Commission Sketch, Card Winner, Music, Little Boys...

I realize I'm still painting and it is now Saturday, so I can make my official winner announcement for Free Cards Friday - it's Heather!

Connected with past buddies today, packed and shipped several orders, visited with the owner of a high-energy & inspiration shop that features my work, made lunch for good friends, dropped in on my big sister, and was blessed to have time to paint tonite with soul-quenching music coursing through me - my obsession with music continues as I just can't quite explain what it does to me. I have determined I must attend a concert very soon (when might The Fray be venturing anywhere near my area?) and before too long I will re-teach myself to play piano.

The best part of this hot action-packed day? Tucking my sleepy little boys in bed as my littlest tells me I'm the best mommy ever - even though I remember having to count 1......2....... several times today with him :) How blessed are those forgetful little minds.

Working on a couple new commissions, one began as the sketch above...

Have a wonderful weekend!

Love & Sincerely,
Katie

Free Cards Friday and Finished Commissioned Paintings

Happy Free Cards Friday!

Comment on this post and be in the running to get FREE Cards via mail.

Here are the completed images of the commissioned paintings I posted last week -
I am stupendously happy with the finished pieces and the process of working with these thoughtful mothers.

Thank you S&S and HLB.

Today, I'm going to pay attention to my boys' tiny hands and how good they feel in my own...

Have a wonderful day!

Love & Sincerely, Katie

Harmony & Grace - 2 New 8x8s!

Good morning!

Wishing you peace as you go about your morning - may you take the time to see Harmony and Grace - the two newest 8x8 paintings here:
http://kmberggren.com/portfolio-85-85.htm

Today, let’s take the time to be in the moment, noticing the natural harmony that occurs when we just stop doing.

Have a wonderful day!

Don’t forget - Win Free Cards on Friday - by commenting on Friday's blog post!

Thank you!

Love & Sincerely, Katie

Transition: Where There's a Will...

My family and thus my studio are in transition - as we relocate from one area of Washington to another - my new home and fabulous studio are a month away - and in the meantime I am making magic happen in the small space I have devised in my temporary apartment - where there's a will, there is a way.

My current painting area has required some stretching from me - and we all know stretching is good - stretching the possibilities, stretching the mind - stretching the tolerance and patience. I've accepted (and enjoyed) the current limitations and have used them to increase my resistence to drought - there is no way that I'm letting spacial restrictions dry up my urge or ability to paint. My soul relies on painting and my paintings itch to get out into the world.

As a matter of fact, I haven't felt this open and free in three years - and I'm looking forward to seeing the work that emerges over the next few months.

Wishing you freedom and optimism - Love & Sincerely, Katie

Two New 8x8s Released Thursday!

I hope you have a long and sunny Memorial Day weekend - honoring those you love who have gone and spending time with those you can love and hold right now.

Two new 8x8s released on Thursday, Ache and Simple 2. See the whole collection here.

Love & Sincerely, Katie

2 Commissioned Paintings

(internet connectivity stumbling blocks kept me away yesterday - Michele is my card winner)

I thought I'd give you a peek at the two commissioned pieces I'm working on:

These are both in their last stages (studio sisters), and I'm looking forward to seeing their completion - both clients have been extremely caring and wonderful to work with.

Have a great week! Love & Sincerely, Katie

Free Cards Friday and Beauty in Solitude

~ Sitting quietly, doing nothing, spring comes, and the grass grows by itself ~
Zen Proverb

Can we do less today and be more?

It's Free Cards Friday - comment on this post and find out tomorrow if you were randomly chosen to win Free cards!

Have a wonderful Spring day

Love & Sincerely,

Katie

Painting: Beauty in Solitude

New 8x8 Motherhood Paintings - 3 Little Paintings with Big Titles!

Good morning! Can you believe we are almost half-way to 85?

I have just this moment released three new 8x8 paintings – (top to bottom) Close To Me, The Color Of The Sky, and Watching You Sleep ~ 3 little paintings with big titles! Learn more about these new 8x8 paintings here!

I was recently enticed to explain the purpose of the 8x8 Collection, so I have been thinking about why this journey is and has been important to me:



One thing I love about this collection of 8x8 paintings is the Freedom – the ability (due to their size) to change an entire facial expression with one touch of a painted brush.

Another: the Rawness – unnecessary refining and pickiness doesn’t apply to this vulnerable collection (due to their honesty), and that makes them more real to me.

Another: the Spontaneity (due to their timeline) - the urge to completely follow my heart, and to do so, going with what feels right.

I look at these paintings as tiny moments; essences; specs of time ~ sketches of an instant in a day in the life of a mother.

Knowing that I’m creating these paintings and mothers and fathers are connecting with them is the icing ~ knowing that viewers and collectors get what I’m trying to say and accept me, and these paintings, for their free, spontaneous rawness.

I sincerely thank you for that.













Have a great day! Love & Sincerely, Katie









Learn more about the 3 new 8x8 paintings here!

Artwork in Collectors’ homes ~ Paintings Doing their Job!

The job of my paintings isn’t complete until they are in the homes of those who love them – eliciting feelings, memories and/or emotions when needed, or when viewed.

Is that not the purpose of art in general?

Obviously, I don’t paint for the garage or the storage bin, or my studio – but for you, and me. I have no problem getting my paintings out into the world. Once complete, I automatically plan where they will hang in public.

I have been asked time and time again if it is hard to sell the work ~ after spending so much time with it, but the truth is ~ each piece comes from my heart and my soul – I feel like the process of painting is a gift for myself, and the completed piece is my gift to the world. I once read that the purpose of life (and I apologize, I don’t remember who said these perfect words that I am about to butcher, but I’ll do some more research and let you know when I find out) – the meaning of life is to find what your passion is and the purpose of life is to share that passion with others.

These collectors have graciously shared these images with me, along with story after story of how they have been touched by the pieces. I feel so blessed to be the one holding the brush, as the images and inspiration flow through.

3 new 8x8s being prepped for tomorrow's release!

Paintings on display, top to bottom:

-Back To Back & No Regrets (later joined by Perhaps) (Thanks K!)

-Mandy's Painting (Thanks M!)

-Mother's Day (top center) and a variety of prints and cards (Thanks N!)

-Little Secret, Nourish 2 & Close Knit (Thanks K!)

Have a wonderful afternoon,

Love & Sincerely, Katie

Progress on New 8x8s

I have three progress photos to share tonite - then back to the studio for more work!

As promised, two bird paintings :) I love the birds, they add such a whimisical freshness to my studio.




Also, I'd like to share about a new gallery in Portland Oregon - Love Art Gallery - I was honored to be contacted by them and was thrilled to meet them last week as I delivered my paintings, prints and cards - what a fantastic location, display and atmosphere of loving and enthusiastic people. I'll keep you posted as Love Art gets closer to opening day and their Grand Opening event in June.

Have a great night.
Love & Sincerely, Katie

Happy Mother's Day Weekend!

"I think my life began with waking up and loving my mother's face."

George Eliot

"Mother's arms are made of tenderness, and sweet sleep blesses the child who lies therein." Victor Hugo

Sending warm, relaxing, divine, blessed thoughts to all of the mothers I know and have connected with through painting.

Love & Sincerely, Katie

Above painting: Edge Of The Bed

Free Cards Friday, Smiling Mama

Good morning - it's Free Cards Friday!

Yesterday was fun, the three new paintings are traveling to new homes today, and here's my promise that next week will reveal at least one more mama/baby/bird painting - I already have it planned!

Thank you so much for all of your wonderful interest and feedback. Gentle, May and Inner Peace were a delight to complete, and I am thrilled that others found such a connection with them.

"Today, give a stranger one of your smiles. It might be the only sunshine he sees all day." H.Jackson Brown, Jr.

Respond to this blog post and you are in the running for Free Cards! Check back tomorrow and see if you've won, because I'll need to make sure I have your mailing address.

Above, Perch (8x8 painting), learn more about Perch here

Have a great day!


Love & Sincerely, Katie

Three New 8x8 Motherhood Paintings!

Here we go again! This week, my three "studio sisters" are boasting Spring flair, colorful energy and I just love May! You can find their detail shots and statements here, have a wonderful day!

From Top to Bottom: Gentle, May, Inner Peace

Don't forget - tomorrow is FREE Cards Friday! Comment on Friday's post and you may be the big winner chosen on Saturday! Check back!

Love & Sincerely, Katie

Free Cards Winner ~ Available 8x8 Paintings ~ Paintings As Logos

Congratulations to Kathleen for winning Free Cards for Free Cards Friday! Email me Kathleen.

Here is a run-down of Available 8x8 paintings ~ in case you are waffling on Mom's gift this year, and some thoughts on Paintings as Logos. Learn more about the Available 8x8 Paintings here.

I’ve always loved logos – a company’s brand and what it represents. I studied design in college and logos were my favorite project. Upon graduation, I started my own graphic design business and became a logo-purist – searching through catalogs to find businesses that were “in need of my services”, judging (unfortunately) the business instantly by looking at it’s logo. So many, I felt, were hurting the business rather than helping it. What an amazing concept to me – how one little “mark” could represent the commitment someone has to their business – the time and money they felt was important to put into their company’s brand – the logo – the first graphic that a potential customer would see when considering hiring them for their services. The image that would stand in their mind when they couldn’t quite think of the business’ name.

The indifference that I noticed annoyed and excited me because I knew that I could help them – and I helped many of them, by picking up the phone and introduced my passion and my services.

To this day, I love logos. My 3-year-old knows what a logo is and my almost 5-year-old has actually critiqued company logos within my earshot. I can practically hear myself saying (from years ago) “they need me”.

When I begin a painting, I think like a logo – I sketch compositions into my sketchbook the exact same way that I sketch logos. They begin as black and white marks, simplified and simplified, infused with meaning and refigured until the composition feels just right. Each logo always began with black and white – no use adding color if the composition wasn’t right.

Today, each of my paintings begin with umber (brown) and white (there is no black in my studio) and are finessed until the composition is just right. Then and only then is color added.

Composition is equally important to a company’s brand as to a piece of Fine Art you are going to hang on your wall – both are going to be looked at every day by a variety of people.

The 8x8 paintings, especially, because of their smallish square-ness have allowed me to think of Painting as Logo. I am thoroughly enjoying this process and the way that it fulfills me. (I hope that my design instructor would be proud).

Available 8x8s from top to bottom:

Point Of View

Affection

Perch
From Within

Sweet

All Is Well

Sugar & Sunshine

Learn more about the Available 8x8 Paintings here.

I hope you have a thoroughly wonderful week!

Love & Sincerely, Katie

Free Cards Friday is a Free Cards Saturday this week!

Well, tonite's event was a wonderful success at The Uncommon Gift in Camas, Washington. My cheeks still hurt from smiling and talking! What a high-energy event ~ the margaritas were a hit, the food was a hit and I am thrilled with all of the wonderful connections I made and the people I was blessed with meeing.

However, in all of the hubbub of today ~ dentist appointments, pre-school field trip, real estate phone calls, inspector phone calls, preparing for tonite's event, packing and shipping paintings (I even fit a 7 minute trip to Ruby Moon Day Spa in there somehow!) and did I mention preparing sketches for two commissioned paintings?




As you can see ~ I totally FORGOT to do my Friday Morning Blog Post! Yikes, yes, I'm human, and I'm a mama - hear me roar. Today I was a far-too-busy mama - I intend to be far less busy tomorrow.

I'm posting an image of one of my all-time favorite paintings - one that received a lot of attention tonite - Feed My Soul - read about it here.

Comment on this blog post anytime on Saturday, and on Sunday I'll pick my Free Cards Winner!
Have a beautiful weekend! Love & Sincerely, Katie