Springtime in December

Those falling blossoms

all return to the branch

when I watch butterflies

Japanese Haiku

by Moritake (1452-1540)

For those of you who like me, enjoy the snow for Christmas and then wait patiently for Spring to return, I offer a little glimpse of the warmer days to come. Julia's Cherry Blossom, as pictured here, is a tiny 6x12" made-to-order gift for a little sweetie's 12th birthday. Candy pink blossoms and chocolate brown branches, stretch out over the tops of the canvas, adorned with glimmering fuchsia and pearl sequins.

These pieces are popular with parents for birthdays & baby shower gifts especially. Colours can co-ordinate with the child's room and accents reflect the child's interests; butterflies, ballet slippers, ribbons, frogs, fairies, pirates... They range in price starting at $15 and vary in sizes; 6x12" & 12x36" are most frequently requested. Of course, there are more options than simply the child's name as the central focus; perhaps a single word (Baby, Sweet, Prince/Princess..) or small quote from a well-loved poem or song.

Very Happy Birthday wishes go out to Miss Julia in her last year as a tween;)

To all of Sweet Pea's customers, wishing you and your wee ones a very happy, healthy holiday.

Thank you for your continued business and I look forward to the painting challenges ahead!

Chocolate Pirate

With the countdown to Christmas speeding up, Sweet Pea is on the homestretch to completing the last of the pre-holiday orders.

This has definitely been a hockey jersey year with a hearty handful of families requesting this specific theme and several already booked for 2008.
Creating chic spaces for boys has been a learning experience for me, as I am used to preparing petit boudoirs for princesses. So it is nice to add these sports jersey canvas' to my portfolio. Despite their growing popularity, each piece is a one-of-a-kind creation that caters to the wee one it is designed for.

The canvas pictured is a 30x40" and fits two jerseys nicely, complete with shelf and quote from Guy Lafleur, "Play every game like it's your last."
The shelf is made to match the colour of the childs furniture, as best as possible and the neutral background in tan lends nicely to any wall colour. By keeping the background neutral, the canvas will grow with the child even if their room matures in colour and styles over the years.

As I understand, this piece will be revealed to its new mini owner on the big 2-5 next week. Fortunately, during my home consultation with his M & D, he was too busy counting down with several chocolate advent calendars to notice what this painter lady had come over for;)

Previously, I mentioned my wee customer that likes to don his Superhero cape when I come over, but this little guy turned out to be a chocolate (advent calendar)-eating Pirate, all decked out in his swashbuckling gear! My job is just that much better when I get to meet the wee ones; little Superheroes & Swashbucklers always remind me what dreams are made of.

Here Comes the Spiderman!

Not all of my customers turn out to be superheroes (or offer to don their capes when I come over to deliver orders!)

This tough guy is the exception;) More than happy to show his enthusiasm for his new Justice League canvas reproductions, I couldn't help but snap a few extra shots. Unlike most SuperGuys, he didn't shy away from the flash (no pun intended).

Last summer I delivered his first two installments of his now growing collection of 18x18" canvas. He strongly requested Batman & Flash. Recently Santa got a hold of me and suggested a third hero would be nice. So the Supe (a.k.a Clark Kent) is on his way today in time for Santa's December 24th rounds.

These images, duplicated from classics, are reminiscent of Roy Lichtenstein's 60's pop art that brought the comic strip to forefront. The bold colours, strong black outlines and in-your-face icons are easy for the eye to navigate. Although these replicas of the classic heroes are exaggerated in their features, they are not meant to represent the stereotypes that Lichtenstein worked so hard to achieve. Batman, Flash and now Supe are basically just fun to look at and add a little extra flare to an already trendy playroom.

Spidey, as you see him in full form above, is one of my favourite wee customers to deliver to. So I was sorry to hear that Peter Parker will be playing hockey when I deliver this morning.

Gotta stay in shape as you never know when evil will strike;)

Good Things Come in Small Packages

...and grow up too fast!

Lovely Little Miss Colleen's parents will have a chance to chart just how quickly their little bean sprouts with their personalized Mr. Men & Little Miss height scroll.

Carefully parent-selected characters have been painted on this primed canvas with fringed bottom. The scroll stretches to slightly over 6 feet tall and boasts a rainbow of silly storybook characters performing a balancing act. Combining colours, shapes, numbers & expressions, this becomes a fantastic early learning tool and keepsake for years to come. To top off the piece? The lovely Little Miss perched on Mr. Funny's top hat with a butterfly landing on her bow. Though I am afraid that Little Miss Tiny simply cannot do this baby justice! Just look at the Sweetie Pea!

Sending best wishes to this friendly family of three as they celebrate baby's first Christmas!

Once Upon a Time...

...in a castle on a hill, lived two little Princess sisters; Keira & Brookie!

These scrolls were designed exclusively for the Savelli sisters of Ancaster; two tiny fairy tots with big eyes and pretty smiles. Inspiration for these scrolls was certainly not a difficult task considering the highest quality of cuteness that resides in their home.

The backgrounds of the girls initial scrolls are painted pink diamonds adorned with sparkly sequins at all of the points. Keira's initial is lavender with pansies and a pixie in a petal dress. Brookies art is pink, white and yellow all over; daisies, roses and a fairy tot sliding down the letter B. Each of their names are written in script on a banner; bunched at the corners with ribbons and flowers. The bottom edges are cut in diamond scallops.
The Castle is the centerpiece scroll with two S banners (Savelli Sisters) hanging outside the drawbridge door. Candy-coloured flags wave in the breeze along with a whirl of butterflies and sparkles. To frame the corner, a patch of daisies and roses lie in the foreground.

These were fun to create and I am sorry that I have to give them away now.
Thanks to the Sweetie Pea Savelli sisters for letting me take part in the decor of their playroom;)

Q T Kylie: Year of the Piglet

Our friends Linda & Jay proudly welcomed little Kylie O on August 14th, making her a Year of the Piglet munchkin. As you can see, she is literally a doll, hidden amoung her crib pals. (She is the cute one drooling.)

Before she arrived, I had the priviledge of painting her nursery in the popular Little Miss & Mr. Men storybook characters. Each character was carefully chosen by mommy & daddy to represent their parents and siblings in a rotating mural. Kylie, as Little Miss Tiny, is front and center between Mr.Funny & Little Miss Sunshine (a.k.a mom & dad): always surrounded by the ones they love, in a whimsical way. This nursery suits the family to a tea; colourful, fun and connected.

Linda & Jay are very lucky parents, though little Kylie has it pretty good too; an incredible mom & dad and an extended family full of love to give.

So a wee welcome to the Wongs newest addition. She is a keeper;)

This One's For the Boys

...or the girls.

The most requested mural this year has been hockey jerseys. From dads-to-be to hockey moms, everyone has a favourite team and player that they want customized to canvas or walls.

It all started when the V family of Hamilton asked me to paint four child-sized jerseys hanging from a wooden shelf in their son's room. He is an avid hockey player and they catered the mural so it was personal for him; favourite players and teams, his own hockey stick and skates painted in the corner, his gloves hanging from a small painted shelf in the opposite corner and over his bed, four jerseys including one with his name, helmet and his goggles resting on top. Since, I have had many customers request similar murals or canvas. Some other samples can be seen on the website http://www.sweetpeamurals.com/ which features the main portion of the V families order; the original jersey mural by Sweet Pea (see the "Testimonials" page).

There are several reasons why I think this has become so popular. The obvious; Canadians like their ice wrestling. Number two; it is a theme that lasts and grows well from childhood to the teenage years and lastly it is a classy way of bringing sports paraphenilia into the decor of the home. Many an adult hockey fan has easily convinced his wife that his recreation room could use a painted jersey or two... maybe a vintage locker...a logo...pair of stinky gym socks.

Pictured above is this weeks canvas order, requested by a first-time mom-to-be for dad-to-be's Christmas gift. I would reveal the other half of the 30x40" canvas, but it shows baby's name on the back of the jersey...and some things need to be a surprise.

Ye Draco Dormiens

"Draco Dormiens Nunquam Titillandus" (psuedo Latin for "Never Tickle a Sleeping Dragon".)

However this resting, winged creature looks a wee bit too friendly to worry about. Draco's wings are lightly dusted with morning dew drop sparkles and his tail curls into a pointy arrow. Wee knights hide playfully behind the coat of arms. This stretched canvas spans 5x2.5 feet across the lizard green wall. By providing me with a medieval chic theme to work with, this sweet little family in Kitchener brought me back to the days of the Paperbag Princess (who doesn't love Robert Munsch?)

Painted for two little knights who share sleeping quarters this canvas comes complete with family crest and a quote created by mom as the magical finishing touch. Definitely an original family keepsake to be playfully passed along to the knights and princesses to come.

Baby Face!

Somehow a painting just isn't complete without the kids that inspire them. Patti Miller has mastered the art of making someones character shine through with a click of the camera (she makes it look so easy!).
Pairing up the murals with the kids who belong to them resulted in some fantastic images and many a good giggle. It really brings the personal part of my job into the light; meeting and working with families of all kinds for a little window in time.
Great big thanks to Patti Miller Photography & the families that helped make the photo shoot possible!

It's Not Easy Being Green-Zee Frog Blog

"Time's fun when you're having flies!"

So says Kermit the Frog.

Without a doubt, this has been one of my all-time favourite projects. This week, a friendly family in Kitchener ordered a scroll painting for their baby boys blueberry-lavendar nursery. Fantastic. A fresh challenge. It looks as if I will be producing a lot more of this media; not only is it fun, the results are not too shabby;)

The canvas is bought from a roll and rather then stretching it over a wooden frame, it is primed so I can paint directly on the fabric without it puckering when dry. A wooden, bronze or iron rod with finials and satin hanging ribbon are added as the finishing touch (I wouldn't hesitate to add sequins, ribbon roses or jewels except this particular scroll will be within baby's reach).

Voila! A regal Prince wall hanging with Kermie quote.

Next weekend at the art show in Toronto, I plan on taking a few more sheets of canvas for these scrolls and doing on-site demos made-to-order. Dragons, pirates, name initials with accents, princesses and Big Top circus themes.....cannot wait to get started!

Sending best wishes and big thanks to the L family and their little Princes (and Prince-to-be!)

Home(stead) is where the art is

Just in time for Thanksgiving weekend, Sweet Pea's new & improved website is up and running, thanks to my new friends at Homestead (http://www.homestead.com/). The domain name remains the same (http://www.sweetpeamurals.com/), I have simply chosen a design that allows me to post a greater number of photo samples for a nibble of what is available. Feedback is always welcome. It is important to know that it is user-friendly and offers you the information that you hope to receive.

I want to take the time to thank my faithful customers for their continued business and also for spreading the word about Sweet Pea Murals!

Happy, healthy Thanksgiving to you and your wee ones!

Swashbucklers & Sea Princesses

Good friends Kate & Sam have invited me to participate in the Third Annual Lorindale Avenue Art Show in TO. On November 2nd & 3rd, Sweet Pea is debuting some fresh art ideas for kids. There will be a few pieces available for sale including pirates & sea princesses and the popular Mischief Monkey series; Funky, Spunky and Cheeky. Or you can custom order your favourite themes, canvas sizes and colours to suit the wee ones on your Christmas shopping list. A couple of my customers order name or theme canvas for birthday & baby shower gifts and I guarantee you will have the most original gift of the bunch.

The cool part about the November show is that several painters, photographers, a jeweler and a woodworker are all featured in various homes on the avenue. If you are interested in dropping by, check it out at www.davidphoto.ca

BONUS ROUND! I just perused Patti Millers blog site this morning. The results of last Thursdays shoot are in and look FABULOUS! If you are one of the proud M's & P's (momma's and pappa's) or just want to check out all of the hype, click onto Patti's Blog link "Another Cup Please" http://anothercupplease.blogspot.com/

Cute kids. Fantastic photographer. Nice murals;)

Snapshot Snippets to Come

When you take Patti Miller and place her with the little people; magic happens! Yesterday Patti and I toured Hamilton to meet a handful of my clients and their sweet pea's. Patti took snapshots of the kiddies with their wall art. I cannot wait to see the results. The photos will be used to amp up the professionalism of my portfolio, but also to create new MOO business cards from the UK, coming late Fall (http://www.moo.com/).

If you haven't had the pleasure of viewing Patti's photography, it is well worth it http://www.pattimillerphotography.com/

Thanks to all of the families for juggling their schedules so Patti and I could borrow their wee ones and their walls!

Stay tuned for the results of the photo shoot!

CAUTION: Cuteness in Milton

Last weekend I had the pleasure of painting for a princess; Miss Chloe. Between her and her two-year old sister, I was well-entertained at work! With a girlie room to die for, I created a little cartoon version of this blonde beauty near her window seat, right onto the wall. Included was her Webkins cat, who happens to be named Sarah, some butterflies, a ladybug, flowers and the ever-famous flowing ribbon; a popular choice this year in girls rooms and nurseries.
On the front of the window seat box, the script reads "..in a world where you can be anything, be yourself."
A big thanks to Chloe for letting me hang out in her room for two days and to a nice family for an enjoyable weekend at work!

Welcome to Sweet Pea's Blog

Finally, I have taken the plunge.
No, not Facebook.
I am officially blogging for Sweet Pea Murals for your Munchkin.
So stay tuned for good stuff to come and thanks for checking in;)