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February 27, 2006

Five things

One: I painted. Celebrate Beauty continues to progress. I am excited about this piece more than I thought. It takes much time to wait and think, but I feel it will be equivalent to Lifeblood in a new chapter of my work.
Two: I got my eyes checked. I thought I was losing my ability to see far away but after I parted with a small sum of money I found out my eyes are just fine. sheesh. I guess I'm just tired.
Three: I met Phineas Cobb Perkins, and he tried on his new shoes.

Four: I watched my boy giggle at Curious George. And I giggled a little bit too. It was fun to watch him dive into the huge popcorn bowl, but it wasn't fun to clean up all his barf at 5am from eating too much of it. Ewwww, it made all our tummy's feel gross.
Five: We finally finally finally painted our stairwell so it's uniform and free of lady bug poop trails. If only our pretty new IKEA fixture wasn't broken when we opened it last night.

Thanks to kath red for the great idea. What did you do on the weekend? One thing, or five?

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February 23, 2006

I love Thursdays

Joy has been telling everyone what she loves throughout the month of February. And everyone was so jazzed by her experiment that we've all started another day of celebration. The "I love" Thursdays. It seems fun enough. I mean don't we all share this stuff on these blogs things anyway? So my first entry is: I love making gifts. These little beauties are for Phineas Perkins. Lynn picked out which colors she liked and I quick made them this afternoon. They're so tiny!! But since my boys feet are like off the charts, I guess anything looks tiny. I guess if they get too small I can whip up another pair before the end of May. I love making something that goes so perfectly for someones situation. I hate coming to Christmas time and not having the perfect thing. And I could go without any gifts for myself if I knew I had scored the bestest present ever for someone and with little or no moola. Having small kids definately prevents me from making as many little things as I want, but on the flip-side, having small kids gives me an excuse for making groovy little things like wool felt slip on shoes!

A little bit of joy in a few wool felt scraps! Here's the bottoms:

Not so hot with how they came out, but with the felt pilling I think they will be less bold in a little while. They are puff painted on, which gives the non-skid effect cuz we know that Phin is going to have to learn how to run pretty fast to keep from getting love tackled by his brothers.

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February 22, 2006

Family Shot

I'm such a nerd, but I got my "nothin' is getting past this" Apron at IKEA on Sunday. I love that it's covered with dill sprouts. And of course you can see my "barely there, almost sexy" apron hanging on the hutch. I say "sexy" because it's got straps like a nighty and a pretty Chinese knot on the pocket. Clearly not made for baby mush to be smeared on it. It will be laundered to make way for super apron. The pretty one will have it's opportunities because it's hard for me to walk in the new one.

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Self portrait Tuesday: All of Me

live in freedom


Originally uploaded by katiek2.

This is by no means a flaw, but I have married a very adventurous man, one who cannot be nailed down to one place for too long. Part of me wants to stay and be sedintary for the rest of my life, the other part realizes that I have had some of the best experiences of my life because Joel has big dreams, big plans. Just when I am starting to feel blahhh and bored, like my life is not going anywhere unless I shove myself forward with lead feet, Joel expresses an idea and off we go into dreamland!



Joel told me a few months ago that he made a promise to himself that he wanted to live in a beautiful place and Joel has determined that Atlanta is not a beautiful place. Sorry, the Aquarium is cool, the High is pretty and white but Joel needs the outdoors and the culture all in one. And I have to say that I do to. So with all our wildest dreams we make tentative plans, plans to go somewhere beautiful. No it's not Boise even though it's sad to see the Perkins go without us right behind them.



We are driven by a desire to serve God where He wants us. Since we've been in Atlanta we've had trouble finding a church that we can grow with. We did however meet and grow to love the Maurer family and have realized more of their potential since they left to go to Pasedena. Ahhh, California. We want to go there. Yes, yes, there are many downsides. But as far as I know, we have to do something because I cannot will myself to be happy. I don't feel these things first, Joel does and he comes up with an idea that brings our family's plans to a higher place, a place that throws logic out the window sometimes. We of course talk like things are already happening, even though we have so much to do before then.



We are examining the transitions and what would be best for our family. Talks of fixing the house, home equity loans, full time school for Joel, part time work for me, and moving to a transitional place. This will be hard and fun. But we are determined to do it because we cannot just sit in a lukewarm apathy waiting for life to happen.



All the beautiful projects in the world will not fulfill the purposes God has for me and our family. Most of all I think of my children. I want Josiah and Eden to have a church experience, a experiecnce with a good group of kids that they will remember. I want them to have ample opportunities to meet Jesus all around them. They can't do that in our current situation. Friends are far away and we meet only occasionally. I want the ability to homeschool and I can't do that without a support group. And I don't have that now. Believe me, we tried and we do not let moss grow where there should be movement. I can't say that I am the most tuned in person to The Kingdom of God, but I do know that those of the Spirit go where He leads.



Slowly but surely we will go...

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February 20, 2006

Oil Paint Nip Tuck

Here's my latest. Doesn't have anything like a title, because it's barely on the canvas. I battled with this canvas and it's still pretty gross, but I was really wanting to make it collage-like anyway so mabye I can cover up the boo-boos with some paper and stuff. I had the hardest time with the face because the original picture has the womans face pointing upward. I didn't mean to make her confrontational, but it works. I had to keep moving her eyes, eybrows and cheekbones around. I think I finally got the structure down but she needs some serious touch-ups. Just stuff like shading and muscle configuration are still way off. It's a bit grotesque to keep wiping of a face and put it back on, makes me feel like a plastic surgeon. Here's some detail:

Check out more detail here.

Got a phone call from Brian Taylor, assistant Prof of Art at Shorter, and he has scheduled me for a November 06 art show. I'll be showing with an alumnus (?) Martie Moore who teaches here in Marietta. Of course, being a college they plan really far ahead, but it's still very exciting. I have to give an artists talk. So mark your calendars! November 2-17 Katie Ward Knutson at Shorter College! Wonder what pieces will be around by then!

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February 16, 2006

Forced

Last night I had to force myself to paint. It wasn't horribly cold, so I willed myself out the door to the garage. I'm working on a larger painting based on this picture. I am relatively good at faces, but I rarely get them in the same angle or close to portrait quality. I knocked out one of the faces last night, it's still pretty sloppy and I'm going to have to invent some shadows, wrinkles etc. The Danish girl in this picture looks like a Spanish beauty in my painting, gotta love that raw umber. I've fixed a wine cork, a stick and two envelopes to the canvas so far. It's just really slow going. By the end of the day I am tired and the fumes make me woozy. I don't like that at all and I start to worry about whats wrong with me. No I'm not pregnant. As soon as I come in and rest I feel better. And that's at 11:15pm. no wonder. I can't wait to show y'all the painting when it's in a happier place.

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February 14, 2006

Self Portrait Tuesday aka Valentines

Since it's Valentines Day I thought I would post a big smoochy picture of my lips. Self Portrait Tuesday's "All of Me" theme is dredging up the ugly in all of us therefore I wanted to show my mark. While on "the Pill" when I was first married I noticed I gained a freckle on my lip. For some odd reason I thought it would go away, but it didn't. The hormones gave me a freckle. If it was a naturally occuring freckle I might not dislike it so much, but this one gives me the chills. If you are on "the Pill" just to keep from having babies I say stop! Find another way (if the drug companies let you). That should put a nice zinger in your Valentines Day plans *wink, say no more!*. See more Self Portrait artists here

I have no groovy shots of the paintings I'm working on today. Last night was not as thrilling with progress. I am giving myself a break tonight, so I can have sweet conversations with my husband. He got Kalamata olives for Valentines. Imagine one of those inside a flimsy white envelope. Yum. I did have a happy Valentines accident! I grabbed up red hearts that were intended for cards and made a little makeshift mobile instead!

I was trying to sew hearts onto cards and it was a whole lot easier to sew them down the middle in a line. Maybe some of you would like a belated Valentines chain?? Hmmm?? The first 3 folks to comment I'll send you one. If you don't think I have your address, email me

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February 13, 2006

The Freezing Artist

This is the progress on Metro II. It's supposed to be blurry, and it's just not right now. I will have to let the paint dry and blur it when the structure of the image is a bit more permanent.

Here's a happy note: My Brown Cows are going to be published in the Sows Ear Poetry Review! I'll let you know when it's out!

Why oh why is the weather so cold the moment I get my groove on for painting? I remember freezing in Jeff's shop when I created my first great run of post-scholastic art. literally wearing those fingerless mittens to get through the evening. In my garage there is one outlet. it is across the room from my easel. I need an extension cord so I can have a good light. Unfortunately I have chosen my light over my warmth. I was painting for 2 hours last night and when I finally came in ohmanitwassoooooooocoldbluuuuuurrrrrr. I have a new large piece I want to start so bad, but it's too cold, waaaaay too cold. I get the gumption tonight since I bought an adapter thing so my heater can get plugged in now. *grin* warmth. It makes Santa Barbara seem really nice.

But ART, let me tell you, Joel was itchin' to get out of the house this Saturday sice he's been tied up to his books the past couple. We went to a few galleries around town having activities for kids. The first was practically over and was a mad-house of "washable" tempra paint. The second, we missed entirely. The third had a cool kaleidescope for the kids to make. It was great while it lasted. Joel let Josiah take it to his nap with him and now it's in a million pieces all in the carpet. Joel spoiled our whole family and we went across the street to the Thai restaurant for lunch. Yuuummm.

Josiah slurped down the Coconut milk soup and had a good time hamming it up with the host. But in between all the kid activities I got to actually look at some art! Wonder of wonders. I am terrible at researching, studying and knowing about current art in my area or anywhere for that matter. Going to the High every Thursday has made me a bit more connected. So we snatched up the latest Atlanta Gallery Association Mag for their ATLart[06] event at the Aliya Linstrum Gallery which had some pretty colorful landscapes done with pastels on suede. Kinda Cool. The Twinhouse Gallery had a beautiful show by Mr. and Mrs Hollingsworth. Joel thought their work was boring, but I thought it was classic. Still life of empty paper bags. Very beautiful in it's simplicity. I call it Pottery Barn art. Trinity Gallery though had a kick butt show by Bryce Hammond.

He's an old school graffiti artist in the line of Basquiat but has moved further into painting. His masked lines, text written with marker, spray paint, and the end of his brush throughout is lovely. And his subject matter was awesome too. Joel was so kind to let me cruise through there. It made me feel awesome about what I have been doing for the past 2 years with my art. And it challenges me to take it up a notch in clarity, drawing skills, and researched symbolism. I wish I could've bought one on the spot. There were some for under $800. Hah! I long for the day I can just buy art.

Ari M was so kind and lovely as to come to my aid on Friday and watch my precious snot-faces for a few hours while I joined my art class. I showed the progress I had made on the two Metro pieces and everyone, including Robert, responded very well. Robert was pleased because no one paints like I do in that class. I guess KSU just doesn't produce that many good abstract painters. I got alot of questions which is always nice. And some notes too. It's just funny because there is very little left for me to be taught as far as my personal style. I think that's what being 29 and getting my undergrad means. I've been producing without a professor and now that I have one, I want to talk to him as a peer. I guess that's alright. After my first meeting with him where he was a little abrupt with me, I vented, and then decided that I was just going to paint whatever the hay I wanted too. So as I diligently work my fingers frozen and my hands painfully dry, I know that I am doing it. I am doing what I am put here to do. Not to make stuffies, not to make cards, not to make my daughter cute felty shoes even. But to become a fine artist, a painter, one who galleries will desire. Cheers.

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February 10, 2006

FOUR

four jobs I've had:
summer camp gopher
sales clerk at the Choo Choo
glass blower apprentice
assistant manager at this college bookstore
these literally are THE four jobs I had before my most important job: Mama.

four movies I could watch over and over
say anything (always had a crush on John Cusack)
big lebowski
the matrix
baraka

four places I've lived
chatty TN
bergen norway
flinstone GA
may-retta GA

four TV shows I watch
law and order original (when joel lets me)
the shield (on DVD)
24 (also on DVD, back to back baby!)
sesame street (not by choice)

four places I've vacationed
prague czech rep
bergen norway
new orleans LA
san fran CA

four foods I love
avocado in various forms
vanilla fudge with brownie breyers
MPC pizza with garlic and artichoke
chimichangas from La Parilla

four sites I visit daily
my flickr
hotmail
my blog (yeah I like to look at it)
my blogroll (are you on it?)

four albums I can't live without
miseducation of Lauryn Hill
U2's 2 latest
jason upton-faith

four places I'd rather be
scandinavia-to experience real snow
Chattanooga with my fam and friends
Hilton Head
Santa Barbara CA, cuz my husband dreams of it daily

four random items in my purse
box of candy hearts (josiah's dry and clean rewards)
4 different Burts Bees products
empty mini tuperware container
3 different lipglosses
four people I'm tagging kate M
jennie W
cat
karen M

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February 9, 2006

Back to Oils

My first painting back to oils in a couple years. Actually since Norway. It feels good under my brush. This is for the Blur show at Pangea. And I feel it's more than halfway done.

I pretty much just started this one, but it's also for the Blur show. It's got a different movement to it, but both of these images are from metro stations. So I guess they will be Metro I and II.

Been listening too Sarah Groves "Add to the Beauty". Pretty much on a constant loop while painting. When my dad gives me a CD to listen to that he thinks I'll like he's pretty much right. I recommend this CD for anyone who loves lyrics, loves to sing at the top of your voice along with your music, and wants to find fresh, non-cheesy music that celebrates Our Creator God. This album is all about the Kingdom. "Taking our Church to the Moon" is a sad and funny song about the church of today and not the Real Church. Please enjoy. I will warn you, it is a woman singing, so it could be girly for some of you macho dudes who miss your Metallica. Inspiring though, and brought me back to a place I needed to be to worship and paint simultaneously.

Just Showed Up for My Own Life
I'm going to live my life inspired
Look for the holy in the common place
Open the windows and feel all that's honest and real until I'm truly amazed
I'm going to feel all my emotions
I'm going to look you in the eyes
I'm going to listen and hear until it's finally clear and it changes our lives

And last but not least, congrats to my friend Jennifer Kring (on the right, Lynn will be a few more days) who had her little girl on Tuesday night. Welcome Lavender!

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February 7, 2006

Self Portrait tuesday

Self Portrait Tuesday's theme this month is All of Me. Meaning not just the lovely bits but also the things that are ugly, annoying, dark, sad. Basically, stuff you might have a hard time putting on your blog (just in my opinion). I'm sure some folks will go deep and hog wild with it, but I'm gonna ease in slow.

This is me yesterday after Cat left and after Eden woke up. I had to work, I had to paint. I knew that if I didn't do something desperate I would never get anything done for this class. I hooked up the heater in the garage, I brought out the stereo, brought out a play spot for Eden, put her in warm clothes and a hat and painted. Although it didn't last long, I spent most of the time painting with Eden on my hip. My painting style allows it. It wasn't easy. It sucked as a matter of fact. But just like exersizing after a long time not it should've been hard. Eden is a small baby, but she's still heavy. I carried her on my back at the GA Aquarium for 4 hours people! I can hear Lynn groaning. I wasn't enjoying holding her and painting.

But back to the picture. Besides my awkward circumstances I got great results. Praise God! But the pictures I took revealed something I hate. I hate my garage. It's a mess. It's full of things that reveal good and bad things about me. I've thought about spray painting the windows of the garage door white so you can't see in. It lacks all organization, no storage solutions to help it. All junk, unwanted baby gifts, grown out of clothing, dirty camping stuff, old shoes, and scraps from out first weeks of fixing the house is out there. When I decided I had to oil paint I knew I couldn't do it in the house, so out the garage I went to find a corner for a table and an easel. The light is horrible so I have a lamp. And yesterday, holy moses it was cold. My beautiful view over my easel is a mountain of diaper boxes that I can't seem to throw away. I mean, dang, they're good boxes with handles. And for how expensive diapers are, shouldn't I keep the boxes? Anyway, that's my somewhat lightweight submission/admission. Go now and find a project, and clean up afterwards!

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red bubbles

red bubbles


Originally uploaded by katiek2.

We had a happy weekend with birthday events. We had a party with many toddling friends and an extended visit from Josiah's first best friend, Cat. We left Joel home to study accounting stuff (fun!)and we went to the GA Aquarium again. We found out that they had a playground and we rounded out our day frolicking inside tunnels and down a whale slide. Josiah grows more and more fond of his friend Cat and it warms my heart. It's wonderful to have friends that enjoy my children as much as they enjoy me.



It's been so fun also receiving postcards from Myra's postcard swap. I still need to scan them in for you all to enjoy.



My painting class is a bit daunting because of the lack of consistent time to work. I've been nervous and sweating the situation. My paint arrived late, my prof was not at all friendly or helpful, and of course I have very...little...time. Ari offered to help me out with the kids. Ain't it great how ATLblogs brings folks together. And with the Sarah Groves CD my dad gave me this weekend I have some nice beautiful music to concentrate my goals with. I had a couple great painting sessions this afternoon and tonight. I'm loving working with oils again. It's like riding a bike. The colors are excellent and my heart is filled with praise to God just for the existence of such rich colors and textures. Even though I had to paint with Eden on my hip for part of the time, I felt productive and happy. We'll see what Friday will hold. Introducing my kids to a new sitter, and enduring unstructured teaching and cliqueitude at school. God is good, he takes care of me.

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February 3, 2006

3 years

3 years old today. That's my boy Josiah. Happy birthday buddy. What a whirwind and a joy you have been from the first painful moments to the months of struggle after keeping you fed. You are my ridiculously healthy son, my surprise of a redhead. With your father's facial features. Growing striaght up like a weed so all your pants are too short in a couple weeks. Your bumbly coordination has given way to full force speed and new agility. You love your world, your friends, what you get to see. I wonder through your eyes now. Everything is new to you and I delight again with new eyes how wonderful God's world is. I love to hear you sing. I hate hearing you cry, especially when your scared. You were a gift from God at the perfect time. We never doubted your arrival, gender, name or purpose. You are beloved, cherished and exhausting. I am older and wiser because of you but I am happier, more confident, free from fear and worry because I have you in my life. I watch you as your brain begins to learn more complicated things and I am a little overwhelmed with my continuing task of being your teacher and your guide. But we will do this together and God is your perfect parent. Me and your Papa are your friends forever and we'll always have time to stop what we're doing and ROCK OUT!

mommy time | By | 10:47 AM | Comments (6) | TrackBack