Amy Hillenbrand Art Blog

Guitar Playing Cat, Yes Really

2012-01-30T17:26:00.000-08:00

8 x 8 oil on board

NFS

Meet Lufi. Lufi is my Nephew's kitty. Lufi is the sweetest, most laid back cat you will ever meet. In my family we have a history of teaching our cat's all kinds of tricks. As you may recall from previous posts, my own fury child shakes hands, sits, walks on a leash, and will also lay down on command. Nathan, my nephew, has outdone me. In addition to teaching Lufi how to high five he has taught his cat how to play the guitar. Yes, I know you don't believe me so I have included a little clip to give you a visual of this amazing, musically inclined feline. Click here to see the super talented Lufi. Isn't that just the cutest?

What to Do When you Don't feel like Doing

2012-01-26T17:17:00.000-08:00

8 x 8 oil on board

NFS

As much as I would like to say I'm always happy as a clam all the time, I wouldn't be telling the whole truth. Life gets tough sometimes. It would be a very difficult jump to go from feeling very low to saying I feel super excited, enthusiastic and joyful in one big leap. With that said, I know that it is possible, but sometimes it works to take baby steps to feeling better or as I say to my coaching clients, raise your vibration.

This is where Paco comes in. I am currently going through one of life's curve balls and was on the low end of the vibration register. Enter stage right-critters. Critters you say? Yes Critters. I love the little buggers. Paco is the fury child of one of my dear artist friends Kelley MacDonald. Paco is a vivacious pug who oozes personality. Paco even writes his own blog, catch it here. Staring at this pug's mug for several hours to paint him, in his fabulous plaid winter coat, just made me smile.When I was done, I had definitely raised my vibration level several steps more than I thought I would. Hopefully when you view this little pup's portrait you will smile too.

So when you are feeling low, what is one little action you could take to get you to a more pleasant emotional place? Is there a Pug that you could hug?

Be Flexible or Be Hot

2012-01-12T09:55:00.000-08:00

24 x 12 oil on board

$615.00 + shipping

Check it out, it's not a painting of shoes. I know! Shocked aren't you? Funny little story about this painting. I had this intense desire to do another painting like the one you see on the left side bar with the coats and the boots. I dug in my closet and my Hubby's to find some interesting coats, fun boots and shoes. I brought some ties along for a pop of color next to the coats. (I was photographing in an empty, new house that the air was not turned on - it was over 105 degree's that day, ugh. Artist do what Artist need to do. I needed a closet with a wood floor.)

I spent hours photographing different coat and shoe combinations. I was getting hot. I didn't like anything I had shot. Another hour rolls by, I'm getting hotter. I glanced over at these ties on the hanger. They wanted their chance in the limelight. I said what the heck and I did a little snap snap. Viola'...I now had something I liked. I liked the movement, I liked the shadows and I really liked the fact I could now close up shop and head for the air conditioning. The moral of the story - be flexible, you never know what you will come up with. Or is the moral...when it's 105, don't be so picky.

Resolutin No, Word Yes!

2012-01-08T18:48:00.000-08:00

Happy New Years Everyone! Resolution time, no, yep, me neither. But it did occur to me to choose a word for the year that would be my motto. A word I could use to be my shining star and help me through the rough spots and inspire me to be the best me I can be. As coincidence would have it, some of my fellow artist friends (otherwise known as the FlyTribe) decided to have a word challenge. Cowinkie-dink? I don't think so.

This idea was inspired by a gal named Ali Edwards who shared her One Little Word Journey on her blog. She even has a class to help you with your word. Stop by her site and check it out.

I digress, anyway, the word I chose is BELIEVE. Believe in me, believe in possibilities. There were so many words I could choose but this one was the one that made me smile and feel good. A word that I didn't choose but chose me. Instead of thinking about it, I let it pop into my noggin. I almost chose progress, but that felt heavy and mean and it was definitely coming from the thinking part of me. So how 'bout you, what word could you say to yourself on a daily basis that would make your heart sing?

If you'd like some more inspiration, some friends of mine that I took Flying Lessons with are participating in sharing their "one word" for 2012 in a The FlyTribe. I'm sure they would let you borrow one of theirs.

A Cure for Overwhelm

2011-12-18T12:17:00.000-08:00

6 x 6 oil on board

$100.00 + shipping

I can't help it, I'm thinking ahead to my goals for next year. I know, I know it's not even Christmas yet, but...

I have to say, even just thinking about my goals gets my undies in a wad (translation: stressed) Yesterday, I stumbled upon this famous quote, coincidence? I think not. I pass it on to you. Sometimes you have to hear these things over and over until they stick.

"The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step", Lao Tzu

How to Get Un-Stuck

2011-12-02T18:41:00.000-08:00

8 x 8 oil on board

$135.00 + shipping

As I was walking around Greenwich Village window shopping with one of my 'Besties', I saw these cute little fabric friends sitting on a little couch made out of a french newspaper. If fabric mice could talk I think they would saying "Ah, ain't life grand?"

Are you not where you want to be; not doing what you want to do; are you busy doing but not doing the things that would make a difference in getting to where you want to go? So you are stuck, so what now?

Have you ever watched the show What Not to Wear? Well if not, I'll give you a brief synopsis. Stacy and Clinton take a person who is stuck in a clothes time-warp or has a total ineptness for how to dress themselves, give them a few tips and rules and send them out shopping. More times then not, the shopping experience leaves the person feeling very uncomfortable which then leads to some other emotions like frustration, anger or sometimes even sadness. They want to dress better and feel better about themselves but, leaving their known world and entering into the unknown is scary and uncomfortable and then they get stuck. On the episode I saw the other day, Stacy London says to the latest participant " You know you have to go through some discomfort to get to comfortable"

So here's the good part - passing through the uncomfortable part doesn't take long and usually it's actually not that uncomfortable. So the next time you are in stuck mode, focus on what would be more comfortable for you ie: your goal. Then acknowledge that there will be some type of discomfort and quickly pass through it.

What Makes a Good Painitng?

2011-11-21T17:45:00.000-08:00

6 x 6 oil on board

$100.00 + shipping

Aren't these adorable little baby moccasin slippers? I really love how these turned out. A little background info on these: my sister and cousin and I were all flying through a store to find something (not shoes) and out of the corner of my eye I saw these cute little slippers. We quickly found a blue towel in the home-goods section of the store and propped them up for their photo shoot. My sister and I worked on the photo shoot as my cousin stood guard for us, in case a store employee got their feathers ruffled.

I often wonder what makes a good painting: the subject, the colors, the composition, the reference photo, the brush strokes? or is it the joy you have in your heart when you are painting it? hmmmm, what do you think?

Juried Show

2011-11-14T11:58:00.000-08:00

6 x 6 oil on board

I'm so excited to announce (can you hear me squealing?) my above painting was juried into the annual "6 Inch Squared" exhibition at the Randy Higbee Gallery in Costa Mesa, CA. The show is December 3 - 23. Okay, bye for now. I am going to go and do my happy dance.

Take My Little Sneaks on a Hop

2011-10-31T00:01:00.000-07:00

8 x 10 oil on canvas- $170.00

"For a long time it seemed to me that life was about to begin-real life. But there was always some obstacle in the way, something to be gotten through first, some unfinished business, time still to be served, a debt to be paid. At last it dawned on me that these obstacles were my life. This perspective has helped me to see there is no way to happiness. Happiness is the way. So treasure every moment you have and remember time waits for no one." by Souza

Every now and again I have to reminded of this quote by Souza above. Especially when I get caught up in the thoughts and feelings around the idea I will be happy when I'm selling more art or when I get my art on-line or when I have 10,000 followers or when I etc etc etc.   You know what I mean Jelly-Bean?

On a different note: join me and some of my fellow artist friends on a BLOG HOP. This is a group of artists that were brought together by an e-course called Flying Lessons from Artist, Author, & Possibilitarian Kelly Rae Roberts . Please hop on by the below blogs and leave a comment to let the artist know you stopped by. This is an talented group of artists. You will see all types of art from jewelry to mixed media. Have fun hopping...

Amaranthine Violet: http://magic-gypsy.blogspot.com/
Beatriz Peñas B.: http://beatrizbepe.blogspot.com/
Beth Cougler Blom:   http://sobliss.wordpress.com/
Carmen Patti:  http://carmenpattistudio.com/wordpress/
Carol Bray: http://theredpaintedcottage.blogspot.com
Christina Fajardo: http://christinafajardo.blogspot.com/
Cindy Jones Lantier: http://www.lantier.org
Connie Rawlins : http://www.dabblinginlife.blogspot.com/
Dana Brock: http://www.dzynbydana.blogspot.com
Deborah Velásquez : http://deborahvelasquez.blogspot.com
Elissa Brown: http://thefreckledarmy.blogspot.com
Hillary Courson: http://www.hillarycourson.com
Jacquie Williamson: http://www.jacquiewilliamson.blogspot.com/
Jane Paynting: http://inkspiredwings.wordpress.com
Janet Forrest: http://tatterednworn.wordpress.com/
Jennifer DeVille: http://jenniferdeville.com/blog/
Jill Lambert : http://www.jill-lambert.blogspot.com/
Julie Hamilton: http://spaark.wordpress.com
Kanchan Mahon: http://Kanchan-Mahon.blogspot.com/
Karen Claverie: http://giddyupletsride.blogspot.com
Kari DeSaulnier: http://karidesi.blogspot.com/
Kathleen Conard : http://newfromoldcreations.blogspot.com/
Kathleen McKinnon: http://harmonyschoolhouse.com/expressions-blog.html
Kathy May: http://kathymaydesigns.org
Kelley Miller: http://www.kelleymillerartworks.blogspot.com/
Kelly Corso: http://birdinatreecreations.blogspot.com/
Kelly Hoernig: http://www.kellyhoernig.blogspot.com/
Kim Hyer: http://www.apaperaddict.com/
Kris Lanae Binsfeld: http://cherishdesigns.wordpress.com
Lenore Angela: http://www.lenoreangela.blogspot.com/
Linda Barutha: http://lindabaruthadesigns.blogspot.com
Lisa Michele Products:
http://www.lisamicheleproducts.blogspot.com/
Liza Zeni Baker: http://lizazeni.wordpress.com/
Lynn Richards: http://alittlebluesky.blogspot.com
Lori Leissner: http://leissnerart.blogspot.com
Lori Moon: http://lorimoonstudio.blogspot.com
Mary Cottingham:   http://www.barnbugstudio.blogspot.com/
Mary Sterk: http://justmarydesigns.wordpress.com
Megan Schmitt: http://www.schmittenwithwords.blogspot.com/
Melanie Douthit: www.douthitgallery.blogspot.com
Michelle Dwyer: http://www.magnetisedbylife.com/
Michelle Reynolds: http://shellsinthebush.blogspot.com/
Rachél Payne (Rae): http://collectingyourself.wordpress.com/
Rain Hannah: http://honeyandollie.com/
Rhiannon Connelly: http://www.starrybluesky.wordpress.com
Ruth-Mary Smith: http://patchworkfamilieshub.blogspot.com
Sherry Richert Belul:
http://simplycelebrate.net/cherry-blossom-soup
Shirley Ann: http://leonardarenaissancewoman.blogspot.com/
Stacey Chadwick
Brown: http://staceybrownarts.blogspot.com/
Susan M. Walls-Beverly:
http://www.susanscharmingtrinkets.blogspot.com
Teresa Cash-Czech: http://www.asmilemaker.com/
Tina Carlborg: http://www.tinachicky.blogspot.com/
Tonya Love: http://passport2creativity.com/
Ursula Smith: http://www.EasyScraps.com/blog
Zulma Cadena: http://edustory.wordpress.com/
Mary Cottingham http://www.barnbugstudio.blogspot.com
Special Thanks to Michelle Reynolds for the use of her artwork(http://shellsinthebush.blogspot.com/)! For more info on classes by Kelly Rae Roberts visit www.kellyraeroberts.com or check out her new Hello Soul. Hello Business. http://kellyraeroberts.com/hello-soul-hello-business. Thanks for hopping with us!

I've Got the Blues

2011-10-28T19:22:00.000-07:00

14 x 18 oil on canvas

$650.00 + shipping

I am quite drawn to painting these rubber boots lately. Could it be because we having the worst drought in Texas since 1895. (I think that is when they started keeping records) Maybe we could all get together, put on our rubber boots and do a rain dance. Are you game?

Monet's Blues

2011-10-15T08:03:00.000-07:00

24 x 12 Oil on board

$615.00 + shipping

I stumbled across these blue rubber boots doing something I love to do. I love looking at decorated show homes. I snapped this picture in the mud room of the $2.8 million house. As I was painting this, I got a little worried about not having any complimentary colors in it. I had this terrible little voice saying well you should use this color and you should use that color. Yes, I know I shouldn't should on myself and I almost succumb to my own evil "should" voice, but then... Then I had this wonderful thought pass through my mind.

Recently I took a little trip to New York city and I was doing something else I love to do. I was gazing at all the wonderful impressionist paintings at the Metropolitian Muesum of Art. As I was viewing one of Monet's water lilly paintings it occured to me it was all done in blues and violets. So I thought, well Monet did it and it looks pretty mavelous; I think I will give it a whirl too. So here you go -Monet's Blues, I think it turned out pretty good.

Drop the Chalupa

2011-09-26T16:49:00.000-07:00

8 x 8 oil on board

NFS

Meet Ginger. Ginger is a cute little Chihuahua who lives next door to my sister, on a canal, in the sunshine state of Florida. She is the beloved little dog of Jack and Andy. My sister snapped this pic of Ginger as she not-so-patiently paces on top of the boat while she waits for Jack and Andy to board the boat and fire up the motor. She loves to stand at the stem of the boat as they cruise slowly through the canals on the way to the gulf. She stands proudly, knowing all neighborhood dogs are completely jealous of her. Yes, all the other canal dogs would love to wear a little life preserver and feel the air blowing through their fur. She is tiny, but she is bigger than life. I dare you not to smile!

Where does Strength Come From?

2011-09-15T16:30:00.000-07:00

8 x 8 oil on board

$135.00 + shipping and handling

"A strong woman knows she has strength enough for the journey, but a woman of strength knows it is the journey where she will become strong."

Wow this makes you think, doesn't it? This message popped up on Facebook yesterday and I can't get it out of my mind. It was posted by the mixed media artist Terry Parvan.

By the way; about a year ago a man sent me an email asking why I never painted men's shoes, couldn't get that out of my mind either. So here is my first pair of men's shoes. Don't want anyone to feel left out. Oh, and the above quote can be applied to men to, don't want to leave you out on that either.

Crayons, Shoes & Shopping

2011-09-11T19:38:00.000-07:00

12 x 12 oil on board

$305.00 + shipping and handling

I saw these lovely slingbacks in a store recently. The stores were buzzing with back-to-school shoppers. It reminded me of when I was a kid and how much I loved going back-to-school shopping. My Mom made most of my clothes, so what we shopped for was new school shoes and my new box of Crayola crayons. Hmmm, shoes and art supplies, that's a kick!

I would get one new pair of shoes in the beginning of each school year. I soooooo loved that. Many times we would be visiting my Mom's home town of New Ulm, Minnesota. We would go shopping in the little downtown of this adorable German city where everyone knew my Grandpa. Grandpa Tony, as we called him, because we couldn't pronounce Steinbach, owned a shoe repair shop. So every shoe store we'd go in, they would say, "Oh, your Tony's Grand-daughter. We love your Grandpa." It was always such a wonderful experience and a wonderful memory.

Downtown New Ulm, Minnesota

Something Different

2011-09-08T18:17:00.000-07:00

My Mom was recently in the hospital and I wanted to bring her something to cheer her up. I wanted to bring her something from the heart. I thought of painting something for her, but wasn't quite sure that was the thing and then...

I am currently taking an e-class from an incredible artist Kelly Rae Roberts. I'm sure you have seen her adorable, inspiring work. It is everywhere. I know I have. Well, in her class she had a guest speaker one day, the wonderfully creative Claudine Hellmuth. As I was wandering around her website, I stumbled upon these adorable little pretties. Claudine calls them Sitting Pretties. And then it was an aha moment, I will make these for my Mom! I call them guardian Angels to watch over her while she heals.

Pictured above: my big brother Michael, my big sis Ann, my other big brother Peter and then yours truly. I had a ball making them and I think my joy was felt by my Mom when she opened her gift. I love you Mom. Thanks for always putting my art projects on the refrigerator.

Which Would You Choose?

2011-08-19T15:19:00.000-07:00

14 x 18 oil on canvas

$650.00 + shipping and handling

I paint from photographs I take. I thought it might be fun for you to see some of the photos I took for this painting. Let me know if there is another photo from this group you would like to see me paint. Really, I really mean it. I'd love to hear from you.

Here's the one I chose.