Meg Harper Artist Blog

High Rollin' Grey Wolf $125

2011-12-05T16:20:00.000-08:00

This blend of nature meets Vegas is a show stopper indeed. The rose of the front is the perfect amount of BLING. There are playing cards around the frame as well with a gold metal shoulder strap. LOVE IT. Email me if you are interested meg@megharper.com

My Kasle Cigar Box Purse $125

2011-12-05T16:15:00.000-08:00

This one in a million hand painted cigar box purse is funky all in the right ways. It's faux fur lined and ready for action. Email me meg@megharper.com if you are interested. Front and back shown above.

Adorably punk cigar box purse $125

2011-12-05T16:09:00.000-08:00

This one of a kind cigar box purse is hand painted and has bright red faux fur inside the purse. A must for the black lab puppy purse lover in your life. Just email me if you are interested at meg@megharper.com

Grateful for the love

2011-11-21T10:01:00.000-08:00

When life brings you special people, I mean really special people I get overwhelmed with gratitude. I am so pleased to share this angel I met in Northern California with you. Duane met me at an art festival in the bay area, loved my work and purchased art. That next day came back and purchased another piece. We crossed paths again at another festival and he purchased another painting. Thank you Duane for being an awesome collector : ) weeeeeeeee

But that's not the end. We then kept in touch and he offered to help me with quickbooks. He took up 3 precious hours of his time and answered questions, wow. I left his house that day with a truck load of materials he donated for future paintings plus a much greater knowledge of accounting and was so grateful. So sweet. To top it off, that night he took my husband and I out to dinner and we had a blast. I am so blessed to have people like Duane in my life. Thank you, thank you, thank you Duane. I am grateful for you.

Painting On The Road . . .

2011-08-19T15:02:00.000-07:00

This summer was a blast for sure. Who knew I'd have so much fun painting in the forest. It was so inspirational being able to look across at the Teton Mountains while making MEGnificent masterpieces! I loved living, working and playing in Colorado, Wyoming and Montana national forests. I hope you feel the joy, freedom and adventure I've put in my paintings from the road : )

Quilt Transformation

2011-07-10T09:40:00.000-07:00

It's so fun to see my paintings inspire people. A very talented Woman in Livingston Montana bought one of my bear prints last year and asked if she could use it as a springboard to make a quilt. This year she brought the quilt in to show me. It was so cool, she is quite gifted indeed. I love the way "grizzly bear" got transformed! Thanks for sharing!!!!

Four Margarets

2011-05-24T06:20:00.000-07:00

I recently had 4 generations of Margarets in my booth in Warrenton Texas and I couldn't resist taking a photo. It isn't that often I am surrounded by so many others like me. It was so fun : )

A Different Point of View

2011-05-12T08:35:00.000-07:00

Meg cooking up breakfast

with a gorgeous view.

We had our first festival ever in the San Francisco area - a mere 12 hour drive with our new vintage 1963 trailer. Tory did a marvelous job getting her ready and the first morning we woke up surrounded by mountains looking down at a goregous lake. It was confirmation for me we are exactly where we are suppose to be. Can't wait for the summer tour : )

clowning around and making BANK

2011-03-06T08:59:00.001-08:00

I was recently at the home and HUGE art museum of John and Mable Ringling of Ringling Brothers Circus in Sarasota, FL. If you ever get the chance - GO! I was so impressed with how much art they had collected in their lifetime. There was a clown on the property so of course I had to have my photo with her. And I got to thinking. . . maybe I am going about this all wrong. I love to make people laugh, maybe I should run away and become a clown in the circus, work my way up the ladder, buy the circus and acquire an art collection bigger and badder than I ever imagined. It could happen. I'd make a good clown, that's a start - see : )

LOVE ME goes bye bye

2011-02-01T10:34:00.000-08:00

Julie recognized this painting immediately and it stopped her in her tracks. She said she had seen me before at a festival in Tucson and fell in love with this painting because it looked just like her dog. She said she didn't want to pass it up twice and is now the new proud owner. This painting called Love Me is a signature piece for me and is my number one selling print. It screams feed me, love me, pet me and is a face every dog owner can relate to seeing everyday. I tell people I was feeling a bit needy the day I painted it and that's the truth!

I have lovingly replaced Love Me with a golden retreiver called So Golden that I am sure will spread even more joy than Love Me did!

Thanks Julie for becoming a collector of Meg Harper art!

Butterfly Kisses

2010-12-01T09:39:00.000-08:00

My latest dog painting is of a chihuahua with butterfly ears. This painting is on reclaimed cabinet door. I love how his ears come over the frame I have faux painted on the cabinet. It is very sweet and available for $275. It measures 12 x 18 and doesn't need a frame. Perfect gift for the holidays for the chihuahua lover in your life!

Good Juju in Sedona

2010-10-12T18:37:00.000-07:00

We just got back from our first festival in Sedona and what a breath of fresh air, no pun intended but appreciated indeed. We started the set up with a volunteer from the high school eager to help artist unload their wears. He was a fine young lad with just the right amount of muscles necessary to carry the HUGE bins from our truck. As he looked down at my sign that says "MEGHarper" he stood still for a moment and said "I have one of your prints." Turns out his aunt had bought him a horse print of The Finale at a previous art festival. He loves horses and said he loved my art too. What a nice way to start off the weekend : )

My art was very well received in Sedona which is awesome because I LOVE it there. My most touching moment was when someone who had purchased a Believe print came back hours later to tell me why she bought it. This particular painting is about believing in and loving yourself. She was diagnosed with MS a couple years ago and wanted a piece of inspiring art to help her on lifes journey. She said she needed this print more than I'll ever know. By the end of the conversation we were both crying. I feel so blessed to be able to give that gift to someone.

Tory and I managed to fit some play in with our good friends Wendy and Larry too. They are another fantabulous gift I feel so blessed to have.

Bringing Friends Are Fun

2010-08-23T10:17:00.000-07:00

One of the fun parts about this last summer was seeing collectors from 2009 who brought new friends to my booth this year. Julie, who's been a shining star in Denver, brought her girlfriend Cyndy to the 2010 29th Street Festival in Boulder, Colorado. Cyndy absolutely loved the new prints on travertine tiles and purchased Cruisin' buddies. Thank you Julie : ) I appreciate you!

Wonders of the trip north

2010-07-21T15:20:00.000-07:00

Photo is an Ospreys nest with a baby in it!! This was on a telephone pole on the way to Teton Village off the side of the road. We pulled over and snapped this photo.

Hard to believe there's been 3 fantastic Art festivals already on the tour. Livingston, Jackson and Vail have been everything I imagined and more of course : ). We've been so blessed with beautiful weather, good food, great accomodations, amazing venues, and breathtaking views. I've been fortunate enough to see grizzly bears, buffalo, antelope, baby eagles, and many more little varmets and all just far enough to take my breath away. The northwest is truly a kaleidescope of beautiful greens of every shade and texture. Heidi, of Paris Montana, and her Airstream extraordinare were packed a little better this year and those 1600 miles seemed to fly by with great ease and enjoyment.

I thank God as often as I can for this adventure called "selling my art". I would never have dreamed it could be this fun. Can't wait for the next show in Boulder, CO this coming weekend at the 29th Street Mall. My husband Tory will be my travel partner for the next two shows which is awesome. Looking forward to our adventures together!!! More to come . . .

If you could own 3 of my paintings which would they be?

2010-06-24T08:07:00.000-07:00

Thought this would be fun for you and me. Let me know.

Beach Baby Sells Laugh

2010-06-22T16:49:00.000-07:00

Visited my favorite gallery in Encinitas, CA called Art N Soul and gave them new paintings for their upcoming busy season. (They found me at a festival in Scottsdale and have been carrying my reclaimed metal pieces for about a year now.) Cindy, the gallery owner, loved all my new work!!! The best part about the trip was on the way home she called to say she had sold a painting already, wow. It's the painting right above our heads. Can't wait to go back and visit : )

Jamie and the 2010 Summer Tour

2010-05-11T10:00:00.000-07:00

I loved this photo of Jamie next to her new Birds Eye Barrel painting on reclaimed corrigated tin. Her husband surprised her and got it for her birthday! She loves it as you can tell : ) I love that they hung it out on the patio. New Collectors - yahoooo!

I am excited about the festivals lined up for this summer in the Northwest - really excited. Going back to a couple towns I loved (Livingston, MT and Boulder, CO) and adding some new ones. The tour kicks off in Wyoming in Teton Village which I am super duper excited about. I am really looking forward to being near the Tetons, such beautiful country. I feel so blessed to be able to take this trip again with my favorite road trip girl Heidi and the cute little airstream trailer. I am painting like a banshee this next couple weeks to fill up my inventory. I had a record number of originals sell in April. So, better get to work!!

An adventure called Antique Week

2010-04-14T12:21:00.000-07:00

What the heck is a fine artist doing at a show in Warrenton Texas called Antique Week? That's what I asked myself as I was driving for 2 days to get there. Well, it had a lot to do with faith and an opportunity to travel again with Heidi. I also have good memories from my last event in Austin, Texas. Thought I'd give it a shot - I'm always up for adventure. Turns out being the ONLY artist pretty much out of 2000 booths kinda makes me even more memorable. It was the best show yet, sold 5 originals and a ton of prints, earings, etc. Ya never know, such an interesting business indeed. Heidi and I both had a great time with cowboy boots, country music, texas caviar, and the airstream of course. We even got to dress up for prom nite - An event that happened in our "field" while we were there. Can't wait to go back in the fall. Love Texas Hill Country and love the people!

Photos: Left: Proud owner with painting I did AT the show on old shutters. Me dressed for Prom Nite. Couldn't resist taking a photo in Harper, Texas. Below: Barns and buildings and tents and more tents!

Just for fun thought I'd ask for your input on a couple things:

Call for good animal photos: Please send me a funny, humorous, make you smile photo jpg. of your pet or an animal of anykind. If I use it in a painting I'll give you a free print!!

Please give me input: Explain your deep internal reaction to my art and summarize it's signficance to humanity. I would like to put some of your comments up on my website. I'll send you a free print if I use your response.

4th Ave. Festival tucson live - but not really!

2010-03-18T13:23:00.001-07:00

So, I thought I'd be super cool with the new technology of having the internet on my phone. I thought I could send pix right from my phone to my blog and give you all a thrill. Well, it was a titch harder than expected and all you got was this title and no photo's. HA! Now I know I'll stick to using my computer and I swear I'll share them as fast as possible!!! Hilarious.

I've attached some photo's of the booth and couldn't pass up one of Josh and his snake. One of the many interesting people I met this last weekend in Tucson!! Weather was fabulous and there was a sea of people pretty much the whole weekend. Used my new fancy credit card processing machine and it was fantastic once I put the paper in right and charged it up at the bar across the street! First sale was a print of Cowpoke Flo. The prints on travertine tile sold really well. Can't wait for you to see them! Sold out of "Love Me" images, and have many new potential pet portraits.

Got to eat the most delicious homemade tacos from our 3rd Cousin Jerry while there! Yum -

We felt the love Tucson : )

So far this year is pretty sunshiny. . .

2010-02-27T16:16:00.000-08:00

Seriously, this year has been fantastic. My north star has been to create a life I love. I am happy to report it is in full throttle and I officially love my life. Almost every part of my life feels inspirational and graceful 90% of the time. Wow. Don't get me wrong I am still very human on every level but that along with everything else too. I have created a clearing for myself and focused on what I want to create. Simply put peace, love and joy on every level. Yoga has helped me so much. I love hiking Camelback with my girlfriends. I love going to "craft nite" once a month with girfriends. I love working with my sister Cindy. I love creating and PAINTING on anything I can get my hands on. I love my friends. I love my family. I especially delight in the relationship I have with God and most importantly my husband - my most cherished loves. The 3 of us have been to hell and back and I am pleased to say it was a spectacular adventure. I feel like all of this is preparing me for something great. Something to help the planet. I want to be a person who is way ahead of her time and is remembered for that way after she dies. I hope my paintings are a legacy of who I am and what I bring to this earth and its people. I am really enjoying the ride. I am grateful for it all.

Valentine gifts at Two Plates Full

2010-02-09T14:09:00.000-08:00

I am very excited to say I now have a fabulous gift shop carrying my work at the Borgata (beautiful Italian Architectural feeling village of shops) in Scottsdale called Two Plates Full. They are the PERFECT place for my art and I am so thrilled to be a part of their family of artists. Please go and check it out and buy something for your honey! My prints are in a display box that Tory and I made. Yippee. She also has new paintings there including this new one called "Can I play?".

Two Plates Full: 6166 North Scottsdale Road

(480) 443-3241

Painted Violins on tour at Brushstrokes Gallery, Denver

2010-02-08T07:13:00.000-08:00

See the tour of violins painted by artists around the country (I painted one) and donated for a silent auction fundraiser for the Denver Youth Orchestra.

February 5 - March 6

Brushstrokes Gallery
1059 South Gaylord Street, Denver
Opening Reception:Friday, February 5 at 5 pm
First Friday Celebration:Friday, March 5 at 5 pm
303-871-0800www.brushstrokesstudio.com

Pets, People and Pueblos - Perfect!

2010-01-10T15:07:00.000-08:00

Well the holiday season turned out to be quite a great time for my art. I had so much fun attending festivals in and around Arizona. It was so nice on so many levels. I was blessed with great sales and commissions of pets, people and pueblos. I have been fortunate to have a awesome set of collectors and people who really enjoy my style - that makes it sooooooooooo nice. I've been able to bring such joy to so many people for x-mas presents.

Here is just one response from a recent pet portrait commission. "My mom is really pleased with the portrait. When she pulled the tissue off the canvas, she cried, “It’s Jane!” She is delighted and amazed by how well you captured the essence of her dear friend. Thanks for your wonderful work!"

There are many new products and ideas I am putting into action this year. I am so excited to share them with the world. Can't wait for ya'll to see the new stuff!

I am planning out the year, entering shows, etc. So far I know I'll be in Tucson for the March 4th Street Art Festival. It will be my first time in Tucson for a festival and I can't wait!!!

I am so excited for 2010!!!

Snow in Santa Fe for my birthday

2009-11-17T12:58:00.000-08:00

I was so pleased to participate in the 12th Annual Santa Fe Recycled Art Festival. What a talented group of artisans working towards a collective goal of being kind to the planet. Such great stuff - creativity I haven't seen in another show- I fell in love with so many items! Definitely had booth envy and got lots of great ideas for next years show as I WILL definitely be back! Loved Santa Fe, of course - such a great vibe there. Met some awesome people who loved my work and sold lots of stuff - got a commission - Yippeeee. Lots of opportunities to follow up on - I am so grateful. The booth and my art continue to get better and better. What a fun way to celebrate my birthday this year. Oh, and my cow (Moo Love) made the postcard for the promo piece - one of three featured. Yippee again!

I loved playing the violin, why not paint one?

2009-10-27T15:40:00.000-07:00

First of all let me say how much fun it was to paint ON a violin!!! I played the violin from 4th grade thru high school and had a great experience as an orchestra geek!!
The Sixth Annual Painted Violin Fundraiser where I hand-painted a violin that will be raffled, auctioned or sold to benefit the Denver Young Artists Orchestra. Following a month-long display at the Rialto Café, my violin will be exhibited throughout the season at Masters Gallery, Clayton Lane Fine Arts, Brushstrokes Studio-Gallery, and eventgallery 910Arts.The fifteen violins featured in this site will be individually raffled during the Painted Violin Gala on Sunday, April 11, 2010 at the Marriot Denver Tech Center, 4900 S. Syracuse Street, Denver. Raffle ticket holders need not be present to win. To see more about this really cool event go to: www.paintedviolin.com

Texas and Vegas

2009-10-06T13:15:00.001-07:00

*New Painting - "Riffick the Pig" on tin roof.*************

Traveled to downtown Austin for the annual Pecan St. Festival in September with my hubby and resident side kick Tory. We loved the lakes, trees and colorful characters that surrounded us our entire trip. "Keep Austin Weird" was seen on many t-shirts throughout the fair and my art attracted much attention - I fit right in. I was scheduled to appear on the ABC TV stations morning news to promote the Festival and then got cancelled cause of more important news - what could be more important I ask you!!! We got to eat Wild Boar, drink Texas beer and enjoy some great Texas hospitality with friends made along the way! I only wish I would have had a longhorn painting to sell : ) - I had no idea Texans love football as much as they do. I know now!!

Boulder City, Nevada is a small town just south of Vegas and is a fantastic historic little gem with a great park where they hold really cool art festivals. This is my 2nd time in a Boulder City Art Festival and it was fun to have people remember my art, collectors invite me to dinner and feel the love!! It was windier than a twister in texas though and my tent ended up looking more like a pretzel. I made the best of it in traditional Meg fashion and sold off the lawn for the rest of Sunday. People didn't care apparently cause my sales were better on Sunday!!! Hilarious - I kept telling people I knew I was gonna be in the "Art IN the park" festival but not the "Art ON the park" festival. Looking forward to my next show in MESA! See where to find my art for more details!

Billings and Boulder

2009-08-18T09:07:00.001-07:00

The last two shows were super fun too! Billings was in a great park - met some great people and enjoyed some great art purchases. I was kinda sad that this was my last show in Montana but I know I'll be back next summer and add some more cities on the tour. I'd like to do a show in Bozeman and Missoula and then farther north and west. I've heard I didn't even get to see the most beautiful part of Montana - next time!

My hubby met me in Billings and we traveled south together thru Wyoming and then Colorado. I think that was the most beautiful part of the drive - we didn't go on any interstates! Two lane roads thru little towns are the best. We felt like we got to see an IMAX movie every day we were on the road.

We loved Boulder for sure. What's not to love with so much natural beauty wrapped up with a gorgeous downtown (loved Pearl St.) and lots of outdoor activities. We got to go tubing right in town - wow! We stayed with friends and had bbq's and music and lots of laughs. The show was at the 29th street mall outside which was different for me. It was all good though, lots of interest in pet portraits in Boulder which was fantastic! Can't wait to go back.

Back at home in the studio painting and entering shows for the fall. Austin, Texas is the next city at the end of September! Can't wait.

Butte Folk Festival

2009-07-16T08:45:00.000-07:00

Butte Montana has great bones and is an awesome historic town. The draw for us was the International Folk Festival which was fantastic, fun and full of great music as you can imagine! I listened to great Chicago blues, rockabily, celtic, mariachi, and great old fashioned rock and roll at an outdoor venue and was right up front dancing of course. We were hits at the farmers mkt. and I sold quite a bit! The right photo is dinner Saturday nite at the M & M (a classic in Butte) which is like 112 years old! The left photo is our combined booth - Heidi and I set up at 3 different places each day and still had a fantastic weekend. We both needed a little r & r after this venue. We got it in Missoula . . . the next stop on the tour!

Butte Montana Folk Festival

2009-07-09T15:25:00.000-07:00

Today I am in Bozeman Montana. Last night was a KOA campground with a hot spring right next to it - that was awesome. It was about 45 degrees last night but the airstream was warm and cozy. I love Bozeman and got the most fabulous massage and finally found an internet cafe that works! Yippeeee. 11 days on the road and doing great! We are off to Butte tomorrow morning to set up art and jewelry at a place called Gamers Cafe, then Saturday at the farmers market, the back to Gamers. Should be hilariously interesting indeed. We've printed up flyers to pass out at the Folk Festival, there's suppose to be 40,000 people at the festival so lets hope Gamers is jammin'. On the Montana roads . . . to be continued.

Desert Pearls Elevated Tour

2009-07-06T08:38:00.000-07:00

The first show in Livingston Montana on the July 4th weekend was a huge success! I have sold out greeting cards and prints are almost gone. Had a great 3 day trip on the way here. Got to drive thru Zion and Yellowstone. Beautiful country indeed. Having so much fun and wanted to share a few photo's.

Heidi and I had so much fun driving up in the 66 Airstream! Here is a photo of us right outside Zion National Park in Utah. On the left is the view at sunset from our back patio at the house we are staying at outside Livingston, Montana.

Roadtrip to Montana and Colorado

2009-06-23T09:41:00.001-07:00

I am leaving this week to head to Montana and Colorado for a series of festivals with my girlfriend Heidi. I can't wait! I am so excited to share my work with the Northwest AND have a girly roadtrip. Yipppeeeeeeeeeee!

Murals and Strawberries

2009-06-15T16:22:00.000-07:00

Since I last blogged I've painted 3 super colorful, happy, murals. Two were baby's rooms, one an underwater theme and the other a jungle theme, both very fun! The photo above is a fairy themed mural I did in North Carolina! My most recent mural was in a store called Domestic Bliss in downtown Mesa in their Baby Bliss section. It's very carnivalish - go check it out when you get a chance!

Also, attended the Strawberry Festival last weekend and had such a blast. The weather was wonderful and prints, earings and gift cards were flyin' out the booth! Sold my first wooden shutter painting as well. I am branching out and using other reclaimed pieces now in addition to the metal. Yippeee.

Planning my July schedule and it looks like both Montana and Colorado are in the mix. Hope you all are enjoying life!

Bohemian Bliss Artsy Event May 15th & 16th

2009-04-30T10:50:00.000-07:00

I am so excited about this upcoming event in Mesa I can hardly stand it. It's sponsored by the fun people who own Domestic Bliss on Mains St. in Mesa. Please come!! I'll be there with lots of great funky art!! Let me know if you want tickets and I'll get some for you.

New FUN smaller pieces

2009-04-21T17:21:00.001-07:00

Here are some fun smaller pieces I recently painted with the peace, love, joy theme on them. Yes, they have beaded fringe hanging from the bottom, couldn't resist! Just found out today I'll be going to Boulder, Colorado for an Art Festival on July 25 and 26th. Yippeee. I'll probably be doing more shows in Colorado in July as well. Why not??

Life After Expo

2009-04-21T17:05:00.000-07:00

Wow, what a fantastic 3 months -but I am glad it's over. Since Expo I've been working on commissions and catching up with my life that seemed to dissapear for 74 days. I just got back from an Art Festival in Boulder City, Nevada just outside Vegas 6 miles from Lake Mead. Love that town, it's awesome, go - hang out in the historic downtown area!! One of my paintings won best in show - the Saguaro triptick AND I sold the painting as well. I also sold a bunch of earings and prints along with another large metal animal. It was so much fun!

Mini Megs jewelry

2009-03-06T08:19:00.000-08:00

We are in the last leg of the show now - wow what a marathon it has been. The month of March I am told is the most exciting and most profitable!! I have been enjoying the warmer weather, heading up sales training for the artists, painting away, and building my collector base. I learn something new everyday. I have just finished a night scene painting that is spectacular!! I'll post a jpg when I take a photo. I've entered a show in August up in Park City Utah am looking forward to hearing back in April from them. I am presently working on jewelry called minimegs that will be sold here in town at Yoga Nirvana Studio where I practice weekly AND on the road at various art fairs around the country. They will be at the Ostrich Festival next weekend - $20 for a necklace. They have a miniature image from my paintings and either the words peace, love or joy imprinted on them and they are made from reclaimed corrigated metal. I wear one at the show sometimes that also has "buy my art" imprinted on it - hee hee. Oh, got some press on the ABC 15 website for my work and also in a few local publications. Very exciting!!!

Inspire Me

2009-02-26T06:59:00.000-08:00

I typed up a short questionaire for people to fill out who come in my booth and show interest in my art. FREE research. I have so many people looking at my art, I figured it would be a good idea to find out what they are thinking and get it down on paper. I had the first person fill it out yesterday!! Here are the highlights: I asked what she felt when looking at my paintings. She said she loved the colors and felt energetic. She said if she had enough money to buy art she would purchase mine. Yeah! A future buyer!! How much $$ does someone need to make before they feel they can "afford" art. Interesting question to ponder for sure. I truly wonder what that magic number is for people. She suggested that I offer to paint customers owned animals. Pet portraits I believe is what she meant. And YES I am offering to paint pets and am looking for a commission to do right now as a matter of fact. I've done 2 commissions thru the show and they've both LOVED what I painted for them. I have attached Duke, my latest commission to share with ya'll.

The night at the Gala

2009-02-19T07:57:00.001-08:00

There were over 700 who attended an evening with the artists under the big top. There was great food, spirits, music and beautiful artists all dressed up and enjoying the evening! I met lots of great people and it was so fun where this beautiful outfit. I haven't gotten dressed up like this in a long time. This years Gala was the most attended one yet they have had!

Today and next Thursday we are having a garden party from 4p-7p if anyone would like to come and enjoy fantastic apps. and art!

RJ and his portrait on corrigated tin

2009-02-06T06:27:00.000-08:00

This was the sweetest little guy ever that I've had the pleasure of painting. Wanted to share him with ya'll. The show is going really well. I've sold 3 paintings so far (Cowpoke Flo and a flower triptik on the tin) and the gala is coming up tomorrow night and I am super excited about it. Putting together some recycled art jewelry for the show as well on the recycled tin. Calling them mini-megs - come see me and my new pieces I've been creating at booth 78!!

The sooner you start looking for the good the faster you'll find it

2009-01-29T13:21:00.001-08:00

I am writing a positive saying everyday on a eraser board. This is a photo of one of them. I want to spread joy to the world thru my words and paintings and this has been a fun addition to my space at the booth.

I am having so much fun at the Expo!! I am meeting my first pooch to do a pet portrait tomorrow and I am very excited. Lots of activity and interest. An artist from the show as she was leaving said to me last night "I have fallen in love with 2 of your paintings and if I have any extra $$ at the end of the show I am buying them." How sweet - even the artists want to buy my labor of love.

I am working on a press release that focuses on recycled art so cross your fingers I'll be getting some additional press for the show. I am feeling more comfortable in my shoes so to speak in front of people painting all day and learning how to market myself better (knowing what to say, how much to say, when to say, etc). Each day I get a little more knowledgeable. I am convinced that the positive energy radiating from my booth will translate into a very profitable show.

I've been coined "The Tinwoman"

2009-01-25T06:42:00.001-08:00

If you know me for any length of time you would learn that my favorite movie is The Wizard of Oz. This movie inspires me because for that time period it was a really creative movie (ahead of it's time), the characters are rich and I love the moral of the story. I've always believed that there is no place like home (home in your heart anyway). So, it's been funny to have artists call me that name because I am painting on reclaimed tin.

The tinman wanted a heart so he could feel love. It's funny how sometimes we believe we must have something from the outside world in order to feel love inside. I have been pondering what kind of love I've been searching for and what comes to mind is unconditional love for myself and thus others as well. Seeing the best in people, expecting good to happen, trusting where I am at is perfect and who I am is perfect I think is what it means to me. Whenever I don't feel love remembering it's not something a wizard out there is going to give but a choice I make during each moment of every day. Love myself unconditionally.

I have started writing down an inspirational sentence at my art booth and I am gonna take pix everyday of what I write and send post them. Artists are getting exciting about seeing them now. It's fun. You'll have a couple tomorrow.

Indeed a Pink Giraffe, thanks Penny

2009-01-20T06:02:00.000-08:00

You never know where your inspiration is going to come from right? This paintings colors were inspired by the pajamas of my great neice Penny! I happened to be wearing pink that day too so it was pretty funny. Pink stands for unconditional love I've been told so I am all for having it in my life!

The show is continuing to open doors for me and show are many good things yet to come. I have a strong interest on two pieces, the bear and the wolf from two separate woman. I know both pieces will end up in a good home very soon!!!

The woman who liked the bear said this - It's nice to see NEW creativity at this show. Something fun, and colorful and not the same-ole, same-ole southwestern art. It's refreshing!

Another comment: Your work has a liveliness to it and expresses your personality.

Hope to see you at the show! Meg

2009-01-18T06:25:00.000-08:00

This is the super fun painting I have started at the show of a Saguaro Cactus. It's got lots of great colors!

This is me at the show. I have now had 3 days of comments from over 300 people and I am listening. The words that keep coming up are fun, colorful, happy, funky, and whimsical. That's me alright. I have started receiving peoples business cards and have someone interested in a dog portrait of their Jack Russell Terrier!! Yippeee! I am getting more comfortable and enjoying all the input I am receiving. One of the other artists at the show called me a non traditional southwestern contemporary artist which was cool. I think it's fitting. Happy Hours are at 5pm everyday on the patio!

See Meg Harper live and painting at the Arizona Fine Arts Expo

2009-01-16T06:36:00.000-08:00

First day at the Fine Art show with my recycled art - Visit me and buy some art!

2009-01-16T06:22:00.001-08:00

Thought I'd update you on the first day of the Arizona Fine Art Expo. The artists and their work looked fantastic. I felt honored to be apart of the show with the quality of work displayed. This is day 1 of 72 so you'll be hearing from me quite often as I have time during the day to jot comments and such down. This event is taking place at MacDonald Ranch which is over 12,000 acres of land off Jomax and Scottsdale Rd., who knew there was such a huge ranch in North Scottsdale, not me! I even had Dan, the cowboy who works at the ranch, buy me my first bowl of soup for lunch! He is quite the character. I also won an award already at the show for losing my name tag first. Hilarious. There were quite a few sales, none for me YET! It felt good to see so many people smile when they passed by my paintings, the recycled metal ones were very well received. Anyhoo, here are some comments about my work that people shared with me during the day.

I love the bright colors of your work.

I love the eyes on the Mexican Wolf.

You have happy paintings.

I love your stuff, it's so funky.

Your colors flow like a river thru the painting.

Someone said my work reminded them of a childrens book illustrator named Audrey Woods. I haven't looked her up yet.

Happy I am that yesterday went so well and I got to share my work with over 100 people. The artists are all super nice and I am looking forward to the next 71 days!

I have written a note to read every morning at my booth that says: My paintings sell easily. I sell more paintings every day. I bring joy and sunshine to everyone I meet.

I post pix tomorrow of the event and my booth!

2009 is a GREAT year so far

2009-01-07T12:42:00.000-08:00

Wanted to wish everyone a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year!! I've been painting away over the holidays doing some dog portraits, family portraits and faux work. I feel very blessed to have the gift of painting to share with the world.

I will be live and in person at the Arizona Fine Arts Expo off Jomax and Scottsdale Rd. in the BIG white tent selling my newest recycled artwork on corrigated metal and painting away if you want to visit me. It's a 10 week show from January 15th thru March 29th. There are 100 artists there so it's quite the event with entertainment, parties and more!

Arizona Audubon Society Show

2008-11-24T19:35:00.000-08:00

An art event just in time for Holiday shopping!
I am excited to invite you to a special showing of my newest paintings at Gifts from Nature sponsored by the Audubon Society in Arizona. See the invitation below for details.
I will be showcasing my newest creativity on corrigated metal that include a sephia, zen and endangered species series of paintings with a variety of price ranges to fit any budget. Where: Outside at Cattletrack Artists Compound at 6105 N. Cattle Track Rd.(Miller Rd.) off McDonald inbetween Scottsdale and Hayden.
When: Friday December 5th from 5p-9p and Saturday from 10am-4pm
Why: Art, food, live entertainment, hands-on holiday art activities and ME - how can you resist! Who: 30 artists including me of course!

Flygirl Series

2008-09-17T15:48:00.002-07:00

"Girls just want to have fun", Cindy Lauper so elequently said once in a song I grew up listening to. That was basically what I wanted to accomplish in this set of paintings, just have some fun. Let loose a little bit and get back to the child inside. So, how does a grown up adult woman of 42 do that? Well, I chose to partner up so to speak, with my neighbor, Hannah, across the street who is 11 and use her drawings as springboards for my work. She provided me with about 10 drawings of girls of various shapes and sizes to which I then created this series of paintings. Each painting has some reference of flight in it so the name Flygirl series seemed fun and appropriate. Hannah was my inspiration and I thank her for sharing her drawings with me. You can see the whole Flygirl Series on my website HERE.

Affirmations Series

2008-09-17T15:48:00.001-07:00

Some of my friends and family have said I am grounded and have a very positive attitude about life. I think this series speaks to that belief about myself. I believe you always have a choice of what your attitude or focus is going to be, each moment of everyday. One of the ways I help myself focus on seeing the abundance and gratitude in my life is by using affirmations from time to time. When my thoughts turn to feeling sad or frustrated or depressed there is nothing like a quick sentence or word that turns my energy around and puts me in a better place. This set of paintings represent the bigger lessons that I had about my own life and how I really want to live it. If you read the words on this set of paintings you will see what's important to me and how I choose to live my life. In my car right now you would see notes on my dashboard of my daily affirmations that help me stay in the flow of good energy. BELIEVE!

Update!

2008-09-17T15:48:00.000-07:00

I just wanted to quickly update the status of the Endagered Species Series (see posts below.) The Wolf and the Jaguar are now sold too but you can still pick up the original Ocelot, Eagle, Polar Bear or Turtle on re-purposed corrugated metal, and of course order prints of any of them from my website.

Custom Paintings of your beloved pet

2008-08-27T17:25:00.000-07:00

Hi animal and art lovers! I want to get the word out that I do pet portrait commissions.
The smallest size I will do is a 16x20 which would be $650 - I can do any bigger sizes and would quote them accordingly.
I would love the opportunity to paint any of your pets! Prints of these are available from my shop HERE.
If you know anyone who might want a pet portrait or is a real pet lover please forward this on to them.

Last of Endangered Species Series

2008-08-27T17:19:00.000-07:00

Hello art lovers! I wanted to share the latest in the endangered species series on reclaimed corrugated metal. The eagle, polar bear, and turtle are priced at $245 each for the originals! Get them while they last - The grizzly bear is already sold but prints are available on canvas or paper from my online shop if you are interested. I have found a new printer for the canvases so prices are less expensive than before.

Endangered Species Series

2008-08-27T16:43:00.000-07:00

Welcome to my new work. I was inspired to paint this series after attending a Court hearing for Arizona Eagles. Eagles in general were taken off the endangered species list in August but our native bald eagles which are smaller and lighter than other eagles were petitioned to have their own protection because there are only a few dozen left. It was a very inspirational hearing and I hope the series translates that emotion. The good news is that a federal judge decided to grant our Arizona Eagles to remain under the act's protection.
These are the first 3 paintings in the series. The material I am painting on is reclaimed tin roofing from the original Courthouse property in Florence, Arizona. I will be going to Sedona at the end of the month to get these into a gallery there, so if you'd like them buy them now. . . .
Mexican Wolf - $1012

Ocelot - $1012
Jaguar - $1282You can also buy more affordable giclee prints from my online shop by clicking HERE.