pretty dish collection

This is the beginnings of my pretty plate collection. It is my intention to use mismatched dishes, serving pieces, and silverware in my little house up in Dunsmuir, CA. Since I'm still working on getting the house, it is fun to collect the things I'll use when I do. It's also an excuse to bring home these pretties, clean them up, stack them and take photos. :) Always a fun activity for me!

The Dunsmuir home will house my art collection, studio, magic stuff, and so much more! I just can't wait to be a part of the art community, there. I'm also looking forward to sharing the house, as well as the wonderful community, with my many friends. 

I hope your dreams are coming true, too!

Blessings, Laura P.

2013 - So Far (my cool experience with a vision board)

Well, blogosphere! I guess it's been too long if I had to look up my password for this site! I'm writing now because I want to share the exciting year I've had so far! It all started last December when my boys were happily playing with their Christmas toys and Jim was enjoying a football game. I decided that this was the perfect time to sneak out an create a vision board for 2013. 

I left my happy home and went alone to a diner that I really like called the Diamond Springs Hotel. I took up residence in my favorite booth. (it's supposed to be haunted!) and I took out the supplies I would need to create my vision board including a sketch book, set of colored pencils, and an eraser. I chatted with the owner and let her know that I would be camping for a bit, to make sure that was okay. She was fine with it. :) 

I began making a list of all the activities and goals I wanted for 2013 on a paper napkin. Once I was happy with my list, I began drawing pictures on my vision board to represent all the things I was dreaming of for 2013. I didn't want this to become about making perfect pictures, so I did it quickly and only allowed myself the pencils to finish the project. 

When I got home, I placed my vision board in my art studio area (our family dining room) so that I could see it every day. The result of this project has been such a powerful experience that I'm excited to share it with you. Many, many things have come to pass that I first put down on that vision board. Some, like belly dancing and making more art were within my control and I feel that having a visual reminder of those things helped me bring them into my life. However, other things on my board have come which were entirely out of my control, and long waited for. This isn't a magic project, it's just a tool which helps us keep our priorities in mind. Much like a company has a mission statement and a five year plan, it makes sense for us to put thought into what we WANT in our lives. 

There are still a few things to look forward to and I'm really excited to see how the rest of the year turns out. I bet Jim will be tagging along this year when I make my new board to make sure he gets his priorities on there, too! 

I've helped a couple of other people to do boards of their own, and they've had amazing results as well. I would like to encourage you to give this a try. If you have any questions, please drop me a note, and I'll be happy to help you with yours, too.

Blessings!
Laura P.

Cute little table transformation

Thanks to the Eilene and Melanie at Trezhers gift shop in Sacramento California, I had this cute little table to transform. I have had it here at the house for quite a while because I hadn't formed a vision of the project in my head (usually a prerequisite for my creative process.) Well, a few weeks ago, I worked it all out in my mind and started to bring my idea to life. I took photos as I went so you can see the steps I went through to make it whimsically cute. :)

Before picture and all I've done is sanded it. 

You can tell that it was chippy, but not in a good way. :)

Here it is with it's little legs in the air as I started covering it with  Kilz

with another layer of kilz

And another!

I carefully painted a layer of solid color on each part and then went over that with some cool metallic paint. 

All finished

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!

Wellness Sanctuary and Spa

I'm so excited to be a part of Wellness Sanctuary and Spa in Placerville, CA. Joaquin Fioresi asked me to bring some of my art to his place connected to the Carey House Hotel and my work fits in with the vibe of the place perfectly. I posted an image of the painting I did for Joaquin and Jen already. Here's a pic of Joaquin and I at the spa yesterday. 

Joaquin Fioresi and Laura Pallatin of LaBelle Mariposa.

You can see some of my work behind us. I am offering my work at the spa at a special price so if you're interested in adding one of my paintings to your collection, this is a great time. I promise that I wont be offering my work for sale at this price again.

I will be making signs for the Wellness Center soon, too, and will be posting pictures of the signs in process and finished.

Fanciful Gnomes for the Garden

Because I was not willing to risk my precious gnome, Gerome, being kidnapped from my front yard, I created a motley crew of gnomes to keep an eye on things out there. My friend, Kim Mayhew, made Gerome for me. He's wonderfully spooky-cool! Here's a pic of Gerome in my living room:

 

 My little collection of gnomes came from Harbor Freight. They were super cheap and started out pretty plain looking: 

There's nothing wrong with them... they're just not that fun. And the one on the right looks... okay... strange! 

So I painted them and added some glitter and bling from the thrift store, and I think they are WAY more fun!!!

Introducing the garden crew: 

Henry DeGnome by Laura Pallatin of LaBelle Mariposa

 Lupe DeGnome Laura Pallatin of LaBelle Mariposa

Pierre DeGnome by Laura Pallatin of LaBelle Mariposa

Wellness Sanctuary and Spa artwork gift

Heart Chakra tree by Laura Pallatin of LaBelle Mariposa

I am so excited to be part of Joaquin Fioresi's new endeavor called "Wellness Sanctuary and Spa" in downtown Placerville, CA. As a business warming gift, I created a painting for his space. I love it! I was sitting with Joaquin in his healing space and opened myself for inspiration to create a piece of art for the room. The Heart Chakra Tree is the image that came up in my imagination and now exists in the real world for all to see. I hope that Joaquin and Jen enjoy the piece and have incredible success with their venture.

Joaquin has invited me to display and offer my art work for purchase at his place and I am just so pleased! I look forward to creating inspirational projects including Joaquin's music in the near future.

Christmas Eve Eve 2012

Some of the dolls and teddy bears we've collected through the years taken up residence on the hutch for the holiday.

2012 has been an interesting year. Some good, some not-so-good. But, I guess that can be said of most years. I am excited to be moving into 2013. Glad we all didn't die on the 21st... And generally happy about the plans I have for the coming year.

I had fun decorating for Christmas this year, so I thought I'd share my humble (and a bit silly) decorating with you all. I hope you have a wonderful Christmas and share my anticipation and excitement about 2013.

our family Christmas tree and stockings

my antique dress form (Eleanor) all dressed up for Christmas posing with a painting from a local El Dorado County artist

Gracie our Aussie comfortably waiting for the big day.