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October 31, 2007
the colder day
well we're back, and i"m not totally recovered. We did have fun, but my mind is off the past and is already wrapped around trick-or-treating, get-togethers, babysitters, making and selling and shipping and copying art.
I have sold both my Fawning painting and my Morphing painting to a Etsier. It pays to be on Etsy!! I need to make more art! I'm running out! Praise God!!
Joel might be getting a much nicer job at BCBST. It'll be more money and more flexible. My husband is so practical and such an optimist/idealist does that all work? I dunno, I love that. He loves the work enviroment where he can flourish.
My brother and sister-in-law found out they are having a boy! Hurray! Could it be the next Samuel in the line? No pressure guys.
Wondering if we'll go to Artini. It's got that Prom sorta feeling. I don't know if I like that.
Josiah's gonna be Robin "boy wonder" and I'm hoping Eden will cooperate and be a tutu-wearing pixie wing girl with all the prettiest blue and green flare. We'll see what she wants to do.
family | By | 4:38 PM | TrackBack
October 25, 2007
Quick way to Joy
This just makes all my stresses and to-do's melt away. Finding a super easy tutorial, I mean barely a tutorial (emphasis on bare*), and making your 2.5 year old daughter a fairy tutu. Not that she needs one. Josiah wants her to be Super Eden. But whatever she decides to be on Wednesday night, she has a tutu and it brought me a good deep exhale before I go back to planning art lessons.
*this image is PG-13
mommy time | By | 4:01 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
A Little Ill
The responsibilities are stacking up and deadlines are approaching. I've been feeling a little bit sick, un-nerved. Tuesday morning I thought I wasn't going to make it, I called Mom so I would have back up with the kids. It ended up being my nerves and not a bug. I'm trying to treat myself kindly, but the deadlines don't go away. I am very blessed to have so many things that are making my life rich, but this weekend there are too many things coming together. It will all go well, it will all be fun. We are going camping (YEAH!!) with our church (super YEAH!!) for the weekend. Then, since my husband needs some time off during the beautiful time of year, we're going to Helen GA to hang out at a Knutson time-share for a couple days. I had to get a substitute teacher for Monday, and for Wednesday I have to be ready for a Hillbilly Hootenanny for Josiah's Pre-K. So thankfully my Mom takes the kids out tommorow morning to the CDM and I can finish 3 lesson plans, get Halloween costumes together, get Pre-K activities planned, finish laundry, pack clothes and food, and art supplies. I still have a show starting December 1, with the reception being the magical date of December 8, and I need to make a lot more art.
I took the kids down to Main and Mocha on Sunday and we hung out downstairs. This would be a nice little place for an art show. The seating is intimate, and the lighting is nice. It needs it, and it'd be a great place for a private party. So there's a small plug, but most of all I like finding unexpected places to beautify and accentuate.
the spirit within | By | 12:11 AM | TrackBack
October 20, 2007
tutorial update
I'm sitting at AVA, my shift's almost done. I've got my lessons done and I've uploaded more steps in my tutorial. Check it out!!
| By | 4:22 PM | Comments (4) | TrackBack
October 19, 2007
Metro Tutorial
Here's the first session of tutorials for my metro style paintings. This piece is a triptych. I ordered this long and skinny canvases by accident, but as alot of my artwork process goes, mistakes are sometimes the best things to happen. I hope that this piece turns out sucessful in pieces and together. Of course I think it should be together, that's how I planned the composition. I've also finished the 2 Lanes piece, and started gessoing a large panel. I would appreciate your prayers as both Joel and Eden have been a little sick this week. Well, Eden's been barfing and sleeping alot, so I guess thats a lot sick. Joel has lost his voice and that's not good when you have to answer phones all day, other than that he feels fine. I have to stay on track with these paintings, and being able to finish them in 3 to 4 days is really good. I hope to open this art show on Dec 1, with the reception being on Dec 8. Create Here is having an event on the 8th called "24 hours on the Southside". We're not quite sure what it is, we just know we want to be featured. I say 'we' because it's Joel's idea. And a good one at that. I hope it works out, and I pray that I will get as much finished for Dec 1st as possible.
fine art | By | 9:12 AM | TrackBack
October 18, 2007
Calling all Chattanooga Crafters!
I was approached by Debbie Blackman about a Christmas Bazaar at Alexian Brothers. Not sure which one, but its somewhere in the greater Chattanooga area. I know some of you out there either are in Chattanooga and have a supply floating around of jewelry you've made, purses, cards, onesies, knitted items, small original art etc that you would love to make a little extra Christmas money with. Alexian Brothers is an assisted living community and I'm sure some of the residents would love to get all of their Christmas shopping done at this bazaar. So if you would like to give it a go the event is in December, not sure the exact date, but it'd be before the 15th I'm sure. You can contact me if you think you'd like to do it but wouldn't be able to be there all day, we might be able to have a few of us that would be glad to sell in shifts etc. The booths are free, yes FREE! Think of what the residents would like best and if you can accomidate them. Debbie said she doesn't have anyone doing cards yet, and original art is welcomed enthusiastically. It's kinda a chance, but it may be worth it! Also, if any of you non-Chattanooga residence would like to get in on this and are passing through for Thanksgiving let me know if you want to drop stuff off and I'll sell it for you! You can email Debbie directly here. Please drop my name as I told her I would be mentioning this to friends thanks!
community | By | 4:45 PM | TrackBack
October 17, 2007
2 lanes progress
This composition is so incredibly pyschologically satisfying. It really scratches some kind of perceptual itch in my brain.---Greg Baus
Thanks Greg for my first wordy review
Ugh. Okay, I've been working with these pictures to make them look accurate and I just can't get it just right. But I wanted to show you what 3 hours looks like on this painting. Doesn't look like much does it? So next time your like, "whoa $400 for that!" Remember what 3 hours looks like on this little one. But of course all of my readers are such art enthusiasts that they don't question that. I'm almost done with this one, I have to go over it with puff paint and create some good lines. Then on to the triptych. And I think I might do a tutorial on the steps I take to do make these paintings and put it on my website. Lynn convinced me to do it. I mean if all these crafty moms can do tutorials for knitted felted appliqued mushroom and squirrel jumpers with matching socks, bonnets and a plushie to go with it, why can't I do one for a painting that only requires a few materials and no machines of any kind! Well, I take that back: a camera and a computer are good to show off your progress and to find and capture images. Personally I don't know what I'd do without either.
fine art | By | 4:04 PM | Comments (3) | TrackBack
October 13, 2007
Faster than a Speeding Bullet
I went to the thrift store with the kids looking for real clothes and real shoes but this, this was a gem I never expected!! Josiah has loved LOVED Abel Cooley's Robin outfit and as we were perusing the Halloween costumes at the thrift store Jos found a Robin costume that would have fit Eden, "Mama!!! I want to be Robin! Like Abel!" I sighed because I saw how small it was. As the phrase, "Honey that Robin outfit is too small, its for a little baby....." I ran into this one, a 5T or an XS whatever it is, it fits Jos perfectly. I mean, whatta happy day! I haven't been able to get it off of him when we are within the walls of the house. I must insist that he doesn't wear it to Walmart.
THEN, to my great joy I found this horrid Tommy Girl dress. I have no idea why any sef-respecting parent would put their child in this as real clothes. It makes an excellent Super Girl, Wonder Girl outfit!! I can just picture her in white tights, a blue cape tacked to the back and a shiny aluminium foil headband. Awesome. So we've had many rescues and chases, jumping, flying, "saving of the day" if you will. Eden loves her brother so much, even if she would rather snuggle a stuffed piggie, she is willing to HI-YA with her brother anytime.
family | By | 5:45 PM | Comments (4) | TrackBack
October 12, 2007
Continuing the Series
Today's my 31st birthday. I'll celebrate with Joel tonight, somehow, gotta find a sitter. I wanted to have a party but with my grandfather's passing the memorial service and the hub-bub surrounding it takes top priority. And that's Ok. I can't say I"m not bummed just a little, but good grief, how can you really be selfish about this. I'm a big girl, I"m a 31 year old girl. Sheesh. Looking back at last year, I found out that I was accepted for Arts Move, that has been a killer present that gives over and over again.
I finished the "Oslo" Metro painting last night and after looking through my sources discovered it's actually Paris too. Oops. I mean it's Paris, it's beautiful and terribly photogenic. I do have a couple shots of Chattanooga and Oslo and another couple fun ones from NYC, Fort Worth TX, and Kansas City. I started another paris last night, and a triptych (!!!) of Oslo. I'm really excited about working on three small panels. Here's a picture of the two finished Paris pieces: Yellow Umbrella and Another Paris.
fine art | By | 9:19 AM | Comments (4) | TrackBack
October 11, 2007
Community Benefits
We went for a walk last night to the Choo-Choo and instead of cutting down Washington we walked all the way down to Main to visit with Rachel Conn. She owns the brightly colored Victorian places next to MayCreate and the Alfonsos. She has a bunch of dogs in her yard and we talked over the barking (and squealing kids) about my upcoming art show. She's a big fan of the Metros and was going to buy one. I talked about how my neighbor Jan was going to help me make a panel. She said, "You know you should just buy a door and cut it where you want". First I was thinking a door with sections, then I thought about the hollow kind like we had in Marietta. How would that work? "No a solid hardwood door" she said. Hmmmm, not a bad idea, I mean that would save a lot of carpentry! Then she said she had some wood in her shop. We walked out back and she showed me these beauties! Two average large and then two smaller skinny pieces. They have an awesome texture! I'll have to clean up some of the edges but man, they are really smooth!
It's like a loaded gift from God. "Here you go Kate, time to work harder!" It's great, it saves this Mama a lot of precious, expensive time.
It's getting closer to being done. Time to start a new one!
community | By | 9:43 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
October 8, 2007
Work in Progress: Oslo
This one is far from done, but sometimes I fall in love with in-between stages.
I'm so pooped from a busy (but happy) weekend, and I would love to get out my tub of acrylics and finish this one RIGHT NOW, but alas, I need to rest from art for a little while. That's silly, because I hardly ever do. Today at school I had to go over new concepts and that is never fun. I had to chew out "the tough kid" today. I am so close to sending her home. That's the nice thing about homeschoolers. There's no principal, just HOME. But it was a good day, no lulls of unplanning. I didn't have quite enough colored pencils though. I think we sharpened down half of the pencils just today. I am in full realization that we will not have enough money for this school year. I will have to get creative toward the end of the year. Damn, I hate that. Art is expensive, even for the thrifty. I have faith that God will make it work out.
It was wonderful seeing my highschoolers turn in lovely charcoal drawings. I also realize that I am not getting my point across to some students who do not do their homework, ever. I mean, if they do they always "leave it at home" Ummmm, that's not cool. I would love to be like, "Well, I was going to give you guys really awesome stuff to draw with today but I left it at home." No I don't do that, I overcome obstacles to get 15lb art history books, posters, piles of xeroxes, 500 pages of paper that I ordered from Dick Blick and two kids with all their stuff to school an hour early so I can make my students day good. Please, do your work, your old enough to read the assignment, good grief! You're old enough to drive. I don't believe your ADHD kept you from forgetting your homework 3 weeks in a row. I don't want to be mean. I want the parents to understand that I am a serious instructor. Science is important, so is math, so is ART! Grrrrrrrrrrr.
I'm done, I promise.
So this piece is the second one in my newest Metro series. It's of Oslo. It's not finished. I hope to finish it tonight, maybe. Then hopefully I'll get to make a panel one of these Thursdays and do a huge Paris Metro. Yummy, I can't wait.
This is why this weekend was fun. My dad had a concert at Covenant this Saturday night. It's always good to hear him play. I can't help but sing along. I try to stop myself but I just can't. The other great thing was that Kirk got to play with him. I was just struck with the wonder and pride of my family. We're small but we're a force. We're all so creative. How did this happen? And we all work so hard. I realize that I had a very different childhood. And when I hear my dad sing everything from the 70's on, I feel I am listening to an artist statement. One that I grew up living. And when I experience folks that have different view of the arts I feel stunned, and I have to control my urge to call them wierd. As a working creative adult I feel I've carried a legacy of faith in Jesus Christ, a strong work ethic, and a desire to make skillful beautiful things. That's probably why my students tick me off when they don't do the work, and why I can't help but sing at the top of my lungs. I think Josiah and Eden will carry this too. They already show the signs.
fine art | By | 4:30 PM | Comments (5) | TrackBack
October 5, 2007
Yellow Umbrella
Here's the first of the next series. I think it's done. I need to do some texture improvement, that's hard to do at midnight. It was cool to watch V for Vendetta and finish this piece. I love that movie. More to come!!
fine art | By | 10:17 AM | Comments (5) | TrackBack
To Glory
My grandfather passed away yesterday around 6pm. He has been suffering with Parkinson's disease for about 10 years and has been in a nursing home for almost 2years, I think. He was 89 years old. My mother and father dutifully took care of him since they moved in together back in 1999. The last stretch before he was put in a home was the hardest. It was like having a newborn, waking up every couple hours to change wet sheets and pajamas, except this situation had no growth and hope of getting better. It took it's toll on my mother, effecting her health. They had night nurses toward the end, and spent every last dime to pay them and then the nursing home. When people talk about taking in their parents as the Biblical "right" thing to do I don't know if my mom agrees anymore. The "system" is not flexible enough when you don't have thousands of dollars. She had no choice. Physically and medically it became dangerous. But my mom's decisions completely reflected the respect and love of a daughter. She respected her parents wishes to the end and still caters to my grandmother and her little desires for the perfect matching clothing and holiday decorations for her room. My grandparents spent their life serving God as missionaries in Appalacia, teaching and pastoring churches. The only money they had was from my great aunt who passed away in 2004. She worked at a seminary as an administrative assistant and had a pension.
All this to remind us that this world is not our home! It is a sigh of deep relief to see my grandfather go home to Jesus. He showed signs of failure and so we've been waiting, only for a week, to see how long it would take. He was enrolled in hospice care. Thankfully he passed gently and quietly. I am glad that I have been able to be in town and visit them more often. My grandfather kept his humor until the end. Even if he could not speak, he always had a boyish grin and gave a gentle wave to Eden and let Josiah shake his hand. I'm sure he is laughing and dancing in heaven. He is being shown the joys of a life well lived in service to God. I am proud to be from such a long line of witnesses of God's love and grace.
I'm glad my brother Kirk and his family are here this weekend. It's good timing. We'll see when the memorial services are. My grandparents donate their bodies to science, so the service date will be when it is most convienient for my uncle to come from VA.
Again, I cannot stress how thankful I am for the gentle passing of my elders. And how much joy we have in knowing that the best part is yet to come. The peace and praise that must fill their hearts as they meet their Lord.
family | By | 9:01 AM | Comments (4) | TrackBack
October 4, 2007
The Metros are Back
I'm painting Metros again. They are for a show in December. I hope to have one humungoid Metro on a panel I make with my neighbor. But until that panel is created, I'll be working on these sellable sizes. This first one is in Paris where the art deco Metro gates reside. They are lovely, I hope to see them in person someday. Ok I will paint now and not stare at this decrepid screen any longer.
fine art | By | 4:41 PM | TrackBack
October 2, 2007
Birthday list
It's October, and that means my birthday is right around the corner. I turn 31 on the 12th. Happy 31st to me!! Unga. I haven't made up a really complicated list this year because I pretty much know the important stuff. #1 Really, only I can pick out the furniture and home decor I want. #2 I'm not really sure what all that is yet. I know I want a new purse and I want some new earrings. Some perfume would be gladly accepted too. But mostly I love my birthday because I ask for music. This is what I want:
Regina Spektor-Begin to Hope
The Shins- Wincing the Night Away
Travis- The Man Who (I lost this in Norway and I NEED it)
Athlete-Tourist
Ryan Adams-Easy Tiger
Neko Case-Fox Confessor Brings the Flood
and because the past is so important when turning 31:
Heart- The Essential Heart
Bangles-The Bangles Greatest Hits
community | By | 9:28 AM | TrackBack
October 1, 2007
Dynamic
I took the leap this week and decided to give my students an opportunity to draw with charcoal. With the plan in my mind the difficulty was implementing a small classroom with up to 15 students. Ugh. I've been putting off the messy stuff because that's what it is, messy. But what I discovered is that the reward was so worth it. It took me twice as long to set up the room, I had to buy wipes, and kleenex, I had to get out three different sets of paper. I had to lug still life objects that would be hard, but not too hard from home to school. And I had to be a nazi about when they could start.
My high schoolers eyes lit up with joy (and fright) at the mess they were about to make. The personalities started to show through. The talented control freak, the joyful learner, the over-thinker hard worker, the fearful and insecure, and the black-sheep that has a little secret (he's got a style all his own). Faces that came in yawning left after an hour and half with fingers black with work. And I, their teacher felt 18 again, that Art Room feeling, you don't ever want to leave, "Let's just make some more stuff!!" Now I know how much stuff costs and I hope we have enough paper for the whole day.
My little class of 3 grade girls chats about the neighbors cats and dogs and talks about the boy, Carter, who is missing from class. These girls are 8 years old and they are sitting around talking about THE BOY. I am in awe. They create beautiful tigerlillies and I sit and listen to their simple joys. One of my highshoolers came in to return something for me and he stops to chat with the little girls and complimented them on their flowers. It's amazing to watch these little girls melt with crushes over the 17 year old boy who pays them the littlest bit of attention. Again, they're 8! I say crushes, but really, it's just that their body language changed and they're unstoppable chatter became giggly silence once Reid entered. What a trip.
Then there's my class of 15. I shoo the early birds out so I can make sure I have time to clean up and replace scrap paper. But God gave me grace to let go of the stress and grapple the chaos with joy. After my 3rd graders left, I let a brood of 5th graders bumble in, thankfully they were kind and left their monster bags in the hallway (they'll be the death of me yet!). I asked them to please not touch the charcoal until we're ready. They did their exersizes well and I am overcome with hope as I see some of them improve not only their attitude, but their technique! I am learning to love these personalities, and help them understand concepts that are forever old. The charcoal is a hit and they coat their hands with it. Dutifully they return to class after washing hands to get their homework pages. One of the 4th graders stays behind, tardy for Drama and she chats with me and helps me clean up. And what a clean up it was. I am greeted by my two happy children who see the bowl of fruit that the students have been drawing. Eden exclaims, MAMA! MAPPLE! Yes Eden, you can have an apple. Josiah and Eden eat the still life. It was a great day at school.
What the heck, I'm in School! | By | 10:09 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack