Beachin It!

Happy Friday! I was up late painting this... a lot of details!
I'm so happy with the way it turned out!

Happy Paint Party Friday Friends!

Wishing I was at the lake today... but nope... just on my lunch break at work! 

Here's my latest!

Hope you are enjoying summer outdoors!

 

 

Soon enough =) 

XOXOX
Nat

One Year!

One year ago, I married the man of my dreams under the towering pines of the Preachers

Grove in Itasca State Park. Last night we had the most amazing romantic dinner together to celebrate. Today I am remembering how far we come in this life together. Today life seems so big and special, and not long enough. I feel so blessed!

Love really does conquer all.

I had most amazing photographer in the WORLD! Spencer Combs 
He travels anywhere, and is truly passionate about what he does!
(Oh, and also got voted best photographer by MN Bride magazine!)

PPF: Heat Wave

A heat wave is happening over in Minnesota! It is a scorcher and I hate it. Yes, I said hate. It's the humidity that's so tough! When it's this hot I can't bring the lion for walks and he gives me the "I'm bored" look as he rolls his eyes and takes deep sighhhhs.

I think the heat subconsciously has inspired this though...

Happy Paint Party Friday! Thanks for stopping by!
Hope you are all staying cool!
<3
Nat

Big Dreams

I  d r e a m  of  living  in  Duluth.... never been? Say it isn't so! 

(Look it up! DULUTH, MINNESNOWTA!)

Big dreams people... big dreams!

 It moves my heart, it feels like home to me. I am captivated and at ease. I feel alive. This is where I was born to be.... with the water, and the trees. I am in love with the beautiful views, the air, the blue, the waves, the rocks. I take it all in savoring each and every second. I want it to be cherished forever, to be with me always. I want to hold on to it and never let it go. Capture it mind and in my soul. 

 It moves me to tears. It feels like home to me.

I dream of breaking the mold I was so sculpted to fit into... To live the artist’s dream. 

To be BRAVE. To take a RISK and fly.

F L Y

And

S O A R

Take a leap of faith...

Make art, take photos, open my own business....

I feel so much joy and happiness in Duluth. I have to say it, it would be a dream come true to live or have a lake home there. There is such a community of artists there... it is just so inspiring! It's so hard to come home. Because it feels like home there. Yes, winter would be tough, really tough! Since summer is really only probably 2 months (July and August) for them. Could I make the most of it? Really into winter sports? Photograph the blizzards? Buddy, he would pretty much be the happiest dog on the planet, because we would have such access to the parks and beauty and water. And he's a lion people, he hates the heat. But wait, I would miss my mom and dad, and my friends. My best friends! 

It would hard at times. Yes.

But... 

I would paint the sunsets, the stars, the water, the boats, the birds, trees and rocks. I would never grow tired of the beauty, I would never take it for granted... I swear! I see the artists' up there that just live for the beauty that the north brings them, the beauty that lake superior is, and I feel that same thing. It's our ocean here in Minnesnowta. It's a dream... I'll keep dreaming.

*Deep Sigh*

What's your biggest dream?

I won't tell anyone if you want me to keep it a secret! =) I'd love to hear...

<3 Nat

Maple Grove Days Art Fair & PPF!

Hi friends! Happy Paint Party Friday! This painting is an oldie but I am featuring it because I'm dreaming of and relaxing and escaping life... (reminds me of the beautiful Tetons Mountains) I thought I show you guys this one because it just kind of reflects how I feel today... the colors... and the mountains kind of look like they are glowing! And I feel like I'm glowing because I'm so freaking excited to be leaving soon for a girls weekend! 

This one along with a handful of others will be for sale at the Maple Grove Days Art Fair this weekend in the Maple Grove Art Center. The opening reception is tonight from 7pm-9pm! 

Stop buy and shop some local art!

Be sure to check out the other talent! I'll get to commenting after the weekend! Thanks for all the great feedback! Your words bring me so much joy!

Lots of Love,

Natalie

S'more Love

One of my FAVORITE things about summer is a campfire up north... under that big blue blanket of navy blue glittered with sparkling white stars. The ones in the city are okay but the ones 'up north' as we call it here in Minnesota are just so much better! They feel so big and beautiful and sacred and special. And what would a crackling fire be without s'mores? 

It wouldn't be the perfect campfire!

What is it about the hot toasted marshmallow squished between chocolate and grams that's so good? Maybe it's comforting to me because I've eaten them my entire life? 

Who ever thought of the s'more combination anyway? Let's ask mother google!

This was what I found...

No one knows for sure, but the first recorded recipe for 

"Some mores" appears in a 1927 Girl Scout guide. 

 

Ooh there's even a National S'more Day - August 10th!

Thought I would share this drawing I did the other night - I'm calling it S'more Love.

What's one of your favorite things about summer? I'd love to hear about it!

Hope your having a great week!

Nat

Paint Party Friday - Sunflower!

Hi everyone! Happy Friday! I'm participating in the Paint Party Friday today!

I am sharing this beauty of a Sunflower I did yesterday! I am participating in the Maple Grove Days Art Fair, they are having a show for artists with out booths at the Maple Grove Art Center! This one will be for sale in the show next weekend along with a handful of others. If you live in the area and I are around - it's a great time to check the Art Center! It will be brimming with inspiration and local art for sale! The Opening Reception is Friday, July 15th, 7 - 9 pm and then it all also open all weekend Saturday, July 16th 10 am - 6 pm and Sunday, July 17th 11 am - 5 pm!

Sunflowers are my absolute FAVORITE FLOWER! Dreams are coming true =)
I'm just so happy to be back in this place of creating and selling work! With planning a wedding and then the wedding... I was out of the game for awhile!


Be sure to check out my friends over at Paint Party Friday!

Illustration Friday: Remedy

Illustration Friday's word for the week:

remedy

 [rem-i-dee] 

noun, plural -dies, verb, -died, -dy·ing.

–noun
something that cures or relieves a disease or bodilydisorder; a healing medicine,
application, or treatment.

something that corrects or removes an evil of any kind.

For so many the people the water is a remedy, a healing source, a relaxing source that we seek to find peace. Many go to the beach or lake homes to relax and vacation near. 

While at the cabin over the weekend, the water was my remedy. It didn't cure a disease but it cured my state of mind. I would wake up each morning before anyone else was up and get my supplies and head down to the dock. On the first morning this was the painting that emerged. I sat down with NO idea as to what I was going to paint. The aqua blue sky reflected onto the water and I felt like I was at the ocean. My heart was filled with so much joy and happiness, it's like I was instantly healed of everything!

Thanks for stopping by on be sure to check out the other Remedy art

over at Illustration Friday!

<3 Luv,

Nat

Summer Fun!

I'm Back! I enjoyed a long weekend up north for the fourth of July! It went so quickly, it was filled with fishing and swimming, family, good food, campfires, nature spotting, fireworks, and painting every morning on the dock! Can I go back please? Fourth of July weekend is summer at it's finest, I always look forward to it. Here are my 10 pics from the long weekend!

 1. Discovering new things!

 2. Crappie Fishing!

 3. Inspiration landing on the canvas I'm painting!

 4. Inspiration landing on a branch right next to our boat! 2 EAGLES!

 5. Ladyslipper on the lake!

 6. Baby Loons - SQUEEEEZE!

 7. Sunset with my 2 best guys - Kell and Bud!

 8. Watching my brother-in-law Neil jump off the bridge!

 9. Turkey spottin'! Never have I seen this many babies!

 10. Boat rides with a wet golden!