Friday, May 17, 2013

Paper and Poetry


"Windswept 4"
acrylic and collage on paper
8" x 8"

It's a warm and a breezy afternoon here in Boulder. My studio door is open, Maisie is laying in front of it...soaking in fresh air and listening to distant bird songs and dog barks. Seems like winter is a long lost dream now.


After the Winter

Some day, when trees have shed their leaves
     And against the morning’s white
The shivering birds beneath the eaves
     Have sheltered for the night,
We’ll turn our faces southward, love,
     Toward the summer isle
Where bamboos spire the shafted grove
     And wide-mouthed orchids smile.

And we will seek the quiet hill
     Where towers the cotton tree,
And leaps the laughing crystal rill,
     And works the droning bee.
And we will build a cottage there
     Beside an open glade,
With black-ribbed blue-bells blowing near,
     And ferns that never fade.

~Claude McKay


Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Paintings on Paper


"Windswept 3"
acrylic and collage on paper
8" x 8"

This is the third painting on paper in the Windswept series. I'm really enjoying working on paper for a change...and on some smaller pieces.

I've been preoccupied lately with designing a new website too...I'm using SquareSpace.com. Have you heard about them? I really like what I've seen...simple and clean templates, stylish and contemporary at the same time. The best part is that I will be able to incorporate my website, blog, gallery and Etsy shop all in one place. Easier to use...easier to update. Check them out!

We've gone straight from winter to summer here in Boulder...high 80's today. Might have to get Maisie's kiddie pool out. Wait a minute...I'm not done with spring yet!



Wednesday, May 01, 2013


8" x 8" acrylic and collage on canvas
2013

Here's the sister painting to "Windswept"which you can see if my previous blog post. This one is also available in my Etsy shop here.

A friend turned me on to the daily online "Writer's Almanac" recently. Check it out...it has some fantastic poetry and other juicy good tidbits.


Friday, April 26, 2013

New works on paper


"Windswept"
Acrylic and Collage on Paper
8"x 8" 
2013

I'm starting on a new series of Abstracts on Paper (8" x 8" format). Having a lot of fun with them! Paper has such a different feeling than canvas and I think switching the ground you work on is good for variety and new experiences.

I just listed this one in my Etsy shop here.

Have a great weekend!



Monday, April 22, 2013

Imagine a beautiful world


"Imagine"
12" x 13" acrylic and collage on canvas
April 2013


PURE IMAGINATION

Come with me and you'll be
In a world of pure imagination
Take a look and you'll see
Into your imagination

We'll begin with a spin
Trav'ling in the world of my creation
What we'll see will defy
Explanation

If you want to view paradise
Simply look around and view it
Anything you want to, do it
Want to change the world, there's nothing to it

There is no life I know
To compare with pure imagination
Living there, you'll be free
If you truly wish to be

 ~ Roald Dahl


Tuesday, April 16, 2013

New Painting and Museum Visit


"Room to Grow"
16" x 16" acrylic on canvas
2013

Here's a new painting, just finished...a little different palette used than in the last few pieces.

James and I went to the Clyfford Still Museum in Denver recently and loved it. The current exhibition is  Red/Yellow/Blue which displays Still's interest in using primary color in many of his works. I was really drawn to this one in his yellow series. Beeeeeautiful!


You can read more about Clyfford Still's life and work on the museum blog here.


Wednesday, February 20, 2013

A Landscape it is!


"Let it Rest"
10" x 12" acrylic on canvas
soon to be available on Etsy


Just finished this painting today. The funny thing about it...is that after I had completed work on it the other day, James came into the studio when I wasn't there and turned it upside down. He said it looked like a really interesting landscape and he liked it that way.

After looking at it again, I tended to agree so I continued to work on it in the position he left it. I started out with such a different intention with this piece but my husband gently nudged me in a new direction. The magic of art making...I love it when things like that happen!




Thursday, February 07, 2013

New Painting


"Crossroads"
6" x 6" acrylic and collage on board

New painting just finished yesterday...working on a smaller surface this time.

I'm heading to California for a few days to see family. I'll be back in the studio at the end of next week, looking forward to finishing up some other new works to show you!

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Tongue Tied Tuesday


"Somewhere Between"
12" x 24"
Acrylic and Collage on Canvas


Wednesday, January 09, 2013

New Year New Start


"Cool of the Night"
30" x 30" acrylic and collage on canvas
One of the paintings I completed after the Bloom True e-course

Here we go...off to a New Year full of possibility!

I didn't quite make it back to the blog in September as I had hoped to. Let's just say that 2012 was a very challenging year so my work had to take a back seat for most of it. I've started to paint again though so I hope 2013 is filled with creative joy, health and happiness. It's nice to be back!

I'm a little late in posting this but...I did manage to take an e-course with Flora Bowley a couple of months ago. I wanted to challenge myself with some new techniques and learn from the experiences of other Artists. It was a great few weeks of exploration. Flora is an inspiring teacher...so try one of her e-courses if you need a creative boost! Check out her Bloom True Facebook page too.


Tuesday, August 14, 2012


Back in September!

Monday, February 06, 2012

Guest Curator

Hello...and good Monday morning! Head on over to Crescendoh.com, a fantastic site for all things creative... run by the wonderfully talented, Jenny Doh. I am a Guest Curator there this week so I will be spotlighting other Artists and Blogs that inspire me. Hope they inspire you too!

Monday, January 16, 2012

New in 2012

"The Dwelling Place"
acrylic and collage on canvas
30" x 30"

Have to admit that I've been taking quite a bit of time away from blogging. I decided I needed to concentrate more on painting and less on posting. I always find that I'm more creative and productive when I do that. I seem to need those blocks of time to float above the technical world.

Here's my first painting of 2012. I have three more in the works so hope to be able to show you those soon. May be revamping and moving my blog as well. Not sure exactly what and when so I'll surprise you!

Hope you're all doing well and loving the New Year so far!

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

When life gives you lemons...

"Lemons on Red Plate"

My Lemons made it into an Etsy Treasury today. I love the burst of yellow color in all of the selections. Thank you, Arlene and Yakira! Here is the print on wood reproduction on Etsy.

In my last post, I mentioned that I had some news for you? I'm honored to have been invited to display my work at "9th Avenue Collection" in Denver. It's an antique and design center that showcases several Colorado Artists along with beautiful furniture, sculpture, and other treasures of design. If you're in the area...stop by and browse around...it's a great place for Christmas gifts!

Hope you're all enjoying the holidays...and not getting too frazzled in the process!

Monday, November 28, 2011

Free Shipping on Etsy!

"Last One From The Tree"
7" x 12" acrylic on canvas
available in my Etsy Shop here

Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving out there. We had a really nice few days. My Dad was in town and it was so great to be able to spend some time with him. James cooked Thanksgiving dinner and it...was...awesome!

News from the Abby Creek Etsy Shop...shipping within the U.S. is free on all artwork until December 1st. All you have to do is use Code FREESHIP when you check out. I also just relisted my painting, "Last One From The Tree" with a special holiday price.

Back soon with some great exhibit news! Have a great Monday!

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

New SNIPPETS - prints on wood

I'm starting to create new "Snippets" from some of my recent abstract paintings. I have a lot of fun with these compositions. They also give me ideas for new paintings. I'll be adding a few more to the Etsy shop soon...just in time for holiday shopping. Art is always a great gift!

From the painting, "Safe Haven"
8" x 8" x 1.5" canvas print on wood
available here on Etsy


From the painting, "Beyond the Glass"
8" x 8" x 1.5" canvas print on wood
available here on Etsy

Friday, November 11, 2011

Art Unleashed

"Beyond the Glass"
24" x 36" acrylic and collage on canvas

Finally got a good photograph and a title for my recently finished painting. Might have to make a couple of snippets out of this one! You can email me here if you're interested in purchasing it. It will also be available on Etsy soon.

Have a great Monday!

Monday, November 07, 2011

New work!

"Safe Haven"
16 x 16 acrylic and collage on canvas
Available here on Etsy

I'm still here! Recently made a few changes to the blog...and listed this new painting today. Let me know what you think!

Hope you're all doing well! Back soon...

Friday, September 23, 2011

Inspiration Visits!


Happy Friday to you! Just finished this painting today so it's hot off the easel. I haven't yet decided on a title...ideas are starting to form though. The size of the painting is 24" x 36". I'll have a decent photo of it to show you soon.

I worked and worked and then worked some more on this painting. Finally, inspiration came! My work seems to be turning a new corner so we shall see where it leads. It's exciting when that happens!

Hope you have a beautiful first weekend of Fall!

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

New and Blue



"Dream in Blue"
16" x 16" 
acrylic and collage on canvas
available for sale on Etsy    

Time is flying by and I have been a blog slacker! Seems like with Facebook, Twitter and Blogger...it's sometimes difficult to give full-attention to all three. Anyone else having that problem...or is it just me? :) Hmmm...new interface on Blogger too.


I'm presently working on a new large canvas painting but it's still building a personality. Hopefully, I can finish it this week to show you.

Hope you're doing well out there and enjoying the beginnings of Fall!

Friday, August 26, 2011

Dogs and Poetry

Here's Miss Maisie, on duty in front of my studio this morning. This is one of her many favorite sidesaddle poses.

I'm working on two abstracts right now but won't have them finished until I return from my second trip of the month to California. James is coming with me this time...we'll be helping my Mom again with some things around the house and property, including taking care of the queen of the farm, Lulu the cow.

I'll leave you for now with this awesome poem from Delights and Shadows. See you soon...maybe while I'm there I will post some pics of beautiful Petaluma!

A Box of Pastels

I once held on my knees a simple wooden box
in which a rainbow lay dusty and broken.
It was a set of pastels that had years before
belonged to the painter, Mary Cassatt,
and all of the colors she'd used in her work
lay open before me. Those hues she'd most used,
the peaches and pinks, were worn down to stubs,
while the cool colors - violet, ultramarine -
had been set, scarcely touched, to one side.
She'd had little patience with darkness, and her heart
held only a measure of shadow. I touched
the warm dust of those colors, her tools,
and left there with light on the tips of my fingers.

~Ted Kooser

Thursday, August 18, 2011

New Abstract

"Stepping Stones"
16" x 16" acrylic and collage on canvas

Here's a new abstract that finally came together after lots and LOTS of layering. I'm not complaining though...layering gives my work a more interesting texture and depth.

I've been struggling to get painting time in lately. Lots of health issues going on with my Mom so I will be flying out to California again in a week to help her with things.

Hope to be able to keep in touch more often on this blog, Facebook and Twitter soon. Hang in there with me!

Hope you've all been doing well!

Monday, August 01, 2011

New work!

"By an Open Window"
24" x 24" acrylic and collage on canvas

Just completed this new painting. I'm almost finished with another one so hope to show you that soon. I'm thinking this piece will be part of a new series, but I'm not sure what I want to call the series yet. I think the words will come as I keep painting.

I had to take my show down at My Sweet Bakery yesterday. It was sad to see the bare walls...but I'm happy that another Artist will be able to show her work there next. The Owner, Kelly, took a few pictures when my work was up and you can see them here on My Sweet Bakery's Gallery page.

So after packing up the artwork...James and I drove home with a car load of paintings...and a big box of pastry which we have almost entirely consumed (licking almond paste off fingers). If you live in Denver...get thyself to this place...their pastry tastes like the pastry in Paris!

Friday, July 22, 2011

Paris Sizzle

Street at Night in Paris

I love this shot that James took of a beautiful street at night in Paris. One of the things I loved about the trip was there were so many people out walking late at night. Even at 11-12:00pm, lots of people were sitting in outdoor cafes, walking around with friends...and just enjoying the night lights of the city.

I love Paris in the summer, when it sizzles.” - Cole Porter

Have a fun weekend and create a little sizzle of your own!

Thursday, July 21, 2011

Ahhh, Paris!



Returned from Paris late last Friday, the 15th. What an incredible trip! I'm back in body but I don't think my mind and spirit have landed on American soil just yet!

Next week, I will be up and running in full work mode. For now, I'm easing back into reality and dreaming about a week of beautiful sights and memories.

In the meantime...here are a few photos I hope you enjoy. See you soon!

Paris rocks!

View from our apartment in the Saint Germain


One of the my favorite gardens at Versailles


Sculpture at the Luxembourg Gardens


Brunch feast at Un Dimanche A' Paris