Birdie on a Branch

I think this one was inspired by the little mama bird and her baby that I have been feeding every day. It is finally feeling like summer and every morning, I step outside with my coffee and offer this bird some bread. It's wonderful how simple things that excited you as a child can still make you smile as you grow older! I had better get to work on a picture of that baby bird!

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Garden in Gold

It has been awhile since I made an all paper collage. This one is made of one of my favorite blue textured papers. The flowers are made of fun, modern patterned papers that I have been anxious to use in a piece. I tried something new with this this one. I outlined each flower, stem and the entire canvas with gold. It is subtle, but when the light catches it just right is a pretty cool effect. This Garden with Gold is fun and cheery and reminds me that spring is here. Bring on the flowers!

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Art, Interrupted

Well, looking at my last post (which was nearly a year ago) I realize how long it has been since I blogged. Some very big changes have happened in my life! We moved to a new house, transitioned into a new life and did it all with four kids in tow! I guess life got in the way of my art for awhile, but, happily, I am back! Now that we are settled, the kids are happy, my husband is happy and I am ecstatic, I have found new inspiration. My new studio is pretty great as well and I love spending time there. I have been creating art like crazy! I am super inspired right now and really excited about new techniques, mediums and ideas! I have updated some of my previous works, reinvented many old ideas and tried a little something new. One of my favorite new pieces is Lambs in the Meadow. This piece has many layers. It starts with pages from one of my favorite books, James and the Giant Peach. Then, a little paint, a little charcoal and some fabulous new Amy Butler designed papers and, well, here it is! I love it. I just finished a couple of other pieces, much darker, with Treasure Island in the background. I made a piece in my own living room with one of my favorites, The Canterbury Tales as the background. It is fun to see bits and pieces of familiar texts peeking through these pieces. There are many other pieces that I am anxious to share. I am sure that I will be blogging often. It feels great to be back.

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Dinner Party, Anyone?

I hosted a dinner party last weekend. It was a pretty big accomplishment for me- grandma's linens, the wedding china and handmade placecards! I made these little placecards on 2x2 canvases. I was pretty pleased with them and they certainly helped everyone find their seat easily. Mission accomplished. I may have to entertain more often!

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Chloe Flower Companions

I recently sold a pretty little red Chloe Flower. The woman who purchased it emailed me and said that she loved it hanging on her daughter's wall, but thought that it needed company. Thus, the inspiration for my first Chloe Flower Companion. I loved this idea. I often hang pieces in multiples so, why not multiple blooms? The woman who purchased the flower heard about me via a blog- gotta love bloggers! So, in addition, I have a new promotional code. Enter "blogger" during checkout at www.mychloeflower.com and receive an additional 20% off any piece!

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apricot birdies

A couple of weeks ago I spent a wonderful, hot, sunny week in Eastern Washington. Me, being from Seattle, and still enduring 59 degrees and rain, relish any time I spend east of the mountains enjoying the sunshine and lack of rain. Apricots have always been my favorite fruit, and my time over East inspired me. Beautiful, sunny, hot weather and the promise of fresh, flavorful fruit led me to this piece, Apricot Birdie. I love the simplicity of this piece. I am going to hang it in my house until someone snatches it up. That is how all of my best pieces end up. I am excited to hang them in my house and then someone buys them. Of course, I am not complaining. When I have a bare spot on my wall, it only inspires me to make something new to fill that spot! Here's to waiting for a hot, summer day!

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Orange You Glad....

If your mom was anything like mine, you've heard the corny knock knock joke that follows:
"Knock Knock"
"Who's there?"
"Banana"
"Banana Who?"
"Knock Knock"
"Who's there?"
"Banana"
"Banana Who?"
"Knock Knock"
"Who's there"
"Banana"
"Banana Who?"
(audible sigh of frustration here)
"Knock Knock"
"Who's there?"
"Orange"
"Orange Who?"
"Orange you glad I didn't say banana?"
Thanks, mom for always making me laugh! This little orange is for you. Orange you glad I made it?

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Make a Wish

Fortunately for my art and unfortunately for my yard, I have many, many dandelions in my lawn. As an adult who finds weeding to be a tiresome chore, I dread seeing all of these wispy balls of white dotting the lawn. However, the child in me, (and she is still there somewhere) delights in seeing these delicate balls of delight blow in the breezes. I am tempted to pick them and blow them. And, if it didn't create more weeding for me, you can be sure I'd do it. No worries though, the kids blow them around enough- I can live through them! Either way, I was inspired to create this piece, Make a Wish. This collage is set on beautiful, deep stretched linen canvas. My pictures really don't do it justice. It is simply a sophisticated background for any piece. I also love the simplicity of these dandelions ready to blow away. The white paper is so soft and the edges look like they might move if a breeze came through. A nice way to enjoy a weed, I think!

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Blackbird Sings

My sons are a little bit obsessed with The Beatles right now. I actually love that they both go to sleep every night listening to their music. Two different greatest hits going on in two different rooms, but somehow it seems to work. So, when I finished this piece and was ready to name it, Blackbird Sings just felt right. I can hear Paul singing whenever I look at it! This piece was sold before it was finished, so it can't be found on www.mychloeflower.com. However, I have a new series that should be ready for it's debut tomorrow or the next day. I've been doing smaller pieces lately, but I am working on a couple of larger ones now. I forgot how fun it is to make grand gestures on the canvas! I'm also working on another baby shower piece. It is really sweet and coordinates with a Pottery Barn Kids bedding set. Hopefully, I will be ready to debut all of these very soon! In the meantime, I continue to watch the little birds living in my birdhouse, countdown until summer and hope that my tulips will hang on just a little bit longer!

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The Birds Are Back!

Despite some lingering cold weather, spring is definitely here. I am so excited because the birds who built their nest in my birdhouse last year are back! If you've been reading this blog for awhile, you'll remember that I loved watching these little birds so much! They offered endless joy, inspiration and undeniable proof that I am becoming my grandmother! This piece, Bird on Gold, is an older one that is one of my absolute favorites. The bird here was inspired by these little spring birds who take up residence in my old, rusty birdhouse. I think in the spirit of renewal, I am going to have to create a new little bird. Back to the studio!

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Well Travelled Birdie

It's spring break and I'm packing the ol' mini van to head out on a road trip. Must have been the inspiration for this little birdie. Well Travelled Birdie is composed of a map, of course. Simple and sweet. How all travel should be. He is part of a group of pieces that I just finished. Figured I had better wrap these up before I headed out! Check out National Park Birdie, Blue Bird on Orange and Cheery Flowers. National Park Birdie(which is only available on glitterandgrunge.com this month) has elements of nature in it- real leaf skeleton for a wing and natural papyrus for it's branch. The leaves of it's tree are made of maps and hint to his location-national parks, rivers and lakes! Blue Bird on Orange has the greatest combination of colors-turquoises, spring greens and orange. If you are working on a spring remodelling project, this could be the piece for you. And, finally, Cheery Flowers is a much smaller version of the pieces I just made for my own spring remodelling project. I loved them so much in my own living room, that I had to make a little version to share! Enjoy the spring!

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My new, lively living room!

Well, I just recently finished a major renovation at home. A new kitchen and a new configuration created a "great room" kind of feel in the house. My main goal was to make everything as light, bright and cheerful as I could. Mission accomplished. Lots of light and bright accents make me smile when I am sitting in my living room now. Of course, my new look needed some new art so I created two new pieces to go right over the couch. Major focal point with fun colors and big, big flowers!

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Birdies, Birdies, Birdies!

I have been so busy with little birdies. I've completed a couple of different series of these little birds. All different papers, colors, species etc.... They are awfully popular right now. Everyone must be wishing for spring! I know that I am. I finished another couple of commissioned pieces and then have been working on some personal pieces. In between those works, it is great to be able to work on some smaller pieces. I love these little canvases. Graceful Bird manages to have grace and elegance on a canvas 5x7 inches in size. Some of her feathered friends make a big statement on an itty bitty canvas as well. Bird to the Left is one of my favorites on a canvas only 5x6 inches big. She seems to be looking off into the distance through the branches of a tree. Sweet and petite is Orange Blossom Birdie on a canvas just 4x5 inches big. And smallest of them all but packing alot of color and pattern in, is Moon Birdie. She makes a statement on a mere 4x4 inches. These little birdies have been a lot of fun and I've got more in the works. I know grandma would be proud!

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Commissioned Birdies

I've been excited to be working on some commissioned pieces lately. Some of them original and some are recreations of work I've done in the past. I love doing this kind of work. I especially like the challenge of taking somebody's idea and making it into something they can hang on the wall and look at in their home. This is one of my favorites! It is big- 30x30 inches in total. Although it is simple- simple lines in the branches and very simple shapes for the birds- it turned out to be so sophisticated and dramatic! There are very subtle touches of gilded gold highlights on the birds and on the sides of the canvas. The light shines on this one and makes it sparkle. I am always willing to try new pieces. Looking for something special and unique to finish off that room you've been decorating? Remember, don't settle for art that everybody else has- hang original, handmade art. Affordable and fun!

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Sweet and simple circles

I've spent the last few days simplifying my house. (Must be the new year!) I've cleaned out closets, made room for new Christmas gifts, recycled enough paper to last a lifetime and even tackled the laundry/storage room! I suppose in the spirit of simplifying, I found inspiration for these simple little birds. I love the soft, overlapping circles used for the backgrounds on the Bird on Pink Circles. The patterns on the paper, rather than the form of the bird make the statement here. I loved this one so much that I made a little mate for it in blue, aptly titled, Bird on Blue Circles! So I will continue to get rid of clutter, look for beauty in the simple things and look forward to a new start in the new year! Happy New Year to all of you as well!

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Baby Boom and Muffins

I feel like I should be talking about the holidays and displaying the latest in yule tide art, but the truth is, I have been so busy lately making art for new babies! There must be a little baby boom occurring out there! I have been making personalized pieces for nurseries more than anything else lately! What has been really fun about this are the requests for custom pieces. I did a cute little apple tree piece to match little baby Jack's new nursery! One I especially loved was this muffin for little Joey's room. It seems that little Joey is also known as the "muffin man" in his family! How cute! I've also been making stars and the original chloeflowers which always make me happy! I guess I will wait and see how many more babies are born in the new year. I wouldn't mind a little lull- I have several new pieces worked out in my mind that I can't wait to try out on canvas! I am looking forward to a holiday vacation at home with my family relaxing, laughing and painting, cutting and gluing! Happy Holidays!

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Harvest Moon

It is a busy time of year! I haven't had a chance to blog in awhile as things have been crazy around here. Of course, it is a great time of year and a good kind of crazy. I love when the weather turns crisp, the leaves fall and we prepare for the holidays. This time of year inspired my latest pieces. The first is Harvest Moon. The colors are warm, oranges, golds and deep reds. I love the way the larges harvest moon frames the branches of this tree with the little bird. The texture is especially great on this one and the patterns of the leaves make for a special detail on this one. Moons seem to be on my mind. My other new piece, Owl in Tree is completely different in color scheme. This one is dark, cool midnight blues and browns. The paper I used to make the tree on this one is so natural and perfect for the piece. I especially like the way this owl's little eyes seem to glow from the moon behind him! I am feeling especially inspired lately and have been kept pretty busy with commissioned pieces. Now, if I can just find more time!

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Birds in Trees

The birds are back! I just can't seem to shake them! I love this sweet group of collages I have recently finished. They are small, simple and make me smile. I am back to using brighter, lighter colors (maybe as a one final effort to hold on to summer?) Orange Bird is a familiar subject in new colors. I love the happy orange, blue and gold here! The little black birds in the Birds in Trees pieces make a nice contrast against these same colors. The other piece I have just completed is something new for me.

On The Roadside is acrylic paint and collage on an old road map. I am excited to try more like this. I have a studio full of maps, house blue prints and old ship blue prints. I think they make an interested background and something new to experiment with. I am already planning a new piece in honor of fall that uses old roadmaps and house plans as a background for trees and their falling leaves.

Now that the kids are back in school and we're beginning to fall into some comfortable routines, I am looking forward to more time working on new pieces!

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Feeling the Green

I guess I was really feeling the green here! I have been using much lighter colors all summer long, but I think a week of unseasonably cloudy and cool weather here at home put me in the mood for some autumnal colors. The greens on these pieces are so deep and rich and not light and summery at all! The green doesn't make me think of hot days at the beach, but it does make a nice back drop for these two collages. I was inspired this summer at the Picasso Museum in Paris. The first product of my inspiration materialized in a collage interpretation of Picasso's line drawing, Le Hibou. I love the simple lines and how just a few simple shapes can clearly convey an image. Picasso is pretty cool and while this is no Picasso, it made me happy all the same. A completely different inspiration produced Purple Poppies. I am already in mourning that summer is slipping away. I miss my poppies in my garden. And, while I have never seen poppies this color, I like the look here. The colors were actually inspired by a pretty patterned ribbon which I am using to hang this canvas. So, maybe as summer weather returns to my house I will be inspired once again to use lighter colors. I'll hope for some sun!

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Birds and Blossoms

I am especially fond of this little series of collages, Birds and Blossoms. It has hung in my own home for several months now. I have been enjoying it so much but I suppose it is time to share it! These petite collages are so sweet all by themselves, but really beautiful hung as a series! I love the colors and patterns in these papers. The painted backgrounds are some of my favorite paint work. Several layers of acrylics went into getting the texture just right! I also love the way these little canvas boards hang on the crisp white grosgrain ribbons. It reminds of of little packages all tied up with bows on my wall! I have been meaning to make more works with these same papers and I think now that I have finally shared this series, I am inspired enough to find these papers and create some more collages. I'll admit that it has been hard to settle into the studio this summer when the weather is so beautiful outside. What I really need is an outdoor studio-if I could just figure out how to keep all my bits of paper from flying away in the breezes....

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Lilypads

It has been awhile, but I have been busy travelling this last month or so! Most notably, I spent some time in Paris. It was my first time there and I absolutely fell in love with this city! I have also been spending time at the lake with my family and I think that I am as smitten with the lilypads as my four-year-old! Maybe it is the exposure to Monet's works in person, or maybe it was just some precious moments looking at lilypads at the lake with my children- whatever it is, the result is Lilypads and I couldn't be more pleased. It felt great to get back into my little studio and put some of my ideas onto canvas. I've definitely missed the glue, paint and paper and I am anxious to get back to it. I have had so many wonderful inspirations and I feel like there is a lot of work to be done! Luckily, it never feels like work. Hope you enjoy the lilypads on my canvas and at your own lakes!

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Floating Flowers

I have recently discovered these flat canvas boards and I am having so much fun using them all over the house! Better get some uploaded on my site so that they don't take over! I am really pleased with the light, whimsical feeling of these flowers. The feeling of floating is accentuated with the pretty ribbon that I have used for hanging. I can picture these in my girl's rooms, in the kitchen, or anywhere I need a bit of fun and whimsy!

My studio is full of these boards in all different sizes, so I am sure there are many more to come!

And just to update everyone on the birds in my birdhouse, my little chickadees appear to be the proud parents of a nestful of babies. I haven't seen the little birds yet, but mom and dad have been busy feeding them and I can hear their sweet little chirping when I am outside. Reminds me of a set I made awhile back, Baby Birds. I may be inspired to create some new little birds. In a birdhouse this time, I think!

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I Am Becoming My Grandmother!

My grandmother has books about birds around her house. Little bird figurines or bird prints are everywhere. She keeps a pair of binoculars handy so that she can get a closer look at any feathered friend that may fly into her yard. I never understood all of this until now. I hung a birdhouse in my yard over a year ago. It was just to add some color and interest. Much to my amazement, a bird has built a nest in it and has claimed it as her own. I never imagined that this would make me so excited, but it has. I am constantly looking out the window to see if I can spot my little bird neighbor. When I am outside, I peek into the birdhouse to catch a glimpse at her nest or, even better, at her in her nest. It has provided me endless entertainment this spring and I have recently hung yet another birdhouse in the yard! It seems that I am only a bookstore trip away from having bird books scattered everywhere. I think my son has a pair of binoculars....

In celebration of my official bird obsession, I have created three new pieces featuring an old favorite of mine. I have created this little bird before, but never on this larger canvas. I can only imagine what I will be inspired to do once those little baby birds hatch!

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Grove of Trees

It has been a busy month and I haven't been able to spend as much time in the studio as I would like. So, having finished this piece, Grove of Trees, makes me especially pleased! It feels good to have a piece that I've been working on in my head finally in my hands and to top it off, I just love it! I recently updated the colors in my own living room in an attempt to lighten and brighten the room and my new color palette inspired this piece. I love the soft blues with just a hint of burnt orange. I also love the softness of the trees that I achieved by tearing the paper instead of cutting it. Even the background paint is more layered than I usually do. The result is amazing depth and texture. I am going to hang this one in my own home until it sells! And even then, I'm sure I'll replicate it!

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Lily of the Valley

The Lilies of the Valley are blooming at my house and thus the inspiration for this newest collage set! These sweet, delicate little blooms are among my favorite spring flowers and I just had to capture them in my art! Everywhere I look these days I am finding new inspiration. I also just returned from Kauai. This was my first trip there, and I found the scenery to be breathtaking. I definitely have some pieces in mind that I will have to get to work on! I also just finished a piece I call Black and White Bird. It is very graphic. Bold black paper on white canvas. I love all of the black and white decor out there and this was inspired by some of what I've seen.

After a very relaxing and inspiring vacation I am anxious to get back to work in my studio. I've got lots of ideas and can't wait to get started. It promises to be a productive spring!

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Easter Egg Hunt

Are you ready for Easter? Need some special holiday art to complete your Easter decor? Your Easter celebration will be a stand out with Easter Egg Hunt on your wall! This is a pure collage piece. I used tissue papers layered to create a watercolor effect. Fresh greens and blues with pops of bright Easter Egg color! Don't settle for just any old decor-hang an original piece of art to make your home extra special!

I also just completed another sweet collage-Pretty Pink Flowers.

Every little girl would love to have this pretty collage hanging in her room! Soft pink painted canvas layered with delicate tissue blooms. My daughter says this one is her favorite ! It was nice to finish a new children's piece- I look forward to many more!

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New Pieces for Spring!

I am feeling spring in a big way! I have just added several new pieces to mychloeflower.com and they all make me smile with spring colors and images! This large piece, Tree of Birds is one of my favorites! The colors are vibrant and rich and the little birds in this tree are like little treasures of color and pattern! The tree is made from a great papyrus that I have been wanting to use for awhile. The effect is amazing and it looks like real wood on the canvas! I also finished a new set of Dandelions in Green, Gold and Blue. The texture of these is so soft. You just want to touch them! I've also recreated a couple of my favorite pieces for spring. Spring Garden is inspired by Night Garden. The colors have been brightened for spring, but the bold flowers are the same. I've also recreated Three Bird Collages. These little birds are so sweet-I just couldn't help but to make them again! It's been a busy time in the studio and I am more inspired than ever! Happy Spring!

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Birds!

I am a little obsessed with birds right now, so instead of fighting it, I am going to embrace it! I am especially excited about this new piece, Bird on a Limb. It has all of my favorite things- a bird, flowers, trees, fantastic patterned papers and amazing texture! Very me. I was playing around with this same bird and created something entirely different. Distressed Bird in Gold is dark, sophisticated and yet subtle. It is a collage, of course, but the paint treatment here really makes it what it is. Deep browns, golds and a touch of metallics make it stand out. This looks really amazing highlighted by the right lighting. It glimmers on the wall!

It is always fun to experiment and try new things. I am always surprised with what I discover when I let myself play. Back to the studio! Enjoy!

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Field of Gold

The buttery gold paper with amazing texture makes this piece, Field of Gold, feel so warm and rich. Each flower comes alive with layers of papers with deep browns, poppies and blues. I love the feeling that this newest piece gives me. Rich and fabulous--a perfect addition to your fabulous home! It reminds me of a smaller, warmer version of one of my favorites, Field of Flowers. I was also able to work in some subtle sparkle here. I always love just a little bit sparkle. When light hits this just right the effect is amazing!

I am so thrilled with the way www.mychloeflower.com has been received here during our first few months that I am feeling the need to express a little gratitude to everyone who has helped make this a great experience so far! From now until May 31, enter the code: gratitude during check out and receive an additional 20% off on any order. Just my way of saying, "thanks!"

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Night Garden

I love this newest piece! It somehow manages to be sophisticated yet playful- moody yet bright. It is just right for this time of the year when spring is trying to emerge but cold winter winds keep reminding us that it is not quite here! This is an all collage piece-paper background and paper flowers-layered to create texture and depth. I had the opportunity to use my favorite deep red paper here. This paper truly reminds me of velvet. I have to keep reaching out and touching it just to check!

I am also working on a new bird piece. Of course, birds are one of my favorite subjects. I am really excited about it and hope to post it soon. I am also working on a new children's art piece. I was so pleased with the single tulip I made before, that I am working on a whole field now! Look for it in the next couple of weeks!

I will continue to think spring in my studio and watch for the daffodils and tulips to bloom outside as well!

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