Friday, August 26, 2011

Free Cards Friday | The Northwest Mother's Milk Bank and the Expanded Visions Collection | Raising Awareness | Giving

Remember when I was trying to decide which local mother & child organization to donate a portion of sales from The Expanded Visions Collection to?


I've decided to contribute to the Northwest Mothers Milk Bank (I’ve actually had them in mind all along).


The Northwest Mothers Milk Bank's mission is: To collect, pasteurize and distribute donor human milk to meet medical needs.


I am honored to have $130 for them so far. If you'd like to purchase one of the paintings in this collection (and further support NWMMB) Come Check Out The Available Paintings!


The Northwest Mothers Milk Bank is saving the lives of babies and changing the lives of families. I am honored to have $130 for them, so far.



Why do we need a milk bank in the Northwest?
Currently, US milk banks cannot meet the need for donor milk. The closest milk banks are in San Jose, California and Denver, Colorado. This can mean increased transportation costs and time and occasionally limited availability when providing donor milk to our area. Oregon and Washington have two of the highest breastfeeding rates in the United States with the potential to have sufficient breast milk donors to serve infants throughout the Northwest region and other parts of the US. A committed group of volunteers is developing a human milk bank to serve the Northwest.




What is a Milk Bank? (from the NWMMB website)

A milk bank screens, collects, processes and dispenses donated human milk as a community service, providing human milk to babies whose own mothers cannot supply the milk to meet their baby’s needs.


A milk bank is also a resource for health professionals and the general public in the uses and benefits of human milk, the standard in infant feeding.



The Northwest Mothers Milk Bank has been designated a "Developing Milk Bank" by the Human Milk Banking Association of North America. HMBANA members meet strict standards for screening of donors and processing of milk.


There are currently eleven milk banks serving North America. Milk Bank locations.



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There are currently 7 Original Paintings Remaining in
The Expanded Visions Collection.



SEE THE AVAILABLE PAINTINGS In the Online Shop
(paintings from The Expanded Visions Collection are labeled inside the details of the item).



Here are a few:



Escaping Ordinary, 10x10 ~ $130


Inspiring Passion, 8x10 ~ $120

Meditation, 8x10 ~ $120


Let me know if you have any questions,
Have a great day!
Sincerely, Katie


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!

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Submit Your Photo | Mindful Mothering Paintings ~ inspired by You! | Get a Free 8x10 Print



Gentle, Mindful Mothering Paintings… inspired by You!




In general, I find myself inundated with natural instances of inspiration, and more than anything I’m aching for time to get them all down on paper or canvas before they flit away…

If you hang out with me in person, you know my journal is always in hand, and I annoy myself, even, with my need to capture sketches, thoughts and words on so many occasions.

However… I’ve got an itch, an idea, an inspiration and I’d like to involve you ~ my community of intriguing, wise mothers and women, fathers and friends, followers and motivators.


Drawn In? Wanna Get Caught Up?



Submit your Photo(s) of Gentle, Mindful Mothering ~ however you describe it, however you find meaning in the words Gentle and Mindful ~ however you make it your own.


For you, is it: breastfeeding, co-sleeping, baby-wearing, walking together, talking together, reading together, laughing together, cooking together, crying together, playing together…?


Share your moments, if you feel the urge, and swirl your beauty into the fertile soil from which the Intimate Moments of Motherhood paintings sprout.




If you’d like to get involved, here is what to do:

1) Save your favorite photo(s) with YOUR name as the title of the image.



2) Email your photo to Katie@kmberggren.com



3) Add the understanding that by sending me a photo, you agree to let me be inspired by your image, and you agree that the design and copyright of the painting in its process and finished forms remains with the artist (that’s me!). But you can certainly brag to your friends by sending them over to the Painting Motherhood blog!




4) Agree that if your photo is chosen, you will be honored as I delight in sharing your lovely photo (and your first name) with my Facebook and Painting Motherhood blog Communities, as well as revealing process images as your photo inspires a painted canvas…


This is important: I do not strive for photo likeness in my paintings ~ more importantly, I capture the essence, the emotion, the movement, the connection, the contact, the energy…


What's In It For You? If your Gentle, Mindful Mothering Photo does indeed inspire a painting ~ wooohooo! ~ YOU get a free 8x10 print of the finished painting ~ RAD!


Have questions? I’m here, just let me know what they are.


OH! ~ I forgot to mention ~ the first 5 people to send a photo via email get a free gift in the mail!


Thank you for your consideration,
Love & Sincerely,

Katie

Monday, August 22, 2011

Free Cards Winner ~ More Chunky 4x4 Original Paintings

I'm still having a blast with the 4x4 paintings ~ and I plan to create them as long as I am having a blast :) If they start to get boring, I'll take a break!





And I'm really loving how these paintings look hung in a group. In the above photo, all mini paintings are claimed, except the lower left (Resilient) and the lower right (Calm In A Crazy World).






Resilient ~ this one is available! Let me know if you are interested.



Calm In A Crazy World ~ this one is available! Let me know if you are interested.








It is IMPORTANT to NOTE!


I've decided to offer these little 4x4 paintings for $44, and am, at this point, only offering them on the Facebook page ~ so if you are not playing along over there, you may want to come join us!



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






The Free Cards Winner For Last Week is Amanda, thanks for playing!


Love & Sincerely, Katie

Friday, August 19, 2011

Free Cards Friday ~ Chunky Original 4x4 Paintings ~ what fun!




On my mind for years now... has been the idea of creating tiny originals. I've flirted with the idea, and at the advice of another artist, set the idea aside for a couple years, thinking is may not have been a good one.




Recently, at a craft store sidewalk sale (we just stopped to get a canvas, but ended up with much more!) I spied these little canvases and the idea came flooding back.



Remind Me (sold), 4x4





This idea is also related to my urge to create beautiful products, while stumbling over the option of whether or not to license my work (I've been on that stumbly path for years). I am working on the full story behind my "licensing" thoughts, to share with you in the near future.




These little paintings allow me to produce hand-painted, artist-created, straight-from-the-studio original pieces ~ that hang right on a nail (without a wire, actually) ~ or would love to be propped on a tiny easel.




Granted, they are priced higher than prints created by someone elses mother in China...




This is what I want, deep inside ~ to create work that is actually created in-studio, by the artist (hence my previous mention of my licensing stumble).



No Place (collection of the artist's son), 4x4




Thus, I prepared a few of the 4x4 canvases, and just this week gave them a go!



Paired with the new attraction to adding text to my paintings I am in hog heaven. Having So much Fun!


Memories Made (sold), 4x4





I've decided to offer these little 4x4 paintings for $44, and am, at this point, only offering them on the Facebook page ~ so if you are not playing along over there, you may want to come join us!




Above shows the newest set I'm working on ~ and will be posting them one by one to the Facebook page today (and maybe into tomorrow morning).



Let me know if you have any questions ~ THANK YOU for your support ~ as you prove to me that I am on the right track.


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!

Sincerely,
Katie

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

A soulful dance of intention & creation ~ The 85 8x8 Collection E-book ~ Get a Free Preview

The 85 8x8 Collection E-book (a soulful dance of intention & creation) ~
chock full of rich images and behind-the-scenes notes ~ will be released soon!



Some sample pages of the 70 page book.









Get A Free Preview Of The E-Book


Everyone on the newsletter list will receive a free preview

in their email box when the book is ready ~ join here: Join Today



I look forward to sharing it with you! ♥



Love & Sincerely,

Katie

Saturday, August 13, 2011

Featured Artist: Stephanie Dyer of Beyond Words Designs

Beyond Words Designs


I'm honored to feature the work of Stephanie Dyer ~ a mother of 5 ~ an artist and wife.


Stephanie focuses on Celebrations of motherhood and Tributes to loss ~ her work is thought-provoking, warm and flowing.










Stephanie's lovely customized work is truly Beyond Words,
so I will leave you with samples of her work.
~ I hope you will take a moment to visit her website ~



Have a great weekend,


Love & Sincerely, Katie

Friday, August 12, 2011

Gentle, Mindful Mothering Paintings… inspired by You! | Free Cards Friday

Gentle, Mindful Mothering Paintings… inspired by You!

In general, I find myself inundated with natural instances of inspiration, and more than anything I’m aching for time to get them all down on paper or canvas before they flit away…

If you hang out with me in person, you know my journal is always in hand, and I annoy myself, even, with my need to capture sketches, thoughts and words on so many occasions.

However… I’ve got an itch, an idea, an inspiration and I’d like to involve you ~ my community of intriguing, wise mothers and women, fathers and friends, followers and motivators.


Drawn In? Wanna Get Caught Up?

Submit your Photo(s) of Gentle, Mindful Mothering ~ however you describe it, however you find meaning in the words Gentle and Mindful ~ however you make it your own.


For you, is it: breastfeeding, co-sleeping, baby-wearing, walking together, talking together, reading together, laughing together, cooking together, crying together, playing together…?


Share your moments, if you feel the urge, and swirl your beauty into the fertile soil from which the Intimate Moments of Motherhood paintings sprout.


If you’d like to get involved, here is what to do:

1) Save your favorite photo(s) with YOUR name as the title of the image.


2) Email your photo to Katie@kmberggren.com


3) Add the understanding that by sending me a photo, you agree to let me be inspired by your image, and you agree that the design and copyright of the painting in its process and finished forms remains with the artist (that’s me!). But you can certainly brag to your friends by sending them over to the Painting Motherhood blog!


4) Agree that if your photo is chosen, you will be honored as I delight in sharing your lovely photo (and your first name) with my Facebook and Painting Motherhood blog Communities, as well as revealing process images as your photo inspires a painted canvas…

This is important: I do not strive for photo likeness in my paintings ~ more importantly, I capture the essence, the emotion, the movement, the connection, the contact, the energy…


What's In It For You (besides thrill)? If your Gentle, Mindful Mothering Photo does indeed inspire a painting ~ wooohooo! ~ YOU get a free 8x10 print of the finished painting ~ RAD!


You could see YOUR sensibilities, your values (and how you motivate ME) ~ in Lights! OK… in paint. But think of how you can motivate others ~ and isn't that what it is all about anyway?


Have questions? I’m here, just let me know what they are.


Have a great day,
Love & Sincerely, Katie


OH! ~ I forgot to mention ~ the first 5 people to send a photo via email get a free gift in the mail!





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




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!

Thursday, August 11, 2011

Spirit Soul & Sweetness ~ Today's New Painting ~ Event Tonite!

As the LAST PAINTING for The Expanded Visions Collection, I am honored to present Spirit, Soul & Sweetness ~ the FIRST painting where I have added the written word to a painting.









Spirit, Soul & Sweetness


Original Painting: 8x8", $95


This original painting has SOLD

All of my life, I have been writing, and collecting my writings, poems, stories and blurbs, painting titles, phrases and tag lines. I have been wanting, for a couple years now, to find a way to incorporate the words into the paintings ~ to give a glimmer of my thoughts behind the work ~ a glimmer brighter than the title can provide ~ and to be present when the painting's statement was not around.




With Spirit, Soul & Sweetness, I really felt a need to include words.


I was able to clip paper directly from my journal, write in my own handwriting with my trusty drawing pen ~ and adhere the text, scumbling paint around and layering transparent tones over the paper ~ welcoming that little slip of paper right into the world of the image, making it feel necessary, making it appear natural.


I have done this just once now, but I can already tell that a new door has opened to me, and conquering this fear will lead to additional fears to be conquered. How fun.





This painting, while Available, may be found in the Online Shop.



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






EVENT ~ TONITE!








artful bliss: an evening of intimacy, stories & art
Thursday, 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. Enjoy Original Motherhood Paintings, Hors d’oeuvres, healthy chocolate samples & book signings throughout the 5-9pm 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 (Day Theater)
5516 SE Foster, Portland OR 97206

Questions? 360.213.7879




Have a great day,



Love & Sincerely ~ Katie

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Sneak Peek at Spirit, Soul & Sweetness ~ Adding the Written Word to Paintings ~ Tomorrow Night's Event

It is time for The Expanded Visions Collection to come to a close. I am honored to end the collection with Spirit, Soul & Sweetness ~ the last painting in The Expanded Visions Collection, but the FIRST painting where I have added the written word to a painting.

All of my life, I have been writing, and collecting my writings, poems, stories and blurbs, painting titles, phrases and tag lines. I have been wanting, for a couple years now, to find a way to incorporate the words into the paintings ~ to give a glimmer of my thoughts behind the work ~ a glimmer brighter than the title can provide ~ and to be present when the painting's statement was not around.

My concerns were that the words would appear “stuck-on” ~ that is, if I could even find a successful way of attaching the words. I was worried about adding a typed font, and was unsure as to what to call my painting medium once I added something other than paint... Yes, I can be a worrier.

I now realize that it DOESN’T matter!! I’ll just do it and the rest will work itself out.

I was able to clip paper directly from my journal, write in my own handwriting with my trusty drawing pen ~ and adhere the text, scumbling paint around and layering transparent tones over the paper ~ welcoming that little slip of paper right into the world of the image, making it feel necessary, making it appear natural.

I have done this just once now, but I can already tell that a new door has opened to me, and conquering this fear will lead to additional fears to be conquered. How fun.

So, Spirit, Soul & Sweetness will arrive tomorrow morning ~ fresh and ready to make her home with the soul who requires her most.




This painting, as soon as it is Available tomorrow morning (and while available), may be found in the Online Shop.







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




Upcoming Event ~ Tomorrow Night!


Mark Your Calendars for this one!



I Can't Wait :)








artful bliss: an evening of intimacy, stories & art
Thursday, 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. Enjoy Original Motherhood Paintings, Hors d’oeuvres, healthy chocolate samples & book signings throughout the 5-9pm 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 (Day Theater)
5516 SE Foster, Portland OR 97206

Questions? 360.213.7879




Have a great day,



Love & Sincerely ~ Katie


Monday, August 8, 2011

Come To Me ~ PART THREE (final) ~ The story of her presentation to Russian Musician Diana Arbenina in Russia on July 8, 2011

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 Two ~ featuring the preparation of this painting to ship to Russia.




My new friends fully enjoyed Diana's July 8, 2011 concert, then patiently waited back stage to present Diana with her gift. Here are some images of the concert:







view videos of Diana's July 8 concert









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Ksenia (whom has been my kind and sweet contact throughout this process) waits back stage with her friends to present the gift ~ which has been re-stretched onto new stretcher bars in Russia, after travelling over as a rolled canvas in a tube. See the Part Two Blog Post ~ featuring the preparation of this painting to ship to Russia.







The moment Diana sees her gift of Come To Me!







The painting Come To Me, being presented to Russian Performer, Musician and Poet Diana Arbenina after her concert on July 8, 2011 in Russia.




This painting was commissioned by a collective group of Diana's devoted fans, we worked together through email conversation to create a piece that would signify Diana's power, poetry, emotion and heart ~ and the love and protection felt by her for her two young children.





During the video, Diana is being told that she is being presented with a large collective gift made possible by many fans, and created by American artist Katie m. Berggren whose themes are motherhood and family.




I am told that Diana was completely surprised and pleased. Diana says that her daughter (left, in the painting) looked just like that on the ultrasound, before her birth. Everyone laughs!




At the end of the video, Diana tells her fans that she is planning to introduce her children to the public in the Fall ~ and they are assuring her that she need not hurry :)



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This devoted gathering of fans & friends even created a proper booklet to present to Diana with her gift ~ detailing my studio, my purpose and statement, and my thoughts behind Diana's painting. I was tickled to receive a pdf copy of this booklet, which included a two page spread showing everyone who was involved in the gift. I couldn't stop staring at all of the faces who had come together to share love.


And here they are:



Here are a few additional pages from the impressive booklet printed for Diana.

~~~~~


~~~~~




Thank you so much, Ksenia & friends ~ for making this all possible!



And thank YOU for following along :)



You may now:


view videos of Diana's July 8 concert


see the painting Come To Me

Visit Diana Arbenina's website


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


See Part Two ~ featuring the preparation of this painting to ship to Russia



Have a WONDERFUL week!


Love & Sincerely ~ Katie

Thursday, August 4, 2011

Upcoming Event ~ Artful Bliss, Thursday August 11 ~ Portland OR

Mark Your Calendars for this one!

I Can't Wait :)




artful bliss: an evening of intimacy, stories & art
Thursday, 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. Enjoy Original Motherhood Paintings, Hors d’oeuvres, healthy chocolate samples & book signings throughout the 5-9pm 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 (Day Theater)
5516 SE Foster, Portland OR 97206

Questions? 360.213.7879

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

Free Cards Winner ~ Upcoming Event

Art in the Heart is downtown Vancouver’s annual festival of the arts. This outdoor event takes place on First Friday, August 5th from 5 – 9 pm and again on Saturday, August 6th from 10 am to 4 pm. Creativity in all styles and mediums is the theme of this event! There are many galleries in Downtown Vancouver, each gallery will have artists set up outside along the sidewalk and in the streets. You will have a chance to buy lots of great artwork in a wide variety of styles and mediums and talk directly with the artists!

I am honored to be a part of this event on Friday, August 5 from 5-9pm, in front of Salon Moxie ~ sharing a space with the fabulous Aevum Images.

Salon Moxie
1019 Main St.
Vancouver , WA , 98660



I would love to see you there. I will have original paintings, archival prints in 3 sizes, charms, pendants, signed books and some Early Work ~ a basket of discounted early prints! Call me with questions ~ 360.213.7879



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The Free Cards Winner for last week is Zion! Thank you to everyone who entered.

Have a wonderful week.





“Motherhood has a very humanizing effect.

Everything gets reduced to essentials.”
Meryl Streep






Love & Sincerely,

Katie