Well, Spring is nearly here. The flowers are beginning to peek through the soil in a few areas of Colorado Springs.  New beginnings is what Spring is all about for me. Time for clearing out the old and adding or just rearranging a few pieces of art and adding fresh flowers can give your home or office\studio a fresh new look. Ahhhh.

Spring is a great time to send someone a fun little greeting card to let them know you’ve been thinking of them. I love that feeling after I’ve taken the time to write a quick note to someone special. The anticipation of them opening it always brings a smile to my face as I drop it in the mail box. When was the last time you sat down with a cup of coffee or tea, pen and paper and wrote to someone dear to your heart? Below is an idea for a note to a friend.

Title of original painting for this card is, "How did you get in here?"

Here is an idea for a note to a friend who loves gardening or change it to read what fits your friend’s interests. Short notes are fine, it’s the thought that counts. I have a little book by William Strunk and E.B. White (who wrote Charlotte’s Web) the pages are yellowed from age, in  the book Mr. White ends one of his letters with an apology to the recipient  for the length of the letter; he said, “if I’d had more time, it would have been shorter.”

Sample letter:

“Dear Joan,

Thoughts of you have been popping into my head of late. With Spring just around the corner memories of your beautiful, abundant flower gardens warm my heart. Your love of nature along with your creative design talents make visiting your home a treat to all who stop by. I’m sure you are busy planning the annuals you will be adding to your flower beds this year. Hope to see you soon.

All my best to you and Evan for a fun-filled Spring.”

For even more information on writing notes please visit a dear customer of mine, Elizabeth Cottrel at Heartspoken where you can sign up for a free download of tips on how to write notes that encourage and inspire.

Why would a muralist paint a bumble bee in nearly all her murals? The story behind this question began over fifteen years ago. While I was busy getting word out that I had a passion for painting murals I also needed an income. My graphic design background came in handy.

One day while meeting with a desktop publishing client who was also a friend I took a phone call from a woman inquiring about my murals. Normally I would not take a call while with a client but we had pretty much finished and he insisted. During the course of that conversation the woman asked if I had formal training for what I do. My response was, “No, I’m self-taught” and she didn’t have a problem with that. After finishing the conversation I hung up the phone and commented to my friend, “Wow, at one time in my life I would have been embarrassed to say I had no formal training for painting murals.”

My friend responded with this question, “Oh, kind of like a bumble bee, huh?” I said, “What do you mean?” He answered, “Well, aerodynamically a bumble bee should not be able to fly but somehow he does.” Since that moment I began painting a bumble bee in nearly all my murals as a reminder to follow my dreams no matter what.

Quite often a client will ask if I will paint a bee in their mural. On the few occasions when I have forgotten I usually get a phone call saying they can’t find the bee. I always go back to add the bee.

When I began designing greeting cards I decided to do a series of Happy Bumble Bees. Tennis is one of my favorite sports so I painted this frisky little tennis bee. This Tennis Bumble Bee print makes a great gift. He comes in a bright yellow mat measuring 8″ x 8″ to the outside of the mat. Inside dimensions are 4″ x 4″. Custom framing is available.

Tennis bumble bee, 4" x 4" matted. Fits an 8" x 8" frame.

Well thought out gifts are nearly always appreciated. A great stocking stuffer for a tennis fan might be a box of eight Tennis note cards. You never know when you might need to send a card to a fellow team mate or just someone you know enjoys tennis. Little things like a hand written note can make a person feel very special especially if you can tie it in to something they enjoy.

"Bee Courageous" Tennis Note Card, 5" x 4.25" Box of Eight $15

We are happy to drop ship your orders to those on your gift buying list. And for those really “difficult to buy for people” on your Christmas list, consider a Gift Certificate.

Hope you are enjoying the Holiday Season!

Painting birds has always brought me joy and cardinals are certainly one of my favorite birds. Adding them to murals has always been fun, especially in Colorado since they don’t live here. I find people from the midwest usually miss seeing them and they have actually asked me to add them to their murals.

Two little things I miss living in Colorado,  besides family and friends, are cardinals and lightning bugs (fireflies). Not having investigated it, I’m wondering if it is the altitude that keeps them away. I must admit creating this painting made me a bit homesick for family – well, it is that time of year.

The cardinal is the state bird of Indiana, where I grew up. It also is the state bird of Ohio, Illinois, Kentucky, Virginia, West Virginia and North Carolina. Let me know if that’s way more information than you needed.

When deciding on a setting for the cardinals I immediately envisioned snow and then the pine trees to add more color and textual interest. You seldom miss seeing the beautiful red of the male cardinal in the snow covered trees in the midwest during the winter.

This is the original painting which measures 8.5″ x 6.5″.

Snow Covered Cardinals in Watercolor

My new Christmas card for 2009 is from this painting. Some cropping was done so the birds could be as large as possible, hope you enjoy it. The cards come in boxes of ten with a bright red loop around it. The price is $15 for a box of ten cards. Christmas cards are available from my website, the Snow Covered Cardinals should be up soon.

Snow Covered Cardinals, New 2009 Christmas Card

Testimonial:

Hi Mickey,

I’m very pleased with the cards.  The ones for Tanya were for my daughter and I was able to get them to her by her birthday on the 11th .  She loves them.
Thank you and I will definitely keep your information for future orders for myself and gifts.  They make such nice gifts.

Jan H

Have you ever had guests so incredible that you were sad to see them go? Well, I have. Here is an idea for a few words to put into your thank you note to them.

Dear  . . .

It was such a treat having you here. Having someone take over the kitchen and do the cooking and the clean-up was divine. It felt as though I were the one on vacation. Great friends and delicious food . . .  who could ask for more. Thank you so much for staying with us while you were in Colorado. We so look forward to your return, soon.

Love to you both,

My guests happen to love Colorado so this fine art note card would be a good choice for them.

#140 Secluded Aspens Box of ten $15