Free Cards Winner - April Williams Photography - November and December Art Offerings!

It is with honor and pride that I announce that the Free Cards Friday winner this week (technically from last week) is April Williams, of April Williams Photograpy.

April and I have been friends since the tiny days of playing dolls - and that is a long time - we lost touch for awhile while we went off and set up our families and such, but are now thankfully re-connected.

She has become a talented and creative photographer and I am dying to introduce you to her work.

See the April Williams Photography portfolio here.

BOTH PHOTOGRAPHS: Copyright April Williams Photograhy. 2009

I'm thrilled that we both chose the creative path, and this photo to the left is my favorite - what I wouldn't give to have had my Daddy at my wedding...

Thank you for the inspiration, April, and thanks for keeping in touch.


Hey All!
I've got some new fun things planned!


NOVEMBER will be called the Month Of Giclees - with a new Limited Giclee Edition being introduced each Thursday.

Each week's release will be a surprise!

They will be introduced here on the blog http://www.paintingmotherhood.blogspot.com/

on my Facebook pages and into my Etsy Online Gift Shop As well as Twitter

above image: Spending Time - now proudly on display at The Uncommon Gift in Camas, Washington. Learn more about Spending Time.

DECEMBER will begin a new Mini Collection - I'm working out the numbers, but they will be larger than the 8x8s and once the original sells, I will make 8x8 prints available of the pieces - I know this will be a thrill to many, since there is ONLY ONE original!

I'm very excited and already working on ideas - there are only 9 originals left in the 85 8x8s for $85 Collection! Can you believe it!?

I will keep you abreast of changes and upcoming details.

Any feedback, ideas or comments are welcomed, have a wonderful day!

Love & Sincerely, Katie

Free Cards Friday - Grand Opening at The Uncommon Gift in Camas WA

Howdy - it's FREE CARDS FRIDAY! Comment on this posting and be in the running to receive FREE cards via mail. I will choose the winner and send the cards on Monday!

An update: Most of my brand new paintings are hanging, throughout September, at Sixth Street Gallery in Vancouver Washington http://www.sixthstreetgallery.com/.

Except the VERY newest piece Home and

You May Say I'm A Dreamer (also very new) are both hanging at The Uncommon Gift in Camas Washington - on 4th avenue.

Tonite, Friday September 25, is the Grand Opening of The Uncommon Gift from 5-8pm!

The shop also offers prints of my paintings, original art from a few local artists as well as creative and unique gift and home items from a variety of artists and locations. What a fun place to shop!

The Uncommon Gift is a gorgeous place and I'll be there for the opening in the late evening. I'd love to see you there!

Have a great day, and DON'T FORGET to comment - I'd love to send free cards to YOU!

You can always view current locations, prices and status of paintings on my Price List get there from the website http://www.kmberggren.com/ - if a painting is not shown on the Price List, that means it is no longer available.

Also, don't be afraid to ask about Layaway Options - if a piece moves you, you should have it - that's the way I feel - and I'd like to help you to own it.

Love &Sincerely, Katie

2 New 8x8 Paintings for this Brisk Fall Day!

Happy Fall!

Two New 8x8 Paintings have just been added to the 85 8x8s for $85 Collection - http://kmberggren.com/portfolio-85-85.htm

I can hardly believe there are only 9 left after these two!

Thankful Joy ~ This painting inspires me to feel thankful joy ~ brought on by a simple moment with not much to do.
My boys and I spent the afternoon, recently, beading necklaces and bracelets ~ my intricate mood led to the little flowers!

Simplicity ~ The connection between these two had me awe-inspired, as my son had just a couple days ago sat comfortably in my lap playing with my necklace.
My boys and I spent the afternoon, recently, beading necklaces and bracelets ~ my intricate mood led to the little flowers!

NOTE: I Snaffooed on last weeks email - so last week's paintings are also fresh and ready to go! Reconnect and Heart To Heart - find them all here http://kmberggren.com/portfolio-85-85.htm


I wish you an inspired day!

Don't forget that tomorrow is FREE Cards Friday on the blog - comment on tomorrow's post and be in the running to win! http://www.paintingmotherhood.blogspot.com/

Love & Sincerely, Katie

2 New 8x8 Paintings - New Art To Start The Day!

I hope you are expecting a beautiful Fall day!

Two New 8x8 Paintings have just been added to the 85 8x8s for $85 Collection - http://kmberggren.com/portfolio-85-85.htm

Heart To Heart (top) ~... Raw, earnest, yearning, pressing, provocative, emotive... read more: http://kmberggren.com/g235.htm



Reconnect ~...The idea of the fusing of two forms as a way of reconnecting after being apart for too long... read more: http://kmberggren.com/g234.htm


I wish you an inspired day!

Don't forget that tomorrow is FREE Cards Friday on the blog - comment on tomorrow's post and be in the running to win! http://www.paintingmotherhood.blogspot.com/

Love & Sincerely, Katie

2 New 8x8s Have Been Released, Happy Fall!

Happy Thursday morning!

I love Fall. Fresh, crisp, windy ~ gold and yellow... I hope you are enjoying a beautiful Fall morning.


Two New (each with two children!) 8x8 Paintings have just been added to the - 85 8x8s for $85 Collection


Time In ~... how can a time-out work without plenty of time in? read more

Like Minded ~... when we become a united, loving front; sharing in the joy and discipline, our children feel secure.... read more


Learn more about the 85 8x8s for $85 Collection


I wish you an inspired day!

Love & Sincerely, Katie











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Setting Boundaries - The Studio is Open... or Closed?

When we moved into our new house in late June, I was stoked that I would have a studio with, among other wonderful features, doors that close… !

I mentioned this more than once while chatting with collectors, friends and fellow artists – it seemed most people thought that my excitement about the doors stemmed from the fact that I had an urge to go inside and close the doors – sending a signal that “mommy is working, leave me be!”

It’s amazing how many times I heard that idea stated to me when I raved about my closing doors. However, the real reason I am excited about my lovely studio with closing doors is for the blessing of being able to CLOSE my office – CLOSE my studio, CLOSE my option to work!


No urge to lock others out of the studio (as a matter of fact, I love to work while my children bumble in and out), but to lock ME out of the studio!



I find one of the hardest parts of working at home is the “obviousness” of how much work needs to be done – you can never escape it. Every time you walk past your work area you are reminded of that email you need to send, that painting that needs photographing, that composition that needs ‘just a little something more’.


I have always struggled with the ability to set boundaries for myself – and I have been self-employed and working from a home office for

almost seven years.


That is seven years of work, work, work (more so, of course, before the kids were born).


“Sure I’ll make dinner, just let me quickly list this on Etsy.”

“Sure I’ll read you that book, I’m going to just real quick check my email.”

“Yes, I’m coming! I just need to upload these pages to my website!”


Now, I’m not saying that this is necessarily (always) a bad thing – I am proud of the way I am able to use my time without procrastinating or wasting much of it (see an upcoming post about Procrastination, coming soon).


BUT… My personal life does pay.


So, one of my first purchases when we moved into our new house was going to be an “OPEN/CLOSED” sign for the studio – something I could set to tell MYSELF when I could and could NOT enter the work space.


That was the real reason I was ecstatic about having a studio with doors.


Last weekend, my son and I decided to play with Sculpey (wonderful sculpting medium by the way) and I made my sign!

It was fun and he enjoyed taking photos of the process. I crafted the letters from Sculpey, baked them, painted them, mounted them to a painted board and glued on a ribbon. Simple as that.

I’m happy with my sign, and happy to say that it IS helping me to set my boundaries. If I develop a respect for this little sign from the start, then I know that I will become more disciplined, thus more efficient.


RIGHT? :)


How are you setting boundaries in your work/family life? Do your kids/husband frequently take a back seat to that juicy contact you met today? Does dinner burn while you are quickly sending a promo email (my hand is up)? Do you feel like your studio/office/craft area/workspace OWNS you?


It’s time to set some boundaries – work will always be there. I say this as a reminder to myself, as well.

Today, I closed my studio for the whole morning, which turned into the whole day! I just played with my three-year-old while his brother was at his first day of Kindergarten - until something pressing (in the studio) kept me from making dinner on-time!


Have a relaxing evening and REMEMBER! TWO NEW 8x8s are coming tomorrow morning!

Love & Sincerely,

Katie

Sixth Street Gallery Opening Reception

The opening reception at Sixth Street Gallery took place last night and was a packed house! Thank you to all who came and browsed, visited and took home artwork.

I look forward to the next show!

I enjoyed showing with Angelina Marino and Joel Heidel, whose work is full of joyful and thought-provoking movement. learn more about the work of Marino & Heidel

Thank you, also, to Jen Deale who livened up the show with her talented voice and lovely music ~ I like this blurry photo of Jen at work:

Jen is also a mother of 2, and I like that shared connection.

Being a full-time mother is one of the highest salaried jobs in my field, since the payment is pure love.
~Mildred B. Vermont

This weekend, my goal is to spend more time reading and playing with my boys, more time walking and chatting, more time baking and resting - and some time each day painting and getting work done :)

Have an inspired weekend (long, I hope)

Thank You.

Love & Sincerely, Katie