More mini oils!

I ran out of this cute little size of mini oils from my poppy and lantern series – they were a hit!  Here’s some new ones that I finished up last week.  These are 5″ x 5″ for $75 each.   See my website or etsy shop for more!

Best wishes,

Rachel

 

Glass Terrariums – Make one, it’s fun!

A couple weeks ago, I got together with some of my crafty friends to make terrariums.  My friend, Deb, showed us how and got together the supplies.  They all turned out so cute!  Now I’m on a terrarium kick – I want to make a big one for my fireplace mantel.

Here’s the basics if you want to make one of your own.  We used a variety of glass containers purchased from a thrift shop – if you find a vase you like without a top, try finding a smaller glass vase that will rest on top.  Put a layer of clean pebbles on the bottom.  Cover with a layer of charcoal (to help take away any smells) and then a layer of potting soil.  Now you are ready to plant!  I love moss terrariums and you can find plenty of moss for free all over Portland.  You can also go to your local nursery and use ground covers, sedums, violets.  Water till moist and ta-da! Remove lid if your terrarium has too much water and let air out – otherwise you can leave the lid on and go make more.  : )

Those are the steps we used, but I’m sure you can find more info about making these online or at a nursery if you need more info.

Happy planting,

Rachel

 

CRAVE Portland

I’m in a book!!

CRAVE Portland just came out last month and I am honored to be one of the 100 Portland women featured in it!  This cute little book highlights Portland women business owners – from boutique owners to chefs to artists (that’s me!).  This book makes a great gift and has lots of pretty pictures.  CRAVE Portland retails for $19.95.  However, if you are interested in purchasing it from me, I am selling them for $15 including shipping (US only, please).  Email me how many you’d like to purchase and we’ll figure out the details.  : )

 

noun: a person’s place for things

One of the great Portland shops that stocks Rachel’s paintings is Noun.  Located at 3300 SE Belmont, its in one of our favorite neighborhoods.  Sadly we don’t get there as much now that we’ve moved, but whenever we’re around we stop by the shop to see what new things they have.  From excellent local designers like esoule and Modica Design to great vintage finds there is always something eyecatching.  Check out their recently added online shop too.

-jon

 

The Design Alphabet

Jo, from the Design Alphabet emailed me yesterday to let me know I was one of the featured artists to represent the letter ‘R’!  The Design Alphabet is a daily alphabetical journey dedicated to home and product design, focusing on one alphabet letter per day.  I am excited to get to be a part of it! They just finished their 4th Alphabet – you can see me featured in the latest ‘R’ Post.

Happy Thursday,

Rachel

 

Photos by Elizabeth Soule

We just had some photos taken by Elizabeth Soule and had to share some of our favorites!  She is specializes in taking children’s portraits in color and black and white.  If you are looking to capture some very sweet moments with your own little one, Elizabeth is your woman!  She was so great with Adelaide and captured so many looks that I’ve been unable to get.  Elizabeth also takes gorgeous polaroids that I’m sure you’ll recognize at esoule.

Rachel

 

New *big* oils!

These  are my newest oil paintings – I really love them (if that is okay to say!).  I went larger with these two since these were showing at Ristretto last month and they have some big walls.   It was fun to work larger again – they are each 36″x 36″ – The top one is Poppies on Blue II  (sold!) and the bottom piece is Hanging Lanterns on Brown at $1100.   See my website for more.

Happy day,

Rachel

 

Milk Carton Races!

Last weekend we went on a family outing to the Portland Rose Festival Milk Carton Races!  I remember going as a kid to this event and was excited to see the festival was going to start it up again.  Kids have to race and row across West Moreland pond in homemade boats made from empty milk cartons.  Even though Sunday was a bit stormy, everyone was in good spirits.   There were even dairy princesses handing out little cartons of milk like the ones you got in elementary school.  Lots of good old fashioned fun.  Here’s some photos from the event.  I think we’ll have to put Adelaide in it in a couple of years.  : ) 

Happy day,

Rachel

 

Amanda Blake painting!

I’ve been meaning to share this painting for the last couple weeks.  My very loving mother commissioned and surprised me with this painting from one of my favorite artists, Amanda Blake, for my first Mother’s Day.  It is titled Rachel and Adelaide by the Sea and I adore it -  I love the tenderness it shows and couldn’t imagine a sweeter gift!  To see more of Amanda’s work or to commission your own painting, visit her website.

Cheers,

Rachel

 

Sunset Magazine’s Idea House

Last week I got an email asking to have one of my paintings  be a part of Sunset Magazine’s Idea House for their  Celebration Weekend event.  Of course, I was quite excited and shipped out this little painting, ‘Lawnside’ to be included in their art under $60 collection.  The artwork was curated by the very kind Suzanne Shade of The Beholder (a really wonderful site for artwork).  The house was open this weekend and will be a part of their October issue – I’m hoping I’ll be able to spot my mini little painting in the issue.  Also, exciting was that someone bought the piece yesterday!

This little house is really cool – it’s a prefab designed by San Fransisco’s Modern Cabana.  I really love the framed hanging wall of succulents – isn’t that amazingly beautiful!  I’d love to try to make something similar for my backyard.  I wonder if it would work in our Portland climate?  Hmmmm…  And try to find my painting in the middle photo – it’s that tiny little red piece.  : )

To see more pretty pictures of this little house visit Sunset’s site.

Rachel