Romantic Bliss Continues ...

Hello My Friends! It is seems like Valentine's Day is just around the corner and today I have a special treat for you. These new pieces are from my Romantic Bliss collection for this special occasion and may be just what you like. If you interested in seeing more, please go to my shop 

I must be feeling sentimental lately ... all my new art pieces are filled with nostalgia and a sense of romance.  I posted this new piece last weekend and it has already sold. This Parisian inspired painting found a landing place in the beautiful state of Kentucky.  It 's so nice when my work finds a permanent home.  They are better out in the world, hopefully brightening peoples spaces and bringing back some happy memories!  Safe travel dear "French Kiss"!

If my work inspired you to ask about a custom piece - This is how the custom portrait process works: You send me an email from here or convo from etsy shop telling me as much about your idea as you want to - every little bits help: personality, stories, colors, all that. You can send photographs if you like.  Depending on my current schedule, it can take up to 2-3 weeks after you buy the listing for me to complete the piece and mail it to you. You will receive one 10 x 14 or 16 x 20 sized original watercolor.  The piece will be signed by me unless you request otherwise.

Check the images above to see if you like my style. As you can see, I work in a loose, semi-abstract style, so you will NOT have an exact reproduction of your photograph, but rather a loose interpretation based on what you told me about your subject and the images you sent me. 

As always my hugs and sweet wishes to all! What is your favorite Valentine's Day memories? 

xx, Lana

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Goodbye 2014... Hello 2015!

Today is the first Monday in January and my first post of 2015.  I made a new year's resolution and I will be starting a year long project " tips and tricks of blogging for artists" ... and I hope you will come along for the fun and we all learn some new things along the way ... stay tuned!

My Etsy Shop

I realize that I'm not a professional blogger ... and it's not to in my plans to be such.  I love to just do art, but creating art is not the only thing artists have to do.   As any professional artist will tell you - there are many hats to be worn.  So, this year I will share my blogging tips and tricks on a monthly basis with the goal of helping new artists or bloggers with the challenges they might face.

I don't like to be predictable in my blog posts, but I would like to be more cohesive with my postings schedule.  Last year I tried to post weekly and sometimes failed and it brought guilt, then disappointment ... so this year I will commit to twice monthly postings.  Also, as you noticed, my blog is about my art and the things that inspire me.   I will continue to post my museums trips, and my personal work ... all of which will be seen thru my life experiences and my personal travel plans.  Right now I have 3 destinations in my plans for this year : San Francisco in early spring - I'm looking to create a series of romantic pieces and hope to be inspired by the things that I see and feel there.  A European tour in May (Paris included!) ... I'm certain that many new memories and inspirations await me there!  I hope to end the summer in Russia with my mother and enjoying her delicious cooking.  So until then I continue to plan and dream and of course hope for many surprises and opportunities to come along as well!   So as my 2015 begins, I'm reminded that the journey is not about the destination, it's more about enjoying the ride! :)

Lana Moes Umbrella

Last year I had amazing opportunities work with the White House Black Market team. You never know who might be seeing your work online! As you see from my FB or Instagram posts, WHBM has created several items based on my Paris related art that are now appearing nationwide in their stores and I'm so extremely happy and thankful for this great collaboration with WHBM.
 (Credit for photos below belong WHBM website )

As for my friends and followers - May your coming year be filled with magic, joy, and great memories! I hope you kiss someone who thinks you're wonderful ... and don't forget to make some art - draw, or write, or build, or live as only you can.  And I hope somewhere in the next year, you will surprise yourself. May you have a peaceful and focused week ahead and see you around! with love, Lana

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Grateful month of December - Happy New Year!

In the spirit of it being Christmas week, I'm feeling deeply grateful .....

Via

Living life as an artist is a dream come true and I'm grateful for every single day.

I'm grateful for every single person who is moved to purchase my art.

I'm grateful for the opportunity to share my art and experiences with other artists and entrepreneurs who might want to live their own dream too.

I am so grateful to share my artistic creations with people all over the world.

I'm so grateful for God's guidance that has made me who I am in the world.

I'm mostly grateful for the support of family and friends who believed in me and my dream and tirelessly support my life.

... and this year I can say I am grateful and excited to carry my dream to the next level.

This year has been groundbreaking for me professionally, with my art available to customers in several unique and exciting ways!  And I may have broken a record here at Lana's Art Studios for most sales in one month this month alone!  But the most special thing is the people behind all those sales.  So this is my love and gratitude back - THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart and I hope to see you all in 2015!

Thank you thank you every single one of you who has touched my life in so many ways through my blog, shop and personal reach....

Enjoy your holiday my friends! and I hope all your lovely wishes will come true!!! My biggest hugs!

Cheers 2015! xx, Lana 

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Merry Christmas!!!!

Hello my dear friends!  How was your week?  First of all I like to say all of you thank you so much for your kind messages about my beloved Nikki last week. It means a lot to me.  Many of you have pets and you know how hard it is to say goodbye from your personal experiences.  But now on to the magical time of Christmas and I will be enjoying it with loved ones.

I opened my Instagram account @LanasArtStudio couple of days ago, and I'm probably the last person to join it :) ... I found all of my friends from FB, Etsy, and Pinterest happily sharing their lovely pictures with the world already!  I have tons of questions and more ideas ahead .... but now hear from the pros how to avoid mistakes there .... so far I found this week:

• An Instagram account I wish I'd thought of: Wenevermet. Pictures of strangers (who aren't facing the camera) and tiny, imaginary caption stories of their lives. Here
• I found a printable (free) WOODLANDS gift tags I may be using for my presents here
• Ultimate guide for my new Instagram adventure here
• Came across this site  for you friends with cats - Top 10 toys for your holiday!

 And, last but not least I would like to sharing my weekend small getaway to a lovely old city St. Augustine with Nights of Lights. This is our yearly holiday tradition and I'm so happy to sharing it with you.

 During Nights of Lights, St. Augustine glows with holiday magic - from the ground to the rooftops. Selected by National Geographic in 2011 & 2012 as one of the ten best holiday lighting displays in the world, St. Augustine’s Nights of Lights feature millions of tiny white lights that create a magical atmosphere in the Nation’s oldest city.

Tracing its origins to the Spanish tradition of displaying a white candle in the window during the Christmas holidays, the spectacular lighting reflects the city’s 449-year history and illuminates the beautiful setting for lasting holiday memories.
 

The best way to enjoy the popular holiday lighting display is to park in the Historic Parking Facility located off Castillo Drive and enjoy the sights in one of many different ways – on foot, by bicycle or pedicab, on the Old Town Trolley or the Ripley’s Red Train, or by horse and carriage. - via  

Christmas only a few days away and I'm looking forward to spend this days with a quiet and restful last minute cooking and enjoying time with my family! Merry Christmas to All and Lovely Sweet Wishes!

With Love, 

Lana

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Quotes of the Week - November Inspiration

How are you lovelies?
I hope November treats you well. I can never come up with what to say by the end of the week... ( no wonder :) so here are some words lately I found that inspire and move me forward:

"When it comes to art, buy with your eyes, not your ears. I try very hard not to "decorate" with art. Art should be reflective of your personality and what is going on in your head - not reflective of the colors of a sofa". - Hotelier Jason Pomeranc

"Collect things you love, that are authentic to you, and your house becomes your story."

 - Erin Flett 

Ring the bells that still can ring 
Forget your perfect offering
There is a crack in everything
That's how the light gets in....
-Leonard Cohen

via

Do you have any favorite words, quotes, or sayings to move your forward?

Share them with me in comments.  I would love to hear from you. And for now I wish you a lovely weekend and many great memories to fill :)  
xx, Lana

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Weekly Diaries

 Hello my friends!

The Emotional series of "Paris for Two" is growing ….. In the underbrush there are so many colors that I can see, that I must explore them with new series of watercolor paintings!

They are always different and new to me, like the colors of the soul of a person. Even of who is next to us every day: they show themselves little by little, if only we have the patience to really look... The nature and the soul are a great palette to discover! Here is my discovery continues…. What do you think?

Many Best Wishes to All and Happy May!

xx, Lana

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Easter Weekend

Hello My Darlings,

This week was so extremely busy with a lots of ups and downs.  I totally had no time to upgrade or add to my blog.  But this morning as I woke up convinced that some things were left undone relative to my blog - I jumped in first thing: posted my new updates - some very exciting and some not as much.  

1.This week I have the prints/canvas prints from my sold paintings featured on GILT.com along with other wonderful and talented female artists. (Eli Halpin - fun and whimsical artist, Leigh Viner - totally most popular now, and a few more very talented ladies with a less familiar names).  I must say it was a Big disupointmet for my art not to be posted with my last name.  It was only as Lana's Art Gallery.... which is for artists a big deal!   It has been corrected for the future, however.

My Paintings on GILT

 2. Celebrating my birthday this week and also continues with my boys b-days so it is a lot of (not so healthy sometimes) food, but lots of good times. I'm so proud of my boys - they are such talented, smart, goal driven and fine young men. I wish them many blessings and happy life journeys!

3. I had work overload so I only made a small contribution on the treasury this week, but thank you all my prolific teammates (you know who you are :) for featuring my art in your most creative treasuries. Thank you to all! Here are my favorites:

Be Happy at Rainbow Day by MaRina

Spring Treasury by me

Subtle Rainbow by Erin

Few things to be added: lots of plans for  May and a lot of custom work for a short time period. But this weekend all for most important celebration of Easter and my best wishes to everyone who celebrate it. Happy Easter!

HUGS and KISSES,

          Lana

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Custom Pet Portraits .... Down Memory Lane

I worked on a really sweet commission last week. The request was from an art lover/collector for a family pet portrait (I have done numerous commissioned portraits of her family over the years - thank you Rae so much for being a great supporter/appreciator of my art!

And I thought I would take a look in my files and show everyone some of the pet portraits I have done in the past......

This is from a few years back but is really memorable.   Every portrait had a very unique story behind it .... and I remember the moment of delivery of the commission and the joy and emotion it brought them.   We love our four legged family members!
with tails or not ... along with children, they are our most rewarding possession:)

Have a wonderful and productive week  everyone! And please excuse my absence for this weekend post :( ... I have to concentrate to complete a few custom works and I will have to really push myself for the next week to organize my tax mess! .... and I hope in no time it will be over....  so wish me luck!

XX, 

LANA

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5 THINGS TO TRY THIS WEEKEND

1. Nothing says the weekend quite like lounging lazily in a white clean sheets 
2. Breakfast in bed 
3. Splurge on a favorite piece you've had your eye for a while! You deserve it!
4. Stop by a seasonal fresh market place and tip generously
5. End the weekend with a productive note: something from your bucket list perhaps:) 

There's no time like the present!

P.S. Hi lovelies! I would love to see your comments of my art, tips, posts, or see what are you thinking about my blog in general... so please don't forget to share it with me!

xx, 

Lana

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Winter Vacation Destination - Miami South Beach

Miami night on Art Deco Ocean Drive 

the 12th floor at our hotel roof top

We stayed at the beautiful and elegant SLS. There are many great hotels in Miami and South Beach and all are located close to museums, shopping and attractions. I can say from my personal experience that almost everything you'll want is within walking distance. We stayed South Beach the week after Art Basel 2013 and our hotel has already booked their New Year's party ..... I think I would love to celebrate with a Latin flavor or a Gatsby style in Miami Beach. 

How is your weekend going so far? Love to hear about your shopping adventures and if all of your Christmas stockings are full.  If you travel to see your family this weekend stay safe and enjoy those precious, happy moments!  Best wishes to all!!!!  xx, Lana

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Giving Thanks

                                                 Hello my dear friends!

November is here already and it will be gone before we even notice it. In the midst of this busy time of everyone's life, I would like to say THANK YOU for:


* SEASONAL CHANGES 

( Which is always a perfect reminder that we aren't in control .... some days are sunny and bright, and some are rainy and windy......so let's be a very grateful for what is given us everyday!)

* FRIENDS 

(I'm so thankful for all of my new friends here. I learned a lot and I grew a lot with you. Thank you for being here for me when I have a stumble, and looking for help with my online enterprise. Thank you for motivating me moving forward and taking time to read my blog and leave your comments :)  You are a bunch of creative, determined,  and talented "followers".... and I'm thankful!)

woops....."old" friends, FAMILY, and loved ones ...please forgive me... you will get my "thank you" note personally!

* COLLECTORS AND BUYER 

Forever thankful for all my new "art lovers" and collectors who are totally awesome and help to keep me moving forward and push me to stay creative and excited about my craft. Love you all and hope to share with you my art for many, many years!

I think this list can go on and on ...but for now I'm busy with custom work, packing and shipping my sold orders, and generally busy with the creative process!

Stay tuned for more updates and Please leave me a comment and or like me on facebook, adding me to your favorites store on etsy, follow me here and on pinterest....   well you got the idea :)

CHEERS!

XoXo, LANA

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