Autumn is Here ~ Time For Decorating, Watercoloring and Tattoo Finishing!

Can you feel it in the air?

Autumn is here.  It's finally here ~ 

Preparing to decorate the house in Halloween colors ~ 

But first I have to show you the best thing.

Some of you know that I have a print in my shop called 

"Dancing Fiona"

I even have a little tattoo of Fiona on my arm ~ 

My daughter bought me the most lovely treasure.

My very own Fiona head for my studio wall ~

I am in love with it and was so surprised when she gave it to me.

I keep Fiona hanging where I can see her while I'm working.

Isn't she adorable?

She's very happy to share the space with one of my Orange Sparkler pumpkins!

I have so many beautiful pumpkins this year.

They are especially warty and chock full of punkin pox ~ 

I am a pumpkin hoarder

They are all around my fireplace, creating a perfect orange glow ~ 

Halloween decorations are my favorite.

Little strings of bony goodness hanging here ~ 

and there ~ 

Bloody candles ~

and a front porch visitor ~ 

Right in the middle of all the Halloween chaos, I found the most unexpected gift.

A hidden Calla Lily, very much out of season ~

The explosion of Halloween inspired me to paint something

 Jack O' Lanterny ~

Work in progress ~ 

Still working ~ 

And finally ~

"Harvey The Halloween Balloon Wrangler"

You can find Harvey in my Etsy Shop by clicking Right Here.

Ohhh, and also, I am now offering my Alice themed piece in a print version. This piece was created for the "6 Impossible Things Before Breakfast" show at The Dream Factory in Frankfurt, Germany.

"Neither More Nor Less Than A Pig"

And, last but not least, I have had several people email me, asking to see my finished tattoo.

It is completely done and healed beautifully.

These photos were taken the day after, so the tattoo was still a bit swollen and distorted, but I think you can get the idea.

The tattoo is gorgeous.  If you live in the Southern California area and are considering a tattoo, Dan Smith from Captured Tattoo in Tustin is an amazing artist.  He used to work at High Voltage in Hollywood, but he's opened his own shop and it is absolutely gorgeous.  

Full view ~

Back view with morning glories ~ 

Front view with red poppies ~ 

So....I've been keeping busy, as usual.  

Decorating.
Art.
And a fresh tattoo.

What's going on in your neck of the woods?

Until Next Time:

Kim

Gerushia's New World

Looking Back ~ "Sister Ophelia's Unfortunate Picnic" and "The Uninvited" ~

Hello There:

What a whirlwind week it's been.  Some things good and some things trying.  

I said goodbye to the last bouquet of Autumn Roses ~ 

Opened the last bag of 2012's Boysenberries ~ 

Which is now a pie ~ 

...and found a new home for the front porch Chrysanthemums ~

The chaos of Christmas is almost here.  I can feel it creeping up in my bones ~ 

I love the idea of Christmas, but the chaos and materialism exhausts and disappoints me every year.  

But...onward I go.

I am still in "sales mode" in my Art Shop.  Everything has been marked down by 50%.  This includes original art, art prints and even a few "gnarly-dolls" thrown into the mix.

I was looking back today, trying to find some of the little stories that I originally wrote to go along with my collages.  Last year, when my computer crashed, I lost all of my little short stories.  

Well, I found them on JacketFlap!!  JacketFlap is a site that connects authors, illustrators and publishers of Children's books.  My blog posts run through their site each time I post.  So....they have a record of all my old blog posts and I found my stories!!  I am so excited.

So....I thought I would share 2 of them with you.  They're just simple little stories, mind you. I don't publish an ending to the stories because I like the reader to come up with their own endings.  However, I do have the endings written for myself.  Would you like to read 2 of them?

Okay!

"The Uninvited"

"Today is Miss. Laramie Rabbit's big tea party.  All of her friends will be there, ready to have a day of fun and food ~ yummy little rosy cupcakes, delicious boysenberry turnovers and sweet, minty tea. But....someone dark and eerie has made an appearance...someone or something Uninvited!! What will the day bring for Miss. Laramie and her friends?"

And...

"Sister Ophelia's Unfortunate Picnic"

"Do you like picnics? My sister Ophelia loves them... 

A warm day under the full moon....waiting for our friends to arrive ~ oh the lovely flutter of summertime butterflies.  I remember so well, that day.  The day of the unfortunate picnic.  You see, we had everything perfectly planned,  and then..." 

So...you see?  You get to make up your own ending for the stories.

Both of the originals are long ago sold, but....you can get them both in print version for 50% off right now in my shop.  

I think art,  and anything handmade really, makes spectacular gifts.  So unique and heartfelt.

Do you agree?

Until Next Time:

Kim

Gerushia's New World

P.S.   I am overwhelmed by the kindness of fellow artist and blogger Cat's Wire.    She wrote a lovely blog post about me.  Can you believe it?  Thank you Catrin!! ♥♥

Unexpected Things And A Give-Away ~

Good Morning:


So.....lately, there has been a lot of unexpected things happening around my neck of the woods.  Most of them....MOST of them have not been good unexpected things.  No tragedies (thank goodness), but mostly irritations and extra hurdles.


Some of you already know that I am officially computer-less right now.  I have been sharing several different computers that are strewn about my house.  One of those computers was Mr. Gerushia's laptop.  A very old laptop.  But...it's the computer he's always used since going back to school.   He has struggled to get through his classes and maintain a full-time job.  He is now on the last...LAST quarter before graduating with his Master's Degree and wouldn't you know it, his laptop died.  It had the nerve to just up and die!  Can you believe that?  

And yesterday, there was a terrible hoopla in my neighborhood.  One of the homes here on my block have a litter of pups...not newborn, they are playing and tumbling and such, but still very young.  The neighbors have a drained swimming pool and one of the pups fell in while no one was home.  I wasn't able to do a rescue mission because the momma dog is aggressive and I was afraid to go in the backyard to help the pup.  Thankfully, my call to animal control was helpful and the puppy was rescued.  But...it was a horrendous morning.  


And, well...there were other not so good unexpected things that found their way into my life this last week or so, but there's no use in going into all that silly detail.


I'm making every effort to do the whole "keep your chin up" thing.  Trying to enjoy my Everydays and not get bogged down in hopelessness and sadness again ~ 

I often find my way to the back garden when life is heavy and dense.  Just a stroll around my yard can lighten the mood.  Unless, of course, you are taking photos of lovely and sweet stone fruit only to find this unexpected horror...GAHHHH ~

There are just a wee few Nectarines left on my tree.  The last few big ones were infiltrated by these buggers.  I held my breath just long enough to snap this photo and then...I ran for dear life!!


But ~ I did find this unexpected funny face.  It made me laugh for a moment.  Can you see the face in this Nectarine? 

Oh...and my son found this disgusting and unexpected and way too long french fry.  This is such a gross picture, but, without my photo editing program, my photos are naked right now and this was taken indoors under artificial light.  Yuck ~ 

I figure, sometimes unexpected is good and sometimes, it's bad.  Today...I'm gonna turn it around and make it good. ~ by offering a give-away.  My favorite time to do a give-away is when things aren't going super swell.  

I think the 2 prints that I've chosen to give make a fine set ~

"The Uninvited"

And...."Dancing Fiona" ~

If you would like to play along, simply leave a comment.  I'll use a handy-dandy randomizer to pick a winning number between now and whenever my next blog post might be!

Keeping my fingers crossed that folks can easily leave a comment.  It's been a bit better, but I am still having comment issues every now and again.

*NOTE ~ Since writing this post,  it's clear that there are still some folks having trouble leaving comments.  I've received 5 emails so far from people that weren't able to leave a comment.  I will place those people with a name in the comment section myself.  If you are having trouble leaving a comment, please email me at gerushiasworld at aol dot com.

Here's to a day filled with unexpected goodness!!

Until Next Time:

Kim

Gerushia's New World

P.S.  If the winner would rather have 2 different prints...you can choose any 2 from my shop, if you like.  Click HERE to have a look at the print choices!  

P.P.S.  I just changed out the daily special.  Today's special is a $10.00 art print, entitled ~ "Piaf Sings the Blues".  This piece was created for Kat Von D and the original is in her private collection.  Piaf is her beloved Sphynx cat.

...and through it all, she danced ~

May I introduce you to "Dancing Fiona"?

She is ever so strong and always willing to dance.

Even when times are difficult and tragedy has struck, Fiona keeps her heart soft and her feet moving.

"Dancing Fiona" can be found in a 4" x 6" print version in Gerushia's Big Cartel.

Thank you so much for having a look.  As always, if you have any questions, feel free to either email me or leave a question in the comments section below.

Until Next Time:

Kim

Gerushia's New World



Who Likes Free Art?

Just a quick little blurb today. Gerushia has decided to offer all 4" x 6" prints in her shop as "Buy One Get One Free". This is a great time to start purchasing your holiday gifts. Buy one to give away, and keep the other for yourself.





Also, by purchasing handmade items (and/or prints) you are lending your support to the unique world of the arts.



Click here for a direct link to the 4" x 6" section in Gerushia's shop.



Thanks so much for your continued support, and your kind comments and emails.
Until Next Time:
Kim
Gerushia's New World

Just a Wee Sneak Peek...

Oh my...I have a yummy blog post to share with you next week. But...I have ever so many photos to go through and watermark, I just want to give you a little peek today.

I did it...



I finally did it...



AND...I did it with Dan Smith from High Voltage Tattoo. (You know, L.A. Ink).



I can't wait to show you all the magnificent photos. I can't wait to tell you about the whole super fantastical day!

In the meantime, while I compose the tattoo blog entry (and finish my way bigger than I had planned Alice doll), I am offering a "Tattoo Celebration" discount on "Dancing Fiona" in print form at Gerushia's Etsy Shop. This is a great time to take advantage of the sale, as I have lots of Fionas printed and ready to go. And ~ Christmas is just around the corner!

Until Next Time:
Kim
Gerushia's New World

Vilula's First Adventure

Vilula Mae Davenport is a hard working and patient woman. Oh...she's kind to everyone and eveyone adores her. Vilula has worked for the Flynn family for over 40 years now. Well....she and her daughter, Pansy, even have a little wooden house of their own right on the Flynn family's property.

Vilula never asks for a thing. She does her work and sings all the while. Now, it's time for Vilula to have some fun. You see, Pansy and Mrs. Flynn have planned an exciting get-away for Vilula...her first ever vacation...her first adventure ~

This original watercolor/collage can be found in Gerushia's Big Cartel Store.

And...Vilula can be found in print form in Gerushia's Etsy Shop.

For those of you who may not know, I collect vintage photos to use in my art. I have a small but fabulous collection of African American snapshots. I have wanted to use "Vilula" and her daughter "Pansy" in an art piece for a long time. So...I decided that now is the time.

Thank you so much for dropping by.

Until Next Time:
Kim
Gerushia's New World

Sister Ophelia's Unfortunate Picnic ~

"Do you like picnics? My sister Ophelia loves them...

A warm day under the full moon....waiting for our friends to arrive ~ oh the lovely flutter of summertime butterflies. I remember so well, that day. The day of the unfortunate picnic. You see, we had everything planned perfectly, and then..." ~

"Sister Ophelia's Unfortunate Picnic" can be purchased in print form at Gerushia's Etsy Shop.

The original piece can be purchased at Gerushia's Big Cartel Store.

As always, thank you ever so much for having a look.

Until next time,
Kim
Gerushia's New World

Time For a Give-Away

Well Good Morning....thanks so much for stopping by.

Did you know I'm having a give-away? It's true.

All you need to do is leave a comment and your name will automatically go into the "hat".

I think I'll leave this post up from today (Monday) through Thursday night. I'll announce the winner on Friday morning.

~~PLEASE NOTE: I extended the deadline by one day. When I originally posted the deadline for today, I didn't realize it was my birthday. So, I won't be on the computer much today.~~

For this give-away, I'm offering the winner a choice...

This set of two 4" x 6" "Dancing Fiona" prints





Or...

This 5" x 7" print entitled "Gerushia's New World"



Oh, I just adore give-aways!

Thank you ever so much for joining in the fun:
Kim
Gerushia's New World

Down With the Flu

Well, Good Morning:

This is the first day I've attempted to do anything at the computer in over a week. My family and I have been nursing a terrible case of the flu. Horrible actually! It came into my home almost a month ago, riding in with my husband. What started with a little scratchy throat turned out to be a nasty and long-lived stretch of the flu that has found it's way around to my whole family. For some, including myself, the very worst of it was the constant aches. Especially in the hips and legs. For others, it was the throat. My daughter's throat was so painful, she slept with ice packs on the outside of her neck. And....as often follows with my daughter, the flu invited a secondary sinus infection, and she is now on antibiotics.

So, as you can imagine, I've been "good for nothing" for over a week. I'm finally coming around, though. Yesterday, my daughter and I ventured out for the first time and saw "Where the Wild Things Are". We were both brought to tears and thoroughly creeped out! All in all, we liked it, as it is a very familiar story in our home.

I did dabble around with my "Dancing Fiona" piece a few days ago. I've wanted to do something in black and white with a pop of red for some time now. So, I decided to play around with Fiona. She has always been my most popular piece in color....



so now, I'm offering her in black and white....



Fiona in black and white can be found in My Etsy Shop.

Oh, and since I really couldn't do anything more than plop around on my couch, I did manage to read 3 books while I was sick.

I think we're all coming out of it for the most part. Technically, we are no longer contagious, as we have all gone fever free for 24 hours without medicine.

Honestly, take it from me, do all you can to keep this hideous bug out of your house and home.

Kim
Gerushia's New World