Grateful month of December - Happy New Year!

In the spirit of it being Christmas week, I'm feeling deeply grateful .....

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Living life as an artist is a dream come true and I'm grateful for every single day.

I'm grateful for every single person who is moved to purchase my art.

I'm grateful for the opportunity to share my art and experiences with other artists and entrepreneurs who might want to live their own dream too.

I am so grateful to share my artistic creations with people all over the world.

I'm so grateful for God's guidance that has made me who I am in the world.

I'm mostly grateful for the support of family and friends who believed in me and my dream and tirelessly support my life.

... and this year I can say I am grateful and excited to carry my dream to the next level.

This year has been groundbreaking for me professionally, with my art available to customers in several unique and exciting ways!  And I may have broken a record here at Lana's Art Studios for most sales in one month this month alone!  But the most special thing is the people behind all those sales.  So this is my love and gratitude back - THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart and I hope to see you all in 2015!

Thank you thank you every single one of you who has touched my life in so many ways through my blog, shop and personal reach....

Enjoy your holiday my friends! and I hope all your lovely wishes will come true!!! My biggest hugs!

Cheers 2015! xx, Lana 

Merry Christmas!!!!

Hello my dear friends!  How was your week?  First of all I like to say all of you thank you so much for your kind messages about my beloved Nikki last week. It means a lot to me.  Many of you have pets and you know how hard it is to say goodbye from your personal experiences.  But now on to the magical time of Christmas and I will be enjoying it with loved ones.

I opened my Instagram account @LanasArtStudio couple of days ago, and I'm probably the last person to join it :) ... I found all of my friends from FB, Etsy, and Pinterest happily sharing their lovely pictures with the world already!  I have tons of questions and more ideas ahead .... but now hear from the pros how to avoid mistakes there .... so far I found this week:

• An Instagram account I wish I'd thought of: Wenevermet. Pictures of strangers (who aren't facing the camera) and tiny, imaginary caption stories of their lives. Here
• I found a printable (free) WOODLANDS gift tags I may be using for my presents here
• Ultimate guide for my new Instagram adventure here
• Came across this site  for you friends with cats - Top 10 toys for your holiday!

 And, last but not least I would like to sharing my weekend small getaway to a lovely old city St. Augustine with Nights of Lights. This is our yearly holiday tradition and I'm so happy to sharing it with you.

 During Nights of Lights, St. Augustine glows with holiday magic - from the ground to the rooftops. Selected by National Geographic in 2011 & 2012 as one of the ten best holiday lighting displays in the world, St. Augustine’s Nights of Lights feature millions of tiny white lights that create a magical atmosphere in the Nation’s oldest city.

Tracing its origins to the Spanish tradition of displaying a white candle in the window during the Christmas holidays, the spectacular lighting reflects the city’s 449-year history and illuminates the beautiful setting for lasting holiday memories.
 

The best way to enjoy the popular holiday lighting display is to park in the Historic Parking Facility located off Castillo Drive and enjoy the sights in one of many different ways – on foot, by bicycle or pedicab, on the Old Town Trolley or the Ripley’s Red Train, or by horse and carriage. - via  

Christmas only a few days away and I'm looking forward to spend this days with a quiet and restful last minute cooking and enjoying time with my family! Merry Christmas to All and Lovely Sweet Wishes!

With Love, 

Lana

Lost dear friend and companion

 

Starting this week with a ton of catching up to do as last week we lost a dear friend, our little dog Nikki (in the foreground in the picture above).  If you follow me, you probably know she was with me for 17 wonderful years, but unfortunately the time had come to say goodbye.  I am reminded that Father Time is undefeated and in this case it is surely true.  She was my walking partner and sweet companion for all those years and we all will miss her a lot! 

I had to take a few days off to regroup. Though I must admit, staying distracted and busy helps me to somehow begin to get past our loss, otherwise I would be overwhelmed thinking about how sad it really is to lose her.  The grieving process is difficult but necessary, otherwise it has a way of forcing its way out on its own.

I will be back shortly with more lovely news and updates! Happy weekend ahead my friends! xx, Lana

Happy December!

Hello Lovelies!

I hope you had a blessed week and nice family celebration during this Thanksgiving week (at least for those of you in the US).  Now it's time to start preparing for a lovely holiday season and getting ready for more joyful times with family and friends!

As for me I'm going to be short and sweet this week, because I'm swamped with custom orders, sales, packing and last minute freelance work.  Also, I'm really excited about my recent collaboration with large retailer ....  I cannot wait to reveal!  This is will be a lovely surprise just before the New Year!

my commission for a lovely client packed and ready to be shipped

Getting away this holiday season?  Next year I would like to return to Paris and spend a week in Provence ( but I will have to wait till June so see the beautiful  lavender season :) so in the mean time...

Paris in bloom from my trip this year

- little sparkles from Tiffany's for Christmas ... in my "Santa's list".... a girl can dream  - N'est-ce pas?

New Tiffany's store in Manhattan 

- it never hurts to dream about a far away destination or shopping on 5th Avenue in NYC

New Custom Illustration for client I completed last week

.... What is your dream destination? Share with me.... and for now my favorite quote:

" Painting is silent poetry, and poetry is painting that speaks" - Plutarch.

I hope you can see my story from my paintings... my dreams, and my inspiration... so go ahead dream up your next vacation, and make it happen! - xx, Lana

This Week's Quote - Give Thanks!

Via

Hello my dear Friends! I'm on a short blog break this week as you all probably will be spending more time with a family and friends during the holiday season. My deepest gratitude for all my dear friends and followers, collectors and online etsy shoppers. I enjoyed spending time with you all this year, blogging about art and travel and whatever else was on our minds at the moment ....... you make me feel like we are like one big family.  I count all my blessings this year and trust that you will have time to reflect on your many blessings as well, and also to create many great memories for the future!  I hope to blog again soon to close out a wonderful 2014!

with love, 

Lana

Monday Morning ... new day, new week, new start ....

Hello Monday! My brain is running at a slow pace, in need of a second cup of coffee to kick in ... (now already), and I'm slightly sad that the weekend is gone. So, I'll take a few hours to browse my favorite blogs, online magazines and pretty pictures from my trips, and read up on my friends' blogs .... all to inspire me.

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So you are a creative professional and this is you life sources. Embrace it and make some time for it! Without inspiration you have no fuel in the tank, and that will lead to nowhere. Most of the time I'm working on a series of pieces ... so it is easier for me. But every Monday when I have Monday-brain, I need something to get me excited and to spark my creativity again. So often my Pinterest inspiration board gives me a kick in the rear end. As an artist I need my creative juices to flow freely .... so it is great to start this morning with a giant cup of coffee, and let those couple hours visually trigger my brain. This is a part of my creative process!  So, I'm taking time and adding this to my Monday routine! I hope this will be inspiring for you as well!

1. Just a few of the many things I love about Paris  here  ...  nearly daily posts of a life in Paris and the Paris lifestyle .... I think the writer behind the blog reminds me of myself and my love of the city from the first time I set foot in the City of Lights. 

An inviting café scene from my Paris trip

2. learn more from the blogger pro here . Go to her Press section .... she really has a creative and knowledgeable approach of  social media business .... I learned something new from her lately.  

3. here is more from my Pinterest  board ( I think it is about time to think about White Christmas ... inspiration is everywhere.... sometimes you don't even have to leave home to be inspired:) 

4. and here if you in design or home decoration.... lovely posts from my favorite design blog.  

5. last but not least, to celebrate another successful business year selling online I am happy to giveaway one print of my original watercolors of your choice! This is first time I have used the generated raffle, so we'll see how well it  works. In the mean time I wish everyone best luck and cheers! xx, Lana

Quotes of the Week - November Inspiration

How are you lovelies?
I hope November treats you well. I can never come up with what to say by the end of the week... ( no wonder :) so here are some words lately I found that inspire and move me forward:

"When it comes to art, buy with your eyes, not your ears. I try very hard not to "decorate" with art. Art should be reflective of your personality and what is going on in your head - not reflective of the colors of a sofa". - Hotelier Jason Pomeranc

"Collect things you love, that are authentic to you, and your house becomes your story."

 - Erin Flett 

Ring the bells that still can ring 
Forget your perfect offering
There is a crack in everything
That's how the light gets in....
-Leonard Cohen

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Do you have any favorite words, quotes, or sayings to move your forward?

Share them with me in comments.  I would love to hear from you. And for now I wish you a lovely weekend and many great memories to fill :)  
xx, Lana

Flower in Her Hair ... Flowers Everywhere..... I love the Flower Girl.

I saw her sitting in the rain
Raindrops falling on her
She didn't seem to care
She sat there and smiled at me

And I knew (I knew, I knew, I knew, I knew)
She could make me happy (happy, happy)
Flowers in her hair, flowers everywhere

I love the flower girl
Oh, I don't know just why
She simply caught my eye
I love the flower girl she seemed so sweet and kind.
She crept into my mind.

I knew I had to say hello (hello, hello)
She smiled up at me
She took my hand and we walked through the park alone

But I knew (I knew, I knew, I knew, I knew)She had made me happy (happy, happy)
Flowers in her hair, flowers everywhere

I love the flower girl
Oh, I dont know just why
She simply caught my eye
I love the flower girl she seemed so sweet and kind
She crept into my mind

Suddenly the sun broke through (see the sun).
I turned around she was gone (where did she go).
And all I had left was one little flower from her hair.

But I knew (I knew, I knew, I knew, I knew)
she had made me happy (happy, happy).
Flowers in her hair, flowers everywhere

I love the flower girl
Was she reality or just a dream to me?
I love the flower girl
Our love shall lead the way
To find a sunny day

I love the flower girl
Was she reality or just a dream to me?

More via  - (i Love) The Flower Girl Lyrics - My inspiration for new watercolors 

Lanasart.etsy.com

Happy November! Happy new week and hello to a busiest season.... I know that many of you think I’ve been purposely added summer inspired pieces here and teasing you a lot about my Florida weather. The truth is that it’s not something I do to tease, it is just always surrounded me and inspired me most. So I’m happy to share some of my new watercolors with you. I hope you like it.... xx, Lana

Dior, Chanel... and More - Fragrance of Paris!

Hello My Friends! I hope your October is treating you well!  In fact, I hope it's downright inspiring!

Inspiring still life - Miss Dior 

You see, I love October because it means I'm in the home stretch.... I can celebrate my accomplishments over the last 10 months, and kick myself into gear to make the best of what's left of 2014!

Oh ...and of course, fall is my favorite season. When my dearest friends celebrating with sweaters, leggings, and everything pumpkin in New York,  I'm sweating it out on the prettiest beaches of Florida in sunglasses still. 

Cheers to a happy October, wherever you might be!

Fragrance of Paris

Dior Inspired Collection

Lana's Art Studio - French Connection 

• New collection in my etsy store " Fragrance of Paris "
• Latest treasury I created - Paris inspired: Secret Garden  

• I've always enjoyed guest posts about artwork  at Apartment  Therapy great info and lots of helpful tips/ sources there. 
• I found this articles on blogging.... if you use the social media in your promotion please share with me which one works better for you. I'm still trying to figure out :)

and, as always, leave a comment and let me know what's going on with you! Happy Weekend my friends!!!! xx, Lana 

Art Tour of Musee D' Orsay in Paris, France

Looking back on my trip to the Paris Museums:   Second stop - Art Tour of Musee D'Orsay

Each week I will focus on a different artist that I admire. This week's blog will therefore focus on one of my favorites of all time - Monet.  If you have visited the Louvre in Paris you would know that there is no impressionist art there, they were "blacklisted" by the classical art league. So instead, the Musee D'Orsey is a perfect home for the greatest art movement in history and I was so happy to see so many beautiful originals there.

I know there is a lot already posted but I would like to give you my perspective. We each have a unique way of seeing what surrounds us. Depending where we focus, and at what angle, can lead to varied perspective. We can be looking at the same picture and see it differently. Some of us will focus on details, others will look at the whole picture. I often remind myself to take a different view, stand back, come close, use all five senses to embrace what might not be obvious, just unseen.  I love to be a "detective" and challenge myself not to turn a blind eye. Have you ever felt like that? With a Monet in particular it is a hard to say what I like the most .... I think I like Monet's fresh idea and admire his first brave step into the unknown.  He did not think he was creating a masterpiece, he did not know that his painting" Impression Sunrise" would give a whole new art style it's name.  He was innovative and he followed his inspirations and he was right!  What is most fascinating about his work is that he creates a series of the same subject, but with a new light.  I love his beautiful waterlilies series and of course the Cathedrals!  Take a look at some of the photos I managed to capture of the Musee D'Orsay  - the cafe, the windows and the main entrance with beautiful architectural details of the building (old train station) and sculptures. Too bad it is forbidden to take pictures inside the museum! Let me know what do you think about this post.... and as alwaysI  love to see your lovely comments! xx, Lana

Tips to The Louvre Tour in Paris from Self - Proclaimed Expert

Q: WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO VISIT THE LOUVRE?

The absolute best time to visit the Louvre is on Wednesday and Friday evenings when the museum is open until 9:45 pm, there are many fewer visitors. 

Me: I was excited to see the Louvre, so I scheduled to go early in my visit to Paris, but unfortunately there was a strike so entrance was not permitted.  Later in the week I was able to go and of course I loved it!  So plan ahead and be flexible ...... there is so much to do and see in the Louvre and in Paris!

Q: IS THERE A LONG LINE TO ENTER THE MUSEUM?

It depends of the time of day. The line outside the pyramid entrance varies from 5 to 20
minutes. This is a security purposes. Participants on all Context Louvre walks will not wait in line as we pre-purchase tickets and thus have access to a special line. Museum Pass holders or advance ticket holders can also enter this way (see our concierge service for purchase of non-walk advance tickets).

Me:  When I was there they closed at 5.  Seriously, who would have thought that when parisians have dinner around 10 p.m. who know that the Louvre can be closed at 5 :) I'm not sure, but I think it was a Thursday.  Also, the people at the Fat Tire place where we rented our Segway Tour alerted as to another entrance to the Louvre just a few hundred feet from the main entrance .... the line is usually much shorter and apparently not many tourists are aware of its existence. So, please ask locals for more tidbits!

Q: I’VE HEARD THE LOUVRE IS ENORMOUS, HOW SHOULD I DECIDE WHAT TO SEE?

The Louvre has one of the largest art collections in the world and it would take weeks to see it all. To make the most of your visit, it’s a good idea to read up on the different sections (perhaps in your guide book) so you can have a better idea of what you would be interested in seeing. If you are deciding on a walk with Context, we recommend the French Masters walk, which introduces you to French art and compliments your Parisian experience. If you are visiting the museum on your own, try not to see everything, you will appreciate the works more by focusing on a few sections, pick up a map at the info desk which will help you navigate its vast wings.

Me: That is so true and you can see my first picture was taken by the end of this trip... I have an exhausted look ... the place is so enormous, even walking in flats brought me a bunch of blisters and two days of recovery!

Q: WHERE CAN I GET A SNACK OR HAVE LUNCH?

While eating inside the collections is not advisable, bags are not searched for food, so you could bring along a snack, sandwich or bottle of water in your bag and have a break in the main foyer. There are numerous cafes throughout the museum and in the Carrousel du Louvre, the shopping centre attached to the museum, you can find a fairly good food court with world cuisine. For a more leisurely lunch or break, try the Café Marly which is on the North Side of the Cour Napoleon (part of the Richelieu wing), great for people watching.

Me: Personally I did't get time to enjoy a lunch in Louvre, but there are many wonderful restaurants and cafes nearby :)

Q: IS THE LOUVRE WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE?
The Louvre is wheelchair accessible and you can request a temporary wheelchair loan from the information desk. There are elevators throughout the museum as well and you can print a wheelchair accessibility guide from the site. We are happy to custom design visits to the Louvre for visitors with mobility issues.

Me: I was not in a wheelchair but after I was finished I felt like I needed one! Maybe I could see more:)

P.S. I hope you guys enjoyed this museum series! I had a lot of fun learning more about the Louvre actually afterward and I hope you will be planning ahead and please sharing it with me.  Oh, most important...  I actually found Mona Lisa in the last hour.... but could't take a good picture... people was  blocking ( so as a double glass over the painting ) ... so just look on internet, you will get a better views :) 

Questions for You:

• Would you like to see more posts or series like this in the future on my blog? 
• What’s your favorite art or place you like to visit or see?

Have a wonderful week and see you soon! with love, Lana

Bonjour Paris!

Hello Lovelies! I think about Paris most of the time .... If you have ever been to Paris it is like an attraction or nostalgic feelings that stays in your thoughts always only in a positive, sweet and inspiring way.  I know, it like a cliche that every artist should travel to Paris and it even better live there for awhile. But not of all us are so lucky. For me, just a shot trip can provides endless inspirations it seems.

One of the things I love about Paris is people watching - sitting at an outdoor table of a Parisienne cafe and watching the world go by. The women are so chic and elegant - always classic and understated and the men look so sophisticated in their stylish suits - even the dogs are well groomed!

Pack a suitcase and head to Paris for your romantic escape. I visited last time with my husband and it was most the romantic trip we've ever taken. I say pack your nicest clothes and be prepared for wonderful food, drinks, and scenery.  A most memorable moment for me was sitting on the plane in NYC and listening to a french song my husband recorded - it brought a smile to my face, which stayed with me till the end of the visit.  I was also able to once again practice my schoolgirl french!  On the way back we watched "Midnight in Paris" and thru tears of joy and nostalgia I realized I left my heart in Paris forever!

Courtyard of the Louvre 

I want to take you on the journey through my Paris walk :)  Spend some time on the walking bridge ....love the Pont des Arts, which connects the left bank to Louvre. Enter the museum this way, walking from the left over to the right bank, into the interior courtyard of the Louvre. When you turn left, you get the best shot of the glass pyramid of The Louvre.

Have you visit Paris before? I would like to hear about your favorite moments....
 and
Check my tour in the next week.... have lots of pictures coming and lots of sketches from it. Also, I would like to re-start my giveaway (this time one original sketch of your choice)   So,  please stay tuned for my updates and more :)

with love, 

Lana