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January 31, 2007

Little Finch Forrest

Finally this little booger is done! 6"x9" acrylic on canvas. Available at New Eyes Shop.
Josiah is feeling much better today and Eden is not sick! Hallelujah! Thanks for all your prayers!

fine art | By | 2:34 PM | TrackBack

January 30, 2007

SPC and health

I know it doesn't look it, but we are a sorry bunch these days. I was feverish and stomachy yesterday wanting to just die because my children were dancing around me with restlessness. I also have 2 art lessons on Tuesday afternoon with Cara English and Sarah Demoss. And this week, I have to help with the Pre-K program that Josiah goes to Wednesday mornings at NCF. Well, I'm feeling about 90% today but I'm totally unprepared. Thankfully I moved my art lessons to Thursday, but the Pre-K is still a problem. If Josiah was feeling OK I would get on the ball but he has been barfing non-stop since 8am with late night intervals early this morning. There's no way we're making Pre-K. And my week just comes to a grinding hault. There are papers to sign and paintings to paint. There are things to be cleaned! But my father spoke through his migrane haze and said, "Kate, we need to get you well." I have had a cold for who knows how long. The stomach thing is over and I can now do all the laundry that is being created by my poor sick little boy. I'm almost worried about him because of how often he's barfing, he's never been this sick before. I knocked him out with Benedryl for naptime so hopefully when he wakes up he'll have a stomach that can hold down Pedialyte. I am not a panicky sort of mom, it probably helps to have brother in law pediatric help on speed dial.

Josiah will be 4 years old on Saturday. Maybe it's best with the illness that we aren't doing a big bash of a birthday. My first real day at AVA is Josiah's birthday, and that's alright. I think we'll have a bigger bash for Eden's 2nd in our new house in Jefferson Heights. So I guess I'll need to make a cake sometime after my posponed art lesson and before my dad leaves Friday night for a gig. I want to make Josiah's birthday to be special. I want his new boots to arrive!! But I thought I would begin by celebrating him with this excellent photo he took of Eden and I at the Ross' Landing playground. He loves taking pictures and for the first time I think Eden looks like me.

So if you think of us today, pray that Josiah will be back to his old self for his birthday. Pray that Eden and Joel will not get sick. So for this SPC I'd like to resolve to step back, get well, and know that time will catch up and all things will fall into place. The moments that seem to last forever are short and I am very very very thankful that my children are healthy. The advertizing gets me everytime.

| By | 11:50 AM | Comments (3) | TrackBack

January 26, 2007

Calliope

To celebrate Calliope Ann, Kelly and Micah's baby due in a few weeks. We had fun at their new house telling fun stories and sharing how good God is to us mom's. It's always great to chat with Amy and crafty talking with Michelle. Kelly married into a really sweet family. I really enjoyed the instant warmth that was there. And of course seeing little Marlow makes me smile a lot.


And since Josiah's birthday is next week (Saturday to be exact) here's his wishlist. Seriously, we don't need more toys.

mommy time | By | 11:12 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack

January 24, 2007

SPC Resolutions #4

This is not really a self portrait. Cat took this last weekend at the Pickel Barrell. So give credit where it's due. I guess when I look at this picture of me I think of how I have turned 30 this year and I am starting to realize that my age does matter. I can't and won't dress the way I did in college. It's unattractive, it's sloppy. I have to clean up and be pretty. I resolve to be feminine. I do like pink, I like make-up (except when my mascara is poking me in the eyes), I like scented lotions that make my skin softer. And for the first time my husband bought me perfume for my 30th birthday! I would so wear high heels to keep my pants from dragging on the ground. Ugh, that's another thing. No more pants dragging on the ground! Being feminine is not about weakness, sappiness, flakiness, or being shallow. Being feminine is celebrating what God has made me. I want things to look nice. I want my purse to make me feel kinda stylish. I watch Project Runway and Runway Moms. Although I don't watch romantic comedies anymore (sappy). I think being a mother is a very feminine quality. And being the mother of a little girl brings it out even more. Eden and I had our 3 and half hours just with Eden this morning while Josiah was in school. We shopped!! For clothes!! I got one pair of pants and a shirt so I can look presentable at AVA. We went through the clearance jewelry at Target. Eden loved it. Then we went to the thrift store and had fun trying on shoes. I came home with an oh-so-feminine pair of Teva's, there in great shape too! It was fun shopping with Eden, we had a great girly time.

But resolutions aside, you'll see me in blue jeans and Doc Martens (although they are purple corduroy). I'll be sporting lots of hoodies and sneakers in my lifetime. But I will always want to dress in a way that makes my womanly side happy.

AND IN BIRD NEWS:

Here's my next little bird. It's not quite done, but almost. Look for it in New Eyes Shop. It's about 5"x7" on canvas.

Also I've paused on the birds for now to work more on Eliana. No worries Sam and Sara, I'll have that done before her 2nd birthday.

Self Portrait Tuesday | By | 6:12 PM | Comments (3) | TrackBack

January 21, 2007

Paying for It

We've had quite an adventurous weekend. Well it was actually just Saturday. And man we are paying for it. Ugh. But when I was feeling beyond exhausted this afternoon and thinking I was going to skip church, I thought about if it was wrong to do any of the things we did yesterday. And I deduced that God wanted us to do it all in a very short amount of time. And I'm here to tell about it.

We met with Caroline, our bitchin' real estate agent, to look at one of the homes in Jefferson Heights. Not the one we're buying, but one that's more finished. We wanted to look at the materials we were picking out on a grander scale to make sure we liked it. All this is so exciting, I can't reiterate that enough. What an amazing occurance, the revamping of the southside. So we are hanging out in the house for a while and the builder comes in with a potential buyer. Turns out its a friend of mine from highschool! Crazy. Justin was like,"Katie you don't recognize me do you?" That's when the lightbulb turned on. Joel said, as we went to romp on the playground,"How much more likely is he to buy this house knowing we're 2 houses down?" Pretty cool knowing your neighbors.

After a futile trip to the lighting store and finding the tile store was closed we got our little family home. Joel and I planned to go to the TenShow, a graphic design juried show. This show was in an old A.M.E. church that Cessna Decosimo owns. The ambiance was incredible! The art was great! And the turnout was totally insane. So many bodies. I'd like to think they were all here to look at sweet graphics and support the reviving of Main Street but there was free booze. Booze=Turnout. Amazing paper-like light fixtures hung in the center of the main rooms. They were beautiful and I should have taken a bunch more shots of the one in the main room.

The best part of this show was that we got reconnected with old friends and met some new ones. John Sweet was serving his awesome bread with Dice mingling about. Met some of our new neighbors Christie and Butch, and met Caroline's husband, we hope to get them outta Ringgold and into Jefferson Heights! Ran into Mason, one of Kirk's highschool friends. Mason is fixing up a house on Mitchell Ave. I mean, how amazing is this.

Mason's dream is to finance some sort of market on the Southside. I'm all for it, down with Bi-Lo and Walmart!! Finally met blogging creative cohorts Mark and Amber Cooley, great to come full circle on these relationships! But the best surprise by far was to learn that D-Master, Darren 'the Birdie' was in town to wish cousin Brian a happy wedding.

We mosied down to the Pickel Barrel to catch up and ended up travelling to LaMarr's and closing them down at 3am. So again I say UGH. But great fun was had by all. Joel and I along with Cat and her brother Aaron bonding over PBR with Darren was so worth the groaning. I really believe that it's all part of building community.

As Bucky reminded us at church tonight, community is what the church is for. I am so looking forward to seeing what God will do with the Southside of Chattanooga. I wonder what our little family has to contribute. And the fact that the motto/theme of all this is 'Revival Main' and it begins in a church building, I don't think it's just a play on words. I think there is power in what's going on. It's very important to follow that money. Because no matter who is writing the checks, it all belongs to God.

"There's a lot of money out there, and God wants to give it to us!" SpC

community | By | 11:48 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack

January 19, 2007

Little Brown Bird

Here's another bird for your eyes to soak in. Little brown one. Stenciled butterfly wings, paint pen dots to accent the background. He needs a happy home! Approximately 5"x7".

Visit New Eyes Shop for all your Bird Pod needs!

fine art | By | 11:06 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack

Answers

I know all my bird fans would like to see 5 more Bird Pods making an appearance right now, and I am working on more. I've been hit by plague #2 and my evenings are made of kleenex, water, Ricola and wrapping myself up like a burrito on the couch. I do want to share with you this cute picture of Eden and my dad. Allison Demoss was so nice to do a freebie photo shoot for us (including rights so no worries). Some of you lucky folks will receive a fam shot from us from this shoot. I also wanted to share that I have been hired by AVA as a flex-gallery assistant. I was hesitant to go into this interview yesterday because I have so few hours to commit to a real job. I am totally convicted about my childrens state of mind and how they deal with being 'watched' all day long. This position is something I have wanted to do forever, this is the job I wanted 10 years ago but was even less qualified for! When I applied for the full gallery assistant job we were still in Marietta full time and it would have been crazy. I guess they picked up on my vibe and hired somebody else. Funny thing, I found out the same afternoon that I was approved by ArtsMove and not hird by AVA! The girl they hired is one of my SIL's friends, a Covenant art grad no less! Crazy town. I met the directors and gabbed a bit with Hayley and Amy about different stuff. I will work every other Saturday and one day a week it looks like. I will help out when 4 Bridges fest happens and other various galas. It's a great opportunity. I'll go in today from 1-5, kids will be fed and put to bed and when I get home they will only have been up for a hour! Perfect. BTW AVA's exhibit now is gorgeous! Nicholas Buntamante, great line quality.

fine art | By | 8:54 AM | Comments (2) | TrackBack

January 17, 2007

SPC #3 Resolutions

One thing I would really like to do this next year. This new year of lots of changes, moving to a new place, brand new house, old friends, new church etc. I want to be even more natural, carefree, and happy with where I am and who I am. I have things I want to improve, but mostly I want to work on what God made me to be. That means lots of hard work, but also that means less self-absorbtion and more rolling with it. This picture is one Josiah took last week after his first day of school. I love it. It's not the most flattering picture of me, but it's very natural. I have that "Oh I love you, my little boy, let me give you a great big grin to prove it!". Josiah loves taking pictures and I'm not going to miss out on this creative experience. That's part of me being less uptight and more relaxed and natural. It's kinda cheesy but good and true.

Self Portrait Tuesday | By | 4:14 PM | Comments (3) | TrackBack

January 16, 2007

A Good Day, A Great Day

It's been a good day. Despite the fact that Eden barfed all over me twice Sunday night. She made it all day today, cabin fever and all, without barfing. Joel didn't have to work for the holiday so it was good to have extra hands with the sick girl. Today was a great day because without much time at all I've sold my Sparrow Bird Pod and the Good Morning bunny painting. Yesssss. Also I have added another student to my Tuesday Tutoring. Sarah Demoss. It'll be great to have twice as much coming in from teaching fun stuff with markers and pastels. Thank you Lord. Tommorrows lesson I will use some of young Ava's drawings as an example. Here's to grrreat days! And I'll be making more birds. I have another to post, but I'm tired.

Goodnight.

***New Yellow Bird Pod***

It'll be in my shop today.

fine art | By | 12:25 AM | Comments (6) | TrackBack

January 14, 2007

Woodland Creature Art

I've been painting little creatures today. This is Cookie, I found her on Flickr and I just had to paint her. No worries, I got permission.

Here's the next clean generation of Bird Pod. I've gotta find more wood in my parents basment to do more dimensional effects. I love the wide sides.

fine art | By | 12:28 AM | Comments (8) | TrackBack

January 13, 2007

Romance

Last Saturday Joel was sick and stayed home from our CDM outting with NRV and friends. It wasn't so bad for me since I had friends and loads of entertainment for the kids. I'm sure Joel was not having fun.

After 7 years of marriage and another move uprooting normalcy it is difficult for us to just relax and be with each other. There is always something we have to do, talk about, and sometimes we end up bickering about something small. We need more time alone, that's a given, we're definately planning a date this week. I love my Joel. He works so hard for the family and he plays hard with the kids. And he listens to me express the same thing over and over again. I am praying for faith that God will remind us how good He is. That He will provide even though money is tight. Today Joel let me sleep in (with no hesitation, he popped outta bed!). Then by the time I mosied downstairs he was packing them in the car to go to the Jefferson St playground. Tee-ball set in hand. So now I can blog in my pj's leisurely drink my tea (and it's still warm!, watch Clean Sweep, and after I finish this short entry. I will go down to the studio and paint a bit. This time is so special, such a sweet gift. I don't even know if he thought it would be so nice for me, it just is. My Joel, he's such a romantic.

mommy time | By | 11:01 AM | TrackBack

January 10, 2007

First Day of Pre-K

Today Josiah went to the Pre-K program at NCF. We collected makers, crayons, pencils, scissors and an apron from IKEA to go into his bookbag. The bookbag was the hardest thing to find. Ours are still in Marietta, and I thought for sure that Mom would have a gazillion, but I was wrong. I did find a Guatamalan bag that the big Lutheren Conference gave my dad way back. It worked just fine. It didn't have a zipper though. I promised Josiah's teacher I would find one with a zipper. I picked out school clothes last night, and bundled us up this morning. We were the first ones there. Josiah has never had any fears (of any consistancy) of being left in a nursery class, so Eden and I bustled off to have a morning of errands. It was soooo nice to just have Eden. Wow, things were so simple! We went to drop off clean laundry for my grandparents. We walked to the bank and stopped and got a coffee. We watched some ER. Then we picked Josiah up! I was talking with Sarah Davick and locked my keys in the car. Joel was just starting his lunch break, so he rescued me. While we waited Josiah snapped some pictures.

Here's the set I've created on flickr of all Josiah's photos. And here is a great video of Josiah playing tee ball with Joel and his uncle Kirk. Go Cards! So here's to a special day for one of the worlds greatest little boys. I'm getting verklempt!

family | By | 4:50 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack

January 9, 2007

WIP: Boo-Yah!!

I guess it's pretty ridiculous to use a title like Boo-Yah!! with a catagory like Fine Art, but that's how I feel about what I got done yesterday. Ever since we got here I've been trudging over to this canvas and sighing at it. I haven't felt the gumption to do anything with it. But yesterday, even with my son knocking at the door and not resting, I was able to knock out the hardest part of the portrait. I have not painted someone of color before. I'm kinda ashamed of that, but there's a first time for everything, no worries. It was harder than I thought! There are so many colors in skin tone, I think that's where many people fail. I can't say that this looks exactly like my cousins daughter, Eliana, but I think I nailed the glowing beauty of her skin.

Of course, this piece is very far from being done. I want to find a way to push Sara (Eliana's mom) to the background a bit, and give Eliana ground to sit on. I also will do bunches of stuff with the negative space to communicate the amazing gift of adoption. Not just parents and children, but the adoption that we have because of Jesus. Tall order huh? I'm just excited I finally got some paint on canvas. It's been an artistic constipation of sorts. whew! glad it's out.

fine art | By | 9:23 AM | Comments (6) | TrackBack

SPC Resolutions #2

Again, I don't like to use "resolution" because these are things I always strive to do, but this is a good exercize for me, so... I resolve to play outside with my kids more. Especially since Josiah got a tee-ball set, and a soccer ball with net for Christmas. He's got a pretty good hit. Passersby were cheering him on yesterday as he popped them up in the air. Eden likes retrieving the ball, not so much yesterday, she didn't even like the camera that much, as you can see. But it's great to spend so much sunny time with my kids. Far far away from the TV.

Self Portrait Tuesday | By | 8:54 AM | TrackBack

January 7, 2007

Get Real

I started a new little painting with pods and I'll put a bunny in it. Maybe it'll be a stencil like the Bird Pod. I need to tweek the colors up a few notches. Being back in Chattanooga is interesting to read the paper. We hardly ever got the paper in Atlanta, the thing was huge! It's fascinating to read the arts section, where the article celebrates Gallery 1401's latest show about absolute realism. It just confirms the fact that there needs to be a new place for visual art that is modern, abstract and edgey. It's pretty obvious. I don't need to discuss it anymore. On Friday night, Joel and I met Cat and the Pickle Barrel and had beer and pickles and some Pass the Pigs. We were discussing a house warming/art show when we move into our new home. And whether the Arts Move people, family and friends, musicians and restauranteers would want to get in on the event. To me, it's not too hard to come up with some continuity as far as artwork. So much of what I have come to admire in my fellow emerging artists would work well together. My work, Cat's, Jen's, Kelly's, Michelle's, maybe even a male if I find one who's worthy (heh). I do like the Ninja Life that Cat bought from a UTC friend.

It seems like a good idea to unite our new neighborhood, and it's cheaper than renting a space. Although, I do want to do that to a gallery space especially if our house warming goes well. It was also interesting to talk to Will down at Canvas Canoe about 4 Bridges and the Chattanooga Artist Market being in the same location on the same weekend. I do think that the Market starts the week after 4 Bridges. The Market is something I defiantely want to try this spring. But for now, I have to create art, a good but of it.


Amy Nichols stopped by the other day with a package from her sister Michelle the gypsy in germany. A cute little bag, a mod scarf and tons, tons of Cadberry chocolate! Mmmmm. Thanks Michelle! Your a gem.

A trip to the CDM yesterday was fun with all the NRV and friends. Cat and the Krings came. It was good to see Amy and kids and of course Josiah was totally jazzed to see Bucky. I have way too many shots of the CDM, but here's a pretty one of my boy.

fine art | By | 10:55 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack

January 5, 2007

Josiah's photos

Yes my son took these pictures and I am so proud. I didn't really look at them very closely through the view finder right after he took them, but when I loaded then a little while ago I was so impressed! The one of Marcos Counts is so simple and telling of his surroundings. And can you believe the sweet face he got out of his sister! I wish I could just freeze that face these days. Eden has been a clingy little grump lately. Cat taught Josiah how to hold her camera and push the right button. I admit that Josiah and I do not have a lot of patience with each other for me to have sat down and showed him how to be gentle and take pictures with my camera. But when he took these I knew he was holding it correctly, he was using it with respect and I was dying of curiosity to see what he would photograph. He kept saying, "I'm going to take a picture of Eden!" And he took about 5. This is the best one, most of them were in focus thanks to the daylight.


Thanks, oh blog friends, for your encouragement. I have been feeling very discouraged in many ways these days. Not that I'm going to go into it all, but it has effected the length of my posts and what time of night I write them. I am bummed about 4 Bridges, but it's not the end. I have already begun other plans of attack. My two biggest fans (Joel and Cat) both have the same idea of a renegade show that runs the same time as 4 Bridges. I think that would be fun. No need to be hostile, just intentional. We need to find a space and book it now, that would be the first thing. I'm trying to produce art through my heavy gloom and will post pics soon. I will ask though my blog community that if you think of us, pray for Joel's job. He's employed and doing fine, but he is so talented and waiting a whole year before being able to apply for new internal positions is torture. I believe that Joel will find favor anywhere he works. His employers love him, his managers trust him and ask his advice. Joel is a wonderful asset wherever he goes. Although there is a very slim chance that he would be considered for a higher paying internal position after working for BCBST for only a month and a half, God is all about slim chances. He worked an employment miracle for us in the past, He can do it again and again. I feel I have not been faithful in prayer. My wellspring of faith is very low these days. But I know that God is so faithful even when we are weak. I have been reading Proverbs to just remind myself that wisdom is something I strive for and hope that it is one of my strongest attributes. My spirit battles daily with my role as wife and mother. Trying to wrap my head around the hard work that will come because of Joels 35% pay cut, starting from scratch. Pushing me out of the nest into the working world has become a constant frustration to Joel. I thought I was a team player but my insides are upside down with worries. My children revolt when I leave them with a sitter all day. The idea of waiting tables late into the night or working very very early in the morning just plum scares me. These things are hard to admit, but I feel it's time to get it out there. I am a weak, selfish person. Unwilling to change. I am prideful about my roles in this world. I am praying for humility and/or conformation of what my spirit feel so strongly. Ok, thanks for reading all of that.

On the up-side, I will begin tutoring Cara English on Tuesday. I'll be using Mona Brookes Drawing for Older Children and Teens. I've got a supply list ready and I hope that my kids will sleep nicely through our lesson since my folks will be in Philly all next week. Next week is looking like a bear. Lots to do...

mommy time | By | 8:23 AM | Comments (2) | TrackBack

January 3, 2007

Official rejection

Well, I am a little flattened by the rejection from 4 Bridges Arts Fest. I was really hoping I would have enough. But maybe that crummy booth shot did me in. I can't say I'm not a little sad today, I wish I could bounce back real quick. This is the 3rd time AVA has rejected me. I know I have to keep working and its hard to get those letters, I just had to try. Woulda been fun, maybe next year.

It does warm my heart though to look out the window and see my boy jumping on the new trampoline the neighbors got for Christmas. And have my girl giggle on my lap as I nibble on her nose. Rewards will come.

Continue reading "Official rejection"

fine art | By | 1:29 PM | Comments (4) | TrackBack

SPC Resolutions #1

My first SPC Resolutions is not really a resolution because I always want to do this. No matter whether its May, June or January. I got to it and put some color on canvas. I want to knock this out asap. I got forms for Cleveland State Tech for their facilities. They need art I guess! So I need to pump out some new ones because they want work that's less than 4 years old. Post-Josiah art! That's an easy way to figure what I've got! I'm working on this adoption piece and I hope to make a new pod series really soon. I need to get down to IKEA for more frames. To be continued...

Self Portrait Tuesday | By | 1:31 AM | TrackBack

January 2, 2007

What's Normal?

Now that the holidays are over, the Christmas tree is down, the presents are contained and have been broken in, visiting is over and living begins. I am still wondering where Normal will be. It takes awhile I think for me to fall into a pattern here in Chattanooga. Joel and I had 'the Hard Talk' the other night about what it's going to take for me to help our family chip away at house debt. Waiting tables has come up over and over and I can't say I love that idea. I asked Joel what would make him happy. What would he be proud of me doing? And being the man that I married he said, "Beating the street with your art and getting shows etc, that would make me happy/proud." Wow, whatta man I have. That doesn't let me off the hook in any way though. In fact it's some of the hardest stuff I've ever had to do. It'd be way too easy to mindlessly wait tables, not so many hurdles or 'what ifs'. I have so many ideas in my head but as my mom has said about the rest of my life right now "everything just needs a home" even my ideas need a home. They need a canvas, a frame, a brush, a subject, they need a house. My feelers are out, things take me by surprise and music overwhelms me. I am ripe for the picking. Christmas has been a kind of slow torture as my wells bloat with targets and I try to talk, blab, busy myself out of having to work. So while everyone else is making lists of resolutions to lose weight, eat better exercise; I am going to listen to my new music, print out promo packets, write galleries and other spaces. Gather for the hibernation of work. Joel my husband/manager cracks the whip over my head to produce. I will try to keep you all posted as to my progress hopefully with little talk and lots of pictures.

the spirit within | By | 2:40 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack