Oh, My It's Cold Outside!

Happy New Year, Friends!

Who would have thought we would start the new year in a Deep Freeze!?

One good thing about having to bunker in on these blustery days, is when you are an artist,

you readily give yourself permission to paint! While Interior ReDesign is my career, and my joy, it has been great to re-connect with my fine art brushes! I invite you to view my latest creations, referenced from my daughter Lara's excellent photos of Australia, taken when she lived there. Such inspiration and at this time...I can pretend I am where it is warm! Did you know that Australia is now enjoying summer, while we shiver and shake?

More photos will be forth-coming of a Master Bathroom ReDesign soon to be completed.

Be sure to tune in soon.

Until then...stay warm!

Kindly,

Sandi

The brushes are flyin'

Hello Friends,

Just a quick note to update you on my latest endevors at descendents' galeria.

While summer typically is a slower time for Home Decor, it has given me the opportunity to be a little more selfish with my time for painting.

From commission work to continuing creating for my e-bay store, descendents_galeria, the "brushes have been flyin''. One of the enjoyable creations was a commission portrait of little Lila. Upon completing her portrait, she began jumping up and down, exclaiming, 'Lila...Lila...Lila".

Most recently, I have completed a small portrait of a fellow artist's 'fur child', named Jack, who recently passed. I truly enjoyed this endevor, being the dog lover that I am. Having experienced several times, parting with my own 'fur children' I can relate to the pain and loss that lingers.

Fall is just around the corner, as we have been reminded with the dwindling floral blooms in the garden and the cool nights that are now upon us. This is a wonderful time to focus on ReDesign ideas for your interior! As our calendar becomes more filled as we get closer to the holidays, I would encourage you to plan your consultation with us soon.

Until then, take care and visit again soon.

Sandi Oliverio

Think Colors of Spring!

I know for many of us living here in Michigan, it is most difficult with our ongoing snow falls to even imagine Spring is really on it's way...but it will be here soon.

In reading my latest periodicals on Home Decor the new Market has once again brought about new colors. One of the most popular, and a favorite of mine is shades of Aqua. I have to say, I felt a bit 'smug' when reading about Aqua, as I had painted my kitchen this 'feel good color' a couple years back....must have been ahead of my time! Of course you can use this wonderful color of nature in a much smaller scale, as an accent color in pillows or pottery and glassware. But, in it's softest shades it is so soothing for walls and upholstery. One site that I found wonderful to view and get inspired was : everythingturquoise.com.

Also, the vivid color of 'blue iris' has come forward to brighten your days, and shake off those Winter Day blahs. Lavendar, a softer shade within the violet family (as seen in the throw created by my disabled sister, and available in my e-bay store) will usher in Spring as well. Along with the 'greens' that make us all a bit more environmentally aware, they become a striking pair!

I have recently returned from a brief trip to Florida...that quite literally turned into a nightmare. (Giant spider and 30 degree weather is NOT what we had planned for!) But, none-the-less I must tell you it gave me a jump-start on thinking Spring. I have begun some current paintings of song birds of Michigan as well as my continued work as a ReDesigner in several homes wanting room makeovers.

I am getting excited with the prospect of Spring...how about you?

I would love to hear from all of you and what projects you are involved in.

Kindly,

Sandi

One more item!

As you take the time to view my e-bay store, descendents art gallery, please check out my daughter Lara's web-site, studiolara.com. or her e-bay store, Studio Lara.

Thanks again,
Sandi

Looking Forward To Spring!

Hello Friends!
As the name of my post implies, I am definitely looking forward to Spring...how about you? While we have not been hit with a tremendous amount of snow, we have endured some rather COLD temperatures! Florida is looking good about now.

If thinking about hurrying the seasons along makes it so, I have tried to direct that course with my latest paintings. I have completed a few woodland creature, mini-paintings in the ACEO format. For those of you not familiar with this very exciting and popular facet of art work, these small base-ball card size paintings (Art Cards Editions and Originals)are a true challenge to paint! Often the brushes used are no more than a couple of hairs...and for me a magnifying lens as well! But they are enjoyable to do, and successful sellers for people wishing to collect original art in an affordable way.


January is typically a slower time for my Interior Design business as people look to rally back from the holidays with expenditures. This year however, some established customers are already looking to get a 'jump-start' on some new projects to make their home more inviting. In conjunction with the idea of interior redesign, often one of the items that makes a room 'new and inviting' is a change of accessories. To get started on that theme, I have included a couple of paintings of lemons in my e-bay store inventory, that would complement many Transitional home interiors, or those carrying off a Tuscan or Provence theme. Also, my sister who lives with a serious heart condition has hand-crocheted some beautiful afghans for me, which can be viewed at 'descendents art gallery' as well. I hope you will take the time to view these items and let me know what you think.

I also enjoy doing pet portraits, and will soon start one of 'Ruby'
a special little gal owned by one of my customers. Her excitement when I arrived on the job was infectious and made my day!

I need to get the 'brushes flyin' so until next time...Take care and stay warm!
Sandi

Happy 2008!

Dear Friends,
Sorry we lost touch since our last blog of October. Life has been a whirlwind of changes in our household, and my blogging suffered neglect.

With the New Year, comes new ventures. I am now selling some of my paintings on e-bay. Something my successful, artist daughter, Lara prompted me to do. How exciting to have the auction take place and someone WIN the bid to purchase your work! This is a photo of a current painting of a fawn I photographed in our backyard.

Within descendents' the New Year has brought about some changes in the direction of my business. Though I will continue to do Room Re-designs as well as complete Home Makeovers I will now be deferring my faux finishing and mural work to other artists. I have found it is becoming more 'challenging' (good word, right?) to do the physical labor that is so intensive in the scope of these type of projects. I have several, very qualified artists to refer you to for these elements.

My assistant, Sandy and I will begin in January with a complete remodel of a established customer's Master Bath and Bedroom. We are so excited, as we have selected the theme, as well as tiles, lighting and accessories...and anxious to get it underway. I will be posting before and after photos to give you an update as we proceed. Also, I have completed some Room Redesigns, using a customer's own furniture items, as well as some new additions to create a totally new room! Check back for those photos soon. This is something many customers do not realize...that often it is just rearranging your present furnishings, and perhaps a few new additions to bring about a total transformation. Limited time, and limited expense.

I hope your New Year starts out with renewed hope and blessings in abundance.

I will be back to update you on all my ventures soon!

Please check out my e-bay store for paintings at descendents_galeria as well as visiting my daughter Lara's at Studio Lara. She has been painting up a storm and hopes to soon be relocating in Florida with her husband Jono, who is patiently waiting to be sponsored to come to the states from Australia.

Take care.
Sandi Oliverio
descendents' galeria