Painting again

After a four month hiatus, I'm back at the easel and it feels so good. I've had to make adjustments to the way I paint since Jonah needs to be fed every few hours, but I'm learning to be more productive with the limited time that I have. This most recent commission needed to be finished by Mother's Day which fell during Ryan's finals week.
As you can imagine, Ryan didn't have much time to help with Jonah, so my father-in-law, Randy, graciously offered to watch Jonah for a day so that I could get a good start on my painting and so that Ryan could study. Jonah received his two-month shots the day that Randy came up but you wouldn't know it from all the laughs and smiles that Randy (AKA Papa) got out of him! They had fun and were pretty wiped out by the end of the day! =)
This was probably my most challenging portrait to date. My client only had a 2"x3" photo of his deceased grandma (Nana) which presented some challenges as he wanted a 16"x20" painting. Her lazy eye was also problematic but I managed to fix it in photoshop and then in the final painting. I wouldn't say that this is my favorite painting but I certainly grew a lot through the process!

Ashilene is here!

My sister Merilee called Saturday afternoon and told me she was having serious cramps and was thinking it might be the real thing! This was not at all part of her plan for the day (Ashilene was not due for several more days) but Ashilene couldn't wait any longer! Ashilene Maria Rieta was born May 16th at 9:15pm, 7 lbs 8 oz. and 20 1/2 inches long. Merilee and Rojohn have waited a long time for this angel to join their family and I know they will be fantastic parents. I am so happy that we don't live too far away so that Jonah will get to know his precious cousin! Congratulations Merilee and Rojohn! We are so happy for you and will see you very soon!

Jonah and his Pacifier

Jonah really finds his pacifier comforting, especially when going to sleep. Often if he's really tired and getting fussy we put him in his bouncer, pop in the pacifier, and his whole body seems to relax. This can be helpful if he falls right to sleep. But if he isn't quite tired enough, the pacifier can actually keep him awake longer. Just when he's on the verge of sleep, his pacifier will fall out and he gets really upset! I've often thought, "If only he could figure out how to pop it back in!" In this clip he's napping on the couch and you'll see that he gets pretty close to figuring it out! (And you can see the love he has for his pacifier!)

Pay it Forward

I know I've been a complete blog slacker! This game will help me find out if anyone is still checking my blog! I copied this from my friend Jessica's blog and I already have a fun gift idea so you should play! Pay it FORWARD--How it works: The FIRST THREE people to leave a comment on this post will receive at some point during this year a handmade gift from me. What it will be and when it will arrive will be a total surprise--to both of us. The CATCH is that YOU MUST PLAY TOO! Before you leave your comment here, write a pay it forward post on your blog to keep the fun going (you can cut and paste these instructions). Then come back and let me know that you are going to play, and sit back and anticipate the arrival of your gift. It's THAT easy! Remember, only the FIRST THREE comments will qualify. Good luck!