Hudson

Hudson Armstrong. Perhaps one of the most highly sought after models in the city. Less experienced photographers tend to shy away from him though. He's pretty high maintenance. He insists on being able to make whatever faces he feels like. He travels with an entourage of found sticks and rocks, a following that seems to grow as the photo shoot progresses. And he's pricey-- one large chocolate chip cookie for every 30 minutes of work. But he's worth it, is he not?

Here's a few shots from our Over The Rhine photo shoot yesterday. Hudson is sporting the first thing I ever crocheted. I'd like to say I've improved since then but the imperfections in my most recent project say otherwise. Ohhh well. It's just for fun : )





Hope you have a great weekend! Crafting, cleaning, baking, designing, and a walk to the coffee shop are on the list for today. But they might be trumped by a long afternoon nap with this little guy.

Arian

Free Gift Tags...And Stay Tuned

I'm bringing back last year's gift tags as a freebie. Click on the image above for the larger version, then drag or right click to save to your computer. Print and attach to all your beautifully wrapped gifts. (Just don't sell it and make billions of dollars....or if you do sell it and make billions of dollars, drop me an email and let me know how you did it!)

Gift-wise, we're trying to stay true to the message of this video (watch it, it's short and awesome---just like Jude). We're hoping to spend less, give more homemade gifts and share experiences this year, spending a big chunk of our budget on just traveling and being with family. Good stuff.

I just added a print version of that live painting I did a little while back. So hop on over to the shop if you're interested.

Also, STAY TUNED to the blog over the next few weeks. There are going to be some "Blog Readers Only" specials in the the shop that will only be advertised here-- we're talkin free prints and such! So stick around!

On today's schedule: working on the book, lots of organizing, and family movie night. I've been in the mood to bring back some beautiful, artsy films that I haven't seen in a while.



Like this one (on the docket for tonight),



this one

and this one.

Soooo pretty. That's probably the best thing about the time change and the days being shorter--I don't feel bad about calling it a night at 6:30pm, putting on pajamas, and crafting to a good movie.

Alright, back to work!

Arian : )

Prints Available

I spent some much needed time alone in (one of) my favorite coffee shops this morning...just me, my journal, the Word, some Owl City in the ipod, and a soy latte, (and a mumble, mumble..chocolate chip scone...mumble, mumble). Good stuff. A lot to process these days so it's good to have a small chunk of time to sort out my thoughts. (And I find a little dose of morning chocolate helps clear the mind).



Just added some prints to the shop. I think the owl is one of my favorites. Don't usually hang up my own work but I think I might have to make an exception.



Gotta run and get the boys. Hope you're having a good one!

Arian : )

Most Awesomest Fall Weekend

The weather this weekend was peeeeerfect! Hope it was just as lovely in your neck of the woods! Full of family, fall, sunshine, and long walks....and lots and lots of smiles.







And, in case you haven't heard, soft black is the new medium light brown. Several of us ladies had a good ole' fashioned wine, treats, and hair party courtesy of my sister and her mad, self-taught hair styling skillz. Thanks, Andrea!

I think I'm liking the new look : )
Here's wishing you a cozy, Sunday evening!

Arian : )

I'd Like to Thank...

Bose for the nose cancellation headphones that allow Daniel to work from home. (Cause there's some serious noise canceling that has to go on some times around here.)

Trader Joe's for the delicious and easy bread mixes that enable me to maintain my facade as a "good homemaker" ; )
Flickr for all the umbrella inspiration

"Rain"
acrylic on canvas
14"x18"

aaand Canon for cameras with tight focuses. I can just blur that pile of clothes on the bed right out .

Happy Friday!
Arian : )

New Painting!

"Under the Weather"
14"x18"
acrylic on canvas

Busy week! Here's one of the pieces I finished for the show that opens next week at A.R.T. here in Cincinnati. The opening is November 13, 6:00-9:00 at 506 Wyoming Ave. Cincinnati, OH if you're local! You can read a bit more here.

The show is called "A Few of My Favorite Things" and all my pieces are umbrella themed. What can I say, I love umbrellas!


Here's a little close up for ya.

More on the way!

By the way, I added a little "What's Inspiring Me Right Now" section to there right ( look! ----> ). Just a little rotating list of the images and sounds that are fueling my creativity at the moment. Enjoy!

Arian : )

An Armstrong Halloween

We had a great Halloween in Daniel's home town-- family, big oak trees, piles of crunchy leaves, hot apple cider, parades of little superheros and princesses up and down the streets. The good stuff.
Jude "my head is too large to wear the hat portion of my costume" Armstrong

I realized while going through all my photos of the weekend that I didn't get many of Hudson. But it's hard to catch a ninja.

Nana (she's a good witch) and Jude

I've got a show that opens next week so this week is all about painting, painting, and painting. If all goes well, I'll have 5 new pieces to show you before the week's end.

Hope your week is off to a great start and, remember, pace yourself with all that Halloween candy.