Inside the Studio
My studio is a tiny beautiful room filled with light, views of the river and history. It’s a quiet nook in my house just for me to create. This journal is a place for me to document past collections and for you to step inside my studio and see my work in progress. If this interest you be sure to sign up below for my newsletter where I will share journal updates.
Inside “In the Company of Flowers”
…So much of this collection is me. Its parts of my home, my plants, flowers, and my spots. It feels like a glimpse into my days just being “In the Company of Flowers” and all the satisfaction that comes with that simple pleasure.
In January, I was invited by the George Marshall Store Gallery in Southern Maine to be part of a summer exhibit called Cross-Pollination—an exhibition exploring the connection between gardening and art. It felt like a perfect fit, and the concept became the inspiration for my spring collection
As I began working toward the show, the paintings flowed naturally. The concept came easily. I love flowers—growing them, buying them, arranging them. There are always vases (sometimes overflowing and a little over the top) in every room of my house. I also love the vessels that hold them. It was not hard to get inspired. When developing the composition for another painting, I would sometime just think, “What else would I do with flowers?” and then paint.
So much of this collection is me. Its parts of my home, my plants, flowers, and my spots. It feels like a glimpse into my days just being “In the Company of Flowers” and all the satisfaction that comes with that simple pleasure.
This collection is filled with rich colors and textures, elaborate interiors and soft whimsical florals. It’s balanced with both neutral tones and vibrant tones. It has relaxed, quiet ladies enjoying their harvesting and arranging, and admiring their finished work.
Below, I’ve highlighted a handful of the pieces and the inspiration behind each one.
Though I love painting feminine figures and soft florals and these will always remain a theme of mine, it will be a bit before I release a collection so filled with it. I have begun mapping on my next two collections (exciting) drawing away from this theme into some newer territory. So, if ladies and florals are your favorite head over and see whats remaining of this collection!
Busy Busy
It has been a quiet couple months in the studio but a very busy couple months in life. After my “In Bloom” collection this spring, I featured some work in Portland at Botanically Curious for the Art Walk. Some of these paintings…
Hello!
It has been a quiet couple months in the studio but a very busy couple months in life. After my “In Bloom” collection this spring, I featured some work in Portland at Botanically Curious for the Art Walk. Some of these paintings can now be found hanging in Fitz and Bennet Home in Portland, Maine.
Following this, we shifted our focus back to our historic home for a Downeast Feature! This has always been a dream of mine and something I have been working towards since we purchased the house. This house is an equal part of my creative expression and to have it recognized gives me such joy. The house will continue to evolve and be curated and I look forward to sharing more in the future. For now, check out @Tamerlane_House on my Instagram.
After the Downeast shoot my husband and I were off to France for a family wedding. We left the kids behind and spent three days in Paris, one week in Combourg, Brittany for the wedding, visited Saint-Malo for a day and then drove down to Sancerre for a couple days before heading home.
I loved every single moment of my time in France. I love the culture, the history, the simplicity of life and quality of everything. A culture that loves old things, bread and wine as much as I do has my heart.
Every part of France was such a fountain of inspiration, I cannot wait to get back in the studio and share it.
I will be adding some paintings to my website in the next month or two so keep an eye out! Thank you for following along. Here is a handful of photos from our trip and now its time to dive back into the studio for my next collection!
Exploring Nudes
Before I dove into my more expressive series on my moods, I explored nude figure drawings…
Before I dove into my more expressive series on my moods, I explored nude figure drawings. This was really fun. I had never focused on nudes before and there is something really magical and raw about capturing the actual person by their figure. Trying to grasp their mannerisms and what their posture says about them. I am excited for the next round of nude studies.
Winter Drop
Last June I began painting my moods. I painted for growth, with no intention to sell until I was completely finished with my vision. For the first time I wanted to explore an entire cohesive collection rather than the typical paint and sell mindset I had always had. I started with two paintings side by side. One of a sleepy cup of coffee, and a “blissful cosmo lady” as my mom called her. I pushed myself in style, colors and stronger lines trying to get more expressive…
Last June I began painting my moods. I painted for growth, with no intention to sell until I was completely finished with my vision. For the first time I wanted to explore an entire cohesive collection rather than the typical paint and sell mindset I had always had. I started with two paintings side by side. One of a sleepy cup of coffee, and a “blissful cosmo lady” as my mom called her. I pushed myself in style, colors and stronger lines trying to get more expressive.
I fell in love with this concept pretty quickly. After every painting I would think “what else do I love?” and then try to create it. What I did not expect was how much other people would love it or see themselves in my paintings. This was amazing and the reason I think this collection was so successful. It felt festive and quiet at the same time and people connected with “my ladies”.
Come December I had twenty-three paintings and a wonderful network of creatives to help launch my new site and collection.
I sold 50% of my collection in less than two weeks all across the country and another 30% by the end of January. I was approached by a well-known local home goods store to feature my work alongside other amazing artist, (a dream come true) and an alternative gallery to do an exhibition. I was astonished and teary and just so happy at the acceptance of my work. All I could think was “Alright, Lets go!”
So here we go! Stay tuned.
A gallery of sketches and progress shots in my studio.