Painting What I Broke & New Custom Painting Listings

I recently painted a treasured watch for a someone to honor her father's memory. I felt grateful that I could create something to help another person during a tough time. I thought the idea was so meaningful, and it made me want to paint something that belonged to my brother to celebrate his life.Someday I will paint my Andrew's treasured punk rock leather jacket that he painted on, sewed patches on, and studded all by hand. I love that jacket, and it makes me smile whenever I see it at my parents' house. It's heavy and has the weight of a hug from afar I like to thinkWith all the Marie Kondo "tidying" I've been doing in my home, it's impossible to not think about meaning behind objects and why we choose to hold on to them or let them go. I thought this would also be a perfect way to either help someone remember or let go of an item that they loved but could no longer keep. Conversely, it could also be a painting of something that they loved that sparked joy! I don't know if Marie Kondo would like me trying to add more to people's homes, but if it makes them happy, who am I to stop them? Heck, it could be a painting of a pair of shoes that someone is pining over but will never be able to afford. The options are endless.When I was rushing around my house this past week in a hurry to get myself to work and my son to daycare, I broke a Lorena Barrazueta porcelain dish that I bought at Renegade Craft Fair in Brooklyn years ago. I was aggravated and a little upset, because I really liked it and always put my rings in it. However, with all the Minimalist articles I like to read (and having a toddler), I feel I'm more accepting of things that break these days. It was the perfect excuse to paint something of my own to remember, and then create a listing for others. First I tried to draw it from my head in a loose painting style, but I realized it didn't look right. So I found an old picture I had of it, and sketched it out in pencil on a new piece of paper.

I used the reference photo to see where the light was hitting it, and masked off the white areas and layered on some shadows.

Then I let everything dry, erased the pencil marks, and did a final pass to add more shadows and refine some of the highlights.I thought it turned out nicely, and am happy with the depth I captured in the upper right hand corner of the dish.

The lesson I learned is to try to get up earlier in the morning and not rush, and that sometimes our belongings have lived out their time with us. A friend told me of a Japanese art called Kintsugi, which repairs broken ceramics with gold or other metals. Instead of disguising the break, it highlights it as part of the items history. Isn't that fascinating?

I loved painting this, and created new listings in my Etsy Shop / Marissa Huber for 5"x7" commissions or 8"x10" commissions if anyone is interested!

Watercolors for Caitlin Wilson Textiles

Right before Henry was born, I was commissioned to paint several water colors for Caitlin Wilson Textiles, thanks to a referral by Rachel Grace. My illustration style and what she needed turned out to be a good fit, and I am so grateful to have this opportunity to work with her. Caitlin is an amazingly talented and creative designer. I had so much fun bringing her lovely pillows and interiors to life in watercolor for her portfolio and website relaunch. I always love a fellow enthusiast of bright and happy colors.

As I mentioned in a previous post, I loved being able to do something that felt "normal" in the early days of motherhood, as I was feeling tied to the sofa while feeding the baby or trying to sleep. It was a bit stressful as well definitely, but it helped me to work faster and  plan my time differently. Instead of painting a watercolor in 2 shots, I had to think of what I could accomplish in 15 minutes, 30 minutes, and be flexible as well. As sometimes my mom could hold the baby, and sometimes he needed me, as I am his food source!

This type of working means that I have to leave my studio area in progress sometimes, and avoid the common procrastination trap of thinking everything must be neat and clean before I can start working. Sometimes you just have to get it done, even if it's painting on your bed while watching TV with a cute little boy who just wants to snuggle next to you.

Caitlin could not have been sweeter or more understanding regarding working with a brand new baby, as she's a working mom herself. Unfortunately, I didn't get a chance to meet her in person before she relocated to Portland, but I can definitely say she is a sweetheart (via email) and a talented and hard worker who deserves great success.

Enjoy the details of these watercolors. The floral pillow with navy piping was my favorite to paint. Okay, and the bulletin board!

Drawing Houses in Philly, New Jersey + Cincinnat

It seems like the trees in my neighborhood were just shaking their pink pom-poms announcing spring, but we're already in the middle of summer thunderstorms.  It must have taken that long to start adjusting to the new rhythm of my life.

Our schedule is getting easier, or we're adapting and becoming more efficient baby wranglers. We're learning to pick and choose some nights. The kitchen remains clean, but we've left clean laundry unfolded in favor of more time with Henry, dinner out with friends and a whole book read last week. I thought about doing it tonight, but decided to check in here instead.  Every day is a choice when it comes to time, but I'm trying not to sweat it or spread myself too thin.

I'm feeling very grateful to have the need to carve out time to finish some house illustrations, and create floral garlands for photographer Anna Peterson's new logo.

This row home drawing was one of my favorites to do, mainly because it was for my friend who is a total sweetheart, and also because I loved painting the little flower boxes. I was especially happy to finally finish this, since it was part of a long overdue wedding gift I'd been meaning to send, but some baby got in the way. I told myself I technically have a year according to Emily Post, but I felt really guilty not finishing yet when she threw me a Book Club Baby Shower and cooked me a delicious chicken pot pie and Smores bars shortly after Henry was born!

This sweet portrait was a commission (and surprise gift) for the parents my friend, Rachel Grace of Raenovate. They were moving to be closer to her and her growing family, and she wanted to document their beloved home of thirty-six years.

This Cincinnati home portrait was finished just in time for Father's Day.

Alright, I'm off to delay yet one more day of folding laundry (probably).

Notes from a New Mama

When I last left off, (two whole months ago!), I was having a little too much fun acting crazy with my big belly, which is a completely fun prop before it exhausts you. Sadly, the writing waned as I was tying up loose ends at work, getting the house ready and trying to enjoy the last bit of selfish me-time for awhile by taking naps, going to the movies and just doing whatever I wanted.

Henry Andrew was born in February, and we are counting ourselves very lucky to have a happy and healthy baby boy. I think he's already a little flirt, and is making friends and charming women and men alike wherever he goes. Mike and I were so excited to finally meet him, and it's so cool to see what a sweet dad Mike is becoming. And to see someone who had never changed a diaper become a pro in a few short weeks!

I was so very lucky to have my mom stay with us for five weeks to help during this exhausting yet very special time in his life, especially since Mike didn't have much time off work. I was grateful for her support, advice, cooking, cleaning, for another set of hands to hold the baby, for hands to hold me if I was overwhelmed, and to see the magic of my mom becoming a grandparent and falling in love with this little boy.

Apart from the intense new motherhood experience, I also had the opportunity to work on some design and illustration work. A friend and I did some virtual interior design for a client in New York City, and I did some watercolor illustrations for a fabulous local designer, Caitlin Wilson. It was boot camp in terms of figuring out free time with a new baby, but it also helped me to reconnect with the part of myself that is "Marissa" and not just a source of nutrition and love for a new human. Please refer to the part where my mom was here for 5 weeks lest you think I'm pretending to be a super-mom.

Some days I felt like I never left the sofa while feeding the baby. Though I spent many hours gazing into this baby's sweet face, I also watched all three seasons of Downton Abbey. Yes. It is all it's cracked up to be, and I'm already missing it!

Mom and I baked three chocolate chip cakes in five weeks, and got hooked on no-knead sourdough bread which my Aunt brought for us with a starter.  We balanced it out by making some bright colored salads with the first of the gorgeous spring vegetables. I am so excited for Spring!

The weather has been cold but sunny in Philadelphia, and we've been taking Henry on walks in the neighborhood. We have some friends in the neighborhood who occasionally join us, and I have been treating myself to hot chocolates at our local coffee shop as an extra incentive to get outside! He loves being carried around in our Baby Bjorn and will fall asleep for entire hours it seems.

I did finish knitting a baby sweater for lil Hen before he was born. It's way too big, but he looks pretty cute wearing it at around two weeks. It's crazy how quickly they do grow and how their faces change. He already looks entirely different than in this picture. We're enjoying him and adjusting and learning every day.

I'm not sure how much I'll post about Henry or being a mom on here in the future, but wanted to show my face and introduce you to our little boy. Thanks for being my virtual friends, and  I look forward to reconnecting on this space with you all in this coming year.

xoxo, Mariss

Holiday House Portrait for the Grace Family

My adorable friend, Rachel Grace of Raenovate asked me to create a house portrait for their 2012 holiday cards. I was so touched to be asked, and hadn't realized how much I missed my watercolors and inks after a brief hiatus. In interior design school, interior and exterior renderings was always my favorite part of my projects. They have a cute Craftsman style house which was fun to draw, and Rachel and her talented hubby are always doing impressive home improvements.

I especially liked creating the holiday garland details and banners, and painting the bricks!

I loved how their house portrait turned out, and thankfully, they were pleased with the results! I also decided to add custom house portraits to my Etsy shop since they are so much fun to create.

Rachel used a local printer to scan the image and create their cards. It was such a treat to receive their cute holiday card in the mail. I think it turned out really great! Thanks for the opportunity, R+T!