Here's what I've been up to lately...

So, here is what I have been up to lately.....I have been working at the gallery and have now taken a part time job at Nina's Place.  It is a nice fit for my creative woodworking side :)  I am getting to play in the world of finishes half the week and the world of painting the other half!  What more could a girl want? LOL 
This week I got to create some fun dog beds out of leftover scraps and vintage suitcases.  So I thought I would share a few photos with you.
Enjoy!
M

Girl Traveling Bed

Cali Bed 

                                                             French Country Bed

Boy Traveling Bed

Christmas Pet Portraits & Commissions

Christmas Pet Portraits & Commissions  

   If you would like your pet portrait or commission done for Christmas...PLEASE order now! I am filling up quickly with Christmas Commissions and will need to get everyone's orders in.

  Here's a sample of one client'spet portrait...meet "Andy"

"Andy"

    (sorry, I took the photo with my camera phone)
Cost:  11x14 wrapped or unwrapped canvas
 $150 (1pet)
$275 (2pet)
$400 (3pet)

"Maddie"

Girl's Night Out! Oct 14th 6pm

Sorry I haven't posted in a while.  I have been so busy that I forgot to keep the blog up to date!

Here is the next class at the gallery on Oct 14th at 6pm.  Hope to see some of you there.

Enjoy!

M

The Painted Bra Project

Here is my entry for the "Painted Bra Project".  The project, started by artist Anna Braden, is to raise awareness for breast cancer.

Here is the link to see the project and all of the entries:

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/pages/The-Painted-Bra-Art-Project/265252810167734?closeTheater=1

Aug 27th Class at 16 Main Gallery!

Aug 5 - "Tuscany" Girl's Night Wine and Paint

Aug 27 - Large Beach Painting Class

Girl's Night Out! July 29 - 6pm

Goodbye Key West

Sold

I have to say goodbye.  This painting has been with me for a while.  It was done from a photograph that my husband took on a trip to Key West.  Everytime I saw it hanging in the gallery it reminded me of that time together.

I was happy to see it go to someone who loved it as much as I did.

Enjoy!

Here are a few of the pillows that have sold lately.  Apparently I underestimated how much people would love these pillows.  I have had soooo much fun watching people come into the gallery and connect with the words or the colors.  It is like they are being matched up with their perfect pillow. I think I might like that even more than creating them...well....it might be a tie ;D

Lady Bird

Lady Bird

By Michele Lee

copyright 2011

Here is just a fun little 5x7 that I did.  I am finding myself being drawn to birds these days.  Don't know why.  But when this happens, I just go with it.  I love the meaning of the Bluebird and how it represents happiness.  Maybe I am in search of that feeling of being content enough to just have a bird on my head.  Maybe it is the season and color is what I am craving.  If I go into thinking about the reasons for some of my art.....I just might go a little crazy.  Instead, I get out the paints and just paint.  Whatever comes out is supposed to at that time.

So, Lady Bird it is!

Enjoy! -M

New Art Pillow

I am having a ball combining painting and fabric.  There is something about fabric that almost makes me cry, I love it so much.  The way it folds and takes color.  The way the wind can catch a piece of silk and wrap it gently around my arm.  There is a time and space for every piece of fabric I find.  Each piece comes with it's own memory.
 That is what I love about it.
Enjoy!

The Blue Bird of Happiness....

Blue Bird of Happiness Pillow

By Michele Lee

Copyright 2011

Children's Summer Art Classes

This weekend at 16 Main Gallery!

Online Art Auction Alabama Tornado Relief

Here is a piece I have entered for an online art auction for Alabama Tornado Relief.

I am so glad that this sale is being done and that we artists can find a way to bring art to the relief efforts.

"Becky's Bridge"

Acrylic/Mixed Medium

Framed

copyright 2010

Michele Lee
You can go to the link below and see the art up for auction.

Art Auction for Alabama Tornado Relief
www.facebook.com/pages/art-auction-for-alabama-tornado-relief/171543212904216?ref=ts

New Art Pillows!

I have been having some fun lately with a new project....Art Pillows. They are painted and sewn. Two of my favorite creative outlets in one! I really like the way I can just let go and not be so tight with these. Ahhhhhh...it is a much needed creative road to travel!...Hey, (now follow my rabbit trail on this one)road to travel..walking on road...song...tiptoe through the tulips,,,ah ha! next theme for a pillow! See how my butterfly brain works? LOL

Enjoy! "The Who"
Copyright 2011

Michele Lee

"Spring"

Copyright 2011

Michele Lee

You can find these pillows at 16 Main Gallery in Madison. Or if you are interested, just leave me a comment or shoot me an e-mail and I will be glad to talk with you.

Wine & Paint - "Tuscany" Friday May 13 @ 6pm

Friday May 13, 6pm

Wine and Paint Night

Come and enjoy an evening with some friends and let's escape to Tuscany!

Class Time: Friday May 13, 6-8pm

Cost: $35.
Reservation:

16 Main Gallery

16 Main St. Madison, AL 35758

256-325-0161

Info@16maingallery.com

http://www.16maingallery.com/

This Past Week.....

My Heart Aches for You

Have you ever had your heart broken by someone until you would ACHES for them? That is how I feel about Kauai. Tonight my husband brought me a small box and said, "here, this is for you". As I unwrapped the present and started to smell the aroma of my favorite island's soaps,www.islandsoap.com I was whirled away into another world. My heart began to sink and all I could think was that I MUST go back. I can feel the tears welling up as I try to describe my gratitude for the gift to my husband. My soul is now in full blown ache. I can see myself living there and spending the evening, as the sun goes down, painting. I can see the small streets with the mountains in the distance. I can feel the warm breeze of the ocean as it kisses me goodnight. Why does my heart ache so for this place. Even on our first trip there last year, I found myself crying as the plane took off and I watched "My" island disappear through the clouds......

Until I am able to be there for good, I will bathe in my wonderful soaps and live with the island love in my heart.

Aloha Nui Loa,

M

Fabric Art

Koi Pillow started

Hope Pillow

(Autism Awareness Month)

Sculpture (She Dances) Joy Pillow

Paris Pillow (Sold)

I have been in some sort of transition here lately. Somewhere between Paint and fabric, between realism and abstract, between grounded and flying on my pink cloud. I don't really know where I will land with my art. But I do know that this time is VERY fun and creative! Change seems to be coming with my art and I can only imagine that it will be more exciting than before. I always look forward to change. It's kind of like that thing we do, when we are sick of our surroundings, so we move the furniture and re-decorate. LOL

Here are a few of the fabric art pieces that have come out of this past couple of weeks.

Enjoy!

What's been going on?

Hey everyone. I haven't posted any thoughts lately. It's been all business and I can only do that for so long. Today I finally got to sleep late, did all of my "gottas" first thing and have been creating the rest of this afternoon. What a wonderful way to spend a lazy Sunday. I don't get to do this very often, so when it happens, it's a real treat. Life has been so busy lately. With the gallery going full speed ahead and my children getting into their last semesters and years of high school....there is little time for much else.

Two of my children went to prom last night! My goodness, I am so very proud of them. They are growing up to be beautiful adults inside and out. Here is a picture of them before they left with their dates. Just brother and sister. Aren't they sooo cute. They each have their own style when it comes to clothes. I think they expressed themselves nicely! I know....enough with the mommy bragging. But, I can't be ALL art all the time :) he he

Ok...back to life. Like I said the gallery is turning out to be a great project. People in the community seem to love it and most of the artists are selling their booties off. Even with this economy the way it is. It has been nice to see new people come in and immediately get a smile on their face! Isn't that what it is all about? Yes...I thought so.

It's been a whirl wind this year. We had a trip to Kauai that in three words....BLEW ME AWAY! I swear, when I stepped off the plane, I actually felt the hum of the earth beneath my feet. It was so inspirational. I came back from that trip changed forever. And one day, if God is willing, I will actually live there. Heaven....sheer Heaven.

My goal this year is to slow down a little....well...a lot :( I am having to really work at this. And it's hard! My body is not what it used to be and there seems to be something wrong with the joints. Long story short, I am being shown by God that He really wants me to slooooow down and enjoy this life, instead of running full throttle all the time. I am missing so much by doing it that way. So we will see if I can do it. hmmmmmm? Right now my energy is focused strictly on my family and the gallery. http://www.16maingallery.com/

(obvious plug) LOL

I will try to write more on here and get back to letting you all in on what is going on with me. Instead of just posting work. I love going to other artists websites and getting to know them as opposed to just seeing their art. It helps me to share....and in turn....it helps you all to hear the experiences.

ok....signing off for now. NEED to go back to creating. I can feel it in my bones.......

Night,

M

Saturday March 12 10am

Friday Night at 16 Main Gallery

Cancelled

due to...

my BACK! But I will be back to painting next week :)

Til then....be creative :)

Day #4 Valentine's Give Away..."Wet Daisies"

And the winner is......

Anna Spear!

Congratulations!

Anna, send me a msg to confirm and we will get you your new painting!!

Day #4 Valentine's Give Away.

"Wet Daisies"

by Michele Lee

12x12 mixed media on wrapped canvas

Here is the one rule: Post a comment with your name to enter. That's it!

The winner will be announce tomorrow at 5pm

Ready....set....go!

Valentine's Evening at 16 Main Gallery

Do something special this year!

Come to the Gallery and have your portrait made with photographer, Lisa Weir.

Reservations are suggested

Day 3 - Valentine's Give Away

And the winner is......

Stacey! (from the blog)

Stacey, send me a msg to confirm and we will get you hooked up with your new painting.

Congratulations!

It's day #3 of the Valentine's Give Away.

"Survivor I"

By Michele Lee

16x20 on wrapped canvas

(this is a close up of the center of the painting. I will post a picture of the entire painting tomorrow)

Here are the rules:

Post a comment on here or Facebook, with your name. That's it!

Then tomorrow around 5pm I will draw for the winner!!!

Valentine's Day 2 Give Away!

The winner is...

Sharon Brown!

Day #2 of our Valentine's Day Give Away.

Remember all you need to do is post a comment with your name. That's it.

The drawing will be Saturday Night 2/12/11 at 5pm

The next piece is....

The Lake

By Michele Lee

24x36 mixed media on gallery wrap canvas