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I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again: keeping honeybees is much harder than writing about them. In the year since I became a beekeeper, I’ve struggled to keep my very small apiary buzzing. I currently have two hives, but one of them is in trouble. It won’t live through the winter. (Lost its queen, began to dwindle, and is now infested with wax moths. Ugh.)
I’ve decided, though, to keep at it. I love what the hives are teaching me (patience, for one, but also the most amazing things about insect communities and the way they respond to the natural world around them). Also? I found a great message on my answering machine this week. It was from a neighbor, and it went something like this:
Hi, Loree! It’s Craig. I’m calling to tell you a funny story. I was at Ed’s house [note: Ed is another neighbor] over the weekend, and we were relaxing in his yard, and he said, ‘Craig, look at that apple tree. Would you believe that thing has not produced an apple in all the years I’ve lived here? Not one in a decade. And then, this year, BOOM! … apples. Isn’t it the strangest thing? I can’t explain it.’ To which I said, ‘I can: The Burnses keep honey bees now.’
I am proud of my bees. Theirs is not an easy lot, what with having hatched at the exact wrong time to be a honey bee on planet Earth, and, at the same time, being saddled with a fairly inept newbee keeper. Somehow, though, they’ve spent their tumultuous year at my place doing their thing: pollinating plants. I love them for that. I really do.
If you have the interest, I highly recommend you find a mentor beekeeper. Check out their hives. Learn the ropes. When you’re ready, start an apiary of your own. If those ideas feel overwhelming right now, listen to the TED Talk above by Marla Spivak, a honey bee researcher from Minnesota. She gives a great overview of the honey bee crisis, but ends her talk with some hopeful ideas and some really easy things that you can do to help the bees. And, in turn, beef up your neighborhood apple trees.
I had to pull out my trusty butterfly field guides in order to ID this fellow. See that white marking on the hind wing, the one that looks like a question mark on its side? That was the key.
On Sunday I watched this honey bee, most likely living in the hives my neighbors keep, work our sedum plants. In fact, it’s possible that I watched her collect nectar that will end up in my tea–in me!–come winter. Humbling.
I know it seems crazy, since I haven't exactly posted regularly (okay, hardly at all) this past year, but I'm also writing now for another blog. The Route 19 Writers are a motley crew of mostly children's book writers who live along Route 19 South in the Pittsburgh, PA area. I've known most of them for years and am in awe of them as both writers and all-around-great people.
We take turns posting (at least three times a week), usually on a different theme each month. For this first month, we chose the theme "Novels" - but we allow lots of leeway in what to write about. You can see my first post on NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) and other motivational writing "tools" here.
It even has the super easy directions for making this charming button chair (get it? Butt-in-Chair? That's the main tool you need to get your novel done.)
Of course, there's lots of other great stuff to find there too. A report on the great Katherine Patterson and her recent talk in Pittsburgh, a piece on finding your voice, a fabulous tutorial on twisting folktales to turn them into novels, new picture book stories, or tall tales, and even an interesting and funny discussion on figuring out what teens like to read (complete with very, very tasty recipe for Cornflake Chicken - yum.) I hope you'll check the blog out! Here!
Next month's topic is Giving and Receiving. I'm still noodling what I'll write about when it's my turn - but I'm already promising some kind of a nice giveaway. (Let me know if there's something you'd like me to write about.)
Oh, the new picture of the frog in my header is one I took this summer of one of the residents of my family's newish pond. I'll leave you with some images of flora and fauna around the pond this summer. (Can you tell I'm already feeling nostalgic for warm weather? Even though I really do love fall too.)
Well, this is an oddity....I never blog in the evening. It's something that I've always enjoyed with my morning coffee. But alas...I've been so busy, I just haven't had the time to blog in the last few days.
What's keeping me so busy you ask?
Well, I've opened up a second shop on Etsy to clear out some of my supplies. I have pounds and pounds of photos, ephemera, scrapbooky type stuff and more. I've gone through and seperated out the items that I use, and I'm offering everything else to other collage/mixed media artists on Etsy. I figure, I can make a few dollars, do a little recycling, and give other artists the opportunity to adopt some extremely delightful items as well. Here's a link to my new shop:
It's been lots of fun having a look at my collections of old paper and such, but it's been long hours and lots of hard work. Lots of picture taking!! I will be listing more and more each day.
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In the midst of all this wreckage, I've managed to finish a couple of pieces:
Martha Feeds The Goat (ACEO 2-1/2" x 3-1/2")
Guardian Of The Musically Inclined Rabbit (4" x 6")
Both of these pieces can be found ~Here~ These pieces can also be purchased through my blog. Or....you can requests prints of these pieces as well. Just give me a holler by clicking on my email, here on my blog, in the upper left hand corner.
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I'll be back in a day or two with an entry that isn't brutally marketing my shops!
Until Next Time: Kim Garden Painter Art
6 Comments on BUSY WITH A NEW ETSY SHOP, last added: 3/17/2008
Woo hoo, love the sexy musically inclined bunny! But then I am partial to bunnies. ;-) Nice to see you back and doing your lovely artwork and enjoying life. (((hugs))) XXOO Marie http://journals.aol.co.uk/mariealicejoan/MariesMuses/
BlueJude said, on 3/9/2008 10:58:00 AM
LOVE the rabbit! Good Luck with the new shop! I just added a new line of Hair Accessories to mine and was thinking of doing a second shop for them. ANd yay you...for clearing out! Wanna come over and do my basement? {:
Abby Creek Art said, on 3/10/2008 7:42:00 PM
Oh I love Mr. Bunny. Nice new Etsy shop, Kim! I see that you're doing well already with selling. Yay!
I love this little film so much and the comte is so handsome with his fine plumage and noble head - wonderful, inspirational work Gretel
natural attrill said, on 3/5/2008 2:23:00 AM
Oooh this is LOVELY G, what a sweet little film, I love the music, what is it? and the bird is just fantastic, you certainly have taken to needlefelting - like a duck to water I was going to say...oh well. Hope you sell lots in your Etsy shop, your creations are brill. P.xx
Libbys Blog said, on 3/5/2008 2:55:00 AM
Brilliant! Really loved this.
Now can you do a video on how you actually needle felt as I haven't the foggiest idea!!??
Sue said, on 3/5/2008 3:49:00 AM
What a brill bird, a noble beast indeed! I wanna see how you do your needle felting too! Pleeease!
poetry4kids said, on 3/5/2008 4:18:00 AM
Nice little movie, lovely bird...great for kids like me..
Have a great day, Milou
Rima said, on 3/5/2008 5:13:00 AM
Hello Gretel... lovely little bird and video... if you fancy hopping over to my hermitage a minute I have written a word or two about you :) XX Happy day
Jess said, on 3/5/2008 5:24:00 AM
Perfect Gretel! Perfect music, colours, oh everything really! The bird has the quiet dignity of your illustrations too :)
Alison said, on 3/5/2008 6:56:00 AM
Wow he is gorgeous Gretal! All your needlefelt creations are gorgeous...3D versions of your artwork...stunning. Take care, Alison x
ingermaaike said, on 3/5/2008 8:49:00 AM
You make such wonderful drawings and felted creatures. Thank yu so much for sharing!
Eric Orchard said, on 3/5/2008 10:18:00 AM
Really magical, Gretel. I went in feeling a little cynical and you charmed it right out of me. I also want one of your creations now.
Caroline B said, on 3/5/2008 11:17:00 AM
I can't believe you have not needlefelted before, this is so beautiful! I am not surprised someone snapped him up.
Melanie said, on 3/5/2008 7:26:00 PM
You are so talented. Even right down the the video clip, everything you do has that expert touch. I hope you dont mind but I tagged you with a meme thing on my blog, hope you can play :) cheers melanie
The horrible bug that has zapped everyone in the family off and on for a few weeks now looks like it might have been beaten into submission. Maybe. I'll believe it when I can work for a full day without collapsing as soon as Jo goes to bed.
The recent plague means there's been no evening sewing happening - but I did get some weekend sewing done. And I decided to make something totally new! I made a few bibs recently for a Lark Books project and now I've been thinking of all kinds of bib ideas. Here's the one I decided to play with.
It's reversible - the yellow side says "happy" and the green side says "hungry." I stamped the letters and I LOVE how they look - when they turned out right. I used these very cool clear stamps for the first time. You buy the stamps and a clear acrylic block separately, then build a word on the block, which has a handy-dandy guideline. The letters just cling to it! I used a sponge pouncer to apply fabric paint and then stamped it on. The only problem was that I didn't have enough letters in the set for most repeats. When I filled in with a solo letter (like the second p in happy) it looked different because I ended up applying a different amount of pressure - it wasn't distributed between all the letters in the word and that made the letter skinnier.
The same thing happened with the second r in merry - but moody turned out perfectly. I think this merry/moody one is my favorite.
And here's the last one - giggly and grumpy. Way too many g's in giggly! Even if I buy another set of stamps I won't be able to do this word in one print so I may come up with a different word to replace giggly. Alan suggested giddy but I'm not totally sure yet.
And see the snaps? I used snaps instead of velcro and I think it looks much better. Classier somehow. And I bought a snap setter. I know I said here that I use a spool instead, but my spool was getting pretty mangled so I broke down and bought the fancy metal thing. What a difference! It's cheap but it will last forever and I definitely recommend it now that I've tried it.
I also made a couple of hats, but Jo wasn't feeling very model-ish today so I'll post them another day. Not this week though - I'm heading out tomorrow for a work week on the road, so no evening sewing again this week. Sigh.
The bibs will be up in my new shop, as soon as I finish setting it up. It's still under construction but you're welcome to take a peek.
Shena said, on 3/2/2008 10:21:00 PM
how about "smiley" and "grumpy"?
and of course, the dwarfs "happy" and "grumpy"
cute bibs!! (=
Shena (=
Shena said, on 3/2/2008 10:24:00 PM
oh, now I realize you are trying to stay with the same first letter... oops! I think you could break away from that if you need to and they'd still be adorable. SHena
I woke up this morning in the mood to have a contest!!
I will do it the simple, old fahioned way, as I always do. Simply leave a comment. When the contest is over, my daughter will pick a number out of the hat. If the number picked matches the comment number, you win. I know, I know, I could use a randomizer, but I'm computer illiterate and it's too complicated for me to wrap my brain around, so the old hat is good for me!!
When the contest is over, I will contact the winner.
The contest will run through Sunday March 2nd, 8:00 p.m. pacific time.
The winner will receive this:
A 4" x 6" print of "Dancing Fiona". This is one of my favorite "Anthropomorphic Animal" pieces to date. She is happy and light-hearted.
Okay, let the contest begin: Kim Garden Painter Art
26 Comments on TIME FOR ANOTHER CONTEST !!, last added: 3/13/2008
Hi Kim! I love your contests! And, of course, your art!
Denise said, on 3/1/2008 4:14:00 PM
You are amazing!
between the worlds said, on 3/1/2008 4:37:00 PM
Kim- I love your blog- I'm going to post a link to you from my blog if you don't mind... i'm glad you have a photo on your page too- now i have a face with the avatar on etsy...
Kathy~Vintage Snaps & Scraps said, on 3/1/2008 4:52:00 PM
Hello~ I will go one further, I don't even know what a randomizer is!!! I would love to have a chance at your art, count me in. I am so glad to have met you. Fun to see your photo too, and your work space looks so nice! Pretty lamp and all...
~Kathy
Sandi from ATCU said, on 3/1/2008 6:05:00 PM
Love your art and enjoyed your blog. Homer and Junior are mighty cute. : )
BLUEYEDUCKstudios said, on 3/1/2008 6:51:00 PM
Hi Kimmers
Thanks for luring me back to your blog - it is always a treat to visit!
joy, katey-D blueyeduckstudios.com
saffron said, on 3/1/2008 8:36:00 PM
Ahh, that doggie-girl is so cute! Have you enjoyed this spring-time weather this week, or what!!? I bet the hills down there in Corona are so beautiful with green loveliness!! (I hope I win!!!) -saffron
iluvlucy8 said, on 3/1/2008 8:47:00 PM
This piece is wonderful. What an imagination. Lovely. I hope I win. LOL
artandghosts said, on 3/1/2008 10:37:00 PM
very lovable indeed! im reminded of the wizard of oz, and also a sort of curious prairie pg wodehouse story!
it's the striped stockings that do it every time!
youve given me an idea for a contest now!
thanks for your recent encouragement, and all the best to you and yours:) lou x
Sandy Mastroni said, on 3/1/2008 10:54:00 PM
Hi I love your work too !
whimsywren said, on 3/1/2008 11:26:00 PM
Thanks for the heads up on the ACEO forum. I love your work!
Marie said, on 3/2/2008 12:55:00 AM
I'm probably far too late, but I do love Fiona! Looking forward to my package from you! It will be so lovely to have some of your live right here in my home. Just wonderful! Marie http://journals.aol.co.uk/mariealicejoan/MariesMuses/
Diane Duda said, on 3/2/2008 7:15:00 AM
Thanks for letting me know about the contest, Kim! Of course I'm in...Fiona is one of my favorites!!!
xo Di
BlueJude said, on 3/2/2008 10:15:00 AM
LOVE THIS! Count me in!
zJayne said, on 3/2/2008 1:16:00 PM
Oh and now I'm singing that Lyle Lovett Fiona song...! What a great contest...can you make it any easier?! You're a doll!
Tanya's Irish Art said, on 3/2/2008 1:25:00 PM
I'm in:)
Gypsycaster said, on 3/2/2008 1:31:00 PM
Wheeeee! I really like Fiona as well. She's a great Ava for you too, because she's soooo cheerful! You both make me smile!
-Gypsy
CrowBiz said, on 3/2/2008 1:41:00 PM
Did you know I'm a sucker for bulldogs, Bostons, frenchies and boxers? Is this meant for me or what? (Is it cheating on my boxer?) Good luck everyone.... Carol of CrowBiz
~jolene said, on 3/2/2008 1:44:00 PM
Kim, Ya KNOW I love ya, and your art!
pelecypods said, on 3/2/2008 3:34:00 PM
Your work is beautiful and very interesting. Just reading about your contest. Hope not to late.
Abby Creek Art said, on 3/2/2008 4:45:00 PM
Oooh...comment comment COMMENT! Thanks for letting me know Kim...I love this one.
Give Junior a kissie on the ear for me...poor baby.
Anonymous said, on 3/2/2008 5:05:00 PM
G'day Kim,
I am somewhat clueless about blogs ...and have been resisting doing one for that reason ...and where do you find the time ...LOL
That said ...it is a pleasure to read your blog ...and an even greater pleasure to view your artwork.
Regards, Belinda :-)
PS. bellsakabin is my username on Etsy ...will just leave this as anonymous comment ...LOL or so the system will think!
Anonymous said, on 3/2/2008 6:23:00 PM
Waiting to see the full curtsey or a twirl! This cute doggie in the pink dress is enjoying your garden it looks lovely. I've been reading the ACEO forum threads on etsy and waiting to sign up. I can't decide on a name. Good luck with your new name, whatever it may be. P.S. If you pick me, how will you know to contact me? I haven't a clue how these things work. Signed, Gloria B.
Joy Logan said, on 3/2/2008 6:51:00 PM
That piece cracks me up,too cute!
erin said, on 3/2/2008 8:28:00 PM
Your work is very unique! Good idea for a contest - hope I win. hehe..
vintage moon studio said, on 3/13/2008 8:50:00 PM
Well of course I missed this but had to tell you I loooove it!
It's that time of year once again....the dreaded beginning of "Spring Cleaning". Grout cleaning, appliance shining, doo-dad dusting and all sorts of other laborious tasks. I always enter into the season dreading the big cleaning, but once I get started, I find myself re-connecting to my home. I have so many pieces around my house that were passed down to me from my mom and aunts. Old tea sets from my grandmother, whom I never met, as she died before I was born. Nic-Nacs given to me by my kids when they were tots. So many memories surround me, yet so much of the time I find myself walking through my house but not really seeing what's in my home. Spring Cleaning allows me to literally touch memories, to carefully dust these precious gifts that sometime become overlooked.
Now, don't get me wrong....I am not a fan of the basic labor of cleaning away grime from general living. I don't like mopping the floors or cleaning the kitchen grout (which, by the way, I use diet coke to clean the grout as it works wonders). But... when it comes time to really dust the nic-nacs and re-arrange the china cabinet, I find myself getting lost in some of the sweetest memories of my life.
I wonder sometimes if I should be more specific about what an ACEO is. I'm sure some folks that read my blog must wonder what the acronym stands for:
"ACEO" is an acronym for "Art Cards Editions and Originals". ACEOs are collectible art cards always measuring 2 ½ X 3 ½ inches. That is the size of a standard sports trading card. The rule about size is the ONLY rule in the ACEO world. An ACEO can be created in any medium the artist desires: paint, collage, colored pencils, ink, etc. There are even ACEOs made from wood, clay, fabric, and metal. They can be originals or prints.
ACEOs are tiny art works that can be matted and framed to hang on the wall. Many people display their ACEO collections in the same kind of plastic sheets and albums that sports card collectors use. You might slip an ACEO into a greeting card as an extra surprise for a birthday, anniversary, or Christmas. ACEOs sell on Ebay and Etsy for anywhere from ninety-nine cents to over one hundred dollars or more!
I love making them because I enjoy working small. I love tiny detail, so making ACEOs are perfect for me.
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Well, I best be off. I have an appointment with a grout brush...
Until Next Time Kim Garden Painter Art
0 Comments on DUSTING MEMORIES as of 1/1/1900
Marie said, on 2/28/2008 1:54:00 AM
UGH! Spring Cleaning. I hate it! However we did our fair share of it here at the cottage yesterday afternoon as well! Thanks so much for explaining what ACO is. I never knew. I Love your newest pieces, especially the one of the wee one on the bridge with the butterfly. Butterflies are one of my favorite things!
BlueJude said, on 2/28/2008 9:42:00 AM
LOVE Johnny On The Bridge...the red really makes it POP! I stink at ACEO's....so I envy your talent for working small. Cheers to sweet memories, sure must make the dusting less laborious and tedious. Happy Thursday Kim!
Just a short entry today, as Thursday's are always my busiest days. It's been a simple and quiet day thus far, which is always a lovely way to start a day. I am rather fond of days that are hushed and ordinary. It gives me time to see and smell all the goodness that is so easily overlooked in the busy-ness that can sometimes take over.
If I breath in deep, I can almost smell the Springtime today. Even though it's a little chilly outside, and an ever-so-slight grayness has moved in, there is a hint of Spring lurking beneath. I will enjoy this simple morning as long as it lasts. As I know that within the oncoming hours, the daily rush will set in, and I will be off in a whirlwind of chores and commitments.
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I finished another collage ACEO last night and listed it in My Etsy Shop. It's another in my "Amelia" series and it may be my favorite of all...
Amelia Visits The Ghostly Orchards
I just love the ghostly Victorian women picking apples. I left them sepia toned except for the apples, to give them a sort of ethereal look.
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Thanks ever so much for taking the time to stop by and have a look at my blog. As always, I truly appreciate it.
Until Next Time: Kim Garden Painter Art
0 Comments on CHORES AND COMMITMENTS as of 1/1/1900
Abby Creek Art said, on 2/21/2008 3:02:00 PM
Hi Kim...I love the ghostly ladies too...very nicely done.
I was just reading about your thinking of changing your business name. I always think that if YOU don't think Garden Painter Art fits...go with your gut and change it. When I think about your art...I see history, ancestors, gardens, flowers, animals, family, stories, color, hands, whimsy and fairy tales. Those are just a few descriptive terms that might help conjure up a name.
Of course...the first thing that came to my mind as a new name was "Junior Loves Collage". Don't ask me why...it was just there! xoxo
Marie said, on 2/22/2008 12:52:00 AM
Ohh, I do love your work. It's so unusual and it sparks thought. That's always a good thing! I love my early morning hours that I spend here in my cottage by myself. It's quiet and my thinking time. It's also when I do my best work, uninterrupted by anything or anyone. I suppose it may be seen as selfish, but sometimes I think we need to be alone with only our thoughts for company. Marie http://journals.aol.co.uk/mariealicejoan/MariesMuses/
BlueJude said, on 2/22/2008 11:59:00 AM
Was thinking about you lately and how wonderfully talented you are with these peices! The only shades of Spring here is on the latest post at my blog. Otherwise as I look out the window there are shades of white everywhere. Still snowin here in PA. Oh well. Happy Friday Kim!
bookyeti said, on 2/22/2008 6:11:00 PM
Hi there, I just happened upon your site. What intriguing and lovely art! Very inspiring. :)
Bev
moonbindery said, on 2/22/2008 11:33:00 PM
Lovely ACEO, Kim!
Did you make a decision about changing your business name?
I'm off to quite a busy day, but wanted to check in and say "Thank You" to all who commented on my previous entry. Should I change my business name or not is still the question being volleyed around my house. I've come up with several names that I really like, but am dreadful of all that would need to be done if I choose to make the change. Most people think that I should change and that my name is, indeed, misleading. The overall opinion is that, if I'm going to do it, I need to do it now and make a huge deal out of it. Holler it out to the world!! I will keep you posted and may be back to ask for more opinions!!
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I've been quite busy in my studio, and I'm off to a productive week already. Here's what I've just listed in My Etsy Shop:
LITTLE BERTIE IN THE GARDEN (4" x 6" collage on canvas)
GUARDIAN OF LAZY DAYS (collage ACEO 2-1/2" x 3-1/2" miniature art)
As always, if you don't have an Etsy account, but are interested in either of these pieces, or prints of these pieces, just email me. Up at the top, left hand corner of my blog, just click the "email me" button. Until I get my blog shop in order and get that pesky little paypal button attached, this is the only way to offer my pieces here.
Again, thanks ever so much for your comments and opinions on my newest adventure.
Until Next Time: Kim Garden Painter Art
0 Comments on BUSY IN THE STUDIO as of 1/1/1900
Cre8Tiva said, on 2/19/2008 8:28:00 PM
i love your art...every one of them...someday i will have a piece of yours...have fun in the studio...hugs, rebecca
Marie said, on 2/20/2008 12:51:00 AM
I absolutely adore the rabbit Kim!!!! Is there any way you could hold it for me until the end of the month? Please pretty please??? I'll understand if you can't, but I so would love to have that in my home. Marie http://journals.aol.co.uk/mariealicejoan/MariesMuses/
Diane Duda said, on 2/21/2008 12:25:00 PM
I must say that I think I love Bertie nearly as much as Fiona!
xo Di
Jann Richardson RetroUnique 'Junkster' said, on 3/2/2008 1:21:00 PM
I can't believe how you used the hand in your collage. Very cleaver. inabit.etsy
No time to sit quietly under the stars and think beautiful thoughts; things to do, felt to stab, paintings to finish, paintings to start, book-job to get on with. Thought for the day - needle felting - please don't anyone let the Government know how much fun it is and how addictive. They would either ban it or tax it.
(four cats and bad needlefelting habit to support...)
0 Comments on Unicorn Nocturne as of 1/1/1900
Marianne said, on 2/18/2008 12:37:00 PM
That's so pretty, Gretel. :-D I love the whimsy of your works. Your imagination is just gorgeous. I have finally gotten around to linking Middle of Nowhere to both of my blogsites. Hope you don't mind. :-D
Cheers, Marianne
natural attrill said, on 2/18/2008 4:15:00 PM
Lovely work G - especially beautiful bluey green wash in the sky, and the fried egg flowers made me laugh! P.x
Eric Orchard said, on 2/18/2008 7:54:00 PM
Wonderful, Gretel. I love the colours and sense of movement. It's simple and delightful but seems to have rich meanings.
Elizabeth said, on 2/18/2008 7:56:00 PM
Very magical and lovely!
kate said, on 2/18/2008 10:12:00 PM
I have a feeling that I'd better stay away from needlefelting ... I've got a bad scarf-knitting habit and don't need to add another! I love your Unicorn Nocturne. (I'll have to stop buying wool so I can afford some art!)
tlc illustration said, on 2/18/2008 11:14:00 PM
When are you going to *post* some of your felting creations??? (enquiring minds, you know?)
Caroline B said, on 2/19/2008 11:02:00 AM
Don't tell me how good needlefelting is, I can't take up yet another craft, the house will implode! Hurry up and show us what you've made! (love the dreamy feel to your painting..)
Anonymous said, on 2/19/2008 11:32:00 AM
Beautiful! Carolyn http://willowhouse.typepad.com
Ash said, on 2/19/2008 4:34:00 PM
Show us yer felt, missus! There will be an online riot if you don't, methinks!
Debbie Miller of Onion Patch said, on 2/20/2008 6:30:00 AM
Such a wonderful piece! I can't wait to see your stabbing (felted)creations!
Joanna said, on 2/20/2008 7:03:00 AM
Love the unicorn it reminds me of our moon lit walk on saturday. Would love to see your felted creations!
Jennifer said, on 2/20/2008 3:40:00 PM
You have a beautiful way with wash colors.
And your thought for the day is so true here, too! ;-)
Caroline B said, on 2/22/2008 10:15:00 AM
It's not fair, I keep getting glimpses of your felting on the studio cam but it's not big enough to see properly!
As I sit, tap tap tapping on this electronic communicator, my fingers are aching with cold. It's one of those desert mornings that allows an icy wind to find it's way through every crack and crevice in the house. Even with the heater on, the air is cold to the nose. The chilly wind gave me the honest excuse to skip my morning walk. The thought of heaving myself out of a warm bed at 7:30 a.m. to walk 3 miles in this wind just seemed, well...it seemed wrong. Although, I must admit, this was not the best morning to skip a walk, considering the amount of calories I must've consumed last night for Valentine's Day.
Last night, Gary and I had our usual V-Day dinner, shared a bottle of Almond Champagne, and had too much sinful but heavenly homemade cheesecake. For the last few years, Ava (my daughter) has been making a V-Day desert. This year she chose to make not one, but two cheesecakes. A Peanut Butter Cheesecake and a Lemon Cheesecake with Strawberries. AND...she always makes homemade whipped cream to go along. It was lovely. A feast for the heart as well as the belly...
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I haven't finished any new pieces in the last few days, but I did list a new print in MY ETSY SHOP. The warm weather we had a few days ago made me long for Springtime and Easter (which is my favorite holiday). This little ACEO print was originally made with Easter in mind:
THE EGG HUNT
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Looks like I'm off for the day. I have a few little chores to attend to and I am hopeful to find some time to start a new collage.
Until Next Time: Kim Garden Painter Art
0 Comments on A FEAST FOR THE HEART as of 1/1/1900
Abby Creek Art said, on 2/15/2008 2:50:00 PM
Hi Kim...wow, look at them cheesecakes! I would have a hard time not eating more than my share too. So glad you had a nice Valentine's Day. Sending lots of love...xox.
Tif said, on 2/15/2008 9:00:00 PM
Thanks for visiting my blog. I found your ETSY shop and have hearted you! Love your stuff! ---Tif
http://www.tmatthewsfineart.blogspot.com
Marie said, on 2/17/2008 12:30:00 AM
What a lovely little sweetheart on this newest creation of yours and those cheesecakes WOW! I gained ten pounds just looking at them!! Marie http://journals.aol.co.uk/mariealicejoan/MariesMuses/
Jenrosesegrest said, on 2/21/2008 3:52:00 PM
Those cheesecakes look great, your blog is great, I thinkit keeps in style with your work. I am your neighbor in that world artisan catalougue, at least I was right next to you when I proofed my ad. xoxo jen
Anonymous said, on 3/1/2008 2:39:00 PM
Kim your work is always wonderful...I am so honored that you are in ou group. You blog is gr8:) sonja
Well, just as I suspected, the few days of 80 degree weather that we had here in the Southern California desert was short lived. I'm okay with that. It just doesn't seem right to be so warm in February. Our walk this morning was chilly to the bone with a constant goose-bump inducing wind. Was nice to get back home and have that first cup of morning coffee.
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It seems that today is Valentine's Day. Ava (my daughter) is busy in the kitchen making a cheesecake for Gary and me to have as our desert tonight. She's altering the recipe to make a peanutbutter cheesecake, so I'm looking forward to the end result. Later today, I'll run out and buy a bottle of Almond Champagne and set the table for a nice dinner for two. Ava will make dinner for my two sons and herself, and Gary and I will feast on our traditional Valentine dinner of "Pick-Up-Stix". I shan't allow myself to think of the sinful amount of calories that I'll be consuming!!
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I have a new original 4" x 6" collage on canvas listed in My Etsy Shop. Have a look at the old church in the background. I took that photo a few years back in Cuervo, New Mexico. It's a little abandoned town off of Interstate 40. I googled Cuervo not too long ago, and found that there are some interesting stories connected to the town.
SUNDAY MORNING WITH LITTLE RABBIT AND BROTHER BILLY
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Looks like I'm off for the day. I have a few chores that need to be attended to.
Until Next Time: Kim Garden Painter Art
0 Comments on A CHILLY VALENTINE'S DAY as of 1/1/1900
Marie said, on 2/15/2008 12:52:00 AM
Oh doesn't that little boy look pleased with himself and so very happy! I love this piece as I do all your work. Sounds like you had a lovely Valentines day planned. I am intrigued by the thoughts of a delicious peanutbutter cheesecake. I hope it was a delicious as it sounds!!! Marie http://journals.aol.co.uk/mariealicejoan/MariesMuses/ PS- Ava is a beautiful name.
BlueJude said, on 2/15/2008 9:55:00 AM
Happy V Day KIM! Hmmm...Almond Champagne? Sounds yummy. Enjoy!
The lovely early Spring weather has fled, to be replaced with cold, pasty February skies. I am juggling several pictures at once - including a 'proper job', which - while interesting in itself - does not particularly spark fireworks. Needing to knuckle down and get on with a good day's painting, I was merely going to post this old thing -
Bird Moon - 2001 - (not for sale) 15 x 10 cm
- which I've had kicking around since 2001. Then Andy brought two mysterious parcels up to the studio...which is always nice on a glum day. (And a third cup of tea, without which said studio would grind to a halt). I had completely forgotten that I had won a surprise pack from Gifling - not only a blog friend but (naturally) a highly popular Etsy artist too.
And what an wonderful pack it was; I love her work, redolent with themes of fairy tales, theatre and circus, all executed with a gorgeous muted palette and swathed in melancholic mystery. Just to have one delightful print would have been enough - but, oh generous Gifling!
A print, a postcard pack, AND a set of scrummy circus family badges -
Well, what can one say, but thank you, thank you, thank you! And thank you. (Did I say thank you?) So feeling rather spoilt, I moved hungrily on to the other anonymous packet...large, soft and squidgy. And literally gasped out loud. After the nice comments (bless you all) about my wheely bird, and suggestions of needlefelting it into a real toy, I investigated further, and discovered a whole new craft waiting for me. I am really excited about the thought of creating some of my creatures in 3D, and this looks like an ideal way to do it. However pennies are very tight again, and I put the thought aside for a while. So the arrival of this -
- was like a classic fairytale scenario, where the poor woodcutter's daughter finds some kind, anonymous benefactor has left the tools to her destiny on her doorstep. Not only that, but chosen well, as they are 'my' colours - so someone who knows my work too. And no note...no receipt...I have a hunch though. Just a whisper of a hunch. (edit...my hunch was wrong so I really am completely clueless...) To the great-hearted person who sent me this - thank you x 100. This is one craft about which I have absolutely no knowledge; I really thirsted to try it out and now, happily, I can. Big smiles and great restraint needed not to pick it up at once and start playing. Did you notice the happy accident? Don't you just love it when things serendipidouslyfall into threes? Look at these colours...
Chance? Fate? Fluke? Who knows.
Talking of multiples, I have been a little overwhelmed this month with various tags/list invites - too many to do really, and not much about me that is at all interesting which I haven't already posted. But thank you to lovely bloggers Paula, Tara, Little Robot, Erica and Corinne, who mentioned me on their blogs. All of whom are in my list of 'creative lovelies' on the left over there. Like having a basketful of kittens, it is hard to choose a favourite...so I will simply scoop everyone up and squeeze them. Gently of course.
0 Comments on Strange and quiet mysteries... as of 1/1/1900
Jackie said, on 2/14/2008 10:18:00 AM
What lovely serendipity!! I love your painting and the gifts you received look to be so perfect for you (and are lovely!). Happy Valentines' Day!
tlawwife said, on 2/14/2008 4:05:00 PM
How exciting for you.
tlc illustration said, on 2/15/2008 2:31:00 AM
Happy Valentine's day. :-)
(I've been terribly jealous seeing your walks... *Finally* had a sunny day today and I made it outside for a very short time).
Joanna said, on 2/15/2008 3:02:00 AM
What fabulous pacels, I'm looking forward to seeing what you do with the felt.
Caroline B said, on 2/15/2008 9:35:00 AM
Good luck with the felting - can't wait to see what you come up with!
gilfling said, on 2/15/2008 1:52:00 PM
Aww thanks for the feature! Your felting goodies look terribly exciting - I have been doing some felting myself lately and cannot wait to see your ideas interpreted in this way!
weirdbunny said, on 2/15/2008 6:44:00 PM
Wow, you've had some lovely gifts !
kate said, on 2/16/2008 10:16:00 AM
I love your Bird Moon painting. It is like serendipity - the arrival of parcels of delicious things.
Now I know what your Twitter comment meant about 'needlefelting for England' (which made me laugh when I saw it). Is it hard to learn - needlefelting, that is?
eydie said, on 2/17/2008 9:18:00 PM
I am clapping for you! Lovely gift, and I can't wait to see what you do with it!
Kala said, on 2/18/2008 12:57:00 AM
oooh I am sooo jealous, I love Gilflings work!
Gail said, on 2/18/2008 9:12:00 AM
Can't wait to see the results of your needle felting - I bought a kit a while back - but still haven't got around to trying it out ;)
I'm back from my morning walk, and found the squirrels were fresh out of their burrows and the woodpeckers were busy doing whatever it is that they do. My own yard is filled with the chit-chat of thankful birds at my just-filled feeders. I can almost feel myself ready to bloom for spring. BUT...I know better than to jump to conclusions, as it is only February. Although we have had lovely days of 80 degree temperatures, the small and hidden logical part in my brain tells me that we are still in for more winter weather. Alas, with each passing day, spring gets one day closer...
I have been fairly busy in my studio lately and have managed to finish 2 collage ACEOs (2-1/2" x 3-1/2" miniature art)
BENNY AND THE SUMMER STORM (sold)
AMELIA BABYSITS THE NEIGHBORS (this is the 3rd "Amelia" aceo in the series). (Check out the pouting little girl with the blue pixie hat on. That's me when I was a little girl, just getting ready to have one of my royal tantrums)!
I just love working with these vintage photos of "Amelia". I don't know who she is, but I have lots of photos of her, as I adopted a musty box of her family photos at the flea market. I only know her name is Amelia because that's what the back of her pictures say. In each and every photo, she is happy and smiling. I will continue to make more "Amelia" pieces. I am honored to be able to give her photos a new life.
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I have a handful of little "chores" to do today, but will have time to finish the current collage I'm working on. Gary is home from work today, as it's Lincoln's Birthday. Although he isn't able to enjoy his day off, as he has a terrible cold.
Thanks for stopping by Until Next Time: Kim Garden Painter Art
0 Comments on SPRING IS IN THE AIR? as of 1/1/1900
BlueJude said, on 2/11/2008 1:34:00 PM
I'm glad the whole etsy thing is still happening for you. Love the new pieces kim and hope this finds you well!
Marie said, on 2/12/2008 12:57:00 AM
Wonderful pieces Kim! As always I really enjoy looking at your work. We are having very springlike weather here as well. It's lovely! I know it is just a teaser for the real thing, but I enjoy it anyways! I just had to kill a HUMONGOUS wasp in here!!! I hate killing anything but he was huge! A sure sign that spring is fast approaching! Marie http://journals.aol.co.uk/mariealicejoan/MariesMuses/
Well, it's been over a week since I've made my way to my blog. Filling the big, white, and blank page seems such a heavy task, yet when I do have the words, I enjoy it so. Although I haven't many words lately, I have managed to finish two new collages. They are both listed in My Etsy Shop.
The first collage is a second piece in my "Fiona" series. It's a 5" x 7" on canvas:
FASHIONABLE FIONA
The second collage is another in my "Rabbit" series. It's a 4" x 6" on canvas and I like to classify it as "story art", as there is a story to the piece. It goes like this:
"What you get with this collage is a lovely summer afternoon somewhere in the English countryside. The kind of warm day with miniature breezes that call you to laze about. But on this day, Rabbit had an unexpected visit from her dear friend, Dog. Dog felt that the day was so warm and fresh that a party was in order. Dog brought hats and tea and scones. A nice time was had by all...BUT, something was amiss. There was a static in the air and a low howl far in the distance....
Now, you get to fill in the blank. The end of the story belongs to you!!"
RABBIT'S UNEXPECTED PARTY
Both of these pieces will, eventually, be offered in print form in my Etsy shop. If you are interested in either of these collages or a print of either one, but you don't have an Etsy account, feel free to email me for details. You can do so by going to the top left hand corner of my blog and click on the email button.
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As much as I loathe using my blog as a simple marketing tool, that must be what I use it for today, as I'm off to another busy day. Meds for my mom and picking up some medical records for her as well.
As always, thank you ever so much for stopping by and having a look at my new work. I truly appreciate it.
Until Next Time Kim Garden Painter Art
0 Comments on NEW WORK BUT NO NEW WORDS as of 1/1/1900
Seems like a lot of people are doing mermaids for this week's Illustration Friday. Below is a mermaid I did for our group promo mailer. You can see the process here.
And since you're probably coming from Illustration Friday and obviously like cool stuff, check out my shops!
LOOK HERE --> If you purchase something, tell me that you found me from Illustration Friday (in the notes to seller box at time of purchase) and I'll give you 10% off your total purchases in my stores. Just wait to pay and I'll send you a revised paypal invoice and I will combine shipping from all 3 stores. This offer is valid until January 31, 2008 so get to shopping! Enjoy!!
0 Comments on IF and a special offer! as of 1/1/1900
We are off on a big expedition to Oxford this week; we haven't had a day in town for years. It's a bit of a palaver, with our limited rural bus service (which bears no resemblance whatsoever to the Stagecoach advert we saw on TV last week). Although thank God we have one at all (she said, hastily crossing fingers). Like Cindrella - but without the frock - one has to return at a certain time before the Sun goes down, (eg when the last join-up 6 o'clock bus leaves) or fork out for an expensive taxi home. However it can't be avoided: I have frames/mounts to pick up. One has been custom made for Party Food -
- which will be hung (appropriately) in the client's dining room - and smaller ones for forthcoming paintings I have been itching to do. So I'm doing a lot of Moleskine scribbling, as until I actually have the frames and mounts in front of me I can't start planning what size the artworks will be. And I have a 'bread and butter ' job to continue, which I must knuckle down to. Not as much fun as this chap -
Frankly the idea of a day in town scares the bejabers out of me, I might just go and hide in the Ashmolean.
Now I am sketching and painting properly again, I can't think why I spent so many years crying into a metaphorical pillow because I couldn't get (much) publishing work or because galleries didn't want me. So much time and effort expended for so little reward. Now I am regularly selling to the people who really matter - the people who put it on their walls - and I feel liberated. It is amazing that I am finally doing what I doggedly planned to do, way back when I was twelve, and making a solemn vow to my recently dead parents (especially my old dad). Several times along the way I got distracted and misled, but all the paths eventually led back to this one. I follow the map best when I heed my own directions.
To be delving deep into my creative innards again is a joyous experience. I find myself re-visiting old themes, many of which I haven't explored for a long time. Pre-blog. My bird ladies for instance. My beloved bird ladies. Not on my website, not in the blog, not sold, not printed. A few who read this may know what I am talking about - I showed them to one or two people. I took them to a gallery owner who told me that they were 'beautiful, but not something they could sell'. They went back in the portfolio, their wings clipped. Some of my best bird lady paintings have been languishing far from home and they are coming back at last, I cannot wait to hold them again.
To find the bird lady, look for the three pronged tail...
Bird ladies usually find themselves isolated in a room with a distant window. This time I am going to let them into the city. A city I used to paint when I was an infant of twenty years.
En route to a dazzling party, the Grand Duchess Amaretto de Carciobanna rolls through the city streets, pulled along on a silken scarlet rope by an anonymous flunky. Will someone remember to pick up her wheely bird? Because, you see, she could not possibly retrieve it herself, it simply would not do!
What will happen when my bird ladies meet my toys?
What a lovely rainy morning it is. The dampness in the air is tempting me to cuddle up in my favorite reading chair...
But alas, I've only been up and alert for approximately one hour. I am hoping to get a few things done today, but am finding myself a little slow as I seem to have a nasty ear infection. I have an ear condition that I take daily medication for, and for the most part, it's kept under control. Every once in a while, my ears give me fits, and with the change in weather, this is a likely time for them to misbehave. I will do as much as my ears will allow, and otherwise, I will be perfectly content to stay in and wallow in the warmth of my home. While the rain is boldly dripping outside, making just enough splatter to be heard through the windows and doors, I will be thankful for the roof over my head and the blessing of ears that can still hear the rain...
******************************************** I am anxious to get back to work and I have several pieces just waiting for me to finish them...
Whether I will feel well enough to work today is yet to be seen, but I may give it a whirl and see what happens. I know that my heart is ready to work, now I'll see if my ears will allow it. I have several projects going on all at once, as I always do. I am hopeful to finish a few pieces so that if I'm able to pay my Etsy fees, I can begin listing again.
I'm off for the morning. On to my daily doings. My hope is to be finished with all that I must do before nightfall. I would so enjoy a little time to quietly sit in my favorite reading chair, listening to the rain with a cup of Peppermint Tea in hand.
I said I thought I could realistically get this finished by Wednesday night and I just managed to squeak in under the wire. And it was a special challenge this time because - after seeing the lovely design of Heather Bailey's patterns - I decided I needed to improve the design of the pattern and instructions. So check out the fancy new cover page above! And see the little logo up in the top corner? That says Afternoon Delights - perfect for when you only have a couple of hours to fool around. Future patterns will be categorized as One-Night Stands, Weekend Flings, and Long-Term Commitments. Cute, eh? It's nice living with a writer. Now I need to go back and redesign the Triangle Toys pattern to improve the layout and look of it. A task for the next few nights . . .
So what are Blockheads? They're beanbags, handwarmers, sachets, dolls, pocket pals, and more. They're as much fun to make as they are to play with.
The pattern is available now in my Etsy shop as a PDF - so no shipping charges. You get complete instructions and full-sized patterns for 11 faces, 10 hairstyles, a pair of ears, and a tongue. You also get ideas for scented mix-ins and a page of suggestions for more variations to try - plus instructions for games to play with your Blockheads. Quite a deal for $5!
Woo hoo, love the sexy musically inclined bunny! But then I am partial to bunnies. ;-) Nice to see you back and doing your lovely artwork and enjoying life. (((hugs)))
XXOO
Marie
http://journals.aol.co.uk/mariealicejoan/MariesMuses/
LOVE the rabbit! Good Luck with the new shop! I just added a new line of Hair Accessories to mine and was thinking of doing a second shop for them. ANd yay you...for clearing out! Wanna come over and do my basement? {:
Oh I love Mr. Bunny. Nice new Etsy shop, Kim! I see that you're doing well already with selling. Yay!
Warning! See Please Here
wow! and what a success it already is! good luck to you indeed!
i adore the rabbit collage so much, too!
all the best,
lou :)
i am opening my new shop soon...i have missed so much lately...thank you for being so supportive...hugs and happy st. paddy's day...rebecca