About Us
HELLO, it's me, Wendy, and my customers and clients made me do it! Add my picture, that is. Like many people, I don't like having my picture taken but some friends of mine snapped this two Christmases when I wasn't looking. Now you have a face to go with the name.
Welcome to a small snapshot of my home! This is a cozy corner of my living room where my kitties slumber between reading their favorite tomes such as Tale of Two Kitties, Old Possums Book of Practical Cats, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof and Of Mice and Cats.
They love that one! Aren't they the cutest little kitty kritters?
The beginnings..
Do you remember (well, some of you might!) the 'olden days when a now defunct craft company made slippery, red, rubber molds of Snow White and the Seven Dwarves? Then you mixed this goopy plaster stuff and carefully, slowly poured it into each little mold. Then you gently shook it to get the air bubbles out and then you sat back, crossed your fingers, and waited forever for the plaster to dry so you could see and touch Dopey, Sneezy and Doc? Finally, you prayed that when you oh so carefully rolled off that red rubber mold, that you wouldn't break the plaster!!! I remember it like it was yesterday! Those figurines were the ancient fumblings and beginnings of three businesses for me.
The middle...
In the seventies, I lived and worked in Southern California. I never had enough to explore in my spare time, so I took up art classes - drawing and (you guessed it) painting. After experimenting with many media, I settled on two: pen and ink and painting with acrylics. I dabbled awhile with hard-edged acrylic painting (graphic designs for the home). Most pieces were at the very least, three feet by four feet. Many were much larger. For a change of pace, I switched to pen and ink. I loved the old homes I saw in the Los Angeles basin and I decided to try my hand at sketches of Victorian homes and other uniquely built homes of the late eighteen hundreds and early nineteen hundreds in the greater Los Angeles area. I sold quite a few of them. Then I began to draw whimsical pen and ink pictures of children and animals and ultimately sold prints and note cards to friends, clients and to a few shops in Orange and Riverside Counties in California. YOU CAN SEE THESE SAME PRINTS IN THE ORIGINAL ART SECTION OF MY SITE. CLICK HERE!
When the eighties arrived, I moved to Phoenix to help my mom out with a few things. During the first few months, I was fortunate to become acquainted with a group of people who did craft fairs and street shows. I happily returned to my roots and began painting plaster and ceramics. I had just found my personal faith and I wanted to give back. Thus, I painted Nativities and Creches only. After two and a half years, I went back to teaching school and had little time to paint for a number of years - seventeen to be exact. I worked in eduction until 2000 and took some time off for reflection.
The present...
On September 11, 2001, my life was changed as was that of most Americans. I literally stood before my mirror, looked myself in the eye and queried, If not now, when? When are you going to do that which you love and have been yearning to do for years?
So, here I am, for better or for worse, with you, dear readers. I finally found the courage, or chutzpah as thay say, to do every day what I love to do most: paint. It is my hope and my prayer that I am able to pass along to you some of the delight, beauty, whimsy, color, design, and just plain fun that I experience whenever I put brush or pen to a new project.
I want to get to know you. Let's talk sometime. E-mail me at wendy@handpaintedbywendy.com. Or, if you find something you would like to order, please do.
Many thanks to my readers for their lovely comments about my puppy & kitties!
Some of you asked if I have more pics of my animals. As I was not blessed with children, my animals are my babies. Below are two more of my baby pictures.
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This is THE PUMPKIN, my Schitzu, who obviously believes she is queen of the world. At 15 years and counting, she has taken over my grandmother's Aubusson rug and I have to practically ask permission to sit on it with her! |
This is Pooh Kitty, whom I saved five minutes before he was to be euthanized. He is FIV Positive and that necessitates his staying in the house. Looking out the window is his passion! |
