Leanne Laine Fine Art

Featuring “Seasoned Earth” in celebration of our 40th year of Earth Day!   My family and I try to live green but I admit it’s never perfect.  We try to stay on top of typical things like  recycle as much of our trash as possible… sell or giveaway reusable items like books, toys, clothing, containers… substitute ‘disposables’ for ‘reusables’ like linens instead of paper napkins, canvas shopping bags instead of plastic, old rags for cleaning instead of paper towels… conserve our hot water and energy wherever possible.. we also do drive only one vehicle and use cloth on our little 5 month old’s tush.  Yet there is SOO much more we can do and like I said, it’s not easy being green.  Here’s one that I admit we are terrible with…. our coffee house latte consumption.  We love coffee.  After all, working from home with two little ones under 3yrs old is only asking for caffeine.  It’s the first thing we say to eachother when the baby cries awake in the morning.  It’s not “good morning, sweetheart”… it’s “did you remember to set the coffee machine last night?”  We brew our own at home but we really enjoy the leisure of visiting our local coffee houses for my simple favourite – low fat no whip mocha latte.   This of course means, more paper coffee cups.   Did you know that North Americans consume 58 billion coffee cups per year, most of which end up in landfills?  Not millions.. billions!  So my commitment for Earth Day and going forward is to try very hard to remember to bring my own travel coffee mug!  I have so many beautiful mugs sitting in my cupboard, it’s ridiculous.  So what did you do in honor of our beautiful planet? 

Before I had my babies, besides painting I would also get on my karaoke microphone in my living room (yes, you heard me — karaoke!  I’m Filipino, what do you expect?  LOL!  anyway…) and not just sing, but BELT my heart out with the volume turned way up and noone in the house but me!  Well I had a very busy day today and right about now, I would REALLY love to do this… except my babies are finally sleeping after a day of poor napping.  Oh well.  Maybe I should sound-proof my art studio and make it my art/sound studio. .. hmmmm…

It’s been a week since I’ve posted. I really want to try to post regularly. Being a full-time work-at-home parent of two little kidlings under 3 truly has its rewards, but it sure comes with the case of the crazies around here… and the little one isn’t even mobile yet. Just when I thought my 3.5 month… old has become a champion sleeper thru the night for a week before I had planned to finally get in front of the canvas to paint “for me”, he’s decided to spurt, teethe and have me paint rash cream on his bum instead. Needless to say, I’m back to night-waking again; how is it that I have quickly forgotten that these blissful stages don’t last? Oh right, it’s because I’m just tired. 

HELLO, INSOMNIA 

I have many clients and customers whom I connect with from Florida regularly, including the Orlando area, and I am happy to share that my art was noticed by the Orlando Magic Youth Foundation.   The Orlando Magic Youth Foundation (OMYF) focuses on helping children in Central Florida realize their full potential, especially those most at risk, by supporting programs and partnerships that empower families and change lives.  Since inception, nearly $15 million has been granted to local nonprofit organizations.  

The 2010 Orlando Magic Black Tie and Tennies Charity Gala will be held on March 20, 2010, at the JW Marriott-Orlando Grande Lakes.  Last year’s Gala sold out and netted more than $325,000.  The  McCormick Foundation matches net proceeds at 50 cents on the dollar, increasing the impact of the event proceeds. 

I will be specially dedicating limited editions for their auction in hopes to help raise funds, and to be a part of this wonderful event that helps Central Florida’s youth realize their dreams.   If you’re in the Orlando area, please do consider going to this very popular event.  You will not only get to meet the Orlando Magic celebrities but also help transform a family’s life.   Click photo for more info.

 (Scroll down to the ♥ hearts ♥ for the ‘SMITTEN FOR MITTENS’ and FREE $250 value LIMITED EDITIONS Giveaway.  But please read all info below carefully in order to be eligible to win!…. or, feel free to read my silly little tale leading up to it here…)  !!!!! CONTEST OVER!!!!

As I drink my coffee, which is drowning the taste of a bland but nutritious bowl of Cheerios, I must tell of my Friday evening. Last night around 8pm, my children were nestled all snug in their beds, while visions of Olympic mascots and cotton candy danced in their heads, (well, perhaps more for my 2yo daughter, my 12 week old son most likely was dreaming about breast milk, Olympic breast milk or not), I was drinking one of my favorite BC locals, Quail’s Gate Merlot, and sketching out my next painting (which btw, will be unveiled next week on Facebook) while a recorded episode of Oprah was playing.  I recorded it yesterday afternoon because, living here in BC, Canada, I heard that she would be talking with Matt Lauer live from Whistler BC for an Olympic wrap, and also have gold medal winning snowboarder Shaun White as a guest (that’s some crazy hair!).  But something unexpectedly happened that changed my life forever.  Oprah took my $10 red Olympic mittens, which currently sit on my dining room table, and within seconds, turned them into Olympic gold!  With wine touching my lips, it sat there, the wine wondering “Are you going to drink me or not” as I watched Oprah and Matt Lauer discussing the very $10 red Olympic mittens that sat carelessly on my coffee table. And then, like David Copperfield, raised her hands as if they just came out of her invisible bag of tricks, and on those hands she wore those scarlet red mittens!  Matt Lauer was even impressed with Oprah’s ability to get what is being labelled as the hottest item of Olympic wear, selling out across the country!

Poor Matt Lauer, who had scrounged up a pair to give to Oprah, looked like a poor little boy who scraped up enough money to buy his friend a gift, only for his friend to say, “Oh ya, I have that already.” And then, like she always does with cars, planes, buildings, and things that probably haven’t even been invented yet, she brought out for her entire studio audience pairs and pairs of these red Olympic mittens!  The crowd roared with approval, while the wine on my lips evaporated into mid air.  First thought…”Where are MY red mittens?!”

I ran to the coffee table, carefully picking these up, these beautiful, wooly warm pieces of softness, carrying them ever so gently so not to damage them in any way.  I slipped them on and you know what?  Suddenly these $10 mittens felt like million dollar mittens, and I wore them with a sense of pride.  Oprah had these mittens, the world wants these mittens, I must protect my mittens.  My husband came in, passing me my glass of wine, almost spilling it in the process, to which I snapped “Are you crazy?! Keep that wine away from my mittens!”  Then he offered to take my mittens to which I, with a glazed look on my face said, “Seriously?!  My glorious red Olympic mittens?!”  He carefully backed away, moving slowly, no sudden movements, and disappeared around the corner.

My mittens, the ones I carelessly had sitting around in the truck, the ones I drank coffee in that very morning, the ones eventually that were forgotten on dusty coffee table, are no safe, and guarded, and thanks to Oprah and the world, will never leave my site again.  I am happy that Oprah showed me the error in my ways, and that now even I, Oprah and the world are all one, we are all smitten for these hot Olympic mittens.  So I thought I’d try something out.  

 ♥  ♥  ♥  ♥  ♥  ♥  ♥  ♥  ♥  ♥  ♥  ♥  ♥  ♥  ♥  ♥  ♥  ♥  ♥  ♥  ♥  ♥  ♥  ♥  ♥  ♥  ♥  ♥  ♥  ♥  ♥  ♥  ♥  ♥  ♥  ♥  ♥  ♥

I AM GIVING AWAY FREE PAIRS OF THESE HOT OLYMPIC RED MITTENS – You get a pair!  You get a pair!  Well, I’m just an artist so I’m afraid I can’t really afford to give away 300 pairs… BUT, I am giving away 16 pairs to 16 of my lucky Facebook Fans/newsletter subscribers.  Two winners will be drawn nightly over the course of the Winter Games (until Feb. 28th) and the winners’ names will be posted on my Facebook Fan Page by 7pm PST every night – starting Sunday, February 21st!   To be eligible, all you have to do is:

1) be a Facebook Fan

2) be a confirmed subscriber to my newsletter 

PLUS A BONUS GIVEAWAY!  Just bought a home?  Still need to decorate your walls?  Receive FREE Limited Edition Fine Art Canvas Giclee(s) of my works accompanied with signed Certificate of Authenticities, up to a total maximum of $250 — YOUR choice of art!   THERE WILL ONLY BE TWO WINNERS.  To be eligible, all you have to do is:

1) be a Facebook Fan

2) be a confirmed subscriber to my newsletter

3) have one of the top two highest number of Facebook friends who become fans of my page, the LEANNE LAINE FINE ART Facebook Fan Page by Sunday, February 28th.  How we’ll verify?  Suggest my page to all your friends by clicking on the “Suggest to Friends” link under my profile pic and email me at info@leannelainefineart.com by 7pm PST on Sunday, February 28th (no later or disqualified) to let me know how many of your friends have become fans of my page.  From my own Facebooking experience, your newsfeed is suppose to tell you this number daily.  But with Facebook continually changing its policies, it may not - or, it’s hit and miss.  Just do your best to keep a close eye on your newsfeed daily to see who’s becoming a Fan to my page and tally it up by Sun. Feb. 28th (remember, this is for $250 value of fine art on canvas — YOUR choice — so it might be worth the effort!).  After 8pm PST that same evening, I will post the top two winners’ names on Facebook.  Obviously, it is in your favor to have a lot of Facebook friends!

4) make sure your Facebook friends list is viewable so that we can verify your numbers. 

 ♥  ♥  ♥  ♥  ♥  ♥  ♥  ♥  ♥  ♥  ♥  ♥  ♥  ♥  ♥  ♥  ♥  ♥  ♥  ♥  ♥  ♥  ♥  ♥  ♥  ♥  ♥  ♥  ♥  ♥  ♥  ♥  ♥  ♥  ♥  ♥  ♥  ♥

 Contest open to Canada & US residents only (unless you don’t mind paying for shipping fees if you’re an international winner).  PLEASE CLAIM IF YOU’RE NAME IS DRAWN WITHIN 48 HOURS OR ELSE PRIZES WILL BE OFFERED TO SOMEONE ELSE!  THANKS!

I’m holding this contest as an appreciation for the rapid support and comments shown about my art on Facebook.  At this point, I do not plan to hold such a contest offer again — so definately take advantage of this!  CHEERS!  Leanne:)

Ok, I admit it, I got sucked into the addiction, the temptation, the social network drug that is thy Facebook. I am an addict. My name is Leanne, and I have a Facebook problem.

I enjoy conversing with my family and friends,  past colleagues, schoolmates, and acquaintances, see status updates and post pics and all that social networking jazz. Oh sure there are downsides to everything, you take the good with the bad. I mean, you spend a good amount of time narrowing down pics you do not mind people seeing and then upload those to your page, then that hard work goes to bust when someone on your friends list tags you in a pic that you swear is the worst pic of you that anyone or anything could have dug up. Oh and sure, your friend could be standing right in front of you and say, “I went to bed at 9pm last night” and you might say, “ya same here I was tired”…end of conversation. But if one of your friends posts that as a status update, well, you would think this was huge news looking at the comments: “Early to bed, early to rise!”, “You night owl!”, “You sure that wasn’t 9am party animal woohoo!” and then someone else comes in with a comment that rivals that of a great novel. But thats Facebook, and that’s what is so insanely brilliant about it. We look for status updates, we look for pics, we want to know everything about each other….we just don’t want anyone to know we are on Facebook all day. “Oh ya, I just log on for 5 minutes to see if there’s anything new” – yeah right.

But wait, could there actually be a business component to Facebook? It took me awhile to adapt to becoming a Twittering blogging artist, but here is a social network I was actually well versed in. So this past month I dove into the warm waters of Facebook and began my Facebook page (I know, it is actually called a Facebook Fan page, but “fan” has always been a bit weird to say about myself or my art, so lets just simply call it my Facebook page for short.) It has been great, getting to converse with clients, friends, and even tweeters from my Twitterverse and extend a relationship that brings myself as an artist closer to people who are enjoying my art. I am thankful this opportunity exists, because when I began my venture seven years ago, this was much more difficult to do. So now, part of me feels like its ok to be a Facebook addict, its ok to be drawn into the world where the brush and canvas are housed away one afternoon and in its place are simply fingers and a laptop. I enjoy it, I enjoy the people who join my page each day, and in turn, I enjoy learning about their Facebook pages. Its great, its wonderful, its invigorating. My name is Leanne, and I have a Facebook problem, and I am happy about it. So now this Twittering, blogging, Facebooking artist must get back to the studio, but please do join me on Facebook and say hello, I will be very happy you did!

  Happy New Year!

First of all, per the request of many of you, I now FINALLY have my Facebook Fan Page up!   So please become a fan and tell one and all!

Wow, 2010….I remember like it was yesterday ringing in the year 2000 with my new boyfriend, during Christmas vacation from my 9-5 Human Resources job.  Fast forward 10 years and I am a work at home mom, with two children (one now just 7 weeks old!) and that boyfriend, well that boyfriend is now my husband of eight years.  It’s amazing how when you look back at a decade of your life you realize what you already know – time flies and a lot happens.  It’s just as the years go by one doesn’t tend to notice that the little things are not little things at all, they are just a group of smaller events that become a huge part of a who you are and what you do.  Wow, that sounds way to profound for my blog

Is it just me or does 2010 sounds way to futuristic?  It sounds like a time where cars fly, we vacation to beautiful underwater destinations (since we can all now breathe underwater) and we just have to think about what we want to eat or drink and instantaneously you have been fed and hydrated like royalty.  But alas, I still drive on the road paying crazy gas prices, we travel to locations on land, and the only underwater adventures I most likely will have this year are to the beach and the public pools. But one day, maybe not in my lifetime, one day, all of the above will come true I am sure, I just won’t be around to write about it in my blog (which no doubt blogs will be a thing of the past too.)

I Love the start of a brand new year, and as most do I have new personal goals, new business goals, plans and ideas to go along with new dreams and hopes that only a new year can bring.   I thank you for visiting my website, reading my blog and following my art and I will strive to continue to grow as a person, a business woman and an artist.  I wish you all the best in 2010, and that you all have a very healthy and happy one…Cheers!

I am one of those people that just goes crazy for Christmas. I love the sights, smells, food…oh I love the food. Sweets, sours, salties, whatever form they come in, and relaxing by a fire drinking my gingerbread lattes to wash down my “I shouldn’t have one, should I?” sugar cookies. Those are the guilty pleasures I fess up to, but of course the intangibles really tug at my heart strings. Family, friends, the laughter and joy of just getting together, not just for Christmas Day, but over the whole month of December as we move into a brand new year. A new year of promise and hope, a renewing of friendships past and present, and the mystery of those who have yet to cross my path, who may become an integral part of my personal or business life.

My favourite Christmas Carol, while there is many to choose from, happens to be Baby, It’s Cold Outside. Some renditions are better than others of that 1944 Holiday tune, but whether it be Will Ferrell singing it in a bathroom during the movie Elf, or Ella Fitzgerald tickling my ears with her beautiful voice, I am a sucker for that song. I love it. I love it so much that back in 2005 I found myself sitting in a coffee house on a snowy evening in mid December with my husband, sipping our drinks and enjoying a warm holiday moment, when it dawned on me. I am in my own version of that song. I was sitting there, it the warmth, having my guilty sugar fix, wiping my mouth of latte-goodness with the one I love. We  stayed an extra hour that night in there (left buying some over-priced holiday goodie baskets but that’s ok) and then the next day, inside my cozy studio, brush to canvas, my painting Baby, It’s Cold Outside was created. And it has been one of my own personal favourites from my collection ever since.

What is your favourite Christmas Carol? I hope it inspires you like my favourite did for me. 

Here are a few of my other Holiday art pieces for your Holiday fix! Winter Solstice, Holiday Cheer, Heavenly Peace, and Ice Aged

Happy Holidays everyone!