Whimsical Mother unveiled

She is complete and ready for her unveiling ~ thank you all so much for your support and feedback along the journey of creating Whimsical Mother.

There has been so much loss lately ~ most of it learned of virtually, via email. It exists in such a heavy form. The stories beg to cut me down, and all of us, I know ~ so recently, standing at my blank canvas, listening to much-needed happy tunes, Whimsical Mother emerged quite spontaneously.

I accepted her as a welcomed detour from darkness, and looked forward to shedding light on her whimsical details. Now, our journey complete, she reclines peacefully in her fresh blue environment, happy, light, open, and looking toward the future with bright open eyes.

Whimsical Mother has sold <3

See Whimsical Mother's humble beginnings.


Love & Sincerely ~ Katie

Mother's Day Gift Pack ~ Free Cards Winner

The Mother's Day Gift Packs ~ Coming April 1 (& available through May 10)

2 options this year!

Mother’s Day Gift Pack ~ 12x12 (shown above)

• (2) 12x12 prints of your choice

• (2) 5x7 art cards (I’ll select, unless you would like to choose from the below link)

Value: $64.50

Mother’s Day Gift Pack Special: $48 (you save $16.50)

Mother’s Day Gift Pack ~ 8x10 (shown above)

• (2) 8x10 prints of your choice

• (2) 5x7 art cards (I’ll select, unless you would like to choose from the below link)

Value: $40.50

Mother’s Day Gift Pack Special: $28 (you save $12.50)

The blog post where you can see the available 5x7 art card selections.

The Free Cards Winner for last week is Jennifer ~ I'm honored to get to send cards to her and her 2 sweet little identical twin boys.

Inspired, but Tired ~ Free Cards Friday

It's Friday, the whole family is sleeping but me ~ I have the evening to myself ~ with no one to tell (or ask) me what to do :) I can watch a movie, I can paint, I can read a good book, I can do production, I can just relax, I can sleep, I can call my Grandma... it is so hard to decide when there is a bit of free time.

I am exhausted ~ but also inspired from spending a long visit with a fellow artist and friend today. Her home and studio reminded me of pages from a home interior magazine, with art & craft-related trinkets and supplies organized beautifully into jars and wire baskets... beautiful books on painted shelves, and visual inspiration in the form of handmade books and such ~ almost always within reach.

I get the urge tonite to take a second look at my studio ~ to try and bring some of her inspiration home. But then again, I am always wanting to shake things up in my home ~ making changes and moving things around (all without spending a dime, by the way). I waffle between wanting the studio to be crisp and clean, and wanting the studio to be edged (literally) in inspiration: hanging clippings and prints all around for visual stimulation...

Urg ~ how do YOU decide what to do when you have some time to yourself? Do you have a fall-back activity that pulls at you each time you have space in your schedule? Or do you, like me, find a variety of free-time activities clamoring for your attention (then find yourself dissatisfied with your choice(s) at the end of the night)? Or do you not have any free-time!? (yikes, that's bad ~ I hope that isn't you).

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.

Have a lovely weekend,

Sincerely, Katie

PS: The Mother's Day Gift Pack will be arriving in the shop in early April!

Nurture & Inspiring Passion ~ TWO additions to The Expanded Visions Collection!

~ Nurture & Inspiring Passion ~
the 2nd & 3rd Releases for The Expanded Visions Collection
a new series of 8x10 paintings Learn More

Nurture

Nurture
8x10", Acrylic on Canvas
$120 ~ with $10 going to a charity benefiting Mothers & Children
(charity choice in process)
This painting, while Available, can be found in the Online shop



Inspiring Passion

Inspiring Passion

8x10", Acrylic on Canvas
$120 ~ with $10 going to a charity benefiting Mothers & Children
(charity choice in process)
This painting, while Available, can be found in the Online shop

"A baby nursing at a mother's breast... is an undeniable affirmation of our rootedness in nature."
~David Suzuki

I hope you have a great day!
Thank YOU for your love & support,
Sincerely, Katie

Parent Effectiveness Training by Dr. Thomas Gordon ~ part 3

"However we treat the child, the child will treat the world."

— Pam Leo

I have just finished Dr. Thomas Gordon’s book Parent Effectiveness Training ~ and there is a bit more I’d like to share to go along with the previous posts reviewing/outlining his book.


We stopped at Active Listening previously, and how Active Listening encourages the child to meet his own needs and seek solutions on his own vs the parent presenting pre-packaged solutions.

First, we listen.

Then, we share our feelings so they will listen to us, and how their behavior affects us. Dr. Gordon lists some ineffective ways we respond to our problems, caused by a child’s behavior:

•Ordering, Demanding
•Warning, Threatening
•Exhorting, Preaching
•Advising, Giving Solutions
•And more…

Children resist being told what to do, or may not like our solutions. They may feel we don’t trust their problem-solving skills.

Dr. Gordon suggests I-Messages vs. Put Downs like criticizing, blaming and shaming, psychoanalyzing and instructing. (or You-Messages)


See what Dr. Gordon’s Blog says about I-Messages here.


I-Messages: Telling your child how their behavior is making you feel. This leads to honesty. And, for me, goes back to a point made early on in the book: (me paraphrasing) Parents are Humans, Not Gods. And children want to know that we are humans, and we have feelings too. They do not want to hurt us, but sometimes they do not realize how their actions affect us.

I like the idea of being completely honest with my children, and have followed that idea for all of my parenting years (which are only 6, I have SO much to learn).

The parts of the I-Message:

1) The Descriptions of the Behavior (Behavior)
2) How it makes you Feel (Feeling)
3) The concrete effect the behavior has on you (Effect)


Thinking about these parts may help us to realize when the behavior is worth fussing over ~ especially if the behavior really isn’t effecting us.



This book goes on to discuss Method III, The No-Lose Method ~ an understandable method for working with our children to solve conflicts from behavior.

All very useful and eye-opening information.

I'd like to think that I am able to summarize his book further, but alas... I hope I have enticed you to continue your exploration of these topics.

I HIGHLY recommend you learn more at Dr. Thomas Gordon's blog.

I truly think this book can change the world,

through our children,

...if enough parents were to read it...

Have a wonderful week!

(remember: you are human, not a God ~ humans make mistakes)

Love & Sincerely, Katie

Free Cards Winner ~ Two Years Ago While Painting Motherhood

Wow ~ I can hardly believe that this blog has been active for a bit over two years. What a fun ride it has been...


Two Years Ago While Painting Motherhood: Crush, Johnny Cash and Jason Mraz
...I use Jason Mraz (http://jasonmraz.com/) as an example - in his song I'm Yours (which I have recently added to my ipod and have been listening to over and over) he uses the words "reckon" and "bestest" in the same sentence - the fact that he can use "bestest" and grace us by tucking his laugh into the song a couple times just pleases me! He is showing me his personality and lack of insecurity, and I'm responding by wanting to hear his whole collection... read more



Today ~ I am still enamored when I can hear an artist sigh, breath, smile or laugh in the midst of their song ~ with these touches they offer a raw and real piece of themselves... I keep that in mind while painting. Art, to me ~ be it music or visual ~ can change perspectives and open hearts ~ when it is true, honest, and comes straight from the soul. My heart is dancing as I write this ~ because painting with an honest spirit and a true, raw need to create is like a drug for me...


image to left: a sneak peek at a detail from Nurture, one of Thursday's 8x10 Painting releases into The Expanded Visions Collection

The Expanded Visions Collection ~ 20-40 small paintings exploring Vision and Spontaneity ~ inspired by simple phrases and words determined ideal enough to place on my Vision Board ~ then unfolded, visually, onto deep 8x10 canvases to share. Learn More

The Free Cards Winner for Last Week is Liz! Thank you all for playing ~ let's do it again this Friday.

Have a great week,

Love & Sincerely, Katie

Free Cards Friday ~ Do Something Now

I’ve had company this week, and a cold, and with this came an urge to not work ~ but to visit instead ~ catching up, reliving and learning about the past ~ pouring over old-old photos and relaxing and taking care of the family.


It has been great (minus the nose-blowing), except for the fact that I had not painted for several days (which generally leads to a special type of depression) and I began to find all of my faults ~ picking out all the things I am not doing, or that aren’t working (the rain doesn’t help, either). I’m not getting enough rest, exercise, meditation, water or time alone. I don’t like my haircut and my brows are in desperate need of a shaping :).


Sometimes, while not feeling well (emotionally and/or physically) I get the feeling that there might be a lesson hiding ~ something that I am meant to realize before I can climb up out of the dumps. Last night, I looked at my mental list and groaned, then “promised” to do something or maybe everything tomorrow…


But, as my soul sunk and my regret-for-so-much grew, I decided to do something right now, versus adding everything to the list for the next day. And even though I would be setting myself up for a shortage of sleep, I would already be on my way back up from the dumps ~ and maybe that was the lesson this time ~ do something now!


So I painted. And the act of painting nourished me, and the painting that arrived speaks of nurturing. Nurture is one of the words on my Vision Board, and although I meant for it to imply the tending of one’s family and children, I realize that taking time to nurture the self is vastly important in rebuilding the ability to take care of others.

Painting is my meditation and the way that I nurture myself.

In my feverish launch to paint – I started this painting upside down! (I had previously wired the canvas) So this painting will have ghost holes. But I guess there is a lesson in that, too.


And... I'm feeling much, much better today.



Nurture (above) will be the next painting released (next Thursday) into the The Expanded Visions Collection. Learn More


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.

Love & Sincerely ~ Katie

Free Cards Winner ~ One Year Ago While Painting Motherhood...

Visual Inspiration ~ Beauty in Everyday Life ~ Sweden Market Video ~ March 2010
...I want to show you one of the videos I took while in Sweden (I took 300 short snippet videos from March 1-5, 2010 alone!). This video was extremely enjoyable to film as I found the bottles and cans, stacked foods and packages as enticing visual ignition for my creative eye. Rhythm, shape, order, color, pattern, line and form….

I did NOT find the meat clips beautiful, they turned my stomach and gave me the willies. But I like honest reality, as well. So I am warning you… never before have I seen so many non-enticing bits of meat. Yes, that is kangaroo, crocodile and cow tongue that you see in there. As well as lamb, bear sausage, rabbit, elk and a variety of innards and sea creatures. Yikes & Yuck! (read more and see the video)


The Free Cards Winner for last week is Monica ~ thank you all for playing and for sharing your kind insights. Let's do it again in a couple days!

Love & Sincerely, Katie

Free Cards Friday ~ Sea Of Silence ~ A Question For Mamas

A Mother's very kind words (thank you so much S.B.)

"It was a pleasure working with Katie, from start to finish. I felt positive about the entire experience, knowing that I had loved every other piece she had done before. Of course, I was not disappointed when my painting arrived. I had originally envisioned it in our bedroom. However, once it arrived, I knew it was too beautiful to tuck away in such a private place. I had to share it with as many eyes as possible. It now hangs proudly in the hallway, where it will receive lots of attention and adoration. It is absolutely my favorite item in my home now, such a positive and warm energy radiates from it. So in love! Thank you so much for producing such beauty, I will cherish it everyday for the rest of my life."
S.B., North Carolina

A Question For Mamas:

Is there a way to NOT feel regret as our children grow up?

Is it just a mama's nature to pine and yearn and wonder if she is-doing/has-done the right thing for her kids?

Is it our nature to find our own faults and dwell?

I mean this seriously, but also with true confusion.

I've been with my children since the day they were born, always working at home to be with them, there for them ~ but I sometimes find my brain involuntarily scanning and compiling things I should feel guilty about... what gives? :) I know that I am one of the *lucky* ones to have had that opportunity ~ so how do we cope?

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.

Here is the painting process for Sea Of Silence:

nearing completion (above)

Love & Sincerely, Katie

Mother ~ The First Release in the Expanded Visions Collection

The Expanded Visions Collection ~ First Release: Mother

Mother
8x10"
Acrylic on Canvas
$120 ~ with $10 going to a charity benefiting Mothers & Children
(charity choice in process)
Available in the Online shop

The Expanded Visions Collection
20-40 small paintings exploring Vision and Spontaneity ~ inspired by simple phrases and words determined ideal enough to place on my Vision Board ~ then unfolded, visually, onto deep 8x10 canvases to share.

When I have a brush and canvas in front of me, and blobs of paint at the ready, I feel spontaneous and free.

I can thicken or thin figures, change the temperature with a wash of color, or redo entire heads ~ maybe wipe out an entire composition and start again if the image does not suite my vision.

This freedom brings Passion and true release.

I want to share this passion with you.

Painting, for me, brings feelings that anything can be accomplished or manifested.

This new body of work will pivot on spontaneity and vision.

Sometimes called Treasure Maps, Vision Boards consist of images and words we collect that speak to our heart and represent the goals and visions for our particular ambitions. With the idea that seeing what we want in visual form every day will encourage it to become evident in our lives.

Creating my board with my 4-year-old son made a joyful afternoon: with magazines we picked and ripped, adjusted and glued. We listened to music, ate apple slices and let our hearts guide us to the images and headlines that clicked. Upon completion I sat back and realized that in addition to a couple images, my entire board was comprised of words. This speaks to my love of stories, titles and lyrics.

Now, I repeat these words, and images appear; I begin to realize that the phrases and words I chose inspire me not only in how I want to live my life, but also, individually, as potential artistic fuel. I have created for myself a treasure trove of visual inspiration.

The goal is to provide fresh inspiration for others, as well, as we head into springtime and beyond.

For these upcoming paintings, I envision quick and intimate flashes of life ~ touches, kisses, positions and poses. I have taken notes on ideas for fresh palettes, detail, natural touches and texture.

This collection will be guided by:
~ Emotion

~ Skin To Skin

~ Motherhood

~ Closeness

~ Fresh Rawness

~ Spontaneity

~ Spring & Nature

~ Texture

~ Whimsy

Even the words give me chills and elicit eagerness to be starting a new collection of mini paintings.

The details:
• 20-40 8x10 Paintings on deep, splined (no back staples) canvases
• $120 each with $10 from each purchase going directly to a charity supporting mothers and children.

Do not hesitate to contact me with any questions ~ have a wonderful day,

Love & Sincerely, Katie

~ New Glass Pendants ~

I am having fun with the new Glass Pendants ~ here are some new ones that have just become available ~ many are in the Online shop ~ if you don't see the one you would like, just let me know.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Glass Pendants

sized 1" by 2"

glass and image within a vintage bronze tray with 5mm loop

includes a black wire memory cord with magnetic clasp

$24
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Have a wonderful day ~

Love & Sincerely, Katie

Free Cards Winner ~ Now & Forever More, complete and process

Now & Forever More
created for a valued and longtime faithful collector

The joy of longtime togetherness sprinkles over this young son. The affection also flows out and up from this loving trio, to reach the one they have lost. Recently, this near complete painting peered out of my studio as I walked by, and the force of this family surprised me. It was as though they wanted to expand beyond the canvas edges.

Here is the process of Now & Forever More

the initial sketch


The Free Cards Winner for last week is Ann! Thank you all for playing and sharing, I appreciate your insight on children and chores.

"You sometimes see a woman who would have made a Joan of Arc in another century and climate, threshing herself to pieces over all the mean worry of housekeeping."
~Rudyard Kipling

sometimes I feel like this ~ above ~ and then of course, there is always Erma :)

"My second favorite household chore is ironing.
My first being hitting my head on the top bunk bed until I faint."
~Erma Bombeck

Have a great week!
Love & Sincerely, Katie

Free Cards Friday ~ Moving Forward ~ A Question For Mamas

Moving Forward ~ A Painting created with love for a devoted mother and her son

A young mother and her young son ~ turning their backs on darkness and sorrow ~ launching ahead. Taking sweet memories and years of dedication and love with them, as the wispy essence of angel wings appear to bless their forward motion.

A Question For Mamas:

How much does your child help around the house?
How/how often do they help keep the home running smoothly?
Do you think it is important for young children to be doing chores ~ or should they just be kids?
Any insight you feel like sharing is valuable. Thank You.

It's Free Cards Friday! Add your note & 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.

Love & Sincerely, Katie

Here is the process for Moving Forward:

nearing completion