Lovely Spring Days, Good Stuff and Art, Art Art ~

Do you love Spring?

I love Spring.

This is the time of year when the Morning Glories are the happiest ~ 

Pinks and purples are best friends ~ 

and baby squash announce their own arrival ~ 

Uh-oh...the puppies have discovered the boysenberries ~ 

Springtime has a way of opening secrets.

This Praying Mantis egg sac has been attached to my eaves since last Fall.

Finally, the babies are appearing ~ 

Just the size of a grain of rice ~ 

Soon, they will grow to be mighty protectors of my garden ~ 

Spring evenings call me into my studio.

I created a "Little Red Riding Hood" inspired piece for a local art show ~ 

My daughter modeled as "Little Red"...

We just happened to have the perfect costume on hand ~ 

This piece is called "Be Still My Little Red Heart" ~ 

It's a companion piece to last year's piece entitled:

"Mi Corazon por Alicia"

The show I entered is the only local show I do and it's really fun.

My friend, Shell, and I participate in this show together every year ~ 

So much fun.

Good memories.

Free wine!  ;-)

Last week, my son was honored for his achievements in college ~ 

Game Student Spring Showcase ~ 

He's an amazing artist and has dreamed of working in the video game industry since he was old enough to hold his first Game Boy ~ 

Now...he's making those dreams come true ~ 

These pieces were created for his "Materials and Lighting" class ~ 

"Pirate Still Life"

"Environment"

"Photo Realism - Ibanez Guitar Angle 1"

"Photo Realism - Ibanez Guitar Angle 2"

This kid just blows me away.

So talented and went into school self-taught.

Now, he's learning how to refine that talent and making connections in the gaming industry.

So proud!

Spring can sometimes lead me to the kitchen.

Busy days lead to late night suppers.

Grapes, cheddar and homemade French Bread.
(This bread recipe is to die for.  I got it from the always lovely Vanessa from A Fanciful Twist.  Delicious and simple.  Only 5 ingredients).

The perfect Spring meal ~ 

I have a busy art schedule this Spring and Summer.

While working on 20 illustrations and a book cover for an upcoming book about "Tylwyth Teg" (Welsh Faeries), I am also working on illustrations for my own book.

This work in progress depicts "Odessa."  She grows up to be the songstress in the fairy tale I'm writing called "Gerushia's New World" ~ 

Here is the first illustration that shows "Odessa" at a little older age ~ 

Spring is a busy time in the garden, the kitchen and the studio.

My favorite time of year.

I'm having a little Springtime sale in my Etsy Shop right now!

Springtime is the best time to have a sale, don't you think?

I need to make room in my studio for all the new work to come.

This sale includes every single item in my shop, originals, prints and, well....everything!

Just use coupon code SUNNYDAY to save 30%.

Gosh, I love my little studio.

I never get tired of this simple view ~ 

Thank you for sharing a little Springtime with me.

I hope you're enjoying this lovely time of year.

Before I know it, summer will be upon me and it will be hotter than Fred's Flame in my neck of the woods.

Until Next Time:

Kim

Gerushia's New World

A Quick Little Post And A One Day Sale ~ (Ooopsie...Sale Over)

Just a quick pop-in today.

On the spur of the moment, I've decided to have a quick little one day sale.

330% off all my original watercolor/collages ~ 

SALE

There are 12 originals included in this sale.  Even my new, new, newest pieces ~ 

"Petula's Thoughtful Journey"

"Keepers of The Garden Gate"

and...

"The Visitation of Eugenie's Muse"

There are older pieces as well.

For example:

"An Unexpected Visitor"

and...

"The Burning of Eulalia"

I need to clear out some inventory.  Plus, I like to give people the opportunity to own original, one of a kind art for affordable prices.  In this economy, collecting art is not on the top of the "important things to buy list."  So...for those of you who might be interested and have a bit of extra cash, now is a great time to purchase an original from my shop.

If you have any questions, please feel free to email me or leave a comment.  I'm always open to offers and ideas.

Until Next Time:

Kim

Gerushia's New World

One Girl's Fear Is Another Girl's Field Trip ~

My "job" as an artist can sometimes lead me to the most interesting places.  Places where the warm sun splits through the trees ~ 

Amazing light.  Amazing Grace ~ 

Peaceful - Restful - People - Names.  Goldie, Minnie, Lilah and Grace ~

So much history, love, loss.  "Lilly" ~ 

With all due respect, I honor this in my own way ~ "Miss. Lilly's Roadside Motor Hotel" ~

When I was a small girl, I was ever so frightened by death.  No more fear.  I have witnessed the end up close and personal ~ 

I have heard the last breath ~ 

There is beauty on the grounds of a resting place.  (Peacefully He Sinks to Rest) ~ 

....and sad, heartful loss ~ 

Audrey ~ 

Angus ~

Baby ~ 

This place that some are fearful of.  Some are saddened by.  I find life here.  Quiet thought, beauty, 


The worlds I create in my art often walk me through cemeteries ~ 


"The Haunting of La Llorona" ~

"Lida's Swan Song" ~ 

"Guardian of Winter's Bride" ~ 

"The Burning of Eulalia" ~

I am always, always lost lost lost in the thought, the work, the dreams that envelope my world...pulled to compose and paint and cut and make.  


Compose these little pieces, new worlds, respectful of death, the power of death.  Respectful too, of the power of life.  


Little jaunts, spur of the moment field trips with a friend.  Quickly, throw on a sweat shirt and grab my glasses.  No time for contact lenses on this day ~ 

Beginning.  Middle.  End.  Long.  Short.  Happy.  Sad.  Life.  Death.  Love ~

Until Next Time:
Kim
Gerushia's New World

P.S.  Just a fun little side-note.  Since posting this, I've listed an original piece in my SHOP.  This piece has been offered in print for a few months, but I've decided to list the original.  I think it's time this "Little Red Riding Hood" inspired piece goes onward to a new home.  Entitled "An Unexpected Visitor", this piece was published in issue 13 of "Pasticcio Quartz" artzine.  Click HERE to go directly to the listing.  

xoxo

Kim


P.P.S.  How does a girl with so little to say manage to tweet over 7,000 times? 

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