Two Years Blogging!

After reading Cynthia's post for today, I realized, after checking, that tomorrow is my 2 year blog anniversary! Wow! Time really flies doesn't it?!

Here's a link to my first post;

http://manninglewisstudios.blogspot.com/2005_04_01_archive.html

I had no idea it had been that long!

Another table and record

Positive Energy, acrylic on recycled vinyl LP record

Purple flower handpainted table

Finished this table yesterday and painted another record this morning. Another busy day, no time to write more, but I hope you enjoy the new pics!

Recycled LP Records

Centered, acrylics on recycled LP vinyl record

This idea is not a new one, but a great one! I have to share a little history about myself here so you can understand my connection to vinyl.

My dad is a record collector, has been since, I don't know, the 1950s? Anyway, he has over 25,000 records! 33s, 45s and 78s! I grew up hanging out with him in his "record room", which at one point was nothing more than a big closet. I have fond memories of him introducing me to all kinds of music during the 70s and 80s. He has the top 100 Billboard hits from the 40s thru the early 90s!

I almost feel a little guilty defacing these records after having my dad pound into my head the "correct" way to handle them! However, I've told him my plans and I think he approves. Thanks to my dad for the doubles he had to spare! Hope you like them, dad!

Music has always been a huge thing in my life. I can't remember a time when I didn't listen to music every minute of the day. My brother is a musician. I even married a musician!

So, when I first started seeing recycled vinyl everywhere, I thought what a great idea for my paintings! I have wanted to paint in a round format and the records are perfect for this. They also have a built in hanger with the hole in the middle! This is available in my Etsy shop.

Etsy Collaboration

I am excited to announce that I have started a new collaboration with etsy artist Thecharmlady! (www.thecharmlady.etsy.com) Actually, she's doing all the work, I just contributed my images!

She recently contacted me about putting my art onto her pendants and wham, bam, a day later there are 5 great looking art pendants in her etsy shop! She even gave me my own section! So, check out the link below to see my art pendants! Also, don't forget, I have these images up for sale in my etsy shop! She is selling the pendants in her shop and giving me a percentage of sales! Isn't that cool?!

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=3755&section_id=5084702

I'm busy getting frames together for the new booth on Fourth Street and preparing for the new Neighborhood Market that starts in Downtown Albuquerque on May 12th. If you are in the area, come check it out! You can also find out more about the Market on their website: http://www.theneighborhoodmarket.com/ I am planning to do a feature on the market as soon as I can get around to interviewing the founder, Susana Lucero. Never seems to be enough time in the day!!!

Actually, I have a backlog of people to interview for features on the blog. I haven't forgotten about all you wonderful artists, I will be in touch soon!

I LOVE this time of year!

Spring - 10 x 10" Oil on canvas

Spring is here and the sun is shining! Flowers are beginning to bloom and April showers are here and there. I have lots of pictures to share today! I have been super busy painting everything from canvas to furniture and guitars. Plus there are the first Iris blooms in my front yard!

I have been enjoying the season so much that I haven't been online much lately. I'm so inspired by the flowers and sun that I have spent a majority of my time in the studio and sun room painting like a mad crazy woman. I love being inspired like that, time stands still, I'm in my own little world!

I am VERY CLOSE to finishing my first painted guitar. I also plan to string it up and put some beads on the strings. I figured since it's been a while I would post a brand new progress photo or two. I also finished a canvas that has been half done for months and a new daily painting. Even though there is only one daily to post, I have been painting everyday on all my other projects.

I am starting to map out my show schedule for the year and just sent my application in for my booth at the NM State Fair. I'm considering doing a show called GO! that is in downtown Albuquerque at the end of September. I did that show the first year they held it, back in 2003 I believe. The only problem with that show is it is the first weekend after the Fair. Which basically means I will be sitting a booth with my art for the entire month of September. I guess I can't complain, it should be a lot of fun!

Windy(daily journal painting) 6 inch square oil on acid free matboard

Also, May 12th and 19th I will be at the brand new Albuquerque Neighborhood Market which will also be downtown.

Oh and I can't forget the Open Studio/House Concert we are planning for Saturday, May 26th! This is going to be a whole ton of fun! For the afternoon, my studio will be open for visitors and then later in the evening, my husband Aaron Lewis, will put on a house concert to introduce some of his newest compositions! If you are in the area please do stop by!

Not gone, just busy

Another busy week. Getting moved into another booth where I will be selling my handpainted, repurposed furniture along with frames, matting and my older black and white prints. This market is new, just opened on North Forth in Albuquerque. Should be a cool place for all kinds of cool stuff. I will try to get some photos posted soon of the painted furniture and my new booth.

Spring is finally here and along with the rain yesterday, we have the sun today! It sure is a lovely day here in the Land of Enchantment. Not to mention they are finally getting my street repaved, so we no longer are living on a dirt road! We can finally wash our poor dirty car! :)

Today's Daily Journal Painting

A Dream

It has been over a week since I've painted a daily journal painting. Spring break and other things have prevented it, but it sure feels great to get back to painting! I have actually been painting all week, however it has been furniture painting, so it doesn't count. . . . . . . . really? Maybe a little! Actually, I'm using some of my designs on the furniture, so I it's more functional art than painted furniture. I will post photos once I finish.
I am in a red and yellow mood this week, feeling really happy and content with everything. I had some odd dreams last night, don't usually remember my dreams, these woke me up and I had a hard time going back to sleep. So, I've been thinking about dreams all day, hence the name of this painting. :) Available in my Etsy shop as always!

I'm back!

Last week was spring break, so I was out spending time with the family. We went to Las Cruces on Monday to surprise my brother for his birthday. We went camping Wednesday, planning to stay out until Friday, until it snowed on us the first night. So we came back on Thursday and spent the rest of the week spring cleaning the house.

This week I will be super busy getting ready to move into a new booth at the 4th Street Village Market, where I will sell my older prints and handpainted furniture. We have to build a couple of walls and I have lots of furniture to get painted! I will post photos sometime this week.

Anyway, figured I'd better update you all before you start to think I've disappeared!!