This and That...Simple Everydays ~

Hello There  ~

So nice to be back to my blog today.

I've been extra busy planning my art schedule lately.

With 20 illustrations and a book cover due before August AND a commission piece AND a watercolor due and framed by May 18th, my mind has been in the studio.

Unfortunately, my inspiration has taken a vacation ~ 

This is precisely what my watercolor looks like right now.

But, no worries.  I know I'll get it done before deadline.  Something will spark my inspiration eventually.

I've had my nose in this book for a couple of weeks now ~ 

"Talking Pictures" by Ransom Riggs.  

I had the opportunity to chat with Mr. Riggs at a recent author event called "Spring Into The Future" in San Diego.  My daughter was the designated book blogger for the event so I went along to help with her equipment.  Mr. Riggs and I both share a love for vintage photos and discovered that we both purchase from some of the same Southern California photo vendors.  Who knew?

So...I've been picking this book up on and off everyday when I probably should be painting!  

I've been spending time outside too.  Hoping to find something that makes my spirit cry to get back to the studio.  

I found this instead ~

But alas ~ I am not inspired by grasshoppers.  

And, look how pretty...

I discovered this "Tylwyth Teg" daylily while researching Tylwyth Teg (Welsh Faeries) for the book I'm illustrating.  Isn't it pretty?  

I've been picking a few boysenberries as they are ripening so early this year ~ 

It won't be long until summer pie is on the menu ~ 

Warm weather has helped my roses to bloom.

Which makes me very happy ~ 

Ohhh, and my puppies got a hold of a 123 year old, mint condition photo of mine.  Before I could get it from them, they did this... 

Which doesn't make me happy ~ 

But, I still love them!  :-)

I am hoping to find my way, artfully, very soon, because everyday that passes is one day less before my deadlines.  Eeekkk....

Until then, I am staying hopeful and appreciating the perfect blue of a springtime sky ~ 

OH..and you guys, if you love Mexican Rice, head over to my friend, Vanessa Valencia's blog.  She's sharing an amazing recipe for Mexican Rice...and get this, you make it in the microwave.  I made it this weekend and it's amazing.  

Hope you have a fantastic week and are finding your inspiration, if only little by little.  

Until Next Time:

Kim

Gerushia's New World

Can I tell you how tired I am of Murphy and his law? (UPDATED)

Well...

I'm just so....so....tired and frustrated. 

Murphy has struck again.  Darn you Murphy!

Okay...so, I am in a huge bind. 

In my art, I use a small printer extensively.

 As Murphy's Law dictates, my printer just died ~ 

right at the beginning stages of an exciting and big project. 

I am illustrating a book about "Tylwyth Teg" (Welsh Faeries) for A Raven Above Press and I have 20 illustrations due before August. 

I am also creating the cover for the book and I need to get started on that ASAP. 

With no printer, I'm sort of doomed. 

So....I am having a half price sale on every item in my Entire Shop. 

I desperately need to get a new printer. 

If you've ever been curious about my art or have wanted to purchase a piece, now is the time!

I am so afraid that I might have to back out of this book project, which would be sad, sad, sad and heartbreaking.

Any and all purchases would be so deeply appreciated.

If you're interested in helping, simply use coupon code MURPHY to get 50% off anything in my shop.

UPDATE

I'm still working towards getting enough money for a printer.  I'm about half way there.

So...I'm extending this sale into my Zibbet shop as well.

Shopping at Zibbet is super simple.  No coupon code is required.

All the prices have been marked down for you already.

Thanks again and if you have any questions, please don't hesitate to email me at gerushiasworld at aol dot com.

Thank you so so much!

xoxo

Kim

Gerushia's New World

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Huge Art Project On The Horizon And A Super Fun Anna Carey Author Event ~

Well ~

It's been a crazy couple of days.

I've taken on a huge art project.  I can't give you much detail other than I have 4 months to create 21 pieces of art.

I am desperately in need of new art supplies to get me started on this journey, soooo...

I think a sale is in order.  Don't you?

This sale is in my Zibbet Shop instead of Etsy.

Mainly because Zibbet doesn't require a coupon code.

You can get 33.33% off all my original pieces and the prices are already marked down for you.  So easy to use Zibbet!

There are 15 original pieces, including my newest art.  Would you like to have a look?  If so, just click Right Here.

I am over the moon excited about this new project.

It will require a lot of research but I'm ready to go!

I had to offer up a new bio photo for the project ~

I'm also knee deep in composing cover letters for children's book art agents.

These are the kinds of things that make me nervous and crazy.  The business end of art is not my strong point!

Along with my arty stuff last week, I also had fun author stuff to attend as well.

I went with my daughter to the release party for Anna Carey's new book  called "Rise" ~ Anna is such a sweetheart.  Funny, witty and gorgeous!

(Anna reading from her book)

The signing was held at an amazing indie bookstore in Hollywood called Book Soup.

As usual, the local Young Adult fiction authors came out in support for Anna.

left to right: 

Jennifer Bosworth, Gretchen McNeil, Ransom Riggs, Lauren Kate and the always amazing Josephine Angelini ~

My daughter (a book blogger and future published author) knows all these spectacular authors, I'm just the mom!  :-)

Ohhh...and, we discovered that one of my puppies has double canines! ~ 

So...all in all, I've been busy.

I absolutely have to buckle down and get started on this new project.

As soon as I get the green light, I'll give you all the details.  

Until then, I desperately need new art supplies to get me started.  I need 21 canvases, a lot of new paint, countless ink cartridges and a ton of cardstock!

My hopes are that I can sell a few originals to at least get a good start on the first 5 pieces this week.

Any and all purchases made will help me immensely.  No matter how big or small, any purchase will be greatly appreciated!

I'll be back super soon with more news and some springtime photos!

Until Next Time:

Kim

Gerushia's New World

"The Displacement of Prince Alberic" (Update: Now in Print Version).

Hello There:

I have been working on a new piece that is a bit different ~

I love black and white.

I love almost anything black and white, especially in varying degrees of tone.

I've wanted to experiment with a simple piece created in black and white for some time now.  Hmmm....with maybe just the slightest hint of color tint.

So....this is it ~

"Poor Prince Alberic.  Is he dreaming?  Has he been displaced forever or will he find his way home?  Maybe he's dreaming a simple dream in black and white, or, maybe he's not..."

"The Displacment of Prince Alberic"

Do you like black and white?

You can find "Prince Alberic" in my Etsy Shop along with all of my more colorful art.

If you're interested in a print version, you can find that in my Zibbet Shop.  The black and white tones really picked up nicely in the print!

Thanks so much for stopping by.  ♥♥

Until Next Time:

Kim

Gerushia's New World

It's Crazy, I Know. 50% Off My Entire Art Inventory ~ (Sale Over)

That's right.

I'm having a huge sale this weekend.

In both of my shops.

Really?  50% off my entire art inventory?

This includes everything from this framed original ~ 

"Mi Corazón por Alicia"

to my already affordable ACEO prints ~ 

"The Reader"

"Guardian of The Orphan's Moon"

and of course, my inventory of standard 4" x 6" pieces ~

including my newest piece:

"Clear As Day, She Found Her Light" 

and all my other newer pieces too, including ~

"Petula's Thoughtful Journey"

and 

"Keepers of The Garden Gate"

.  

Well, you get the idea.

My ENTIRE inventory!  :-)

So, if you prefer to shop at Etsy, simply click Right Here and use Coupon Code HALFPRICELOVE.

If you prefer to shop at Zibbet, click Right Here.  No need for a coupon code at Zibbet.  The prices have all been marked down for you!

I think today is the perfect day to buy art.  I mean, everyday is a good day to buy art, but today in particular seems like the best day.

What do you think?

If you have any questions, please feel free to email me at gerushiasworld at aol dot com.

Until Next Time:

Kim

Gerushia's New World

"Clear As Day, She Found Her Light"

This piece has been on my desk for forever and a day ~ 

Working on it a bit here and a bit there ~ 

It was a challenging week, where my art was concerned.  But I was able (just by the skin of my teeth and with a lot of help from my friends, husband and kids), to find my way through an unexpected bit of arty gloom.

"Clear As Day, She Found Her Light"

"She was always questioning herself, questioning her strength, questioning her light. Finally, after so many years of searching, she found what she was looking for."

This girl...the mirror girl has finally found her place.  

That is my goal as an artist.  To find my place and stand strong in what I do.   To defend the light I feel while working on these tiny, colorful little windows into a story world.  

To share these little pieces with you and hope that you find something significant or just pretty or interesting.

That's all.

Art.

Stories.

Fairy Tales.

Life.

The little bit of light that I'm looking for.

Until Next Time:

Kim

Gerushia's New World

P.S.  If you're interested in this new piece, you can find it in my Etsy Shop.

"The Beginning Day For Huck and Pan" and Springing Forward ~

Traditionally, I love this week....the first week of Daylight Savings Time.

Long lasting light and a promise of warmth is just around the corner.

I don't mind losing one hour of sleep.

The trade-0ff is well worth it.

Spring is peek-a-booing in my yard today.

Just a few pink nectarine blossoms ~

Soon, very soon, my nectarine tree will be covered in a riot of pink ~ 

...and I've just spotted the first secret nasturtium hiding under the daylilies ~ 

Looking forward.

Staying focused.

Believing that there will be softer days ahead.

Life can be so harsh and ugly sometimes.

Unexpected struggles and long drawn-out darkness has a way of stealing hope.

I cling to the Springtime.

Thankfulness.

Kelly is better ♥

She is taking her medicine and eating her special food.

She's been playing a bit too!

So thankful.

While taking care of this little girl, I worked in the studio ~

and finished this piece ~

"The Beginning Day For Huck and Pan"

This particular piece is very important to the over-all story of "Gerushia's New World."  You see, Huck and Pan (Huckleberry and Pansy) are two of the strongest and boldest characters in Gerushia's World.  They are helpful in the battle against Serafine ~ 

"Serafine's Mountain"

See, Gerushia's New World is not just the name of my art business.

It is the name of an epic fairy tale that I am writing.

Huge fairy tale!

Every piece of art I create has a character that lives in Gerushia's World and is part of the over-all story.

Serafine is, well, sort of like the Lucifer character in Gerushia's World.

Huck and Pan are very important in the battle against Serafine.

Anyway...if you're interested in either of these original pieces, you can find them in my Etsy Shop.

I am keeping busy in the studio.  Going forward with my art and my story.

Working on a new piece that, I believe, is going to prove to be a challenge!

 I am super excited to sink my teeth into this new piece.

I am off to take a long walk.

Clear my head and make plans for the week.

This will be a rough few days for my family and me, but somehow, we'll get by.

Thank you for stopping by.

Until Next Time:

Kim

Gerushia's New World