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

One Year Ago While Painting Motherhood:

Dear Commission Clients... Let me promise you one thing...
(read further...)

Inspired by Life... (read further)

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

Rest Easy ~ A Little Garden ~ brand new Original Paintings

Rest Easy & A Little Garden

the 6th & 7th Releases for The Expanded Visions Collection
a new series of 8x10 paintings Learn More

Rest Easy
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 Little Garden
8x10", Acrylic on Canvas
$120 ~ with $10 going to a charity benefiting Mothers & Children
(charity choice in process)

This painting, has SOLD, see additional available originals in the Online shop




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

Sneak Peek ~ tomorrow's 2 New Original 8x10 Paintings

Tomorrow morning brings the two newest original 8x10 paintings for The Expanded Visions Collection ~ this collection will raise $400 for a mother & child charity ~ by the time each vibrant & textured original piece has been completed and purchased.

A little sneak detail shot of Rest Easy ~ to be released on Thursday as #7 in The Expanded Visions Collection

A little sneak detail shot of A Little Garden ~ to be released on Thursday, as #6 in The Expanded Visions Collection

On Thursday morning, the 2 new paintings will appear here, first!

You can follow along with Painting Process Images on the Facebook page, here.

There are currently a few 8x10 original paintings available ~ grab 'em here!

Have a great Wednesday,

Love & Sincerely, Katie

A Gift Of Silence ~ Free Cards Winner

There is so much noise… noise, noise. We fill up our days with it and it seems some of us are uncomfortable without it. Many of us seek out interruption and chaos – errands and chatter – to fill uncomfortable stretches of silence.


When sharing space with another, do we not tend toward small talk and gossip? Do we turn on the television or radio when we find a quiet moment in our day?


We’ve been filling the silence for so long that often the absence of something to listen to or say fills us with fear. What if, in between our conversations, we just listen to the breathing of another? What if we begin to become intimate with ourselves when we have the chance to be alone – taking the time to unravel our thoughts and listen to what our inner voices are trying to communicate to us?


What if, while driving, we ponder the way our hands turn the steering wheel, or the stories told by the faces of other drivers ~ what if we wonder about the lives of these people and send them silent blessings? Can we do this with the hottest tunes blaring from our radios?


My gift to my young boys – which I sometimes forget I’m giving to them - being so busy giving it to myself – is the Gift Of Silence. No words, no music, no distractions.


When driving in the car, I leave the music off, and I see them looking peacefully around. I see them pondering a book or toy, or happily singing a song to themselves. I seem them wondering about things within and outside of the car. Frequently, I see them relaxed and seemingly completely comfortable just being quiet and looking out. I imagine all that would be lost if we utilized an in-car DVD system.


I realize, that with opportunities filled with calm, children are gathering a most important set of values: the value of just being, without seeking distraction; the necessary knowledge that silence is a virtue – not a signal that something is missing; the comfort of stillness.


When our children come to sit with us, there is an opportunity to look around or to look at nothing, and to listen to their breath. I hope that as our lives increase in busyness and distractions escalate in their urgency to be noticed, I can remember to not always offer small talk and solutions, but to listen and be present.

A most important gift we can give to our children is how to combat commotion from the outside world - using stillness and space; how to seek out stretches of silence and find the value in being comfortable with the intimacy of their own thoughts.


Recently, while driving home and glancing at my children in the backseat, I felt with my whole heart the importance of giving my boys this gift ~ and also of writing this article. Comfort in silence is a simple and easy-to-give gift that will serve them their entire lives. A gift that maybe only a mother and father can give to their children without unnecessary feelings of guilt. A true gift that actually means something and will not be later donated - but hopefully shared.

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The Free Cards Winner for last week is Two Little Bluebirds ~ who creates the cutest darn felt crowns ~ her products are constructed from Eco-fi felt which is made from 100% post-consumer recycled plastic bottles. Yay! See her work here

image left: Fairy Crown © Two Little Bluebirds

Thank you to all who stopped by and shared your ideas ~ your strategies helped to remind me of some of my favorite strategies for getting back to "happy me".

Love & Sincerely, Katie

Free Cards Friday ~ Gift Of Love ~ A Question for Mamas

Gift Of Love is a brand new commissioned piece, created as a gift for the father of such a sweet little free-spirited 6 year old girl... with a free-flying braid. Thank you, S!

Gift Of Love (sold), 9x12", April 2011

A Question for Mamas:
What is the shortest distance to your contentment ~ what activity, or lack thereof, puts you back to your center ~ back to your whole, happy, balanced self?

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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.

Give Art for Mother's Day & Featured Artist Shawna Hovey

I had the opportunity to meet Shawna Hovey recently, at the Love Art! Gallery in Portland Oregon where we are both represented.

She shared with me her glass art works, a bit of her story, but most of all her undeniable passion to create and live. Working with dichroic glass is her passion and brings her great joy, which is reflected in her work. Dichroic glass is glass containing multiple micro-layers of metal oxides which give the glass dichroic optical properties (according to Wiki).

Shawna's Words:

Born, too, as a butterfly from a Chrysalis, a journey through cancer, chemotherapy and heart failure delivered me to a new life. A life filled with brilliant beauty, great joy and heart felt thanks for the opportunity to “do what makes my heart sing” as never before. Creating with glass gives me great joy. I am inspired by life’s infinite beauty and sharing my joy with others.

You can find Shawna's glass work at the Love Art! Gallery in Portland, Oregon, and some in her online shop, Chrysalis Dreams.

Thank you Shawna, for doing the lovely work that you do!

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Mother's Day is fast approaching!

The Mother's Day Gift Packs are here

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)

Find the Gift Packs in the Online Shop

Have a great day everyone ~ Love & Sincerely, Katie

Free Cards Winner ~ Why Does Art Cost So Much? Guest Blog Posts from Artist Amy Buchheit

A fellow artist and friend of mine, Amy, has been answering some tough questions on her blog: Fantastic Journey: Amy Buchheit's Art Adventures


Why Does Art Cost So Much? A Five Part Series Written by Amy Buchheit

An Excerpt from Part 1 of the series:
"This conversation cannot start without discussing the most prevalent myth about artists – that all (or most) artists starve and live as paupers, mooching off those around them. The perception of the starving artist is a cultural conversation, most prevalent in the United States."
Read More on Amy's Blog

An Excerpt from Part 2 of the series ~ Materials:
"The creation of art involves the purchase of materials, the time to produce the work, and in many cases, framing or other presentation costs. After the piece is complete, there is the expense of entering traditional exhibitions, the cost of a professional photographer to shoot images of the work, time spent on marketing, more time on creating non-traditional exhibition opportunities and the general expenses of running a small business."
Read More on Amy's Blog

art: "Change", 40x30", acrylic and mixed media on canvas, © 2005 Amy Buchheit. All Rights Reserved.

An Excerpt from Part 3 of the series ~ Presentation:
"One of the biggest expenses is marketing or presentation. Marketing is all about presenting your product or service to the marketplace with the intention of drawing customers in. Artists accomplish this in many ways including promotional post cards, professional stationary and framing their work (in the case of 2D artists). The intention is to create a recognizable brand that conveys value to collectors."
Read More on Amy's Blog

An Excerpt from Part 4 of the series ~ Time Is Money:
"The wise and respected Benjamin Franklin once said, “Time is money”. If this is true, a dollar value has to be placed on every minute of the day. An artist spends a large amount of time doing things other than producing art, and this time needs to be considered in the value of an art work."
Read More on Amy's Blog

An Excerpt from Part 5 of the series ~ Getting The Work Seen:
"Something is lost when the rich smell of linseed oil, delicious quality of thickly laid texture or the thrill of connecting to the artist by being in the presence of their handmade creation is replaced with a reasonable facsimile*. For these reasons, it is in the artist’s best interest that their work be presented directly to a live audience."
Read More on Amy's Blog

Thank you Amy!
Visit Amy Buchheit's website

The Free Cards Winner for last week is Cécile Mary! Thank you all for playing ~ have a wonderful week,

Love & Sincerely, Katie

Free Cards Friday ~ Breathe Life painting process video ~ Connection Parenting

I'm having fun with Painting Process Videos ~ and I am going to try to be more vigilant about creating them. Here is a video showing the completion of one of the newest 8x10s for The Expanded Visions Collection

Connection Parenting & Pam Leo I am currently reading Pam Leo's book, Connection Parenting ~ and I am thoroughly in love with her ideals and principles. I'd like to send you to her website, with this excerpt from her article: Teaching Through Love Instead of Fear

"While counting may appear to be a magic form of discipline, there is no magic in threats. Children know that adults are bigger and more powerful than they are. They comply in self-defense. If the only way we can get children to do what we ask is by intimidating them with our greater physical size and power, how will we get them to do as we ask when we are no longer bigger and stronger? Ask the parents of any teenager if counting still works. Not only do threats no longer work, they've learned to use the same means to make others do what they want."

Read More: http://connectionparenting.com/parenting_articles/index.html#teaching

It's Free Cards Friday ~ say hello as a comment 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 wonderful weekend ~ Love & Sincerely, Katie

Breathe Life & Organic ~ today's releases into the Expanded Visions Collection

Breathe Life & Organic

the 4th & 5th Releases for The Expanded Visions Collection

a new series of 8x10 paintings Learn More

Breathe Life

Breathe Life
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

Organic

Organic
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

I love my mother as the trees love water and sunshine - she helps me grow, prosper, and reach great heights. ~Terri Guillemets

I hope you have a great day!

Thank YOU for your kind love & support,

Sincerely, Katie

Paying It Forward ~ Sneak Peek at Thursday's New Paintings

Recently, Jae created this lovely promotional visual video for me out of the kindness of her heart ~ her only request was that I pay it forward.

So I offered a free 12x12 print with hopes that the receiver would then pay it forward as well. Offering this to the wonderful community surrounding me brought in a variety of kind-hearted responses, that truly inspired me.


Check these out:


Theresa said... If I were to win the Pay It Forward, I would pass the print along to the next one of my friends who becomes pregnant. I am so moved by the thought of being pregnant, giving birth, and then nursing and nurturing the new life and your work speaks what I feel. I can only hope that the next one of my dear friends that brings life into this world sees its beauty as I do.



Marcela said... I would pay it forward by taking time out of my day to call a friend, send someone a nice email or letter.



Lynn said... I would then offer the print to our local Crisis Pregnancy Center. There is no telling how many lives will be affected by such heartfelt paintings, and how many unborn lives could be saved just by causing a young woman to think twice about her options.



Izice said... I would pay it forward by giving one of my dance outfits to a friend who can't afford it for our belly dance gala in May. It is the dance of femininity and motherhood and I want her to take part of it without considering money problems.



Monica said... I would pay it forward by using my skills as a knitter to bring knit baby hats and booties to my local Labor & Delivery floor...every baby needs a soft and beautiful hand knit item....



Rose said... I would pay it forward by, well first let me tell you what I have done with the cards I have gotten from you.... I framed them and have hung them on my wall. I have 6 of them. If I were chosen I would take 3 or 4 of them down and give them to mothers in passing.



Sarah said... I would support a friend on her journey to becoming a mother and offer all the help and support I can (which of course I will anyway!) And I would Pay It Forward by buying the Rose Quartz I've been thinking about buying for my friend to help her on the way to becoming a mother :D



Loa1002 said... I would donate all my baby clothes to a church and/or good will vs just some of them which I had intended to try and sell on Craigslist. Not as creative as your art but...hopefully helpful.



Kenderyl said... I would Pay It Forward by donating the print to the Legacy Center for Maternal Fetal Medicine Clinic at Legacy Salmon Creek Hospital. Dr Fred Coleman and his team of Perinatologists (high risk pregnancy specialists) were instrumental in bringing my youngest two daughters into this world after I endured two very dangerous pregnancies two times in a row and then keeping me alive after facing extreme odds post-delivery. If it weren't for their expert care, I (and my daughters) would not be here today.



Mondria said... I would pay it forward by passing the print and a breastfeeding necklace on to a dear friend of mine who is pregnant and very nervous about being able to nurse. She happens to be surrounded by other mothers who are already encouraging her to use formula and not "bother" with the stresses of nursing :o(



Melanie said... Even if I don't win, I plan to plant an extra row in my garden to donate to a local food cupboard this summer.



Kristen said...I would make a quilt for a friend who doesn't have the money to make something creative and artsy for her newborn baby.

It was so hard for me to choose (alas, I took too long to choose) but in the end I hope that even if you are not chosen, you will still find it in your heart to go ahead with your plan. Kindness is needed now and always.

Shall we do this once a month? Yes, I think so.

I have chosen to send a 12x12 print to TWO of the responders, since I had such trouble choosing just one, indeed I wish I could choose all of you:

Kenderyl & Mondria

I hope you will both email me so that you can let me know your choice of print, and prepare for your kind deed.

A Sneak Peek at Thursday's 8x10s in an unfinished state

Organic

Breathe Life

These two paintings will be released Thursday morning as the 4th & 5th Releases for The Expanded Visions Collection a new series of 8x10 paintings Learn More.

I hope you have a wonderful week,

Love & Sincerely, Katie

Free Cards Winner ~ a Painting Inspired by Song In My Soul

Lynn Means, a budding fellow artist, contacted me recently to share a painting she had created, inspired by the 8x8 Song In My Soul. She has titled her painting Beloved, this is her first painting - ever! Her painting will grace a poster for her local Crisis Pregnancy Center. Congratulations, and thank you for sharing, Lynn!

above: Beloved by Lynn Means, inspired by Song In My Soul by Katie m. Berggren

Song In My Soul was the 16th of 85 8x8s for the 85 8x8s for $85 Collection, created in 2009

above: Song In My Soul by Katie m. Berggren

The Free Cards Winner for last week is Leah ~ see her beautiful photography here: http://ourheartsbeating.blogspot.com/ I was lost in her blog for awhile ~ maybe you will become so, too.

Have a wonderful week,

Love & Sincerely, Katie

Free Cards Friday ~ Featured Artist Barbara Paanakker

Not only do I love the work of fellow local artist, Barbara Paanakker (and her fun personality), but we both are represented by Love Art! Gallery and I have one of her lovely pieces hanging in my hallway, just outside my studio ~ we caught up last week at the gallery.

Barbara & I at Love Art! Gallery, Portland Oregon ~ First Friday, April 1, 2011

with Barbara's paintings on the wall in the background

above: Full Moon, by Barbara Paanakker, a sold piece

Barbara's Words

Painting is a passion for me. The world around us is very colorful and bright if you look in the right direction. After always doodling around with colored pencils and markers as a kid, I started painting 10 years ago. A private teacher taught me how to put my everlasting inspirational ideas on canvas. Life has been good ever since. All my paintings happen in the process of painting, therefore they all are very different and unique, one of a kind! If you own one of my paintings you know that the passion is in the painting and it will make your live more colorful. Enjoy!

above: Love, by Barbara Paanakker, currently hanging at Love Art! Gallery in Portland, Oregon

above: Morning Dreams, by Barbara Paanakker

Barbara likes to create her frequently abstract paintings on smooth wood panels or canvas ~ often including everyday found objects such as metal washers and things she finds while out walking or jogging.

I love the rich texture and deep tones in Barbara's work ~ the intricacies and the free-flowing compositions. She shared with me that often her pieces may mean one thing to one person, then something completely different to another ~ depending upon what the viewer "sees" within the shapes and colors.

Her pieces are finished with a rich glossy varnish, giving them an almost glass-like look and feel. The beautiful painting hanging in my home, Elephant Exhibit, has started a lot of interesting conversations, and I delight in it's richness and smoothness.

Thank you Barbara, for doing the lovely and inspirational work that you do!

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 creative and sunny weekend, Love & Sincerely, Katie

An Opportunity to Pay It Forward ~ New Square Charms

“Great acts are made up of small deeds.” - Lao Tzu

I recently experienced some kindness from someone who discovered my paintings and decided to help get them out to more families ~ someone I had never met ~ her response to my offer to send her something as a gift for her kindness ~ was for me to Pay It Forward ~ so I am, and I am asking you to do the same. You can learn more about the kindness I received and an offer for you, here.

I like Paying It Forward, and I am seriously contemplating making this a regular part of my blog (thank you Jae, for your inspiration). There is so much kindness that needs doing and so many souls who'd soar with a spark of connection from a stranger. I love connection, and I seek connection from strangers.

So here is my challenge for you: If you should be the soul who wins the Free Archival 12x12 Print that I am offering, how would YOU then Pay It Forward ~ and spread your kindness? Learn more here.

I have new 1x1" Charms. I liked the 1x2" Pendants so much, that I decided to change over the charms as well, to the vintage bronze trays.

you can find a few of these in the Online Shop with the 1x2 Glass Pendants.

And don't forget:

The Mother's Day Gift Packs are here

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)

Find the Gift Packs in the Online Shop

Have a wonderful week's middle,

Love & Sincerely, Katie

Free Cards Winner ~ First Friday at Love Art! Gallery

On April 1, Love Art! Gallery in Sellwood, Oregon held their monthly First Friday event ~ it was an inspiring evening. Enjoy the photographs!

Gary Kimmel (above) performed at this event, he plays original instrumentals using the mandolin, guitar, and didgeridoo.

I look forward to featuring some of these artists here on the blog ~ over the coming weeks.

Hey look! Whose faces are those looking back? Hand Me Down and Joy & Peace ~ as well as:

Giving Life

Day Dream

& Time Well Spent

The THREE VERY LAST available 10x10s from The Forty Minis Collection

13x19 Archival Prints (shown: Cling)

Joy & Peace ~ as well as: Giving Life, Day Dream & Time Well Spent

Artist, Patti Isaacs

The Free Cards Winner for last week is Maya ~ thank you all for playing. I am still taking entries for the Pay It Forward contest, as well!

Have a great week,

Love & Sincerely, Katie

New Art Video ~ Paying It Forward ~ Get a Free 12x12 Archival Print

I am so honored to be sharing this video ~ graciously created by Jae Jones of Tinsel Whiskers.

Jae literally came along, enjoyed the work, and decided to create this video for me to share. I think she did a very nice job, and I am moved by her generosity.

When I offered her a gift as a thank you, she asked if I would, instead, Pay It Forward by offering a FREE Archival 12x12 Print to another person instead of her.

I like Paying It Forward, so here is my challenge to you: If you should be the soul who wins the Free Archival 12x12 Print from me, how would YOU then Pay It Forward ~ and spread your kindness?

If you are interested in playing ~ add your comment here ~ I will choose one of the commenters to win their choice of a FREE Archival 12x12 Print ~ giving them the opportunity to put action to their Pay It Forward idea.

And if you don't win, you can always take action on your idea anyway :)

Have a wonderful weekend, my friends,

Love & Sincerely ~ Katie

Free Cards Friday ~ Mother's Day Gift Packs ~ Available Now

The Mother's Day Gift Packs are here, with 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)

Find the 12x12 Gift Pack in the Online Shop

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)

Find the 8x10 Gift Pack in the Online Shop

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

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