Cathy's Corner

I have an absolutely wonderful client!  The kind of person, as an artist, you can only dream about.  We have been working together for just about a year now on tons of projects.  She LOVES my work and I am forever grateful for that. The best thing about Cathy is that she always, and I mean always, gives me the artistic license to do whatever I want.  I try to nail her down on a basic color scheme, but other than that she says,  "I completely trust you!  My husband says, 'when you find someone who knows what they're doing, just move out of their way and let them do their thing.' So, I'm getting out of your way."

 Totally LOVE her!

SO, I'm going to start by sharing some of the smaller pieces I did for her, then share the largest piece (or shall I say a set) I've ever done. First off was a pair of very old, very worn out school desks.

 Both desks were extremely worn out.  I had to sand them and prime them several times.  The marker/ink/sharpie on the top kept bleeding through.  But after 3 coats of primer, it seemed pretty much under control.  Although the chairs were greatly worn they did not require as much prep work.

She had another small desk set for me next.  This used to be her mothers (I believe) as a child and she wanted to redo it for her grandchildren.  It was going to be passed on to her son, and first grandson so I stuck to a more masculine feel. Although really the patterns and color choices could have worked in any nursery/playroom.

The next item was for her youngest daughter who was soon to be a teacher.  She had seen a picture on my Facebook page of another reading/teacher chair I had done for another client and wanted one for her daughter.  She had a rocker she found and brought it down to me.

Next was 3 small rocking horses that her father had made for her 3 children when they were little.  With such sentimental value she didn't want to get rid of them now that her children were grown but hated them sitting in the basement too.  So...you guessed it, she brought them to me for a much needed face lift!  I have only had the chance to finish one completely.  The other two were put on hold for the biggest project yet.

Her daughter-in-law loved giraffes and asked if I could incorporate one into the horse someplace, so I did just that, right on the seat.

Now, drum roll please, here is the largest project I have done to date.  A six piece (5 + a cutting block) kitchen/dinning room set.  Again it was her mothers set and she wanted to pass it down to her children, but knew in the state it was in no one would want it.  

First, it was the butcher block.

A choice to do a simple faux finish on the sides with plain robins egg blue, highlighting the checkered door and diamond patterned door was perfect.  I switched out the out dated handles and swapped them out for more rustic, heartier handles.  She didn't want the top painted, so I left it neutral.  This piece would set the stage for the next 5 pieces that followed.

Then came the pedestal.  She kept the top in Rochester with her and had a gentleman refinish the top in just a plain stain and varnish.  The base was a beast.  She didn't like the original pedestal and searched high and low for one that fit just perfectly with the other pieces.  I was thrilled because this one was much more exciting to paint in comparison.

Each piece as it was finished was transported back to Rochester. I had never seen them (only in my head) all together.  BUT yesterday-she sent me a picture of all the items together, set up and ready to welcome guests! I was so excited to see them!

So that's that for now! At least what I've finished. I've still got 2 rocking horses, 2 rockers, one rather large chair and a desk set, plus she's bringing more down this week.  Like I said in the beginning-LOVE THIS LADY!

Please, check out my other social media sites and follow along there if you'd prefer!  I'm on Facebook Instagram and Pinterest!  Loads of creative and colorful quotes, pictures and inspiration! So check it out!

Have an amazing week!

Mary

Grandma's Table: Stephanie's Remake

This is just a quick post on a recent redo I finally finished.  I forgot to take before pictures which KILLS me but I still wanted to share the end result with you.

We are moving into a new, larger studio, which has been so exciting and yet a tad bit overwhelming!  Who knew I had so much stuff.  Our house will finally be our home again and I can't wait.  We are moving into the Delavan Center in Downtown Syracuse.  

I have been taking a lot of pictures and can't wait to share the final reveal with my peeps!

In the mean time please come play with us on Pinterest or keep updated on Face Book!

Aymee & Lynette: A Love Story Remembered

Aymee & Lynette were each other's soul mates.  They met in the early summer of 2006 and felt an immediate connection. Although they faced adversity from outside forces, their union was the blessing they both had been searching for.  

On June 3, five years after they first met, the fun loving ladies were married.  Life was good.  They were inseparable and their union grew everyday.

Then tragedy hit. One day Lynette was riding her motorcycle, and the next day she was lying in a hospital bed fighting for her life.  Aymee was by her side every step of the way.  Despite severe complications Lynette was a fighter and showed signs of recovery.  The road would be long, but Aymee took her vows "in sickness and in health" very serious and would be by her wife's side, loving her through it all. 

Then, again without warning, Lynette was gone and Aymee was left to navigate life without her soul mate.

This past Christmas was the first holiday Aymee would be spending alone.  She reached out to family and friends and asked, if they felt moved, could they send small items that would help her memorialize Lynette.  That's when a mutual friend of ours reached out to me.  She really admired these two ladies and wanted to have me design a personalized gift for them.  After going back and forth on a variety of items, Marcia decided to have me create a memorial table for Aymee & Lynette.

Lynette's favorite colors were hot pink and neon green, so that would be the color pallet.  

Also, they would often say to each other, "Live everyday as if it's a gift.  That's why we call it a present." So this quote had to be incorporated as well.  

Lynette called her bride "sweet pea" and Amyee affectionately referred to Lynette as "babee girl". These would need to be represented too, but most of all she wanted butterflies.  

Aymee felt that butterflies symbolized freedom. 

"Therefor, we are free to love whomever we fall in love with." 

Butterflies would be the focal point.  

With all this beautiful inspiration I started to paint.  As I reflected on the memorial table set before me I couldn't help but feel so sad for Aymee's loss, yet inspired to create a piece that would represent Lynette's love of life, as well as, the love these two women shared.  I was emotionally invested.

The heart with wings is something that came to me one night when I couldn't sleep.  I often will find inspiration during these times.  I felt it was wonderfully symbolic of  Lynette and decided to include it, along with their wedding day.

I think Aymee was touched by her memorial table. 

 I know I was touched by their story. 

I hope you were too.  

I am so honored to be apart of people's lives this way. 

REMEMBER:

"Live everyday as if it's a gift.  That's why we call it a present."