New Journal Page

A new art journal page to share. I stitched up a larger book, with a painted canvas cover. I made the cover large enough, around the paper's edges, to act as a paint catch, when I work on my pages. See? (No table covering necessary. :-)

I took a design challenge from an 8-year-old

Yes, I took a design challenge from an eight year old. I walked into my studio one morning and noticed my son putting together a pile of fabric.

"What are you making?" I asked, pleased.
"I'm not going to make this. I'm challenging YOU to make a stuffie out of these crazy fun colors I found." he replied.

I'm often busy with my three etsy stores, and different established product lines, but who can resist an invitation to make some one of a kind toys with a charming invitation to colors like THAT?


The result was a large pillow toy dubbed Disco Owl, and smaller toy called Disco Snail. Both now available for purchase in my Bliss Forest shop. It was most satisfying to make new toys out of left over studio creation "scraps". :-)

Proceeds will go to our first trip to see family in Australia this fall. The boys have dual citizenship, but haven't been down under to see the rest of the family. We are very excited to jump from what will be Fall in Oregon, to late Spring in Northern New South Wales.

I hope you are all having a happy summer too.

Dreamy Days

Who knew it would be 61 degrees and rainy most of this summer week. Dreamy, rainy, sweater wearing weather. Our pool towels hang sadly on the fence, awaiting the sun, commiserating with the grumpy tomato plants. But never mind. Lazy rainy summer days are also for slow brunch with friends, dallying over long kitchen table games with the kids, trampoline jumping in the rain, afternoons painting in the studio.

Yellow House
9 x 12" Acrylic

July Effects

Lettuce starting to bolt, marigolds glowing....

Kitties slipping indoors for a shady spot to .......

Nap.

Summer Painting

Morning Cafe
acrylic 14x18"
Alysse Hennessey 2011

I'm enjoying summer. It just started to warm up seriously here in Oregon, flowers and garden are going full-tilt. It's one of my favorite times of the year with my studio door flung open for cat, dog, and children visitors, while I design, sew, cut fabric or perchance to paint. I'm relearning painting this season. Even dreaming in paintings!

I'll share the last few I've done for my first online art class, Get Your Paint On. It's so fun, inspiring, and a great way to learn no matter where you live (well, given that you have internet or access to it). I recommend the class.

Angel 1
acrylic
8 x 10"
Alysse Hennessey 2011

Angel 1
acrylic
8 x 10"
Alysse Hennessey 2011