Free Cards Friday & Come To Me ~ PART TWO ~ The story of her Preparation for arrival in Russia ~ a gift for Musician Diana Arbenina

A couple months ago ~ I was contacted by a very kind woman in Russia ~ she and a large group of her friends wanted to commission a painting for the Russian musician, poet, singer and songwriter Diana Arbenina. Together they were a group of devoted fans. When I first perused the photos I was sent, I was captivated with Diana's power, emotion, intensity and natural beauty. I was increasingly inspired to paint her/for her.

See Part One for the process, story and creation of this painting.

Removing the staples and the spline.





In order to ship Come To Me to Russia, she had to be removed from her wooden stretcher bars so that she could be rolled and safely shipped via express mail.

In general, I sign my paintings on the left side of the stretcher bar, on the back. In this case, I autographed, titled and dated the back of the canvas. So that when re-stretched in Russia, this painting would always bear my mark :)







The painting is rolled (image side out, to prevent cracking) and wrapped in cotton paper. To the right you see the free print that accompanies commissioned paintings.

Wrapped around a 2" tube, and placed gently inside a 4" tube, padding for each end, and lots of tape and love. These details made Come To Me's safe arrival in Russia possible :)

Tune in for the next chapter in a couple days where I'll show you the presentation of Come To Me to Diana Arbenina with love from her adoring fans in Russia :)

It's Free Cards Friday ~ Add your note or insight to this blog post (here at the blog or on the Facebook page) throughout the weekend and be in the running to win some cards ~ I'll choose the winner on Monday. Come back on Tuesday to see if the winner is YOU!

Have a great week!

Love & Sincerely, Katie

Upcoming Event ~ Artful Bliss, Portland OR, August 11

artful bliss: an evening of intimacy, stories & art
August 11, from 5-9pm

Bring the children from 5-7 and let them create their own works of art; and/or come from 7-9 for live music. Hors d’oeuvres, healthy chocolate samples & book signings will take place throughout the event.

•intimate motherhood paintings & inspiration books, presented by Katie m. Berggren www.kmberggren.com

•activity books & art by Kirsten Klug, to encourage play, open communication & build confidence www.healthyfunchoices.com

•story-infused mixed media art by Liz Ness
www.liznessstudio.com

also: Inspiring Live music by singer/songwriter Mila Polevia

New Day Center For The Arts
5516 SE Foster, Portland OR 97206

Questions? 360.213.7879

Confluence Winery ~ Artists In The Vineyard | Free Cards Winner

This past weekend I was a part of the Confluence Winery's Artists In The Vineyard event ~ and I loved it. Yes, there were times of quiet, there were several hours of rain, there was cold (I'd forgotten my coat)... and then there was the cat who sprayed my tablecloth right from the get-go :) ~ but I did truly love it.


I strongly feel that the people with whom we spend our time can really influence how we look at the world around us. And so I had a very good time at this event ~ nestled amongst horse fields, grape vines & winding country roads. Thank you to artist Greg Gorham for inviting me.


The owners of the lovely Confluence Winery were kind and thoughtful ~ and I had my friend and fellow artist Susan Williams to chat with at times. The live music drifted throughout, and though the visitors were not always swarming, the ones who came to talk with me in my tent were warm and conversational ~ and interested in the pieces. Several original paintings found new homes this weekend, including From The Same Cloth ~ who will now dwell within the family's home at the Confluence Winery.

Jae, owner of Confluence Winery, with From The Same Cloth ~
it was as if I created this painting just for Jae ~ though we just met on Saturday.

Like Water, Feed My Soul, Remember, Spinning Tales and Taking A Moment on display at the event ~ Spinning Tales, with her textured surface, was a big hit.

Confluence Vineyards & Winery in Ridgefield Washington offers Unique Fine Wines & Exclusive Wine Tasting of the very best wines from the state of Washington. Blending high-quality grapes from recognized vineyards, they offer exclusive fine wines for holiday events, weddings, anniversaries, and, of course, just because.

They specialize in Premium French Oak aged Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot, Primitivo, and their signature Petite Verdot. "Equilibrium", a Cabernet, Merlot, & Petit Verdot blend has also become a winery favorite. Call them at (866) 717-1304 to reserve your bottle today.

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The Free Cards Winner for last week is Monica ~ thanks so much!

Love & Sincerely, Katie

Upcoming Book Launch Party ~ Coleen McIntyre's Tangled Tales

I was honored to meet and hang out with Coleen McIntyre years ago when we were both interested in having our artwork used for children's books. I veered from that path at some point, and I am thrilled that Coleen has succeeded at making her dream a reality!

And here is her second book!!

Coleen is having a Kick Off party for her NEW book at our gallery: the Love Art! Gallery in Sellwood, Oregon.

Here are the details!

August 6, 12-5pm

Please join us in kicking off "Old Mother Hubbard's Mixed Up Cupboard ~ A Collection of Tangled Tales" on August 6th!

Get your signed copy from the Illustrator, Coleen McIntyre & join in for the festivities during Sellwood's annual neighborhood event, Passport to Sellwood.

Live music by Travis Anderson, Refreshments, Face painting from noon-5,
and and Story-time is @ 2:00pm!

If you can't make it you can always order online @ http://www.thegoops.com/co​llection_storybooks.php or ask your local bookstore to order it for you.

Way to go, Coleen! I am so proud of you.

Love & Sincerely, Katie

This Weekend's Event ~ Free Cards Friday ~ Book Winner

This weekend, I am honored to be participating in Confluence Winery's Artists In The Vineyard event where local art vendors will share and sell their wares from noon to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday ~ there also will be wine tastings and entertainment!

Confluence Winery, 1911 N.W. 67th Ave. in Ridgefield

I'd love to see you there!

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Last week, I had the honor of posting a review on the lovely book Mitten Strings for God, by Katrina Kenison.
Katrina kindly offered to give a signed copy of her book to someone who commented on the blog post ~ and the winner is Nancy!

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It's Free Cards Friday ~ Add your note or insight to this blog post (here at the blog or on the Facebook page) throughout the weekend and be in the running to win some cards ~ I'll choose the winner on Monday. Come back on Tuesday to see if the winner is YOU!

Thank you everyone! Have a wonderful weekend,
Love & Sincerely ~ Katie

Bloom & Pure ~ Today's Fresh New Original Paintings

2 NEW Releases for The Expanded Visions Collection
Learn More!

Bloom

8x8", Original Acrylic on Canvas
$95 ~ with $10 going to a charity benefiting Mothers & Children

This painting has SOLD, thank you

Pure

8x8", Original Acrylic on Canvas
$95 ~ with $10 going to a charity benefiting Mothers & Children

This painting has SOLD, thank you

I hope you have a wonderful day ~Love & Sincerely, Katie

English Estate Winery ~ Images ~ Free Book Winner!

The English Estate Winery 2011 Art & Wine Fair has come and gone ~ so quickly ~ leaving behind nice memories of dappled sunlight on the booth, good conversation, new connections, and fresh air mingled with music.

In case you couldn't make it ~ I'd like to share with you these photos ~ I snapped them during moments of quiet ~ of my booth beneath the tree. This was the first event where I opened up two sides of my tent, and the flow-through was great ~ allowing for browsers ~ and a little space for me to sit and paint, off to the side.

Remember ~ an 8x10 original painting on a thick gallery-wrapped canvas. This piece has lovely texture and inspiring blues. She is available ~ you can grab her here.

Pendants and charms were a hit ~ and were displayed in the actual box from my studio where I keep my sketches!

12x12 prints!

8x10s from The Expanded Visions Collection, on display.

From top to bottom:

Meditation ~ she is available, you can grab her here!

Taking A Moment ~ she is available, you can grab her here!

Naturally ~ she is available, you can grab her here!

Inspiration books were a hit ~ and were displayed at this event in the actual box from my studio where I keep my writing notes!

I brought a pre-undercoated canvas to this event, hoping I would have some time to do some demonstrating. On Saturday, I was looking into the canvas, contemplating what should/would be painted there and one of my buyers walked past again ~ with her expectant belly and her little boy perched on her hip. I was instantly struck with what I wanted to paint, and launched right in. I will share more of this painting as time passes ~ as a matter of fact ~ it will be released this Thursday as a part of The Expanded Visions Collection.

Monica and her little ones went home with the original I Truly Believe ~ thanks Monica!




My two faithful Art Fair girls ~ Ratha and Carolyn ~ they come every year to see me at this event, and we always have to get our token photo :) Thanks Ratha and Carolyn!

This lovely mama and I could not believe the similarities and how perfect Something Beautiful seemed to fit her and her sweet little girl. She took one look at this piece and said "that's US!" Needless to say, she is hanging it in baby's room :) Thanks AB!

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This event was so fun ~ and as always ~ the rockin' music, the wafting smells of good food ~ the energetic conversation and rumble of visitors left me feeling perfectly happy. It is usually after an event, when I get to see so many buyers face-to-face, that I am reminded of *why* I do what I do ~ that I do it not only for my own meditation, sanity and passion for creating ~ but for all of the mamas out there... and I have met some touching and inspiring mothers.

*Thank you all*

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Last week, I had the honor of posting a review on the lovely book Mitten Strings for God, by Katrina Kenison.

Katrina kindly offered to give a signed copy of her book to someone who commented on the blog post ~ and the winner is Ash! I'll give Ash a couple days to get back to me ~ or I'll pick another winner because I realize she didn't leave any contact info :(

Thank you everyone, for commenting, and I will give away another copy in the near future.

Have a wonderful week,

Love & Sincerely ~ Katie

Art & Wine Event This Weekend! English Estate Winery ~ Vancouver WA

I am honored to announce I will, once again, participate in the English Estate Winery 2011 Art & Wine Fair coming up Saturday July 9 (11-7pm) & Sunday July 10 (12-6pm).

English Estate Winery is located at 17806 SE 1st St Vancouver, WA

and their number is 360-772-5141

This is such a fun event each year, with catered food, wine tasting, a variety of arts and craft vendors, demonstrations, as well as live music & summer happiness billowing about.

Families and children are welcome!

Personally, my big white booth offers prints (in three sizes!), glass pendants and charms, cards, original paintings, demonstrations, and friendly conversation. And this year there will be autographed books, as well!

Let me know if you have any questions!

Have a wonderful week!

Love & Sincerely, Katie

Win A Book! | Free Cards Friday | Mitten Strings For God: Reflections for Mothers In A Hurry

Recently, I was reading Pam Leo's Connection Parenting book ~ which is amazing ~ and more than once Pam referred to (and recommended) Mitten Strings for God, by Katrina Kenison. I checked it out and from the moment I opened the cover, I was literally struck by the fact that this woman could be me ~ it literally felt like looking into my future at writings that I would someday put down on paper. This woman thinks JUST like me, I thought ~ and she writes in a beautiful, emotional and flowy way that I aspire to.

I have never felt such a connection to an author through their published words.

“When I stop speeding through life I find the joy in each day’s doings, in a life that cannot be bought, but only discovered, created, cherished, and lived. . . .I wrote this book because I needed it myself — and because I suspect that I’m not alone, that other mothers, too, yearn to offer their children an alternative to our culture’s noise, pressures, and materialism.”
— from Mitten Strings for God, by Katrina Kenison

Every time I have had a chance (I still am holding onto this book despite the fact that it is overdue at the library, oops) to read a few pages, I am so relieved with the way I am raising my boys. Quietly (well much of the time), comfortably, focused on health, home and togetherness (and errands, too, of course).

I emailed Katrina to let her know how I felt about her sweet book and she responded and offered to send 2 free, signed copies of Mitten Strings for God to my readers. How generous! Let's do one now, and one later.

From Katrina's website, about this book (and she has several other books, as well):

In the tradition of Gift from the Sea and Women Who Do Too Much, this lyrical, heartfelt series of reflections has become a beloved mothering classic since it was first published in 2000. Featured on “Oprah,” translated into six languages, and with well over 200,000 copies sold, Mitten Strings for God is a trusted guide for all mothers with young children. Inspired by Katrina Kenison’s own search for a more satisfying balance in her life, this simple, intimate book reminds us what is possible when we slow down and become fully present in our lives. Suddenly there is room for joy and play and intimacy, space for wonder and reverie, time to awaken to the beauty of the world and rediscover the sacred in the ordinary. Coming home to ourselves, we are able to offer our children the one thing they need most of all: our own quiet presence.

So,

post your comment here ~ add your note or insight to this blog post (here at the blog or on the Facebook page) throughout the weekend and be in the running to win Mitten Strings for God, by Katrina Kenison and some cards ~ I'll choose the winner next Friday!

Tell me your favorite book about motherhood/parenting, tell me if you've read this book, or just say "hi" ~ just get entered.

Love & Sincerely, Katie