Carlson Commission

Recently, the Carlson family commissioned a large scale (36" x 48") painting to document their recent trip to Ethiopia:

for Samuel / oil, wax, collage on board / 36" x 48"

close-up / for Samuel

The Carlson's traveled to Ethiopia this winter to adopt their son Samuel. Mary saved paper trails from the trip; a map of Ethiopia, family boarding passes, receipts and newspapers, etc. These became layers in the painting; the base layer was the map. A tree was sketched in to recall a place the family had worshipped while they were there. It was amazing to hear their story an honor to make them a "time capsule" to remember it.

Their son Samuel is enjoying life here with his family and transitioning well. The story is not complete without mentioning that Samuel's best friend in Ethiopia, Joseph, was adopted by my sister around the same time. The best friends now live just a few miles apart!

Needless to say, this was very special piece to create. Thank you Carlson's!

Levi show casing the piece.

What to wear?

After a few cool days earlier in the week, this Friday was HOT. I wanted to wear something easy in the heat yet cute and weekend worthy. Most of the day I would adventuring be with the boys but in the afternoon I had two meetings with clients. I looked in my closet and didn't feel like

wearing what I had (and not for a lack of options). 

What to wear? What to wear?

So, I went online and picked out this virtual outfit for the day. It felt perfect.

 TODAY.

Soft and easy.

Bright and fun.

Cute but works as a diaper bag, which is just where I am at in life :)

look comfortable and are a steal

Then back to reality. I actually had to choose things from my real closet. Not all was lost though--I had a little more inspiration and creativity during my second attempt at getting dressed 

and found something that worked out great. 

Do you ever create virtual outfits?

PS there are a few good deals above. check them out :)

1460

= the number of days I have been married to my sweet husband Daniel (plus 5, if you count the days this post is overdue).

1460. Let me do the math again because that doesn't even seem like that many days....

Yep. 1460.

Four years, two babies, two dogs, two moves, a masters degree, and a new job later (and a million moments in between)...

We are in love and growing. I am so thankful for these years that I have shared with my best friend.

Here's to many more.

Customized Commission

I recently finished this encaustic painting for a woman in Glen Ellyn.  She was wonderful to work with as she had lots of ideas and a true sense of style. I incorporated collage elements that had specific/personal meaning to her family, in turn adding character and depth to the piece. They loved the finish product and it is hanging above a fire place in her beautiful dining room.  It really looks like it "belongs." Thank you Maureen!

(for more images of my work visit my website)

We made it!

We honestly weren't sure we would...but we made it through one crazy pregnancy to welcome our very precious Silas Keeton Bush on July 3. And so, I am slowly but surely hoping to re-enter the blogging world. In the whirlwind of the last ten months there would have been both too much and too little to share (I will try to recap at some point). But now I am hoping to give snippets back into our world.  Sharing things that make us happy, inspire us, stir our thinking, make us laugh. And maybe give you an idea of what I am up to creatively, for work and play.

In the meantime, here are a few images captureing our bliss this past month:

Levi meets his baby brother

Daddy getting to know Silas

back home

snuggling

brothers

so glad he's here

Levi Garrison

my three boys