"giant suburban bear monster" by Matte Stephens

If you follow along here at my blog, then you already know that Matte is one of my favorite artists, although now that I know that he’s not fond of the label artist :) I shall call him a favorite "maker of things"!

Matte is as genuine, kind and fun as you might imagine him to be, just like his art. And he’s incredibly humble as well, so humble that I, (also a neglectful, non-traditional interviewer) did not get to lead off the podcast with a lengthy introduction of all his accomplishments. I think it might be just the way Matte prefers it. But, with that said, if you want to learn more about him you can peruse his blog, visit his brand new website and see his work at Velocity Art and Design.

I now leave you to enjoy this conversation with Matte, with a special emphasis on "How Artists Make a Living", a series I hope will be the first of several.

One of the most exciting things about podcasting yourself, is the chance to take the time in these interviews to really get to know the person your interviewing, without rushing them into the next commercial. I know "they say" you’re supposed to keep podcasts on the brief side, but I ignore that in favor of all the insight that Matte was so generous to share with us. So, for those of you wishing for a longer podcast, here you go! This one is just over an hour.

And it is also Guerilla podcasting at it’s finest, with occassional gardeners, lawn mowers, and a little commentary from LuLu in the background. Even with all of that I truly hope you enjoy hearing Matte’s story, as much as I did.

Thank you again Matte!

click above to listen now

click here to download MP3
Download Instructions
Mac Users option click and Windows users right click on link above to download the file.
Here are links to some of the artists and designers mentioned in the podcast
Amy Ruppel
Rex Ray
Velocity
Julian Schnabel
Irving Harper
Herman Miller

Lola: "Good morning Olive! And who are you today?" Olive: "Why I’m a bunny of course, just in time for Easter!"

A new original and a limited edition print available at Twig, with some bunny spirit, just in time for Easter!

7 x 5 in.

This daily painting is inspired by a couple of things. One is the Oscar awards show ~ in case you didn’t know, the original oscar the owl was painted last year on Oscar Sunday and that’s why he was given that name... Second is the IF topic of multiple. Plus I seem to love painting little characters all in a row. So, here it is, a Tuesday painting with owls in a row and a tiny bird who thinks his name is Oscar.

I was out for a couple of days for some down time, and to work on a special podcast that will be revealed on Thursday. I hope you’ve had a good few days, and I’m so happy to hear that you are enjoying the return of the podcast!

(click here to buy original)

6 x 6 in.

Grace: "Good morning Olive. Who are you today?" Olive: "Why I’m a bear, of course!"

(original is sold)

FINALLY! a new podcast for you. Enjoy.

click above to listen now

click here to download MP3
Download Instructions
Mac Users option click and Windows users right click on link above to download the file.

6 x 6 in.

cuteness on a Wednesday!
(click here to buy original)

He’s also available as a print, over at Etsy, joining the other babies to make a sweet little series.

I just had the pleasure of spending the last hour with one of my all time favorite, lovely customers and friend, and when I say lovely, she truly is. And a fellow creative spirit, and lover of the arts, she is as well. Debra was one of the first people to see in me and my art, what you now see. She believed in me in my early days of selling paintings. She was also one of the first people to take my workshops. (of which we just planned another one coming up in April, so stay tuned!) She has become a collector of my paintings throughout the last few years, attending my shows, buying art from other artists I’ve introduced her to. In every way that she could show support and enthusiasm for my endeavors, she has and I can’t thank her enough. And with that said, it was an honor to paint her beautiful golden retriever Hunter, who I’m sharing with you today.

(And Debra, I know you check in the blog from time to time, so I just want to say THANK YOU for everything and I’ll see you in April!)

6 x 6 in.

Another one inspired by a view outside my window, my studio window to be exact.
Wishing you a peaceful Sunday.

(click here to buy original)

8 x 6 in. (and incase you’re new to the blog and don’t yet know these characters, from left to right Simone, Ruby, Panda, Bunny, little Sackbelly, Lucille, Bart, Lola, Lovey and Hughey)

Ok, I’ve had this one up my sleeve for a few weeks now. I couldn’t wait to paint it today. It was painted by a girl in love while listening to her LOVE playlist on her ipod, while baking another heart shaped cake for her LOVE that she is so happy to have in her life.
I LOVE this day, because of course it’s Creative Thursday, and it’s a day all about LOVE. So I and the gang are sending a special LOVE wish to all of you today.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

(click here to buy original)

and it is also available as a print over at Etsy

4 x 4 in.

with minutes to spare...today’s (Feb. 13 PST) daily painting!

(click here to buy original)

blooming pear tree on Doheny

I’m feeling better. Well enough to walk Lulu to the bank this morning and since many of you are covered in snow and freezing weather today, I wanted to share these two photos with you, not to rub it in that we have sunny warm weather (although as I’m writing this, it just got cold and clouded over), but to remind you that little hints of spring are blossoming. (for you kelly!)

my birthday lunch at Sur

Sean just appeared from being down and out with a much worse case of a flu than I have, so I’ll be back with you later, maybe even with a daily painting for today. Stay warm and cozy.

First I want to say a special thank you to Nathalie, an Italian living in Ireland (also in search of her creative calling, with a great eye for design I might add), who posted a recent interview with me over at her design blog, called design undercover.

Also in Ireland, Paul O’Mahony who did an interview with me last year asked me to spread the word of the recently launched Irish Arts Blog. The blog is written by a select group of artisans from all over Ireland. Paul has been so influential in the Irish crafting community, encouraging Irish artisans to start using the internet as a way of showcasing their work and connecting with the world. Congratulations Paul, and the artists of Irish Arts Blog on gaining momentum in the blogging world!

And last but not least, in honor of Valentine’s Day tomorrow, I posted some Valentine wishes over at Etsy over the weekend. These are a few pieces of my earlier work, when I focused more on color and design and my characters had not been realized yet.

As promised, a new batch of couples. And, I’m having technical difficulties getting my image to show up, so you can find them in the shop. Oh, so sad without my image. (back in business! ~ thank you Sean B.!) Maybe the blog is feeling like I am, feeling a bit under the weather, with not much to say, and taking it easy, but still creating because it brings me so much JOY.
Hope you all had a lovely weekend.

5 x 5 in.

A new little character wishing you a happy Friday!

(original is sold)

And just a reminder that tonight is the opening of the ETA iii at Nahcotta! I hope you can make it!

From 5 - 8 pm
110 Congress Street
Portsmouth, NH 03801

When I don’t paint for a few days, ideas start to pile up and then they come out all at once. So, today, a series was born in celebration of love. Tiny originals featuring Creative Thursday couples, all available for sale right here at the shop.

Thanks for all your enthusiasm about the Artful Blogging article. It’s exciting to have so many new visitors here!

*Edit* Feb. 7 ~ As of this morning there’s only 1 original left, but not to worry. If you had your heart set on one of these tiny couples, I will be making another series before Valentine’s day.

It’s true! Creative Thursday is gracing the first pages of the new issue of Artful Blogging. I’m honored to be included in one of the most beautiful and inspiring magazines on stands today. I’m still swooning over the first issue that came out last year, which is now a treasured keepsake in my collection of books that I continuously turn to for inspiration.

This definitely added to the joy of the birthday week! I had a wonderful day yesterday. And many thanks for all of the birthday hellos, some of you even commenting twice, so sweet of you ~ and it’s especially fun to hear from the lurkers :) ~ thank you for de-lurking to send me a birthday wish! And finally, thanks for letting me know that you found me through the magazine. If your new to the blog, via Artful Blogging, a special welcome to you!

If you want a copy, you can purchase it online right here or find the magazine in a store near you. Enjoy!

Yup, today’s the day I was born! And I’m the exact age that my mom was on my first birthday in the photo above. That’s when you realize how life comes full circle. And just like in the photo I am so happy to get to celebrate the day with my mom and Sean! We’re going through old photos, more cake, more champagne, gifties ~ just the way a birthday should be. (I’m not answering emails today ~ as it’s my day off :) I always wanted to work for myself and give me my birthday off ~ also as it should be.) Have a happy day today, and I’ll be back with you later!

We believe in LOVE
10 x 10"

It’s that time again, for one of my favorite art shows, not only to participate in but to see and shop for some of the best art around. Deb has a fantastic eye for pulling together such a captivating, and eclectic grouping of fresh original art. And I also want to say that Deb, the owner of Nahcotta, is lovely! I had a chance to meet both her and the magical Rebecca, last week, while she was on her vacation to California. My business relationships are as important as my friendships. In fact, let’s just say it’s very important to me who I choose to do business with and it’s always such a treat, when your business relationships become new friendships. I’m so happy to have new friends in Portsmouth, and L.A..

And speaking of friends, some of my girls are in this show with me as well!!

Now go see the show opening Feb. 8 ~ March 8 , (and if you can’t make it in person, you can see it and purchase it online right here) and buy some art. And if it’s important to you that you support nice people, know that you are, from the gallery owner to the artists.

here’s my tiny grouping!

Oh, and I almost forgot, my birthday is coming up and I’ll be celebrating this weekend with my mom who’s coming in for a visit!! So I’ll be gone for a few days but here’s wishing you a happy friday and weekend ahead!

It went through several transformations, but here it is final and finished. It’s GORGEOUS and AMAZING and so is Sean by the way. What can I say, but I’m a proud girlfriend. Oh, and if you fall in love it...it’s 30 x 40...and Sean just might be willing to part with it.

7 x 5 in.

The recent organization attempts must be paying off, because I even had time to create today on Creative Thursday, during my sale, which I’m happy to report has been a great success. And I realized that I meant to say a few things about it. Seeing that most of my sales were to repeat customers, the main intention of this sale was fulfilled. To thank those of you again who have offered support to all things Creative Thursday.

You see, as a self-supporting artist, I don’t really believe in discounting my work. There’s just something in me that says that hand created art work should not be discounted, ever. But what does work for me is gifting. So today, what I wanted to say was this sale, while it’s a thrill to have this many orders in a day!!! was also meant to be my gift to you. It’s my chance to give you a little something in return for all that you have given me, an opportunity to live a creative life that I love. So for the millionth time. THANK YOU.

Before I step out for today, and head off to yoga, a little story about this painting. This is in fact outside my bedroom window. Just a couple of leaves are clinging to this grand and gracious tree we have in our front yard. And then there’s this little black bird that comes to our yard every day, several times a day. He always sits in the same places, usually in the back yard. Sean and I have named him Fuzzy. When I was sketching the leaves today, Fuzzy flew on to a branch directly above the leaves. I’ve been wanting to paint him, so I thought it was his way of telling me that he wanted to be in today’s painting. So, blog visitors meet Fuzzy! I’m sure it won’t be the last that you’ll see of him.)
(click here to buy original)