Sweet Annie Renee Arts

  This year has been unforgettable (unfortunately) and I have had a great need for something to distract me from the madness of 2020. Now it seems I found the very thing!  A few months ago, I myself how to needle felt small little happy creations. They take hours to make and I never truly know how they'll turn out when I begin, But the act of gathering divine tufts of warm wool and inserting a tiny needle repeatedly until it begins to weave itself into something magical has brightened my world. Here's hoping it adds a little cheer to your Christmas season, too.

Easter is my very favorite time and even though we are in the midst of some dark days, we can still worship and share the love of Christ. I invite you to celebrate Palm Sunday along with me. "Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!"

In the midst of these crazy days,  I wish all of you a few moments of peace, comfort and hope.

In these strange and bewildering days, I hang on to beauty, art and family. Inspired by the gorgeous arrangements in Floret Farm's lovely books, I escaped to my sweet studio and tried something new: cake decorating techniques on canvas! As a semi-retired cake artist, I have found that using modeling paste, spackling, and joint compound through frosting bags and tips can make some interesting textures to my paintings. What a fun way to combine some of the many skills I acquired as a wedding cake artist with my many years of experience with acrylics. I believe I am onto something here...                                                    How about you?

Holly Dolly in the Snow Illustration Inspired by one of my beloved dolls, this painting is from a series of illustrations which I plan to someday turn into a children's picture book.  The story will be based on an idea I had one day about what adventures this tiny doll would have if she had a day to explore in the snow on her own. The illustration is made with pen, pencil, watercolor and gouache on yupo paper.

Sweet Annie Renee Arts: A Peek Inside... : A Although it is always a joy to be in my Studio, hot and humid days make for some fairly uncomfortable painting sessions. During the w...

A Although it is always a joy to be in my Studio, hot and humid days make for some fairly uncomfortable painting sessions. During the winter, it is cozy and warm with all the windows and a heater but during the summer months, it can get quite toasty. (Not to mention the mosquitoes!) But on this lovely August morning, we have been blessed with a crispness that calls to mind the approaching Autumn. And as always, that inspires me to tackle some much-needed tidying up of my sweet Studio. It has been a busy season preparing for festivals and shows and the frenzy that goes with it. And she is so tiny that she is filled to overflowing. Time to cleanse and purge and re-think the space. Only one more festival this year and I am looking forward to the quieter months ahead. I do hope today brings you a sense of joy and anticipation. Blessings, Ann

Sweet Annie Renee Arts: Spring has Sprung in the Sunshine Studio : As I prepare for the upcoming festivals, I find myself focusing on flowers.  Because...as Monet said, "I must have flowers, a...

As I prepare for the upcoming festivals, I find myself focusing on flowers.  Because...as Monet said, "I must have flowers, always, always." I cannot agree more. Happy Spring!

Floral Painting Series by Ann Rene Alexander

Sweet Annie Renee Arts: Paper Flowers will have to do... : Paper Flowers will have to do until the real ones begin to bloom...

Paper Flowers will have to do until the real ones begin to bloom...

"Normality is a paved road. It's comfortable to walk on but no flowers grow on it." Vincent van Gogh

This is a recent chalk painting I made at the Ohio State Fair. We had wonderful weather (for July) and in spite of sore muscles, I had a blast. I met so many talented artists and made some new friends.

www.sweetanniereneearts.com My little Flower Fairy friend was out and about with me as I showed some of my floral paintings to fellow Artrepreneurs. She is filled with lavender and just a little squeeze relaxed me with her fragrance. Aromatherapy is an art unto itself...

Happy Spring to each of you! This is one of my Flower Fairy Painting series titled "bloom" and I hope it encourages you to bloom wherever you are in your life right now. I filled this 10" x 10" canvas with layers of multicolored fanciful flowers and placed a sweet little flower fairy in the center. If you look closely you will see the word "bloom" among the flowers. May it bring you joy today. Blessings, Ann

Sunrise over Studio November is the month of thanksgiving and I have much to be thankful for. Blessings beyond measure and I cannot begin to count them all. My dream of a studio is now a reality and I constantly marvel at that. Years of sketches in my journals will show how long I have waited for her. Is she everything I wanted? Not exactly, but I think she is perfect. This studio represents so much more than a place to store supplies. She is a physical reminder to me that I can make dreams come true and live my life as an artist; a lovely new beginning in a fragile lifetime that sometimes seems full of endings and sorrow and change. I don't have it all figured out but I am learning to believe in myself. For such a tiny space, she holds a world of opportunity within. More than that, I hope to somehow inspire all of you to hang onto your hopes and make today a joyful one for yourself. You really can.

As I assemble a portfolio of artwork I have created, I will try to share as I go along. These are photos of a wedding invitation I designed in my studio. 

Look what God planted just outside my studio for me! Two gorgeous sunflowers in the perfect spots. I WANTED to plant sunflowers around but didn't manage to. He took care of it for me. He is always doing sweet little ( and BIG ) things like that for me. What a loving Father He is. How could I NOT believe? #Godisgood #allthetime

Sweet Annie Renee Arts: Springtime at the Sunshine Studio : Isn't she lovely?