Monday, April 23, 2012

"less is more"



"Neutrals provide a perfect canvas for the playful palette of this sunny Providence bungalow."

Because magazines tend to hit the newsstands early, the May issue of Cottages & Bungalows might seem like old news in mid-April, but it's still very exciting to me!

Here's a little story of why, and how it came to be ...



Through blogging I became acquainted with artist Margaret Owen, and as it turns out she lives in Rhode Island just like me. We met for lunch and I held a giveaway of one of her bea-u-tiful paintings (post). Soon after, I sent a batch of images to Romantic Homes to pitch a story about Margaret for their we love / artisan section. Not only did the idea get the green light, but upon seeing a snippet of Margaret's fresh and colorful home, I was asked to do a story for their sister publication Cottages & Bungalows.



In the April 2012 issue of Romantic Homes you will find my article The Practical Impressionist, my very first non-tutorial writing for the magazine. How especially wonderful to have the opportunity to help promote Margaret and her art.



In October, I met Margaret and enlisted friend Bronwyn (aka Casapinka) at Margaret's home, where we plotted a course over sandwiches and got busy the following week.



The three of us had SO MUCH FUN moving furniture, styling vignettes, buying fruit and flowers, and taking photographs. Industrious Margaret even created a new painting to display and built an orange box to hold a large floor plant!



Next it was time for me to write the article and wait patiently for it to publish!



You can find my article Less is More on pages 49-57 with resources listed on page 94. I found my copies at Target and Barnes & Noble.

The seemingly indefatigable Margaret just returned from hosting an art retreat in Morocco and is now offering a painting workshop in France in September! How cool is that? For information visit French Sketchbook.

MEANWHILE in BOOK NEWS ...
The project part of the book is complete and I am currently writing, writing, writing, editing and writing! And smiling. Hope you are smiling, too.

xo
elyse

20 comments:

permanent magenta said...

It was so much fun Elyse, all of it. Such a gift to meet you last summer and then to have you call me later and hoping I wasn't offened that you'd gone ahead and pitched a gazillion story ideas! Now family and friends all over the country can have a look at my art and my home. And new customers too. I can't thank you enough.
Having a reason to fix things up around the house and think about what I like and how to emphasize that was terrific for me. Lets meet at casapinka next:)
Oh, there's a post/article: "make a decor date with friends to shape up your chez".

Scrap for Joy said...

It looks and sounds like you had a lot of fun getting ready to produce this article. Good exercise for book writing I'd think. You are so gifted and your love for what you're involved with always shines through!
xoxo
Joyce

NanaDiana said...

Congratulations, Elyse! You do such a wonderful job. You are really and truly gifted, you know? This is just a great post! xo Diana

Theresa said...

Congrats to ALL of you! I don't subscribe to that one but I will sure pick it up!!! Big hugs

Heather's Blog-o-rama said...

HI Elyse,
Thanks for telling us about the magazine article and for mentioning Margarete. She's a lovely artist :) :)

Congrats on finishing more of your book . That's exciting ;) Love and hugs from the ocean shores of California, Heather ;) :) :)

Rebecca said...

Lovely - oh I wish we could get the magazine here in New Zealand, it looks great. Becks xxx

Lucille said...

Hi Elyse! Interesting post! I'm looking forward to getting a copy of your book.

myletterstoemily said...

you are easily the most inspiring
blogger for creativity and
beauty.

moreofhim said...

Congratulations! I can't wait to see your article!

Blessings - Julie

Apple Blossom Barn said...

what talented ladies you all are!
Wish I could get that magazine in Ireland!

Best wishes

Denise

Anonymous said...

I *am* smiling right now and I'm so happy for you, Elyse! ♥

SLR said...

I loved both articles! Margaret's art is just so beautiful...all that yummy color!! Sounds like you all had a wonderful time planning and executing the shoot...wished we lived closer so we could "play"!
Hoping all the writing is going swimmingly...
:)

Connie said...

Congratulations to both of you. This was a great story of friendship, and sharing and all the blessings that follow when we open up our hearts to one another. . . life is good! Connie :)

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
{oc cottage} said...

i saw you in there....and i said, "therrrrrrrrre she issssssss, missssss amerrrrrrrrrrricaaaaaaaaa!"
...i mean elyse! ;}
suuuuupuh staaaaaaaaaaaaaah!

m ^..^

{ps. i do solemnly swear that i am not a robot! ;}

Jen Kershner said...

Beautiful! I love all that color. It makes me want to go paint some thing! How fun to watch your writing career blossom.

Ele at abitofpinkheaven said...

THe article looks wonderful. I will have to look for it! Please visit me for a chance to win Annie Sloan's book!

Alicia said...

ME GUSTA TU BLOG...
TUS FLORES SON PRECIOSAS Y LLENAS DE ALEGRIA.
SALUDITOS

culturafemenina said...

I believe blogging help to discover great people. This was a great story of friendship and shearing. greta paints too. iela

http://lauranell.com said...

Love, love, love the artwork. Thanks for sharing Margaret's work, I've followed that link and enjoyed more of her beautiful paintings.
Thanks,
Laura
http://lauranell.com