Jellyfish Drawing with Blue and White Porcelain

I bought this frame in a local antique store and fell in love with it's shape, size and antique look.  After the Seahorse drawing, I decided to stay with the marine theme and draw a jellyfish to place in it.  I think it turned out strangely elegant.

Jellyfish Drawing:  The drawing measures 16"W

X 34"T.  Matted and behind glass in the antiqued gold-leafed wooden frame the piece measures 25 1/2"W X 43 1/2"T.  This drawing is no longer available.



A Vacation with the Family

I just got back from spending a week with my family.  I always love going home to see them.While there I spent some time going through the family photographs.  I scanned these and decided to post them.

From the top: A shot of my Grandfather, Father and Uncle.  My paternal Grandmother, who looks a lot like my sister in this photo.  My maternal Grandmother in her winter wear. My Mother and Aunt in matching outfits.  My Father and two Uncles pyramided.  My Father as a teenager with a flat top.  My Mother at her most glamorous.  My parents who will be married 55 years this year.  My parents, Sister and myself.  And finally, me in my Sunday best.

My Bedroom

The Cooling Rains

It has been unseasonably hot down here in SW Florida lately.  A rainstorm blew through the other night and took most of the heat and humidity with it.  I took the photograph above during that rain.  I love sitting on the lanai during a steady rain, especially at night when there is a cooling breeze.  The lanai, although always pretty, looks magical then. 



The Kentucky Derby at Tom and Alex's House

This past weekend we went over to our friends Tom and Alex's House to watch the Kentucky Derby.  Alex is an amazing chef and put out a gorgeous and delicious spread.  While there I could not resist taking some photos of their stunning home.  The photos above are of their magnificent Living Room.  Truly, these pictures do not even come close to doing it justice.

From the top: Two long shots of the Living Room.  The Moroccan tile above the fireplace was laid by Tom and Alex themselves.  Two pairs of framed antique maps hang above the tables on either side of the fireplace.  I love the antlers and how they are placed on the table in the fourth and fifth photos.  A pair of back-to-back white sofas anchor the room.  The last four photos are just some of the beautiful tabletop vignettes you see wherever you look is this room. 



Seahorse Drawing

I have always thought seahorses were some of the most beautiful and graceful creatures in the sea.  I completed this drawing recently and wanted it to have a feel of a scientific rendering.  I am not sure how successful I was, but I do like it a lot.  I framed the drawing in an antique frame I found in a small shop here in town.

The top two photos show the drawing hanging on the kitchen wall.  This is the wall that everything looks good on!  The third photo is a shot of it's reflection in my bathroom mirror.  I like to move artwork around the house.  I feel a new location always changes the feel and look of the piece.  The rest of the photos are of the piece itself.  Obviously, right?

Seahorse Drawing

The graphite drawing measures 11 1/2"W X 17 1/2"H.  Matted under glass and in the antique gold leafed wood frame the piece measures 28 1/2"W X 34 1/2"H.  Pricing and shipping information can be found at http://www.etsy.com/listing/98861993/seahorse-drawing

A Rainy Day in Southwest Florida

Rainy and cloudy days are really very rare here in Southwest Florida.  Although I do love all of the sunshine and warm weather, there is something to be said about a lazy, rainy day.  This is a photo of Louie lying on top of his favorite pillow and enjoying the quiet day.  To me, this photograph looks very painting-like and captures the mood of the day.

A House of Many Pages

I love books.  I love the look of them, the smell of them and the feel of them.  There are hundreds and hundreds of books in the House.  And although many are used as props and decorative items, the vast majority of them have been read and enjoyed.  Here are just a few photos of the many books we have and how we use them.

The second to last photo is a book signed by the interior decorator Mary McDonald.  We went to hear her speak a couple of weeks ago and got the book signed then.  If you do not know her, look her up.  And watch the second season of her show, Million Dollar Decorators, on Bravo this summer.  She is fantastic!  It really is the only television I watch.