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
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
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
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
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 is defined as the promotion of peace and love as means of changing the world. Have a Happy Valentine’s Day everyone!
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Who knew Christmas was waiting on the inside of an apple? I want to figure out how to turn this design into an ornament. I’m sure someone has done it, with all the creative people in the world, which Esty … Continue reading
I’ve never been one to eat an apple a day, but as we’ve started our gym regiment I’ve gotten back in the habit of making fruit smoothies (which are delicious), so apples have gone back on the shopping list. One … Continue reading
December is flying by and I am spending a lot of time looking toward the future and what next year will hold. I feel like a lot of hard work is coming to fruition. With this painting I experimented with … Continue reading
When I was thinking about making a 2012 calendar with my artwork I realized I didn’t have anything fit for the month of December. So I made this little bluebird enjoying a splash of color from red berries on a … Continue reading
When thinking of a name this phrase “Turn over a new leaf” came to mind. To begin again, fresh. With the passing of another birthday and as 2011 comes speeding to an end these contemplative thoughts inevitably surface. I’ve learned … Continue reading
For my last painting session while in Richmond, Sophie and I set up shop in the driveway and while she painted mountains experimenting with different brushes I focused on this great metal jug in Kristie’s garden. I later learned mom … Continue reading
I’m still posting paintings from my trip to Richmond. For this session with my nieces I wanted them to be inspired by something personal, so we flipped through a photo book of their recent family trip to Yellowstone. One of … Continue reading
For our next art session I thought this would be a fun technique to teach my nieces. It turned out to be a little more complicated than expected. I was happy to get one on one time with them which … Continue reading
So for our first painting session in Richmond my nieces and I spread some old blankets on the lawn and set up a still life scene next to a tree with some pumpkins and a couple – once beautiful but … Continue reading
Sophie helped me name this one too. It was a favorite of my sisters – I think they like the simplicity of the black and white. I like this asian inspired style and want to get better at maximizing every … Continue reading
My niece Sophie helped me name this one, which I painted in Phoenix before I left to visit them. In an effort to be more abstract, I chose to paint it solely with a palette knife. It was very fun … Continue reading
I’m in Richmond VA visiting my sisters and their kids. I was exciting to hold the first week of Aunt Aimee’s Art Academy. My niece Stella’s first words when she got off the bus was, “My teacher wants you to … Continue reading
Ai.Me.Be. 