Butterfly Kisses and Rainbow Wishes- Guest Blogger ♥

Today I am sharing one of my good friends with you.  She is not only a beautiful person inside and out, but creates the most beautiful items.  If you are looking to decorate a nursery, child's room, or any room don't miss this post.  She has something for everyone, and every piece comes from the heart.

Without further ado, here is today's guest blogger and artist Antoinette Evola:)

I began painting and drawing as a very young child. Friends and family would always come to me to paint murals for them in their children’s rooms. I started painting murals in my own home. It was peaceful. It allowed me to escape into those paintings, and be part of a world I probably wouldn't be in otherwise.

In 2009, my husband and I were expecting our very first child together. Once we found out she was a girl the ideas for HER nursery were just out of this world. I had been on bed rest so all the painting for her had to wait until she was born. So instead I was creating sample canvas' to keep myself inspired.

It was on February 23,2010 that our worlds came crushing down on us. We learned our very much wanted, and loved baby girl had passed away. After she died I refused to paint. I didn't want to paint for anyone anymore. Something that once brought me so much peace would now be a reminder of what I was never able to finish for my very own princess.

Months passed and we were finally expecting our rainbow baby (pregnancy after loss), and unless you have experienced this type of tragedy and blessing, you can never really understand how stressful it can be. 

 

It came to a point where I needed to do *something* to calm my mind and soul. So I began painting...for him...for her....for myself, again. I knew I wouldn't be able to paint his murals as I wanted. But instead of "waiting" until he was born, I decided to paint my visions onto canvas' and frame them onto the walls. His theme was "Finding Nemo" because he was my very own "Nemo". In the movie the father loses all his children but Nemo and has to learn to not be afraid. He goes through many scary obstacles, but in the end he "just kept swimming" and that was what I was doing.

Many have asked me to sell my paintings. I never have. All the paintings I had ever done up until this point were always from my heart and given as gifts. Each painting I create carries a piece of my heart. I have never created any paintings that were identical. It would be impossible to do, but I refuse to do it. These paintings, these creations are my "babies" as well. Being a stay at home mom has been the most amazing experience of my life. I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world. And so my love for my children has grew more than my inability to not sell my paintings. Once I did and I seen how much JOY it brought to these people's lives I knew it was my calling. It was then I realized, in a metaphorical way, my paintings were just like my daughter. Created be me, loved by me, with me for a short time, and now shared with the world. If it was my choice I'd have a house full of my canvas', but that won't let me be able to raise my son 

 

So now I am here, offering my "babies" to those who would love to adopt one. Artistic freedom is always great, but I can make someone else's visions come true. I'm inspired by pictures, scenery, Disney, cartoons, nature etc. I am able to duplicate almost anything I am given. Custom orders are welcomed and LOVED! Please message me at my FB page, Etsy shop or directly to my email antoinettestabile@msn.com. I look forward to meeting all of you and creating something special for your home.

Thank you to Little Orso for sharing our story. My children have brought out the best in me. Through having them I have been able to find myself.

Antoinette has announced that once she reaches 400 "likes" on her Butterfly Kisses and Rainbow Wishes Facebook page, that she will give away one surprise piece.  Head over and "like" her page today:)  I know I would love to win one!!  I am dying for a train or "wishbox":)