Maria Sanchez

I was browsing Decor8 blog this morning and came across her link to Amanda Nisbet Designs ...I am in love with her color choices! beautiful beautiful colors! Erika and I are always scoping out new boutiques and ideas for her "future" shop... this is good inspiration! oh and yeah they are also sandia colors ;)

I am so in love with Papaya art and all of her designs. Her colors, compositions and imagery are just papayalicious! I may have to splurge on this one and some of her stationary.... yummy!

Recently came across this beautiful necklace created by Wink Artisans of San Diego. You can check out more of their colorful designs in their etsy shop . Some of their designs will also be on display at the Gems and Minerals Exhibit at the The San Diego County Fair which runs through July 5th at the Del Mar Fair Grounds.

Nothing like being a kid, playing on a swing and feeling the wind in your hair ! and enjoying the sun with family!

My kids being kids... Sarah 8, Erika 17, Timmy 20 (Ralston Park Bridge, Belmont, CA)

"Cuadros" abstract mini painting ...just because. 4x4 inches, mini block canvas, gallery wrapped. Will be available on Ebay later today.

New painting for the Friducha Series, #2 20 x 20 inches, Acrylic on paper

George Yepes is having a Father's Day Art Sale! I love, love his work. One day I will own one if his originals. FATHER'S DAY " LA PISTOLA Y EL CORAZON " DOUBLE TROUBLE GIFT SETS Available OnLine at www.georgeyepes.com Link to Gift Set page: http://www.georgeyepes.com/George_Yepes/Gift_Sets_Page_2.html Image: "La Pistola y El Corazon" Double Trouble Gift Sets

I was recently commissioned to create a painting of la Virgen de la Paz and I've yet to complete it. I have the image in my head and some sketches ready to go. But my commissions to my family, work and parents have taken over most of my free time. I love my family and so free time to paint becomes this valuable commodity. It's the never ending stuggle for artists moms I think. Finding time to do what you love whether it be painting, reading, writing or just napping. As moms we give so much sometimes we need to stop and give to ourselves. Feed your soul otherwise you'll be useless to the others that depend on you. So on this my lunch hour... I can sometimes dream and find inspiration for what I will create with my paints when time is on my side...(or cloning becomes legal). To the virgen of solitude... thanks for inspiring me today. And for those that can afford her she's available on 1stdibs ... one of my favorite sites to internet window shop.

Thank you Vivalachic ! For including my little sun painting in your etsy treasury! I love this little treasury such happy colors! http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list_west.php?room_id=56795 Listing: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=21871067

My daughter Sarah will be celebrating her 9th birthday in a few weeks. Her birthday falls on the last day of school this year. She wants to take some treats in to her class. Most teachers these days frown on cupcakes or anything too sugary. So I found these pretty party favor ideas. (maybe we'll throw in some blue for the boys). Now I have to think of what goodies I can fill them with that won't make the kids get a sugar rush. Image from MarthaStewart.com

Friducha Series Originally uploaded by sandiafria . Here is the final version of her. I edited her eyes and mouth a little and took a better picture... more light this time.

First Frida painting for 2009... the year is halfway over and this is my first Frida painting for the year. I'm working on a series of 4 of them.. of just her face. This is a little different than my normal style...I wanted it to be a little more modern looking. I stepped away from it at this point, but I think I may need to edit it some more. acrylic on paper

a picture of my dining room table....

Happy Friday! While I haven't been posting much about my own art or art work.... I am going to to be posting things that inspire me or remind me of the beauty around us. So often all we hear (in the news) or talk about, are the negatives ... but for me ... I'd like to see the beauty and positive side of things. This image especially caught my attention, because not only is this someone elses trash, it has transformed into an art piece and a colorful one at that. Props to the folks over at http://anycoloryoulike.biz/info.html who are using colorful trash bags in a new and artful way. I'd much rather look at these than the old black and dark green ones any day.

Red, pink and orange/yellow are my favorite color combinations right now. These flowers are actually made of clay can you believe it? So pretty! Found them on Etsy at http://www.dkdesignshawaii.etsy.com Ribbon Picture from: House and Garden

I'd like to think that every time I see a beautiful flower... it's God winking at me. I love this display... very soothing. Image: Decor8 blog

After a great weekend with my girls and Canaan and Luna. I could use a day of just vegging reading a good book, outside.... just some quiet time to reflect on the many blessings that have come my way. Image: bistro set from Smith & Hawkin ... one of my favorite stores to browse.