This month’s featured print is Blueberry Pancakes—a tribute to comfort, ritual, and the kind of quiet morning we all dream of, especially mothers.
Originally painted for the Monthly Miniatures, Creature Comfort series in May, this piece was my version of the perfect Mother’s Day breakfast: pancakes stacked high with melting butter, a rich latte in a Blue Willow cup, and a single iris in an antique hand vase.
The composition echoes the Dutch still life tradition, but with a distinctly contemporary touch. It’s about everyday beauty—something made by hand, savored slowly, and shared with love.
Fine art prints of this piece are now available in the shop. Printed on archival paper, signed, and ready to ship.
Order by Tuesday, May 7th for Mother’s Day delivery.
Over the past five years, I’ve created still life paintings consistently, and each spring, daffodils seem to make their way into at least one of them. I currently have five limited edition floral prints featuring daffodils available in the shop. While I haven’t made prints of every daffodil painting I’ve done, these are some of my favorite spring moments captured on paper.
Interestingly, this was the first year I didn’t create a daffodil painting in March. It’s a month that holds special meaning for me—my son was born in March, and when we brought him home, around fifty daffodils were blooming in our backyard. The window in his nursery overlooked that garden, and I’ve always thought of daffodils as his flower.
Although I can’t go back and make a March daffodil painting retroactively, I have sketched out plans for a larger daffodil still life for an upcoming show at Harris Harvey Gallery in 2024. That’s still a ways off, so in the meantime, I decided to release a new limited edition floral print and offer a special discount—available for one month only!
New Print Release!
The latest addition to the shop is a print from my “Creature Comforts” series of monthly miniatures. It’s titled Sweetness of Spring and features a small bouquet of daffodils alongside one of my favorite things—cake. Specifically, carrot cake with cream cheese frosting, which has become my son’s official birthday cake. It’s also the only time of year I can get him to eat carrots without any complaints!
If daffodils—or carrot cake—hold a special place in your heart too, take a look at the new print and explore the others in the collection.
20% Off Daffodil Prints – Through May 31
Enjoy a special 20% discount on all daffodil prints in the shop now through May 31st. It’s the perfect time to bring a little spring into your space—or gift a bloom that never fades.
Three DaffodilsIsaac’s DaffodilsSweetness of SpringSeven Varieties of Daffodil
Easter is just around the corner and I have several Rabbit Limited Edition Prints available in the shop. The connection of rabbits to Easter has always been a bit baffling to me, so I took some time this year to see what I could find out. Keep reading for information on the symbolism of rabbits through the ages and the origin of the rabbit as the egg bearer for this holiday.
The Joys of Motherhood
Limited Edition Print
$60
Rabbit, symbol of fertility and rebirth
In European traditions, the Easter bunny is known as the Easter hare. The hare has been a symbol for rebirth and fertility and has been included in rituals and religious roles for thousands of years.
Archaeologists have found hares that were given ritual burials alongside humans in fossils from as early as the Neolithic age (10000 BC – 2200 BC), a. They have interpreted the burials as a religious ritual, with hares representing rebirth.
During the iron age (1200 B.C. and 600 BC) when hares and chickens first arrived in Britain, some archaeologists believe they were seen as creatures of reverence, not dinner. Many examples of burials from this time period have been discovered without any signs of butchery.
Portrait of a Gentleman & Portrait of a Lady, Limited Edition Prints
The Easter Bunny
It’s not too much of a stretch to find a historical symbol of rebirth associated with the Christian holiday of Easter. But the origin is believed to have begun with a German tradition in the 1500’s of an egg-laying hare called “Osterhase” or “Oschter Haws”.
After reading dozens of articles and historical documents, the start of the tradition still makes no sense to me! Eggs were forbidden during Lent so they were a treat to eat on Easter Sunday. There was a tradition in Germany to hide boiled eggs on Easter. The closest I could find as to how the hare delivered the eggs, was a story passed on through folklore.
When a woman hid colored eggs in the garden for her grandchildren to find, they saw a hare hopping away from them and thought the hare left them. The adults loved this idea and ran with it.
Now hundreds of years later, the idea is still running!
Who knows how it really started, but the tradition of the Easter hare caught on in Germany in the and has continued to spread ever since. He works much like Santa and brings children eggs, candies, chocolates (chocolate easter bunny’s are also a German invention!) and sometimes toys – if they’re on the nice list.
Hope you have a Happy Easter!
A Rabbit in the Forest after Hans Hoffman
Limited Edition Print
$60
Once your Limited Edition Print arrives, it’s your turn to get creative. Whether your style is contemporary, traditional or anything in-between, there are many options. Choosing the right framing can feel intimidating, but try to enjoy the process and trust your instincts. Check out an article I recently wrote about framing limited edition prints. Continue reading for an in-depth look at one clients framing choices.
Audrey generously shared these wonderful images of her two framed Limited Edition Prints she recently ordered from my shop. I loved how they turned out and thought they could help inspire your own framing choices! If you’re in the Holywood, FL area, she recomends Nina’s Art and Framing.
What I love about Audrey’s framing
Framing idea from Audrey. (The frame opening is around 12″ x 12″)
I worked in a frame shop all through art school, and then at the Seattle Art Museum exhibition design department for 15 years. I got to see and hear from the experts on how and why framing should be done in certain ways. Audrey’s choices reflect some of these ideas, and I think describing how will help others make their own choices.
The Mat
The mat for a print serves two purposes: it can enhance the look of the artwork, and it protects the art.
The right mat helps draw the eye in and can add a bit of grandeur or drama to the overall presentation of your new artwork. Use a mat between 2″ and 4″ wide. As for color, I’ve always preferred a simple “white” mat. I feel that a white mat really brings attention to the artwork without any distractions. There are exceptions to this and that’s basically your personal taste and decorating style. If your house is overall more bold and colorful, then adding a pop of color in your mat might fit right in. I say try the white first, but ultimately, go with your gut.
And when I say “white” I mean the white that matches the color of the paper best. If you’re having your Limited Edition Print custom framed, don’t be surprised to have your framer pull out dozens of white mats to choose from!
As to the protective element of matting, keeping space between the Limited Edition Print and the glass is the main goal of the mat. A mat allows air circulation in this space and helps prevent mildew, mold, and buckling. It also keeps artwork from sticking to the glazing material and becoming damaged.
The Frame
The hardest choice of all is picking your frame. This is where your personal taste and creativity really come into play. I often choose narrow, simple frames for matted pieces, which is very different from how I frame my paintings. I’ve had several clients that framed their prints in this way, using a narrow, simple frame with really lovely results. This choice will be the part where you look at lots of different options, and trust your unique style and taste.
Contrary to what I would normaly choose, Audrey’s frame choice is not narrow or simple, but I love it! It’s unique and has a lot of personality without being overwhelming. It brings my eye into the images and the pattern and texture compliments the the images in a subtle and appealing way.
Best of luck in your own art hanging adventures! Feel free to reach out via Instagram, or the contact form here on my website, whether you have a question or something to share. I love to hear from my readers and collectors, and fellow art lovers!
Lots of people had been asking if I would release prints from recent paitnings. I found a local printer I love and am now offering some for sale in my store. I just received several beautiful images from my lovely client Theresa, showing how she framed hers. The backdrop of her beautiful farmhouse in Indiana decorated for the holidays is just magical. I loved seeing these images and I hope you do to!
She very kindly offered to share where she purchased her frames and mats. Contact me if you’d like information on where they came from and I will pass it on! Everything was ordered online and she was able to easily fit them together herself.
