Merry Christmas, Happy New Year...Be My Valentine?

First and foremost, I hope that you had a wonderful Christmas and that the new year will bring you love and prosperity! One of the realities of being in "retail" is the challenge of staying ahead of the curve. Which is why, even though we are still in December, I'm already looking forward to the spring and the first major holiday...Valentine's Day. My wildflower-decorated Keepsake Boxes will make a fabulous Valentine's gift, don't you think? And these flowers will last forever and since the box is not filled with decadent candy (not that there's anything bad about roses or chocolate), your sweetie won't be worrying about working off the extra calories. Another advantage...they make great gifts for the guys, too. Take at look at all of the designs available at my online store by clicking here.

Views of Casa de Linda Studio and Gallery

If you have ever wondered what my studio and gallery look like, here's a glimpse from my recent Holiday Open House. I rent a space in a historic building in downtown New Braunfels, Texas, owned by the New Braunfels Art League, a non-profit, co-op that runs a wonderful gallery downstairs. From my studio/gallery upstairs, I can look out on street lined with businesses, but my favorite is Henne Hardware, whose claim-to-fame is being Texas' oldest hardware store. Like many of the buildings in this old German community, both Henne's and the Art League's still have their wonderful pressed tin ceilings. It makes a great place to paint, teach and exhibit my work -- my wildflowers. The space is not large, but as you can tell from the photos, I fill the walls from top to bottom so that my clients can see the work hanging when they come to visit. I rotate my available work between my studio/gallery, the gallery downstairs where I exhibit regularly, Art Frame and Beyond in San Antonio (Stone Oak), Gallery on the Square in Wimberley, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in Austin and at special exhibits at restaurants, coffee shops and other galleries.

WEARING MANY HATS...BUT IT'S ALL ABOUT CREATIVITY!

Hello there! Not sure how you found my blog, but welcome! You may be a regular visitor, so welcome back. But if it's your first time to land here, you may be curious about what, exactly, I do. Well, first and foremost, I'm an artist. I've created a line of bright-n-bold-n-happy wildflower paintings that are finding their way around the world, as original art in private collections, as a line of greeting cards being distributed in the UK, New Zealand and Australia, and on a wide variety of products, ranging from mugs to mouse pads, through my online store (be sure to check out my new 2008 Wildflower Calendar!).

In addition to creating art, I love to teach art. I offer classes from my art studio housed in a 94-year-old building in downtown New Braunfels, Texas, above the New Braunfels Art League Gallery. Specializing in classes for beginners, I offer on-going painting classes and occasionally offer drawing and painting workshops, which I am doing this coming Spring.

When I'm not painting or teaching, I'm working as a freelance writer, graphic designer and marketing/PR consultant for local non-profit organizations and businesses. I've been serving on the "Be A Part of the Story" capital campaign committee to build a new library for Canyon Lake, the community that I call home when I'm not at my studio in nearby New Braunfels. If you care about libraries and would like to donate, you can do so online by just click here. Every little bit helps!

So that's a little about who I am. Just trying to make the world a better place. Who are you? Leave me a comment and tell me how you found my blog.

AS SEEN IN...ART BUSINESS NEWS MAGAZINE

Art Business News is a slick monthly magazine distributed worldwide so I'm very pleased to announce that I had a news brief item in the November issue. You can view it online by clicking here.

DECEMBER EVENTS

A quick little overview of the month to come for Casa de Linda Art Studio and Gallery!

AUSTIN- WILDFLOWER CENTER
I'm heading back to Austin today for the close of the 17th Annual Holiday Shopping Event at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. Met many nice folk yesterday and several of my wildflower mugs, coaster tiles, ornaments, magnets and other items will find their way into stockings or under the tree this Christmas! Hours today are Noon-5 p.m. Thanks to everyone for the support!

SHOPPING ONLINE
If you've been thinking about ordering from my online store, there's a "free shipping" offer for purchases over $50 that ends at midnight today. Just enter the following code before you check out: JINGLE50.

If you are shopping online for Christmas, you might want to do so in the next week. For what I can understand from the company I'm working with, orders placed by Dec. 9 can be shipped economy and still arrive in plenty of time. After that, you might need to bump up to other levels of shipping to get your order before Christmas.

MY STUDIO/GALLERY OPEN HOUSE
Downtown New Braunfels will host its annual Wassailfest on Thursday, Dec. 6, from 5-8 p.m. Tons of fun for the family! And if you come, please come up to my studio! I'll have paintings by 20 of my students (ages 10 through adult) on exhibit, as well as my own work and my husband's photography. Looks like the weather will be great for a stroll in New Braunfels, which is just beautiful at Christmas. I'm there Thursday 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 9, Noon-5 p.m. We are having a reception for my wonderful students on Sunday afternoon in case you'd like to meet the "artists." And some of them are even offering their work for sale!


ART CLASSES IN JANUARY
I'm working on my schedule for the Spring and will be offering drawing and a special painting workshop in addition to my on-going painting class. Let me know if you are interested! I'll post more on that later.

HOPE TO SEE YOU SOON!

WILDFLOWER SHOW THIS WEEKEND

This is one of the paintings I'll have on exhibit at the 17th Annual Holiday Shopping Event at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in Austin this weekend. It's titled SPLASHES OF YELLOW AND WHITE and was inspired by fields of wildflowers blooming between Stockdale and Floresville this past Spring. I'll also have a good selection of great gift items from my online store, including my newest edition, my 2008 calendar! So if you are in Austin, come see me! And remember, my Casa de Linda Art Studio and Gallery Annual Open House and Student Art Show is Dec. 6-9 so mark you calendar!

ART CLASSES AT MY NEW BRAUNFELS STUDIO

Been working on my schedule for Jan-April of 2008. I'll be offering my on-going acrylic painting classes as well as a 5-week drawing course and a 5-week experimental painting class. It all starts in January. If you are interested, please e-mail me at linda@casadelinda.com. You can also visit a special page I have set up for my classes at www.casadelinda.com/classes.

Mid-week pick-me-up

OK, this is a totally corny, old joke but I bet you'll still smile as you read it...

Vincent's relatives
After much careful research, it has been discovered that the artist Vincent Van Gogh had many relatives. Among them were:

His dizzy aunt: Verti Gogh
The brother who ate prunes: Gotta Gogh
The brother who worked at a convenience store: Stopn Gogh
The brother who bleached his clothes white: Hue Gogh
The cousin from Illinois: Chica Gogh
His magician uncle: Wherediddy Gogh
His Mexican cousin: Amee Gogh
The nephew who drove a stage coach: Wellsfar Gogh
The constipated uncle: Can't Gogh
The ballroom dancing aunt: Tan Gogh
The bird lover uncle: Flamin Gogh
His nephew psychoanalyst: E Gogh
The fruit loving cousin: Man Gogh
An aunt who taught positive thinking: Wayto Gogh
The little bouncy nephew: Poe Gogh
A sister who loved disco: Go Gogh
And his niece who travels the country in a van: Winnie Bay Gogh

2008 Wildflower Calendars Available!

I've finished designing a wall calendar featuring 12 of my wildflower paintings and it is now available in my online store. Check it out!

STUDENTS' ART SHOW

I celebrated Thanksgiving with family and friends a few days early so I've spent today planning an upcoming art show for my students. It will be held during my Casa de Linda Art Studio Annual Open House December 6-9. My studio/gallery is located in downtown New Braunfels (Texas), above the New Braunfels Art League Gallery. So, if you are in the area, please mark your calendar and plan to drop in! And HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

THROW PILLOWS BACK IN STOCK

I know that some of you have been wanting to order throw pillows from my online store featuring my wildflowers. But they have been out of stock for some time now. Well...they are back in stock! Check them out by clicking here!

DOWNTOWN NEW BRAUNFELS SIDEWALK SALE

A sale...
If you are "local" and are so inclined, shops in downtown New Braunfels (Texas) will have a sidewalk sale on Thursday, Nov. 8. The New Braunfels Art League Gallery will be participating and I'm sharing a space with 2 other artists...so some of my work will be in the sale as well. Come down and check out the bargains!

Writing update...
I've started my novel! I'm about 2,000 words into the story with a goal of completing it by the end of the month as part of National Novel Writing Month (see previous post).

NATIONAL NOVEL WRITING MONTH

"National Novel Writing Month is a fun, seat-of-your-pants approach to novel writing. Participants begin writing November 1. The goal is to write a 175-page (50,000-word) novel by midnight, November 30," states the official NaNoWriMo website. Yes, I've signed up. As if I didn't have enough to do already but I've had this book swimming around in the back of my mind and I think it might be time to get it out (or let it out?). Only challenge is that I'm packing up and heading for a show this weekend (see the postcard in the next post), but I'm sure there will be "slow" times when I can at least jot some notes. Obviously, I can't imagine actually "writing" as opposing typing the novel. Of course, the novel with have something to do with wildflowers. According to the NaNoWriMo site, 16 of the novelists last year actually got published. I'll post notes about my progress here as I go through the month. Wish me luck!

SAVE THE DATES: UPCOMING SHOWS

WILDFLOWER-THEMED CHRISTMAS CARDS and MUGS

New products in my online store!
I've been working on my online store again! I've just added a line of wildflower-themed Christmas cards. I took a photo of my painting, "Texas Bouquet" and worked it up on 3 ornaments and used them to create the cards. They are available in 2 background colors: green for the traditionalist, and blue for the more contemporary. I offer 3 different salutations: Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and Season's Greetings. Futhermore, you can get them with or without "from Texas" in the salutation. How's that for variety? But wait...there's more! You can choose between large 5X7 cards (singles, 10-packs or 20-packs), smaller note cards (10 or 20 to a pack) or postcards (8 to a pack).

And speaking of holiday items, I've also added mugs with the same design! So please visit my online store and check them out!

SHARING MY WILDFLOWERS WITH THE WORLD!

My appearance on San Antonio Living on WOAI Ch. 4 (San Antonio NBC affiliate) this morning went very well! If you missed it, the video clip is posted online at:

http://www.woai.com/entertainment/default.aspx

Just click on "Wildflower Artist" under the "Featured" tab. Enjoy!

LOCAL TV APPEARANCE

That's right folks...I'm going to be interviewed on San Antonio Living on Tuesday, Oct. 16, between 10 and 11 a.m. This is the local NBC affiliate, WOAI Ch. 4. So if you are in the area, please tune in! I'll be talking about my wildflower paintings and my new online store.

NEW E-MAIL LIST

Want to keep up with my latest news? Just register for my new mailing list. The link is in the column on the left side of the page. Easy to opt-in, and if you ever want to cancel, it's easy to opt-out! Please rest assured that I will not ever sell or knowingly share your information with anyone. It's just a way that we can stay in touch.

FALL ART SHOWS IN SAN ANTONIO, AUSTIN; NEW PRODUCTS IN MY ONLINE STORE

I have two local art shows on my calendar this fall. On the first weekend in November I'll be in San Antonio at the SA Garden Center again for the 2nd annual Fall Fine Art Show sponsored by the San Antonio Watercolor Group. Then on the first weekend in December I'll be in Austin at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center for the 17th Annual Holiday Shopping Event. Both are indoor, all-media, fine art shows. If you are in the area, mark your calendar. Hope to see you in San Antonio or Austin!

Also wanted to mention that I've added some new merchandise to my online store! One of the new products is a lovely clock with my TEXAS BOUQUET painting. Click on the link here or type in: www.cafepress.com/CasaDeLinda.

NEW WORKS POSTED ON GALLERY BLOG

I have just completed a series of 9 square wildflower paintings on 10X10X1.5 inch gallery wrap canvas. I'm ready to varnish them and offer them for sale...only problem is they don't have names. They are posted on my "new works" gallery blog. I'm open to any ideas or suggestions. Please check them out and let me know what you think (either e-mail or simple post a comment). Thanks!

NEW GALLERY: ART, FRAME AND BEYOND at STONE OAK (San Antonio)

I am so pleased to announce that San Antonio's ART FRAME AND BEYOND at Stone Oak will be exhibiting my original wildflower artwork now! This wonderful gallery is located just outside of Loop 1604 on Stone Oak Parkway on the far northside of San Antonio. Currently, I have 4 paintings there: HEARTFELT PASSION, NATURE'S CONFETTI, SUNSET CELEBRATION and SOUTH TEXAS TAPESTRY, which is from my "Wildflower Meadow" series.

Of course, my work is also still exhibited at GALLERY ON THE SQUARE in Wimberley, LADY BIRD JOHNSON WILDFLOWER CENTER (WILD IDEAS GIFT SHOP) in Austin, and at the NEW BRAUNFELS ART LEAGUE GALLERY.

Click on any of the hot links above to visit these fine galleries online!

ADDITIONS TO MY ONLINE STORE

I've continued to work on adding new designs and products to my NEW online store. Plus I've reorganized it so it, hopefully, loads quicker. I invite you to check it out! And if you are interested in my original art or reading more about me, please go to my homepage, CasaDeLinda.com. Thanks!

CASA DE LINDA ONLINE IS OPEN FOR BUSINESS!

I'm so excited to announce that I have just opened my first online store at www.cafepress.com/CasaDeLinda! So far I have selected 10 of my Wildflower paintings to feature on mugs, throw pillows and tote bags. More images and more products will be added in the weeks and months to come. But do visit now and see if you find something that you just can't live without! My supplier offers a 100% Money Back Guarantee On All Products. Shop from home with the comfort of knowing that your order is backed by a 100% Money Back Guarantee. This 30-Day Guarantee gives you plenty of time to check items for color, high-quality, and size for yourself, family and friends. If for any reason you need to return or exchange an item, just contact the Cafe Press Customer Service department and you're done! Please have a look...and don't forget about me when you are ready to start your Christmas shopping. Looking for something truly unique, truly Texan? Just visit the Casa de Linda online store! Of course if you are interested in my original paintings, please visit my website and online gallery.

AS SEEN IN TEXAS MONTHLY...

Yes, I started advertising in Texas Monthly so if you have access to the September issue, check out my ad on page 290. I choose the September issue because it's a tribute to Lady Bird Johnson. The former First Lady and Texas native was one of the co-founders of the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center (along with actress Helen Hayes) and did much for the beautification of our nation's highways and byways. I am so personally touched by all she did that I've decided to support the Wildflower Center and give a portion of sales of original work toward wildflower research and preservation. For more information about the Wildflower Center visit www.wildflower.org.

End of the month, again

August has been a great month in many ways. I know I haven't posted very much, but that doesn't mean that I haven't been busy! In addition to updating my website, I've been working on marketing -- both myself and my clients. I'm going back in the studio over the next few days to work on some new paintings before I get back to teaching (not school, but small classes from my studio). Please do check back over the next few weeks as I'll have some great news to share. Best wishes for the Labor Day weekend!

UPDATED HOMEPAGE FOR LINDACALVERTJACOBSON.COM

If you didn't come through my website to find my blog, I invite you to click over to my homepage and check it out. You can get there by clicking here or typing in www.casadelinda.com or www.lindacalvertjacobson.com. I've added several features, including a NEW online gallery featuring more than 25 of my wildflower paintings, complete with descriptions and prices. I also added a "How to Buy" my art page. You'll notice something else at the bottom of each page: my commitment to wildflower and native plant research through contributions I'll be making to the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in Austin.

NEWSROOM, GALLERY, COFFEE SHOP EXHIBIT

MY "NEWSROOM" BLOG

I've created a new blog, Linda's Newsroom. I'll be posting news releases for the media and for anyone interested in art and my life as an artist. Please visit and return periodically!

GALLERY ON THE SQUARE IN WIMBERLEY

Several new paintings from my Wildflower series are on display at this wonderful little gallery in the heart of Wimberley, a quaint little Hill Country hamlet west of Austin, Texas. Visit Gallery on the Square online or in person.

WORKS ON EXHIBIT AT 2 RIVERS COFFEE IN NEW BRAUNFELS

We have a new coffee shop in New Braunfels — and new venue for artists to exhibit: 2 Rivers Coffee. Proud to be one of their first! If you are local, be sure to visit sometime—and tell them Linda-The-Wildflower-Artist sent you!

ART AT SAN ANTONIO AIRPORT, GALLERIES

WORKS ON DISPLAY...
Happy to announce that my wildflower painting, SPRING GREEN, (above) is part of a new exhibit titled "Green" at the San Antonio International Airport. This is a 2-foot-by-4-foot canvas, galley wrapped. The exhibit is coordinated by the Regional Artists Consortium, based in San Antonio. Three of my paintings are also included in the groups gallery located at the corner of Broadway and Sunset in the Alamo Heights section of San Antonio. The gallery is open Thursday-Saturday.

One of my recent landscapes, RAPTURE, (top) is included in this month's Contemporary Art Exhibit at the New Braunfels Art League Gallery. This is another 2-by-4 foot canvas and is from my Wildflowers Meadows Series.

Contact me for more information on either of these. To view more of my works, please visit my online gallery or my website, www.CasaDeLinda.com. Thanks!

NEW YORK MEMORIES

Here are a couple of photos from the Licensing International 2007 Expo.

Back from New York City!

GOOD TO BE HOME!
We made it back to Texas in the wee hours of the morning on Friday. What a wonderful trip, our second year to participate in the Licensing International Expo. I'll have a few photos to post later. Made some great contacts and learned a lot from walking the show for 3 days and taking a workshop on art licensing. There's always more to learn!

GALLERY RECEPTION
We were able to make it to the reception at the RAC gallery. That's short for Regional Artists Consortium. The gallery is located in the Alamo Heights area in San Antonio (in The Collection on the corner of Broadway and Sunset). Great turnout!

ANOTHER FEATURE IN SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS
My byline was in today's Express News on an article about murals and mural artists. It's posted online here. Check it out!

Auction, Art Camps, New York City...

THE PBS AUCTION
My painting sold Tuesday night (see previous posting). However, they don't tell us who the lucky bidders are...so if YOU are reading this and you bid on and won my painting, I'd love to make contact with you. I like to know where my work is hanging and keep track of it. Please contact me at linda@casadelinda.com.

SUMMER ART CAMPS
My summer is filling up with kids taking art camps and painting classes at my studio in downtown New Braunfels (Texas). But there are still several spaces available. You can read all about them and download the registration form at www.casadelinda.com/classes.

NEW YORK CITY
I'll be in NYC June 19-23 for the International Licensing Expo. This is my second year to attend, looking to make contact with companies interested in licensing my contemporary wildflowers. I'll post my report after I return.

KLRN Blazing Gavels Auction

Just a reminder...this is the painting I donated to KLRN, the San Antonio PBS station, for Blazing Gavels, their big annual fundraiser. It will be featured on Tuesday night (June 12) with bidding ending at 10:45 p.m. You can bid online and/or get more information at the Blazing Gavels website. The painting is one of my personal favorites, ANOTHER SUN-KISSED MEADOW.

NEW WORKS DEBUT AT NEW BRAUNFELS ART GALLERY "HUMANITY" SHOW

A new show opens at the New Braunfels Art League on Friday, June 1, and I'm happy to announce that I'll have two new, very NEW works on exhibit! These are merging of my wildflower series, using photos of the original acrylic paintings, with digital painting. The lady looking to her right is titled WILDFLOWERS DANCE IN MY DREAMS. I've used portions of my wildflower painting WILDFLOWERS DANCE WHEN NIGHT FALLS. The other digital painting is titled MEMORIES OF A TWILIGHT DANCE and uses details from my original acrylic, TWILIGHT DANCE. These are the first in a series I'm planning to introduce as a body of work this fall. They will be available by "on demand" printing in various sizes, either as photographs or printed on canvas, watercolor paper or even silk.

If you'd like to see them in person, drop by the New Braunfels Art League Gallery. I'll be there all day tomorrow (Friday, June 1) and on hand for the opening reception (FIRST FRIDAY HOT ART AFTER HOURS) from 5-8 p.m. For more info, see previous post below.

Casa de Linda Art Studio open late this Friday

FIRST FRIDAY HOT ART AFTER HOURS IN NEW BRAUNFELS...
The New Braunfels Art League will be hosting "Hot Art After Hours" from 5-8 p.m. the first Friday of the month during June, July and August. Since my studio is above the gallery, it's a great time for it to be open as well. So grab some friends and head to New Braunfels on Friday, June 1, for an evening of art in historic downtown New Braunfels Texas. This will be a great time to see some of the work in my new WILDFLOWER MEADOW series. Meanwhile in the gallery below, you an view my largest work to date, WILDFLOWER TAPESTRY (4-ft X 5 ft.), and a new show is open side gallery titled "Humanity."

DINING IN NEW BRAUNFELS...
When you come, whether it be Friday night or some other time, we have several great places to eat out. Most popular and well known is Huisache Grill, just half a block from my studio and one of my personal favorites! If you are interested in authentic German (afterall, New Braunfels was settled by the Germans), then you must try out Friesenhaus Restaurant and Bakery, located right behind the gallery. They have daily lunch specials, an in-house bakery and both beer and root beer on tap. Another great choice is Gruene Onion Grill. While their website isn't much more than a big business card (you can click on the address and get the map), the food is superb, as is the setting. As you can guess by the name, it's located near Gruene, which is only a few miles from downtown New Braunfels.
That gives you a few options!

MY LIFE AS A FREELANCE WRITER...
As you may know, I also writer. My latest story, a Spaces home feature, for the San Antonio Express-News ran today in the SA Life Section. You can read it online at www.mysa.com in the Home and Garden section (this link should take you right to it).

KLRN Blazing Gavels Auction

PBS AUCTION
I took a bold step this year and donated a painting, ANOTHER SUN-KISSED MEADOW, to the San Antonio PBS station (KLRN, channel 9) for the upcoming Blazing Gavels auction. The auction is not until June (June 7-16) but my painting was featured during a 30-minute preview last night! It will be featured 3 nights during the auction. If I find out what nights, I'll post the info here. They are also supposed to include it on the Blazing Gavels website and you'll be able to bid on it online. So even if you aren't in the area, you can bid! If I sold this painting today, I would price it at $1600. However, my work is continuing to appreciate...so who knows the value next year! If you are finding me for the first time, please visit my online gallery and Casa de Linda website to see more of my contemporary wildflowers. My studio/gallery in downtown New Braunfels is open by appointment.

LICENSING 2007 INTERNATIONAL EXPO
Getting close to counting down the days until I'm in New York City at the Licensing International Exp. I'll be in the Simply Licensed booth for the 3 day show, June 19-21. This is my second trip (click here if you are interested in reading about last year's trip) to this show seeking opportunities for licensing my wildflowers.

ART CAMPS AND CLASSES
When people ask what I "do" and start going down the list, there's always "that look". Yes, I'm a busy woman! And on that list of things I do is teaching art classes and summer art camps from my studio in New Braunfels. So, if you are interested--for yourself or if you have a child in your life age 5 or older--check out my offerings for this summer. You can download a brochure from here or e-mail me at camps@casadelinda.com

May shows and projects

What a busy month is has been...and will be since it's only the 10th.

MY LIFE AS AN ARTIST:

I'm gearing up for the International Licensing Show in June. Held in New York City, this is a major event in the world of licensing. I'll be one of the artists featured in the Simply Licensed booth, # 4266 AND I'll be there in person to meet and greet and promote my WILDFLOWERS.

Meanwhile, I continue sell my original work from my studio/gallery in downtown New Braunfels, Texas, and through the New Braunfels Art League Gallery, the San Antonio International Airport, Gallery on the Square in Wimberely and the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in Austin.

This weekend, I'll be exhibiting Medina Valley Art Society Spring Fine Art Show, which will be held in Castroville, Texas. Castroville is a wonderful, historic town located west of San Antonio. This will be my first year at this show.

MY LIFE AS AN ART INSTRUCTOR:

My spring classes wrap up this coming week, then I take a break until June when I have a FULL slate of summer art camps and classes for ages 5 through adult. Brochures can be downloaded from www.casadelinda.com/classes.

MY LIFE AS A FREELANCE WRITER AND JOURNALIST:

I'm spending today and tomorrow in Austin helping judge newspaper entries for the Texas Press Association. Each year TPA trades entries with another state. This year we are judging Arkansas. I've been writing frequently for the San Antonio Express-News this spring with my latest article on backyard birding running two Saturdays ago. I'll have more bylines this month and next. I also continue to work on independent marketing and PR projects for various clients. Did I mention that I stay busy??

Weekend Report

Had a great turnout for my 3rd Anniversary Open House! Saturday was especially busy as many first-time visitors came up to my studio. Also saw lots of familiar faces over the weekend! Several paintings now have new homes, including one of the newest from the Wildflower Meadows series, and I sold the last of my hand-painted birdhouses. Thanks to everyone for the support!

New Blog for Artists

I've created a new blog where I'll post links for artists. If you are interested, click in and visit! Go to http://linksforartists.blogspot.com/

Writing, Painting, Teaching

As usual, it's been a very busy week.
NEW PAINTINGS...
I worked in the studio a lot this week preparing my latest creations for the upcoming Casa de Linda Art Studio and Gallery 3rd Anniversary Open House and Sale-a-bration. (How's that for a long, descriptive title?!?) I'm excited to show off not only my contemporary wildflowers series that I've been building upon for the last 3-plus years or so, but to also premier my latest works -- interpretive, loose, bold-n-bright landscapes, which I'm calling the "wildflower meadows" series. I've posted "South Texas Tapestry" here and will be posting more photos on my wildflower gallery blog this next week.

SAVE THE DATE...
Speaking of my upcoming open house, if you are in the area or plan to be, please mark your calendar: Saturday, April 28, 10-5 and Sunday, April 29, 12-5. Come see my fabulous studio/gallery above the New Braunfels Art League Gallery. If you come on Saturday, plan some extra time to enjoy Wein and Saengerfest in downtown New Braunfels.

SUMMER ART CAMPS AND CLASSES...
You can download a brochure for my summer art camps, ages 5 and up, and painting classes for ages 10-adult by go to www.casadelinda.com/classes.

FREELANCE WRITING...
Besides being an artist, I'm also a freelance writer. My latest article, about a 1947 home in the Monticello Park area of San Antonio, ran today in the San Antonio Express-News. You can read it online by clicking here.

As always, thanks for visiting!

New works posted today on "Gallery" blog

After a trip to Floresville in late March I was inspired to start a new series of paintings. I'm calling these "Wildflower Meadows" and once you see them, you'll know why. I've posted 3 of them on gallery blog and I invite you to check them out! I'll have them on exhibit for the first time during my 3rd Anniversary Open House on April 28-29. If you are in the area, please mark your calendar and join me!

In other news...

SUMMER ART CAMPS AND PAINTING CLASSES: I've created a special web page for my summer camps schedule. Go to www.casadelinda.com/classes if you are interested.

PROFILE IN HILL COUNTRY SUN MAGAZINE: The April issue of the Hill Country Sun includes a feature on yours truly! Pick it up at touristy locales through out the Texas Hill Country!

If this is your first visit, please click on my website: www.casadelinda.com.

San Antonio Airport

The Regional Artist Consortium folks have updated their website to include the works in the current exhibit, titled "Fiesta." Two of my paintings are included: NATURE'S CONFETTI and SUNSET CELEBRATION. Go the this link to view those and the other works in the exhibit.

Paintings at San Antonio Airport, Austin's Wildflower Center

This has been a busy week with some great news!

ART AT THE SAN ANTONIO AIRPORT...
Two of my wildflower paintings, ANOTHER SUNSET CELEBRATION (shown with this posting) and NATURE'S CONFETTI (click here to view it), are going up at in the terminal at the San Antonio International Airport. The art exhibit, which changes every 4 months, is coordinated by the Regional Artists Consortium. This quarter's theme is "Fiesta." San Antonio celebrates its Fiesta on April 20-29 this year. It's a city-wide, 10-day party! I'm excited that thousands of people will be seeing my art over the next 3 months!

ART AT THE WILDFLOWER CENTER...
Several of my smaller wildflowers are now on exhibit and for sale at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in Austin. They are in the gift shop, Wild Ideas.

Texas Wildflowers are blooming...for real!

You know how much I love wildflowers. While I'm proud of my interpretation, nothing beats Mother Nature this time of year. One of the best displays of color I've seen in the area is on the stretch of State Highway 97 between Floresville and Stockdale. Superb! If you are in the area and can find the time, grab your camera and take the drive. You'll be glad you did!

Canyon Lake Art Guild Show

ART IN THE HEART OF TEXAS
My artist friends at the Canyon Lake (Texas) Art Guild will have their annual show during April at the New Braunfels Art League Gallery. I'll have some work in the show as well! If you are in New Braunfels during April, be sure to stop in to see "ART IN THE HEART OF TEXAS." Plus, you are invited to come for the opening reception on Sunday, April 1, from 2-4 p.m., at which time awards are presented. Then the gallery, as well as many of the businesses in Historic Downtown New Braunfels, will be open late on Thursday, April 12, from 5-8 p.m. for late night shopping.

CASA DE LINDA ANNIVERSARY
I'll be posting more information during April, but you may want to save the date on your calendar for April 28-29. I'll have my 3rd Annual Anniversary Open House and Sale-A-Bration at my studio/gallery, located on the 2nd floor at the New Braunfels Art League Gallery.

Congratulating my artists friends; my Garden Clubs article

Joseph Hammer's Mixed Media Collage...
David and I went to an opening reception last night at Blue Goat Gourmet in San Marcos (Texas) for our friend Joseph Hammer. Joe is a mixed media/collage artist, using old book covers to create interesting works of art. The exhibit continues through June 21. Blue Goat Gourmet is a charming breakfast/lunch/dessert cafe located at 310 Mary Street (ph. 392-GOAT for hours and directions--be sure to mention that you read about them here :-). Joe also shows at Davis Gallery in Austin and 1550 Gallery in Kerrville.

Susan Carlin's Pastels...
Our good friend Susan Carlin won honors at the Austin Pastel Show recently. Read about it and see the winning "Caldo" at her blog.

Another San Antonio Express-News article...
Also wanted to let you know that I have another byline in the San Antonio Express-News today (Saturday, March 24). This time I've written about garden clubs and the local Master Gardeners programs. You can read it online at www.mysa.com, go to SA Life, then Home and Garden. This link should take you right to it for the next few days after this posting. Enjoy!

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Show

Had a great weekend at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. Saturday was especially busy with people there to look and buy. Sunday's traffic was lighter with more lookers. A total of 8 of my wildflower paintings found new homes. Also sold 52 notecards featuring my paintings! Had several friends come out to visit and that was wonderful! Thanks to all for a successful weekend!

Listed with Simply Licensed

I'm happy to report that my work is now featured on the website, Simply Licensed. This is a portal showcasing artists for manufacturers who are looking for work to license. You'll find me listed as one of the artists under my full professional name, Linda Calvert Jacobson.

Wildflowers at New Braunfels Starbucks, Artisans Festival at Wildflower Center

If you are in the New Braunfels area and haven't seen my wildflowers hanging at Starbucks, this is your last chance! I'll be de-hanging on Friday. Which is perfect timing since I'll be taking some of the paintings with me to the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center for the Artisans Festival this weekend, March 17-18. Come see me! And don't forget, I'm hanging at Gallery on the Square in Wimberley and I'm one of the artists featured in the Art in Bloom show at the New Braunfels Art League Gallery.

IN OTHER NEWS...

My life as a freelance writer: Had another article run in the San Antonio Express-News this past Saturday. You can read it online at:
http://www.mysanantonio.com/salife/gardening/
Click on "Pride of Lions"

My husband has finally joined the world of blogging. He'll be posting thoughts and information about gardening in the Texas Hill Country. Visit his blog at:

http://happygrowingwithdavid.blogspot.com/

Listed with Internet ArtResources

Internet ArtResources The collector’s guide to the visual arts!

I just got word that my listing for Casa de Linda has been approved with Internet ArtResources. Click on the link above to check them out (I'm listed under galleries as Casa de Linda Art Studio and Gallery). I continue to look for ways to use the Internet to promote my art.

ART IN BLOOM at New Braunfels Art League Gallery

Ah...the Redbud trees are starting to pop and I saw some yellow Lady Banks roses blooming in New Braunfels today. Spring is just around the corner! We are in for some freezing weather this weekend but the end of winter is near. In the meantime, enjoy Spring through art:

WILDFLOWERS ON EXHIBIT...
"Art in Bloom" is the theme for the March special show at the New Braunfels Art League Gallery and three of my wildflower paintings are in the exhibit. SPRING SPLENDOR, DANCING WITH BLUEBONNETS, and, my most recent painting, TEXAS WILDFLOWER BOUQUET. I was also invited, along with about 4 other artists, to display one of my large contemporary wildflowers in the window at Color Express, located down the street, to promote the special show. I choose WILDFLOWER TAPESTRY, my huge 5-foot-by-4-foot floral (shown above). It looks fabulous from the street!

ART IN BLOOM RECEPTION...
The reception for "Art in Bloom" is 5-8 p.m. on Thursday, March 8. Downtown New Braunfels will be open late and will be hosting a sidewalk sale. Since I teach that evening, I'll be upstairs in my studio. If you are in the area, drop by to see the show, have a glass of wine and come up to say hi!

VISIT MY WEBSITE...
If this is your first visit, please be sure to check out my Casa de Linda homepage and my online gallery!

Updating the blog

MY LIFE AS A FREELANCE WRITER...
You know when I don't post anything for a while that I must be busy with other "stuff" and/or there's just not much news. Well, I have continued to write for the San Antonio Express-News. My latest story is in today's issue (Saturday, Feb. 24), in the SA Life section. It's an article on easy-to-grow houseplants. And it's posted online as well (click here). I will warn you that the direct link may change day to day so that might be a broken link by the time you read this. You should be able to access it from www.mysa.com, go to SA Life, then go to Home and Garden.

MY LIFE AS AN ARTIST...
I was invited to participate in a small fine arts show at Fair Oaks Ranch last weekend. That's a community located north of San Antonio, near Boerne. One of my favorite palette-knife florals went home with lady on Sunday. I hope that it brings her much joy and happiness.

My work is currently hanging at the Starbucks in New Braunfels and Gallery on the Square in Wimberley (to see my work on display there, click here.)

Now I'm preparing for the next show at the New Braunfels Art League Gallery: Art in Bloom. Goes up March 2. More on that later.

As always, thanks for visiting! Don't forget to visit my website and my online gallery blog if you haven't already.

San Antonio Express-News feature on Sara Eyestone

I continue to freelance write for the San Antonio Express-News. My latest article ran today in the SA Life section. It's a feature on the condo home of a fellow artist, Sara Eyestone. She lives in little love nest right on the RiverWalk. Just perfect for Valentine's! You can read the article online here or by going to www.mysa.com, then click on SA Life, then Home and Garden, then the headline: "Spaces: Red Hot Romance." Don't miss the slide show of her home.

New works at New Braunfels' Starbucks

Seven of my Wildflower paintings on exhibit at the Starbucks in New Braunfels through mid-March. The selection includes: AN ETERNAL LOVE, 24X18X1.5, $1000; NATURE'S CONFETTI, 40X30X1.5, $1900; FIELD OF DREAMS, 40X30X1.5, $1900; BLUEBONNET RHAPSODY, 30X24X1.5, $1400; and PAINTBRUSH TRIO AND COMPANY, 14X14X.75, $225. Also, LOOKING INTO SPRING, my 18X24 multi-layered work priced at $1400, is being shown for the first time outside of my studio or the New Braunfels Art League Gallery. And rounding out the show is WILDFLOWER GARDEN NO. 14, one of my palette knife florals, priced at $150.

In Other News:

Art Receptions...
If you are in the area and have the time, drop by the New Braunfels Art League Thursday evening for not one, but two receptions! First, from 4-6, is a cookies-and-punch reception for the childrens' art show up this month. I'm chairing the annual Kids Have a Heart for Art exhibit, which features over 325 works of art by Comal County 5th and 6th grade students. Then from 6-8 p.m. is the Downtown New Braunfels Second Thursday Late Shopping event. Start with cookies and stay for the wine! It's all free and open to the public!

Art classes...
I still have a few seats open in my Saturday morning, Tuesday after school and Thursday after-school painting classes. And one or two slots for the adults only classes on Tuesday afternoon and Thursday nights. E-mail me at linda@casadelinda.com if you are interested.

Upcoming Fine Arts Shows...
I've been invited to the Fair Oaks Ranch Fine Arts Show on Feb. 17-18. I'll be one of the artists setting up in the Country Club there.
Don't forget to mark March 17-18 on your calendar and come see me at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in Austin for the annual Artisans Festival.

Looking forward to summer...
My Summer Art Camps were a resounding success for the last 3 summers. I've got my schedule ready for the 2007 Summer season. Camps are for ages 5-8, 8-12, and 13-adult. E-mail me if you would like a brochure!

Visting for the first time? Check out my website, www.casadelinda.com and my online gallery!

Gallery on the Square in Wimberley

I am again displaying my wildflowers in Gallery on the Square, a wonderful contemporary fine art gallery located in the heart of Wimberley, which is located in the Texas Hill Country west of San Marcos and Austin (click here to learn more about this little getaway or here for a map).

Currently on display are:
BLUEBONNETS & COMPANY, 24X30, $1400;
SUNSET CELEBRATION, 40X30, $1900;
and, just in time for Valentine's,
HEARTFELT PASSION, 30X24, $1400.

All are on gallery-wrap canvas. If you are ever in Wimberley, please stop by this gallery and be sure to ask about my work. Of course, you can view a large selection of my wildflowers posted at my online gallery. As always, my Casa de Linda Gallery and Studio in historic downtown New Braunfels is open by appointment. Just e-mail at linda@casadelinda.com if you are interested in seeing a larger selection of my work in person.

New Wildflower paintings posted online

Happy Monday! I have uploaded photos of my latest-and-greatest contemporary wildflower paintings to my online gallery blog. They are: WILDFLOWER TAPESTRY, 49X60X2.5; SOAKING UP THE SUN, 18X24X1.5; FOREVER WILD, 18X24X1.5; AN ETERNAL LOVE, 18X24X1.5 AND HEARTFELT PASSION, 30X24X1.5. Click HERE to view them...and please enjoy!

Texas Hill Country Weather

We had a rare appearance of snow mixed with lots of ice this past week. Kept me out of the studio for a week and had to cancel art classes. Looks like we are back on track now. I keep telling folks, "That's why I don't live up north!" Seriously, it was pretty to look at.

I have continued to do some freelance writing for the San Antonio Express-News. My latest article, about a home in New Braunfels, was published today in the SA Life section. You can read it online at mysa.com. The owners, Paul and Nancy Bower, happen to be fellow artists and fellow members of the New Braunfels Art League. The story should be up for about a week.

My writing is something I do "on the side," but my art is my true love. If this is your first time here, please be sure to visit my website, where you can read all about my work as an artist.

This-N-That

San Antonio Express-News...
I'll have two articles in Saturday's San Antonio Express-News. One is on overwintering plants and the other is a story on a lovely home in San Antonio for the Spaces feature. They are posted online in case you want to read them. When you get there, click on the "Give them shelter" headline for the article on overwintering. Click on "Spaces: Bungalow setting..." headline for a link to that article.

NBAL Artist of the Year...
Panoramic photographer Bill Brockmeier was named New Braunfels Art League 2006 Artist of the Year at a reception Thursday night. If you can't make it to the gallery this month, you can see Bill's work on his website. Bill is a friend of mine and I've proud of him!

New Wildflowers...
I got to spend some time in the studio this week and have completed two new wildflower paintings. They are each 18 X 24. As soon as they are dry enough, I'll take photos to post on my gallery blog.

New works posted on "Gallery" blog

I've just posted AN ETERNAL LOVE and LOOKING INTO SPRING on my gallery blog. Check them out! And don't forget my website, Casa de Linda Art Gallery and Studio! Thanks for visiting.

Exhibit-Highlights of 2006

This is a photo of the four paintings I have in the New Braunfels Art League "Highlights of 2006" show. The exhibit showcases the league's artists of the month from last year. A reception for the artists will be held from 5-8 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 11 at the gallery, located at 239 W. San Antonio St. in downtown New Braunfels. The show runs through Jan. 30. I'll also have my studio, which is located upstairs, open to the public that evening. The works on exhibit can be seen at my Wildflower Gallery Blog. If you are in the area, please join us!

A New Year

My first post of 2007!

A few odds and ends:
PAINTING...
• I'll be posting a few photos of new wildflower paintings soon. Just finished my largest canvas yet, 4-foot-by-5-foot!
• Getting ready for the New Braunfels Art League Artist of the Month reception on Jan. 11.
TEACHING PAINTING...
• Painting classes start on Jan. 16.
FREELANCE WRITING...
• Will have a couple of articles in the San Antonio Express-News on Jan. 20. I'll post the links when they are available online (see previous post about my poinsettia story)
CASA DE LINDA ART GALLERY ONLINE...
• Don't forget to visit my website: Casa de Linda

Happy New Year to You!