Spending the weekend in the country...

My daughter and her Randy played pioneers at a fall festival in south Alabama. It is so cool out in the country of south Alabama... fun was had by all. My husband, my friend, and I went down to spend a sweet weekend in the country. It was great, being out in the open country, o.m.g. ... the stars where out of this world, miles away from any city lights, beautiful!!! There were baby deer running across the yard as we gazed at the stars, totally breath taking. I want to share some photos... some from the "Pioneer Days" festival, and some shots from the old home place where we stayed...

xox,
jules :)

Sorry I've been away...

Hi guys! I have not been a very good blogger as of late. I went to visit my BFF (of many years)... she lives in Atlanta. We had a great long weekend, actually stayed for 4 nights, it was great. She was my maid of honor, I was her maid of honor. We met our husbands at the same place, a local (well, not any more) cool joint, live music and the best sub sandwiches you'll ever eat. That was a long time ago, but our friendship just gets better and better.
I've turned over a new leaf, well, an old leaf that flipped, and now I am flipping it back over... I am getting back into my yoga practice. I love doing yoga, it makes you feel so good, can't imagine why I let so much time go by without it!

I've been working on a painting of my BFF and I - will preview soon!
So, for now, Namaste!
~jules :)

My 50's retro dollhouse:)

Check out the decor, sweet, right?
xoxo,
jules :)

Painting makes me happy :)

I have become a member of Suzi Blu's Les Petite Academy of Art. This is going to be fun. Suzi's creations are really colorful, fun, and just the kind of art I love.
This is a painting of a "before" my lessons from the Academy, stay tuned for my "after" shot!

xoxo,
jules :)

Toy Story

My kids always wondered why I liked old toys, I am realizing I am not the only one! A fellow artist (and Etsy shop owner) posted a link to a Toy Story movie clip ... cool. Check her out:

http://blueyeduckstudios.blogspot.com/

XOXO,

jules

Finally, a sunny day in Alabama :)

It has rained a lot here in the deep south, and I gotta tell you, my plants, my lawn and the woods are so green, it's great!
Check out my red bell pepper plant ... they are green until a day or two before ready to be picked, then they turn red. Cool, huh? Makes me want to keep on keeping on :)

~xox,
julesmarie

Painting on the porch...

These rainy days are the best for hanging out on the porch, I just love hearing the rain, and it is so much cooler. I love my porch, it is the perfect spot for some quiet time. I am working on a new painting called "just us girls" - 6 girls - could be sisters, or could be friends. (I just so happen to be 1 of 6 girls in my family!)
The rain sounds so soothing, and my plants are so green!
:)

My Mom's Handmade Dolls

My sweet Mama has been making handmade dolls ever since I was a kid. She would donate them to our catholic school, for the annual fundraising "bazaar" (which is called a Fall Festival these days.)
The children in our family lovingly received one of these dolls from my Mama.

See her shop on Etsy! Just copy & paste:

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=8236368&ga_search_query=stellasraggedyanns&ga_search_type=seller_usernames

Aren't they precious, my great niece, Stella (photo 1)  and my cousin's newest grandchild, Sofia (photo 2.) Beautiful babies!

~xox, jules

My pretty girl!

Here's a sweet picture of my buddy, she hangs out in my art room with me. Isn't she beautiful? We love her!

xox,
jules

A little tour of my art room :)

Perched on top of the hook!

I've been writing a book (in my head) for years!

I have always loved making up stories to tell my children. I am actually putting pen to paper, and collaborating with my daughter, a very talented, handmade, book artist, to create my first children's book. This is rough sketch #1. It is a hut, in the hollow of a tree, in the woods where we hiked when my children were small. This is going to be a lot of fun! Stay tuned!

love,
jules
xoxox

Mama always said "Play nice."

Here's my new painting.
Have a great day!
~jules
xoxo

When art is a way of life...

Yay! I've posted a new painting to my etsy shop.

Go here: artbyjulesmarie

"The greatest gift is a portion of thyself." - Emerson

I opened my Etsy Shop!

An announcement with artistic help from a 3rd grade friend of mine!
Sweet! Please check it out. . .
myetsy

My Esty shop banner

Here's my new banner for my Etsy shop.
XOX,
jules

New Orleans on my mind...

James Taylor sang 'in my mind I'm going to Carolina' ... so, in my mind I'm going to New Orleans.

later...

New Orleans is a state of mind...

I was watching an old "Northern Exposure" episode the other day, Joel (the doctor) made the comment that New York was a 'state of mind.' I think the same is true about New Orleans. I've been thinking about New 'Awelins' a lot lately. My niece and nephews just drove down this past weekend...
My 'creative space' is actually painted a color that inspired me last time I was in New Orleans. The 'salmon' design studio in the photo is the color. The 2nd photo is a corner of my home studio.
It is another beautiful day in Alabama, hope you are having a great one too!
~ciao...

xoxo,
julesmarie :)

Here we go :)

Here's a little sampling of my art. I hope you like it, if you are so inclined, tell your friends. I do custom paintings, you choose the eye and hair colors, even the theme... I'll come up with something cute for you and your loved ones. It is what I do!
Enjoy!
Later tater,
xoxoxox...
julesmarie :)

Working diligently... I really am.

I was hoping to have pics to post, and I will, really. I am way happy with the progess I have made, and will have some pics for you to check out tomorrow.
Life is good, the good ole summertime here in the south. Lots of my favorite childhood memories are from summers past.
My big sisters loved music, great stuff, the Beatles, Beachboys, Herman's Hermits!
Later, there were Michael Jackson's "I'll be there" and "Ben," 2 of my favorites. Such sweet memories!!!
Until tomorrow, stay tuned, picures of my work ... to come.
Later...
XOX,
julesmarie :)

I'VE BEEN PAINTING, PAINTING, PAINTING...

Hello! I hope you had a nice 4th of July! I certainly did! My family took me out to eat for my birthday (which is July 5th.) Much fun was had by all. My daughter made a beautiful birthday cake for me, and it was positively awesome! She has really become an accomplished cook!

I haven't posted in a while, but, I have been productive! I have several new paintings, I will be posting them on Etsy real soon. Tomorrow will be a photo shooting day, and I will share my new art with you then.
Until then, take care.

xox,
jules

They called her Pinky.

New creation...

A new creation of mine, Pinky and Lolly.
xox,
jules

My latest creations...

I decided to make appointments with local children's boutiques to promote my paintings. Wish me luck.
xox,
jules

Hummingbird, don't fly away...

Have you ever tried to photograph a hummingbird? I found out that it is nearly impossible to catch the tiny little birds on film. This year in Alabama, the little birds seem to be scarce, not like previous years. We have had as many as 25 of these tiny birds hanging out in our backyard, but, this year the crazy weather has these little birds confused... hummingbirds, don't fly away.

THOUGHT FOR TODAY :)

SENDING XOXs to ANNIE MAE!

Ann, thanks for the comment you posted, glad you like my blog. I thought I'd send you a big fat kiss! This pic is me and my youngest sister, #7 of the 7 kids in my family! These are not our "everyday" clothes, it was a costume party!
Love you, love you, love you, Annie Mae.

xox,
jules

TODAY IS BEAUTIFUL IN ALABAMA :)

The weather in Alabama today is absolutely perfect. Cool, springtime temperatures, clear sky, and everything is SO green! My favorite plant is the fern, always has been. I have ferns growing in the woods in my backyard, it is really cool back in the woods ... literally and figuratively :) I've got a great yard for ferns, which makes me WAY happy!

My porch is covered with hanging ferns, and there are ferns growing in the ground around the edges of my porch. Check out the sweet bird nest nestled in one of my hanging ferns.

Today I am transplanting ferns from the woods to my backyard close to my doggie pen, where it is nice and shady. I think my young weimers, Aiden and Leizel will like it :)

xox,
jules

COLLEGE GRADUATE!

She did it! My little girl now holds a college degree, we are so proud of her... life is good.

xox,
~jules

STORMY DAY...

We just dodged another tornado here in Tuscaloosa. It looked pretty frightening for a little while. The wind was blowing really hard, trees were swaying. Looks like it passed over this time. This picture is my back deck after the last one came through.
Safe for another day :)

ANGEL BOX

I created angel boxes, gifts for my neices. Their little heads are sculpted from clay, the box is paper mache, a combination of this and that...

MIXED MEDIA

Acrylic paint on a block canvas, with collage elements and beeswax. The inspiration for this piece was my daughter and one of her favorite cats.

~jules

MEMORABILIA

In the picture posted earlier, on the front steps of school, you can see the Strawberry Shortcake lunchbox... I still have it ... such precious memories are attached to it.

CUTEST KID IN THE WORLD!

Kindergarten picture... too cute!