Dining Room Re-do

Hello Chalk Paint, My Old Friend…

A lot of my painting jobs involve re-inventing old furniture, and chalk paint is one of my favorite ways to do it.

Curated Home and Lifestyle commissioned me to do this furniture makeover to freshen up a dining room.

All it took was a couple coats of chalk paint to completely transform the look!

Repeat Customer

I love it when a painting client asks me back to do more for them! 
One of my faves is Rita; she's been my client since 2014. I've done several painting jobs for her vacation home on the 6th floor of a high rise across the street from La Jolla cove, with floor-to-ceiling views of the Pacific Ocean.  

Different Strokes

It’s all Relative

Occasionally a client will ask me to paint a portrait of a special family member, and they’re usually really hairy with bad breath and four-legs. Luckily, some of my best friends fit that description!

As it happens, I’m working on pet portrait commissions for two different clients right now.

My sister Pia Ledy, also a lifelong creative professional, is an accomplished oil painter too. Pet portraits are one of her specialties. 

Though we didn’t start out doing art together, she and I have each been painting for years, and we came to pet portraiture completely independently of one another. It must be in our blood. (You didn’t know there was a gene for painting dogs?)

Look how two artists with very different styles can paint the same subject matter with wildly divergent results! 

The black Lab on the left is Arrow, painted by me. 

The Lab on the right is Genny, painted by Pia. 

My style is quick and loose, with visible brush strokes. 

Her style is photo-realist, precise, and rich in detail.

The Van Gogh Challenge

70 Card Pickup, Anyone?

My Instagram and Facebook followers have had a taste of this already, but here’s the full scoop.

I’m doing an online 70 day Art Challenge hosted by mixed-media artist Kelly Hoernig.

The Barn

New Work on Display!

As you may have noticed, the past few months of hard work in the studio has resulted in a lot of new artwork! 

I’m excited to invite all of my readers, friends, and dear ones to see my assemblage art in person! 

There's No Place Like Home

After two beautiful weeks on the island of Kauai, the time has come to return home.

Are you a Multipotentialite?

Not sure? Read on!

Have you ever been told to Follow Your Bliss? 

To find your One True Calling? 

We're all supposed to, right?

If you haven't found your destiny, you’re not alone. 

There’s a reason some of us don’t fit into the mold of the specialist.

I’m on vacation, but my blog isn't!

 Aloha!

As some of my Instagram followers may have noticed, I am in Hawaii right now, soaking up the sweet tropical sun and hoping for an up-close encounter with my favorite marine life, 

sea turtles!

Not to worry, there is plenty happening on the Denise Cerro Studios blog in my absence. 

For the two weeks while I am gone, I will have a surprise guest blogger filling in! 

Market Prep

Come join me this Sunday in Historic Downtown Vista!

The Vista Vintage & Makers Market

This curated Marketplace will be devoted to offering Vendors and Shoppers a place to celebrate all things old, new, and re-imagined!  

Antique & Vintage wares will be abundant, alongside hand-crafted items from local artisans.

Photo Finish

The Big Finale!

Earlier this year, I did three large-scale projects for a remodel in Old Del Mar. 

I promised to show pictures of these works of art installed in their new home.

Here are the final pictures you’ve been waiting for!