I have been trying to find my way here all day. The path seemed to be covered with leaves, and I couldn’t quite make it out… Can it be? Am I now really here? Phew, Thank Goodness! I have so many fun things to share…
I have been sequestered in my studio a lot lately… Which leads me to a story I have to tell you.
Do you remember the Strange Beautiful lady? She was an ongoing series I started in 2005. Last year, The Strange Beautiful Lady II, found her home in Paris with the lovely Paris Parfait…
Ever since then, The Strange Beautiful Lady has been telling me a little about what she sees over the hill. And, what an enchanting adventure might be coming. I knew there would be another piece to the story… 5 weeks ago, in the middle of night, The Strange Beautiful Lady took me to that place, where she and her two babes visit… I jumped out of bed, and sketched it… I then painted her a few days after that…
I brought back the memory to share with you…
A new painting for the shop, titled "Strange Beautiful Lady, Carnivale…" I can’t tell you, the magic that this sweet girl brings with her visits…
This painting was in the works deep in my mind, for the better part of a year…
And now, to welcome her here, is such a pleasure… I loved every minute of painting this piece…
She has a story, it is attached to the back of the painting… She still sings her haunting tune, where the children will laugh and play, on a perfectly gloomy day… But, she also believes in stopping to look back, to make a memory. Making sure to sew it into her chamber of memories, deep in her heart… She shares that with her Cotton Candy and Lollipop lovin’ sugar plums…
So, I guess it is safe to say, Welcome to the Carnivale… (below is what the canvas print will look like, after the original finds a home – sans the watermark)
Here is a side shot…
All of the pieces I am sharing will be in my shop today (I will list them as soon as I post this). After an original sells, you will find an archival canvas print of it, in my shop…
I have another place to take you… This place is within a piece from another series called, The Curious Playroom… The first piece lives in a magical home in the East…
Now, this place is an enchanted place, where time has its very own pouch filled with magic. It can take you anywhere, even to times long ago, where you might be able to walk down a cobblestone street in your Victorian gown…
This place is called, "A Curious Playroom – Land of Enchantment…"
Where flowers and leafless tree branches, slowly curve their way into the room, through cracks in the wall…
If you can find the keyhole that sits behind the magical puppet, there is no telling what kind of mischief you could get yourself into…
Of course, you need to hop into that hot air balloon first, and grab that key…
Did you notice, the puppets really have strings?
I don’t know about you, but I am itching to jump into this Curious Playroom… I do believe I have amassed enough "stuff" to fit into that mansion in the floating clouds…
18" x 24" x 1.5"
After a trip to The Curious Playroom, an elfin love could find that a puff pastry would really hit the spot…
In that type of situation, all you would have to do is twirl 5 times and repeat the words, "Sweet Cake, Treat Cake." Don’t be suprised to see her billow in…
With all the Candy filled love a person could want… Right at her delightful table dessert skirt.. Now, isn’t that just nifty?
I want her candy hat. I wannnt it!
She is on an extra lovely thick canvas, with scalloped edges…
Last but not least in the new painting part of this show, is…
"The Siren finds her voice…" I am being visited by these mysterious romantic girls again. With their long flowing hair. I do hope I bring them to life as they see themselves…
She makes me want to fly through the air in dance…
Side view…
It might sound weird, but it is a magical treat for me to get to visit with these creatures while I paint them…
Now for, Paper DOllllllls!!
Okay, so, this project has been a huge undertaking for me. I have worked so hard on all these little patterns and designs. Many many hours spent on this next project…
Inventing my own patterns, especially for the blue dress, was so much fun… I can’t wait to design my own fabric. Someday, possibly, maybe…
So, here you have it… A new treasure for the shop… I hope you like her. And guess what?? There is a bonus… An extra girl in the package!
I played with mine, and cut some out, so you could see what they look like cut out.
I took hundreds of photos, however (a reason I am late with this post too) my Compact Flash Card that holds my pictures, became corrupted today. I lost 5 days of photos (plus 1,000 other photos). Including all the high res. versions of those clouds in the last post, wahhhh! Oh well…
I also lost my photos of my paper doll acting like a puppet… So, I managed to scrounge up a few others at the last minute…
You see that teeny tiny fan? I drew that pattern out over a two hour period… My right eye is still twitching (I am serious, it has been twitching for two days, heeeee).
On thing I found, was that, I LOVED framing mine in a shadow box. Which is why I decided to include 2 paper dolls in the package. Maybe dress one and frame it, and play with the other?? or dress them both… Whatever a person wants to do, I realized, two dolls were necessary…
The boots can only be held on with a tiny bit of tape… But, that is easy…
So, there you have it. I am sad I lost the photos with her in the slip and under top… But, you will see, they fit her like a glove…
I hope you like them. I decided to cut the tabs off of mine, and frame her in a shadow box…
Like I said, after I post this, I will go put all the paintings and the Paper Doll, in my shop.
Now, who gets to give Evangeline a home sweet home???
Looks like…..
Abbey!! Woo hooo for a new home for Miss E. E-mail me your address Miss Abbey, so Evangeline can find her way 😉 (Abbey has a delightful blog, right here…)
Well, I have talked your heads off enough for one day, don’t you think? I have another secret giveaway at my next blogpost!!! Thriftventure love, again… Off to the shop I go…
See you sooooon!!! 🖤 V 🖤
Now I want to go flying above a piano with a big beautiful dress on….
I love your paper doll. I used to play with them when I was little…my favourite was always the littlest and I called her Betty. I wonder whatever happened to dear little Betty…
🙂
I’m thrilled that Strange Beautiful Lady, Carnivale, will be joining Strange Beautiful Lady in Paris! Merci bien! I wish all three of your other paintings shown here would be jetting to Paris – fantastic, imaginative work, darling Vanessa! And the paperdolls are wonderful! (I was a big fan of paperdolls, as a child). xoxox
Good morning Vanessa,
OMG!!! Every time I visit there is always an awesome surprise! Great paintings, love them!
~ Gabriela ~
i love love love all the “fanciful twists” that exist within this blogworld of yours. thank you so much for sharing your art, your imagination, and your humor with all of us out here.
the paperdolls are fabulous! i have been collecting paper dolls (collecting! ha! i have one set so far! lol) for me to make and keep at my house. then when my granddaughter comes to visit, i can bringout something special on those rainy cold days when we can’t go outside. oh the stories and advantures we can have! one thing i am going to do is mount all the paperdolls and accessories on firm cardstock, then utilize some magnet sheets that i have to put pieces on the paperdolls and the clothing so they “stick” together without having to worry about tabs and tape and such. i’ll let you know how it works out!
rho
With each new work I kept thinking “I love that new one best, no I love that one best!”They are all so wonderful! I do think the treat lady is my favorite, and the paper dolls of course! You have the most wonderful ideas!
Your paintings are amazing! The Carnivale is my favorite~so enchanting!
Wowzers!!!! That was a fun surprise to read this morning! The paintings are amazing and the carnival is my fav!!! Well done girl. Just beautiful!!!!
OOOOOHHHHH!!! AHHHHHHHHH!Vanessa, YOU have been soOOOOOo busy! What fanciful twists await!! Everything is Beauty Full!!! I especially LOVE the SWEET Cake! O! I spent hours and hours up in my room with paper dolls and dolls! Congratulations! to Abbey!!! I’ll have to have a print of that Strange Beautiful Lady! HOPE your eye quits twitching, that is very annoying! Love and prayers, Cinda
I love love love the “Siren Finds Her Voice.” There’s so much movement in the piece – so lyrical. And the dress of printed paper – genius! Do you mind if I try something like that myself?
Lorrie
Those paper dolls are so amazing! I love them! Great work, the other painting are wonderful too.
T
Just a quick “hello” as I must dash over to your shoppe to check out the lovely lady with her fanastic pink pasteries skirt! I think maybe she should come live with my lovely dancing lady with the many ruffled printed paper skirt. Do you think they might be sisters?
I used to have paper dolls but they weren’t as beautiful as these. I love them. And also love the little hats on the Strange Beautiful Lady’s children =) I’d like to climb out of this cubical and into their world right about now…
I love the texture in all of this. And the contrast with that first painting—all that color on top of that yummy slate. Perfect.
The paper dolls remind me of 8th grade, for some reason. 😀
oh my gosh your new paintings … be still my heart! seriously, the are fantastic in so many ways
and many congrats to miss abbey! 🙂
OK, the paramedics just left…they were able to restart my heart so not to worry I’ll be fine! 😉 But what caused said heart to stop in the first place? I MISSED a shop update! I can’t believe it! I read your blog all the time, I check your shop, but it seems time has been getting away from me the past few weeks and so I guess I hadn’t been here in a few days.
Sigh…just as well I suppose, I would be oh so poor if I had known about your update! Sweet Cake, Treat Cake is so perfect….LOVE that one! And Strange Beautiful Lady, I’m so glad she finally made it over the hill! The paper dolls are too cute and a new Curious Playroom painting! It’s so mysterious and magical! I think the Siren painting is my favorite though…I love how she’s forever suspended in thin air!
You have been busy, and all your hard work has surely paid off….truly wonderful new pieces Miss Vanessa! 🙂
Oh, and I’m sorry to hear about all your lost photos. I’m sure that was quite devastating. At least you can still look at your beautiful cloud photos here on your blog….
I adore the new paintings so much. I think I love the new Strange Beautiful Lady and Curious Playroom even more than the original ones, and I didn’t think that was possible.
And never mind these modern fashions, why isn’t everyone wearing table dessert skirts and those fabulous boots the paper dolls wear?
OK, I just read through the earlier comments and I was very happy to see that Strange Beautiful Lady will be joining the previous painting in the series in beautiful Paris, I’m glad they’ll be together….that is just as it should be! 🙂
i sooooo want to have one of your givaways:)*crosses fingers*hehehehe i love your blog,and i thinnk i say that alot;)but i think it makes you happy!
xoxox
ryce
I can’t believe I’m typing this but…the one original I want…IS GONE!
The Siren finds Her Voice is GONE!!!!
Who bought it?
I didn’t even bother to comment I clicked over there so fast.
I am almost in tears:(
Completely smitten and in love and now I must suffer with the canvas print (not that the canvas print is bad it’s lovely I love it but I wanted the original oh dear.).
Sad sad day.
Excellent work Vanessa! You brighten my world!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
xoxoxo
Off now to your shop to dream drool and feel sorry for myself.
Hello Vanessa,
I am stepping in briefly to say hello before yet another little travel, I do miss my creative life but it will be all over soon and then the kiddies are off to school. It is soo wierd not to do any design for a month!! I hope when I get back to my desk for good some great stuff comes out.
Have a great rest of the summer!!
These are mind blowing. What a very clever girl you are. I have seen Tara’s(Paris Parfait)original in her home in Paris and can assure everyone it is absolutely stunning.Go right to the top of the class Miss Vanessa.
One more thing. I am so proud to have a banner on my blog that was designed by you.
They are all so wonderful!
I especially love your dancing lady’s.
You bring so much magic to your work.
It is always a treat to visit here.
Hugs~Amy~
Oh!! I love your dollies!! What delights!! And, as always, your sparkles make me tingle with joy!! 🙂 Happy Wednesday to You!!
Your new paintings are beautiful, I especially love A Curious Playroom. Congratulations to the winner of sweet Evangeline. Oh, I love your videos, this one is no exception. Vanessa your work is gorgeous and visiting you is always inspirational. Karen
wow, you’ve been so busy! These paintings and the paper dolls are soooo sweet!
The new paintings…..ohhhhhhhh, I can’t begin to decide which I love the best.
x…x
Simply lovely V…all that time in the sudio is paying off in the most fun of ways!! And, after all that fan drawing?!?! You’re like the Olympian of fan drawing…I would present you with a gold medal for sure…at least it may take the sting of the eye-twitching away…
Dear sweet Vanessa what a talented lady you are! Such a pretty post and your art is soooo delightful!
Have a great week!
kayellen
OH my goodness! I just ADORE all those fancy, secret places in your brilliant mind that come to play here with us! Thank you. Thank you.
Eeekkk!!! I am oh so excited!! Evangeline will have a wonderful home! I will make sure to send pictures of our Teas By the Sea!
Thank You! Thank You! Thank You!
Love the Carnivale painting…the tree on the hill reminds me of the HBO show “Carnivale” such a strange and wonderful show that was…what happened to it I wonder?
I ofcourse adore all your work…I want to play in the “A Curious Playroom – Land of Enchantment”. Is it going to Paris…I am always so late.
Annnnnnnnd!!! your paper doll…Oh my!!! be still my heart…Looooove her and her wardrobe.
Where are my manners? Congratulations to Abbey. I am on my way over to her place to say Hi!!!
If only I had the money, I would buy A Curious Playroom in a heartbeat! It is so scrumptious. All of your paintings are!
Oh, paperdolls. I lovw paperdolls!
Are they for sale!!!!!!!!!
I also have to say how sad I am for you that you lost your photos! I’m pretty sure I would be flinging myself on the floor throwing a huge tantrum! So Upsetting!
Hola Vanessa!
I wanted to stop by and say hi and congratulate you on your great blog and art! I wish you all the best!!!
Elsita 🙂
I’m here! I’m here! I’ve missed you so, my sweet Miss Vanessa! The wedding was beautiful, there are no more mousey droppings in my basement and I am peeking my head in to visit my BFF! And here I find all the dreamy wonderfulness she created, hip hip horray! Life is good.
🙂
Happy day to you!!! HONK HONK!!!!
Wonderful new paintings. You always take me away to new lands…thank you.
I love the play room! I love how 3 dimensional it looks and I love the colors. The paper dolls look like so much fun.
Loving these art pieces! What a talent you are, and what fun goes on in your imagination!
Could you BE more talented??!!!??!!
You know, I was laying on McCalls’ bed in her room and looking up at the original “paper girl” I was lucky enough to snag. It really is just so fantastic and looks perfect in her room. Doubtful I will ever get it back.
And I love the new ladies you have created- perhaps they can come over for tea and visit their long-lost sister as it’s been a while since they were together!! And I will borrow her pink tablecloth skirt- LOVE it!!
D.
PS-McCall just came in a nd saw the new artwork and loves it, too!!
Vanessa, I just love these new paintings. I was wondering have you ever considered art licensing? I was admiring the painting of the dancer with a tea party skirt and could envision this design on all kinds of stationary, fabric and other creations. Just wondering. Have a lovely day.
Karen
I’m so GLAD the Siren Found Her Voice, and yet so SAD to learn she has been sold. I thought she was speaking directly to me, but ALAS, I must have overheard her conversation with someone else! 🙁 She is beautiful.
Your muse is certainly singing to you while you toil in your studio. Keep it going!
xoxo,
Kate
I love the Siren and the lady with the cake skirt! Your work is wonderful! It makes me feel like I’m floating in a wonderful dream….
Oh darling girl…..I didn’t comment yet? What is the matter with me!!?!
These new works are FABULOUS, SPECTACULAR, AMAZING visions of that VV magic!!! It’s all so very swoonalicious!! I cannot stop looking at them and the paper dolls are simply divine.
I can see how they just FLEW off the Etsy shelf in record speed!!!WOW WOW WOW!!!!!
XOXOXOXOX
Love,
L.
p.s. I meant to say I came back to look at them again and realized I hadn’t commented each time I’ve been here. I must have been too mesmerized!
OH and I am hosting a challenge for next month, I so hope you’ll be a part of it!
XOXOXO
Hi my Friend! Tu siempre realizando trbajos maravillosos. Yes, your work is just beautiful, your art is awesome. I love so much. It has mystery and it is inviting to dreams.
Visit me anytime….
xoxo
Viva la vida!
Marina
Hi Vanessa!
Thanks 4 stopping by my blog and the lovely compliment! ‘-)
LOVE the new art goodies, especially the carnivale painting.
Take care & have a great weekend!
Spooky CK
So much to love* How wonderful that the beautiful strange lady and her children ended up at a carnival, and the playful additions to ‘The Curious Playroom’. Ooh, paperdolls (you know I love them), definitely on my ‘to purchase’ list!
WOW! I love your blog- I just have to add you to my blogroll. Your very creative. I love these paintings! I wish I had the talent. Have a nice Day! Daisy~
If you have to do it, you might as well do it right.
It is the coolest site, keep so!