Amazing Etsy Artist -- orangewillow.etsy.com

This artist has some amazing work in her shop orangewillow.etsy.com. Not only does she have some very nice prints of original ink drawings, but her abstract paintings and collages are also very striking. The "Peacock" print caught my eye because we used to have lots of them on the farm growing up and she caught the precise moment that they make their incredible yell perfectly. I also really enjoyed her painting "Undercity" for the colors and movement (it would be a wonderful piece to decorate a room around). There are numerous new paintings and other items in her shop since I've been there last and she's currently having a holiday sale. She has a website at wendy-owens.com as well. "Peacock"
"Undercity"
"Flamingo"

Hope for Sustainability--Article from Organic Gardening Magazine.

Image via Article

There was an article in "Organic Gardening" August-October 2008 talking about the attempt to change the current industrial food system. This is something I believe in very much. I want the family farm to have a fighting chance again. Although what I have would be considered a hobby farm (I have a variety of animals and produce mostly for my own consumption), I know lots of people who depend on their forty-some cows for their livelihood, and I have no problem with that. They aren't the cold hearted animal abusers that animal rights activists proclaim. They are just like you and me.

Even on Martha Stewart's television show yesterday they discussed sustainable agriculture. I'm a big advocate for supporting your local agriculture, and for raising your own food, but some of the things said on Martha Stewart got to me. She said lowering your consumption of red meat helped to reduce your carbon footprint because of the long distances that beef has to travel from farm to store--(wouldn't buying a half a beef from a local farmer do that too versus buying from the supermarket?) They said that the government supported small-scale, local agriculture and not the big, corporate farms which I don't believe for a minute. Also she made it out like organic and healthy foods are easily found everywhere. I know for a fact that in Greene County there isn't much selection when it comes to organic or naturally produced food products (I wish there were). In the summer there are some area farmer's markets, but I want more options. I know this new food movement will take time, but I'm afraid that it will be too little too late. I appreciate the fact that big celebrities are bringing the local agriculture issue to light, but at the same time some of the ignorant things that they say hurt our efforts more than help them. People that don't have a clue about agriculture or rural living shouldn't be allowed to say things as authorities on the subject (that's just my opinion).

Read the Organic Gardening article here.

Self Reliance in the City--this is what I like to push.

(image via article)

This NY Times article talks about the fact that keeping a backyard flock of chickens has become pretty mainstream. Something that bugs me though are the people that are trying to get legislature to make it illegal to have chickens in cities--these are ignorant people--hens make great neighbors.


I won't be very quiet if somebody tries to tell me what I can and can't raise on my property. Sure, I live out in the country, but that might not always be true. I'm proud of people raising their own food. I know I feel much safer eating food I've raised versus the pre-packaged stuff in the grocery stores now that you can't identify half the ingredients in them. Ever since Joelee was in my belly I've been really conscious of what I was putting in my body. In the rural area where I live there isn't a lot of options as far as 'no preservatives' or 'healthy for you' foods. Even the produce is often-times in such a shape you wouldn't want to eat it.


I've started on the self-reliant path (chickens, a rabbit--soon to be rabbits, garden, orchard, etc.), and I want to start buying local instead of from big stores like Walmart. Learning how to trade and barter for the things I need, and selling the excess produce I grow at farmer's markets (that's my goal for next summer). I think it would be wise for more people to think about what would happen if the grocery stores shut down tomorrow. What would you do? I apparently am not the only person thinking this way being that the hatcheries can barely keep up with the orders coming in.


I'm glad the NY Times is featuring some pro-agriculture articles.

Amazing Etsy Photographers -- woodandpixels.etsy.com

The photography of woodandpixels.etsy.com is very lovely and caught my eye right away. The contrast of the illuminated spiderweb against the black background is very striking. Also the still image of the flying hummingbird is almost haunting. My favorite image, however, is "Clover Hay" because of the ominous looking clouds in the background (that's my favorite kind of weather). The artist has a blog at woodandpixels.blogspot.com and what makes him even better is that he's located in Indiana just like me. 8 x 10 "Moonlit Residence"


8 x 10 "Hummingbird Series Self-Portrait"

8 x 10 "Clover Hay"

Amazing Etsy Artist -- koelleart.etsy.com

Very beautiful pieces of art can be found at koelleart.etsy.com. This shop is ran by a husband and wife team. She creates very eye-catching paintings of birds and butterflies, and he creates images of cameras and bikes. I especially like the paintings of the various birds such as the sparrow that I chose to feature. They have a blog at blog.koelleart.com too. "Yellow Butterfly Painting"

"White Crowned Sparrow"
"OO OO - Vintage Camera Original Drawing"

Amazing Etsy Artist -- workingwoman.etsy.com

The etsy shop workingwoman.etsy.com is home to some lovely paintings and drawings. The objects that she chooses to paint are often things that can be found around the house, but she turns them into beautiful specimens by focusing on every little detail--especially the highlights and shadows. The reflections in "Teapot" make it an instant favorite. Click over and see what you think. "Teapot"

"Pickles"

"Branches in Maine (Spring)"

Amazing Etsy Artist -- studiorayyan.etsy.com

The most beautiful artwork I've ever seen comes from the shop studiorayyan.etsy.com. Not only is the subject matter original, but it's so wonderfully portrayed that I want to have every one of their works in Joelee's nursery. Heck, I'd like to have them decorate all the walls in my house. This was by far the hardest so far in choosing just three to illustrate the post. You must go check out their shop for all the amazing pieces they have for sale. One of my favorites is "The Runaway" because of the softness of the image and just for the whimsy (which is the case for all the images), but most of all because I envy the fact that the guy is roping a giant amphibian. My second favorite is "Taking the Wall" because who wouldn't love a mouse jumping a rock wall on a turtle--what genius compositions. Also check out their website at studiorayyan.com.

**Please note that they've taken their originals out of their shop for an art show, but if/when they put these works back in I'll put in links to those items in their shop. Until then, check out what else they have to offer.** "The Runaway"

"Taking the Wall"
"Crocodile and Carnation"

Amazing Etsy Artist -- daupo.etsy.com

The etsy shop daupo.etsy.com caught my eye for the use of line in the work. As I've talked about before I really enjoy unexpected use of line to create form. This is especially true in this shop's work. "Agnes" is absolutely beautiful with her red hair and green dress. "Glare" is grotesque, but yet I'm drawn to it. "Community," which I think is my favorite of his work, has a lot to say and has a definite mood to it. He also has a website at daupo.com, so I suggest checking it and the shop out as soon as you can."Agnes"
"Community"
"Glare"

Amazing Etsy Artist -- taramcauley.etsy.com

I stumbled on the etsy shop taramcauley.etsy.com recently. I like the quirkiness of prints like "The Staring Contest" and the sweet simplicity of "Octopus Love." The artist has a lot of originality in her work which I really like to see. Take a look for yourself. "The Staring Contest"
"Octopus Love"
"Hi There"

I Added New Items to my Etsy Shop.

A little delayed, but here are the printmaking pieces I promised a long time ago. "Dawn of the Horse""Gypsy Love""Goldfish and Bubbles""The Foot Bone"

"Imagined Landscape"

Check out my etsy shop for lots of photography prints as well: gallivantinggirl.etsy.com.

Amazing Etsy Artist -- abillion.etsy.com

I would love to decorate my whole house with the art from the shop abillion.etsy.com. There is such a draw for me to each of the pieces I've chosen to feature. The execution of the drawings is amazing--the detail and line work I'm truly envious of--and they are each a big inspiration to me. My favorite pieces in the shop are the ones featuring "19th Century Fish People." The quirkiness combined with the serious poses of the 'people' crack me up. My other favorite is "Feeding the Gargoyles" because of the beautiful use of each line drawn as well as the imaginative image itself. Please take a moment and look at his shop; I'm sure you'll enjoy it too.

"Raven Mad"
"Feeding the Gargoyles"
"19th Century Fish People Portraits No. 43"

Amazing Etsy Artist -- hangsalittleleft.etsy.com

The art in the shop hangsalittleleft.etsy.com really caught my eye. The "Portrait of the TV Addict" is my favorite because of the wonderful line work in the piece. I also really enjoy "The Indigo Urchin" too; it's a very beautiful piece. The artist also has a website at jessicadoyle.com, another etsy shop (which I'm sure I'll ask her to let me feature later) at jessicadoyle.etsy.com, and a twitter account at twitter.com/jessicadoyle. If you like what you see here, you should see what else she has to offer."Portrait of the TV Addict""The Indigo Urchin"

"Feeling Disconnected"

Baby Joelee

My daughter turned three weeks old as of yesterday. She's been such a good baby, but she seems so much older than three weeks--she holds her head up, rolls over, and moves where she pleases. Plus, she looks like a little woman with all that hair.

1 week2 weeks 3 weeks

Amazing Etsy Artist -- toxicguineapigs.etsy.com

The shop with a fun name--toxicguineapigs.etsy.com has many lovely illustrations. "Released" is a lovely print that I enjoy very much. Also the "Grizzly" print is very beautiful. This shop's owner also has a blog at oreillyink.blogspot.com and a website at oreillyink.com which are worth a look. "Released Print""Grizzly Print"

"Ferret Print"

Amazing Etsy Artist -- kristinoftedal.etsy.com

The shop kristinoftedal.etsy.com has lots of lovely illustrations. There is a wonderful use of shadows that puts a mood in each of the works. My favorite is the Badger which she offers in a neat little pocket mirror. The owner also has a blog at kristinsillustration.blogspot.com and a website at kristinoftedal.com. There is a lot to see, so make sure to take a look. Thumbelina Magnet
Hotel Print

Badger Pocket Mirror