Anahata Katkin

Colorways:

I'm trying to decide between two colorays tonight.  I started with her in the yellows.  But now I can't decide...
Yellow family? Or cool family?

You Are...

From the "new batch" that's hatching around here...

Houzz Crazy:

I'm redoing all sorts of things in my lovely new home this year.  Lucky for me there's Houzz.com.  And if you don't know about it ya should. Similar to Pinterest in that you can create collections using their website and thousands of well photographed homes.  However their focus is home improvement, decor etc. Each picture is linked back to the source (architect, homeowner, etc).  You can ask detailed questions (and actually get a reply!) about paint colors, flooring, lighting etc.  Each photo even links you directly to places to purchase your wish list from.  (or find/ make a fabulous knock off version)
It's an incredible way to brainstorm and collect ideas for real application.  First up around here at our house is a fairly major garden project and it took me a while to identify the materials and style I wanted to use in real life.  (ok maybe the Tuscan fire place not so much, but cement seems oddly enchanting.)  It's really helped me hone in on my goals.  Thanks to Houzz.com I started moving forward today with reference images and sourcing.  It's amazing and free and much cheaper than stacks of magazines.  Here you can see all my galleries from new exterior paint to solving dining area lighting.  But mainly just want you all to know what a great job they are doing over there!

Ya win some, ya lose some...

You win some ya lose some. I reworked this image about four times today. And ended up ruining her. Something that I rarely do is cover up or abandon images.  
In fact I'm completely against it.  But alas today I couldn't save or finish her and she ended up becoming plain paint again. Another go at the background tomorrow. Like it never existed...
phooey... Such is life...

2013 Calendars

I'm super proud of our 2013 PAPAYA calendars!  Some are already selling out so I wanted to show-tell-them before it's too late!  Desk, wall and weekly planners are all available now.  And we're already designing 2014!  Time flies.

Looking Back...

It's always a question artists get.  Where you always creative?  When did you start?  But I think most of us are inherently creative.  Some of us have just been lucky enough to have the support to follow our hearts.  I recently found this picture of me on graduation day of Otis Parsons college-prep program.  This was taken when I was 15 in 1994.  And when I see it it gives me so much joy.  It was a tough couple years leading up to this moment and my Mom and Grandmother had the insight and love to send me to this program that summer.  And I believe in many ways it changed my life and the course it would take.  (So did a special art teacher back home in Fairbanks, Alaska.)  It was the summer the album 10 was released from Pearl Jam and it was blaring from the art dorms (though I stayed at my grandmas house).  My friend in this picture lived on Rodeo Dr. and that was all so wild to me with my cut off jeans and Alaskan perspective at that time.  (They had a nanny house bigger than ours next to their grotto!)  And I was in love with a freaky art dude who attended the program too and looked like Johnny Depp in Benny and June.  But the course challenged me, scared me, inspired me. Let me tell you they did not go easy on us just because we where kids.  The teachers where ruthless!  I recently framed two life drawing nudes from that summer and hung them in my new home.  A great reminder that when you apply yourself anything can happen.  The reason?  I cannot draw as well as I did at 15 even today.  I was committed to learning and changing and wanted it so bad.  A big thank you to my Mom who has always tried to embrace my creative and quirky nature and has always looked for ways for me to make the most of it!  (even now)  I'm gonna go back to taking Life Drawing classes here locally and relive a few of those challenging art school days!

You Can Stick It!

Love it when something so out-of-the-blue can make you feel so good!  These sticks make my heart sing! Dunno why.  They just make me absolutely happy!  I think I need a collection of my own... Or a mobile...or...
The sources can be found on my inspiration-pinterest board...

Papaya Peeps in Paris

OMG.  Loving all the sweet moments over at the PAPAYA! Studio Blog.  Four of our peeps had a week in Paris for work, inspiration and a much needed break from the office.  These folks work hard!

PAPAYA! LIVING: Fall Spiff

The sweet store has been getting a super fall spiff.  We've got truckloads of new goodies in and we've been working hard to make it all come to life in the boutique. Early Spring and early fall are the biggest transitions at PAPAYA! Living and it feels like early christmas to all of us stocking our fall wardrobes and adding endless jewels to the collection. And don't even get my started on the clothing!
Like these gorgeous Jen's Pirate Booty cuffs and bangles, Jenny Sweeney hand stitched cuffs with vintage tribal fabrics, and west African original beaded bangles.     

Come and play with us if you live nearby or are passing through on ol I-5! xoxoxo... (and if you want to keep up to date w the boutique find us on fB here.)

Gold Beach

Last trip to the coast I was compelled to craft up so mobiles and dream catchers.  So this trip I made a point to collect and magpie-out for bits to make into crafty momentos. We found oodles of feathers and rocks.  Always rocks.
We made do with toothpicks and terrible paint brushes. A nest for a rock to hatch in...
We took the road less traveled over the mountain pass... Ate my first fresh muscles, got a bit of fresh air, stayed warm with friends and of course my sweetie.
 
And all that white in the background was the great big ocean...Beautiful.  Gold Beach, Oregon was a stunner.