Just Minding My Own Business ~ When All Of A Sudden.....

Boom, just like that.

Didn't see it coming.

Times have been difficult for my family since October of 2007.

No need for detail other than it's been a financial struggle since helping with my mom's medical and death expenses.

Last year, we were finally feeling like there might be a little light at the end of the tunnel....

until my husband was unexpectedly laid off right before Christmas.

So, I found a pace after the lay-off.

I learned to cope and juggle bills and force myself to see good things every day.

Spending time in my studio helped keep my mind off of troubles ~ 

Frisky puppies made me giggle ~ 

and my garden helped me stay focused ~ 

It wasn't easy.

It was high level budgeting and going without any extras.

BUT...we were, by the skin of our teeth, surviving.

Then....

Boom, just like that.

Didn't see it coming.

We lost our unemployment money.

All due to a power play in Washington.

Politicians....Blech!

In some ways, this news was scarier than the actual lay-off.

So....here we are.

In limbo.

Again.

Right now, the only money we have coming in is the money I make from my art.

I've just recently finished a piece that is a sort of nod to a character named "Madrigal" from the book "Daughter of Smoke and Bone" by Laini Taylor.

If you've read the book, you'll understand my character design.

This is my idea of what Madrigal might look like if she were in Gerushia's World ~ 

"A Secret Invitation For Maragild"  SOLD

(Maragild is an anagram of Madrigal)

I think this piece stands on it's own as well.

It is still within Gerushia's World.

No need to read the book in order to like the piece.

Right?

Because of our current emergency, I am having a 40% off sale in my Zibbet Shop.  The above piece is normally $80.00 and it is included in the sale. If you prefer shopping at Etsy, you can receive the same 40% off storewide by using coupon code STAYSTRONG.

Sometimes, it makes me sad to offer my art at discounted prices.

It makes me feel like it's in a dime store junk aisle.

But, as you can see, I am desperate.

If you've ever contemplated buying an original or print from my shop, now would be the best time ever.

It is food on the table until we get through this nightmarish journey.

So....here I am.

Still blogging, if not as often as I'd like to.

Still trying to find good things in my every day life.

I don't know where this journey's path is leading us.

Honestly, I'm terrified.

And confused.

Confused about why things like this happen to people that try so hard to live a good and quiet and simple life.

I know there are no easy answers.

I have no answers at all.

Right now, we are in a dark struggle and I am trying with all my heart to find some goodness....and make a few dollars selling the thing that I love to do the most...

Until Next Time:

Kim

Gerushia's New World

P.S.  If you have any questions about the sale or my art, please don't hesitate to contact me.  xoxo

"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

Celebrating My New Etsy Shop...

Well,  hello there.

I hope you are feeling great and enjoying the weekend.

This is just a quick pop-in to announce my current art sale.

In celebration of re-opening my Etsy Shop, I'm having a sale.

This weekend only (February 23rd - 24th) purchase any 4" x 6" Print and get a second 4" x 6" print of your choice for free. This is just a little celebration for opening my Etsy shop! Once you purchase the first print, simply convo me with your choice for the free print. Easy Peasy !

There are 2 prints included in this sale that you can only purchase through my Etsy shop today and tomorrow.  After the weekend sale, they will be taken out of my shop until the originals have been purchased.  I just wanted to add them for an extra fun weekend sale!

"Jubal's Gift to Lucy"

and...

"Serafine's Mountain"

I am having oodles of fun in the studio and am in the process of writing new stories for both of the above pieces.

So....if you are interested in purchasing prints from my shop, now is a great time to indulge!

Until Next Time:

Kim

Gerushia's New World

P.S.  I am planning a give-away early next week!!  :-)

Everything Old Is New Again and "Serafine's Mountain"

Art.

Marketing.

Selling.

Craziness!!

Art is the easy part.  

Marketing and selling are the difficult parts.  

The time consuming part.

The thing that takes me away from my studio and forces me to sit for hours at the computer.

I am so very grateful for the online opportunities that allow my art to reach people all over the world.

But, the venue choices are overwhelming.

Finding a good fit for my work has been a relentless struggle.

I've traveled around, I admit it.  

I started selling my art on eBay.

Then....I moved to Etsy.

Big Cartel.

Storenvy.

Zibbet.

Now, back to Etsy.

Everything old is new again, yes?

(But, I am keeping my Zibbet shop open too.  The people there are so nice and the site is very friendly and easy.  Just haven't been able to direct many buyers to Zibbet).

If you'd like to see my new Etsy shop, just click Right Here.

I just listed my first ever Etsy Daily Special.  

$10.00 Art Print Entitled:

"The Keeper of Odessa's Hymn"

I've also listed originals,  prints, and my series that includes short stories called Tiny Tale Art.

So....here I go again.  Looking for a comfortable fit.  

Somewhere to list my art that feels right

Hopefully, Etsy will be a better fit and I can finally unpack and call it home.

So, today was busy with shop work.  Computer work.  Tapping fingers while sneaking dreamy glances out the window, wishing I were in the studio.

Along with my new shop announcement, I also have another new original to share with you.

This piece has been in my heart and bones for a long time.

You see, Gerushia's New World is more than a shop name.  It's actually the name of an entire fairy tale that I have been writing for years.

All of the characters that I create and introduce to canvas are characters from my fairy tale.

Each art piece has a short story written to go along with it.  But...there is an epic tale that gathers all of my characters into Gerushia's World.

Most of my characters are curious and harmless

Odd and kind.

But ~

in Gerushia's World, just like in every fairy tale world, there exists an evil power.

Serafine is the evilness that threatens Gerushia's New World and the characters within.

She is the collector of sin.

A deceitful and fiery power.

For the first time ever, I have created a visual of this evil side of the world.

Entitled:

"Serafine's Mountain"

Serafine is not kind or curious.  

She is fire.

Evil.

But the inhabitants of Gerushia's World are so strong.

Bright.

Warriors for the better side.

Every world has a version of Serafine.

Not just fairy tale worlds.

Until Next Time:

Kim

Gerushia's New World