Oh....Did I Mention I Paint?

From one of my "Girl Within" series.

About a week ago as I was visiting one of the blogger sites that I enjoy reading, Alyson, (she is from New England and loves it, so we have that in common!) I saw a picture that had been painted by an artist that she admired. It was a really great picture of Alyson's family, by a very talented artist, Audrey Eclectic.

I had written to Alyson that I also paint, (in a comment) but hadn't been doing any painting for a few years. She then mentioned in a comment that I should tell a bit more about this mysterious side of me....
(ok, so she just said that I should show some of my work, but this is a bit more dramatic----ok, so I'm dramatic----so sue me!)

So, here I am. Letting everyone know of yet another side of myself. And yes, they are all right brain things. I will never be admitting to researching organisms or something on the side....

I have been drawing and painting from the time that I was a child. I love all kinds of art, and even consider my haircutting as sculpture. (Yes, I do cut hair---and have been cutting my own for over 15 years)

I went to college juggling singing, drama, and art---trying to do it all, and not wanting to drop anything because I didn't have the time or because I had to decide what my major was.


So, what did I do? I ended up getting married and not getting a bona fide degree for anything!

But I continued to find ways to do it all, along with having a child almost nine months after I was married. But that's another story.


So, fast forward to now. I have been painting floorcloths for over 24 years. "What is a floorcloth?" you are thinking. Well, it comes from the 17th century, in Europe, when they created oilcloths---to protect the wood floors. There are a lot of them still here in the New England area when you visit houses from the 1700's and 1800's---and there are still a lot of people that have hardwood or tile floors that love using them to add amazing floor artwork and protect their floors.

I am constantly being asked why I paint original artwork for the FLOOR and not for walls. Well, I really love making something unique and it is viewed differently----so it is a interesting kind of challenge. Besides, why can't we have ARTWORK ON OUR FLOORS?

And....there is nothing to beat a floorcloth under a dining room floor or right inside an entry way. They are totally waterproof, and can be walked on, washed, and even pee'd on. (It HAS happened, trust me!)


I usually do these only special order. I haven't done one in a few years, as I have been concentrating on getting my theatre going, but lately, I have been feeling that pull to paint again. I go through phases. I did a "show" a few years (ok, so its been over 8) ago in a local artisan gallery and sold some floorcloths, as well as got some custom orders----so I was quite busy for a few years.

I enjoy creating new floorcloths----depending on what my client wants or what ideas or styles that I want to create. I love doing all styles of painting---from Impressionistic to Portraits to Folk Art and Primitive---with a little Trompe-l'-oeil thrown in. They are all different sizes---I have done floorcloths as small as a foot and a half by 2 feet up to 12 feet by 16 feet----depends on where you want to put them.

Even though I haven't done a floorcloth in a while, I still draw ideas in my sketch book, and get inspiration from....well....life.

Alright, so I suppose that you are wondering about what some of these floorcloths look like.

I have a portfolio, and I have considered getting it online, so I can sell some. But, well, as you all know, it is hard to do too many things at the same time. I have included some of my favorites that I have done over the years----there are many more, but this gives you a small idea.

Maybe someday, I will get myself an Etsy site or maybe I will just consider doing some small paintings----something that takes a few days.....rather than a few months, to complete....


***Disclaimer on the photos. I was trying to take pictures from my portfolio, as someone owns these floor cloths, and my camera was not focus'ing on them properly----(sigh) If I do decide to sell some, I better figure out how to take focused pictures----cause they are BAD!!!***

Ant Farm

Country Air

Wet Woods

Gray Pot

Cape Cod

Lighthouse Bay

Noah's Ark

Clay Pots

A Walk to Remember

Gecko Drink

Fish Food

Feed the Birds

Wisteria Cottage

Christmas Garland

Santa Moon

Renaissance Cats

Floral English Bouquet

Gathering Flowers

My Kids Lying Down!