They say good things come to those who wait, so, I guess I'll be late.

My mom's birthday party was Saturday. It's finally behind me.  The plan was to take pictures of everything I cooked but, I was so busy in the kitchen I did not take any pictures to show you.  The party was a great success.  My mom was happy and that is what matters.  I could not have done it without my three sisters.

Well, not too much painting in December.  I practiced a batik technique using tempera paints, then again using acrylic paint.

 I sketched a Sunflower.

 I mixed the colors to make the brown center.

Yellow sunflower, blue sky, green stem. I painted around the lines.

Then applied India ink on the lines, let it dry then washed it off.  Most of the tempera paint came off with it.  So I went back and touched it up with watercolor.

This time I painted with acrylic paint making sure not to paint over the lines. Painted the lines with India ink and rinsed.

I liked using the acrylic best. next time I will let it dry for only 5 minutes, if you let it dry too long it's hard to come off. I did about 30 min.

 Yes, I have started a new collection!  It's art books.

  I can't wait to use these techniques with the kids!

When you Love what you have,

you have everything you need

This is my little corner of the world!
 and I brought Lola to work with me! A little splash of color on those white walls.  I painted Lola last week and decided to take her to work with me to brighten up my day.

Not a whole lot of painting done this week, actually, no painting done at all!  I should have known planning my mom's birthday party was going to take a chunk of my painting time but, it is so worth it.

I finished her invitations and they are ready to be sent out.

ART washes from the soul the dust of everyday Life

I have been painting almost everyday! When I paint I keep an extra piece of paper next to my work area and wipe away excess paint on the paper before I wash the paint in the water container and at the end of the week I have several papers with interesting colors on it.  I'm just trying to clean my brush. 

 What to do with these interesting colorful papers?

Well, I decided to sketch faces on these papers!

One of my favorite artist work I admire is Amedeo Modigliani so I decided these faces were going to have long necks.  A few months ago I took an on-line workshop called Tri-color faces.  I put both inspirations together and had a blast! 

 This is my favorite!  This is going to work with me!!!! I liked the background color I started with.  I did the outline of the face, I had no idea what to do for hair but, I loved the end result.  Oh, I almost forgot, her name is Lola.

 This was fun as well since the hat was not part of the sketch but part of extra paint background!
This is Lucy.  I know I will keep painting these fun paintings and I'll use all name imaginable. I need a system, I need a secretary!!!! I can't think of any more "L" names!

This is Lauren.  I had to ask my kids or I'll be here all night.  Not to many pretty names that start with the letter 'L'.

 This is Laurie.

 This is Lisa

This is Lydia!

Someday everything will make perfect sense.

So, for now laugh at the confusion, smile through the tears and keep reminding yourself that everything happens for a reason.

 I worked on several children projects for my classes this week  ( Registration is in December)

I have been working on planning the art lessons and I'm having a blast!!! 

Thanksgiving is at my house this year.  My husband and son will be cooking the turkey and sides this year.  I will be at work in the morning.  When I come home the house will be full with family and yummy food!

I am filling the pressure with all the dead lines I have made for myself.  I make sterling silver and beaded jewelry and opened an Etsy account that is to open January 1st.  I will be selling my jewelry on line in 2013.

I am also working on starting  birthday painting parties for children also in January!

I have been working on multiple things for months and my deadline is approaching fast!

On top of all the dead lines and Christmas, my moms 70th birthday is December 29th and I have volunteered to throw her the biggest party ever!  I know, I love it!!

I'm doing the invitations, the decorations and all the food, it' going to be fabulous!!!! 

I have been purchasing everything I need to run this jewelry and art business.  My latest item is this internet photo studio my daughter found on line for $30.00! 

I took this photo with my phone.  My daughter has offered to help me with the photo shooting you can check it out on my Etsy account in January. 

For those of you who don't know me.

My name is Letty Nava. 

 Mother of three and wife to a real good guy.

I started painting when my kids were young,  I loved it so much and painted so much I turned it into a business and sold my items at four boutiques.When my kids were young I used to put them to bed and paint well into the night.  When my kids started school I helped with the Art Docent Program. Later I became the Art Docent Coordinator.  This is our last year at Saint Anne's School  as my youngest is in eight grade.

I have learned not to take life for granted and to do the things that make you happy.

I will be teaching at Hutchins Street Square in Lodi in January 2013 and I need to get some samples done.

 Three day weekend! I set up my studio back up, the dining room table is not really working out for me. So, I'm back to the entry room.  Any visitors will be greeted by my mess. I've decided  that in order to be ready for my January classes I must paint everyday!  That is my goal. Unfortunately with the holidays around the corner and Thanksgiving at my home that is going to be a problem.

 I am so thankful for this three day weekend I actually got a lot done. The giraffe is one of the first pieces I made as a sample for Hutchins Street Square and it is still my favorite.  This weekend I worked on a hippo under water.  After I took the picture I went back and did a second coat of blue watercolor and I looks much better.  But, not good enough.  I'll have to redo.

I would like to share the flyer I made to promote the classes I will be teaching In January and looking at the giraffe I wish I would have posted the giraffe instead.  Oh, well it is what it is.

I have been painting like crazy. I don't like to eat pears but they are my favorite fruit to photograph and paint.

This pear is painted on watercolor paper using acrylics.

 I have also been painting florals, We will call it my floral series.  This one we'll call yellow and blue.

this we will call, purple and yellow.

 This we will call, blue and red.

This is blue and yellow!!

Wow, That is way too much work.  To name every painting. I need to practice that a lot more.
It has been such a long time since I painted.  But I am so glad I did, It makes my day a brighter day.

When you love what you have, you have everything you need.

I have been keeping busy by painting angels.  This is an angel I painted over paper with acrylics, pastels and old book novel wings dusted with gold pastel.

This angel is also acrylic on watercolor paper with a gold halo.

Another acrylic angel on watercolor paper.

I did the Lodi Street Faire last Sunday. I'm a planner and this was going to be perfect.  I have a notebook were I scetched  what my booth was supposed to look like.  I practiced a full set up at home days before, I knew where everything was going. I walked on Church Street to find my spot.  I was ready! 

  Sunday my husband and my daughter go help me, Three cars may I add! My husband was dropping of the tables and leaving to work the Harvest Fest at my daughters school and my daughter was going to help my set up then she was on her was to work at Starbucks. It is so dark it's almost impossible to see the booth numbers but I know where I'm going. I get there and someone is in my spot! We have three cars in the middle of the street and I don't know where I'm supposed to be so, I get in my daughters car drive home get my papers that tell where I should be I get back find my spot and start unloading. My daughter and I start setting up. Then someone parks next to me and tells me I'm in their spot!! Then she asked to see my paperwork and kindly lets me know I'm a half of block down the street!  We carried and dragged boxed, tables, and tent down the street, where a vendor was also moving next to me and apologized for taking my spot!!  By this time I can see clearly, I wasted one whole hour! After all that my daughter and I set up like a pair of pros we were done in no time and were ready for the day!

My booth was not how I planned it but, I was happy with it. Can't wait for the next time.  I's gong to be amazing!!!

I added a small table to promote my art classes at Hutchins Street Square in Lodi 

On Friday Hutchins Street Square had an Open House. I was invited to promote the art classes I will be teaching in January 2013.  It's going to be soooo much fun!

Welcome to my studio

Welcome to my "Studio"!!!

 or I mean my table by the window that I set up and take down when I need to paint! 

Sometimes by the window, sometimes my kitchen table.

After putting my paintbrush down for a couple of years during my husband's illness.

(My husband fought liver disease for years before receiving a liver transplant that gave him LIFE and changed our lives forever.) I have picked up my paintbrush and ready to paint again!

When my husband started showing more of his illness I was running a successful jewelry business that I closed to give him all of my time that he need. My son a Certified EMT at the time, would take shifts taking care of him. 

Well, with that chapter of my life closing, a new begging. I have started an on line art and jewelry business and I will share with you all the things I'm creating as well as the classes I'm teaching!

My good friend Linda gave me some old windows a while ago and did not know what to do with them until now.  I'm getting ready for the Lodi Street Fair and decided it was the perfect time to work on them.  I got two ready.  My plan was to paint them black decided against it because they would look like regular black frames so left  them with the original distressed look. Hope you like them!

           

I will be teaching art to children at Huchins Street Square this coming year and have been working hard on painting sample work we will be working on.
I will be teaching a mixed Media workshop for kids 6 to 16 years of age and will post as I paint more pieces.

The first owl is painted with acrylic the second one with watercolor. I got the owl inspiration on line.

Patchwork floral is my original and can't wait to teach this one in class!

This is a mixed media piece using acrylic paint and paper.

I am also working on some pieces mostly floral to post on my etsy account

This is acrylic painting and the next one is acrylic and paper.

          

Nava and Co.

NAVA AND CO.

Hi my name is Letty Nava. I am a mom,wife, jewelry designer and art addict. I formally ran a store until my husband went through some very difficult medical problems. I closed up shop and focused on helping him get better. After several years of fighting liver failure, my husband was able to get a transplant that changed our lives. I am back to designing and ready to create the most beautiful and unique jewelry that i can. My items range from costume jewelry to custom made sterling silver.  I hand craft necklaces, bracelets, and earrings. I have also learned the art of shaping my own silver. Because i have acquired this talent, i can make the most unique, one of a kind, and special orders for my customers! i will be updating my blog frequently and have some pictures up soon for you to tell me what you think!!