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June 28, 2006
Weathered
On day 3 of the shovelling my hands are blistered and sore. I am getting kinda fond of getting dirty and sweating and then taking my dirty brown self up to my bright white room and taking a luke warm shower and feeling refreshed.
And just when I thought I was in a valley of sorts as far as painting, I picked up my brush and put a good couple layers on a comission. It's lookin' pretty neato, even Joel thinks so. I'm not sure if the folks who are paying for this painting ever check my blog, so I'll just post a detail cuz it's a surprise:
Pretty trippy!
Self Portrait Tuesday | By | 5:33 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
June 26, 2006
The Dirt and Labor
Our plans for the future have been slowly making me feel numb and I haven't been able to get past the fear of tackling so much. I know many of you think I have like super-mom powers because I do all these little projects, paint, go to school, keep house, take care to two kids, etc.... But I bet if we all made lists of the things we do everyday we wouldn't be so different. Anyway, I feel like my feet are in cement with how little I get done. I tell myself I will accomplish things to get the house ready to sell but I find myself recoiling from it and finding other less important things to do. It's gotten to the point of many tears, many prayers, and conversations with Joel that involve sharp honesty and that love that tests and burns and polishes your character so much your tired from all the buffing.
So I've been praying that God would give me the will to do something to get us to our next point. That next point is selling this house and moving to Chattanooga for the fall semester at Covenant College. So that means by August we need to have a plan if not be moved up to Chattanooga, have jobs, a place to live and sanity left.
After all the rain yesterday we were a discouraged couple of parents who really wanted to take our kids on a bike ride Sunday afternoon in our new bike trailor. But alas, the rain, the rain. I'm actually thankful for the rain, it was way to hot this past week. Anyway, we stood outside planning our yard-plan-for-sales and decided to get a buncha pine straw. As illogical as it sounds, Joel wanted to just plop pine straw over the rocks that now adorn the base of the three red maples in our front yard. Craziness!! I mean, the rocks are ugly. So ugly. They are a step up from dirt road gravel. They are a plague and make our house look like the ugliest one on the block (well, our house also needs a paint job badly, and the bushes Joel hacked down to nubbs are pretty sad too). But I HATE these rocks, and I'd love to agree with Joel that plopping pine straw on top of them would do the trick, but it just doesn't work for me, "What if after a while the rocks show through?" "So what, we'll be gone." I know that makes Joel sounds really lazy, but he's not, it's just that ugly white gravel rocks in the front yard are the least of his 'sell your home' worries. So I promised him that I, yes ME, I would remove the ugly rocks to at least a lesser amount so that they would not create such a huge layer. This my friends is hard labor.
Continue reading "The Dirt and Labor"
house | By | 5:21 PM | Comments (3) | TrackBack
June 23, 2006
Orange Buds
Look at my adorable second cousin Eliana! Her beautiful baby 'fro is being held back by a Katie Ward Knutson original wool felt headband. I am sooooo sad I missed meeting her and my cousin Joel's wedding this past weekend.
community | By | 7:42 PM | Comments (4) | TrackBack
June 22, 2006
White Cars
I had a plan for this shirt and then it got a little screwed up (the lettering on the front) and now I'm not quite sure. So many little boys. There's Ezra, Ellis, Jack, all the Perkins, the two Gienapps (well, it's too small for Damien), Caleb, I mean I'm sure I'm missing some other little boys that could fit into a 24 month tee. It's just not quite right to sell. I guess I need to come up with a plan....
More t-shirt pics and stencil pics here
But for color theme insanity here's to white:
MY BRAND NEW TOYO PREVIA MINIVAN!!! Thank you Jesus!
We got it for a great price and have taken it in for a check up, but so far we're happy with our decision. I'm a little nervous that something will be wrong when we get the "post-buy" report but still. When I remember that some people spend 25K for a car I'm glad mine was a tiny fraction of that. I'm glad we can OWN it today.
community | By | 11:16 PM | Comments (6) | TrackBack
June 21, 2006
green
They're $1 a piece and everyone in my family eats them. Now that's a big deal! Creamy, cool, slimy and perfect with a little salt on top and maybe some lemon juice. Eat 'em right outta the skin with a spoon. When I have time they become guacamole, but I usually don't have time. As I bundled myself together to take my parents to the airport this afternoon I was putting out little fires. Leaving for a 45 minute drive at the beginning of naptime is something that only happens in special circumstances. My mom watching me make my kids share, and gathering things together said, "Kate, how do you get anything done". Yeah, how do I get anything done? I get things done when I can, because these days that my kids are small and I have a smidge of youth myself, I'll get the things done that are required and the things that bring joy. I do need the kick in the pants to get some art projects done, cuz I'm sure you guys are getting bored with the thematic entries.
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June 20, 2006
Yellow and Blue
I swam across
I jumped across for you
Oh all the things you do
Cause you were all yellow
I drew a line
I drew a line for you
Oh what a thing to do
And it was all yellow
Your skin
Oh yeah your skin and bones
Turn into something beautiful
D'you know for you i bleed myself dry
For you i bleed myself dry
I can't help but think about Jesus when I listen to this song
Blue, songs are like tattoos
You know I've been to sea before
Crown and anchor me
Or let me sail away
| By | 9:57 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
June 19, 2006
Daddy-O
Happy Father's Day to all the dad's in my life. To my bro in law Nate who is pretty new to dad-hood but beaming with pride. To Kirk who is enjoying Joanna's personality more and more everyday as she gets into the super-fun part of being a baby.To my dad who crumbles to pieces around his kids and especially his grandkids. Thanks for being so soft Dad, you're the greatest!
I was listening to Mara Davis on Dave FM the other day as she was doing her theme lunch thing about dads. She was talking about how cool it must be to have a rock star for a dad. "I mean, can you imagine how cool it must be!! A Rock Star DAD!!" Yeah, it's cool. My dad isn't Bono, or Steven Tyler or anything, but I can relate a tad. It's different, it's cool. Your dad doesn't go to work he has "gigs". He doesn't wear a three piece suit, he wears a shiny crazy shirts and honkin' huge black dress shoes. He gets invited to your school to talk and play. I mean, I have random memories that are strange and some that are awesome. But all in all now that dad is not a rock star, he's a mentor, a worship-leader, a musician, an educator, I realize that he works hard for a cause that many leave behind and for that I know he is true not only to what God has called him to do, but for everyone who ever stood in awe of him. When you hear some random recording artist get up to accept there award and thank "The Fans" you think, are they really working for us? Well, I know my dad works for his fans, whether they appreciate it or not. I give my dad a lot of hell for working too much, but the thing is I didn't marry a musician who works all the hours everyone else has off. I am very proud of all the things my dad has written, the arrangements he does every....single....Sunday, I know that he will die in his footsteps and for that I carry a torch, I'm like that too.
This is the man I married! Joel, the greatest dad!
family | By | 12:10 AM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
June 16, 2006
the walking red
So my girl is officially walking. It's so different second time around. I could go into all the many ways that she is growing up and leaving baby-hood behind, but I will keep it short, I have a painting to start. She's truckin' along escpecially in places that are interesting like by the swimming pool, the playground, the Fairy Tale Ball at the Cobb Co Library... It's wonderful. So here's the walking red head for the last day of celebrating color. My little carrot top Eden B.
community | By | 9:44 PM | TrackBack
June 15, 2006
blue
Thursday is blue. we have a lot of blue at our house. 3 rooms in our house are blue, kinda by default. But we are all blue-eyed, I'm the greyest of the bunch. Everywhere I go I get "Look at those eyes!" because my two kids have Joel's clear blues. Thanks Scandinavia. People forget my eyes are blue. I come from a family where I was the odd-ball. I was the only blue-eyed. I must say I love the deepness of dark brown eyes, eyes you can stare into and never see the bottom. But my blue eyed kids have a fresh spring water look to them that will never go away. Like those shallow pools you can see the bottom of. I love how they are contrasting with the orange in there hair. As Josiah sat in a room with about 35 other children at the library's story time I looked at his little strawberry blonde head right in the middle and the part of me that always wants to be different and unusual was bursting with pride. How I love having kids you can spot at the playground just because of their hair color! I imagine it will fade, Eden's may stick around a bit longer who knows. But as long as my trigger happy finger is snappin' their youth up pixel by pixel I will remember the contrast. The blues and the oranges, they are permanent, no assembly required, a lifetime warranty.
All my hard work searching has paid off. I have found two things I've wanted forever at great prices, great condition and in ONE PLACE, just 15 minutes from my house! I got a Sit-N-Stand stroller and a bike trailor with stroller attachment, both for under $150!! The Sit-N-Stand is going to be a wonderful addition. Josiah knew just what to so with it when we tried it out. The trailor was a bit rough, much pushing and screaming for a bit, but once I got it moving all was well in the world! Rejoice with me! Now, let's pray about that Previa....
community | By | 2:41 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
grey
Wednesday was grey, so I'm playing catch up. This is the Disney Concert Hall in downtown LA. It was pretty quiet on Memorial Day weekend down there. It's where the LA Symphony Orchestra performs the Aladdin theme song. Yeah, that's all I can think of when I see an concert hall with Disney in the title. I'm sure they are very talented musicians that have much merit and play more than Disney theme songs. My love/hate relationship with Disney continues.
When you think of grey you think of dull, boring, cloudy. But this grey is shining, brilliant, polished steel. A thrilling grey, a natural raw beautiful grey. A silver that burns your retina to look at it. A grey that deserved a few photos.
Thanks for all your encouragement guys! Good to know that I'm not alone in all this blur. I'll let everyone know when the butterfly onesies are in progress, I'm still cutting out the stencils.
community | By | 2:17 PM | TrackBack
June 14, 2006
Brown
Tuesday was brown. Here's my steamed dumpling with ginger. I love these little guys! You pop them in your mouth and all these lucious juices come a flowin'! I was such a dork taking pictures of my food, but when it's so unusual for you to eat it and to be out at all, let alone out in LA! I mean, I was gonna live it up and had no pride. I know the locals were talking and seeing how wierd I was, so what. It's a pretty dumpling!
Sorry for the short and sporratic posts. I'm actually trying to get things done. But I promise a more thoughtful post hopefully with pictures of progress.
But to bullet a few things:
--We're finishing up little projects like getting rid of ugly light fixtures, painting doors, razoring paint off windows, replacing tacky linoleum (although this is a cool idea too), and cleaning (I haven't washed my floor yet, it's hard to get motivated when it's dirty 5 minutes after).
--I've gotten a commission for a painting and that should pay nicely, now to get motivated to paint again. It's so hard.
--I'm now the one contributing to the thrift stores. I have been making trips every other day to give back to the thrift store. Mostly stuff I didn't get there before. I'd do freecycle, but it's burned me too often. I hate No Shows!
--We ARE going to have a Toyota Previa in 7 days, I am certain. I am also trying to find a good stroller, the umbrella stroller is just driving me crazy! I feel like a homeless person with all there belongings lumped together on the back of this little spindley thing.
--So yeah, our "plan" is for Joel to go to school at Covenant in the fall. How this will work we have no idea. Will we still live here? Will we be able to sell our house before August (miracle!). And most importantly, Joel needs a new source of employment, this is the biggest test of faith yet. I am officially calling us crazy.
community | By | 9:17 AM | Comments (3) | TrackBack
June 13, 2006
I love Pop!
This month's SPC is Pop Art. Enjoy some Pop!
Self Portrait Tuesday | By | 11:17 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
White
Color week, maybe I'll do them all, maybe not. But while rummaging through old art supplies, mostly beads, I found one of my 3D design projects. I made her in an ivory glass, she's my venus. I'm thinking of selling her on etsy.
tuesday is brown.
community | By | 8:39 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
June 11, 2006
On my shoulder
On my shoulder
Originally uploaded by katiek2.
Oh, I should be doing so many other things, like packing up stuff in my garage to take to the thrift store, or scraping paint off of my newly painted french doors, or feeding my daughter dinner (oops). But instead, I have been cutting stencils. A nice busy-hands activity for a day with the in-laws sitting and playing Settlers, and sipping coffee. I'm thinking about doing a repeat of my butterfly onesies but with these stencils. Trouble is, you can only use the stencils once cleanly. They are sooooo incredibly simple and friendly for my kid busy house. A quick press with the iron, a few swabs of carefully applied acrylic paint and let it dry- ta da!! Josiah can watch it from start to finish before he even thinks about touching. If you are thinking of trying it I suggest Veer for nice illustrations and trace it right off your computer monitor! Ok, now to make the Sunday night pancakes.
Check out more fun stencils here
fine art | By | 7:27 PM | Comments (3) | TrackBack
June 9, 2006
the Patience to Live
I love my boy, he gives me so much joy. These pool/water photos are so beautiful to me. Josiah has been so difficult the past few days. So exhausting. Constantly whining, not responding to discipline, being constantly antagonizing to his sister. Not being loving, kind or fair to Eden. Fussing, fussing, fussing. Bossing me around. I have been brought to the edge of decent humanity by my son this past week. I'm sure I have said things and done things that I hope I never do again. I have been completely at a loss. Words that John Worrell said are ringing in my ears "terrible twos are nothing, it's three that's hard". I'm feeling that now. I'm hoping that it's just because we haven't been getting to bed on time for a few days straight. So tonight they will both be asleep by 8:30.
After a day with the Jenkins , the kids konk out by the Northside Dr exit.
With any job you have ups and downs. My job is very important. My downs bring me down because this little person depends on me for everything. I have to teach him and help him learn to love. I have to equally give Eden the respect she deserves when she is wronged yet I also have to put out the fire of Josiah being a raving, crazy, frothing, temper tantrum storm. Sometimes in the middle of the grocery store. *sigh* It's so easy to be selfish and not explain why to Josiah every time. But it's important to explain, to tell Josiah what was done wrong. He wants hugs everytime he gets disciplined but I get conservative with them. I now ask him for an apology before I give him a hug. I hate that. I am battling sin, my little boy's sin and more so, MY sin. I once again groan not because my child is a bad kid, but because the world is a hard place to live.
with our favorite librarian Mrs. Jacobs
family | By | 4:47 PM | Comments (4) | TrackBack
June 7, 2006
It can't just stay on my hard drive!
I had a couple posts that had more meaning and thought, but I lost them both! So here is my photoshoot of my goodies from Papersource and Trader Joes.
Paper, cards and a stamp. One card says "How to eat a crow" I'm so dim, I had no idea what "eating crow" meant. derf. It's a fun card to have anyway.
Ghandi card and bee paper close up
My simple K. it's nice to have a repeating consanent in your name. They had a great rubber stamp collection but I couldn't find one that just popped out at me. Except there was this newborn baby stamp that was really pretty. My friend Kate M teaches Bradley Method classes (when she has a moment) and we both stood there dreaming and scheming how to use this stamp for her classes. So I just bought it for her against all her protesting. "A good stamp can not go to waste! It will come in mighty handy!" I stated with great verve. Besides, I love Kate and we've missed them, and if I can contribute to Kate's professional sucess and skills this is very small. It is a beautiful stamp and I'm sure Kate will find many uses for it. Empowering stay at home moms, one stamp at a time.
And from Trader Joes: my favorite pop up sponges and lavender dryer pouches. Mmmmm, makes my clothes smell soooo good. We snuck some Charles Shaw home too.
So many pretties, so little time. Off to meet Andrea today. Wheee!
mommy time | By | 9:48 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
June 2, 2006
Tormented and Calm
So I got myself into a hairy conversation on a forum about art and the 2nd commandment on CC's alum site. Shoulda known when good ole GB was posting a controversial topic I should run, run far away. But no! I am an artist! I believe in defending an artist's rights! I do not believe it is wrong to paint a picture of Jesus. But according to this article, I am wrong! I wrote that I felt stupid because this debate makes my head spin. And without insulting me, GB told me I had not read enough, studied enough, and said that my artwork would suffer if I did not do those things. In another sideways manner, he told me that I was doing my children detriment by not reading them the Heidelberg Catechism. Well, how does he know what I read them. He probably wouldn't like to know were I stand on speaking in tongues either. So after I was very very angry and fumed, felt inadequate, felt betrayed by the only denomination I've ever known, cried in protest I went to sleep and woke up to realize that God had made me to be an artist that wants to redeem the art world and there will be Christians that stand in my way as well. I'm not going to fight with GB, I will be kind and do my thang. I will try to read more so I will not feel so stupid next time around.
My mom come down today to bring me stuff and to find a good pair-o-shoes. It was a happy reunion with some of my work I haven't seen since October. It's hard though, it gets sent away so that it will sell and become a joyful work of art to someone else. I literally went around my whole garage, which is walled in all around, and nailed nails to hang all the paintings that have been sitting in a corner harboring the millipedes. It's kinda crazy really, seeing all my paintings hung salon style in my garage. The colors are consistent, the nudes look nice next to each other. Believe me, I've hung as many paintings as I can inside my house were the climate is more controlled, but one runs out of room! I have the possibility of a show at Radial as early as July but it's set now for October. In November they will be at Shorter College. In the in between periods I visit with them like children who have left the nest. I examine their texture, remember their flaws, but mostly I sigh that one day they will be gone forever and I will not welcome them home again. So I touch them and move them from one room to the other (maybe to my garage salon). If you want to see all my art in one place, nows the time to do it!
I have 5 new pods up in my etsy shop. For those of you that like "Pod with Stencil" these new ones fall in that vein. I doubt that these will sell quite as well, but maybe I'm wrong! I know Lynn likes 'em and several kids in my art class liked them. So the more artistic eye may be drawn to these. I try to make my pods "buyable", sweet, aestheically neutral so more of the general populous will pay for them. The ones with stencils are a bit more graphic looking, kinda sci-fi.
Also, I have entered a new realm of distraction, quite hesitantly I might add. I have decorated my boring diaper bag with a hip, detailed POD STENCIL!!
Yes, folks, the Lash Pods grace my bag and I have created a whole strip. If you like the way they look, maybe I can decorate something for you!
fine art | By | 10:42 PM | Comments (6) | TrackBack
June 1, 2006
A piece of time
My daughter with Nally the dog. Nally was trained to be a guide dog, but she failed one test and now is the family pet. We were spolied royaly by Joel's Aunt and Uncle. Not just because they bought us way too many meals, opened up their home, and let us drive their Honda Odyssey anywhere we wanted, but they took our kids for two whole days do we could do what we wanted. This was supreme awesome time. It's amazing how quickly you fall into mommy and daddy mode and forget how to be alone together.
The first day we were a bit rusty. We took a long bike ride and strolled around Huntington beach, so pretty and exhilerating to get some excersize. Huntington Beach is a bit like the mall though. Full of kiddies dressed in their sexy beach best stalking each other. I didn't really fit in with my bike riding gear on.
It was cool seeing all the surfers, they left special marks along the boardwalk. I finally figured out the wierd wet footprints were from the surfers walking the wetness off to their cars. They come in all shapes and sizes, all ages too. It was cool seeing the dog beach. Just folks with their pooches throwing balls and frisbees and picking up poop.
We rounded off that day by going to Cottage Art to check out the beautiful Indian clothing. Oh man, I could wear peasent shirts ALL THE TIME, but alas I can't afford them all the time. SO many pretty things. Joel got bored so we left and we got Bobas.
That's a drink with tapioca balls at the bottom. Kinda good, kinda gross. We opted for the ice coffee without boba the next time. A lot cheaper than Starbucks!!
That's chapter one. Maybe I'll get around to writing more as all the experiences sink in. After such an action packed vacation, I need catch up time to slow down and enjoy my home, my space and the things I am planning for the future. More goodies from my trip here.
I love Thursdays | By | 4:37 PM | Comments (4) | TrackBack