Bari Tessler Linden ~ Conscious Bookkeeping ~ Video Courses

Good morning ~
It has been interesting around here with school starting for the boys, and me: revving the business up while the little ones are away ~ then frantically shutting it down when it's time for that school bell to ring!

But everyone is happy here, and I take cautious care to make sure of that on a daily basis. Taking the time to look into those boys' eyes to make sure they are feeling good. If they are off at school and not feeling good ~ there is NO way I can feel good working in the home studio/office.

painting left: Taking Time To See (you'll see what I mean)



Well, I don't know about you, but I always love to come across something new that I feel is a good use of my time.


You know how you can just *tell* when something or someone you discover is worth your time, worth your exploring?


You know how you can tell when you actually *want* to sign up for an email newsletter, and you don't feel like you'll be fed a bunch of junk you don't need?


Over the years (many, many years) I have had an uncanny ability to recognize when someone who enters my life is supposed to be there. Be it for a reason, a season or a lifetime.

I literally stumbled upon this woman yesterday, and with the urge to write a post for you that was informative and inspiring, the pieces locked into place instantly.

I was sent an email from Handmade Success ~ including Bari Tessler Linden's 7 Money Tools and I felt the urge to click through.


photo left: Bari Tessler Linden, Financial Therapist, Coach & Mommypreneur ~ founder of the Conscious Bookkeeping Method

I do not personally know Bari Tessler Linden, like I said, I just discovered her yesterday, but I was hoping you'd like to discover her work along with me.

I have signed up to receive Bari's free video courses and am looking forward to seeing her passion first hand. Join me?

photo left: Bari Tessler Linden and her family.

I hope you have a great day ~ and here's to inspirational information & people that fit into our lives so comfortably it seems they have always been there.

Love & Sincerely ~ Katie

85 8x8 Paintings ~ the brand new book

I will have some photos of the book soon, but here is a link to access the 15-page preview, and a link to purchase your own copy of this publication (70 premium quality pages, gorgeous glossy soft cover) straight from the printer. $34.99

85 8x8 Paintings

a dance of intenti...

By Katie m. Berggren

Book Preview

Enjoy! Sincerely, Katie

Buttons & Magnets: A Fun New Inkling | Free Cards Friday

I love creating art ~ I love touching people’s feelings, inspiring moments and making folks think and remember. I LOVE it. It is my passion.


I love seeing my paintings used to create inspiring and purposeful items. I am a minsumer; which for me refers to the fact that I am not a big buyer, a big consumer. I purchase things that really speak to me, but I spend most of my money on healthy produce and art supplies so I can feed my family and my passion. I also spend on the creations of my those whom I admire, with an intention of someday having walls adorned with beautiful and thought-provoking story-infused art.

Grab the Magnets here • Grab the Buttons here

I do not love mass consumerism, I do not love multitudes of cheap-o things created just to sell, with no thought for the process of creation, or they whom created it. I struggle with this on a daily basis: supporting my family (healthy organic produce can get spendy) but at the same time creating conscious products on my own. It is indeed a daily struggle, but I know I am not alone.


Since I DO love to create things, I love handmade. The handmade movement inspires creation by hand while infusing the love and attention of the artist. We, as buyers, get so much more that way!

It is because of this careful and mindful nature that I am very cautious about how my artwork is used. I choose not to have it manufactured in ways that I cannot support and when I am unable to know the ins and outs. There are some control issues in play here, as well, but mostly, my instincts strongly suggest that I keep it as close to home as possible; keep the creation as close to the studio as possible. In the same way I like to fuel my family with foods as close to the earth as possible, and as close to homemade as possible.

This is where I am, right now, in my thinking and my life.

Today, I’d like to share with you my newest fun little inkling ~ these cute little buttons and magnets. They are 1 ¼” across, sweet and lovely.

Each Magnet Set contains:
two (2) motherhood magnets, sized at 1 ¼” across. Featuring (1) magnet of Home and (1) magnet of Spinning Tales. $3.99

Each Button Set contains:
two (2) motherhood buttons, sized at 1 ¼” across. Featuring (1) button of Home and (1) button of Spinning Tales. $3.99

My brother made these for me, a mere 20 miles from me, as he has perfected his craft and enjoys creating them. I’m thrilled to know that my brother feels good supporting me and I, him.

I do not have a ton of buttons or magnets, but I have had them on my desk looking at me for a couple weeks and I have decided that I might as well get them into your hands, where you can put a little button on your purse, scarf, hat or baby bag; and you can stick a little magnet on your fridge. These would also make easy and affordable gifts.

I suppose, deep down, it is my hope that the little images might remind you of your intentions as a parent, and as you open the fridge to create a meal, you might again be reminded of who you are feeding; how you are nourishing them; and most importantly: why.

Love & Sincerely, Katie

Grab the Magnets here

Grab the Buttons here

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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 and post by Tuesday. Come back on Tuesday to see if the winner is YOU! Have a great day.

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The Ebook is Here! Limited Time Price ~ Behind The Scenes, Inspiration, Paintings, Quotes, Sentiments

A brand new 70-page e-book featuring motherhood art & writing by Katie m. Berggren ~ 

Grab YOUR copy here!

This e-book includes behind-the-scenes details, process photos, inspirational motherhood quotes, personal journal entries, blog posts and poignant sentiments for each of the 85 8x8 paintings created for The 85 8x8s for $85 Collection in 2009.

A collection of intimate and emotional motherhood paintings released weekly for 9 months by award-winning motherhood painter, Katie m. Berggren.

This is a PDF formatted e-book. Once payment has processed, I will email you a time-sensitive link where you may download your product. Pick up YOUR copy here!

The intro of the e-book shares my purpose for creating this compilation:

“Thank you for joining me in an effort to grab hold of the honest, emotional and intimate moments of motherhood. Because I want to not only introduce you to my work, my process, my reasoning, inspiration and motivation ~ but inspire you in your own creative endeavors, as well, I have organized this book in a rather fun way:

As you travel through this e-book, take note of how:

The blue text provides a whisper of inspiration for you ~ bits of the information I have collected throughout my journey.
The red text emphasizes quotes and shares entries from my own personal journal and the Painting Motherhood blog.”

...to show and share, but to also inspire...

Once you have YOUR copy, please do not give or sell this e-book to anyone else.

Alternatively, send your friends over to see me at ww.kmberggren.com where they can snag their own copy. Thank you!

Katie m. Berggren

85 8x8 Paintings: A Dance of Intention & Creation

All contents copyright ©2011 by Katie m. Berggren art & design

www.kmberggren.com
www.paintingmotherhood.blogspot.com

All rights reserved.

No part of this document may be reproduced, shared or transmitted in any form,

by any means without the prior written permission of the artist/writer.

cover image: Song In My Soul,# 16 of The 85 8x8s for $85 Collection, 2009. ©Katie m. Berggren
Learn more here: http://www.kmberggren.com

Thank You So Much for your Support during this BIG Project!

Let me know if you have any questions,
Love & Sincerely, Katie

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!

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

Time, Intimacy, Simple Living ~ Free Cards Friday

I place here, for you to ponder, a paragraph from a book that has become a life manual for me over the last year. A most-wonderful book that has been opening my mind page by page (I just started at the beginning again this week) in regard to... Everything that is important to me.

Every time I read this particular paragraph I am stunned by its accuracy, its obviousness, yet the clear truth that so many just don’t understand it. I am not saying that I have things figured out ~ but I am saying that this paragraph (just one inspirational paragraph in a book riddled with inspiration and insight) seems, to me, capable of unraveling so many inter- and intrapersonal issues that we may face.

Read This:

Our Intimacy Famine. From The Simple Living Guide by Janet Luhrs

“Our time famine is really an intimacy famine. It is much easier to stay busy and frantic than it is to love and know ourselves and others deeply. We’re busy because we want to be busy. Staying busy appears to give our lives meaning (just look at all of the things I have accomplished and all of the things I do in my life!), and staying busy is safe. We don’t need to really get in and look at our lives when we’re rushing from one thing to the next.”

“A speeded-up life not only robs us of time to connect with others, but it also makes us impatient and angry. We don’t have time to listen to our partner’s point of view. We don’t have time to wait for a bank teller who is just learning. We don’t have time for our children. We don’t have time for ourselves. When we’re overscheduled, we become selfish, because our whole day is spent trying to catch up and our night is spent trying to recuperate...”

©Janet Luhrs http://www.simplicityjourney.com/

Now, Seriously ~ Read It Again.

And a final thought about Simple Living ~ Simple Living is not about living in a white-walled house with few items and trying not to spend money ~ Simple Living is about making choices about how we spend our time and our money, how we spend our days and being conscious of the moments as they happen. Simply choosing fewer/more intimate interactions, versus more/less intimate interactions. Simply not getting caught up in buying~doing~going~having~impressing.



I want to do simple intimate activities with my children this season ~ and as soon as school gets out (after next week) I am itching to go pick up my grandma at her house and do something special with her and my boys. Time spent talking and listening with my two grandmothers (my boys and I are so blessed that they have two great-grandmothers) in a slow and intimate, rambling way is one of my favorite things.

What do you like to do with your loved ones this season (and/or all year long) that nourishes your connections and feeds your soul?




It's Free Cards Friday! Add your 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.

Love & Sincerely ~ Katie

a quick inspiration from Jurgen Wolff

borrowed from Jurgen Wolff's newsletter: www.jurgenwolff.com

"Do you have a list of what you hope to achieve? One format that is a good model is what Kevin Roberts (Saatchi &Saatchi) calls his 100 Day Plans. These consist of ten items, each starting with a verb and containing no more than three words. Some examples: Reach 15% bodyfat; Organize office systems; Finish writing novel. They give you big targets you can then break down into smaller steps.

ACTION: To start with, why not come up with at least one "45 Day Plan"--something you want to achieve by the end of the year. What is one achievement that would make you feel good about ending 2010? Generate your three-word goal, then chunk it down into what you need to do each week. At the start of the new year, switch to one or more 100 Day Plans and keep the momentum going."

borrowed from: www.jurgenwolff.com

image: Go Where I Go

Jurgen Wolff is a writer and creativity and writing coach who divides his time between London and Southern California. He has taught at the University of Southern California, the Academy for Chief Executives, the University of Barcelona, the Pilots Project, and workshops around the world.

He has written nine books including “Creativity Now!” (Pearson, Oct. 09), “Marketing for Entrepreneurs” (Pearson 2009), “Focus: the power of targeted thinking” (Pearson 2008 – 2nd revised edition, April 2010), “Your Writing Coach” (Nicholas Brealey 2007)*, “Do Something Different” (Virgin – foreword by Sir Richard Branson – 2005).

He is a NeuroLinguistic Programming practitioner, a certified hypnotherapist, and has studied improvisation with The Groundlings in Los Angeles and Keith Johnstone in London.

His most recent program is “The Breakthrough Strategy,” a 60-day program for writers who want to set and achieve their writing goals with support from Jurgen and a group of fellow writers. It’s in it’s third session at the moment.

Have a great Thursday, Love & Sincerely, Katie

Free Cards Friday ~ Do It Day ~ Something to Ponder

We are spiritual beings having a human experience...

...this is what was printed on the tag of my 5:40am cup of super green tea... this gives me warm and curious ponderisms ;)


Today is DO-IT Day at my house again. Cleaning out the coat/canvas closet, sorting through clothes, doing laundry, dishes and toy managing.

I have a painting I'm itching to work on and finish this weekend ~ and two more to ship, the studio is busy. But there are times when it hits me that I cannot move forward until I do some space-clearing - and this is one of those days.

I summoned my most delighted voice when telling my boys it was Do-it Day today (! yay, smile, cool!) They helped me for about 15 minutes and are now DOing a whole lot of happy playing in their bedrooms. This works for me, too :)

Do you ever feel this way? Where you can't physically, emotionally or professionally move forward until you have a bodacious cleaning and clutter flinging session?

It's Free Cards Friday! Comment on 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

BELOW: the 4 available 10x10s in The Forty Minis Collection

Time Well Spent

Day Dream

Honesty


Early Rise




You can find these while available in the Online Etsy Shop.

Inspired By Life...

...you've asked what inspires me to create...

Have a lovely Sunday,

Sincerely, Katie

Free Cards Friday ~ having Faith & Patience...

Today left me thinking about having Faith & Patience...

Patience for what is coming ~ does wondering and twiddling the thumbs make what is bound to be happen any sooner? They say a watched pot never boils, and it's true.

And it starts with having Faith that if something is meant to happen it will. At the end of the day, does the undue anxiety change things? I think not.

Except maybe to make my forehead wrinkle deeper and my mood even lower :)

“My friend, let's not think of tomorrow, but let's enjoy this fleeting moment of life”

“Be happy for this moment. This moment is your life.”

Omar Khayyam

It's Free Cards Friday! Comment on this post (here at the blog or on the Facebook page) and be in the running to win some cards ~ I'll choose the winner on Monday.

Love & Sincerely ~ Katie

Vision Boards ~ an expanding experience

Recently, I visited with my friend Tia Ribary of Ribary & Associates and we talked a bit about her Vision Board, hanging in her office ~ I have always wanted to create one, but for some reason hadn't.

Talking with Tia lit a fire beneath me. Vision Boards are talked about in The Secret , as well as the SmARTist Telesummit 2008, and a myriad of other places including the Women Entrepreneurs Organization that I belong to in Vancouver, Washington.



Basically, a Vision Board (or Treasure Map) is a collage that contains images and words of what you want to be/do/have/experience in your life - your visions, your goals.

Kathie Nelson of Connectworks describes it this way: "When you’re caught up in the day-to-day of running your business and your life, it can be easy to lose sight of why you’re doing all of this and what you are trying to create. Treasure Mapping is a proven visioning process that harnesses the power of both sides of your brain to create your own “treasure map” to serve as a guide and reminder of what it is you really want to manifest in the coming year."

Kathie is offering a workshop in Portland, Oregon area in February (see the details and/or sign up on Kathie's website) where you can get together with a variety of other individuals for a map building/consulting session. This event comes highly recommended.




On Monday, while my big boy was in school, my little boy and I decided to start creating - he creating collages, me working on a Vision Board ~ information that I have read has suggested you create your board in one sitting, vs spreading the process out over days.

We worked happily for two hours, munching apples and chatting and it was such a soul-expanding experience for me! It felt right every step of the way and the images (but mostly words) that I pulled from my art and Real Simple magazines were amazingly insightful.

I now have a beautiful board to hang in my studio - where I can look at it each day ~ information that I have read and heard has suggested you spend around 30 minutes a day with your board.

"Energy Flows Where Attention Goes" right?!

In the above photos, my Vision Board is in the upper left, the creative mess takes over the rest of the space :)

“Creative vision is more than an interest in material things it is a commitment to a better future. Nothing will happen in your life that you do not inspire by your own initiative. Creative vision is the power which inspires that personal initiative.”

– Napoleon Hill

Have a wonderful and inspiring day!

Love & Sincerely ~ Katie

New Painting Video ~ Here & Now ~ Free Cards Winner

Presenting a brand new video! The process of Here & Now, the newest painting from the studio.

I'll get it photographed tomorrow ~ today was a beautiful picture-perfect morning, but we spent it walking to the park and playing with Great Grandma :)

It occurs to me that the important stuff we are meant to learn must come from within - books and other people we admire can hint at this stuff, but it will not sink in until we are ready, then it bursts from within in a way that makes sense to us...

just a thought :)

The Free Cards Winner for last week is: Kimberly ~ thanks for playing everyone!

Have a great night,

Love & Sincerely, Katie

Artwork in Collectors’ homes ~ Paintings Doing their Job!

The job of my paintings isn’t complete until they are in the homes of those who love them – eliciting feelings, memories and/or emotions when needed, or when viewed.

Is that not the purpose of art in general?

Obviously, I don’t paint for the garage or the storage bin, or my studio – but for you, and me. I have no problem getting my paintings out into the world. Once complete, I automatically plan where they will hang in public.

I have been asked time and time again if it is hard to sell the work ~ after spending so much time with it, but the truth is ~ each piece comes from my heart and my soul – I feel like the process of painting is a gift for myself, and the completed piece is my gift to the world. I once read that the purpose of life (and I apologize, I don’t remember who said these perfect words that I am about to butcher, but I’ll do some more research and let you know when I find out) – the meaning of life is to find what your passion is and the purpose of life is to share that passion with others.

These collectors have graciously shared these images with me, along with story after story of how they have been touched by the pieces. I feel so blessed to be the one holding the brush, as the images and inspiration flow through.

3 new 8x8s being prepped for tomorrow's release!

Paintings on display, top to bottom:

-Back To Back & No Regrets (later joined by Perhaps) (Thanks K!)

-Mandy's Painting (Thanks M!)

-Mother's Day (top center) and a variety of prints and cards (Thanks N!)

-Little Secret, Nourish 2 & Close Knit (Thanks K!)

Have a wonderful afternoon,

Love & Sincerely, Katie