I recently completed this Under the Sea Mural for the Henry County Public Health Office in Mt. Pleasant, IA. The mural is located in their immunization room, and they requested a scene to help distract kids from the stress of receiving shots. There are lots of fun surprises to search and find, and some of the sea creatures have band-aids on their fins as if they just received a shot too.
Continue reading Under the Sea Mural
The first week in January I had the pleasure of creating 3 graphic murals for Always Sunny Inside, an indoor playground in Burlington, IA. I followed colors and design elements they had chosen for their decor to create these murals. I used interior latex paint in their chosen colors too. Overall, these designs were very clean and simple, but keeping the edges crisp and clean took all of my expertise and experience. I was so pleased to to have some really nice large brushes to complete the task with no hiccups. Enjoy a few photos and a video too!
It’s that time of year! Here is my list of 23 art related gift ideas for 2023. It includes my top loved and used art supplies by my amazing art students- because, what do all artists want, no matter the age?? Art supplies!! I’ve also include my top gift-able items from my shop. Enjoy!
Continue reading Annie’s Gift Guide 2023
This last week I got to install and then have the opening reception for my show, Marvelous and Minutia. This line of work focuses on the extravagent beauty that surrounds us- whether big or small. If you are gazing at a vast sunset sky, looking down from a mountain peak, or looking at the intricate detail in a single flower in your own garden- we are spoiled with beauty all around us. Enjoy this video showcase of the gallery show and reception.
I was pleased to create a second mural for the kids at the New London Community Childcare Center in New London, IA. The theme of this mural was a magical or enchanted forest, again with lots of surprises for the kids to find. After completing the Happy Farm, the director and I worked on 20 add ins to my original hand-painted mock up. My son Conan contributed many creative ideas, and my amazing husband Nils used his graphic skills to add my drawings to scale to my mock up, which made the first step of projecting the image on the wall much easier. (This is why you see black and white drawings imposed over a painted background for my mock up. The white items are the hand-drawn add ins)
Continue reading The Magical Forest Mural
Over the past week I had the pleasure of painting this 240 square foot Happy Farm Mural at New London Community Childcare Center in New London, IA.
Continue reading The Happy Farm Mural
Every year, I try to help art parents or those who desire to give gifts to the artists in their life. The following are my recommendations (with links!) to help you fill those stockings with art supplies this year. What do all artists want, no matter the age?? Art supplies!! I’ve also include my top gift-able items from my shop. Enjoy!
Continue reading Annie’s 22 for 2022 Gift Recommendations!
I spent the first week of September up in the air! 30 ft up to be exact! I was hired to repaint a weathered Totem Pole in Mt. Pleasant, IA. It was a crazy experience for me, full of literal ups and downs on a boom lift. I was delighted to learn that i’m not particularly afraid of heights, though when it was windy up there it was a little scary. Luckily I was blessed with a few wind free days and lots of family support to put in some long painting hours and get it done.
For materials, I used Chroma Mural Paints which are UV stable. I lightly sanded off old paint (customer did not want me to prime the surface) and coated every inch with bright new color. I then applied a generous coat of Helmsman Outdoor Polyurethene coating. (These are the same materials i’ve used on my Peace Poles and Garden Poles)
Overall, I found the experience exhilarating and empowering. I’m feeling inspired to take on mural work and can’t wait to continue to paint on a large scale more in my community and beyond!
Enjoy this video of the process, as well as some of my favorite images.
I’ve always loved Bob Ross, I mean, who doesn’t love him? I loved watching The Joy of Painting as a kid, and even now. Bob was and is so encouraging and inspiring- he made everyone feel as if they could paint- and I believe in that philosophy too. When I began my journey into oil painting, I loved his philosophy but I didn’t want to paint in that particular style. My brother had one of his instructional kits at the time- so although I didn’t follow his techniques, I definitely used the paints and supplies that came with the kit.
Continue reading Bob Ross Inspired Mini Art
Please enjoy this preview of the 15 new original oil paintings that will be debuted at Plum Bottom Gallery this spring.
Continue reading 2022 Plum Bottom Collection