Cold Toes, Warm Heart, 14"x11"x2"
I am so happy with this painting! I've been doing that thing where I set it down...and then find myself running back an hour later to look at it.
To make sure I still love it this much.
And, every time (so far) I do.
It makes me want incorporate more fabric into my paintings, too...which can be very tricky. But also very good, as in this case. It'll be available in the next big shop update, which I think will be on Thursday afternoon (the 15th), and will have all of the paintings I've blogged recently, as well as a big, pretty doll, a few drawings, and (hopefully) more cuteness.
I hope that all weekends were good...I spent all day Saturday in my studio...painting, doing pre-shipping work, and plotting the improvements I want to make to that room so that it will be more conducive to making things. And then I utterly, lazily crashed on the couch at about 9 and watched some Netflixed stuff that came in the mail. I was drawing all the while (a few cool little drawings on wood) but I still felt lazy for some reason. I have to remind myself that sometimes it's okay to just watch some Netflixed Law & Order SVU (my somewhat embarrassing show-that-I-love) and kind of space out. It has been a while since I've done that (the great holiday shipping-fest of 2006) so it felt, actually, pretty good.
Do you guys have trouble sometimes justifying couch-lazing-time without a distinct "project" in hand? It's times like that that I wish I was a knitter...
Comments (53)
must be the cold weather...i just painted a girl with braids sleeping under a cozy quilt on friday. i did it for illustration friday...crash was the word.
yours has such a nice vintage-y feel to it. i just love it!
Diane Duda · February 11, 2007 at 07:07 PM
Love this one! It makes me want to climb into bed.
Jordana · February 11, 2007 at 07:13 PM
I am so hard on myself! I feel so lazy and get upset with myself when I am not working. Working on something creative. My dad says that he wishes humans could shut their brains off to get some rest. Silly, but true. I have found myself crocheting in bed the last week. It makes me sleepy and zones me out. I am not a knitter. too complicated for me, although lovely. I enjoy one needle and invented loops. xxo.
Vanessa · February 11, 2007 at 07:17 PM
Beautiful painting! I definitely feel guilty lazing in front of the TV with nothing else to do. And I am a knitter! Sometimes, though, I'm just not in a knitting mood, or else I can't make up my mind to start a new project (both of which describe how I've been feeling for about two weeks, now).
Cara · February 11, 2007 at 07:23 PM
I am a knitter, and I find it very hard to justify "just sitting around, doing nothing". However, I think we need to learn relax and to treat ourselves by not running around and making a host of plans. By the way, Law & Order (in all of it's incarnations) can suck you in everytime! I hope you had a wonderful, quasi-lazy Sunday.
Gina · February 11, 2007 at 07:24 PM
that painting is my new personal favorite. looooove it!
meg · February 11, 2007 at 07:25 PM
I have a friend from college who would do bedroom scenes and make actual little quilts to sew to the canvas on top of what she painted and then would paint a bit on them too. They were really cool. I like depth and texture in paintings... though, it does make me want to touch them, which is a no-no, I suppose. :D
Sarah · February 11, 2007 at 07:35 PM
I really love that.
scout · February 11, 2007 at 07:37 PM
This looks perfect! I love it, will talk to you soon...please e-mail me when you get the chance to discuss the Shiny Squirrel!
Jessica · February 11, 2007 at 07:44 PM
I feel that way too! Like you I try and crash with a pad of drawing paper, or a beading project. Why is it so hard to just DO NOTHING??? LOVING that quilt by the way!
RAchelle · February 11, 2007 at 08:00 PM
I have that feeling all the time. It's kinda like I have to justify to myself why I deserve a break.... and then even when I do give it to myself it feels kinda wrong.
It's soooo conflicting!
I'm trying to balance my life out a bit more, but when the orders are rolling in it gets tricky.
Cute Cute Cute painting! That quilt reminds me of a very old (somewhat tattered) quilt that belonged to my great grandmother and now to my mother. I covet it! One day it shall be mine.
xoxo,
Jenna Lou
Jenna Lou · February 11, 2007 at 08:02 PM
Ooooo, I'd love to have a real quilt like that. Nice work!
Kim · February 11, 2007 at 08:03 PM
oh that painting is so perfect I can hardly stand it.
And I feel guilty whenever I sit around and make nothing at all! i also wish I could knit, as I so envy people who a:wear handmade socks and b:are so blithely excellent they can knit without looking... embroidery is good for sitting still, but not so much if you're watching something requiring visual attention (subtitles come to mind).
Nancy · February 11, 2007 at 08:49 PM
I LOVE this as well. Perfect!! What did you use to adhere the fabric? Wonderful work. Love your new banner too:)
ArtsyMama · February 11, 2007 at 09:16 PM
Cuuuuute! Very cozy looking, I like it a lot.
I know what you mean about not doing something on the couch. I always feel like a waste a weekend when I don't complete some kind of project. You're right, it does bring up a good excuse to learn to knit. :) Although I think culturally, we are almost conditioned to feel like we must always be doing something and do it quickly or it seems like a waste of time.
Maybe that's another reason why this piece is so nice and soothing. It's a reminder that we need to just be still sometimes. Ok, I think I'm getting too heavy.
Marilyn · February 11, 2007 at 10:16 PM
Beautiful.
And really clever.
Shula · February 11, 2007 at 10:52 PM
the painting is too beautiful, i mean, reeeally!
i so need a similar quilt of my own.
but hey, i dont know how you do it, i have only just opened shop and im already spinning like a top with no respite!
rest is essential, i like reading victorian ghost stories to relax, along with six hundred cups of tea, of course:)That said, i need a new teapot............
artandghosts · February 11, 2007 at 10:55 PM
this is beautiful! Im contemplating on the next print i want! I'm looking forward to seeing ofelia in the shop. I want one of your dolls too! hooray!
Julie · February 11, 2007 at 11:13 PM
It's a good thing my boyfriend loves your art because our apartment is quickly becoming the Black Apple Gallery, and if I'm fast enough I'll hopefully add that lovely quilt girl to the collection.
Knitters get twitchy without their knitting, and it's such a lovely way to always be working. I've finally become a 'real' sock knitter, it's so nice to always have it tucked into my purse for waiting times. If you want to learn you'll have plenty of help, that's for sure.
Cirilia · February 11, 2007 at 11:54 PM
I simply love your painting...
Christelle · February 12, 2007 at 01:12 AM
This is my favourite piece of yours so far!
I'm inspired by your use of fabric in this piece
So thrilled that Whitfield, Mortimer and Bernard are runners-up! They are in such good company.
rita · February 12, 2007 at 02:16 AM
I feel like an also-run, but I wanted to join the chorus praising this painting. I love love love it! Of all the crafty things I try, I'm really a quilter at heart and I really want to make this quilt (and then snuggle under it). Your skill really is amazing!
Erica · February 12, 2007 at 02:48 AM
I heart your blog more than any other. You are oozing with cleverness. Thank you so much for letting me explore your world.
Jenny · February 12, 2007 at 03:26 AM
oh I just love this!! :)
crafty champloo · February 12, 2007 at 03:51 AM
Oh how beautiful! It's exactly how I feel when I wake up on a cold day and just pull the duvet up to my chin and snuggle back down in to bed.
And there's nothing wrong with just stopping for a little while and indulging in a bit of relaxation. :)
Christine · February 12, 2007 at 05:08 AM
As for the couch time...my tendency is to call it lazyness for which my husband scolds me. He reminds me that everyone needs down time to recharge once in a while!
Enjoy those dvds!
Jane · February 12, 2007 at 08:19 AM
i love this one too! pretty pretty. and know what you mean. i always feel like i should be working on a project. i am working on a needlepoint rug which is perfect for working on while watching movies or tv so that has saved me. but i don't let myself even do that until the evening.
risa · February 12, 2007 at 08:24 AM
I actually took up knitting recently just so I could justify crashing out on the couch. I would actually start to get really guilty and never enjoy anything because I was either worried about what I "should" be doing or worried about what I was missing out on. I went through a terribly crazy busy phase right before the holidays and then after the holidays, I went through a terribly unproductive I-don't-ever-want-to-do-anything phase, which I am just now getting out of. (I know, it has been a while!)
Anyway, I love your blog and your art and this is the first time I am posting, so nice to....meet you? Love the painting!
Kim · February 12, 2007 at 08:57 AM
Beautiful work emily!
I know I find it very hard to just chill and watch my bad tv shows and movies too....but you are right we "need" that down time, just think if you didn't have Law and Order down time you might not be so creative...
I try to tell myself that when I watch Las Vegas (SO BAD) or Heroes.
stilettoheights · February 12, 2007 at 09:10 AM
Thank you for your cosy painting on a blustery day in Boston it makes me want to crawl back under the covers!
And as a non-knitter, I pretend that watching cartoons in my pajamas (with or without Jackalope and Anya) is 'recharging my batteries' time
So is making cupcakes!
Anyagirl · February 12, 2007 at 09:36 AM
holy crap i love this! especially how the quilt squares seem to be floating. fantastic!
heather · February 12, 2007 at 10:09 AM
I feel completely and utterly slothly if I am not doing **something**. Good thing I knit and crochet. Plus I try to save up all items I need to hand sew for some good couch/TV time.
I love Cold Toes, Warm Heart. That is just dreamy. Makes being lazy look ever so inviting.
Beth · February 12, 2007 at 11:15 AM
Oh, how positively dreamy. I've gone to India for a month of volunteer work, and found myself in a cold, dank, leaky internet "cafe" (read: stall) to quick catch up the family on the going's on. Couldn't help myself but pop over for some happy apple goodness and you didn't disappoint. This little painting was at once supremely comforting and yearn-causing, reminded me how all alone I'm tucking into bed at night, missing my sweetie. Thanks for the dear cheer. :)
karaalison · February 12, 2007 at 11:25 AM
What a perfect painting. I'm home sick today with two little girls who are also sick and all I want to do is curl up under the covers and go to sleep!! I will live vicariously through your darling artwork!
SuzyQ :)
SuzyQ · February 12, 2007 at 11:41 AM
Goodness this painting is gorgeous!! It makes me feel all happy and warm inside :)
Kate · February 12, 2007 at 02:13 PM
Oh what a good idea using real fabric for the blanket. You always make me feel so inspired.
Helen · February 12, 2007 at 02:38 PM
This painting is just adorable. The combination of painting and fabric just works perfectly :)
Max · February 12, 2007 at 02:53 PM
Oooh! I LOVE this one! It really captures its title, which would make sense... And then again, what have you done that I, or anyone else, doesn't like?! Beautiful!
Beth · February 12, 2007 at 03:26 PM
Chiming in to say what a gorgeous painting, I love pictures of bedroom scenes, lovely.
VictoriaE · February 12, 2007 at 03:50 PM
Chiming in to say what a gorgeous painting, I love pictures of bedroom scenes, lovely.
VictoriaE · February 12, 2007 at 03:50 PM
Love the beautiful new painting!
tiffany · February 12, 2007 at 04:01 PM
oh! i am loving this piece...cold toes, warm hearth is now my favorite!
brandie · February 12, 2007 at 04:03 PM
I love your painting as well! I wish I had a quilt like that to snuggle up with. I am a big Law and Order fan too, the original and the spin offs.
Allegra · February 12, 2007 at 04:13 PM
OOOH she is Beautiful!~ i adore how her nose and mouth are tucked in too..
this is how I sleep in the winter.. and so do both my girls: ( Georgia Rose and Isobel Daisy, both of which are cute names .. but have not the presence of your
Margurita from your last post.)
Just divine.
I love your art. I hover here regularly, and constantly tempt myself with your esty shop. One day.. very soon.. when my new studio is built, i will be shopping for real with you, instead of in my head!
peace, love, and a wonderful quilt in winter,
Ngaire ( Nigh-Ree)
in Brisbane Australia
xxxxx
Ngaire Bartlam · February 12, 2007 at 06:34 PM
Absolutely. I hate sitting on the couch and 'doing nothing', even though I know down time is necessary...it just feels like such a waste!
Claire · February 12, 2007 at 07:00 PM
i MUST have this painting. will check back obsessively on the 15th. ;)
sonia · February 13, 2007 at 12:50 AM
I am quite good at suspending guilt and sitting in front of the tv anyway but at the moment I'm knitting for a couple of unborn babies. I'm a very slow knitter (and my wool fixated cats slow me down even more) so I think I'll be in a knitting posture in front of the tv pretty much permanently between now and this summer.
I'm so so so close to spending money I don't have at the moment on one of your prints... I just love it but I won't say which one it is as there's only one left and I don't want to draw attention to it... If it's still in the shop this evening, I will buy it. Fingers crossed!
Laura · February 13, 2007 at 06:05 AM
hi emily.
ya it looks like we all can understand you are your couch moment. its normal sometimes we just need a break. maybe use that time to go to the library for inspiration or take a walk or spend time with someone you love. eventually the imagination and creativity will appear :) you do great anyway!
kim* · February 13, 2007 at 09:44 AM
we need a Birthday Post!!
rachzel · February 13, 2007 at 03:18 PM
What a beautiful painting Emily! I love it!
I have a hard time allowing myself to sit down and watch TV. I always feel like I should be busy doing something productive. I just have to keep reminding myself that it's ok to just sit and watch TV sometimes!
Sonya · February 13, 2007 at 03:38 PM
this is sweet. i love the quilt. is it the first you've featured in your work? i love the squares and your attention to detail. i think you'll have to expand into quilt making for real before long!
bekka · February 14, 2007 at 05:01 PM
Oh my goodness, you amazing little aplet! I'm so far behind in blogreading. Happy belated birthday to you dear, may I say I honestly think you are the wisest 20 yr old, even or odd numbered, that I know. I hope it was great. Your painting is beautiful, as they all are. This feels very fresh to me, like I want to look at it for a long time, so I don't miss anything. I love things that make me want to notice details (not letting me rush by).
I, too, have so much trouble justifying couch sitting. Horizontal research is the best I can come up with. Its a stretch...
Blair · February 14, 2007 at 07:03 PM
I love this painting--I saw it on your etsy shop ONE DAY after it sold out, and came to your blog. If you ever print anymore, I hope you'll post to let people know (I'll keep checking!) Love your work.
Laura · February 28, 2007 at 09:58 AM