December is here already!

It was such an amazing long weekend-warmth in the studio, sun shining, lovely music and even open windows to paint beside.  Just perfect!  I spent most of the weekend finishing the first group of Christmas orders and then back to the barn to cut and sand the next big group of nineteen and only two weeks or so to finish those!  After bringing those in, I decided to photograph the signs I had just finished and learned a valuable lesson-take socks off prior to standing on a stool with camera-after a large crash and a large bump on my large noggin and few other scrapes-I did take my socks off... and got a few nice photos.  Dork status upgraded. That's good, right?!  Happy December!

skirt! magazine, Happy Thanksgiving, & Ava

The most exciting news to share-I can hardly type actually-but anyway, check out the December issue of skirt! magazine (cute green boxes all around Richmond and a few other places-there's also a link here and on my website) and on the 24/7 page, you'll find Sunnygirl Signs!  Isn't that the craziest thing-the bees knees, the absolute end?!  Thank you so much   to Phyllis Theroux, a wonderful local writer (with a new book coming out soon!), Constance Costas, skirt! Richmond editor, Agata Schoenborn, photographer and Nikki Hardin, publisher/editor and Ashland Coffee and Tea for a wonderful location for the shoot.  The December issue comes out in less than a week and I am so excited to see it! I hope you are too!  Happy Thanksgiving!  Rest, eat and laugh with friends and family- and then perhaps, take a walk and enjoy the fresh air.  It's so nice this time of year!  Oh and Ava, I just really liked this one.

Christmas Orders-it's time!

As you can see, Sunnygirl Sign orders for Christmas are already coming in!  Even though it's only the middle of November, the holidays will be here so quickly and the days seem shorter and shorter and busier and busier.  If you think you might like a sign or two for the holidays, just send an e-mail as soon as you can and we can get started!  Here are a few ideas to help with your order:*What word(s) would you like?  *Color preferences-background? lettering? dots?  *Size-4" tall, 6" tall, 8" tall or larger? *Pick-up or shipping date?  So, let your creativity soar and your imagination for different words and color combinations be free!  Anything is possible!  Wouldn't it be fun to give someone a present that you created? (plus I always attach a little note to those special order presents, that says 'This Sunnygirl Sign original was created especially for you by __________________.) You want to sign your name, don't you?

Numbers-who knew?

A few weeks ago, I was asked by a friend to paint some signs for a lovely group of women who were getting ready to run the Richmond Marathon for the first time!  Very exciting!  So, when I asked her what she had in mind, she thought 26.2 would be a perfect way to celebrate the race.  I must admit, a became a little nervous as I'd not painted numbers before-only letters and have had so much practice, I really had never given numbers much thought.  I'm really happy to say I'm glad I gave it a try-I ended up doing four of these, all free-hand, as always, and I think she's right-a perfect way to celebrate all 26.2 miles!
Go Runner Girls Go!

October and more swirls please!

Happy October!  
It's such a beautiful time in the studio right now-there are three magnificent oaks just on the other side of my studio windows that are shedding their orange, red and yellow leaves much to my delight!  With the rain, some even stick to the windows and I can have a longer view of those, until they fly away to meet the others, and as you can probably imagine, there are plenty of others!  So, perhaps "goddess" is a perfect way to describe those majestic trees-"goddesses of nature"-yes, very fitting.  If this sign wasn't a special order for Helena (with extra swirls and glitter too!), I just might have to sit it at the base of one of those oaks...

Sunnygirl Signs-words on the side!

Have a look at the newest sign-I'm so excited! I suppose I'll call it Words on the Side-

How did it happen you might be wondering? A lovely teenager, whose mom has several Sunnygirl Signs, wrote to me and wanted a sign with 'I love you to the moon and back'-a special saying that she shared with her mom. Worried that her babysitter's salary may not be able to cover such a lengthy sign, Words on the Side happened! I'm so happy to report that her mom loved it and said it was "the grooviest birthday present ever". What's your favorite saying? It just might make a lovely Sunnygirl Sign-Words on the side!

Cooler weather!

It's so nice in the studio with the windows open and the cool breezes of fall blowing in to say hi! I'm surprised that it's been so long since I've written but I suppose all the adventures of fall have kept me busier than I thought! I'm so excited and grateful that things have been so busy and that Sunnygirl Signs continue to do well. Thank you so much for your support and lovely words. I'm currently working on ten special orders which seem to come in quite steadily now! A couple of weeks ago, I sent an order off to Georgia-to someone I've never met-and she was really pleased. It's the neatest thing- hard to explain but I just love it-packing things and mailing them off-exciting! Who doesn't love getting a big package in the mail, with signs inside that you created?!

Fall is here-wow!

It's almost here-fall weather!

I'm looking forward to long sleeves and jeans again-I have this pair of overalls that I've had for a very long time-they're perfect for painting-covered in patches (to hold them together!), sharpie drawings and now, paint- I'm wearing them in the photo on the right, in the barn! When the weather is so hot, they hang in the studio, just waiting for fall to arrive and now-it's here!

Painting is moving along nicely and I'm working to finish more new signs for the wall at the Ashland Coffee and Tea-hang on! They're coming soon I hope! Oh, and this photo-a custom order (think 'Reese')-it's a Sunnygirl Sign-with legs!

Wonderful Day!

What a wonderful day it was on Saturday! I knew that I wanted to spend a lot of time in the studio, working on special orders and more work for the wall at the Ashland Coffee and Tea. As I was preparing to do just that (strong coffee, i-tunes, phone, paint clothes!), the sky darkened, a cool breeze appeared and before I could make it to the studio, the most beautiful rain began. I could hear the trees laugh and see the flowers dance...truly wonderful. I opened all of the bamboo shades in the studio and as I painted, watched the rain on the barn roof and the grass turn green again. It's my favorite kind of day in the studio...I'm hoping for more as fall returns. Aren't you?

House Numbers

If you've read through my blog posts, you know that I love painting custom orders. A while ago, I wanted to paint something for our family and after lots of thoughts, decided to try a house number. I painted a few with numbers but wasn't quite sure about the look. Then it dawned on me to use words for the numbers and I'm happy to say, that I really liked the outcome! Since painting our house numbers (there's a photo on my website), I'm so lucky that others have ordered house numbers as well.

They're especially fun when there are zeros in the number and they can be painted with "oh"! They're interesting when you can hang them in a window above your door and have a word painted on the flip side! 'Salut!' is painted on the other side of this image, with 'good-bye' on the other side of mine! All signs for the outside are treated with Krylon UV so they'll last a really long time...let me know about your house number!

Summer Has Been So Busy!

Happy August! It feels as though it's been forever since I've added a post and in some ways, forever since I've been able to paint. Running the Bluemont Concert Series here in Ashland, previously scheduled summer trips, installing long over-due special orders, and painting the stage at our local Children's Theatre Camp has taken more time that I could have ever imagined. So, as I get ready to walk my girl over to theatre camp, I look forward to coming back for a few hours of painting. It's my focus this week. It will feel so good to return to the studio! Can't wait to post some new work too!

Bluemont in Ashland Benefit

Summer is going along quite nicely and I'm painting along on special orders and new work for the wall at the Ashland Coffee and Tea. I'm also very excited to begin work on a very special donation to the Art Auction at the Bluemont in Ashland Benefit! Please bring friends and join an evening of music and art to benefit Bluemont, The Cultural Spirit of our Communities on Thursday, July 23 at 7 pm at the Ashland Coffee and Tea. Great music will be played by Coleman and Fuller, Jackie Frost and The Taters with an Art Auction as well. I'll be painting a one-of-a-kind special Sunnygirl Sign and will also be donating a gift certificate for a sign of your design! For more information, visit http://bluemontinashland.blogspot.com or www.hanoverarts.org.

Summer-finally!

I couldn't be happier that summer is finally here! I love my regular job but I'm really looking forward to catching up on all of my special orders and having a little time to paint before midnight!

I love working with the windows open, music playing and nothing else to do. It awakens my creative side, sends me to a place where nothing else seems to matter-just words and paint. Lovely.

I was so excited by the thought that I found myself in a very deep construction site dumpster yesterday, throwing wood over the side, thinking about all of the new designs to come this summer. I had a little trouble getting out but luckily I did. So, tomorrow-the studio. Ahhh...

Run Like a Girl 8k

What an amazing day! I know this isn't really Sunnygirl Sign related however I just had to write about the Run Like a Girl 8k Women's Only Race that I ran with my almost 10 year old girl. Over 2,000 women and girls ran, jogged, and walked through the woods and fields, five miles to benefit Ovarian Cancer research. I'm not an athlete and wish I exercised more regularly so I was curious to see how I might survive this adventure. The energy was overwhelming and the positive spirits of everyone involved helped us make it to the finish in less time that we ever imagined! I encourage everyone to check out this super fun race, no matter your age or ability level-find out that you really can do anything you make up your mind to do. I can't wait for next year! I take my tired legs and achy knees back to the studio-it was very worth it!

More Special Orders!

Just had to sit down to take a little break from painting-whew! I've got about 20 special orders in progress so I'll be working quite a lot in these next coming weeks.

I went to a great party yesterday and as I walked up to the front door, this sign was sitting in the front window welcoming everyone. How great!

I continue to be so grateful to be able to paint for so many old friends, new friends and people I've never even met. I love this little adventure and hope to paint for a long time to come!

Ashland Strawberry Faire!

I'm back in the studio getting reading for the Ashland Strawberry Faire and catching up on lots of special orders-thanks you guys!

This year, the faire is on June 6, right in the heart of Ashland on the campus of Randolph-Macon College. Hopefully, the weather will be nice and cool for lots of art, strawberries, plants and people watching.

Also, I'm working on a new idea-Sunnygirl Stackables. Come by and see for yourself!

Great Show!

It was a really great show this past Saturday at William Fox Elementary School in the fan in Richmond. The Cashmere Jungle Lords played, the weather was a little humid but not rainy (thank goodness) and the crowd was perfect.

While a little worried about the economy, I was so excited to take many special orders this time. It was a relief as I didn't take as many signs to the show as I had hoped and ended up borrowing some from friends to have on display.

Thanks to all who attended the show and hope to see you at the next one! Ashland Strawberry Faire is on Saturday, June 6 on the campus of Randolph-Macon College-see you there!

Special Orders

I love painting custom orders-my customers share such great ideas and working on such diverse names

is always interesting!

There are so many words to paint; the possibilities are just endless!

I've painted names of course, favorite sayings, pet names, house numbers in words, words for kitchens (eat), bathrooms (flush), bedrooms (sleep well), hallways, river houses-wow, so many!

So, what word can you think of? Or for that matter, words? Send me your ideas and I'll be happy to paint for you-anytime!

Many thanks! I'm off to the studio...

Time to Paint!

Ahhh, Spring Break is here and it's time to paint! Things at my 9 to 5 have been unusually busy this year and painting time has been really tough to find. I find myself with many special orders that have been sitting in my studio, some for much longer than I would like-that's for sure. So, tomorrow, I begin. No plans other than coffee, painting and perhaps a walk or two. I will catch up on all of my special orders as well as start a new bunch of signs for the show in May at Fox School. Very exciting!

If you are one of my very patient and oh so kind special order customers, thank you. Thank you so much for supporting me and waiting for too long. Hang on, they're coming soon!

Oh, and give me a due date! Even if there's not one, please make one up-somehow that helps...

Spring Shows!

If you're looking for a really fun show in May, come down to the fan in Richmond and check out Strawberry Street Art Market and More on Saturday May 9!

I usually show with my good friend Heather but this year, I will be showing in a booth by myself. While I'll miss showing with her super cute jewelry and painted furniture, I'm really excited to fill my booth with signs of all sizes, shapes and colors!

This great event benefits Fox School and goes from noon to 4:30. I'll be taking custom orders as well as selling signs so come on over! The address is 2407 Hanover Avenue, Richmond 23220. Hope to see you!

Words vs. Images

So, I'd love to say that I can paint anything- as far as words go, I can imagine their length, their color and their personality easily.

Growing up and even now, people tease me about my "very neat handwriting" and in some strange way, it has really come in handy as far as Sunnygirl Signs goes!

Images are quite a different story! Once, when painting one of my very first signs, a customer asked if I could paint a cherry at one corner. Although worried, I agreed, not wanting to disappoint her as she was so excited about the thought of it! After hours of trying to paint that simple cherry (you could have called it an upside down heart, an apple, a red blob or anything else red I suppose), I decided to leave images to others. It's a good thing.

Words-oh yippee! Any and all sorts please!

All about Sunnygirl Signs

Sunnygirl Signs was started a couple of years ago after visiting a friend's farm.

I wanted to say thank you for a lovely day of swimming in the creek and visiting all of his animals so the very first Sunnygirl Sign was created!

Now, three years later, I have sold over 400 signs! Wow-that's so crazy to write-I'm so grateful. I've painted custom signs for many people, sold at art shows, painted in spanish, latin, greek, painted house numbers, names, favorite thoughts-it's so much fun.

All of my words are painted on recycled wood-some from our very old house, some from building site discard piles or sometimes, friends who know I paint, toss wood in our yard when they have some extra to share.

You can find out more at my new website listed right here on my blog. So spread the word!