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Good Morning:

Well...today is the day after Labor Day, the official end of the summer season. All of the local kids have started their new school year by now and we will be busy celebrating our traditionl "Not Back To School" week!! For any of you that learn at home, you probably know what I'm talking about. For those of you that don't... lots of Home Learners use this week to take advantage of the lack of crowds at places like the beach and Disneyland. We'll head to the beach on Friday!!

We had a very nice BBQ yesterday, just the 5 of us. The usual food was served and I made homemade Boysenberry pie. I used up the last gallon bag I had in the freezer from this years berries. Everyone said it was good, but I just can't bring myself to eat anything with seeds in it. To me, they're like "fruit bones". I do like to have a taste of the juicy crust though, and it was, indeed, very good!!



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I have a few things to do today. I need to call my mom's hospice nurse to refresh some of her prescriptions and I think I'll skip cooking dinner and opt for Subway sandwiches tonight. It's been so hot here lately that I just don't want to turn on the oven tonight. Here in the California desert, we don't have much humidity, but the last couple of weeks has brought temps of 112 with high humidity. Unfortunately, there was only a simple hint of rain and a few claps of thunder in the distance. Just enough to make my whole family grasp at the hope of a good thunderstorm. But alas...nothing more than a poor spit of warm mist for a total of 10 seconds, and it was gone with the wind.

There are times when I long to stand outside in the middle of a good thunderstorm. The static in the air, the smell of rain and dust and electricity... Gosh, I miss that. Having lived in Northwest Arkansas, we were only a few miles away from "Tornado Alley" and we had intense Spring and Summer storms each year. Sometimes I get so tired of the nothingness in the air here at our home in California. But...we do have a roof over our heads and food in the refrigerator, so all is well today.

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For any of you that may be makers and/or collectors of ACEOs, have a look at this awesome frame I found at my local Target ~



It holds five 2-1/2" x 3-1/2" art cards. I haven't been back since I found the frame, and I am hoping that they will have a few more on my next visit.

Until Next Time:
Kim
Garden Painter Art
gnarly-dolls

Good Morning:

Well...here I am cruising through another Saturday, no closer to creating than I was last Saturday. My week was filled with Dr. appointments for my mom and other "not so fun" logistical messes. Planning and time management have never been an area of strength for me, and as I've gotten older, I think I'm actually less inclined to be logical!! But...I have no real plans today other than piddling around in my garden and watching a ridiculously horrible movie on Sci-Fi tonight with Gary. The Saturday night movie on Sci-Fi has become almost legendary around my house. Tonight, we're watching "SuperGator"!!!! Now, doesn't that sound compelling and intense? Seriously, the movie is simply an excuse for my husband and me to have a glass of wine and share a bowl of popcorn together. After a week of dealing with "Gastrointerologists", I could use a nice, do nothing week-end.

I've strolled through my garden this morning and discovered the always dreaded cut-worm feasting on my Geraniums:



They are hideously masterful at camouflage...



and even after all these years, they still give me the creeps. I must admit, I do take a bit of sick pleasure out of squishing them beneath my purple garden Crocs. They are devastating little buggers and I really have no way to control them other than physically picking them off and destroying them. I don't use any chemicals in my garden that could harm my dogs or harm the naturally occuring lizards and birds, therefore, hand-picking it is.

On a brighter note, I have a flower box full of gorgeous "Angelonia"...



I love these flowers because they look like they have two huge teeth in their big wide open mouths...



After taking in the wild array of colorful growing things in my yard, I'm feeling a little creative spark now. Will it catch fire? Will I sit down in my studio chair and feel exhilirated and worthwhile? It is yet to be seen ~~

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Although I haven't "created" a new collage in weeks, I have a huge inventory to make prints from. Considering my darkish mood lately, I've listed 10 of my crow collage prints in My Etsy Shop. Here's an example:


Thanks so much for dropping by today. My loyal readers mean so much to me, especially during these dry spells when my art and writing are intensly lacking.

Until Tomorrow:
Kim
Garden Painter Art
allaroundthemall.blogspot.com

Good Morning:

I've been away for a few days as it's been summer-time busy around here. My last post was the morning of my mom's Endoscopy. She came through the test fine, and she has a follow-up appointment next week.

Life in general has been hectic lately, but in a good way. The days are longer now, with the always welcome sun extending the possibility of busy hours. Here in the California desert, we've officially gone beyond the 100 degree mark, with the temperature expected to be 108 by July 4th. Needless to say, fireworks are banned in our region.

I took a little photo tour of my garden this morning. I must admit, that even with the excessively hot and dry days, I've somehow managed to nurture my flowers just enough to keep the colors popping and the neighborhood birds happy and shaded.









In this region, early morning is the only time that you can find any comfort outdoors. On these long and intense days of vicious sunlight I almost find myself looking forward to Autumn.....But then, I come to my senses and remember just how much I dread the thought of short, dark winter days.

So, I will enjoy the coolness of the desert mornings and take advantage of the lengthy days. Maybe today, I'll work on a new collage or maybe I'll just sit by the window and watch the birds and bees. Either way, I'll absolutely be indoors, enjoying the luxury and relief of man-made air.

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I've listed an ACEO collage print in My Etsy Shop this morning. This is my absolute favorite of all the "Best Friends Forever" collages:

Best Friends Forever #4


And finally.....I've got my camera up and running again and posted a photo on my photoblog today at: Kim's Kandid Kamera.

Until Tomorrow:
Kim
Garden Painter Art
Kim's Kandid Kamera

Good Morning:

Well, we made it through our walk this morning. Miserable and sweaty, but better off for it!! It's already beyond hot here and it hasn't even reached twelve noon yet.

I have a busy day ahead. This is the time of year that a good friend of mine goes on vacation and I always watch their house. There's three dogs to be let out in the morning, mail to check, watering to do, a new birdbath to keep filled and a pool pump to monitor. Whew!! I'm always glad to do it, though, as she is a dear friend and a sweetheart of a person. Plus....I have the use of the pool!!

I did manage to finish another collage ACEO. My 200th!! I can't believe it: 200 ACEOs. I've listed it in My Etsy Shop:

Grandma Visits Amelia:


Unfortunately, it's not my favorite piece and it definately isn't my best. I remember feeling the same way when I had finished my 100th. But...I still listed it and I'm offering it with free shipping!!

It's the 2nd card in my new "Amelia" series. I have lots of beautiful pictures of this girl named Amelia. I don't know who she was, but she always looked happy. This is the first card I made with Amelia:

Amelia's Day In The Sun


As always, if there is ever any of my art that you would like to purchase, but you don't have an Etsy account, it can be purchased directly through me. Just go to my blog profile and send me an email.

Looks like this is going to be a quick little entry, as I'm off to a day filled to the brim with "stuff" to do.

Until Tomorrow:
Kim
Garden Painter Art
gnarly-dolls

Good Morning All:

I have another one of those busy days ahead. Lots of logistics and driving involved. Neither of which I am looking forward to.

I did manage to list two of my ACEO collage Prints in My Etsy Shop, as I didn't list anything yesterday:

The Guardian

This ACEO is the very first in an on-going series called "The Guardian Series". This is the one that started it all.


Creepy Ghost Boy

I must say that the print above, "Creepy Ghost Boy" really does send chills up and down my spine. I collaged him very simply as I wanted the original look of his image to carry the piece. I did nothing to enhance him or make him creepier. I don't know who he was or what his story was. I just know that this photo gave me a spooky feeling the moment I laid eyes upon it. I don't know why he has such a look on his face nor do I know why he was bald. Needless to say, the original photo stays well put at the bottom of a box of vintage photos. I have not looked at the original photo since putting it away.

I'll leave you to take a gander at these collage prints as I am out the door in one hour.

Hope that you all have a lovely and productive day.

Until Tomorrow:
Kim
Garden Painter Art
gnarly-dolls
Kim's Kandid Kamera

"Happy In A Bungalow"


Good Morning:

I've had a lovely day so far, although all I've done is work on my Etsy shop and have 2 cups of coffee. It's 11:15 and I am still in my pajamas. Isn't that a terrible thing to share with the world?

I have some gardening that needs to be attended to today, but overall, I will be working in my studio, signing and dating the ACEO prints that sold this week. I also have 7 paperdoll prints that need to be packed and readied for the post office on Monday.

"The Ghostly Owners"


I still have 9 origianl ACEOs listed in my Etsy shop. I think they get lost amidst the 20-something ACEO prints that I have listed.

"The Lonely Ghost"


So...in honor of my sadly hidden ACEO originals, I have relisted them and am offering free shipping all this weekend.

"Best Friends Forever #5"


For any of you that aren't familiar with the term ACEO: "Art Cards, Editions and Originals". ACEOs are 2-1/2" x 3-1/2" pieces of art. They can be any medium as long as they are the size of a standard trading card. Many people collect them. Some frame them, others keep them in plastic sleeves in a notebook.

So, I am off to my garden, then to my studio.

Until Tomorrow:
Kim
Garden Painter Art
gnarly-dolls
Kim's Kandid Kamera

Good Morning:

It's been quite a busy morning so far. I've taken my morning walk, answered all of my emails, posted a picture on my new photo blog and collected all of my "accessories" to make iced tea.



For all of you who follow my blog, I'm sure you know by now that my daughter is a "foodie" and we cook and dabble in the kitchen on a daily basis. Most of our meals are prepared at home, as I grew up with home cooking as well. My mom is a good ol' southern cook, and I inherited her love for cooking, and evidentally, I've passed it on to my daughter. Although I must admit, I've taken my beloved southern recipes and tweaked them to make them healthier.

Well, with all this southern cooking going on, you'd think that I would have made iced tea a few times in my life, wouldn't you? Truth is, I have never made iced tea. My mom made it every summer when I was growing up, but I didn't drink it. I have since learned to like tea, and I drink plenty of the hot stuff in the winter. So today, for the first time ever, I am going to make "two big jugs of iced tea". And...as usual, I will tweak my mom's version to suit our tastes. We like mint tea, and that is what I intend to make. Mom always made one "jug" of sugared tea and one "jug" of unsugared tea. My dad liked it sweet and he chose the sugared tea. Mom served the unsweetened tea to guests and allowed them to sweeten it to their tastes. I will do this as well. I prefer my mint tea unsweetened, but others like it sweet. We don't use much sugar around here, so Splenda or Nutra-Sweet will be our choices.

Now, I'm off to boil two big pots of water and start my days project. Wish me luck!!

In honor of today's Iced Tea endeavor, I have listed an ACEO print entitled: "Afternoon Tea in Tucson", which can be found in my Etsy shop.

Afternoon Tea In Tucson



Until Tomorrow:
Kim
Garden Painter Art
gnarly-dolls

Well, here it is Friday again. How does time manage to fly by so swiftly?

I am so anxious to share with you my latest "gift" from my husband. No, it's not a diamond ring, it's not a fur coat or a new sports car ~ it's a pair of gloriously beautiful Walking Sticks. No, not canes.... Insects!!



I have had a passion for Walking Sticks since first seeing them as a child while on vacation in the Ozarks of Arkansas. They were all over the trees in the hot, steamy summer. They absolutely fascinated me. We don't have them here in Southern California. My husband accidentally fell upon the opportunity to adopt two grown Sticks. He brought them home to me yesterday after work. What a joyful surprise.



One of them has lost most of it's front left leg, but I read that they can sometimes regenerate lost limbs. Wow, maybe my Stick will grow another leg!! I'll keep you informed.

So, some women receive luxurious jewels and furs from their husbands. Other women receive trips to exotic locations. But my husband knows my heart and he gave me Walking Sticks.... My love for the simple things in life has often led me down an odd road, a road with lots of twists and turns. What more could a girl ask for?

Now...here's my two newest ACEO prints listed in My Etsy Shop.

Watch Me Pull A Rabbit



Two Cowboys And A Crow



Until Tomorrow:
Kim
Garden Painter Art
gnarly-dolls

Good Morning:

How lovely it is to see the sun shining today. Maybe the warmth will help me to find the motivation I've been hoping for. There's so much that I want to do, yet I can't seem to find the oomph to get going.

As usual, there is gardening that needs to be done, and the ever present laundry is calling me.

I am planning on starting a new 5" x 7" collage today as I have some "new" vintage photos to work with. But... all I've managed to do this morning is sit by my front window and watch the goldfinch cluster on their feeder.


I did manage to list 3 new collage prints in My Etsy Shop this morning. One is a 5" x 7" and the other two are ACEOs.

I should probably make it clear that, although I have been listing almost everyday on Etsy, I am not, I repeat NOT producing several new collages each day!! I don't want to give you the false idea that I am driven and productive!! I am simply having prints done of many of my collages. I am still producing originals and sometimes listing them. But the daily listings that you see here and on Etsy are, for the most part, prints.

And... speaking of prints. Here are the 3 that I listed on Etsy today:

5" x 7" print "Best Friends Forever #1"



ACEO print "Puppies In A Basket"



ACEO print "Augusta's Secret Garden"



Thanks so much for stopping by my blog today.

Until Tomorrow:
Kim
Garden Painter Art
gnarly-dolls

I'm back again. Just wanted to pop in and post a picture of my newest aceo print.

This ACEO is titled "The Greedy Raven" and it is a print of my 63rd collage ACEO. The original sold last year. For whatever reason, "The Greedy Raven" fetched the most money of any of my almost 200 ACEOs. Go figure! There was a huge bidding war over the original and it ended up by selling for a nice amount.

I've listed "The Greedy Raven" in my Etsy shop.

Stop by and have a peek if you get a chance. I'm selling my aceo prints for only $3.00 a piece plus s/h.

Until Tomorrow:
Kim
Garden Painter Art
gnarly-dolls