Sitting at my easel this afternoon I wondered what to include in this week's blog,  I thought you might enjoy seeing my mini studio where I am following my passion.

My studio was our daughter's childhood bedroom.  Several years ago I slowly converted it from a guest bedroom to a craft room.  When the painting bug hit me last year I had the perfect place to pursue my passion. Small, but mighty is how I describe my studio.  It houses everything I need and has a great south facing window for lots of natural light.  Still need to repaint the walls from it's former bedroom days.  A task for 2016.  

I use a vintage bakers rack for storing my finished works.  One of my sweet friends was moving and couldn't use it in her new home.  Luckily, she asked if I'd like it and of course I said yes.  It is perfect for my studio.  My large pieces hang on the wall and the smaller ones sit on the bakers rack until they are sold.

Let me introduce you to Colby, our 5 year tabby cat.  Colby is my shipping manager, and as you can see he mostly sleeps on the job.  Good thing he's cute!  We are a rescue family for cats with six total.  Colby seems to be the only one interested enough in my painting to spend time in the studio.   Sometimes I have to shoo him out so I can actually get some work done. You wouldn't believe how hard it is to paint with a cat sitting in your lap.  

My work space is a table I "rescued" from a local thrift store.  It's perfect for what I do and with a skirt around the bottom I can stash all those items I don't use all the time.  Great when you don't have a lot of space to begin with.  Here I'm varnishing some mini paintings that will go into frames.  

I have a growing library of art books for inspiration, as any artist does. These are some I recently picked up at a second hand book shop.  It's amazing how many wonderful books you can find second hand.  If you want to take time for yourself and relax and enjoy some beauty just grab your favorite beverage and an art book.  How can you not smile when you're looking at art?  That is the best compliment I can receive ..... when someone says my art makes them smile.

Steal of the month is almost here!!!  October 31 is the last day for bidding on this month's "steal".  You still have a couple days to get in on the fun friends.  The current offer is only $45 for these TWO original 6" x 6" paintings.  Just click here for information on how to make an offer on these fun, colorful paintings.

This month really flew by.  Thank you so much for your wonderful support and encouragement.  Please share me with you art loving friends and stay tuned for more steals and giveaways coming up.  

Have a safe and fun Halloween friends.  Cheers, Mary