new painting: alice and the white rabbit

I made this last week, but finally got a chance to post it! I've been so busy preparing for Patchwork Show! Alice in Wonderland is one of my favorite stories (and I love children's literature oh-so-much). I recently made a custom Lost Boys painting for my friend Courtney, and I loved the style used for it, so I decided to expand that idea for other literature-inspired pieces. (that means more to come!)

I made up this scene that doesn't exist in the book, but the quote is from the book. I love this quote so so much, it almost makes me cry. I imagine Alice and the White Rabbit having tea together and discussing life :)

It's watercolor and ink, 8x10, and the writing is done in stamps and calligraphy. I loved blending all these different elements that I love to work with, and I'm really happy with how it came out! It's funny how I notice my style ever-evolving; I sometimes worry about my portfolio not being cohesive, but because I love each piece and all of them have similar wistfulness, I don't focus on the worry so much!

I'll add prints of this to my Etsy shop next month, but first I'll be selling prints of it at Patchwork show in just over 2 weeks! Come see me there if you live in the Southern California area :)

xo, Michelle

Follow me @maryandluna on your favorite social media: Instagram, Twitter, Facebook. See my art in my Etsy shop or on maryandluna.com. 

new art print: "you make everything rose-colored"

This is the new print in my shop! 

Based on the phrase, "seeing life through rose-colored glasses," this piece is dedicated to the people that make everything feel better. They make bad days better and good days magical. Optimism and a sunny, loving outlook on life. They make everything rose-colored. This art print would be perfect in any room of the house to remind you of those good things and people that make hard days worth the trouble. Print will not include the watermark (© Mary & Luna). To display: Prints can be placed in any 8x10 frame, or any larger frame with a matted 8x10 opening. You can get it in my Etsy shop :)

xo, Michelle Follow me @maryandluna on your favorite social media: Instagram, Twitter, Facebook. See my art in my Etsy shop or on maryandluna.com. 

custom painting: a mandala!

I loved making this custom piece for my yogi friend, Ryan! It was such a challenge because I'd never created anything even remotely similar to it before! Ryan knew he wanted me to design a mandala, and to have the word namaste underneath it. So I started sketching and came up with this design, we agreed on it, and here's the piece in just ink, before color:

Ryan sent me photos of a color scheme he liked, so I applied it where I thought it would look best, then added my calligraphy "namaste." It's done with ink and gouache paint, 8x10. (and without the copyright tag). He will probably be using this on his yoga instructor business cards, as well as displayed in his living space :)

Been busy with this, editing photos, record-keeping, lining up new projects… I'll share more new work next week!

xo, Michelle

if you're interested in a custom art piece like this one, please email me and we can brainstorm ideas! I absolutely love making things for a specific person in mind :) maryandluna@gmail.com _____

Follow me @maryandluna on your favorite social media: Instagram, Twitter, Facebook. See my art in my Etsy shop or on maryandluna.com. 

New piece: literary tree signs!

Imagine stumbling across these wooden directional signs to classic fictional literary places, nailed to a tree… where would you go? 

I've just added this print to my Etsy shop! This watercolor & gouache painting depicts some of my most favorite places in classic literature. Neverland from "Peter Pan," Narnia from "The Chronicles of Narnia," Hogwarts from "Harry Potter," Wonderland from "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland," Oz from "The Wizard of Oz," the secret garden from "The Secret Garden," and a sign to mark that you are home. A little pocket watch dangles from the tree branch to symbolize the fleeting feeling of time & childhood passing.

This art print would be perfect in a child's room, any book lover's home, a library, a classroom, or any place you may want a touch of imagination and daydreams of adventure.

Details:

      -Print will not include the watermark (© Mary & Luna).       -To display: Prints can be placed in any 8x10 frame (as shown), or any larger frame with a matted 8x10 opening.       -Frame not included. 

Buy it here and visit the rest of my Etsy shop and my website to see all the art I have for sale!

xo, Michelle 

Follow me @maryandluna on your favorite social media: Instagram, Twitter, Facebook. 

"Grace, not perfection."

A few years ago, I read this quote and it stuck with me. This week, I felt the need to handwrite it and paint.

I am trying the best I can to be the best I can be. Sometimes my own head and body get in the way. I can't churn out artwork as frequently as some artists I follow. I'm still new to learning business and I'm constantly trying to absorb more information about it. I'm still learning how to balance art and business. I'm still trying to set up a lifestyle that works for me, day-to-day. I have days where I just need to zone out and do nothing. I'm constantly afraid of my past anxiety taking over with full force again if I push myself too hard. I'm still figuring out how I want my business and my internet presence to be, because I'm in introvert and I simply cannot post something everyday; I have a need to reflect and be deliberate with what I share. I juggle my art business and life and my part-time babysitting jobs. I know that's how my life will continue to be, so I'm doing the absolute best I can sanely do to establish habits and a workflow that work for me.

I find myself often feeling like I'm not doing enough, despite constantly checking things off my to-do list. I guess I have high standards and hopes for myself. I've always been a little overly ambitious but a little bit lazy. I know I'm capable, so I strive for perfection. I always have. And sometimes that's good- it's motivating. But sometimes it's horrible for my emotional well-being. Nothing is perfect. Perfection is something people perceive from the outside, and the person who created it or the person living in it never believes it's perfect.

So I'm always making an effort to focus on the gracefulness of what I'm doing. Am I creating pieces I love? Am I doing the best I can? Am I presenting a message and a presence I want to present to the world? Am I being deliberate and cohesive and consistent? Am I presenting my work gently and gracefully, not abrasively and desperately? I am working within myself to do things with grace (not in a religious way, but in a refined, gentle, smooth way). I will strive to create work & a life that I'm proud of, and I will strive to be graceful in my actions in all areas of my life. I will always do the best I can, and try to accept that it will rarely be perfect in my eyes.

Whomever is reading this, please never hesitate to share any thoughts with me. I'd love to know what you're thinking :)

xo, Michelle

P.S. Forgot to announce that I re-designed my website quite a bit. Go see the new layout and some new content: www.maryandluna.com