Booth

I took some picture of my booth for LaBelle Mariposa to submit for inclusion in the Butterfly Festival in Mariposa, CA. I love to see what other people do with their sales spaces and thought you might enjoy checking out my take on a sales booth. I'd love to get feedback. It is still a work in progress, but I do like this incarnation. I hope you enjoy the tour.

This is the booth as you walk up to it. Around the top I've used scarves a local thrift store. I love the colors and drape of the lovely silk-like fabric.

 

Here's a shot looking to the left of the booth. I've been so lucky to have my sweetie build the painting display, sandwich board, and the stand for the large sign I painted in the background on the left.

This is a picture looking in toward the left. You can see my vintage dress form and my mom's beautiful knit hats.

I'm going to give you a little tour starting at the left side and walking right. So, here we start with the hat table. I added the little doll for fun. My mother makes many more fun embellished hats, these are what I've been lucky enough to receive (ok, steal) from her.. so far!!

More cuteness with hats. You can also see the detail of mom's embellishments. LOVE!!

This picture was supposed to be a close-up of hats, but you can't help but notice Teddy Bear posing in the background!

This section is my cards for "Walk In Your Own Footsteps" as well as my guided visualization CD. I think it's important for people to be able to listen to the CD and decide if it's what they want for their meditation.

A few copies of my book!

I just love the big sign I made to promote Walk In Your Own Footsteps! Dig the big butterfly!

The pendant table includes at least one of each of my original artwork pendants. I always start with my own art, photocopy or scan it, print out a tiny version, cut the glass and make the pendant out in my little stained glass pendant.

Here's an example of a large painting along with the tiny pendant.

This is a close-up of the stands I made to display my pendants. I call them "sofas" cause I think they look like a little glass sofa. hee hee

Here's my little business table. It includes a sign-up sheet for my mailing list, a camera with Polaroid like film for autographed pictures for my "fans" who purchase a book, a calculator, little cash box, receipt book, pens... you know business stuff!

Finally, this is my portable art gallery. Jim made it for me. I'm going to make some adjustments before we take it on the road, but I really like it.

Petunia the Anything is Possible Flying Pig

Petunia the Anything is Possible flying pig.

I woke up a couple of days ago with this idea in my head. She's happy, pink and flying at will. The phrase that instantly came to mind as I envisioned her scampering through the air, was "So, now is Anything Possible?" So, here she is ready to share her message with the world! I ask you, is anything possible in your world? I guess as long as you believe it is. 

Petunia the flying Pig

Fresh off the presses

After being invited to be on a local television show in Mount Shasta, it was suggested to me that I create an on-line class for people who are interested in learning more about Walk in Your Own Footsteps. So, despite the fact that I don't know anything about making a video, I'm jumping in and learning the new skill! I created this piece of art to be part of the intro. My camera is due to come in on Friday, I'll let you know how it all goes. Life is so exciting! Full of twists and turns. :)

The third Chakra Tree is complete!

Following a very busy and overwhelming December, I've finished the third painting in my Chakra Tree series. I was planning to do three paintings however, my daughter looked at all three together and asked, "Are you going to do Fall next?" The funny thing is I just painted each painting independently and didn't notice that they certainly do look like winter, spring, and summer. I haven't decided if there's a fall to be created. I was just enjoying have the three complete. :)

One day at a time

Life has been more crazy than usual here at my house. My sweet ex-husband is sick with cancer and my sons are now with me full time. When he was healthy, their dad had them from Friday to Friday and we traded off. So, I was a 50/50 mom. Having them here all the time is a blessing, but it makes getting work done pretty tough. I can't imagine how single moms who work out of the home have time to get any thing done at home. Today Joe starts chemo, so we are praying that he'll be back up here in Northern Cali to enjoy his boys very soon!

As far as the art business goes, I've created a few new pendants from the art I've been painting. I have an opportunity to do an art walk (FOR FREE!!!) on Saturday and I'm looking forward to getting feedback from folks on the new stuff. I really love them and it's always interesting to see what other people love. I've been surprised by what gets people excited. Here's the original painting that I took the images from:

And, here are the pendant images that I used for pendants:

The second dove is from another painting in the same series. It's always interesting to see what other people see in our art work. I believe that the imperfections in art leave space for the observer to insert themselves and interpret from a personal place. While I admire artists who can recreate the world so perfectly that it looks like a photograph, I also appreciate a folksy style that leave lots of room for the observer to interpret.

A new series of paintings

I just love it when I wake up in the morning with fully formed creative ideas on my mind. Last week I had just such a morning. I had just bought a whole bunch of canvases at Aaron Brothers because they were 70% off!  Some of the canvases were a size I've never used before, 12x30. I didn't know how I would use them until I dreamed up this chakra tree idea. Since I love symbolism, I thought this would be super cool, if I could pull it off. My goal is to a three painting series (at least!)

In case you're not familiar with chakras, according to Wikipedia: Chakra is a concept originating in Hindu texts, featured in tantric and yogic traditions of Hinduism and Buddhism. They include seven colors, starting with red at the base of your spine (root), orange for the sacral (reproduction, creativity), Yellow for solar plexus (gut), green (sometimes pink) for the hear (compassion, love), light blue for the throat (speak your truth), dark blue for the third eye (intuition), and white or purple for the crown (enlightenment).

I used these symbols and the tree to represent the human body. The first one I did in a primitive style.The second painting is in a bolder more whimsical style. I love them both and can't wait to work on the third.

Chakra Tree Prim

Chakra Tree Bold

New butterflies just in time for my big show on Friday

I just finished these little paintings for the art show I'm doing on Friday. I'm so excited! Please stop by J27 Gallery between 2 and 9 this Friday, September 16. Check out my web site www.LauraPallatin.com events section for more info!

Butterfly and Lantern Gallery visit

Jim and I went to visit Sunshine, the owner of the gallery in Pacific Grove that carries my art, Butterfly and Lantern. Since I've been invited to show my work at J27, we motored over to the coast to get a few of my pieces so I'll have plenty to show. Here's a picture of me at the gallery with Sunshine.

While I was admiring Dick Crispo's work, I noticed this cute little birdie pair in a nest that I created! How fun! Now I've been shown with Dick Crispo! I'm really moving up in the world. :)

Two galleries have invited me to show my art!

Can you believe it! On Thursday, I received two requests for my art! As I type this, I'm in denial... My artwork is wanted... I'm so excited!

So, just to let you know, this didn't happen all at once. One gallery (Heart & Soul - more info at http://www.facebook.com/HeartnSoulStore) is also a shop which sells my book, cd's, and pendants. The owner, Carly, has been working on her gallery for some time. I wasn't sure that my work was what she envisioned for her shop, so I didn't really say any more than, "If you'd like to see my work, to see if it fits in, let me know and I'll bring a few pieces by." Well, she went to my website (www.LauraPallatin.com) and checked my work out herself and decided that my work is what she wants! Woo-hoo!!!

The other gallery, in downtown Sacramento called J27 (www.j27gallery.com) was recommended to me by another gallery I am in called Trezhurs in the Land Park section of Sacramento. I submitted some images of my work and was invited to do a showing on a Friday, September 16th!

I guess that this success feels sudden, but really it's the result of working on my business. Every day I get up excited and happy because I get to work on products that help people feel good. Be it art, pendants, books, cd's, cards... they all go together to help people live happier lives.

Blessings,
Laura P.

EnVision Cards

I've been working on putting together a workshop to share my love of art as well as support people in their personal goals. The result is EnVision Cards. The cards are 2.5 x 3.5 (ACT/ACEO size) and are all inspirational in theme. I'll post some examples of the cards here. I also started a blog just for the cards at www.EnVisionCards.Blogspot.com

I'd love to get your feedback, and maybe see you in a workshop sometime!

Two new monarchs

I've always loved butterflies. There's the brighter than life colors, the fact that they FLY, transformation symbolism... The cover of my book, Walk in Your Own Footsteps is a photo of the trail that ends in a butterfly sanctuary in Santa Cruz, CA. There are really a lot of reasons that I love butterflies. About 2 years ago I painted my first one. I fell in love all over again. Each one is like a snowflake, it looks just like the others, but not quite. Today, I finished two more paintings. I have so many ideas for butterflies fluttering around my head, it looks like I will be painting many, many more. So, here's what I finished today.

I will be printing out tiny versions and creating pendants with them. Gosh, what a lovely way to spend my time. It surprises me that my heart, soul, and imagination can be so excited and my body gets so tired that I can't create. I'm never out of ideas or inspiration. I hope you enjoy these, too.

My art work is now in a gorgeous gallery in Pacific Grove!!!

While on a little vacation to celebrate our anniversary, Jim and I happened upon the most wonderful gallery in Pacific Grove, CA. We were lucky enough to meet the owner of the gallery and I told her about my artwork. The owner, Sunshine, invited me to bring in my work for consideration in her shop. Well, I'm excited to share that she included everything I brought in.

The town of Pacific Grove is tucked in with Monterey and Carmel and is a quaint romantic getaway known for it's Monarch Butterfly migration. Well, if you've looked at my work, you know that I love to paint monarchs. Here's a couple of the paintings that are in the gallery.

I also created pendants from these images. If you'd like a copy, stop by the gallery or contact me directly.

The gallery also stocks copies of my book, inspirational cards, an original handmade purse, as well as my little hand sculpted and painted birdies.

Please let her know you learned about her shop from me.

Getting ready for the McCloud Flea Market

My very first outing with my Cowgirl Gypsy Queen line is next Sunday, June 5th. I'm so excited and I've been making things and having so much fun! Here's a few Kindle pouches I've finished. I've been letting my creative muse be my guide, creating exactly what I feel like and playing with all these fun trims, bead, buttons... etc. What a joyous time. I hope that everyone who takes one of my creations home can feel a little of that joy in the piece. 

 

This Darling pouch is made from a vintage quilt I found. The pouch is embellished with a felt rose I handmade and a lacey doily.

This pouch is made from upholstery fabric.

I made this pouch to keep my mom's Kindle safe in style. It features handmade felt roses and grapes that were liberated from handmade doilies. I also added beads for a little sparkle.