Baby Snow Leopard

This is my newest painting, Baby Snow Leopard. It is a 16x20" oil painting on stretched canvas. Sides painted as a continuation of the painting. No frame needed, but can be used if you so choose.. The background colors look a bit different in the real painting, I used phthlalo green, ultramarine blue and dioxazine purple. Reference photo by Daniella Pintimalli from Imagekind. Daniela is a wonderful photographer who was kind enough to allow me to use her photo. Thank you so much Daniella. If you have a chance be sure to check out Daniella Pintimalli's work.

You can follow me on twitter
Become a fan of my art on facebook
Sign up for my Newsletter that I am just starting from my website.
Check out my New Store, and let me know if there's any of my paintings you would like to see on their products. I ordered a pair of my Zebras earings, and am anxious to see how they are. I will let you know.
May you be showered with Blessings,
until next time,
Brenda

Design Style Guide Giveaway

The Design Style Guide Valentine's Giveaway Event

It is So easy to enter to win. Just go to http://designstyleguide.blogspot.com/ for information on how to enter!

Here's a peak at the sponsors and what you could win.



A 5x7 print of Two Hearts, One Love

A Giclee print of Lovebirds


Any 8x10 photograph from her shop.

A $30 credit for anything in her shop!

A $20 dollar credit for anything in her shop!

Any Jewelry holder of the winners choice!

A $20 credit for anything in her shop!

A $20 credit for anything in her shop!

A $25 credit for an 8x10 photo from her shop!

A $35 credit for anything in her shop!

Beautiful prizes, that's for sure.

Be sure to go to http://designstyleguide.blogspot.com to enter!!!

Featured on Finerworks.com

I wanted to share with you that I am being featured in the Artist Spotlight on Finerworks
A sight where you can buy Artist prints (including mine) and other items.
Click Here to read the whole article.

Cool Store

I couldn't resist. I just opened up a cool new online store. I love the products that I can put my paintings on. You can find items that aren't found on zazzle and coffeepress like jewlery, watches, belt buckles, lighters, key finders, charms, necklace, money clips, porcelain ornaments, make up bags, wallets and so much more.

These are just a few of the things I have to offer in my shop. http://www.artamatik.com/brendathour

Zebras 1" Button Earings

Italian Charms Watch

Jewlery Case Clock

Key Finder

Wall Clock

Pet Portraits

These two pet portraits were commissions for Christmas, and I couldn't post them until after Christmas. On the left we have Belle and Eddie, and on the right we have Jaz and Lily.

DesignStyleGuide Holiday Giveaway Winner

I am excited to share with you that I am the winner of The 10th Day of Christmas Giveaway from DesignStyleGuide. There were a total of 12 winners. I hope you joined in the fun and entered the contest. If not...there's a giveaway every month on the DesignStyleGuide Blog. You could be the next winner.

I won a $25 dollar print from Scott Trillium of Trillium Studios on Etsy.

I chose this gorgeous print, Big Red Buffleheads, and am anxious to hang it in my studio.

Scott Trillium is an acrylic artist, and he and his wife, Jean run their etsy shop together. Jean creates jewlery from Scott's artwork and does the updating and posting of new items. Looks like a winning combination.

So be sure to bookmard the DesignStyleGuide Blog and enter the contests every month. Shipping is included in the contests so you've got nothing to lose, but beautiful home decor items from DesignStyleGuide Artists.

Pointsetta Original aceo

Christmas is a special time, full of beauty. It's not about shopping or gifts, but love and the celebration of Jesus Christ our Savior.
This is an original aceo done in colored pencil on cardstock. ACEO's are the size of trading cards and make an adorable, not to mention an affordable mini work of art. They can be framed, matted and framed, displayed on a mini easle or collected.
You can find this piece and others at my Etsy shop.
Will soon be found on products at my Zazzle Shop.
Follow me on Twitter.
Become my friend or fan on facebook. I'd love to hear from you.

May God keep you safe today and always.

May His angels watch over you.

hugs,

Brenda

Mr. Snowman aceo

The day after Christmas it was nice to be able to relax and watch Christmas movies. I stayed in my jammies all day and was cuddled up on the recliner and had a great day crocheting and sketching. This is one of the drawings I came up with, so I made it into an aceo . This is colored pencil on watercolor paper.

You can find this artwork and other small paintings, pendants and magnets created using my artwork on Etsy.

You can also find quality merchandise such as stickers, tshirts and mousepads and so much more at my Zazzle shop and my Cafepress store.

Follow me on Twitter.

Find me on Facebook. You can also become my fan on facebook.

My daughter decided to put a little jacket belonging to a teddy bear on her guinea pig, Cinnabun. Of course Dusty had to get in the shot. Aren't they cute?

Thank you so much for stopping in. God Bless your day.

Christmas Dog

My dog has been doing this every day since the tree went up (it's an artificial tree by the way).
So last night I snapped a picture of him. Now doesn't he look like he wants to be a Christmas dog?

Many people love cardinals, and this is my most popular design, Winter's Serenity. This design is from an original oil painting of mine and can be found on many different products from tshirts, sweatshirts, cards, stickers, mugs, pillows, coasters, clocks, keepsake boxes, mousepads, calendars, posters, prints and so much more.
This sweatshirt can be found in my CafePress shop. I also have many other products in my Zazzle shop such as Keds shoes, pet bowls, pet clothing, Binders, keychains and postage stamps.
Please stop by my shops, look around and say hi. Come back often and be sure to tell your friends.
I hope you are able to slow down every now and then and enjoy this beautiful Christmas season.

The Design Style Guide Holiday Giveaway Event

We're doing it again, be sure to enter to win!

DesignStyleGuide have 12 sponsors and that means there will be 12 winners!
Just click on the link above to enter.
Good luck and Merry Christmas!!!

Forever God is Faithful

I want to share with you today what's in my heart. God NEVER fails me, whatever it is that I really need, he always provides it. Whether it's strengh, a kind word from someone, or the courage to do what I need to do. I am always amazed and in awe of his loving kindness.

I don't know if you know this, but I have a muscle weakness called Slow Channel Myasthenia Gravis. I've been doing real well with the medication I am on through the Mayo Clinic. I am a wife, a mother of 2 grown children who are still at home. I am an artist and I work part time (2.5 hours a day) in the lunchroom at an elementary school. I wash the tables after each class finishes so it's clean for the next class on my half of the lunchroom. We have over 1,000 kids in our school. I also make sure there's enough silverware and replenish that. For 2.5 hours I am very busy washing tables.

Now, I've had my ups and downs, and this is the first time that I've been able to do my job where I always wash the tables and not take volunteer kids to help. I've been truly blessed.
This week by the time I am finished, once I get out to my car I can barely catch my breath. I have to sit there to get my breathing back to normal.
Today was tough. I don't know why today seemed so much harder and crazier than other days, but there were times that I had to stop for a minute while washing a table to catch my breath. I haven't had this problem for two years. I'm thinking, how am I going to get through tomorrow, today is only Thursday. If I'm this tired today, I'm going to have to go home and do absolutely nothing but rest to make it through tomorrow. My job is physically hard for me, but I am able to do it.
Then as I am putting the bucket and rags away, my friend Carol, who works on the other side of the lunchroom says, "Have a good weekend, I'll see you next week."
I looked at her and wondered what she was talking about, wasn't she going to come to work tomorrow? Well, she saw the confusion on my face and said, "Don't you know there's no school tomorrow? We have a 3 day weekend."
I didn't know, oh joy! A great big smile broke out on my face, praise God! Here I am so tired and wondering how I'm going to make it through tomorrow, only to find out that I don't work tomorrow, I have the day off. Hallejuia! What a gift, it's exacly what I need. I just started laughing with joy and am so thankful. Then a bit later I got tears in my eyes, because only my Jesus knows what I need before I even know. He is always faithful to get me through whatever lies ahead.
I know these are tough times for so many of us, but when I put my eyes on Jesus and praise Him, and stop focusing on the negative, He always either calms the storm, or He calms me.

Print On Demand Greeting Cards

I wanted to share with you a great article about Print On Demand Greeting Cards written by Bobbi Holmes.

Bobbi is a very talented artist on Greeting Card Universe. She has two shops, Lady and Spooky, and Painted Flowers. I fell in love with her cards immediately! Bobbi Holmes has a real talent for creating greeting cards. Check it out and you'll be glad you did. Why buy at a store where your selection is slim, when you have an unlimited selection right at your fingertips?

Bobbi Holmes also has a Zazzle shop

Christmas is coming and she has alot of great and unique items for gifts. Get some shopping done early.

Picking a Pumpkin

Here's a fun little 5x7 oil painting I did for the fall. I just had to put a cute little critter in there. I love wildlife. Will be posted in both my etsy shop and on my website soon.

this is a pic of me and my dog Dusty. He wasn't too cooperative on posing with me, but this one came out ok. He's a sweetie, and when he wants to eat he starts to talk. It sounds like he's saying 'I love you' with a lot of grunts in there.
Hope you are having a wonderful weekend.
The sun finally decided to come out today, yah!!!
Tonight is my 25 Class reunion. I can hardly believe it. Think people will have aged somewhat? It's funny how we always imagine people how they were when we last saw them.
hugs,
Brenda

Rhino's

My Rhino painting is being featured in a blog post by Betsy Seeton about the illegal poaching of black rhinos. Did you know that their numbers went down from 65,000 in 1973 to a mere 2,300 in 1993? I'm not sure what their numbers are today. I still have alot to learn.

Betsy Seeton is a Private Investigator/Writer/Activist/Artist, and has a website about Ending Animal and Human Trafficing, http://livehonestly.com

On a lighter side, if you like chipmunks and ground squirrels, you have to take a look at this.

Her photos and blog of the little critters are adorable and really made my heart feel light.

This is a direct quote from Betsy's blog. "It's hard to even express how something so small is so delightful. People see birds everyday. Why or how could that be special? But it was. It is. It's okay that others might not get it. Experiencing it is enough. Just thought I'd try and share -- maybe plant a seed. Maybe remind you to go a little slower sometimes. Maybe then you'll begin to notice the smaller , simpler, joyful things in your own life and it'll add some good stuff the way it does to mine."

This is quoted from the last paragraph on this page of her site.

This is also one of the reasons that I paint.

I wish more people could take her advice and do this. I do not know what or how Betsy believes, but if you add to this, Faith in Jesus Christ and a personal relationship with him, life is worth living.

Follow Your Heart

I did another abstract yesturday, an 8x10. This one I am calling Follow Your Heart. As I was working on it I noticed a heart shape in there, so I defined it a bit more. I used my palette knife for the first time, and really had fun with it. I'm using some colors that I don't often use, such as the yellow, orange and red.
You wouldn't believe how many times I've wanted to paint so bad, but since I didn't have anything planned, or an idea I could not. Now it's so great knowing I can do an abstract during those 'must paint' feelings. I love getting the paint on the canvas and cover all that white!

I also worked on Hearts Cry a bit more and defined the heart and tear drops more, and changed other areas that I didn't like.

I hope you've enjoyed looking at my first two abstracts as much as I enjoyed painting them. Looks like I'll have to add a new category on my website for them. They will soon be posted at my etsy shop and website.

You can follow me on facebook, and I'd love it if you became my fan .

I am also on Twitter.

Until next time,

Be safe always, and have a great day!

Love,

Brenda

Abstract

This piece I am calling Heart's Cry. My first real attempt at abstract. I just needed to get something out, something unplanned that just flowed from within. So I put my Hoku cd in and this is what I ended up with. Sometimes, even if we seem to have it together, if we don't take the time to communicate with God, the one who will always love us, you can come to a loss, a tearing of the heart...my Heart's Cry.

This is 12x16 oil on stretched canvas with the sides painted as a continuation of the painting, so no frame needed.

I thought it was about time I showed you what I've done in my studio. That floor lamp was my parents, probably back in the 50's. I removed the ugly shade and this works great for lighting up my studio. I still haven't moved alot of my stuff in here yet, I want to keep it clean...atleast for a little while. Most of the drawyers are still empty, but I know that will soon change.

This is another treasure, my painting table. I grew up with this table, and I just love it. It has alot of meaning to me, and yes, it is blue.

Here's my easle. I am really enjoying it. It is a true blessing.

Beneath the table is an old black metal book rack that I grew up with until it was replaced with something newer, and this baby was banished to the basement. It now has a use again.

In the drawyers is now where I keep my oil paints. Very handy.

Peggy''s Cove

My daughter wanted me to do this painting for her of Peggy's Cove. This is an 8x10 oil painting, reference photo by my daughter, Jessica Thour.

You can find some of my paintings, pendants and magnets at my etsy shop. I would love it if you became my friend on facebook and my fan on facebook also.

Follow me on twitter.

Check out my zazzle store and CafePress shop.

My New Easel

Ever since I started painting, I've been using a table. For the past year I have wanted to get a floor easle and the other day I went on craigslist and found this beauty for an awesome price. Yesturday I went and got it and I already did my first painting on it.

The easel is a beautiful cherry wood and has two drawers. Good for both small and large paintings.

Yes, I use old clean holey socks for my painting rags. Don't tell my husband, but I am never sad when he gets a hole in his socks. : )

Here is the first painting I did on my easel. It is entitled Purple Petals, and is done as a gift for my foster daughter as a house warming gift. She will be moving into an apartment with a couple of friends and is very excited about it. She has been living with us for two years, and has now graduated from Highschool, will be starting college and ready to start the next chapter of her life.

For the last two years I have been using part of my living room as my studio to paint, and even though I am sad to see her go, I am very happy for her and I will be getting my studio back. She promises to visit. I certainly will have no problem turning my studio back into her room if she changes her mind and wants to come back home.

DSG giveaway #4 featuring Joan from 'thegifthutch'

Visit Here to enter