Ann Gardner Design

SHOW THIS WEEK!

2010-09-14T07:30:00.000-07:00

I am participating in a new show this week and am looking forward to it. ART MARKET has always been one of my favorite shows. I am super excited that there is a Fine Art show this year. I have really missed doing paintings that I would consider a little more "fine art" and a little less boutique. I will never give up the folk art style. I am just enjoying coming up with paintings that satisfy both. Here is one that I will be showing this week.

Cooper

2010-04-09T08:16:00.000-07:00

Winds

2010-03-04T20:59:00.000-08:00

I really like doves. I like painting them with their necks crooked. I think that is one of the strangest/coolest thing about birds. They can be looking one direction and their head looks like it is on backwards. It's not.

This cute QUILT SHOP!

2010-02-17T13:45:00.000-08:00

So, I discoverd this cute fabric shop: LANIE JANE, through the cute girl who commissioned the painting below. Her mother owns it and she helps run it, and........oh......the selection. I am a sucker for limited edition and unique fabrics. Here are my two faves.

Watts Family Portrait

2010-02-10T13:35:00.001-08:00

2010-02-03T18:36:00.000-08:00

I love painting for Valentines Day!! Here are the 3 Ferre sisters with their hearts and cards.

ART MARKET is this Friday at the Sugar House Garden Center.

Speaking of painting....I painted the ugliest painting today. It was going to be a very serious looking angel, but she ended up looking like a scary medusa. If I am brave, I will post a photo.

P.S.

2010-01-29T18:46:00.000-08:00

Valentine's Day Colorable/Paintable Cards

2010-01-28T11:12:00.001-08:00

Need an EASY cheap, fun, creative Valentine's Day project for your kiddos? Here are 3 designs you can print off and project with. At my house, we printed them on a full sheet of cardstock and the kids watercolored them to hang up for Valentines Day. You could print them small and have the kids color them to exchanged at school.

***Just click on the image. It will enlarge. You can save it and print it later, or just print it from the internet.

Valentines Day Cards!

2010-01-21T20:01:00.000-08:00

So. I entered these little cards in THIS contest. It is a contest to design a simple, printable coloring Valentine's Day card for kids. It is difficult to not go totally crazy when designing stuff like this. I just had to think about what kind of pictures my kids select when they get out their box of crayons. All proceeds go to Children's Heart Foundation. I think I will have my 3.5 year old little guy color these construction ones up for his buddies this Valentine's Day. Maybe we will upcycle some crayons to go along with these.

***Once the contest is over, I will upload big versions for you to download if you'd like to print some for your little kiddies.

New Design for the VINYL BIZ.

2010-01-21T18:41:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I posted a new item to our 2nd little etsy shop: http://www.decomodwalls.etsy.com/

Our most popular designs are the boyish ones, but every so often I have to design something that is a little more feminine. It is not too girlie. I think in a dark brown, it would be cute in a kitchen or bedroom and a man wouldn't be too offended.

People always look at me funny when they come to my house and say "Where is your art work?" and I say "Ummmm. I don't have any of my own art in my house". Maybe I should put up some vinyl. That counts right???

It's all about to change.....

2010-01-18T15:15:00.000-08:00

For the last 2 years, well...since I started this blog, the focus here was my folk art. And let's face it friends....while trying to juggle the role of being a mother, co-business owner, and whatever else I waste my time one, I don't get around to painting very much. I do, however, do something art related EVERY DAY. So....we're changing the way we look at Ann's blog. It is ann gardner DESIGN dot blogspot dot com.... for heaven's sake.

So, I will give you the latest. While decorating my kiddos rooms, I fell in to a rut. I wanted them each to have some sort of religious reminder/art in their rooms (Here's my religion), but I wasn't finding what I wanted. I like MODERN. Very simple, no shabby in my house. Well....tell me if you've seen any of that stuff around town. So, I started designing my own. Here are a couple. I am trying to decide which one to put in my girlie girl room. CLICK HERE TO SEE OTHERS.

VOTE FOR ME!!!

2010-01-14T14:14:00.000-08:00

So, I am not normally a crafter. Sometimes I like to make a good craft. I will say that I am a competitor. When I had the opportunity to enter THIS competition, I thought "Hey, that might be fun, and it will give me a good excuse to do something crafty.".

Well, the competition has been going on for a few days now and my craft is not very popular. So here is my plea from all of you ARTSY LADIES out there....Go over and vote. I am trying to represent original arts and crafts here people!!!! And by the way....I can't tell you which one is mine.

VOTE HERE

Last Painting of the Year

2009-12-22T21:16:00.000-08:00

I made a commitment this year to not commit to painting the week of Christmas. In previous years, I have taken orders up to the last minute. Two years ago, I painted on Christmas Eve. Not this year. My last painting was finished up last week.

Here it is. This painting was commissioned by my friend Terrie. Her daughter and I were good friends growing up and it is always fun to do paintings for people I adore.

Now.....I am taking a week off! Whew. It has been a while. However, I am looking forward to my painting schedule for January. I have some fun projects ahead, and I think.... I am bad at following through, but I am going to try to take the Painting a Week challenge that some of my art buddies have taken this year. This means, originals for sale every week and a new print on etsy every week. We'll see how long it lasts!

Merry Christmas All!

2 NEW PRINTS for Etsy

2009-12-12T20:19:00.000-08:00

I have listed two new prints on etsy. Both are Angels, which are probably my favorite thing to paint. I think one reason they are so fun to paint is that you don't have to follow any rules. Blue hair.....sure. Angels can definitely have blue hair. See?

That's one of the many reasons I like angels.

Both are now available in MY ETSY SHOP

COLLABORATIVE FOLK ART CALENDAR....DONE!

2009-11-23T21:47:00.000-08:00

It is finally done! Here is my latest pet project. A FOLK ART CALENDER- Art Print.

This was a very fun project. I love to follow folk artists from all over the world. I asked 11 others (all of whom I think are fabulous) to participate in this collaborative project. Each of us 12 chose an image to represent a month of the year. I designed a funky, "Year In View" calendar featuring all 12 of us.

Here's the little blurb I put on the shop:

"The idea for this piece came to me one day. I love art. I love to collect other people's art, but year after year, I run out of space and MONEY. Wouldn't it be fun to have a little snippet of art from artists all over the world? Best thing is, I get to have 12 new pieces each year and all in one spot."

You too...may own these 12 little masterpieces!

SUPER FUN! CHECK IT OUT HERE!!

2009-11-14T18:49:00.000-08:00

Had a great time at the "Friends of the Creche" convention. I have never been a vendor at a show like that. It was a great experience. Plenty of friendly people from all over the globe, makes for a very entertaining couple of days.

I have added ALMOST all of my new prints to my etsy shop. If you don't see them there, they will be there in the next day or so.

CLICK HERE TO LINK TO MY SHOP

NEW ETSY PRINTS!

2009-11-09T13:01:00.001-08:00

I just added some new prints to etsy. I love painting for Christmas.

Pet Portraits

2009-09-17T08:56:00.001-07:00

I really like to paint dogs. Here is one for Addison. This is her little Chiuaua named Molly.

2009-09-13T19:43:00.000-07:00

New Paintings

2009-09-07T17:54:00.000-07:00

It's that time of year again...............the time where shows come one after another. Just thought I would post a couple of the paintings I am working on for the season. I love Halloween, so I had to paint of few spooky little things.

2009-08-04T18:05:00.000-07:00

Here is the Redd family in front of Sundial Rock!

2009-05-31T22:49:00.000-07:00

Here my latest custom painting of a ballerina fairy named June. Sure was fun to paint!

2009-05-04T21:06:00.000-07:00

2009-04-30T22:23:00.000-07:00

I have decided to rotate my gallery pieces and just wanted to let you know that I am selling some of them at Art Market this week. Thanks!

P.S. This is not one of them.........but it was spring-ish.....and we all need a little spring.

Oh blog....I have neglected you so!!

2009-04-29T20:11:00.000-07:00

I guess after 2 months, I better make a new post. ART MARKET is this Friday and Saturday!

www.artmarketutah.com

Art Market

2009-01-28T20:27:00.001-08:00

Art Market is coming up next week. Feb 6th at Sugar House Park in SLC, Utah

Lots of fabulous Valentine's Day stuff!

I will be there....will you?

Cafe

2009-01-15T19:39:00.000-08:00

Here's a little painting I call..... Cafe. I know, pretty original name. I am listing prints on Etsy!

A New Studio!!!! Now what do I do with it?

2009-01-09T21:20:00.000-08:00

We are moving! The husband, kids and I are moving tomorrow. Our new house is finished and I will finally have a place to call my own. My own STUDIO!! (Well, I will have to share it with the family computer.) For the last several years, I have been painting at the kitchen bar, or at the desk in my bedroom. I have been stashing my paints, brushes, papers canvases, crafty items and other supplies here and there because they had no home. So, I am asking a favor to my artist and crafter friends. Give me your ideas about how to organize such a mess of stuff! If you have posted ideas on your blogs, I would love to have a link!

2009-01-06T22:26:00.000-08:00

Do you read Nie Nie?

Click here

Custom Painting Schedule

2009-01-06T18:13:00.000-08:00

I have had several emails asking what my painting schedule will be for 2009, so I am going to post my plan here. Because I have a preschooler, a toddler and a baby, my painting time is very limited (if I were as good of an organizer as some of my friends, I would have a lot more painting time....but I am not. I really need some time management lessons. That will have to be another post and plenty of you will have to leave me suggestions.). I am only going to take one custom portrait per month this year (I might add a few in here and there if I get caught up).

Muchas Gracias!

2009-01-04T21:02:00.000-08:00

I am waiting for my check in the mail. The one for a hundred thousand dollars from the Nigerian Prince who is interesting in selecting me as a benefactor. I gave him my credit card and all my vital information. I sent him my passport and driver's license along with my precious coin collection. Now I am just waiting by the mail box for my check.

Now a little Thank You. Thank you to all of my readers who can write in English. Thank you to all my readers who can barely write in English........those of you who write legitimate comments because you like my art or you want to be part of the blog world or you are a friend or even a friend of a friend or who came across my shop on etsy or who googled "folk art".

Now a little No Thank You. No thank you, Nigerian Prince, or any of your friends! Cheers!

NEW YEAR'S RESOLVE- Recycling!!!

2009-01-03T19:53:00.000-08:00

One of my New Year's resolutions is to create less waste, and recycle! I am going to try to create as much of my art out of recycled materials as possible this year, and I hope to blog about it. I've noticed (especially during the holidays) how much stuff I throw away, and I hate it. In the last week or so since I set this goal I have saved a few interesting things and have plans to turn them in to something new. So, stay tuned to see what they might be!

I found a bracelet a few years ago at a garage sale/markety type thing. It was a fun charm bracelet, but was kind of broken. I bought it thinking I would fix it. I never did it. So, as I was cleaning out my closet last week, I tossed it in to the garbage pile. My 5 year old daughter gasped and accused me of being a horrible person. I picked it up and put it in my pocket and declared it a "recycled art project".

HERE IT IS:

I know that making pendants is all the rage right now. Scrable tile pendants and glass tile

pendants. I thought I might join the trend. I took the charms off the bracelet, pryed the funky little jewels off of each, added a tiny little print of one of my paintings and coated it with resin. I just listed some of them in my SHOP, so check them on out!

NOW FOR MY FEW FOLLOWERS: I am planning to "tag" you all soon. I know that there are several Recycled Art Challenges out there, but I am going to start my own. So look for more soon!

Lost Treasure

2008-12-31T21:33:00.000-08:00

My husband and I are packing up our lives and moving 8 miles down the freeway. In the midst of all this packing, we found a hard drive that we haven't been using for a while. On that hard drive were all my digital designs from when I was in school. I was really in to drawing in Illustrator way back when. One night I had an image of this face in my head. I got out of bed to sketch it. She was very simple, but expressive. Later, I used the face as an inspiration to design a cd cover for a rock band called Gatos Guapos. The band failed and broke up. (The original cd cover design was a little bit edgier than the design below. ) I again played around with this image to make it more "cute" and less "rock" ......she still looks a little bit angry. But that was the face! I couldn't change the original!

Clandestine?

2008-12-28T21:40:00.000-08:00

I have had a link in my Favorites thing for months, maybe years. It is a link to Illustration Friday. It is a fun website for artists where each week you have a theme, you illustrate it and post your illustration on the site. Every Friday, there is a new theme. I made a note to myself to start this week. When I finally got around to it, I checked the site and the theme was CLANDESTINE. Seriously. What in the world would I ever paint in my funky little folk art style that would appropriately illustrate the theme "clandestine"? Any suggestions? I will let y'all know how it goes. (Y'all meaning my mom. I have a lot of followers these days).

My Last Two Custom Paintings

2008-12-25T20:26:00.000-08:00

I thought that this Christmas, I would only take on a couple of custom paintings so that I could take my time, get them done early, and deliver them to the client in plenty of time. Well, I started in October and didn't deliver the last painting until...........December 23! Seriously. These were the last two I did. They were both very large scale, and included their family homes in the background. (These photos are not great. It is so hard to take pictures of big paintings!)

This one is for the Klienmans of Salt Lake City, Utah

Here are the Bolls from Seattle, Washington

Hello Etsy! Long time, no see.

2008-12-15T22:26:00.000-08:00

I signed up for an etsy account before it was even anything. A really artsy friend sent me a link to it more than 2 years ago, and I totally blew Etsy off like it was never going to amount to anything. Sorry Etsy, I am sorry I ever doubted you. Just look at you now......the most FABULOUS little (BIG) website ever!

I finally have some products to show in my shop CLICK HERE

CHRISTMAS PAINTINGS! ONE DAY SALE!

2008-12-03T08:57:00.000-08:00

I have had requests from a couple of out of state buyers the last couple of years.......I am finally going to do it. Before they head off to the Christmas shows, I am making them available online at a discounted rate (because I won't have to pay a retailer's commission). ALL paintings listed below are currently available, the catch is, it is only for ONE DAY!

All paintings I am offering today are painted on woodblocks and are approximately 8X8X1.5 (they are intended to sit on a shelf, not framed). Some of them vary in size, but are close to that.

"Little Christmas Bird" $55 8X12 on woodblock SOLD

"Peace" $50 7X11 on woodblock

"Star Goes On Top" $45 8X8 on woodblock

"Peace Angel" $55 7X11 on woodblock SOLD

If you are interested in purchasing, just email me which one you want at agardner999@msn.com

I will send you a paypal invoice and I will get it shipped to you tomorrow (shipping charges will be whatever post office charges me).

I found my new favorite painting surface!

2008-11-22T20:28:00.000-08:00

So, we are building a new house. One day I walked in while the carpenters were cutting this lovely stuff. It was the perfect size and weight of MDF for my paintings! It just makes the perfect big block that stands easily on a shelf. Love it! Here are a few sitting on top of my tv cabinet!

ART MARKET!

2008-11-19T08:31:00.000-08:00

Art Market is coming! It is December 4-6. Check out the site for all the details. www.artmarketutah.com

People are so creative.

2008-11-12T20:21:00.000-08:00

I have been hanging out on Etsy lately. I get on a kick about twice a year when I decide that I will only buy handmade items. It doesn't last, but I always find some really fabulous items! Just thought this was a particularly creative and unique item!

Small Works Show

2008-11-08T22:11:00.001-08:00

I have been preparing for the Small Works Show at Evergreen Gallery. I have wanted to do some simple paintings using some fun color combintations and patterns. Here is one.

"Poppy and a Pear"

8X10 Acrylic on Canvas

McDougal Family

2008-10-27T14:22:00.000-07:00

Here is a painting I did for the McDougal Family of SLC. What a beautiful family, and a fun one to paint!

2008-10-25T20:38:00.000-07:00

This blog is dead. This blog has been dead for a while. In fact, I am not sure it was ever alive. I feel like this blog could be alive if I only had the will power and motivation to get it done. Having baby number three, building a new house and trying to sell the current house has killed my motivation. But, I am getting on the horse again. I have several shows, commissions, and fun stuff coming up, so I am resolving again to keep it up. Here's a start....

There is a "Small Works" show coming up at Evergreen Gallery. If you haven't been to Evergreen, you should stop by. They have some GREAT stuff! Here is the link for more info.

http://www.evergreengallery.com/id27.html

ART MARKET!

2008-09-22T12:52:00.000-07:00

I Love Fall! And here is my plug for Art Market. I know I haven't blogged in forever, but I have decided that I am going to make an effort to do so more often. I have started doing a little more painting lately, so maybe that will motivate me to get going on the blog. Check out the Art Market site. www.artmarketutah.com

The show is one day only! October 11th

2008-04-01T13:31:00.000-07:00

ART MARKET!!

2008-02-02T20:06:00.000-08:00

It is soon to be my favorite holiday!!! Valentine's Day. It is also my favorite show of the year! I love Valentines' Art market. It is on the 9th at Sugar House Garden Center. Check out the website for details. www.artmarketutah.com

I will be rotating some of my gallery paintings and will have some of these things available at Art Market. They will also have a clearance section for all artists and vendors to clearance items.

little Valentine's magnets! My favorite!

Painting of the week: Damask and Orange Flowers

2008-01-19T13:42:00.000-08:00

Damask and Orange Flowers

16x16 Acrylic

on gallery wrapped canvas (2in.)

This was a fun painting to paint. I wanted to paint something a little more serious, but not realism by any means. This is kind of a half-way-in-between-ish painting. Check my website for more details. http://www.anngardnerdesign.com/

I was TAGGED!!!

2008-01-19T09:25:00.000-08:00

I was tagged by my friend Nicole, a very talented and busy mama!

Here are the rules:
1. Link to the person that tagged you, and post the rules on your blog.
2. Share 7 random and/or weird facts about yourself.
3. Tag 7 random people at the end of your post, and include links to their blogs.
4. Let each person know that they’ve been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

I am finding it difficult to even come up with 1 thing about myself!!!

1. I love American Idol. Even in it's 7th season. I had a moment of let down this year when I turned 29, and realized that I am too old now to audition. It was a sad moment because just the moment before that moment, I remembered that I couldn't sing.
2. I am a computer freak. Can't live without it. We have 5 computers in our house. I don't know how we got this technology dependant. Aaron and I each have a lap top, we have a kids computer, a family computer, and a media center to replace the dvd, vcr, dvr, tivo thing (funny that we have this cause I watch about 1 hour of tv a week.)
3. I graduated number 1 in my class in college! Doesn't that sound amazing? Well, let it be known that I was the ONLY one in my class. (I graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Art. Most people didn't even know that was possible. My degree category was the only one in the commencement program that only had one person in it).
4. I have been to 15 countries (including the US).
5. My website was featured as #1 on sk*rt for 2 days! That was fun. I got lots of comments from people all over the country. www.anngardnerdesign.com
6. I love to do house projects. This year we conquered laying our own bamboo floor and tiling a backsplash in our kitchen.
7. I have a subscription to 6 house design magazines. (All you have to do is call yourself as an interior designer, and new ones will turn up in the mail all the time!) My favorite is Dwell!

I LOVE VALENTINES DAY!

2008-01-09T19:39:00.001-08:00

2008-01-03T21:30:00.000-08:00

I almost forgot! I just added tons of new magnets to my shop!
Check them out here!

Get $5 off your total order when you use the code: CAMPERPOINTS

*just a note, if this code doesn't work, google "cafepress coupon"

you are bound to find a few

PAINTING OF THE WEEK: DANCE!

2008-01-03T19:26:00.000-08:00

Here's a little painting of a dancer inspired by my little 4 year old dancer
(Although it looks nothing like her).
Does every little girl love to put on dress ups and dance around the house as much as mine?

This cute little dancer is available on a handy tote!

CLICK HERE TO GET IT!

Lots of other fun little items there too!

Original Painting available at Evergreen Gallery in Salt Lake City Utah

contact me for purchase information

Happy New Year!

2008-01-03T16:07:00.000-08:00

Hello fellow art lovers. I have taken a 5 day break from painting, and am getting back up on the horse tonight. I have 2 commission paintings for the month of January that need to be finished right away. I have decided that I am going to limit my commission paintings to 15 for the year. I did about 15 for Christmas this year and MAXED myself right out. I am going to concentrate on my gallery work and on my prints. So, if you are ready to put your name on my waiting list for this year, please email me soon! Watch for magnets, note pads and fun prints to come soon!

NEW PAINTINGS AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE

2007-12-09T19:50:00.001-08:00

She's for sale! This painting is titled

"Bernice's Christmas Portrait"

It is 8X10 and framed.

This is one of my favorite paintings from this Christmas Season. I had so much fun painting it, and maybe I got a little attached. But I think I am ready to part with her now.

Check her out on ebay!

Here is "Snowy Day Portrait"

Also available on ebay!

ART MARKET

2007-12-08T16:41:00.000-08:00

Art Market was this weekend and is the final show for me this year. It was great! Thanks for your support. Here is just a few of the paintings I sold at the show.

Check out my Etsy shop. Some of these images are featured products!

A PAINTING A WEEK

2007-12-06T14:07:00.000-08:00

A PAINTING A WEEK. One of my goals for the new year is to do a painting a week. I hope that I will be able to keep up and post them here. I will make the original available to purchase either online or at a gallery

This painting is 12X24 on gallery wrapped canvas, in mixed media. It is painted in acrylic with collage elements. I have titled it "Heirloom". I was inspired by an article in a design mag featuring heirloom rugs. They were so beautiful and interesting. I have imitated the patterns in these rugs on the dress and also collaged some actual photos of the rugs in her dress. Thrown in to all of this are fun pieces that I would consider to be "heirloom". There is a portrait in an ornate frame and even a silver gravy boat. This painting is currently being shown at Evergreen Gallery.

New Blog

2007-09-05T20:53:00.000-07:00

I guess I just got with the program and have my own blog. We will see how things go from here!