Unfortunately our summer didn’t end well. We were in a fight against time to get my dad as healthy as we could. He worked so hard in physical therapy to get strong enough to travel to Jamaica for our family … Continue reading
Zebra Mums
Author Archives: Ai.Me.Be.
Goddess Iris
As I scavenged to come up with a name, I wikied “Iris” to double check that this flower I just painted is indeed an iris. I loved to learn that in Greek Mythology Iris – the goddess of the rainbow, who … Continue reading
Le Machaon
The second butterfly… I found a dead butterfly outside of the rehab center where Dad spent some time this summer, while I was on a conference call pushing forward on SBTV. Inspired, I put it in the car and planned … Continue reading
Le Apollon
I bought two more frames with mom at a yard sale and was planning to discard the drab black and white butterfly prints and replace them with my paintings. However, after forming our new company Social Butterfly TV over the … Continue reading
Autumn Rays
I painted this whimsical tree over the summer in an effort to fill a huge gold frame I found at a yard sale with my mom..
Maeve’s Pony
My elementary school BFF asked me to paint a rocking horse to match her new nursery. I think she knew she’d hook me going for my soft spot – horses (not babies). I was excited about the project but in … Continue reading
Sophie Butterfly
This is my second attempt at a papunya dot painting, introduced to me by my niece Sophie. (I like her’s better! See below.) I decided to name this one Sophie Butterfly and give it to her. Here is a little … Continue reading
Social Butterfly
Our summer project, Social Butterfly TV is launching soon! It feels like a long time coming, but in the grand scheme of things it came together very quickly. I painted this for our partner Damali, but haven’t been able to … Continue reading
Purple Summer In Pink
I spent the summer with Mom and my sisters commuting to the hospital and taking care of Dad once he came home. Always one to make the best of a crummy situation, I enjoyed extra time with my nieces and … Continue reading
Blue Wash
A couple months later I got the call no one wants to get.. That my dad was being airlifted to the hospital. I flew home for what I thought might be a week and ended up staying 3 months. (Yes … Continue reading
Bud in Blue
This year Dad came out to Phoenix with Mom to visit with us and his cousin. I think Phoenix is growing on them.. Mom stayed a week longer. I couldn’t get her back on a horse as she didn’t want … Continue reading
Purple Rain
In an effort to add some color to the walls in the guest bedroom before Mom visited this past spring, I whipped together this set of 4 paintings.
Golden Fairies on the Horizon
Another letter arrived in the mail from my littlest niece Anna, a drawing with some stickers and an I love you Aimee scrawled across the page. A wave of love swept across me and then a wave of shame, as … Continue reading
Blueberry Blossoms
Spring has sprung! Here in Phoenix it’s full blown summer weather in the 100s, and I’m already plotting my getaway! For instance, Al and I just went for a walk and ended up bouncing tree to tree, for that small … Continue reading
Brilliant Bamboo
I learned this story from a friend a few years ago and it has always stuck with me as we’ve been working to build our business. The story of the Bamboo tree is a great metaphorical lesson. Unlike normal crops … Continue reading
Aze Cherries
I haven’t stopped painting but have gotten quite backed up on posting.. I will admit, the inspiration was none other than a can of Arizona Iced Tea.. Enjoying the sound of new friends laughing on the porch. It’s been a … Continue reading
Leigh Leigh
I was so happy when a letter appeared in my mailbox from my littlest niece Anna thanking me for staying with her at Christmas. I immediately began scouring my place for some cool papers to craft a letter back. Instead … Continue reading
Flower Power
Flower Power is defined as the promotion of peace and love as means of changing the world. Have a Happy Valentine’s Day everyone!
Lollipop Forest
After dinner we went back upstairs to paint. Soph called out this name and I just had to start another. But our time was winding down and the kiddos had to start getting ready for bed, as they had gymnastics … Continue reading
Magical Butterfly
After painting a bit longer we were called to dinner. I get to sit at the kids table with more giggling nieces, this time I learned they were planning my wedding. (No I am not engaged) 😉 One excited junior … Continue reading
Bubbly Fish
This next trifecta of paintings was a speed session over the holidays with my nieces. Stella was eager to break into her new art set and willingly shared paint and canvases with her sister and cousins and me. We got … Continue reading
Fields of Dreams
When you grow up around endless fields of bounty they can leave an imprint on you. So that even though I am miles away surrounded by mountains and desert, this is what easily comes to mind. When deciding on a … Continue reading
Fleeting Field of Purple Pods
My friend Sarah reminded me of a horseback ride we once went on as kids. We were trailblazing (which usually includes dodging/getting hit with lots of branches and always adds a level of excitement to a ride) somewhere in the … Continue reading
Midnight Surprise
This homely little guy has grown on me. He reminds me of two new foals we have down at the horse barn Koli. One is a beautiful palomino and the other is the ugliest shade of brown.. The owner Chuck … Continue reading
Purple Haze on the Hill
I struggled with a name for this one. My fallback is a lazy description of the painting. Tempted to call my niece to make up a name, I remembered I had just bought this orange and purple paint that day. … Continue reading
Bodhi: Tree of Spice
I was pleasantly unprepared for this one to be such a hit at Christmas. Though I shouldn’t be surprised that others find trees as magical as I do. My sister asked me to draw a tree for her friend’s wedding … Continue reading
Twinkle
I better post this one before the holidays slip too far behind us. As I take the ornaments off the tree, it begins to look naked and sad. Our tree is quite crispy now and I’m not looking forward to … Continue reading
Sunset On Her Breath
I was forced to take a break from my computer during the holidays as I left it at the security check point in Phoenix – but very happy to have it back! I had a really boring title picked out … Continue reading
Cali Artichokes!
After re-reading the blog that inspired this painting, I was actually shocked i picked this boring landscape compared to the true gems in the entry, those wild artichokes! How funny! brethoefen.wordpress.com/2011/03/24/fresh-artichokes I remember being sad to leave my middle school … Continue reading
Steel Magnolia
This is the first in a 3 painting series dedicated to the Hoefen family. They recently lost their son/husband/brother/uncle Bret after a courageous fight with a nasty cancer. I chose 3 of my favorite pics from their amazing roadtrip across … Continue reading
Ai.Me.Be. 