“The only time I feel alive is when I’m painting.”
– Vincent van Gogh
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So I kind of have this total love that hasn’t been in my life much in the past five years.
Besides my family, it’s my number one obsession. It probably even outranks interiors. I know, right? Cue startled gasp. Okay. Maybe it ties. The obessive girl has something else she’s even more obsess-y about.
I’m kind of an artist at heart. And my love affair with color and the brush stroke and creating… it’s something I crave. The smell of oils make me practically giddy and the idea of a container full of brushes give me silly heart palpitations. (Dork.)
I’ve taken a bit of a break for the past five years, because it’s hard to stay consistent when you’re raising the littles and the whole balancing act of life and starting a business. I know you guys are with me: Life is just a crazy balancing act sometimes.
I feel like our kids are old enough now and I’m in a place where I’m ready to slowly pick it back up again… In fact, I’m kind of thrilled. Mixed with a hint of nervous.
There’s something about that raw act of sheer creativity that isn’t really linked to anything. The therapeutic process of painting something just to paint. It’s absolutely refreshing.
I’m ready to start back again.
So here’s the fun part… we’ve also found a way to bring prints to our fabulous readers.
And I just really couldn’t be more excited about getting back to my roots.
We should have our little online shop launched in four weeks’ time. {Fingers crossed, sweet friends!} Along with a new look for The Handmade Home. We’re super thrilled and beyond grateful all at the same time…
So here we go on another fun little mini adventure.
From giclee water color prints, canvas paper, and even gallery stretched canvas options in multiple sizes… we can’t wait to share all of this with you!
Shipped straight from the heart of Dixie… to your walls. ;}
We’re super thrilled about this one. Stay tuned!
Have an inspired day, lovely friends!
Asnipofgoodness says
Oh my goodness, I LOVE these, you are super talented, and I wish you all the best!! Hurray for you!!!!
ashley @ the handmade home says
Thank you so very much! We are excited. ;}
baileywife says
So that artwork is yours??? I have been OBSESSED with your nest painting ever since I first tuned in to your blog (dining room shelves) I would DIE to have it!!!! Can’t wait for your shop!!!~Kim
ashley @ the handmade home says
It is! Thank you! ;}
Jessica at Me Sew Crazy says
This is so exciting! I love your prints and cannot wait to see how your shop just blooms! Congrats!!!
Sarah says
Wow! Very excited!
Megan @ Rappsody in Rooms says
Oh my goodness! You are an amazing artist!! Your pictures are gorgeous! Can’t wait to see the shop!
Kelly says
You can feel the excitement in your post. I love reading about someone discovering their passion and acting on it. Can’t wait to see what you’re working on. đ
Benita Giovannetti says
Absolutely LOVE your work! Your colors, perspective …wonderful!
Jackie says
Can’t wait!
Seriously Sassy Mama says
You most certainly are talented, so i am happy you are getting back at it. I recently felt the same way about painting furniture. I am almost done with a cabinet of mine, and I could not be more happy!
ashley @ the handmade home says
That’s awesome girl. Good for you!
Emelyn says
How exciting!
Danielle says
Absolutely talented. I have been wondering if you were going to pursue this! Congratulations and I wish you the best.
Melaine Thompson says
Oh my goodness! I didn’t know your middle name was Picasso! From one artist to another, those are insanely good! I wouldn’t be able to paint those in a million years~! Contact me if you’d like to do a giveaway, or just help spread the word, I’d be honored! Melaine at my sweet savannah
ashley @ the handmade home says
Thank you so very much Melanie! That means so much. ;}
Tracey C says
YAAAYYY!!! Can’t wait to buy one!
Courtney Henson says
Wow! You have a gift that’s for sure! I love your painting style and I’m so excited you have found a way to share this with all of us!
Lindsey Woolard says
YAY! Good for you. Can’t wait to see the shop.
Debbie Christianson says
OMG! Your paintings are fabulous! I’m super excited for your shop to open!
katie says
Wow! Serious talent, I love it all! Congratulations!
Gracie says
Oh that will be awesome!!! I’ve wished before that I could buy a print of some of your paintings. Can’t wait!
Cindy says
Are dibs allowed? If so, I call the airplane with the yellow-tipped wings.
Bekah says
Prints?!?! Yes!!! I will be ordering the airplane in the clouds for the boys’ playroom! I love the way the propellors look like they are moving! Fabulous!
Laura G. says
Oh, this is exciting!!! I already have a few Handmade Home items in my house & I’d love to add more. Congrats on the new venture…can’t wait to see everything! đ
Casie says
From one Bama girl to another, you have just made my week!! I’ve been waiting on the day when I could get my hands on some of your paintings!! I absolutely love the vintage cars that you paint and this came at the perfect time. I’m about to start transforming my toddler’s room to a big boy room and I can’t wait to order some of your paintings to jazz up his walls.
I know I’m probably jumping the gun, but will you be taking custom orders?
Miranda VanAuken says
I’m glad someone else asked about custom orders…there is this picture I have of a dandelion at sunset that I think would make a marvelous giant canvas…. (hint hint)!!!
ashley @ the handmade home says
haha thank you! We shall see. Things are still a little cray cray with blog stuff right now, so I’m diving in with what I have, and then slowly but surely adding as I feel inspired. One day at a time! ;}
Brandy says
I can’t wait! I will be in line to get one of your pieces. You’ve got some serious talent. So excited for you. Adventures that bring us back to our roots are so empowering!
Jackie says
Absolutely love the bird’s nest painting you did! Would love to have one in my home. Best of luck with your new adventure!
DOLORES FALCON says
Wow, your so talented, very happy for you, can’t wait to see what your selling. God B less. <3
Amanda :) says
Every single one is BEAUTIFUL! And I don’t mean it in a “flatter your socks off” kind of way, I mean they are seriously beautiful. They are vibrant, playful, expressive, “alive” and have so much depth. I am really, really, impressed, even though I shouldn’t be as you are amazingly talented. Woohoo to tucked away passions making a comeback! These are going to bless many people once they’re available.
Amanda đ
ashley @ the handmade home says
Thank you so very much, Amanda! We are excited. I’m looking forward to it! ;}
Trish says
I would TOTALLY buy the nest one! You are really talented! I don’t *LOVE* many artists, but I love your style đ
Charlotte says
very excited for you, but even more so for me! Love your work and can’t wait to see your online store!!
Brittany says
I am ridiculously excited about this! So happy : )
Melissa says
I am SO excited that your prints will be available for purchase!!! I have wanted the print of the red car with the white racing stripes since the first moment I saw it on a previous post — it looks just like my father’s AMX!
Paula Abay says
All the paintings are delightful! Did you paint them all? I’m looking forward to being able to buy some. So excited!!!
ashley @ the handmade home says
I did, Paula. Thank you! Looking forward to getting back into it! ;}
Heidi @ Decor & More says
Can’t wait Ashley!
xo Heidi
Cindy R says
I love your blog and will be so happy to see your shop!
libbywilko says
That’s so great , that you are getting back to something that you love and feels so fulfilling to you. I love your nest immensely. I had a girlfriend do the same thing… Take up her art again after 20 years(!) and now she is doing it as her full time love and entering big& local art competitions …and winning. But best of all she says she feels the happiest she has been for years. Wishing you all the success in the world too.
Kim atREINVENTED says
I am so EXCITED! For you, and for all of your fans, like ME! :). I adore your paintings and can’t wait to add some to my home. Congrats!!
Jessica Anderson says
Please tell me you will be selling the wildflower prints. They could not be more perfect for my daughter’s room!!! Can not wait to buy them!!! Sorry about the exclamations, but I am so excited, ha!
Nicole S says
Can’t wait!
angela @ another bite please says
i knew you were an artist from your amazing home…but a painter as well…beautiful beautiful beautiful.
tara says
I’m super excited for you to do start your shop and do what you love doing…there’s nothing more fulfilling than knowing God is using the talents he’s given you to share with others.
I know it’ll be a raging success…anything I can do to help…I’m happy too!
I’ll pin your stuff like crazy. đ
Sharon says
Love your art! I’ve grown up with an artist mother and original oil paintings on every wall. All of my siblings and I are raising our own children with her artwork gracing our walls. Due to the blogworld….I started dabbling in acrylics a year or so ago. I know nothing about shadowing or blending the right colors….but I LOVE creating something from nothing! And here I thought I never inherited any of my mothers’ artistic ability…it’s just different from hers! I’ve painted quite a few large cow paintings…and my kids thought I had lost my mind….but I was on a roll. I love your blog because you make me want to just try new things!
Alisa says
YAAAAAAAAAAAY!!!!!! This makes me insanely excited. From one artist to another, I’d like to say that I’m proud you’ve found a way to work your passion in to your daily (well, soon to be daily, I’m sure) life. That has been what I struggle with the most, but I know how happy creating art makes me, so I need to MAKE time for it, instead of find time. Plus, I was looking at these pictures and naming out rooms in my house that could use the prints đ
Cristin Malone says
I love your artwork and especially love how much you love it. Ok that was a lot of loving in one sentence : ) And while we are at it, I pretty much LOVE the pink striped wildflowers paintings. I’ve got 2 big girl rooms coming up super fast, and those would look precious!!!!
Tiffini says
oh…i am salivating!!
sounds super adventurous:))))
xo
marsha sefcik says
I love the picture of the robin’s egg nest in your post. I truly hope that this will be one of the paintings you will be offering. Will you ship outside the U.S- say to Canada?
jamin says
Marsha, Yes we will be selling the Robin’s Egg Nest. At present we do not have plans to ship outside the continental US. simply because customs has been a nightmare for us in a past life. đ With that said feel free to contact me about it again once we begin selling them and we can discuss the option in more detail. You can email us about our prints at: [email protected]
Linda Herzog says
Bout time you get back at it, girl.
ashley @ the handmade home says
:}
Lauren says
Um, this is amazeballs, awesomesauce — you name it. I love it.
ashley @ the handmade home says
thank you, Lauren! ;}
Tennille Mykula says
I’m am super excited for you. Just so you know, I’d buy any one of those prints right now. Please make sure to offer international shipping at an affordable rate if possible, for all your friends in the Great White North. Can’t wait to shop in your store.
Jen says
Wahooooooooooo! Sign me up and put me first in line! <3
So so very excited and happy for you! I don't know how you do it all, but I am always inspired and so so proud of you my super friend. Nothing makes me happier than watching someone follow their dreams.
xoxo!
Jen
isabella j. says
I would love to purchase your egg painting, could you email me with info? You are so gifted!
carmen says
Very beautiful.
Tammy Ruesch says
Hi I was wondering how much you are selling your egg and nest pic? I REALLLLLLLLLLLLy love it. Thanks
Robin says
My husband and I are in the process of renovating our kitchen and I think your Robin Eggs art piece would be the perfect centerpiece for our new dining area. I immediately fell in love with it when I saw it on your blog! May have something to do with the fact that my name is Robin and I have three children. đ Beautiful work, Ashley! I feel like an impatient child waiting for a hot new toy to be released. haha!
ashley @ the handmade home says
You are so sweet, Robin. TOMORROW!!!! This has taken a bit with a few unexpected bumps in the road. TOMORROW TOMORROW I LOVE YA, TOMORROW!!!! Can you tell I’m so excited? That, and I need to tone down the coffee this morning. ;}