Art For Your Christmas Tree...

...and a shameless plug for my Cafe Press ornaments! Why not brighten up your Christmas holidays with some original art?!? These also make great gifts and stocking stuffers and there are thousands available, not just mine. Most of the designs are available in round or oval and are very colorful! Take a look and may they put you in the holiday spirit!

My Favorite Trees...

I wanted you to see these...they are down the road from our house and every time I drive by them, I just feel good. The vibrant fall colors are astounding and everyone seems to love and talk about them as well. I love how they glow and when I see them, I am so happy Thanksgiving is close as it is my favorite holiday. Enjoy the photos...

I've Created a Monster...

with my husband and his newfound craziness for painting! As promised, here is an image of the painting he was working on in the last post! It's not varnished yet, but it looks really cool! I am totally impressed and happy he is painting with me...it's something he's always wanted to do as I said before...with that comment I will say that he's gone nuts! He's already painted three more (alot smaller!) and he's wanting to go to the canvas store with me - I'm scared - I'm not sure there is enough room in my truck for what he will want to buy! I will keep you posted on how this love affair progresses...

Oh What Fun...

it was to get my hubby Rick and my mom together last week for a morning of painting! Mom and I have done it on numerous occasions, but Rick was off that day and he wanted to join us. He has always wanted to paint but between work and golf getting in the way, he never has gotten around to it until now! He loves art - modern and bold. He was actually an art major for a whole semester in college - didn't like the fact you had to take english, math and other classes as well! Mom and I worked on some small projects but Rick decided for his first painting, to do a 48x48! Jeez...talk about a challenge! Anyway, it was a refreshing way to spend a morning I can tell you. I will post his finished piece as soon as it's finished...he's off this week and is determined to get through...

Google Yourself...

I never thought about doing this until after this March, I started selling my artwork online. That was way before I ever started a blog...didn't really even know what that was at the time. I checked around every once in awhile to make sure my real estate listings were showing as they were supposed to, but that was about it. A month of so after beginning this adventure in online sales, I checked and took up 2 pages...didn't know if that was good or bad, but before that, there was ever only 2 or 3 lines. I looked today (under kellyvanhook, no space) and this was what I saw... Results 1 - 10 of about 2,840 for kellyvanhook. (0.13 seconds)! What a hoot - 2,840 links to me??? That's just too cool...if I hit my name with a space in it, this is what I received: Results 1 - 10 of about 85,300 for kelly vanhook. (0.29 seconds) - now all of these are not me...I'm not a track star that I'm aware of, but I am nestled here in there between them all...you never know who may find you out in the internet world! It's also a good way to make sure your name doesn't come up somewhere it doesn't need to...

My Fab Brothers Strange Request...

to do a painting for him made me laugh! He emailed me one day and said he wanted me to do one for his fabulous new apartment in California. He said he wanted a piece as a tribute to Syd Barrett...I said "who?" - he laughed and said it's the guy from Pink Floyd! Obviously while I was listening to disco in the 70's, he wasn't...I said to him that I can't paint people...he then sent me a photo of an album cover and wanted the floor that was depicted as a painting. I looked up the link and laughed....it's an old wood floor that has been painted and varnished. I have to say, it was cool! My brother has always been the cool one, even though I do like funky, modern design. I did the piece for him and am sticking it in the mail! It's a 30x30 and will hopefully look good. I pray it matches something!!! I am including the album cover photo so you can see who Syd Barrett is too (for those of you that don't know!?!) Hope he likes it in person...

From Unfinished to Sold...

I had some friends pop by the house the other day...they were having a party in their newly redecorated and fabulous, I might add home and needed some artwork...they saw this particular piece that wasn't quite finished and loved it. I had one day to finish it and get it over there so they could hang it in time. Too cool...I rushed around, went and bought some more varnish as I knew I didn't have enough for a 48x60 painting...got home, realized I had bought gloss medium...what a dummy! Needless to say, the paint store was closed and I had to wait to go back first thing the next morning. All's well that ends well...I got it done, they got it hung and it looks beautiful in their living room. I never know how a piece is going to turn out - I just keep going til it's done...this one started as a beachy painting inspired by my girls only trip - didn't like it so I just painted right over it. I've added a couple of photos so you can see what I'm talking about. The ugly "rainbow" is gone and in it's place is a beautiful earthy blue green abstract. There's also a beach photo that reminds me of the painting...I hope you like it...