Illustration Friday Topic- Old Fashioned

1950 Baywatch Babe!

HB2U Mom

 

My Mom would have turned 59 yesterday, 

born on September 26 1951.

She became an angel ten years ago.  Since her passing on, some years I remember ahead that the day is coming. But some years the day creeps up on me and hits me with a sad surprise.

This was one of those years.  I began to paint a new piece yesterday without any intentions or direction. I chopped up squares of paper, glued them to a wood canvas and painted it white.  Then I stared at the blank canvas for a while wondering what to paint. Before I knew it I was painting this heavenly angel, still not linking it to my Mom, or her birthday.

I decided her dress needed something more... perhaps some inspirational words. Okay then what words??? It was then it hit me - Mom's Birthday!!!  

I had a little giggle to think that it was my Mother sending me a message from above "Hello Down There... Remember Me??? It's My Birthday!!!"  

So HB2U Mom!!!  I think of you everyday, but you know me..I'm not so good with dates!!! xox

 

Thanks for taking the time 

to see what I've been up to!

:) xoxox - Kim

Buying Handmade in Central Florida

 

For those of you who have ventured into Artistree Co-op, you know this to be an eclectic charming shop tucked within the heart of College Park.

For those of you who live farther than yonder, I will give you a little scoop of what you are missing. Located in a tiny suburb of Orlando, FL, Artistree Co-op features the handmade goods of many local Central Florida Artists.  You'll find pottery, paintings, jewelry, clothing, glassware, knits, skincare, candles and dare I say it... much much more!  There's even a children's section and a place for  the kiddies to color and play.

Being a Co-op, each artist volunteers their time and effort to ensure the co-op runs smoothly.  As my contribution to the co-op I work in the shoppe on Sundays.  Although it's hardly work at all, I love meeting and greeting all those who curiously wonder in.  I often bring something to work on while I am in the shop, which sometimes wows the customers to think they are meeting a real life artist at task.

 

Artistree Co-op hosts several art events through out the year, Spring Into Handmade, Fall In Love With Handmade and Go Green,and is home to the College Park Farmers Market every Thursday.   This year's annual Fall In Love With Handmade is scheduled on October 16.(mark you calendars, details will follow)  We welcome you to come out and enjoy what will hopefully be a beautiful crisp autumn day.

You won't go hungry while you shop as the co-op shares space with Infusion Tea, a vegetarian tea house cafe of sorts.  Infusion offers teas from around the world and serves some of the most delicious bites in town.  Just like off the set of FRIENDS, there's a cushy couch, chair and coffee table for all your pals to catch up on the latest. 

Above is my little nook in the store,updated with my latest works of art.  I am getting very excited for the holidays as our shoppe fills with sleigh loads of tempting treasures.

Thanks for taking the Artistree Tour with me.  I hope that you do come in if you are nearby.  Please visit the shop website and blog, which frequently features the co-op artists.

As AlWaYs...Thanks for taking the time to see what I've been up too! xoxo ~ Kim

Hurray - Latest Works of Art!

Though I refer to this blog as my "art blog" and often direct people here to see examples of my work, I have not uploaded any photos of my creations here in a while.  Living out of boxes, lack of internet connection and "blogger's block" have given me a parade of excuses.   But the parade is over people, so here are some of my latest works of art...

All original work is now on Sale at Artistree Co-op.

Look for Altered Prints coming soon on Etsy!

Thanks for taking a peek at what I have been up to!!!

xox - Kim

 

A little note to those of you who receive my blog via email.  An early unedited post was delivered unexpectedly with all my grammar and spelling mishaps... You may receive an edited email as it is always scheduled to deliver the following day after the post day.   Sorry if Confused? ;)

Wonder

For this week's Team Up Thursday, Krista and I chose WONDER as our theme.  Again, my imagination was bursting with ideas to portray this theme. I chose a great photo opportunity that may answer some of your own wonder.... 

Just who is the Dog behind the Blog? 

Notorious for gnawing the limbs off toy action figures, able to leap kitchen counters in the name of FOOD and faster than you can shout "Get Off The Couch"... 

Meet Soggy Dog, Dog Wonder.

Never fear people, Soggy is not as tough as he looks. He is often found cuddling with our Cat while receiving a Kitty Lick Spa Bath, though he would never admit it.

Six years ago, Soggy was rescued in the woods as a small pup along with his two sisters, who now belong to friends.  He has been the love of our life and the pain in our butt ever since.  I can't imagine the studio without him!

Back to Team Up Thursday - I am very thankful to be participating.  It has rekindled my commitment to my blog and it keeps me in touch with my great friend Krista, whom I terribly miss living nearby. Check out WONDER at Krista's blog here.  And check out more Team Up Thursday diptychs here. 

Thanks for taking a peek at 

what we've been up too! 

xox - Kim

My Travels...

During the summer in between moving and before starting a full time job, I left my boys for 10 days to visit my high school BFF, Dinna and her family in Nice, France and to attend the baptism of her son, my Godson.  Family came from Paris, Greece, England and America to celebrate the blessings of this precious little boy, Alexi.

At the time of my visit in June, Alexi was around 10 months old and full of sparkle and curiosity just like his mother Dinna, seen below.

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Dinna and her French husband Laurent own a Charcuterie, a gourmet type bistro offering varieties of foods cooked with pork.  It is nestled among cobblestone streets in a city, centuries old.

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The sea side in the South of France is like no other on Earth... Especially since I haven't been to any other seas on Earth aside from Florida Beaches, which are hardly a comparison. 

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Not far from Nice is the royal country of Monaco (seen below). Bumper to bumper yachts float the port of this not too shabby city.

My brother in law and his family were on holiday from England via a Mediterranean Cruise and just so happened to be docking in Monaco while I was there.   That's what you call good timing!  

Above, my in-laws Julian & Kim 
and nieces Emily and Eleanore!

Below, My two nieces and I! 
Love them!

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These next two photos are of the view from Dinna's French Chateau balcony. 

C'est Tres Jolie!!!

Above a view of the city and sea at twilight.

And below a view of the French Alps, still sprinkled with snow.

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Again me and my little Alexi!!!! Love Him!!!

I had such an amazing time but I was very anxious to get home to my family!  Merci Beaucoup to my friends Dinna, Laurent and Little Alexi!  I miss you so much... Can't wait to see you when you come soon to America!!! xoxo

Sweet Treats!!!

  LUCKY ME!!!

Look what I won  - It's Little Red, painted by Australian Artist, Kaili Ittensohn.  I am head over heels in love with Kaili's artwork and you will be too!!! Check out her blog here and facebook page here.   Kaili hosted a Facebook Fan contest, a fabulous idea I thought before I won.  And now that I  have won, I thought how wonderful it would be to pass along an opportunity to my worldwide friends and family who helped me win Little Red. 

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Here's your chance to win a Sweet Tweet!

The Bird & The Butterfly
Mixed Media Original

 (image shown is watermarked) 

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Here are the details....

1. Become a fan of my  
Soggy Dog Facebook Page here.

2. Suggest my page to your friends!

3. Then write to me on my facebook page, letting me know how many friends you suggested.

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My Soggy Dog Studio Facebook Page is so close to having 500 Fans. I would love to see 500!!!

For each suggestion/invite you send, you will receive one entry.  So the more folks you invite the better your chances are to win The Bird & The Butterfly! I will keep the contest open through September 30th with weekly Facebook reminders. 

Thanks again to Kaili for my special Little Red, and thank you for the motivation and inspiration to host my own contest! xoxox 


Many thanks to my fans for taking the time to spread the the word! xoxox - Kim

Team Up Thursday - Bloom

This weeks Team Up Thursday Topic is BLOOM!

There are certain elements that are necessary for a flower to bloom  -sunlight, water, carbon dioxide etc. For a seed will remain a seed without these elements.  

The same goes for artists and their work. Without determination, motivation and inspiration, our creative ideas (no matter how imaginative they are) will remain just as they are like little seeds in our head.   

Funny enough,these very elements are often what artists struggle with most.  It is not imagination or creativity we lack. And it is not the desire to succeed, but the fear of not succeeding that holds us back.

  

May we nourish our creative souls with all things necessary so that we may surely Bloom! 

Below are our contributions to this week's Team Up Thursday.  As always thanks for taking a peek! xox - Kim

Kim's Bloom

 Krista's Bloom