Making Friends With New Holiday Traditions

I admit I am 100% selfish when it comes to sharing holidays. But life changes, and a little flexibility helps everyone stay connected and happy. I was blessed to grow up in a home steeped in traditions that made every holiday special. Christmas always started on December 6th with Saint Nicolas visiting. We would leave our shoe outside our bedroom door with a carrot and sugar cubes for Saint Nick's horse to be rewarded with a small gift and chocolates in the morning. Then the decorations would go up. Lights outside and candles in the windows; a favorite of mine is mom would paint her front windows with snowmen, Santa, or winter scenes, and I would get to help.

My Mother and her ever growing collections of santas

Me at 4 months

My Dad always told us sometimes Santa worked in our basement, so do not go down there. At eleven, I was feeling some doubts; a few weeks before Christmas, I discovered an ornament on our kitchen floor that was not ours. Did Santa drop it? Was he working here last night? Had to be, so I believed for another year. The following year at twelve, my Mom decided that it was ok for me to go to midnight mass with my older sisters and their dates. Wow, I felt grown up and could even open my gifts afterward. My Dad disagreed and was a little perturbed. As the youngest, he wanted me to still believe. Waking the following day, as I came downstairs, there were more presents for me under the tree, and my Dad said Santa had bought them. At that moment, I knew Santa would always be real in my heart.

Santa visits

“Backward, turn backward O Time in your flight; Make me a child again Just for tonight.”

Elizabeth Akers Allen

When I married, I added my own traditions to the ones I grew up with. Christmas eve was always the big meal, sometimes including family or neighbors. Silver Spurs the elf bought new pajamas on Christmas eve that magically appeared on my children's beds. These family customs were continued with my granddaughters as Christmas was always at my home.

My helpers making pasta

Family Fun

Cookie baking on the 23rd

I collected ornaments, so there were a few years that I had eight trees or more, all decorated in a different theme.

There was always a super tall tree that had to be sparse, so the ornaments stood out when you hung them. I had to have the old fashion colored lights as this is Christmas spirit. Plenty of tinsel and anything that shines.

“Children need Christmas trees, and not artificial ones either. The artificial ones have no fragrance, and some of them play tunes, which is dreadful to think of”

Gladys Taber

This year will be different; my family will spend Christmas at my daughter's home. It is time to hand over Holidays so she can create traditions unique to her family. Seeing how my daughter embraces this holiday will be a strange but wonderful sensation, and I have no doubt it will be wonderful.

I am looking forward to spending time with my granddaughters and not stressing. I may get used to this. But I do miss my very tall tree.

“It’s Christmas In The Heart That Puts Christmas In The Air.”

W.T. Ellis

Welcome To The Burnt Orange Season

With the change of season comes a new beginning; as the air cools and daylight wanes, it is natural for us to slow down from summer's hectic pace allowing us to settle in and resume our regular routines. I am much more productive during fall and winter. I could paint pumpkins every day, and orange is my favorite color.

Strange, but I am a "Nyctophilia," A lover of darkness or night. I find comfort and relaxation in the dark. When the sun sets earlier, I think it's perfect for serving dinner by candlelight, maybe a chicken pot pie or a steaming bowl of butternut squash soup. After an early supper, with friends there is plenty of time to pull out a new project or curl up with a good book.

The quiet of a dark morning in my studio is ideal for creating a quick sketch, mediating, or finishing a painting: no phone ringing or disruptions, just my time.

I still get out: painting in my kayak is best this time of year: no bugs or glaring sun, and the foliage colors are so inspiring. And the sunsets are amazing.

Autumn is also the beginning of holidays we share with family and friends. A time to surround yourself with people you love. Let's all slow down, feel the crisp air, and appreciate this beautiful season. Welcome to the Burnt Orange Season.

My Holiday ornaments are now available on my website paintedriverstudios, but this year, I created an extraordinary one to share with family and friends during this beautiful season. The perfect hostess gift for a harvest dinner.

Check out my Holiday shop for the perfect gift for teachers, friends, coaches, or anyone who needs a little Holiday cheer. Remember, there is such beauty in every season that we need to embrace. Next Winter!

"I Knew The Rules But The Rules Did Not Know Me"

I get it; artists should create in a consistent style. It's what the art schools taught us; it's what galleries want. Your admirers will recognize you, and you will develop collectors. But what if this is not you? What if inconsistent thoughts were what kept you creative? Sometimes I want to be messy; other times, I like playing with details. I need this challenge, this variety, to fuel my work.

I am fortunate to have been able (with the help of my best manager, my husband) to support my family as a designer and artist for over 30 years. My secret: learning to listen to clients and collectors, understand their tastes, and deliver to them. OK, I love all styles, modern, traditional, abstract, representational, and more, so this was easy for me. I confidently learned to work in various visual types and was proud of this accomplishment.

Study with a 8’x10’ mural on ceiling. This mural was a take on N.C. Wyeth famous Map Of Discovery painting. I painted it in two pieces on the studio floor on canvas using the equator line as the split.

All walls and trim were faux finished in a five step process. We designed all the trim, fireplace and builtins.

Mid century room, this was Skinny D’amatos house where Frank Sinatra, and the Rat Pack came while playing at the 500 Club in Atlantic City. I think I did them proud. The room was a mess with green brick walls, concrete floor and exposed pipes. There is a small casino behind.

Notice the decorative painting? Yea I did that too.

Lettering was always a stretch for me, maybe because I was left handed.

Mikie is my family name and this was my granddaughters nursery

Just Beach Style. Designed to accommodate grown children with sleeping quarters on the porch for grand children. The attic was opened for a playroom with ships ladder.

This painting was oil on canvas and 6’x8’

So fun creating a craftsman style mural for this home, the window shades were hand painted also

Craftsman Style with painted mural

Even an abstract , this abstract was one of the hardest paintings I did.

I agree that many artists have become highly successful with a definite style. But then think of Michangelo, a painter sculptor and an architect. There are advantages to multiple styles: More work, a bigger audience, new markets, and (my favorite) more freedom.

Art Deco for a ladie’s dressing room.

Just fun for a powder room

This was a labor of love, ceiling ,walls and floor

I tried staying in the lines within boundaries with my art, but my work suffered. Being turned down for shows, that I usually received awards in. Not receiving the commissions I typically received, but most of all, I was not being true to myself. I missed the variety and the challenge of fulfilling a customer's vision.

Art should reflect the artist's personality, so do I have multiple characters? No, I am just cherishing the fact that I love and am excited by lots of things, which ignites my passion. Now excuse me while I go work on my children's book.

LIVING AN ARTFUL LIFE

"To Make Living Itself An Art, That Is The Goal.

This is a tribute to my oldest sister, who passed away this past January. It is not sad but a celebration of how she led such an artful life. The above quote from Robert Henri describes how she approached every minute of each day.

She never followed trends, was always ahead of her time, creating a home from her heart that was a journal, a scrapbook, a vision of her individuality, and the magical artful world she loved.

As an artist, a shop owner, mother to seven beautiful children, grandmother to twenty-four, there was nothing familiar or ordinary about anything Teresa did. She created beauty always. She elevated even the simplest meal with a beautiful set table; candles lit, music playing. Every holiday had family traditions that I carried on to my children. Saint Nicholas Night, December 6th. Always a small party for the kids followed by leaving their shoe out filled with carrots an apple and sugar cubs for his horse in hopes he would leave small presents in their shoe. The Leprechaun who came and left presents on a beautiful set table in green depression glass. Pink pancakes were always the rule on Valentine’s Day and there were more.

Rocky and His Friends, her doll and miniature shop in Medford

Messing with me in front of her shop

We were thirteen years apart, Teresa starting college while I began Kindergarten. There were races mornings to see who could get ready the fastest. Nights that she would read and then drill me on her collection of art books. Of course, prints of the artist's works hung all over our room, and I had to be able to name them. There were nights I would cry to my mother for her to stop when the books came out, and now I cry when I pull them out too.

Graduating from Immaculata College, she traveled alone to Europe for an entire summer. A pretty bold move for a young woman in 1960. This adventure shaped her and gave her a sense of accomplishment, helped her dream big, and reach for new challenges. She bought me home dolls from every country, passing on her love of fantasy to me.

Going to Europe on her own money was very tight, and I believe she used some of her last Guilders to purchase these for me.

She started teaching kindergarten, and I would sit with her and help paint giant illustrations to decorate her classroom. Lucky were the children who had her as their teacher.

I will be proud to hang these in my home

She made sure I was exposed to all of the arts, from painting lessons to sewing lessons piano lessons (eight years and I was never good). I fondly remember her dragging me to the Philadelphia Symphony Orchestra. Not the best place to take an ADHD child. I remember knocking off the lady's hat in front of me, trying to mimic the flute player. Then there was the story of the lady who switched seats with her husband. Yes, she was sitting next to me. After the show, we ate the most delicious pizza I have ever had in her little Volkswagen Beetle. But is my love for classical music because of that?

She supported my creative side, always showing up to my high school art shows and later shows, purchasing a few pieces. Even this year tricking me and purchasing a painting of mine online.

These were two of my early watercolors saved by my sister and given to my Daughter for her first child.

When I had grandchildren, they treasured the Christmas tea party she held at her home for all the little girls in our family, and they were just captivating. My girls would talk about this event all year, brushing up on their tea manners, planning their outfits, wearing their best smiles to Aunt Tesie's.

The Kitchen tree

Tea was for everyone

Santa was such a surprise at this Tea Party

We are all artists capable of living a life that brings more magic and brightness to the ordinary. Each day is our blank canvas to paint however we want. Let's choose to use our pretty china every day, arrange fresh flowers, light candles, prepare that gourmet dish, plant the biggest garden we can. Life is so precious we must take the utmost care of every detail and bring artful beauty into our lives.

"The greatest art is to shape the quality of the day" Henry David Thoreau.

Honoring Christmas Memories

It was 1973, and John Wanamakers had just hired me into their executive training program. My first real responsibility was to run the Trim-A-Tree department. I was so serious about my career I don't think I even took a day off that Holiday Season, impressing my first boss with my work ethic and business skills. Forty-eight years later, he realizes the businesswoman he married is now a crazy artist. Maybe it was the lights, the smells, the spirit of Christmas, but I was captivated by the history, the meaning, and the beauty of ornaments. I became obsessed with collecting. I would scoop up the beautiful German hand blown at the after-Christmas sales. Search out shops that sold unique ones, artists that created one of a kind. But I truly loved the tag and yard sale finds. Shiny Bright ornaments were my favorite. I learned that these were very popular during World War 2. They were sold by Woolworths five-and-ten-cent stores for two and ten cents each. I remember my mother saying she would save a quarter from her food budget and put my sister in a stroller to go and buy a few ornaments for her first Christmas.

The history of Shiny Bright is Interesting Read Here

Ornaments became the go-to gift from my husband for Christmas, birthdays, and when he traveled. As I hang each one, I am constantly flooded with memories of that holiday past. Where we were in our lives that year, was it the year we were moving into our first home? Or the year my tree fell over and broke many ornaments, my Dad showed up at my door just in time to help. My very pregnant sister brought me over an ornament to cheer me up, and she had her baby that night. The collection I started for my children, always a tree in their bedroom. The year I cried hanging my Mom's decorations after she passed away. But they are the memories attached to my ornaments. As I decorate with my yard sale finds, I wonder whose tree this was on before mine? Was it during the war? Was her husband fighting for our country? Was this ornament bought for a newly married couple's first Christmas or handed down and treasured by an older couple. Was this a happy holiday filled with cheer, or were they feeling lost and lonely? So many emotions and stories flood my heart and imagination. Just maybe, as I place each ornament on a branch, I am honoring and preserving a bit of their history while creating new memories for my family. Merry Christmas, and may your memories fill you with happiness this season. Michele

Gift Giving Made Easy

. I am offering ornaments and 8x8 matted prints of my most popular Fairy Tale series. All have an inspiring magic message that will connect with friends and family. Such a gratifying way to show you care.

SHOP HERE

These porcelain ornaments are 2.75”x2.75” and are ready to hang $30.00 each Shop Here

I am a believer in manifesting-dreams, designing a better life. These tales are potent tools to feed the imagination and see possibility. Inspiration, small steps, and "Dreams Do Come True." Give a gift that love ones will remember.

All prints are 8x8 matted to 10x10 on artist quality canvas paper

$35.00 including shipping

What frightens us today is precisely the same sort of thing that frightened us yesterday. It's just a different Wolf.

When we fear failure or the unknown, we stop ourselves from achieving our goals and living our best lives. Acknowledge this fear but don't be defined by it and watch it lose its power.

Who Is Santa

He has a jolly smile, a friendly voice, and a loving heart. He is in our hearts, he is the feeling of family and friends, he is hope for a brighter future. He is the gift we give ourselves.

The Red Shoes

The little girl's love for the red shoes caused her to reject everything else she had in her life. Often we chase after the things we think will make us happier, prettier, more popular, only to find out we are heading down a dangerous path.

One Shoe Can Change Your Life

We all have goals we want to achieve in our lives. Take small steps every day towards your dreams and watch what happens.

Kiss A Frog

Kiss a frog with your eyes open. If he turns into a Prince, you won "t miss the transformation, but if he doesn't, you won't be fooled by some wishful illusion in your head.

Richelle E. Goodrich

Bambi: Good Advice

Thumper, what did your Mother Say? "If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all." Words can be hurtful.

The original Fairy Tale Paintings will be available on 25 Days Of Minis starting December 1st to the 25th.

Sign up here to view a well-curated collection of small original art - perfect for gift giving and collecting. Delivered to you each morning, what a wonderful start to your day.

Why Grown-Ups Still Need Fairy Tales

Fantasy is hardly an escape from reality, it’s a way of understanding it. Lloyd Alexander

The most exciting thing about fairy tales is not just magic or make-believe or stories for little children. It is the life lessons we as adults can learn from them. Reading these stories makes us better people. They can inspire us how to survive in today's world. Values are much needed in our culture; fairy tales can help us understand, recognize, and implement these. We can look at our own lives, search within and discover insights to help deal with more complex problems on a deeper level.

Point Of View

Like Alice, we need to open the doors to our closed perceptions and stop looking just through the keyhole. That view is narrow and so limited. Grow as a person, learn new things about our world. Knowledge is possibility.

Alice in Wonderland

My new series of Fairy Tale Paintings will be an inspiration to find the beauty around you. Give you or a loved one hope when you most need it. Present a more positive outlook on problem-solving and add some magic to your life.

Want to listen to more reasons why grown-ups need fairy tales. Click here

Just a note to sign up here for 25 Days Of Minis at to see my entire collection of 12x12 Fairy Tale paintings. This starts on December 1st, with the bonus of 53 additional amazing artists all displaying one work of art each day till December 25th. This is the perfect gift.

Painted River Studios, 413 Aetna Drive, Corbin City NJ 08270, USA

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Psyched For Fall

If you like Fall and Winter as I do, chances are we have a few things in common. We might be a bit of an introverted homebody. We might not want to leave our home choosing to curl up on a sofa with a good book. Maybe spend the day cooking a hearty dinner of beef stew or watching the snowfall with a cup of tea. I bet you like a fresh start, a chance to renew how you do things. The vibrant colors, cooler weather might hint at our desire for constant change. Family is important to you, and we love all the holidays that fall during these months. We are a bit nostalgic. Oh !!! And the fashion, soft socks, sweaters, jeans. So welcome to our season

First to appear on my mantel is the Angel of the Pumpkin Patch, she is sure to bring cool nights, sunny days, and glorious colors.

Everything orange comes out this time of year. It is my favorite color.

I really have a passion for painting pumpkins.

I am looking forward to fall dinners outside with friends, maybe carrot soup and turkey or a hearty beef stew?

He has the right idea of just how to spend a fall evening.

Comment below and share with me what you are looking forward to this fall season

Curious Why I Paint Animals?

Michele Collins Art Painted River Studios

Do you want to know why?

When growing up, pets were my closest friends.

The usual lovable dogs or fluffy cats dressed in doll clothes and pushed around in a stroller.

A gaggle of geese would follow me to the school bus stop every morning, honking and causing chaos with the kids.

And Wallygator, who lived in our bathtub till my Mom came in.

There was the year I wanted to become a Vet, and insisted on raising thirteen guinea pigs in the kitchen

Two ponies Pixie and Dixie, in the backyard ( We did not live on a farm), always ready to perform circus shows for neighborhood kids. Billie, the goat that wore a polo shirt and walk on a leash. A baby pig that went to school for show and tell. Rabbits, hamsters, birds, turtles, and fish, to name a few more.

It was not just the menagerie of pets that caused me to pursue painting animals but the bond and relationship I had with them. Animals both give and receive affection, giving me comfort and security, helping me feel confident in myself. Painting them allows me to continue this feeling.

Want to see more of my work

The June 2021 Rittenhouse Square Fine Art Show will be VIRTUAL!

June 4, 5, and 6 – Friday, Saturday, and Sunday

The June show is everywhere and anywhere you have an internet connection!
I hope that you’ll visit me during the weekend of the show at my Virtual Booth.


My Virtual Booth:https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82268118719?pwd=bnJ2WFZrM05RN0lISWQvcDZxd2o5Zz09

You will be able to visit my Virtual Booth via Zoom during My Visiting Hours (listed below). At that time, you’ll be able to view my artwork, talk with me one-on-one, ask me about my process, and even show me your space where you would like to place a piece of art. 

To visit my Virtual Booth, just click on the Zoom link above during my visiting hours.
 My Visiting Hours are June 4th,5th, and 6th 1 PM to 5 PM 

If these visiting hours are not convenient for you, please email me: Paintedriverartist@gmail.com to arrange a more convenient time during the weekend of June 4-6.
 or give me a call and stop by. If this is your first time using Zoom, click on the Virtual Booth link during my visiting hours and follow the instructions to download the Zoom app. 

I will also be doing a live Facebook tour of my studio on Rittenhouse Square Art Show page where I will tell you my secrets to using your senses to increase creativity, and you can watch me do a painting. Sunday the 6th at 10 AM

In addition, you can access more information about all the events taking place during the show weekend through the RSFAS website: https://www.rittenhousesquareart.com.

Art Demonstrations in Facebook Live

Artist Instagram Interviews

Virtual Booths

I want to see all of you, this is going to be great. Michele

Part IV: What Does an Artist do when Self Quarantined

Toad.: Toad is the flightiest and pettiest character in The Wind in the Willows, due to a combination of immaturity and unrestrained wealth.

Things have opened up a bit in New Jersey, and Bill and I have braved the pandemic for a few outings. With the beautiful weather, we took our bikes on the ferry to Lewes Delaware, rode the bike path, and had a delicious lunch. We have also taken advantage of dining alfresco in a few local restaurants. We are cautious, wear our mask, and keep a reasonable distance from others. I admit I have mixed feelings about our State opening up. I am sick of cooking, planning menus, ordering groceries online. My grocery orders are not always what I would pick. But, I am patient as the people doing these jobs are putting their health on the line. The other side of the quarantining is sort of nice. I am fortunate that quarantined life is not that much different than any other day for an artist. We like working alone, hate doing errands, and some of the best work comes from solitude. The gift here was that the noise of the world was completely shut off. Stillness allowed me to go deeper inside, see what I was capable of. Without going anywhere, I had time to paint, read, reflect, and review just how I spent my days. I really have a different mindset than before. I learned to slow down a bit. Yes, there is time to do yoga and meditate in the mornings. Yes, it's ok to take that long bike ride. Yes, it's ok to stop fretting about accomplishing everything on your to-do list. Good has come from this extraordinary time we are in.

Summer at our home on the River is always busy with visitors, and this year is no different. My daughter, son in law, and two granddaughters came for a week. Both families were careful to quarantine 14 days before arriving. I was so happy to have them and wanted to make it very special for the girls. They were also suffering from not being in school, not seeing friends, and all activities canceled. We were all excited to be together. I decided to turn their bedroom into a magical place to dream, read, and encourage imagination.

We all know I love the story Wind in the Willows. The room already had this story as the theme, so I decided it needed a mural of Ratty and Mole getting in Rats boat and going on a picnic. I filled the room with tiny furniture, dolls, tea sets, and plenty of books to spark young imaginations. I hope this will create special memories of times they visit Mo and Poppy's house. Oh, and there is always a little present waiting on their beds.

I started with a detailed drawing, just using a 2B pencil. when the mural is dry any remaining pencil lines come off easy with fantastic cleaner.

I use artist oils to paint my murals. I love that you can blend and soften the colors. Mistakes easily wipe off and drying time is not bad with the addition of Winsor & Newton Liquin. One secret is never try this on flat paint. The walls must have an eggshell, semi-gloss, or Matte finish.

Paper plates work great and are easy to hold when working. In the ’90s and early 2000 I think I must have painted hundreds of murals in children’s rooms, bathrooms, kitchens, halls, it was very popular. My murals had a dreamier look than an artist that was using acrylic paints. Surprisingly, you use very little oil paint. It’s almost like a glazing of color. With this process, I could often do a full room mural in several days.

I was pretty pleased with the finished mural, and so were the girls. Having grown up with a Father who loved boats and later a husband ( my Mother warned me) I completely agree with Ratty saying to Mole.

“Believe me, my young friend, there is nothing — absolutely nothing — half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats. Simply messing... about in boats — or with boats. In or out of ’em, it doesn't matter. Nothing seems really to matter, that's the charm of it. Whether you getaway, or whether you don't; whether you arrive at your destination or whether you reach somewhere else, or whether you never get anywhere at all, you're always busy, and you never do anything in particular; and when you've done it there's always something else to do, and you can do it if you like, but you'd much better not.”

I love to read, my Mother was director of a library so books were plentiful and important in my home growing up. I wanted to instill this love of books and quest for knowledge to my Granddaughters. On a Sunday afternoon I papered one wall with book wallpaper from Brunschwick and Fils. It was a long time since I had papered a room but I took my time, thought it out and it was really easy. I think it sets the mood.

There are boat style bookshelves over each bed filled with Nancy Drew, Bobbsey Twin, and other books from my youth. The girls are a little young for these but they will grow into them all to fast. New adjustable reading lights are over each bed, an Ikea find. There is a desk filled with paper and crayons for a late-night creative inspiration. Both girls have their own drawing table in the studio for more serious art adventures.

The fabric is scenes from the story Wind in the Willows. It was made by an English company Osbourne and Little. Sadly it is no longer available.

If you peak out the South East window you can just see the river where Ratty and Mole live.

The wall are Pumpkin color because of course Fall is my favorite time and orange my favorite color!

“When Mole first met Ratty he said:

“So - This - is - a- River !” THE RIVER, corrected Rat. “And you really live by the river? What a jolly life!””