Monday, May 30, 2011

Immunity ~ Her Message

~ Immunity ~



The title for this painting refers to not only the gift of healing immunity from mother to child through her nourishing breast milk ~ but Social Immunity for the mother: self-assurance against the breastfeeding Nay Sayers ~ confidence against those who are confused about the purpose of breasts.



Thus ~ even though I love the eye contact of a breastfeeding couple ~

I stand content with her confident eye contact with the viewer…













I recently learned about necklaces specially created for babies to play with while nursing, and from the beginning, I knew I wanted to feature one in this painting.

















Have a wonderful day.
Love & Sincerely,


Katie

Friday, May 27, 2011

Free Cards Friday ~ Meaningful Gifts for Father's Day ~ Fatherhood Prints & Paintings

The other day I received an email reminder from a company who creates cute little photo books ~ they reminded me about Father's day (which is June 19) ~ so I jumped on the ball and created a little book for my hubby ~ of our trip to Maui (shhhh, don't tell him) :)




Well, the point is, the reminder was wonderful, and now I am completely sitting pretty knowing that I have a gift for Father's Day all finished. No more last minute head-scratching for me.


My husband and I both prefer "experiences" over gifts ~ but this one, I know, he will cherish.



This got me thinking, that I need to remind my community about Father's Day, and about the many, many fathers who have chosen KmBerggren paintings and prints over the years.






It is a nice feeling to have a meaningful gift all ready for the special day. Could you capture a special moment for him through an Archival frameable Print or a Ready-To-Hang Painting?










Family is an ORIGINAL 8x10 Painting for $120
(a varnished deep canvas with painted edges and Ready To Hang!)


I went back to the book company and ordered 25 little books of KmBerggren paintings,
so I will have some of those to share in the near future. I can't wait to see them.




Morning (above)
can be purchased as an Archival 13x19 Print,
an
Archival 12x12 Print
or an
Archival 8x10 Print!



Beautiful Love (above)
can be purchased as an Archival 13x19 Print,
an
Archival 12x12 Print
or an
Archival 8x10 Print!




Love Flows Outward (above)
can be purchased as an Archival 13x19 Print,
an
Archival 12x12 Print
or an
Archival 8x10 Print!




Gift Of Love (above)
can be purchased as an Archival 13x19 Print,
an
Archival 12x12 Print
or an
Archival 8x10 Print!





Realize (above)
can be purchased as an Archival 13x19 Print,
an
Archival 12x12 Print
or an
Archival 8x10 Print!



Don't forget the many paintings on the new website that you can choose to have a print created from. With over 350 paintings, my mind would boggle if I had them all listed as prints in the Online shop.



The Sleepers (above)
can be purchased as an Archival 13x19 Print,
an
Archival 12x12 Print
or an
Archival 8x10 Print!





Like Minded (above)
can be purchased as an Archival 13x19 Print,
an
Archival 12x12 Print
or an
Archival 8x10 Print!



Spoons (above)
can be purchased as an
Archival 13x19 Print,
an
Archival 12x12 Print
or an
Archival 8x10 Print!




Tuck (above)
can be purchased as an Archival 13x19 Print,
an
Archival 12x12 Print
or an
Archival 8x10 Print!




Close Knit (above)
can be purchased as an Archival 13x19 Print,
an
Archival 12x12 Print
or an
Archival 8x10 Print!




Three, Sleeping (above)
can be purchased as an
Archival 13x19 Print,
an
Archival 12x12 Print
or an
Archival 8x10 Print!





Tenderness (above)
can be purchased as an Archival 13x19 Print,
an
Archival 12x12 Print
or an
Archival 8x10 Print!




Found (above)
can be purchased as an Archival 13x19 Print,
an
Archival 12x12 Print
or an
Archival 8x10 Print!





Wanderlust (above)
can be purchased as an
Archival 13x19 Print,
an
Archival 12x12 Print
or an
Archival 8x10 Print!




Creation (above)
can be purchased as an Archival 13x19 Print,
an
Archival 12x12 Print
or an
Archival 8x10 Print!






Let me know if you have any questions! GOOD FOR YOU, for thinking ahead :)



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 great day,
Love & Sincerely, Katie

Thursday, May 26, 2011

Naturally & Heart Healthy ~ Brand New Original Paintings

Naturally & Heart Healthy ~ the 10th & 11th Releases for The Expanded Visions Collection
a new series of 8x10 paintings Learn More





Naturally
8x10", Acrylic on Canvas
$120 ~ with $10 going to a charity benefiting Mothers & Children


Protecting the child with every essence of herself, comes naturally to a mama.



This painting, Naturally, while Available, may be found in the Online shop






Heart Healthy
8x10", Acrylic on Canvas
$120 ~ with $10 going to a charity benefiting Mothers & Children


The gentle innocent touch of a loved one... nurtures us to the core.



This painting, Heart Healthy, while Available, may be found in the Online shop








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 Thursday,


Love & Sincerely, Katie

Monday, May 23, 2011

Free Cards Winner ~ Featured Artist Lynne M. Taylor of Laurelwood Art

I recently had the opportunity to meet Lynne Taylor of Laurelwood Art in Portland, Oregon.



Lynne is a fellow artist represented at Love Art! Gallery in Sellwood, Oregon.

I hope you enjoy her beautiful watercolor paintings, and her words.




Growing The Peace Rose ©Lynne M. Taylor





Kryptic Keyhole ©Lynne M. Taylor






The Ancient One ©Lynne M. Taylor



"The Ancient One", is the first of a series of allegorical tree paintings. This giant tree symbolizes long lived presence of many species of trees upon the earth, many living for centuries, as compared to the short span of human life. Trees are the source of new life and well being, protection, shelter for many plants and animals. Evolution has endowed trees with a great capacity to protect the ecology of our planet, found safely entwined in its roots. However, human short sightedness and desire for possessions often come into conflict with the presence of the ancient trees – a sad state of our co-existence, an ironic lack of wisdom on the sharing of our earth.

~ Lynne M. Taylor

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


The Free Cards Winner for last week is Margy, thanks for playing!


Have a great week,
Love & Sincerely, Katie

Thursday, May 19, 2011

People's Food Cooperative ~ yes! Love in a Grocery Store


I truly believe our actions come when they are called... we build interest throughout the required amount of time, then take action when the time is right.


Personally, I love natural foods, organic veggies, and rows of earthy packaging. This tells me that the person in me who loves to cook is coming, at some point. I currently do not pride myself on my cooking skills, but I cook healthy, naturally, and simply ~ and I know that my interests and skills are building for some reason. For some day in the future when it all takes off!






I've always loved photographing grocery stores (even in Sweden, see the video here!) and as a younger child I always thought I would become a food label illustrator someday. One of my first jobs required that I sit in the pantry during my breaks (indeed I sought out silence there) and I would marvel over the beautiful can labels.






During my design program at Central Washington University, I gave it a shot ~ but I don't think that is, in the end, what I am meant to do with my art ~ though I still love illustrations of food, and photographs of grocery stores and markets.


A wall of organic produce can literally bring me to my knees with excitement ~ I found this at the People's Food Coop in Portland, Oregon. See above ~ isn't it gorgeous?!







The People's Food Coop instantly caught my eye with its earthy exterior and, of course, the name. Not to mention the "Natural Foods" signs hung outside ~ I was emotionally pulled to park and go in.





I was so proud to see the products of my friends at Muddy H2O on the shelves. I remember when Gabriela and Heidi first came up with the name of their business ~ and being there to help them design their first labels, and their first website. They have taken Muddy H2O to new heights, and I am infinitely proud of that little company.



You can take a look at Muddy H2O's wonderful face and body products on their website: http://www.muddyh2oetc.com.


I use their Matcha and Chocolate facial masks and I love them!







My littlest boy jumped into my arms ~ and truly ~ the highlight of my day (and probably of my week) was carrying him around the store, looking at all the veggies and packages, whispering close to his ear and listening to his talk, too. The intimacy was beautiful and heart-warming.


...and in a grocery store, no less!!




This experience with my little one has even inspired a painting ~ currently in sketch stage ~ titled "To Hear & See You Better" ~ with a mama holding her big-little child on her hip, cheek to cheek.



Well, there you have it ~ probably more than you needed to know about me and my fascination with food packaging and display.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~








For the last Pay It Forward opportunity, is Suzanne, here are her words:




Suzanne said...
I've just recently begun training as a doula and, in thinking about how my business will take shape, I've decided that I'll be offering free doula services to low-income mothers, military wives, and teen moms. All birthing women deserve support during what amounts to the most important thing they'll ever do in their lives, and I wouldn't be doing my practice any sort of justice if I didn't honor that tradition for those who most need it.


Thank you Suzanne ~ more power to you,



Have a wonderful week's end!

Love & Sincerely, Katie

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Featured Artist Patti Isaacs ~ Iris Paper Folding

Patti Isaacs is a fellow artist represented at Love Art! Gallery in Sellwood, Oregon.


I was able to catch up with her at our April First Friday event ~ her work is lovely. I had never heard of Iris Paper Folding before. Enjoy!



Wind




Patti's Words


I learned the process of Iris Folding from a fellow artist one evening at our weekly T.E.A. (Tuesday Evening Art) group. She gave me the information sheets and after working 1 or 2 designs I was hooked. I love to use a variety of papers in my works; metallics, scrapbook, wrapping paper and wonderful found papers. You can find me Christmas morning sorting out the wrappings on the floor after the family has opened presents!


Iris Folding is a paper craft technique that involves folding stripes of colored paper in such a way to form a design. The center of the design forms an iris—a shape reminiscent of the iris of an eye or of a camera lens.Iris Folding originated in Holland, where early craft persons made their designs using patterned paper cut from the inside of envelopes.


Today, crafters use any light weight paper, such as scrapbook paper, origami paper, wrapping paper, the inside of envelopes or pages of magazines. Iris Folding is done with a pattern. The design is created from the back side of the mat then turned over for the finished product. I love the element of surprise and anticipation when you have the design completed and you turn it over for the first time to see the finished product!



Water



Small Iris Fold



Earth





All images ©2011. Patti Isaacs


See More Work by Patti Issacs at her Website: www.PattiIsaacs.com



Have a great Tuesday!


Love & Sincerely, Katie

Monday, May 16, 2011

Free Cards Winner | From Painting to Mosaic!

A few months ago I was approached by Hahn Truong, an artist and mother in Melbourne, Australia. She is the mother of 2, and creates beautiful mosaic art as a hobby (a hobby that has also brought her some sales). She asked permission to use one of my paintings, Here & Now as inspiration for a piece she was entering into the Creativity Unlocked show.

Recently, she has touched base with me again, showing the finished piece and letting me know that her lovely work resulted in a 2nd place People’s Choice Award. Great Job Hahn!




Hahn Truong's Mosaic of Here & Now



The Original Here & Now painting




To fit with the theme of the exhibit, Hahn has titled her piece “Key To My Heart”. You may see more information about her exhibit at the Town Hall Gallery in Australia here: http://townhallgallery.blogspot.com/2011/05/creativity-unlocked-you-voted-for-them.html.




Here are Hahn’s words:

As a mother of 2 young ones, I was especially drawn to 'Here & Now'.
In the midst of a hectic life as a working mother and wife, your 'Here & Now' captured a precious moment that I sometimes get with my children. And that is why I came to mosaic it.
As my project requires me to incorporate a key and a lock, I have titled it 'Key to my heart'. It illustrates how having my own children makes me feel. It feels like a key has open a new kind of love that is so complete and selfless. I think only a mother understands this love.

I mainly mosaic work to hang on the wall or vases. In terms of material used, I love using glass and incorporating tiny tiles in all my work.





I find Hahn’s work inspiring.


The Free Cards Winner for last week is Tricia. Have a wonderful week everyone.
Love & Sincerely,Katie

Friday, May 13, 2011

Free Cards Friday ~ Native American Masks with Preschoolers

My friend Kerri taught me how to make the coolest paperboard masks ~ we created 24 of them a few months ago to create Native American masks with our sons' First Grade Class.

My little son's pre-school teacher recently wondered if I'd like to do some painting with her class. Upon asking my 5 year old (who has attended all of the art classes where I've worked with his big brother's classes for 2 school years) which project we should do with HIS friends at pre-school ~ he chose mask painting. This project took place on Tuesday of this week.




The paperboard mask ~ easily created from a cereal box. Such a blank canvas!






I buffed up on my knowledge the morning of the lesson ~ and the more I learned and saw, the more excited I got. This pre-school class contains the sweetest little group of children. I was positively jubilant by the time I sat down with the little ones.





We talked very simply about who the Native Americans were and how they worked with the materials they had in their lives ~ no place to buy paint! So they made it with berries, minerals, leaves, spit and such. :) Their paint brushes were created with animal hair and other natural materials.





We gave the children three paint brushes, one for each color, and discussed how the sample masks I showed didn't utilize paint blending and mixing ~ rather blocks of rich, pure color next to each other.





This is my little darling ;)








We talked very simply about the meaning of the animal figures chosen to create crafts and totems. The Bear referring to protection, strength and sky; the wolf meaning love, gentleness and teacher; Mountain Lion inferring smarts, strength, freedom, power and confidence. I created a mountain lion for each of them because I admire the confidence and freedom of 5 year olds :)





We talked very simply about how Native Americans told stories through dance and ceremony ~ using masks and costumes.




I think the kids were proud, in the end. They focused on adding color to their masks for almost a half hour.






We talked about the meaning of colors, such as green meaning summer and earth, rain and plants; Blue referring to sky, female, moon and sadness; Red inferring anger, war, blood and the sunset.








This was completely fun. While the teacher washed the brushes in the bathroom, I got to read to the kids in circle time. Such a joy. I even had moments on the drive home that I might want to go back to teaching in a pre-school... yah, never mind :)





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