book a photo session or gift some art (mama's day ideas)

 (8x10 art print)
 (8x10 art print)
 (8x10 art print)
 (8x10 art print)
 (8x10 art print)
 (8x10 art print)
 (8x10 art print)
 (8x10 art print)
 (8x10 art print)
(8x10 art print)

As soon as I wrote that title including "mama's day ideas" I almost changed it.  Yes, I'm a mama to two and longing so much for our third I can hardly stand it some days.  But I know that Mother's Day brings with it many emotions, memories, and longings.  It isn't so rosy for some and I want to be sensitive to that.  With that said, whether it be with an art print from the shop, a jar of wildflowers, a loaf of bread and honey, a phone call, a favorite book, or an extra long hug, I encourage you to look out for all the mama's in your life this Mother's Day...and I don't just means the ones with children.  Mamahood extends well beyond that, in my opinion.  Mamahood is a matter of the heart.

This would also be a great time to book a photo session with me for either yourself or your mama and family!  Our stories are precious and so worth documenting and capturing.  I just can't get over how much I believe that.  No one life is more thrilling or exciting or special than the next.  They are all fascinating stories by God, woven together in such a unique way. 

Curious about how a photo session with me? You have a couple of options: Book a session on my farm (hello wildflowers, open pastures, and the "golden hour") or book an in-home session (hello comforts of home, true, genuine storytelling through photos)
Watch and learn more: 






meet our baby calf

Brett and I try to go out on a date once a month, or once every two months.  You may be wondering what that has to do with a baby calf, but such is our life.  While out for dinner a week or so ago I get a text from one of my dearest friends in the world, who also happens to be my neighbor.  She thought something was going on with one of our mama cows, but wasn't sure?  

Sure enough, she was right.  Not long after more texts and phone calls start coming in about a mama having trouble (or so it seemed) with her labor, bellowing from the other cows, and just more drama than is normal for a calf being born.  We came right on home, scooped up the girls, Nana, and the farm truck, and went to check on the calf.  Our neighbors had been so kind to keep watch over it, seeing as it's mama wasn't showing interest in taking care of it.  This isn't typical, but can sometimes happen with a first-calf mama.  
And lo and behold, through a series of trial and error with very little luck, the mama still didn't take to her calf so I did instead.  Yes, that's right, I am now bottle-feeding this bull calf two times a day.  He moos when he seems me and will walk along beside me in the pasture. Now that he's growing and getting SO strong already I have to run and climb the fence to ever get away. 
Without further ado, meet our baby calf. 



(come back tomorrow for a closer look at what a photo session is like if you book me this spring/summer!)

Come see me at Mill St. Market this Saturday!


Good morning friends! It is with great anticipation I've been tucking away into the craft room early in the morning or late in the evening to prepare for Mill St. Market in downtown Springdale.  Opening Day is this Saturday, April 30th from 8-1! 
 I'll be there with art prints, color pages, square photographs, and framed originals and canvases!

 This would be a great opportunity to purchase Mother's Day art, meet your fellow community members, and shop the other awesome booths also! 

 Other items you can find at the Market from amazing, local makers are: flowers, cheese, produce, coffee, bread, cupcakes, homemade dog treats, lip balms, soaps, and lotions, smoked meats, pies, crocheted items, Kyya chocolate (our fave!), honey, and more!




You can look for my giant sign and come say hello! It would make my day. 

I'll be back next week to share what else I've been up to in my art world. 
'Till then, put Mill St. Market on your calendar! I look forward to seeing you there!

first camping trip of the year

Morning! I wish we were gathered around the campfire to share stories of your camping adventures and mine.  Admittedly, my eyes look as puffy and tired today as they do in this photo from the weekend! We had our first camping trip of the year this past weekend.  Brett took an extra day off which was a treat all by itself.  The weather was hot, hot, hot and exactly how we like it.  
We loaded up the pop-up camper and headed to the White River, just a few minutes away from the lovely Eureka Springs.  Both the river and creative town of Eureka hold dear memories and a special place in our hearts.  There are page after page of memories we've written in each place.  But just as the fresh coat of white paint did my soul good in the studio last week, a brand new year with a brand new start to camping is also good.  No need to constantly pound the same pavement of memories from years past.  It's time to fill some new pages. 

This trip was a bit off for us because our camping neighbors had a different idea of what a good time sounded like than we did, lol.  A.K.A. loud, loud music until the wee hours of the morning.  All loud beats aside, the trip was an adventure and full of braids, good burgers, sunshine, rock throwing, water splashing, and simply being together. 

Isn't together the best place to be?



Brett did a little trout fishing (but no luck), the girls played in the sand and rocks until we finally almost had to drag them away, shovels in hand.  And I got to sit.  Simply sit for at least a few minutes with the hot sun on my back.  I felt like a cat, with nothing better to do than relax.  It was just as glorious as it sounds. 


I also (very obviously) enjoyed capturing our story through photographs, a mixture of both iPhone and Nikon pictures.  















You all know how the heart rocks find me....or rather I find them.  God's little love story strewn about, wherever we happen to be.  






This trip wasn't perfect, as the best things rarely are.  But it was rich.  Camping is the good life to us.  There's no place I'd rather be than with Pippi braids, camera in hand, chasing after my sweet Brett and girls.  I mean, even the burgers and fried eggs taste better when cooked over a campfire.  I dare you to give camping a try this year.  Maybe even start with a small fire pit in the backyard and a place to put your feet up.  I think your soul will thank you. 

I've got a new blog! Come see. :)

Room for the Rosy  is my new blog. I hope you'll come see.