April Fools Surprise - a Snake at my Front Door

Diana (my cat) loved it, we were both scared of it, and luckily it slithered out the screen door on its own.

"Vines 2" watercolor on paper by Raphaella Vaisseau wins Merit Award at Venice Art Center Show juried by R. Andrew Maass

The Venice Art Center, located at 390 Nokomis Avenue S, Venice, FL 34293 is having a "Show Us Your Best" Members Only Show, opening this Friday, Nov. 12th and continuing through December 10th, 2010. My painting, Vines 2, won a Merit Award from juror (and musuem professional) R. Andrew Maass. Join me for the opening reception Friday from 5pm - 7pm. Call me at 941-993-7001 if you'd like directions.

The original watercolor painting (on paper) is 22" x 30" (not including a maple wood frame). Limited edition giclée prints, numbered and signed by Raphaella Vaisseau, are also available via special order (up to full size).

There was a Vines 1. It was much smaller, in hues of blue, and was painted with my signature layering of color on color. It was sold to a collector in Los Angeles before the age of digital photography and archival prints. It was for my love of that painting that I was moved to recreate the form and movement of vines reaching for the sun in this painting. Enjoy!

Home made pizza on the menu tonight :)

Here's a picture of my little mini home-made pizza from a few weeks ago. I'm having an encore tonight. It is as delicious as it is cute! Wish you were here to share it with. I'll be thinking of Venice, Italy while I eat my pizza in Venice, Florida. And, I'll give a toast to you wherever you are.

Magical Egret pays a visit to Heartful Art

While on the phone with my agent yesterday, this beautiful creature paid us a visit. It followed my voice from room to room as I went to find my camera. Even though our studios are in a bird sanctuary and we see many lovely birds in flight and on the ground here, the visit from this egret was particularly magical.

Ted Andrew's "Animal Speak" includes egrets in the chapter on herons, saying the "waders" are a group of birds who are "symbols of balance, and they represent an ability to progress and evolve." Also, heron people go deeper in their exploration of life, must be able to stand on their own, and follow their own path, without the pressure to keep up with others.

Whatever this bird was communicating to me, whether expecting food or delivering symbolic information, I accept the experience as magical and for a few moments in time, this bird and I were one. Sharing the magic. Loving the diversity of life.  - RV