this is my studio

So my studio is finally finished and I love it so much I thought I'd share it here. Most of the decor is from other Etsy artists. Links are attached to their shop names so you can browse. I was sick this past weekend, so I hadn't painted anything until yesterday. I couldn't wait to get to work. It's really nice to have a space filled with little inspirations. I believe I've already shared about a few items a while ago through my blog and twitter, like the artwork hanging on the right by Paulina Varregn, and some items from bookhou at home - but here are my other special finds. Maybe you'll find something you like.
Enjoy!

This is where I paint, print, and pack orders. 

My desk view. I'm a bit of a collector.

I finally put up some cork board after post it notes covered the framed art I used to have up in front of where I sit. 

I stained the wood on my desk to add a little contrast to the room. So happy to have a new desk - it's from ikea.
I love a large open work space, and this one is the perfect size. I can even have my succulents there.

Sweet little bird nest. My husband brought it home for me from San Diego.
The curio cabinet is from Katie at Pine and Main on Etsy. Many special vintage finds there.

How cute is this little crowd?! When I was a kid, my favorite toys were the tiniest ones.
I still have my teeny tiny collection packed away. This is my grown up version.

Mini creatures are from Sabina, MountRoyalMint, and Danielle, HandyMaiden on Etsy. 

These stone set curio shelves are so gorgeous. I placed them eye level to where I sit at my desk so I can adore them often. They were made by Lauren Gray, The Haunted Hollow Tree. She's a remarkable artist, beautiful work.The butterfly wings are actually necklaces from Wendy, House That Crow Built. I love them so much I wanted to be able to see them on the wall too.

My oil painting area...

Mapping out new work.

No I don't smoke cigars, but I do like the boxes. I store paints and other art supplies in them.

I moved things around since this photo, but I have to share these handmade arrows from Stacey, NativeShop.  They're so cool! She makes them in a variety of colors and designs.

Some orders ready to ship. Cute triangle pillow, and the swan print above from LeahDuncan.

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