kai made us a headboard

Kai has been toiling over this headboard the last month or so on the weekends. It is nearly complete, (he is going to add some sort of wood element to cover up the lamp cords).
It is beautiful and shiny and made from reclaimed barn flooring, I believe. We estimate it weighs between two and three hundred pounds. I couldn't even lift a corner, and Kai dragged it in somehow harnessed over his shoulder...without injury! Please excuse the crappy sheets, it's laundry day.

another new painting!

 Overgrown, 8 x 10 inches, acrylic on watercolor paper, available here.

Have a happy weekend.

xo
c

new painting

I am in the middle of working on several commissions, but squeaked this painting of my own in...it is a little wild and more abstract, titled Centerpiece, and available here.

so romantic

How sweet is this Blue Sky Silk Shift Dress by SLC-SLC !! I want everything in their gorgeous shop.

And underneath you could wear these supremely lovely Amethyst & Smoke Panties by Ohh Lulu. I just ordered a mixed set of three, in my quest to replace the sad and holey assortment of undergarments I shamefully possess :)

the married to the sea short story

Want to find out the short story behind Married to the Sea? Check out the article on the Etsy blog, here.

searching for a comfy loafer

This weekend we took a little trip to San Francisco with our friend Ariel, to meet up with my friend from crazy art high school days, Sarah and a couple of her friends who were visiting from Brooklyn. We had lots of fun tromping around the city and eating and drinking delicious things. Living in the country has given me a terrible fear of loud and crowded places, but also a lusting and appreciation for specialty foods, and other fanciness only cities can provide! We stopped in at Bulo Shoes in the Hayes Valley, and I lovingly fondled the Hudson Bolero loafers above, and then left empty handed with loafers on my mind.

The Hudson shoes were really soft, and had nice hand made feel about them, which made me think maybe I could find a well crafted pair of loafers on Etsy. There aren't too many to be found, but these Ladies Loafers by  Ninon Shoes look pretty neat, and are a lot cheaper than the Hudson pair too!

Does anyone have any other comfy loafer suggestions? I am itching for some little leather slip ons!

xo
c

honeymoon photos!

 Day 1, Kai's birthday Spam shopping spree. Kai loves Spam. Seriously! Most nights he cooks really delicious, fancy meals, I couldn't be luckier...but like all food lovers, (so I'm lead to believe by reading the Lucky Peach), he also likes to indulge a little (or a lot) in some seriously greasy cooking action. I won't go into detail, but the Spam and American Cheese omelet might be one of my new favorites.

 We are not tan yet, but we are very happy!

Luxuriating!

Our front lawn

The house we stayed in had a really cool 70's aesthetic.

 Our favorite beach, Wailea Bay, or Beach 69 has the perfect combination of sun and shade. We spent most of the trip here, hiding out between the trees drinking our favorite tropical drink, the Mai Tai.

 Enjoying one of many Mai Tais in a tree. You can't see it very well in this photo, but I am wearing this swim suit, which I am totally crazy about! I think it is my favorite suit I've ever owned.

A lazy turtle, and a partially washed away turtle sand sculpture we happened upon.

 Kai picking coconuts.

 Kai harvesting a coconut, for a delicious beach treat!

Kai went Coco Loco! I was totally satisfied with my choice in husband, after watching him scale a palm tree and shake down a bunch of delicious coconuts. I know we would survive if we were stranded together on a desert isle.

 The sky was beautiful night and day. It is only slightly embarrassing to show and mention we floated around in tubes more than a few times, (before they got holes in them) like babies. I don't think brightly colored inner tubes are Hawaii appropriate. We got a few dirty looks from the classier beach goers.

Kai fished on the reef in front of our house, but we were warned the reef fish carry a horrible toxin, which can make you sick for years or kill you, so there was a lot of catch and release.

Mai Tai fixins

Kai was so bummed we couldn't eat the reef fish, so he plucked a sea urchin from the rocks. Luckily he had these gloves on hand?! I guess he knew he was going to have a Survivorman honeymoon. It was not as good as Uni from Japanese restaurants. We had sushi later, and the chef told us the water in Hawaii is too warm for good Uni...it has to come from Japan or California apparently.

Yes, you guessed it, another beach Mai Tai. We are currently having Mai Tai withdrawals.

It was a very happy, and oh so relaxing honeymoon!!
Now back to work.

xo,
c

honeymoon hat, shop sale, and new postcards!

Straw Summer Sun Hat by Beliz82

Kai and I are getting ready for week two of open studios and our upcoming Honeymoon...woo hoo! Last week's open studios were so fun, and an amazing success. We were thrilled how many people made it out to remote, little Jenner town.

We are heading down to Berkeley, Monday to drop off some of my paintings for a group show which goes up June 24th at the Collector Art Shop, and then going out to eat at this really awesome looking Japanese restaurant Ippuku, where we've reserved a special Japanese style booth/table to kick off our honeymoon. We leave Tuesday morning for the big island of Hawaii.  We are staying in a cute little beach cottage in Puako on the Kohala coast, courtesy of my sweet parents. I can't wait for some warm beach time, though I am terrified of the reaction my translucently pale skin will have once I emerge from my studio cave for sunshine. Luckily I ordered two beautiful new hats from Beliz, my Etsy friend from Turkey. Isn't the woman in the photo above adorable!

In other news, I just listed some new postcard choices in my shop, which you can mix and match for a set of five. And I am having a 15% off sale June 11th-29th, in exchange for your patience while we are out of town two weeks. Use the coupon code: HONEYMOON at checkout.

xo
c
 

open studios!!!!

I know this is terribly late in the game, but better late than never, right?!  Kai and I are having open studios this weekend and next! If you happen to be in the area...or want to make a long journey (we have wine and snacks, and you can hang out on our patio over looking the Russian River and Pacific Ocean)...come on over!! We both have a lot of new work, plus work from the past couple years on sale!

Feel free to email if you have any questions: tastesorangey@gmail.com

Below is the deck/patio as of 11am...I think the fog is going to burn off in a couple hours!

xoxo
c

custom wedding portraits

Because I just can't get enough wedding action...I am now offering custom wedding portraits in my shop. You can order a 9 x 12 portrait on wood panel here, or feel free to contact me regarding other sizes and pricing.

photos from our tiny wedding

I

Before, during (with my future brother in law Marcos in the background) and after...with my parents, then at the Wayfare Tavern, Kai and my brother Johnny. And our rings, and the view out our super swanky Hotel Vitale window. My mom is sending more photos, so you might catch a few more later.

I ended up wearing a dress my mom made a while back out of vintage kimono fabric from my sweet childhood neighbors who sadly passed away this last year. I received a beautiful opal necklace from my grandma. It was given to her by my grandpa a long way back.  You can't really see in the photos, but it felt so special to wear!

We are so happy to be married, and on Saturday, Kai's sister and my brand new wonderful sister in law, Esther is tying the knot, so we have a bunch of family in town, and it is two weeks of celebrating...and more photos soon!!

xo
c

surprise wedding!

In the midst of painting and making prints, and all the other things which keep us busy, Kai and decided it was time to tie the knot! At first we thought we'd do it all in secret, eloping at San Francisco City Hall, and surprising family and friends after the fact...but then excitement got the better of us, and we found out you can't really elope at City Hall, you must have a little ceremony! So I guess it will be a tiny wedding. It is official, we are getting hitched on Thursday...as in the day after tomorrow.

Above is my beautiful ring, made so quickly by the wonderful Marisa of Tula Jewelry. I think I am going to wear a black dress I bought a couple of weeks ago from Bad Baby Vintage, and am keeping my fingers crossed my new ballet flats from the white ribbon arrive today or tomorrow, just to have on hand in case I chicken out on wearing heels.

More soon, and photos to follow!
xoxo
c

new 8 x 10 painting

Friendship, 8 x 10 inches, acrylic on watercolor paper. Available here.

sunny days and kai's paintings

 Friday was a beautiful, sunny day. It felt so much like summer we took the day off and went on another unsuccessful fishing trip (we caught my finger, and some licheny stuff) on the warm waters of Lake Sonoma. Our first day of leisure in about two months, since we started working seven day weeks.

I really don't mind working every day, not only do I get lots of things done, but it helps me deal with my psychological need to constantly work. Relaxing can be kind of stressful. Does that mean I have a problem? :)

The previous weekend Kai had his show in Forestville. It was a very fun opening with a good attendance, and he's already sold two paintings. Above is my favorite wall of the gallery. Those paintings span something like fifteen feet...maybe more. You can see more images of his show and recent work here.

kai's april show(s)

Kai's solo show is opening tomorrow from 4-6 if you happen to be in the Forestville, CA area.  You can see a few pieces and find the gallery address here.

Also, for anyone in Paris, Kai has a couple paintings going into a group show April 24th at this new gallery.

Have a happy weekend.
xo
c

s a l e

10% off everything in my shop now through the 20th. Use the coupon code DEATHANDTAXES at checkout. Shop here.

new 8 x 10 painting

From the Garden, 8 x 10 inches, acrylic on watercolor paper, available here.