Coco Chanel

Here is a new print of my original watercolor of the Coco Chanel perfume  bottle.

Coco was Chanel's nickname throughout her career.  When Jacques Polge's created the perfume in 1984, he chose the nickname as tribute to the legendary designer.  

The Fragrance is Mandarin, Orange Blossom, Bulgarian Rose and Indian Jasmine over notes of Tonka Bean, Sandalwood, and Vanilla.

"Simplicity is the Keynote of all true elegance." - Coco Chanel

Spring Must Haves!

There are a couple of things that are on my wish list for Spring.

This dress from Modcloth epitomizes Spring.  It reminds me of Monet's Waterlilies.

Watercolor Me Stylish Dress  $117.99

Earthies Rosarito Sandals in Jazzy Red $148.95 from Nordstom

  These  sandals are so cute, but still comfy enough for me to run after my 5 year old in them.

This Kate Spade New York Grand Street - Quinn Shopper is perfect for Spring! -$398.00

How stylish is this Kate Spade Tudor City - Lacey Zip Around Wallet?  - $198.00

Miss Dior - New Item!

Here is a new 5 in. x 7 in. print from my watercolor painting of a Miss Dior perfume bottle.  A romantic scent and such a romantic bottle with it's silver bow.

Miss Dior is described as charming, elegant and full of joie de vivre!

Notes:  Italian Mandarin, Egyptian Jasmine and Patchouli.

Daisy by Marc Jacobs Perfume Bottle Print

I've added a new 5 in. x 7 in. print to my Etsy shop.  

Marc Jacobs designed a beautiful yet playful bottle for his Daisy perfume.

Daisy is a floral fragrance with violets providing a vintage edge.

Notes:  Strawberry, violet leaves, ruby red grapefruit, gardenia, violet petals, jasmine petals, musk, vanilla, white woods.

This is the Daisy watercolor painting in progress.

I'm using a couple of different brands of watercolor paints.  Each brand has some colors that I like.  Winsor & Newton, Aquarelle, Grumbacher Academy, and Sakura Koi.

The paper I used here is Aquarelle Arches 140 lb. 100% cotton cold pressed watercolor block.

Chanel No 5

To follow my Shalimar print,  I have added a Chanel No 5 print (5 in. x 7 in.) for my Etsy shop.

Chanel No. 5 was the first perfume launched by Coco Chanel in 1921.  It is a timeless classic created by Earnest Beaux.  It was the first perfume ever created using so much Aldehydes, which gives the fragrance its sparkle.  It is said, when Beaux presented Coco Chanel with ten fragrances to choose from, she chose perfume number five.

Top notes:  Ylang - ylang, Neroli, Aldehydes
Middle notes:  Jasmine, Mayrose
Base notes: - Sandalwood, vetiver

"Perfume is part of you, no elegance is possible without it." - Coco Chanel

Shalimar

I've added a new item to my Etsy shop!  A little 5 in. x 7 in. print of my original watercolor painting of a Shalimar bottle.  A perfect adornment for your vanity or powder room.

I've always loved the elegant and decorative Shalimar perfume bottle.  When I was a little girl I used to visit my Aunt Mary.  She had an assortment of beautiful perfume bottles adorning her vanity.  Shalimar was one of her signature scents.

Shalimar was created in 1921 and re-released in 1925 in a bottle created by Raymond Guerlain and Baccarat.  It was inspired by the love of an Indian Emperor for his wife Mumtaz-Mahal, for whom the Taj Mahal was built.  It is named after The Gardens of Shalimar.

The fragrance has a top note of Bergamot, middle notes of Iris and Opopanax, and a base note of vanilla.

Sitting Pretty

Here are two new additions to my Etsy shop.  I wondered what kind of spaces the lovely ladies in hats would occupy.  So I came up with these little vignettes.  Boudoirs perhaps.

These are the original thumbnail sketches for the Sitting Pretty paintings.

Sitting Pretty: Black and Pink

Sitting Pretty: Black and White