Illustration Friday – Whisper

Love the IF topic this week! This piece immediately popped into my head. It's called Listen. http://www.valerielorimer.com

Giveaway!

I'm celebrating more than 1,000 likes on my Facebook page! I hope you'll jump in and participate. I'll be giving away a matted print and two sets of note cards. Just visit my Etsy shop and let me know your favorite print and note cards...then post your favs on my FB page. One winner will be randomly picked on Friday, February 22. Have fun! http://www.etsy.com/shop/ValerieLorimer?ref=si_shop https://www.facebook.com/pages/Valerie-Lorimer-Contemporary-Arts/129861503698507?ref=hl

Illustration Friday – Wings

I did this piece a little bit ago, but couldn't resist posting it for the "wings" theme as it's one of my favorites and was done in honor of my grandmother who adored cardinals. So, this one's for you, Grandma. You are always in my heart. https://www.etsy.com/listing/75104471/grandmas-songbird-print-art-print

Illustration Friday – Myth

She always thought it was a myth that people went off and joined the circus...until the night the circus came to her small town. http://www.valerielorimer.com

Who could possibly have thought that we'd be more than halfway through January in Chicago and not have any snow on the ground? Except for one brief 20 minute snow, which didn't amount to much, we've had none this winter. Guess the bare trees and bits of still green grass inspired this new piece, Winter Forest. http://www.etsy.com/shop/ValerieLorimer?ref=si_shop

Illustration Friday – Ocean

Happy to be doing an Illustration Friday post again! It's been forever. here's my piece, Whale Tune, for the theme ocean. "He roamed the ocean blue..."

Thinking ahead to Valentine's Day! Have been having so much fun creating a few different designs. Here's the first one called "Heart Song." Hope you enjoy and stay tuned for my friendship design. https://www.etsy.com/listing/119316365/heart-song-digital-art-print-valentine

Adventures of the Mind

All of my life I have been a book lover and avid reader. For me, reading spurs creativity in so many areas of my life–including my artwork. The worlds you can visit and discover in a book are never ending and can take you away from the stress of daily life. For those of you who love to read, here are a few of my favorites that I read in 2012: The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern; Twelve Times Blessed Jacquelyn Mitchard; An Invisible Thread by Laura Schroff; Body & Soul by Frank Conroy; The Postmistress by Sarah Blake; The Help by Kathryn Stockett. And waiting on my nightstand…Gone Girl! Can’t wait to start it. Let me know your favorites and what you have waiting in the wings!

Spread a Little Kindness

A couple months ago I became aware of Sherrie Gahn and her wonderful story. This inspiring woman has done so much for the kids at Whitney Elementary and is such a wonderful role model for all of us. She inspired this piece I've been working on...hope to show you the finished version soon! If you don't know Sherrie's story, I encourage you to check it out at http://www.villageofhopelv.org/Sherrie_Gahn.html

Artwork is all hung at Fortunate Discoveries on Armitage in Chicago. It's a great new space with a wonderful collection of artisans - so happy to be a part of it. Stop by and see everyone's terrific work! Here's a photo of my space. http://www.fortunatediscoveries.com/

I admit it - I've been an absolutely awful blogger lately. I always have the best intentions and they go right out the window! I need a few extra hours in the day. I hope you'll check out and vote for my first fabric design at Spoonflower.com! My entry is called Whimsical Garden. It's in the Hand Drawn Contest (under the Connect tab). There are lots of entries, so you'll have to page through to find mine. Hope you'll vote for my design! Just click on my image and a green box appears around it - that's your vote. As they say here in Chicago, vote often! http://www.spoonflower.com/fabric_items/new?design_id=1170020&show_comments=trueI

Illustration Friday – Heights

This piece, called Room to Grow, seemed perfect for the IF theme of Heights. This whimsical pair of mom and son shows there's always room to grow to new heights.

Illustration Friday – Shades

This piece is perfect for the IF theme this week, Shades. One of my favorite places is Door County, Wisconsin - and this was the view from our rental a while ago. The sunsets were amazing...shades of twilight in this piece called Door County Getaway.

Whimsy and the Mixed Media Journey

This coming Monday (March 19), I'll be presenting a program at the DuPage Art League (218 W. Front Street, Wheaton) called Whimsy and the Mixed Media Journey. It will include a little bit about my creative journey, my musical background, and how I ended up creating whimsical works of art. I'll also be doing a demo on how I create my pieces and what media I use. This is an interactive program as well, so come with a sketchbook or journal and a pencil!

There's social time at 7 p.m. and the program starts at 7:30. Hope you can stop by for some creative fun and a couple giveaways too!

Summer Meadow

Summer Meadow has been one of my best selling prints the last couple years, so I'm very excited to offer it in my Society6 shop as a laptop/iPad and iPhone skin! It's also available as a stretched canvas, as are a few of my other designs. Hope you'll check it out.

http://society6.com/valerielorimer/Summer-Meadow-7JZ_Print

Whale Tune

I took a break for a couple months with working on any new kid's prints. Now I'm back at it and my goal is to complete the alphabet before the end of the year. Here's Whale Tune...hope you like it!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/93173311/whale-tune-art-print-childs-print-baby

The Writer's Den Treasury

I have long been a lover of writing - and am always so in awe of excellent writers who paint pictures with their words. So, this treasury is for you...

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/ODU1Mjh8MjEwMTMxOTU5OA/the-writers-den?ref=pr_treasury

And I just adore the piece pictured here by Christopher Stewart which is also part of the treasury.

New Beginnings

I hope that 2012 has started off well for everyone and will be a year full of blessings and fulfilling your dreams. I'm not really into resolutions, but when I looked at my blog again (and realized my last post was around Thanksgiving!), I resolved to do better at blogging this year. And taking time to visit all your wonderful blogs too. I am always blown away by the wonderful creativity out there!

I have to admit it was nice to have some down time over the holidays. Now I'm feeling in a wonderful creative space with lots of ideas for new pieces. Here's one of my first pieces for the year, called Fire & Ice, which is in a local exhibit right now.

So Thankful

Okay...I admit it. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday of the year. I love the sentiment of it and getting together with family and friends, the Macy's parade, and yes, the football. But most of all, I love that it makes me stop for a few minutes and be thankful for many blessings…

• friends and family who always support me in everything I do
• the opportunities I've had this year to spread my art wings
• my beautiful children and husband who always make me laugh
• a nice warm house to live in, food to eat, and our health

They seem like simple things, but they are oh so important. As a special thank you, I'm offering 10% off in my shop through this weekend. I wish you and your family a most wonderful Thanksgiving!

Artist Home Show

So excited for my annual Artist Home Show next Saturday, November 12! It's from 11 to 4, so feel free to stop by and see my work, Yvonne's dichroic glass, and Owen's pottery. Lots of great gifts in all price ranges. And, if you sign up for my newsletter you'll receive a special offer on Tuesday when my November newsletter comes out!

This new piece, Crow of Many Colors, is one of several new pieces that will be available.