A Fiery Tornado of Doubt...

Wow...what a crazy week this has been.  And I don't mean that in a good way.  But, all is well for now.

I'm going to start off by sharing something good that happened this week, because I find it so ironic that after such a terrible cluster of days, it ended with this one good thing....

After years of creating art and selling online, marketing, tweeting, facebooking and blogging to the world, I was finally recognized on a local level.  That's cool, right?  I was the featured artist in the local Inland Empire newspaper "The Press Enterprise".  The article is online and in the print version as well.  It was funny seeing a photo of myself in newsprint.  I don't think I've been in "the paper" since I was a Brownie.  Would you like to read about me from a local standpoint?  Here it is ~  Press Enterprise Artist Spotlight.  So very nice to be recognized locally.

Okay...I don't usually blog about bad stuff.  I don't think most people go to artist's blogs to read about the ugly world...they probably get enough of that in real life.  But, in all fairness to my readers, I think sometimes you need to be honest.  Not graphic, but honest....

I try with all my might and heart to be positive, even in the worst conditions.  For the most part, I succeed.  But, there are times when I want to scream into the sky and shake my fist and say "Why me, Lord?  Why me"?  I'm fearful and find myself whirling in a fiery tornado of doubt.  Searching for faith and searching for my heart.  The most difficult thing is that all my doubts, all my fears, all of the tears and gnashing are because of the one thing in this world that I loathe the most.....money.  Yep...I loathe it.  I am horrified at what it can do TO people rather than FOR them.  I resent the fact that I have to rely on something so potentially poison to keep food on the table.  To keep the water flowing through my faucets, to keep the lights shining in my home.

When the economy  fell apart, we were already on our way down, as we were overwhelmed with medical expenses for my mom.  By the time she passed away, the economy was down the drain and we went right along with it.  My husband had a job change, we lost our health insurance, we struggled to keep our home, one of our vehicles took it's final breath etc....You know the story, because unfortunately, our story is common now.  It saddens me everyday to read about folks that have lost their homes, lost their jobs. The biggest loss can sometimes be the loss of hope.

So...with all of that said, I still love my life.  Things are a bit better now, but honestly, we still get walloped if any small, unexpected expense occurs.  We still struggle to make ends meet, we still live hand to mouth.

Here's what I do...on a daily basis.  I force myself to recognize 3 small things I am grateful for and really think about those things.  It clears my mind and allows me to focus on the good stuff rather than the horrific turn our lives have taken.  I go outside and purposefully look for tiny little things to be thankful for.  I look around my home at the history here...inherited family clocks, my grandma's old coffee grinder, photos of the kids on Halloween.  These little things can't be taken out of your heart or your gut.

There are people out there with a whole lot of power.  People who can take your home away from you.  They can take your car away from you.  They can turn off your water, shut down your electricity and steal your hope.  They can cause you to cry buckets full of tears, argue with your husband and look at yourself in the mirror with a dread and a self-hate that you hardly recognize.  But....they can't steal the little things that you keep safely tucked away inside a quiet spot in your heart.  Your history, your kids, your memories of childbirth, past friendships, the smell of a rose, buzzing bees.

You have to own something.  You have to keep hold of the things that no one else can take.  Hold them tight and be grateful and fully aware of all the little things each and everyday.  It's the "Everydays" in our lives that matter the most.

There will always be fear and horror and dread and poison in this world.  Without a doubt, each and every one of us will have a time when these horrors and poisons will seep into our lives on a personal basis.  Get ahold of your little things now.  Live your "Everydays" now.  It's never too early or too late to start.

Until Next Time:
Kim
Gerushia's New World

Fabulous Sale at Gerushia's New World

Hello There:

Just a quick little blurb on my blog today.  I'm busy in my studio....working on canvas prep today.  But, I wanted to pop in and let you know that Gerushia is having a sale in her new zibbet shop this week.  The sale runs today thru Friday, July 29th.  20% off everything in the shop!  Simply use coupon code ZIBBETYDODAH at checkout.

The sale includes all listed originals...including this piece:

"An Unexpected Visitor"

...and this piece:

"The Good Mourning Mice"

Lots of 4" x 6" prints...including:

"The Uninvited"

...and this piece:

"The Changeling Moon"

I've even included a print version of my Welsh Festival of Arts piece:

"Plentyn Newid"

There are a few ACEO originals to choose from:

"Pansy's Dancer"

"Guardian of the Orphan's Moon"

...and lots of ACEO prints as well:

"Guardian of the Circus Diver'

"The Reader"

Also....I've added a small section of print sets ~ pieces that were made to go together or pieces that fit well together as a set.  Here's my favorite set:

"Dancing Fiona and Little Bertie in the Garden"

"Dancing Fiona"

"Little Bertie in the Garden"

The "Fiona and Bertie" print set is being offered because so many customers have purchased them together, to be hung as a set.  Often times these two pieces end up in a baby nursery or a child's room.  I figured, I'd give the option to purchase them as a set and save the customer a couple of dollars too.

So...if you're considering buying a piece of my art...maybe for yourself, maybe as a gift ~  now is the perfect time.  And...while you're browsing my shop, have a look around zibbet.  It's easy and fun to use with lots of great art and other handmade items as well.

Thank you so much for having a look.  If you have any questions, as always, feel free to leave a comment or email me.

Okay....back to the studio!

Until Next Time:

Kim

Gerushia's New World

Preparing for 2 Big Art Shows and some Zibbety Goodness Too!

Well....Hello There:

How are you?  I hope you are all doing well and enjoying the pleasures of summer.  I have been ever so busy with art show preparations and online shop work.  Normally, my summer posts are about gardening and all sorts of summery goodness, but this summer has found me so busy with creating  many new pieces for upcoming shows that I've had very little time to "stop and smell the roses".  In fact, I've spent most of the summer locked away in my studio.

I have oodles of news and fun stuff to share and I'll share some today....

First, let me say that I am officially committed to Zibbet as my new online selling venue.  I left Etsy months ago...gave Big Cartel a whirl (my little art simply got lost on Big Cartel), and now I am blissfully happy with Zibbet.  They are very much like Etsy was early on.  Great community feel, fantastic support and a heavy presence on twitter.  This is where I'll stay as I am ordering new business cards for my upcoming shows and I must commit to somewhere.  So....Zibbet it is.  If you are an arty pal and are looking for a new "home", give Zibbet a look, you might like what you see.  I have a feeling that they are going to explode in popularity within the next year!  

I have 2 shops on Zibbet, actually.  Click HERE to have a look at my art shop ~ Gerushia's New World.  Click HERE to have a look at my vintage digital download shop ~ Hands of Time.  I will be adding lots more vintage images over the next week.  

Okay...so one of the shows I've been invited to participate in is The 2011 West Coast Welsh Festival of Arts ~ Mythology and Legend Art Show...wow, that's a mouthful!  It's being held at the Barnsdall Art Park in Hollywood, California September 23 - 25.  Not only will my piece be in the art show, but it will be published in the book "A Welsh Alphabet", printed by A Raven Above Press. Each artist was asked to choose an alphabet from the book.  Each alphabet has a short poem attached to it and our art pieces reflect that poem.  

I chose "P" for Plentyn Newid.  Plentyn Newid translates to New Child in English...so my piece is a changeling story.  

Here is the poem:

P is for Plentyn Newid

who steal children away as they sleep.

Quickly replacing it with an ugly, shriveled beast

That has made many a poor mother weep.

The "Welsh Alphabet Book" was written by Lorin Morgan-Richards.

"Plentyn Newid"

As you can see, I chose not to show an actual ugly, shriveled beast, as I wanted to leave that to your imagination.  I'm happy with the outcome and I think it conveys the overall feeling of a changeling story.

I have another show coming up in early September.  This is the show that has kept me trapped in the studio.  But...I mean that in a good way.  I need to have 30 pieces finished and framed by the end of August.  Needless to say, I am slightly panicked but I'm pacing myself and am hopeful to meet the deadline.  I'll be back in a few weeks to fill you in on all the details of this show.  It's very exciting!!  

I'm also keeping up with new inventory for my shop as well.  Here is my newest piece:

"Lulu's Big Top Playtime"

The original "Lulu's Big Top Playtime" can be found in my shop ~ Gerushia's New World - Original Art as well as a print version.  As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.

I should also mention that for all my arty blog friends that aren't on Blogger, I know you're having an impossible time leaving comments...so if you want to leave a comment for me, you may have to do it through email.  I so wish Blogger could get this situation fixed.

So...there you have it.  I really don't have any pretty garden photos to share or photos of delicious baked goods to post.  This summer has been so very busy with my art and planning for the book and the shows...I just haven't had the time to really enjoy the season.  Well...not in the usual way.  I am enjoying my work and the excitement that comes along with being asked to contribute my work to these amazing shows!  I am humbled beyond belief...

Thank you so much for stopping by and reading about my busy summer days (and nights)...

Until Next Time:

Kim

Gerushia's New World