Rafi, Wren, and a little peek of my studio

Driftwood Bundle, hung in my studio

Rafi, the Honey Bear

Wren the Wandering Llama 

Since moving into our new home I've been decorating and adding new furniture to my studio space, making it my own. This is the first time I've had a place specifically for painting and working...so I'm a little giddy about it! I've met so many talented and sweet people through Etsy and a lot of my decor is from their shops. It's really nice to have special pieces around me when I work; they seem to encourage and inspire my work day (or night, rather). I finally got a couple flat files I've been needing, and a new desk that I've had my eye on for some time. It's a bit larger which I need since I like to have two palettes out when I paint, plus I usually work on several paintings at a time. 

I framed and hung one of my large prints, Driftwood Bundle. Almost everything is in place, all that is left to do is stain and seal the wood of my new desk and then it's complete! 

I'll post photos when I'm done.

Also, I finished a couple more of my illustrations last night. Wren sold this afternoon, and will be wandering over to France - but I did add archival prints of her to my shop.

I was inspired to paint Rafi the Honey Bear after a swarm of worker bees gathered in the chimney for a few days. I'm so happy they decided to move on. We called a local bee keeper, but by the time he made it here there were only a few left, and some that hummed around our house. One thing I love about this area is how kind people are. Since meeting him he's dropped by bearing gifts of fresh honey comb, lessons about bees, and even loaned my husband a book about the health benefits of honey. It's clear he loves his work. He showed us a piece of a hive he had saved which had a queen bee. I wish I snapped a picture...

xo marisa

New Illustrations at RiverLuna

Little Owl Manu

Little Owl Mosi

Mieko's Dandelion Wish

 Here are a few new illustration paintings. The originals have already been sold, but I have  prints available in my shop now. I've really been enjoying this collection so far. It's part of my 'Words of Wisdom' illustration series that I've been adding to since January. I imagine a little story with each character I paint. Mosi and Manu are brothers and their names mean first and second born son. Manu, the younger owl sits in the remains of his nest, and when hung together, he looks to his older brother Mosi who is perched on a tree branch.

~marisa ~

Before River Luna, My Unfinished India Series

Before opening River Luna, the majority of my work was in oil. I decided to make the switch to watercolors because I was concerned about the toxicity of the paints and turpentine. I paint daily, so I didn't want to constantly be exposed to the chemicals, and the cleanup became more of a hassle. At that time I didn't have my studio, and I also didn't want my family around the paints. 

It was a nice break, however it's been extended since opening River Luna. I just couldn't find the time to use oils while working and being home full time with my son. River is 4 now, and has preschool a couple days a week. I don't know if I'll really be able to keep up with my oils, but I am going to try my best. This past week I set up my easel in one corner of the studio. It's the perfect space, with plenty of natural light. I've been slowly working on my India Series, and I'm in no rush to finish. I paint leisurely. I love how rich the colors of oils are, and it's the only medium I care to paint portraits in which I enjoy immensely. 

It's interesting to have two main mediums. It almost feels like learning about two different sides of myself, my life. Working in watercolors, I find the beauty in everything from nature. I feel so much freedom with the paint, light hearted and joyful in exploring my surroundings, studying the earth.

With oils, I explore people. The nature of people, emotion, culture, our connections, and the expression in their eyes. Through painting I learn more about my childhood, others, and what makes them who they are. The oils can get a little dark at times, and I suppose that's also why I love watercolors so much. They bring light in when an oil painting gets too heavy for me to continue.

Okay, so the pieces above are unfinished, obviously...but it feels like I should just put it out here anyway. I have a thing where I don't finish my oil paintings. I'm not sure why, I just never do. It bothers me, but I've even sold paintings unfinished. I'd really like to change that, so my goal here is to at least finish these three. Just these and that will be enough. 

I'm sure there's an important experience I'm missing in finishing a painting that I've spent so many hours on. So once I get there, I'll come back to share.

~ marisa ~

Masika the Little Fawn

This is Masika, the little deer I finished this week. The name means born during the rains. 

Lately I've been working on animal illustrations to add to my "Words of Wisdom"painting. I like working on several different paintings all at once. I'm really enjoying this project since I get a sense of who these animals are, and their character. Right now I have four other illustrations on my table, and a lot of other work keeping me busy so I'm loving any time I get to work on them!

~*~  marisa

playing with paint

anatomical heart handpainted notebook

gold-dipped feather

Just playing with some new supplies this week.

xo marisa

feathers and stones

Bodhi Feathers 

Taos Stones

Although I was busy this past week, I did manage to finish this set of feathers, and a couple little stones. I got some new supplies in the mail, including new paints and gouache. The new colors are inspiring, can't wait to work with them. I also got a new sketchbook, and it must be the nicest I've ever had! It was on sale on blick online and the pages are gorgeous compared to my last one. I got all my orders out yesterday, so I'm looking forward to painting and sketching all day today.

xo marisa

sunshiny day

Meet my 4 year old sunshine! River has been loving the rug I got for my office. He says it's 'fudgy' (meaning fuzzy) and has been lounging around on it all day. We've spent the last few days in the garden, and filled our home with roses so the air is sweet.

~*~ marisa

Easter In Locke

My teenage brother in law, making a romantic gesture for his girlfriend.  

The best Chinese food we ever had, this is the back of the restaurant. 

 

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My family came to town for Easter, and it was such a nice visit. We spent the day having a delicious brunch (my sister-in-law rocks in the kitchen), and watched the kids play and search for eggs. It was a perfect day. On our drive home we stopped by Locke, a historic 99 year old Chinese town. It's beautiful there, and was quiet and empty. We walked around, took pictures and had the best Chinese food ever.

I finished a few little paintings this week. I just love woodgrain. It's so meditative to paint those lines, without a plan, or knowing where they'll go. They're in the shop, and I'll be adding prints soon. 

Last night as I was drifting off to sleep I had a fun idea for a new series. Ideas always come to me when I'm just getting to sleep, so I usually say them out loud in hopes I'll remember them the next day. I'm really excited about it, and already sketched it out this morning. I have to get some orders out today, but once I'm done I'm sure it'll turn into a 2am painting night! Better get a good audiobook...

~marisa~

morning hymns

Today the house is silent, and the trees are whispering their hymn.

A few new paintings were finished this week. I love bright colors paired with soft neutrals, so I'm bringing some softer colors to my collection.

xo marisa

Etsy Favorites

It's a rainy day in my neck of the woods. Riv is watching Peter Pan, and pretending to fly off the couch. The pup is snoring loudly, and the kitten just stole my seat. I'm enjoying this slow day. What better time to share some of my very favorite handmade items, found on Etsy.

Beautiful work by Paulina Varregn - Emerald Snow

Paulina is an incredibly talented artist, who works in several mediums. I'm a huge fan of her work which I discovered just the day after she opened shop on Etsy. I was lucky enough to be her first sale, and now have this beautiful piece gracing my studio.

 It's even more stunning in person. I absolutely love it.

Wild Woman Awakening 

Her originals are going quick, I suggest you drop in before they're all sold!

Here are a couple others I hope to have one day...

La Loba - The Bone Woman

La Mariposa 

Such a great print and color combo on this bag from bookhou at home (a favorite shop).

Amy Komar, of artist in the arctic has such a positive vision behind her work.

I love everything Amy creates, all her pieces are full of joy and inspiration. 

I've had my eye on this one for some time. 

I love how each dot looks like a little jewel. Beautiful.

Initiation

Globe Series No. 1

Cloud Cover

If you forgot to get a 2012 planner, here's my very favorite - on sale for just $7. You can find yours here at juliakostreva.

This is the design I have. The pages are really nice and it even has a section in the front for planning projects, which I've found very useful.

 

happy wednesday!

~ marisa ~

neon in nature

luna feathers

lemon tree feather

neon rainbow stones

spring stones

spring stones

Some new things in shop this week; all spring inspired. 

I've never been into neon - at all - but I think it looks fun and playful (and very toned down) on stones. I'm really enjoying these on my desk.

More to come.

~ marisa ~

Fresh Supplies - oh yeah!!!

layout of this weeks feathers

new art supplies makes a very happy desk!

spring stones will be in shop tomorrow!

Probably one of the most exciting things for me is getting new art supplies. I used to go to Blick, my favorite art supply store in San Diego. I've gone there since I was 10, back then it was called The Art Store. My mother owned a Salon just blocks from there, so any money I ever earned was spent at that store. Even if it was just a new pencil, I was thrilled to work with something new. Well, I don't know WHY in the world I didn't think to buy my supplies from Blick online! Since moving from San Diego, there are no real art supply stores in my area - other than Michaels and the extremely overpriced Aaron Bros. which carry the bare minimum. For the past two years (since the move) I've felt a bit restricted with painting since I didn't have a lot of the supply I'd like to work with and was buying overpriced paints. I went to Blick and found so many gorgeous papers and paints - and everything was 70% off with free shipping. I stocked up on paper and got all the acrylic inks I've been wanting.  When the package arrive on my doorstep it was more exciting than Christmas morning!

The only thing is I've never purchased paint online, so I didn't entirely know what to expect. I ended up with a few colors that I'd probably never purchase in person (talking neon), but they've inspired me to give the whole neon spring trend a chance, so I'll be using them on some spring stones. There's a peek at one of them above. They'll all be listed in my shop tomorrow. I'm trying to decide if I should list them in singles, or sets...hmm

I'm also ecstatic about my new paper! It makes such a difference in the painting. I've already tried a couple feathers on the two smaller blocks. One is hot pressed paper, which I've never used. It's really smooth and the paint seems to dry/absorb into it more quickly than the cold pressed paper I nomally use. I'm thinking of using the hot pressed paper for some playful feathers with neon lining. We'll see how it turns out.

Aside from that I've just been kept busy this week with a few custom and wholesale orders. I've been really wanting to get back to this new pair of feathers. I'll have time to paint today - yay!

xo marisa

Bunny Blessings

I finished a new illustration painting this week. I've been chipping away at this one over time.  Riv is usually the inspiration behind any painting with animals. I've always loved nests, so this painting is of a little bird building a nest for her egg. 

I like to think the bunny is there giving the new life a little blessing.

Wings

Spring Moth Print Set, new in shop.

Paz Leaf and Vines

Kia Feathers

Butterfly Wing, Leaf and Spore Cluster Painted Stones

Easter inspired, Decorated Egg

Feather and Vines, Leaf and Single Spore painted stone set

 Spring is just a week away! With that in mind, I've created some new pieces that revolve around blooming, growth, and the winged ones that will soon be fluttering through the air.

I pulled out a couple of my favorite moths from one of my paintings and added small "spring moth" prints to my shop. 

The "Paz Leaf" is also a new addition, like the moth paintings, they're meant to look as though they're painted on colorful, natural shaped stones. 

I think they look rather nice paired, and a fresh color combo for spring.

The week ahead is full of rain, really looking forward to having some green in the garden!

xo marisa