Gifts for great couples

Making art pieces for friends, whether it's a surprise or a commission, usually leads down a path less traveled. I recently had the chance to come up with a wedding gift, and a first year anniversary gift for four of my lovely friends.

This was the first time I have ever replicated a family crest: Duvall, for the new Grover and Jessica Duvall. 18"x24", colored pencil, ink, and water color pencil with flecks of gold leaf throughout. My reference copy became easier to use when I figured out that up above is a little gryphon(?) and not some type of plume..

An abstract route for Brandon and Jo Wildman (in violet). Acrylic and gold leaf on panel, 18"x14". Cancer meets Sagittarius in a sea of commemorative items from the month of November.

For the homeland, Pro Patria. From the French Mareen Duvall lineage.

Effort-decor

I know it's well into January. Happy New Year. Last month was my great big DIY Christmas. I presented my sister with a painted stick. There was lamb complete with homemade tabouli and baba ganoush, for a Christmas dinner straight from Israel that I somehow managed to sell the family on. And I painted over 60 pinecones that were strung up in my apartment. Here is my non-tutorial, ladies and gentlemen. Spray, drip, dry, tie, hang.  You can even do it late at night in the dark! (See below.) One time for this is probably enough, so I have a free pass to leave these up until I want winter to be over already. Pine things are still nice in February, and color is always welcome.