Monday, August 29, 2011

And Now For The Difficult Part...


Hello There:

As some of you know, I have been busy gathering a few older original pieces and creating lots of new pieces for the upcoming show "Connecting Spaces".  I truly adore what I do.  Creating the new pieces took hours and hours...days and days...months and months ~ and now the hard part begins....Framing the pieces!


I have already started the process...but still have 7 more to go.  Next comes the wiring.  As usual, I am pushing myself to the deadline.

When I started this project, my desk was so clean and tidy.  Now....not so much...



I am enjoying the whole exciting process, but am looking forward to taking a break from the studio and putting a bit of focus back on my new Zibbet shop.  Ohhh, just a little heads up ~ I'm having a sale in my shop right this very minute.  Everything in the entire shop is 15% off and there is no coupon code needed.  The items have already been marked down for you.  Really, it's a silly sale in honor of this terribly hot weather.  I think it's too hot NOT to have a sale.  Stop by and see the goodies while they're marked down.  I'd love to have you!

In between framing, wiring and hosting a sale in my shop...I am busily thinking about this...


and this...



and this...


Ohhh....and this too

And...can you believe it?  My art piece created for the Welsh Mythology and Legend Art Show will be included in this This Book ...

Written by Lorin Morgan-Richards and published for the Welsh Festival.  It will also be offered on Amazon.com at a later date.

So...as you can see, I'm a busy gal.  But, with the days getting shorter and the smell of Autumn just around the corner, I am enjoying each bit of goodness that comes my way....yep, even the framing!

Until Next Time:
Kim
Gerushia's New World

The Winner Is...

Hello There:

Well, it looks like a few more people were able to leave comments, although I did receive a number of emails from folks that weren't able to leave a comment....I don't know what else to do.  I'll keep scratching at blooger to find out why this is happening.  In the meantime, the winner of the give-away is Heidi.

Congratulations, Heidi.  Please contact me with your print choices and your mailing address!  Thanks so much for playing.

I'll be back very soon with a NON give-away post.  ;)

Until next time:
Kim
Gerushia's New World

Saturday, August 27, 2011

Okay ~ One More Time With the Give-Away...

Hello There:

I can't believe I'm doing this again so soon.  I'm trying another give-away, but it will only run from now through tomorrow evening, Sunday August 28 at 7:00 pm pacific time.  The winner will be chosen at random and will be given the opportunity  to choose any two (4" x 6") prints from my Zibbet shop.  You don't need to have an account with Zibbet, it just happens to be the place where you can view my "inventory" of 4" x 6" prints.

The reason I'm hosting another give-away so soon after the last is because I have changed some settings on my blog.  I was finally able to speak with someone at blogger that, I think, actually straightened out my situation.  You see, over the last year or so, folks would come over to my blog, read it and try to leave a comment.  They weren't able to leave a comment, so they weren't able to participate in my give-aways.   This is really an experiment, and I'm hoping that the "comment situation" has finally been resolved.  If not, my give-aways will be hosted on my facebook page from now on.

So....if you'd like to play, please leave a comment.  If you are unable to leave a comment, then please...email me and let me know what your experience was when trying to use the comment form.

Keeping my fingers crossed that this works!!

xoxo
Kim
Gerushia's New World

Thursday, August 25, 2011

Little Changes...

There's a melancholy glow in the air this time of year.  A necessary sadness between Summer and Fall, I suppose.  This shift often brings change to my life.  Over the years, many of the biggest changes in my life have taken place at that point between Summer and Fall, when the red-heat turns yellowy and the sky blue is clear and charged.  

Honestly, I'm hopeful that this season will not bring any big changes...tiny changes are good enough for me, at least for the time being.  

Looking back over the Summer, and especially the last few weeks, I can see the small changes.  Good things that are appreciated and treasured....adventures and new opportunities.

Through the entire Summer, I have been creating a body of work for a group show at The Riverside Arts Project.  The show will include not only my work, but the work of 3 other fantastic, local artists...


The show runs from September 6 ~ November 2, with the opening reception taking place on Friday September 9th.

All season, the show seemed like a distant dream, something that was so far away and truly out of reach.  Now, with the show just around the corner, I am still busy creating and framing.  This is not only a fabulous opportunity, but marks a little change as well.  This show is taking me to a local level . I'm happy about that.  It's important to bring art to the local community and I'm proud to be included in this group of artists.

During the last few weeks, there have been little changes all about.  Junior decided to go for a new look and has acquired quite a fancy mohawk, thanks to his groomer, Londa.  She dyed his mohawk doggy-purple and used him in a photo shoot.  Unfortunately, by the time Junior arrived home, he was very hyper and his new do was lacking.  


One of the wee changes that I have enjoyed recently is working in an art journal.  When I was in high school, I carried an art journal with me everywhere I went.  I doodled, drew and wrote poetry and always made sure to carry it in my bag.  I truly adore what I do, but my watercolor/collage keeps me chained to a chair and hunched over a desk with my nose about an inch above my work.  There's a freedom with my journal and I'm loving that...


I daydream that this little structure is my studio and I can sit quietly in a cushy chair just doodling in my journal...


Before I started working on so many new pieces for the "Connecting Spaces" show, I decided I should start fresh and I cleaned my little desk...sorted through hundreds of tiny heads and hands and all sorts of animaly paper snippets.  I dusted and stacked and made everything within easy reach.  Isn't it lovely?  Unfortunately it looked like this for approximately 17 minutes!  But, it was a good change while it lasted!


During all the busy studio days, I managed to take a bit of time out to journey to Hollywood to have my "Dancing Fiona" tattoo finished.  I told you that already!  But, I have a few photos that I'd like to share, as they are just fun, fun, fun.  Plus....it's always good to have a look at Dan Smith.  He's such a sweetheart...

Here we are talking about the composition of the new addition...


I'm just sharing this photo with you simply because it's so darn cute...



I love these next two photos because they really give you a good idea of the outlining process and that little bit of swelling that takes place...




Visiting High Voltage Tattoo is always a fabulous journey.  Honestly, the folks that work there are so kind and extremely patient.  There are people in and out of that shop in a constant flow.  Mostly just looking and hoping to catch a glimpse of someone they might recognize from the show L.A. Ink.  They are always so sweet about taking photos with the customers.  Greg Siebel (one of the shop managers) is such a nice guy and he's always willing to stop for a photo.  This is Greg with my daughter..

(Thanks to Rochelle Rosenkild for all the fantastic High Voltage photos).

As always, the journey to High Voltage came to an end and it was back to work, as usual.  But...it's great to have the photos (and the new addition of Sweet Peas to my tattoo).  I'm more than fairly sure I'll be journeying back to HVT again!

So....looking back over the last few weeks, I see some small changes, opportunities and fun times.  Through it all, little by little, day by day....the air is changing.  Soon, the leaves will be changing as well.  I appreciate all these little changes and happenings, even through the oncoming melancholy that the changing season will bring.  I can smell the change in the air. And....you know, melancholy isn't always bad.  It's a sort of sadness but not a grief or painful sadness...just a little tickle on the heart.  I'm okay with that.

Now, I am off to the studio.  I will continue to create new pieces until I run out of time, I reckon!  Would you like to see my two newest pieces?  

This piece is called "Guardians of the Questionable Motive" and can be found in print form in my Zibbet shop.


(Basically...the two little boys sitting on the steps are up to no good. The "guardians" (in the background) are there to make sure that the wee boys carry out their dastardly plan).

This piece is entitled "The Haunting of La Llorona" and it can also be found in print form in my Zibbet shop ~


Of all the little pieces I have created over the years....this one may be my favorite.  It is darker than usual and not whimsical at all.  I love the legend of La Llorona and it's quite prevalent throughout this region.  I also adore the fact that the "weeping woman" is my daughter.  She is a fantastic model and always knows exactly what I need.  I hope you like this new piece as well, as it is a bit darker than my usual odd and whimsical art.

If you are interested in either of these pieces in print form and you don't have a zibbet account, just give me a holler.

Okay, I'm off.  Off to work I go.  

Until Next Time:
Kim
Gerushia's New World

Monday, August 22, 2011

The Winner Is...

Good Morning:

I'm a day late announcing the winner, as I had quite a dinner fiasco last night and wasn't able to get to my blog.  It's a long story...but it involved a spiral ham gone bad (very bad), 3 trips to the store (all to pick up items that I forgot) and finally serving dinner at 9:00 p.m.!

Anyway...as you can see, again, this give-away wasn't very successful.  I received many emails from folks that weren't able to leave a comment.  I can also see through my stat counter that many people tried to leave a comment and they weren't able to do so.  Until blogger gets this issue fixed, I reckon I'll continue having small give-aways here occasionally, but I'll host the majority of my give-aways on my facebook fanpage.  If you like taking part in my give-aways and you have a facebook, you can pop over and "like" my page by clicking HERE.  This will allow you to keep up with not only my give-aways, but my daily comings and goings and my art show schedules.

Okay, the winner is comment #4  ~ andrea littlebighead, chosen at random by my daughter.  Congratulations Andrea and thanks so much for playing!  I will contact you for your address.

I'll be back soon with a new post and I'll show you a couple of new pieces I've finished that will be included in my show in September.

Until Next Time:
Kim
Gerushia's New World 

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Gonna Try This Again ~ Time For a Give-Away.

Hello There:

I haven't had a give-away on my blog for such a long time.  The last few times I hosted a give-away, they weren't successful, as none of my typepad friends were able to leave comments.  This has been a glitch with Blogger for well over a year now.  So, I've been hosting my give-aways on my Facebook Art Page.  

I really love blogging and I adore all the friends I've made through my blog....so, I'm going to host another give-away here on my blog.  I'll give it a whirl one more time.

This particular give-away is for my newest print set from my "fairy tales and nursery rhymes" series.  The winner will receive a 4" x 6" print of ~

"An Unexpected Visitor" (Based on Little Red Riding Hood)


...and "A Simple Game" (Based on Little-Bo-Peep)
PLEASE NOTE:  This print is very vibrant in real life.  It is not bleached out as it shows on the monitor..


I'm so hoping that all of my blog friends will be able to leave a comment this time.  If not, I'm afraid I'll have to continue my give-aways through Facebook and Twitter.  I just feel more "connected" here.

So....all you need to do to enter is leave a comment.  The give-away will end Sunday, August 21st at 6:00 p.m. Pacific time.  The winner will be chosen randomly and will be announced here on Sunday night.

Thank you so much for playing with me!

Until Next Time:
Kim
Gerushia's New World


Friday, August 12, 2011

Busy Week and More To Come...(Updated)

Hello There:

I don't like being away from my blog for such long periods of time.  My schedule is crazy...in a good way, but still crazy.  I have been locked away in my studio, painting, composing and creating little pieces for my upcoming show in Sept.  I need 30 finished and framed pieces by the end of August.  I have 20 right now...so I will be a very busy gal over the next several weeks.  

In the last few days, I have managed to get 2 new pieces done.  I can't offer the originals in my zibbet shop because the originals are being held back for the show.  But, I did list print versions of the two newest piece ~




and...a piece that I just finished a few hours ago inspired by Little-Bo-Peep, entitled:



I'm also offering a new print set from my "fairy tales and nursery rhymes" series.  I guess to some folks, these watercolor/collages are creepy...but to me, well...I think this set would be fabulous hanging in a child's room. 



PLEASE NOTE:  In celebration of my daughter's birthday, I am having a 15% off sale in my zibbet shop.  No need for a coupon code as the price discount has already been noted.  This sale will start Sunday, August 14th and run through Thursday, August 18th.  This sale includes everything in my shop....even the new prints. Hooray for birthdays!!

In the midst of my whirlwind schedule, I did find time to take a day off and journey to High Voltage Tattoo with my fabulous, wonderful, and always heartful friend, Shell.  My daughter and Shell's son came along as well. 

I finally finished off my "Dancing Fiona" tattoo with Dan Smith...keep in mind, these photos were taken just after the tattoo was finished, so it's still ooey-gooey fresh...I had Sweet Peas added to frame out Fiona ~






We had a fantstic time at High Voltage Tattoo.  We shopped at Wonderland Gallery and even made a quick stop at Hollywood Forever Cemetery.  I have so many photos to share, but I haven't had a chance to go through all of them yet.  Like I said...my schedule is CRAZY right now.

I will be back as soon as possible to share some fun photos.  I'm getting so excited to finish all this work so I can start getting ready for all sorts of Autumn goodness and Halloween planning!  Are you detecting just a teeny tiny hint of Fall in the air?  I have been lately...

Until Next Time:
Kim
Gerushia's New World