Leanne Wildermuth : Artist by Nature » Life, Love, and Critters

Life, Love, and Critters – of course!

Doodles and Paintings, and Stuff.

November

2006

Well, he’s not very good at math, but at least he knows his ABC’s, eh?

I’m still here, finishing up a project so that I can get out into the studio and stay there for the next month. I had considered having a special, which would have just been a specific size (small) at a specific price, but looking at my current painting schedule and the time left before Christmas, I’d really be pushing it to add more than just a couple more paintings or portraits before the holidays. It would be great to paint a dog or two since I have two more cat paintings sketched and waiting, so they’re 3 to 1 now. I’m adding a new subject to my gallery this year, too. I’ll get those sketches up here for you to see soon! I’m anxious to clear my design queue and reconnect with my brushes and oils.

For those of you who are thinking about commissioning me to paint a custom portrait (of anything) by Christmas – drop me an e-mail and I’ll get you scheduled before I am completely booked. I’ll offer an 8×8 canvas panel at a discounted price just for those last couple of openings.

First come, first serve – and I’ll paint right up until the 18th of December to get everything done, dry and shipped in time.

Boy – this year is almost over. I just can’t believe how fast it has gone!

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Filed under: Chit Chat, Doodles, Home n' Hearth

Clowning Around with the PB&J

November

2006

Okay folks, I need some help. I found myself hesitating this morning when whipping up a doodle for my girls sandwich bags. I get big puppy dog eyes when my doodles aren’t spunky enough to giggle with the classmates over, so I’d really appreciate some suggestions! I’ll post pics of any ideas that wind up getting bagged. heheh. Get it? Bagged.

(I crack myself up, at least.)

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Filed under: Doodles, Home n' Hearth

ReviewMe!

November

2006

And along comes ReviewMe, a neat opportunity for bloggers to make some cash on the side just for having an opinion!

ReviewMe just launched, and of course I didn’t just climb on board, I shoved and pushed my way through the line. Actually, it was easy schmeazy to sign up, and within moments I had an account and my first review. If you’re reading this, then you should know I’m getting paid to review ReviewMe. This is a paid advertisement – but it sure as heck doesn’t seem that way, does it? As a blogger, you can make anywhere from $20 – $200 per post. Not bad, eh?

From ReviewMe:

Bloggers: Get paid to review services and Web sites that are of interest to your readers, and reap the benefits of conversation with advertisers.

Advertisers: Get your service or Web site reviewed by bloggers, gaining your site traffic, invaluable feedback, and word of mouth buzz.

Do you have a blog? Go on and sign up. It’s that easy to make a few bucks with your blog. Really.

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Filed under: Chit Chat

Poor Faith

November

2006

I was watching the CMA’s the other night and I did catch the Female Vocalist of the Year announcement, so I did see this “live”. I knew she was ticked off, but honestly didn’t think it would become such an “issue”. Was I surprised? Sure, I thought she was a great role model – but nobody’s perfect, we all act like idiots from time to time – right? Dang if there aren’t a ton of people having a cow about this vid – I actually had to laugh – and I’m glad to see something real.

Now that the Be Just Like Faith Because She’s So Perfect bubble has burst, what’s left?

Regular, normal, everyday life. That’s what. Cussing at idiot drivers. Being ticked off when you don’t win something and thought you would. Having a temper, upset feelings or negative emotions in general. Trying to remember not to display any of that when there’s a camera pointed right in your face, or a blogger around.

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Filed under: Chit Chat, Video Entertainment

One Helluva Furcut

November

2006

Here’s our Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier, Tucker, before his first furcut. As you can see, he’s quite the leaf and dirt magnet in this picture, and he looks like a pretty plump pup. Really, he’s not, it’s an illusion created by massive amounts of long fur that is really as soft as a down pillow.

I know, he’s so cuuuuuuuuuuute! Yeah. He is. (grumble grumble… don’t even bring up the 3 disgusting gross happenings in his kennel on the ride to the groomer yesterday. ugh.)

After a few hours at the groomers, I had a nice time chilling out (and coded up a little bit of a project that I’ll be finalizing today so I can get back to my freshly reorganized studio) – and when I picked him up I was absolutely thrilled with his new “doggie do”. This is what Wheaties should look like! He’s quite handsome now, and the whole event seemed to chill him out, too.

Awwwwwwww…..

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Filed under: Chit Chat, Home n' Hearth, Our Little Wheatie

Things That Are Fattening : My Husband

November

2006

Yes, it’s true. Hanging out with my husband will make you fat.

(Sorry, Honey.)

Since my hubby was promoted, he works from home a little more often than he used to. This has its ups and downs.

My husband has a beautiful, wonderful soul and would lop of his right ear if I told him I really needed it in order to make dinner. He accepts me for who I am, who I’ve become over the 17 years we’ve been together, and that includes every little fat cell that’s expanded and contracted over the years. He’s quite the perfect husband, really. I couldn’t ask for more.

He’s a planner, and he always has been. When it comes to meals, that is.

For example. Let me set the scene. 10AM on a Saturday, I walk through the kitchen and notice there are two packages of chicken breasts thawing in the sink. It’s 10AM. Time to think about dinner already? (He’s getting late in his old age, this sort of thing used to occur at 8AM.)

Me, I try to avoid thinking about food. If I think about it for a half a second, my glands get all salivaty and I’m digging through the fridge. No, I don’t like that at all.

You can imagine then at Noon, when he started clanking around with dishes and marinade and smelling up the house with a restaurant worthy concoction, what my stomach was saying. Yep, you got it.

It’s like that around here – two of us were born with metabo-booster cells, two of us weren’t.

I’m all comfortable and in “who cares” mode, because really – he’ll love me anyway, so why count calories, right? Five mini-butterfingers from the kids halloween candy dishes? Got ’em. Walnut fudge brownies? Check. Want to go to the buffet? I’ll get my purse! Stop eating after one serving? Oh, no. What for?

But. This is the wierd part. The second he leaves for work – I’ll hop on the scale, realize the err of my ways, and grab my water bottle and turkey sandwich. I’ll pick up a tub of nonfat cottage cheese and a spoon for afternoon snacking. I’ll have a lowfat yogurt for breakfast. I’ll stop after one latte and drink my coffee black. I sit down, focus, and get a whole bunch of work done.

Seriously. Being around that man is like having a “free food” pass at Disney.

It’s alllll fun and games until I burst right out of my Levi’s. You know what I mean?

(please tell me you know what I mean.)

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Filed under: Chit Chat, Home n' Hearth

Kids, Moms & Art

November

2006

(they can be played at www.auryn.com)Last night, the girls and I snuggled up on the couch with some popcorn and these two short stories about two very wonderful artists, Van Gogh and Monet. I wanted to watch them together so that I could see how they responded to the stories, if they held their interest, and find out exactly what their interest is in art and art history.

Catybug (10) has mentioned on several occasions the desire to be an art teacher. Of course I was more curious to know what she would take away from these than Chickeymonkey, who was in it I’m sure for the animation.

If you’ve got young kids and want to expose them to art, I highly recommend these DVD’s. The animation was nothing that I expected – because I’m used to typical animation. This, however, was not typical. It’s a touch of Pixar, a bit of “What Dreams May Come” (POP Film), and narrated by a soothing voice. These were very literally (and appropriately coined) Painted Tales.

“Auryn is a unique combination of technology and creativity. Our image synthesists and designers have worked tirelessly together to create the next generation of animation tools that allow us to bring life to painted worlds as never before.”

Each of the stories were animated in each artists painterly style, which made the whole thing so much more interesting – especially for the girls. Swirls of paint moved around the screen and made them so visually interesting, neither of the girls looked away. They’re both short stories – and for some reason we were caught off guard when they ended, like we didn’t want them to end so soon.

Catybug really enjoyed the Van Gogh story – because it was told from the perspective of a young girl (Marguerite). That one is inspired by O. Henry’s classic short story, “The Last Leaf”. She really identified with that one. Me, I was sniffling at the end of Monet’s story – probably because it was sweet and inspirational, and as an artist I’ve always identified more with Monet than Van Gogh. Chick liked them both, and liked both stories.

Both of the girls, of course, are used to having a lot of artsy things around them. I teach them the things that I know – but I am not an Art History buff by any means. These were neat not just for them, but for me, too!

You can order DVD’s or just download them to your PC and burn them yourself – either way they’re just a few bucks, you can go here to view short clips of each story and pick them up for your kids (or yourself)!

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Filed under: Hahaha! That's Funny., Home n' Hearth

Hoot – Hoot!

November

2006

Aside from the pumpkin carving contest – there has been a bunch of stuff going on around here, I just haven’t had a chance to blog it. Let me recap the last week or so and get you all caught up!

1. New privacy fence installed. Installed? Built? Whatever the word is, our home is now wrapped up in big beautiful fencing and we love it.

2. New garage door installed. This is so cool. Press the button, the door opens. Press it again, it closes. WoOt! (I’m so easily amused.)

3. Teeth cleaned. OMG. Hygenists are totally out to prove a point. Their point? “I own your mouth while you’re in this chair. Hold still, and quit being a baby.” I don’t even feel remotely close to being qualified to audition as the new Orbit girl. This adventure was. not. memorable.

4. Photo shoot for a custom dog portrait. I’ll be painting a gorgeous yellow lab in a few weeks, and I got to spend a lot of time with Katie (the dog) photographing her. She’s an energetic gal, and she’s beautiful – and I’m excited to paint her portrait. Her eyes are gorgeous, her coat is rich and creamy, and the poses I captured are just perfect and will make for a stunning portrait painting.

5. I cleaned the studio roof and skylights. You should know I’m afraid of heights – but there’s a leak in my studio and no man (ahem) has been able to figure it out. Even after having the section re-roofed. So up I went, jittery knees and all, and I found the leak. I think. We’ll know for sure after the next downpour!

6. I’ve been working on a blog design (through EW), and hope to have that launched by the end of this week.

7. My Coon painting was selected by someone for something very cool. I’ll fill you in more on that later – but I do need to prepare some things for it, so I’ll be working on that and making a more formal announcement soon.

8. I’ll be working on a small cat portrait over the next several days, too. She’s beautiful!

9. I’ll also begin a medium sized portrait of a sweet black Scottie as soon as my supply order arrives, you’ll see a sketch on canvas over the next several days as well.

10. I just sent out another print of my Award Winning Peacock – a gentleman saw it hanging in the Museum and had to have a print. I do enjoy printing that one – it lights up my eyeballs every single time. I still need to get over there and get pics of it with its awards. It’ll be on display through November 19th. 🙂

I think that’s it for now – the kids are great, they’re still diggin’ their Sandwich Bag Doodles and Chickeymonkey is on some sort of learning fast track right now and will not tell us where her “slow down button” is. Her off button kicks on between 8:30 and 9:00 pm, but other than that she’s like a speed reader who can’t quite read yet and is also on crack. Good Lord. She wants to spell everything, count everything, make blends, sound things out, ask me questions, eat, drink and be merry all within 5 minutes of eachother. Tack on the 5 year old whiney pouty big brown eyed alligator tears every time things don’t go her way – and my head is going to essplode.

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Filed under: Chit Chat, Doodles