Free Cards Friday | Two Years Ago While Painting Motherhood: Priorities & Conquering Excuses

Two Years Ago While Painting Motherhood

Two years ago I shared this post, containing an article that I still find very valuable today.

Priorities, Conquering Excuses & 3 Paintings in Process

The below article, first posted in the Fine Art Views Daily Newsletter, rang true with me and so I requested permission to share it with you.Time and time again I, as an artist and friend, hear similar statements from others whom I believe have an incredible talent to change the world. NOTE: While reading, please substitute "art" for any passion or career-direction that suits you - photography, knitting, medicine, business... Continue Reading

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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!

Have a GREAT and creative weekend ~
Love & Sincerely, Katie

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!

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!

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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!

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

Free Cards Friday ~ Featured: Soulful Artwork by Kelly Geisler

I am honored to feature the work of Kelly Geisler, you may learn more about Kelly and her work on her website www.kellygeisler.com

Healing Waters by Kelly Geisler



See The Beauty In You by Kelly Geisler

About Kelly's Work

Kelly's Soulful Artwork is an abstract painting style that contains healing energies that nourish your mind, body, and soul. Kelly has the unique ability to direct the healing energies of Usui and Karuna Reiki® onto canvas. The combination of focused energy, the vibrational frequencies of colors, and the openness of the artist has allowed Kelly's artwork to touch, heal, and inspire many.Kelly's Soulful Artwork is dynamic. An energy exchange is created when you view and absorb the qualities of each painting. Not only will the colors, energy, and design "speak" to you, the art will evolve right along with you. The same painting will "speak" to you one way today and a different way tomorrow.

Mother's Love by Kelly Geisler



Glory by Kelly Geisler




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!


Love & Sincerely, Katie

Free Cards Friday ~ Mini Pocket-Sized Inspiration Books ~ A Question For The Mamas: Summer Scheduling...

A fun new product is here ~ there is a limited supply at the moment, though!
grab yours here (while supplies last)

~ Mini pocket-sized inspiration books ~
featuring 21 full color Intimate Motherhood paintings by Katie m. Berggren

~ autographed and perfect for reflection and sharing.

♥ Pull your super cute little book from your purse, wallet, diaper bag or bed-side table ~ and take a moment to breathe in the moments that make Motherhood purposeful and special.

♥ A great gift ~ stocking stuffer ~ new mother blessing...

These are Super Cute ~ grab yours here (while supplies last)

A Question For The Mamas:

How structured is your Summer Vacation going to be for your little ones?
Will you be free-flowin' and goin' with the moment each day ~ or are you setting up a schedule of creative and/or educational activities to keep your kids busy each week?

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 lovely weekend,

Love & Sincerely, Katie

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

Free Cards Friday ~ Pay It Forward ~ Happy Mother's Day

A couple options today, when it comes to taking home some free art. First off, let's do another Pay It Forward ~ learn more here

I'll start by giving away a free 12x12 archival print.

So here is my question 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? I look forward to hearing your inspiring ideas...

above: a commissioned painting that I am thoroughly enjoying!

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.

~ Happy Mother's Day ~

May you realize your worth and the influence you have in those little lives.

May you always strive to be better, but forgive your faults and necessary mistakes.

May you always have a kind hand, a kind word, a kind look and a healthy snack ~ at-the-ready!

LOVE TO YOU!

Love & Sincerely, Katie

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

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

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

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!

Free Cards Friday ~ Brand New Glass Pendants

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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

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These are the ones I have currently completed:

Music To Dance To

Deep As A River

You & Us




Lost Together

Happy Hour

Drawn To You

Elemental

These will begin becoming available in the Online shop tonite ~ let me know if you are interested in one of the above Pendants. New pieces are being designed, as we speak :)

Thank you so much!

It's Free Cards Friday! Add your note to this blog post (I'd love to hear your feedback/thoughts on the new Pendants) (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 (& Free Book!) Friday

It's Free Cards Friday! Add your note 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.

This week, I'd also like to give away my copy of Louise Hay's "You Can Heal Your Life" ~ a book that is more than lovely ~ in message and aesthetic quality.

Here is the Amazon review for this book:

If you haven't seen Hay House's Lifestyles series of gorgeous gift books, there is no better way to acquaint yourself than with publisher/author Louise Hay's You Can Heal Your Life. A bestseller for many years, You Can Heal Your Life has been republished with bright, beautiful illustrations in full, living color and exquisite typography--each and every page is a work of art by artist Joan Perrin Falquet.


The timeless message of the book is that we are each responsible for our own reality and "dis-ease." Hay believes we make ourselves ill by having thoughts of self-hatred. She includes a directory of ailments and emotional causes for each with a corresponding affirmation to help overcome the illness. For example, the probable cause of multiple sclerosis is "mental hardness, hard-heartedness, iron will, and inflexibility." The healing "thought pattern" would be: "By choosing loving, joyous thoughts, I created a loving joyous world. I am safe and free."
--P. Randall Cohan

This gift edition is a beautiful book complete with four-color illustrations throughout. "An excellent book for restructuring one's life and finding self- esteem and self-love."

Comment and let me know if you are interested ~ to be in the running. Thanks!

Love & Sincerely, Katie

Reminder ~ I'm Gone but the Shop is Open ~ :)

IMPORTANT NOTE:
The Katie m. Berggren studio and office will be closed from January 29 through February 7 ~ but the ONLINE SHOP IS OPEN! The physical me will be back to business on Tuesday, February 8 ~ All items purchased in the Online Etsy shop during this time period will ship on February 8 ~ thank you!

I will be choosing a Free Cards Friday Winner when I return ~ so you have all week to make your comment on the previous blog post :)

Talk with you soon!

Above image: Feed My Soul

Love & Sincerely ~ Katie

Free Cards Friday ~ Holding Tight & Sunrise Sunset

Holding Tight ~ brand new 10x10 painting (sold)

Holding Tight: Because we are holding tight to our little ones as they grow, and to the memories of them as little ones, when they are big...

I was pleased to deliver this commissioned painting to Marci today ~ thank you Marci! Holding Tight will hang next to Sunrise Sunset, an earlier 10x10 painting, shown below.

"Love is anterior to life, posterior to death, initial of creation, and the exponent of breath."

~ Emily Dickinson ~

It's Free Cards Friday! Add your note 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 day and a peaceful & meaningful weekend
Love & Sincerely ~ Katie

Free Cards & FREE GIFT Friday ~ The Artist's Way

Hello fellow mama artists ~ today, instead of just offering Free Cards for Free Cards Friday, I am also gifting a copy of The Artist's Way book and a hard bound Morning Pages Journal.



If I can help one of my favorite supporters and friends start 2011 with some fresh purpose and inspiration, I am ON IT!



One commenter will get BOTH gifts. NOTE ~ when you comment, let me know WHO this gift will be for and a tiny bit about how you think it might inspire you/them.

Julia Cameron says:
"Most of us have no idea of our real creative height. We are much more gifted than we know. My tools help to nurture those gifts."

Learn more about Julia Cameron's fantastic Artist's Way from her website.

The Artist's Way has sold more than two million copies worldwide, and Julia Cameron's followup bestsellers The Vein of Gold, Walking in this World and The Right to Write are likewise flagship books which are taught in universities, churches, human potential centers and even in tiny clusters deep in the jungles of Panama.

above information © and borrowed from Julia Cameron's website.

It's Free Cards Friday! Add your comment to this blog post telling me WHO this gift will be for and a tiny bit of how you think it will inspire you/them (here at the blog or on the Facebook page) throughout the weekend and be in the running to win these two insightful books plus some cards ~ I'll choose the winner on Monday (unless there are less than 5 entries, I may wait til next week).

Wishing you a safe and happy New Years Eve & Day,
Love & Sincerely ~ Katie