"Guardian of the Melody Maker" Character Study.....

One of the great joys in my life is creating character studies for the fairy tale I'm writing called "Gerushia's New World. 

I love my work and I love the research that goes into writing a book and creating art.

This brand new piece is called ~

"Guardian of the Melody Maker"

(Available through my Etsy shop)

You see, in Gerushia's World there is a lot of music and...a lot of music inspired characters. 

This gal is a Melody Maker. She is part of a large group of musical personalities that live within Gerushia's World.  

Melody Makers often roam freely and share their music, hoping to bring calm and wonder to their world.

In this piece, you see her practicing under the yellowy skies of an oncoming storm. 

I used a scan of my Grandma Watson to create the Melody Maker ~ 

In Gerushia's World, under the yellowy skies and bruised storm clouds....

you will find kindness, hope, good and evil, comfort and fear.

But most of all, you will find peace.....eventually.

Until Next Time:

Kim

Gerushia's New World

Searching For Calm In Difficult Times ~

Well, yes. 

Yes it has been just over 3 months since my last blog post.

I didn't mean for it to happen, but time slips away.

You see, my husband was laid off again.

Second time in 15 months.

So, I have been searching for calm.

My family.

My art.

My garden.

My writing.

These are my quiet safe places.

Watching the purples come to life ~ 

The pinks unfurl ~ 

Painting ~

(Sold but will soon be offered in a print version)

and painting ~

(Sold)

and painting ~ 

(Sold)

and painting ~ 

(Sold) 

and more painting ~ 

Clearing my mind of worry.

Staying focused.

Sky watching....

Heart shaped clouds ~ 

Firelight sunsets ~

and tree bones ~ 

Only one new collage ~ 

This piece was created for the upcoming book "Welsh In The Old West" published by A Raven Above Press

"Old Bill and Wind Blossom"

The original framed art has sold but you can get this piece in a Print Version:

And....these 3 pieces will soon be off to The Dream Factory in Frankfurt, Germany ~

"The Haunting of La Llorona"

"The Beckoning of Leopold and Octavia"

and....

"The Burning of Eulalia"

As the days swiftly fly by,

waiting, waiting, waiting for that new job, I am keeping busy.

Continuing work on my fairy tale.

Composing character studies.

Tending to my garden.

Uncertainty floats all around.

One. Day. At. A. Time.

That's all I can do...

One day at a time.

Kim

Gerushia's New World

P.S.  I love Humpty.

More "Tiny Tale" Art ~

I'm so happy.  Excited almost.  Well, it doesn't take much to excite me, really.

In my last post, I talked about losing and then finding a few of my little stories that go along with my art pieces.

I found a couple more!

I'm actually listing them in my shops as "Tiny Tale Art."  Corny right?  But, I really love to write these little tidbits of story for the characters in my artwork.  

Most people don't know this, but every single piece I create has a story, and all the characters and stories are connected to each other in some way.  All of my characters live in the same world and my entire body of watercolor/collage work is one big story still being written.

Is that crazy?  Maybe when I'm 80, I'll write the book.

Yesterday, I found this Tiny Tale ~

"The Guardian of Cordelia's Swan Song"

"Cordelia loved to dance. Her days were filled with steps and turns and her nights were filled with dancing dreams. She was so happy, simply happy, while she danced ~

But she knew, deep down inside, she knew that her days were numbered and her dance would end. An ending that should never have been, yet it was a perfect Swan Song. 

....and now ~ she rests."

This next piece is super duper old!  But, I still like it and it's still part of the world I've created with my art work ~

"Ghostly Gert's Tuson Patio Party"

"Oh the happenings on that lovely desert patio. It was August 13, 1910, a sweltering hot day in Tucson, Arizona. It was Gert's 11th birthday and she was having a birthday extravaganza. Hundreds of friends and family members were swarming in. The food was delicious and the cake, oh the cake ~ it was 4 layers high. The party was sure to be the talk of the town. The guests were laughing and dancing. Gert and the other children were playing games. Hopscotch, Tag, Croquet. Then, it happened, tragedy struck..."

The stories aren't shiny and professional, but they are all intertwined.  Someday, I'll put them all together and re-write the entire Tale.  For now, they are separate "Tiny Tales" that hint at the big picture!  :-)

Everyone that orders a piece of "Tiny Tale" art will also receive a printed version of the story that goes along with the art.  :-)

Both of these prints can be found in my shops.  I work from 2 online venues, but I mostly promote from Zibbet.  I also have a Storenvy, which I actually love.  This gives a buyer the opportunity to choose which shop they like to use.

Both of my shops are in "sales mode" right now.  At Zibbet,  all  prices have been marked down by 50%.  Crazy right?  50%!!

I'm offering 50% off storewide at Storenvy as well.  But you have to use a coupon code.  The coupon code is:  halfcrazy.  Get it, halfcrazy, like 50% off!!  I know, corny joke.

Here's my Zibbet Shop.  

and

Here's my Storenvy Shop

Also, here's a link that takes you directly to my "Tiny Tale Art" at Zibbet.

I ♥ story art.

Until Next Time:

Kim

Gerushia's New World

P.S.  I am spending the whole weekend researching traditional Welsh clothing and composing a new piece.  It will be included in a book of Welsh Nursery Rhymes to be published for next year's St. David's Day Festival in Hollywood, California.  So excited!  ♥♥

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!! ♥♥

Rabbits and Wasps and Johnny Appleseed Skies ~

Well, Hello There ~ 

Oh my goodness.  I can't believe how crazy busy it's been in my neck of the woods lately.  Have you been busy?  Maybe it's something in the air....this constant fluttering about and busy-ness!  I crave the luxury of long days at home...working in the studio ~ 

In the last few days, I've been to 3 author panels and a writing workshop.  The workshop was fabulous and I learned oodles about the writing and publishing world!  Later today, I am off to another author panel in San Diego.  Like I said....busy!

In between the panels, I did manage to get my hair done.  Decided it was time to go purple. Plus, I needed some new photos for some arty events as well ~

A few evenings ago, we were blessed with Johnny Appleseed skies.  Those vibrant colors invite me to stop and just breathe.  Delicious!

Here's a funny little thing...we found some unexpected visitors right on our very front porch ~

These guys actually attached their nest right onto my hanging ivy plant...which is only about 4 feet from the front door.  I don't know how in the world we didn't notice this earlier in the season. Go figure!!

Ohhh...and, I did finish another rabbity piece.  This piece has super special meaning to me.  You see, over the course of the last few years, I have lost a lot of family.  Actually, I have very few aunts and uncles left on this Earth.  A few weeks ago, one of my mom's older sisters passed away, leaving only one sibling left out of 6 siblings.  She was my aunt Ola Jean.  

So....I created this piece in honor of, not only Ola Jean, but of all the recent losses within my extended family.

"A Serenade For Ola Jean"

If you're interested in this original, you can find it right here in my Zibbet Shop.  I think this piece can speak to people in many different ways.  For me, it's about loss, but also speaks about the freedom of going onward and escaping pain.  Plus....I just love rabbits!!  Sometimes, it's that simple.  Art can speak in serious tones, but it can also be fun.  Just....simple....fun!

Well, I guess I am out of here.  Off to San Diego.

Until Next Time:

Kim

Gerushia's New World

Minervia's Telling Secrets and Old is New Again ~

Good Morning:

What a busy day I have ahead of me.  Busy in a good way.  We have another birthday in my house today, so I will be heading off to make a cake very soon.

It's still hot in this dry and dusty place that I call home...but, not as bad as it was a few days ago.  I am thankful for the little relief we're getting!


So...this weekend, I decided to pull an old cabinet and vintage window out of the garage.  The cabinet used to sit in my family room ~ 

but that room is now serving a different purpose, so this pretty little hutch/cabinet has been living in the garage since 2008.  

I also have a beautiful big window that came from a local vintage home.  Some of the panes are missing, and the remaining panes are in bad shape, so, I'm taking the panes out.  I think the cabinet and the window will look fabulous together in my studio ~ 

My intentions are to collect 6 pieces of small format art from some of my favorite artists, frame them each in a different frame...a hodgepodge, and hang one piece of art in each section of the window.  I think it will be dreamy!

Oh my goodness, such a busy day today.  

Ohhh...I just finished a new piece last night.  It's been awhile since I worked with my rabbity models!  I adore working with rabbits.  Actually, I adore rabbits altogether!  Anyway, here's the new piece...

"The Guardian of Minervia's Secrets"

I think I rather like this piece.  I love it when my rabbity models wear yellow striped stockings.  I wish I had a pair of yellow striped stockings!

Well, if you are interested in this new original, you can click right HERE and it will take you directly to the listing in my Zibbet Shop.

I am off.  Such a busy busy crazy busy day.  

Guess what I'm making for the birthday dinner...Yep, homemade Chicken Pie.  I love it, but I only have a small portion because it is full of goodness and calories!!

I still love my old green Jadeite baking dishes.  They are tried and true, that's for sure.

Until Next Time:

Kim

Gerushia's New World

P.S.  Minervia has a secret, but she won't tell me what it is!  Shameful.

Clara and Lucy's Curious Visitors ~

It was a  warm summer morning...heading into the kind of day that blankets you in furnace heat and dampness. Clara and Lucy were off for a walk. 

Oh they had a lovely time, each wearing their sun hats and pretty lace up boots. They strolled by the creek, picked bouquets of wild flowers and had a taste of Mr. Stepp's plump and purple Huckleberries. 

Clara and Lucy were the best of friends, they were sisters. They both had dreams of great adventures and spent hours telling each other stories. 

As Clara and Lucy made their way back up the dirt road that led to their little wooden house, they skipped and held hands...they were so happy to be together. But, as they arrived back home, something felt askew ~ static air and a yellowing sky...they each broke out in goosebumps and were so very curious. "We have visitors" said Clara. "Yes, but who are they?" asked Lucy.................................     



Now   ~   the end of the story belongs to you ~



You can find this brand new print in my shop by clicking right HERE.

"Clara and Lucy's Curious Visitors" is an older piece, but it has never been offered in my current shop. So....I figured today was a good day to do so.  It is a simple piece but has great sentimental value to me.  And....it prints up super nice!

Until Next Time:
Kim
Gerushia's New World

P.S.  It's hot outside!!!

Let's Do This Again ~

So....hello there.  It's been a long while, hasn't it?  I almost gave up my blog.  Over the last year or so, it's slipped away from me, mostly because no one has been able to leave comments.  I've gone 'round and 'round with my settings, I've talked to the good folks at blogger, and still, the comment issue was on-going.  Now, it looks like the comment issue may have been because I was using an older template, so, I've chosen a new template.  Let's see how this works!!


Where to begin?  Well, let's begin with today.  It's HOT!!  Ever so hot.  The kind of licking flame hot that makes you thankful for air-conditioning!  


I stepped outside this morning to take care of a few garden chores and found this ~ 

A wasp enjoying a delicious meal of cutworm!  This makes me happy for 2 reasons.  1:  because that's one less worm on my tomato plant...and 2: because this season has seen a very sad decline in wasps and bees.  This is actually the first wasp I've seen this year.  The bees are  virtually non-existent in my backyard garden this year.  As a matter of fact, without the bees to pollinate my vegetables, I've had to pollinate them myself.  Especially the squash ~ 

I won't go into detail about what I have to do to pollinate my squash...but let's just say it requires a male blossom and a female blossom.  I do the rest!  :-)


Ohhh...and look how pretty...pretty in pink.  The first Sweet Pea blossom of the year ~ 

After all these years of growing these pretty flowers from seed, they are still my favorite.


We've also been spending a lot of time hand-transferring our baby Mantises all around the garden ~ 

Hmmmm...what else has been going on in my world?  Oh, I know, I picked these ~ 

....and turned them into this ~ A deep dish Nectarine pie!  So, so, so good!

You'll have to excuse my very plain and simple photos.  My computer finally gave up the ghost, and I lost my favorite photo program along with it.  Thankfully, Mr. Gerushia was able to retrieve all my art files and photos!  So, for now, I'm posting naked photos.


Since last we spoke, we've had a birthday celebration, an anniversary celebration and all sorts of fun stuff.


On the art scene, just for the fun of it, I entered this piece in a local art show ~ 


Mi Corazon por Alicia  (this piece is currently for sale in my shop).

and I actually won a bit of money!  It's always fun to win money, right?  

It was a fun evening and I got to hang out with my pal, Shell ~ 

I have another piece in a show opening up next weekend.  The theme of the show is "Fan".  I created this specifically for the show.  


"Fanning the Flames" ~ 

The original is not for sale, but you can get it in print version right Here.


I also have a new original in my shop.  A wee bit darker than my usual pieces, but I think I really like it.  It's called "The Burning of Eulalia" ~ 

For some reason, I felt the urge....the need to make this piece.  The name "Eulalia" means well-spoken. The name was borne by a 12 year old Spanish martyr who was burned to death because she refused to renounce her faith.  I know it sounds weird, but when I created this piece, I was drawn to use the name Eulalia, but had no idea about the story of the burning of a 12 year old martyr.  Something made me connect the name with fire.  Curious, yes?


The original is now offered in my shop.  Just click right HERE.  Once the original has sold, I will offer prints.


So...as you can see, I've been keeping busy.  In between working in my studio and working in the garden, I've also managed to read a few books, go to several author signings with my daughter and start a Pinterest.  Feel free to follow me over there if you like!


Ohhh...and one more fun thing coming up.  I'll be having an art give-away for a couple of my print sets, but it won't be on my blog.  More information on that in a day or two...but I'm over the moon excited for this give-away!  It will be "Fanciful" for sure!  :-)


Until Next Time:
xoxo
Kim
Gerushia's New World


P.S.  Ooopsie....forgot to mention that I'm having a "Buy One Get One Free" sale in my art shop.  Buy any 4" x 6" print and get a second 4" x 6 " print of your choice for free.  Simply leave a note for me at checkout telling me which print you want for your freebie and I will include it in your package!  Easy Peasy....just like that.  Click HERE to see all the prints included in this sale!  


xoxo

With the Rain, I Look Forward ~

Good Morning (Oh, it's not morning anymore):

I'm tired.  Exhausted actually.  Today and tomorrow are looming over me like a black cloud (thanks to you, mortgage company).  2 more days to buy groceries and gasoline before "payday".  I have, thus far, sold enough art, mostly framed originals, to keep a bit of food in the house but I still have  2.  more.  days.  to.  go.

I am forcing myself to think forward.  My plum tree is putting on her frilly white springtime costume, begging me to pay attention...

I've forced myself to applaud her and look forward to her generosity...

With yesterday's rain came a tentative hope.  Just a simple, short term hope that somehow, we'll make it through this, just as we've scrambled and clawed our way through the last 4 years.

Out of the dark clouds...

comes a fresh beauty...

a hint of better times ahead...

When I feel a darkness setting into my thoughts, I literally close my eyes and ...

I imagine that I am here ~ on this dirt road in the richness of the Ozarks.  This road that I walked up and down countless times on my childhood vacations...

Ohhhh, and this photo, this particular photo can make me smile even on the bleakest days...

That's my grandpa on the right...the gentleman with the bandaged finger.  I don't know what the story is, but I always like to imagine that the rabbit gave him a little nip on the finger!  

...and, my art.  My passion since forever...

I try to keep it tucked away in my heart all the time.  But, when life gets ugly, art can easily find it's way to the back-burner.

I have several shows to create for and a few other good things on the horizon, but over the last week or so, I haven't given much thought to any of it.  That makes me sad.  It makes me angry and sad that money worries can take away all the light in your life.  It can suck the living breath out of you!  I hate money for what it does TO people instead of FOR them.

So...while I'm looking forward, the reality is that I have 2 more days to go.  2 more dinners to prepare, 2 more days of keeping that gas gauge just a wee bit above the "E".  I am hopeful that I can sell a couple more framed originals.  

I have just listed 2 framed originals that have never been in my shop before.  I do offer them in print form, but the originals were never offered until today.  They were both created for my "Connecting Spaces" show...

This piece, entitled: "An Unexpected Visitor" is based on "Little Red Riding Hood".  It was recently published in "Pasticcio Quartz" Issue 13. ...

AND

This piece, entitled: "The Haunting of La Llorona" (which is filled with all sorts of personal meaning for me.  The image of the weeping woman is actually my daughter.  She does a lot of modeling for my work).

Both of these pieces are framed up in simple, black frames and they are both now listed in my ART SHOP. One of them hangs above my computer and the other hangs in my studio.  I'll keep them listed through Wednesday in hopes of conjuring up a bit of money for groceries and gasoline.

Again, let me thank everyone for all the kind and supportive emails I have received.  Thank you, as well, to everyone that's purchased from me during this ridiculous mortgage faux pas.

The next time you hear from me, I will have a full tank of gas and a full belly too!  Times are gonna get better.

Until Next Time:

xoxo

Kim

Gerushia's New World