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Good Morning:

First of all, let me just give a hearty "Thank You" to all of my blog friends. You have continued to stop by and read and leave comments, even though I haven't had time to keep up with my end of the deal this past week. I can't really put my finger on why things have been so busy and hectic here, but I haven't been able to keep up with blogging, listing, and reading other's blogs. It's true, as we all know, that sometimes "real life" gets in the way of computer time! So...that being said, I think I've got things on a more manageable schedule and I have high hopes of visiting all of my favorite blogs that I have missed so much.

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As the spring season progresses, the lovely warm weather is becoming more joyfully predictable. I'm so looking forward to laying my garden walkway this weekend. In the meantime, I found this lovely Clematis that I intend to plant this afternoon:



And I received a pleasant package in the mail yesterday. All the way from England, no less! I've been looking forward to this package for a few days, and I was absolutely NOT disappointed. I purchased a lovely and whimsical print from artandghosts last week. Not only did I receive the stunning rabbit print that I bought, but also included was an extra goody!! I am excited and so very happy with these 2 prints.



Another pleasant surprise came my way this week. My dear neighbors across the street came knocking on my door with an unexpected gift. A vintage set of green enamel wear.



I am planning on using them to store some of my art supplies on my desk. Isn't this a beautiful vintage set of enamel wear? I must say, this has been a nice week so far. Filled with unexpected goodies and treats.

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I've listed 2 new prints this morning in My Etsy Shop. For whatever reason, I like crows! Many of my collages include crows and I guess I was in a somewhat crow-y mood today. So, I listed 2 of my crow pieces:

Pesky Crows (ACEO)


A Crow In The Desert (5" x 7")


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Another heartfelt "Thank You" goes out to Sarah at http://fortheloveofbirds.blogspot.com for featuring my collage "A Crow In The Desert" on her blog today.


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

Good Morning:

I've just spent the morning listing and marketing on Ebay and Etsy. Not my favorite way to spend my glorious morning time, but it's a chore that must be done....so, it is done!!

With spring rolling smoothly along, and summer quickly coming upon us, I find myself looking forward to long days and bar-b-ques. With Memorial Day right around the corner, we have already planned the yearly grill with our neighbors across the street. Ava is working on the menu today and all will be well planned long before the charcoal is lit.

The menu is yummy, but somewhat predictible. Hamburgers and Hot Dogs, Chili, homemade Guacamole, lots of Salsa, dips and chips. I always try to include a few healthy items, corn on the cob and raw vegetables, although I am most likely the only person that grabs for these items first!! A big bar-b-que is never a healthy, meal, but it sure is good for the soul!! We look forward to our Memorial Day bar-b-que each year, although we never do anything outstandingly superb. We just hang out together and eat and gab.

You see, although the kids and teens that attend this traditional dinner don't consciously realize it, they are making memories. Through the act of having this celebration each and every year, we are concocting images that the kids will pull from as they grow older. Just as I remember my dad mowing the lawn, and my mom canning plum jelly on hot summer days, the kids who attend our annual bar-b-que will look back to these yearly and somewhat predictible dinners shared with friends.

As I have grown older, I have the luxury of wisdom!! I know that what my children and my neighbor's children are looking at as "just another Memorial Day bar-b-que", will, in their future, become breathable and almost touchable memories that will tug on their heart and bring joy and comfort to their lives.

I'm not really sure why I'm blogging about Memorial Day already. It doesn't seem appropriate yet, does it? I should have waited until next week, but for whatever reason, it's fresh on my mind today. Most likely because we are planning the menu and it is at the forefront of my mind.
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Here's the latest collage print I've listed in My Etsy Shop. It's called "Prince Roger's Garden"


The gorgeous little baby portraying Prince Roger is a vintage photo of my cousin Roger. His pictures fascinated me when I was a little girl browsing through the family "box of pictures". He's quite a lot older than I am, so I saw him as a baby, only in photos. His eyes are a spooky-ish light blue and his hair, jet black. I was so happy to come across this picture a couple of years ago in my mom's old photos. I just knew I had to use it. (It's a scanned image, of course. I never cut photos). So, I crowned him "Prince Roger" and put him in my garden.

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

Well, here it is, early afternoon already. I've spent the morning listing some of my original collages and some ACEO prints on eBay. I haven't listed on eBay in months, as sales were so slow over there. BUT...I've decided to give it another whirl. I love the excitement of the auction format. I don't know how my collages will do now, but I figure one more chance can't hurt!

Here's the link to my eBay listings: gardenpainter4

I am off to the post office and then to the grocery. On these sweetly calm days, I don't have much to blog about, yet I am compelled to drop a line here anyway.

I should have a new collage to show here tomorrow, and hopefully, a fresh and interesting blog entry.

Thanks for checking in and reading my entry even though I have absolutely nothing to blog about.

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

Good Morning:

It's a drizzly morning and, for me, a welcome sight. The dampness of my backyard smells heavenly and the subdued light always brings out the pinks in my garden. I must admit, Ava and I skipped our walk this morning, using the piddly amount of rain as an excuse. In reality, we simply wanted to take a break. To sit quietly by the open window and breath in the delight of the wet concrete and musty smelling soil.

The house is cool-ish enough to wear a light jacket, but, I'm sure that by noon I will have stripped it off to find my typical Old Navy undershirt as today's wardrobe.

I have purposely left my calendar empty this week. I have no real plans, and I am so looking forward to a week of "whatever". Oh, I do have my usual chores and such to attend to, and I always have the best intentions to work in my studio... So, as I look forward to the upcoming days, I will savour todays rainy smells and subtle light, with hopes of a calm and thoughtful tomorrow.

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I listed two new ACEO collage prints in My Etsy Shop this morning. The first one is entitled: "June Bride". I thought it appropriate to list this at the end of May in the hopes that someone might want to purchase one as a simple, little wedding gift. I just completed a special order for 10 of these ACEO prints. A bride that I know ordered them and framed each one to give as gifts to her attendants. If anyone is interested in this, or any of my art, and you don't have an Etsy account, you can order directly from me. Just click my blog profile and you can email me there.

June Bride


The second ACEO collage print is entitled: "Cool Cat Picnic". This one is just a fun and whimsical piece meant to do nothing more than make someone scratch their head and smile!

Cool Cat Picnic


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

The morning has slipped by without a warning. We're freshly back from Church and on to the task of making an early dinner. My mom will join us for our favorite meal of homemade Chicken Pot Pie, fresh green beans, corn on the cob, a nice big salad and a warm pan of cornbread. Desert will be mom's "famous" Strawberry Shortcake.

My Chicken Pot Pie

I love these early-ish Sunday dinners and the memories that they can create. It's a time to be together and enjoy the simple act of sharing a meal.

In the meantime, Gary and my youngest son, Brayden, have gone to pick up the last load of stones for my garden path. We need 120 stones altogether. We brought 63 home yesterday and today they have gone back to get the remaining 57. This will truly be a task, but one that will be worth the labor.

Garden Stones


Yesterday was a very busy and hectic Saturday, and as a result, I wasn't able to visit here, although I did list 2 collage prints in My Etsy Shop.

"Simple Bird #13" Collage ACEO Print


"Happy Glamour Girl" 4" x 6" Collage Print


I hope this finds all of you having a relaxing Sunday with hopes for a smashing week ahead!!

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

Good Morning:

A lovely Friday is upon us and the sun is warm. This weekend will be the official start of laying our pathway stones. I'm looking forward to starting the job, but looking more forward to it being finished.

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I've been looking through boxes of my orphaned vintage photos and some of my gracious neighbor's old photos as well. These photos always take me back to a place in time that only my imagination can explore. I wonder, what ultimately happened to the people that are only a black and white image now? Did they have a happy life? Where did their path lead them? There are so many sad faces stored in these musty, water-stained cardboard boxes. I've come across dozens of photos of already dead children, sitting, propped up as though they were posing for the camera. Often times, these sad yet fascinating photos are accompanied by locks of hair and hand-written memorial books. Sometimes, there are little pieces of fabric hidden in the memorial books. Most likely a piece of the dress or gown that they were buried in.

Through the years, I have purhased and been given hundreds of other people's memories. I have spent countless hours scanning and cutting and creating new worlds for these lost and orphaned photos. Every once in a while, I come across a picture that absolutely stirs me. Sometimes it's because I feel a sadness in a forced smile. Other times, it may be a curious look in the eyes of a long ago child, posing with a toy. For whatever reason, no other photos has ever "spoken" to me like this one:


I am fascinated and curious all at once. I've been working on a collage based on this photo for a month or so. I'm almost finished....

but each time I sit down to apply the last details, my mind wanders. Who are these two girls and how in the world did they ever come to have their picture taken together? The African American girl has such long fingers and she is wearing a ring on her middle finger. The "Flapper" girl is wearing very cool shoes and she looks a bit like Drew Barrymore with dark and frizzy hair. Who are they and what are they to each other?

There is no date on the back of the picture, but this is what it says: "How do you like my new sister. They say it is luck. I only hope so and that it won't be long until I see you". It is signed "May". Is that gorgeous little African American girl sort of being made sport of? I just crave to know the intimate details. My hope is that they were happy and loved. But alas....I suppose I will never know.

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For any of you who are fans of "Pan's Labyrinth", it came out on DVD Tuesday. It is indeed one of the most attractive movies I've ever watched. If you get a chance, check out the Pan's Labyrinth Website. It is truly gorgeous, moving and chilling.

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And....here we go: my two newest prints listed in My Etsy Shop. One is a 5" x 7" and the other is a 6" x 6" art2 (art squared).


A Flying Chimp and the Beautiful Actress



A Bird In The Hand?



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

Good Morning:

Now this is what I call a simply beautiful day. All is quiet, and I have no plans other than what I need to attend to here at the house. The usual gardening is on the agenda, and I'm ready to sink my teeth into a new project in my studio. I managed to get my work table cleaned and in order earlier this week. Now, I have a fresh new outlook and a wide open space to dirty up again!!

Ava (my daughter) and I took our morning walk at 7:45. The park was filled with cotton-tailed "Jack Bunnies". The slopes at the park are home to hundreds of fresh, springtime bunnies. Suburban bunnies that will soon be full grown Jack Rabbits. Some of the babies are so small, that if I could catch one, it would fit into the palm of my hand!! They dash hurriedly and panicked across the walking paths. First to the right, then to the left, then maybe they run in a circle. Finally, at their destination, they duck into the low lying protection of some scrubby shrubs. Camouflaged safely from the hustle and bustle of the suburban joggers.

I love rabbits and small furry things that hide in secrecy. I imagine they have their own familiar world hidden away in the shrubbery. My love for all things "rabbit" led me to purchase this art print today on Etsy. It's titled "Springtime Sisters", and it's a digital collage created by artandghosts. Isn't it fascinating? I've had my eyes on it for a few days now, and I just couldn't resist it any longer!! If you would like to see more from this artist, check out her Etsy Shop. Needless to say, I will be checking my mailbox in anticipation of the arrival of my newest art purchase!!

Here are my 2 newest ACEO prints listed in My Etsy Shop. They are the 1st and 2nd ACEOs in my "Simple Bird" Series.

Simple Bird #1



Simple Bird #2



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

Here it is, 4:30 in the afternoon and I've just now had a moment to sit down and blog. It's been another one of those whirlwind days that seem to be the norm lately!

So, let me begin by saying "I loathe traffic"!! I long for the days when I was a young girl and I walked to the store each day with my mom. You see, my mom didn't know how to drive. She still doesn't, and she has found her way in life without a vehicle. When I was a little girl, I would walk with my mom to "Johnny's" market each day to purchase fresh food for dinner every night. Sometimes I would bring my dolly buggy along. Other times, my mom would let me bring a friend. They loved walking with my mom and me to the store. They actually considered it a treat. We would do our little bit of shopping and carry it home in brown paper bags. Mom always had her purse locked on to one arm and a grocery bag or two balanced on her hips. When I was old enough and strong enough, she would let me carry a bag too.

In comparison, when I go to the grocery store now, I fill up the entire back of my car with, what's probably, excessive amounts of "stuff". I drive everywhere and I buy too much. I've been feeling excessive for some time now, but recently, I just can't seem to shake that unhumbling, almost embarrased feeling I get when I study my own excessive consumerism. Funny thing is, I have so much less than most everyone I know. Well, less in the way of material property and luxurious trips, anyway. Nevertheless, I have this great personal desire to pull back. To live simpler and to abide by a stricter budget.

Looking back over the course of my married life, Gary and I have had our share of terrible lean times and financial hardships. Especially when the kids were toddlers and we lived in Northwest Arkansas. But when I think back to those times, they are the sweetest and most heart-warming times of my life. The struggles and trials aren't what stand out. I remember laughter and closeness and picnics. What more do we, as a human race, need? Do we really NEED jewels, stainless steel appliances, cars that are almost as big as the house that I grew up in, designer label purses and jeans and shoes, and so on and so on and so on....

I want off the merry-go-round. I don't ever want to forget how to smell a storm or listen for the first cricket of the season. Very few things can compare to that first bite of a tart and crunchy Fried Green Tomato. I don't want to lose my desire to dig or my love of the soil. I never, ever, not for one second, want to forget the smell of my newborn babies heads, or the squells of laughter that would overtake them as toddlers while running and reaching to catch fireflies.

These are the things that real and true and gritty life is all about. Love, faith, hope, God, family, smells, storms, trials, brown paper bags, good times, bad times and Fried Green Tomatoes. This is where my truth and my heart is and I intend to keep it this way.

As usual, here is where I include my relentless marketing plug for my newest print listed in My Etsy Shop.

This ACEO is a tribute to the traditional Hispanic families that I grew up around. They so often held tight to their history and priorities.

Jolene: Thanks for understanding my need and desire to include my familiarity to Hispanics in my collage art. I truly appreciate your awareness!!

Beautiful Mexican Girls Of Los Angeles


Thank you so very much for reading through my daily rants and writings. Here's to a calmer tomorrow

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

Good Morning All:

I was up and about bright and early this morning, as I had a landscaper team coming in at 7:30 a.m. Of course, they were only here for a couple of hours, nevertheless, I had to be here to meet them. They came in to break up the dirt in my garden pathway. This isn't a huge job for guys with jackhammers, but for us, it was impossible. You see, the dirt here in this part of the world is, literally, as hard as concrete.


This dry, arid air makes for hard packed earth that no shovel can break down. So...in order to lay a path of walking stones, we first had to hire these gentlemen to come in with jackhammers to loosen the path. In just a mere few hours our pathway soil went from cement-like to something that almost resembles sand.


The soil is so loose and free that the ants have already started their tunneling and busy work.


This weekend, we will buy the stones and lay them ourselves. Through-out the next couple of weeks, I will plan the beds and ground-cover. All of this, by the way, is my Mother's Day gift from Gary and the kids. It's what I wanted! I've been waiting to get this side of my garden finished for several years now, so for me, this is huge.

I'll keep you posted on the progress of this long-awaited pathway...In the meantime, here are my two newest prints listed in My Etsy Shop.

Canine Nuptials ~ ACEO



Junior's Flood ~ 5" x 7"


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

Good Morning:

Somehow, through the passing of time and in the blink of an eye, it's Monday again. A new day and a new week.

I must say, I had a wonderful Mother's Day yesterday. A tasty Bar-B-Que was prepared by my husband, and a lovely desert of Chocolate-Chocolate Chip muffins was a gift from my "foodie" daughter. A fun time was had by all. There are several of those delicious muffins left and I am hoping that my boys will devour them before I have a chance to sneak one into my fairly strict diet!



As usual, I have grand plans today. I have a few things that need to be attended to in my garden, and I have intentions of cleaning my studio. I have purposely made no plans for this entire week. I'm craving a simple week. The kind of 7 day period that includes lots of time at home and very little time behind the wheel!

After such a splendid Mother's Day, this new week feels full of hope. A quietness is in the air as I sit at this computer, conjuring up images for you to read. Hoping to share a little of my bliss with my electronic friends. I feel steady today. Strong and vibrant and ready to tackle my chores. So, I will leave you with a picture of my newest print listed this morning in My Etsy Shop
and hope that this day brings lots of good things your way.

The Lonely Ghost


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

Today is Mother's Day. It is the 18th time I have celebrated this day as a mother. There have been many bouquets of flowers and lots of funny and sweet cards given to me by my 3 kids through these years. BUT...I would like to take this time to thank my husband for always making sure that not a single Mom's Day passed by without me being lavished with flowers, gifts, and cards. When the kids were too little to plan this day, it was Gary that always stepped up to the plate and made plans. Plans for me to NOT do any housework or cooking. He always made sure that I had some sort of lovely little thing to unwrap, even in our leanest times. And believe me, we had plenty of lean times!!

Now that the kids are older, they all work together. Yesterday, I had a huge and beautiful bouquet of roses delivered to the house, along with a charming box of chocolates. Today, my daughter is busy in the kitchen preparing all the food for a Bar-B-Que. She's made a double batch of Chocolate Chocolate Chip muffins (recipe courtesy of Nigella Lawson)and chopped and diced everything that needed to be. My boys will work with Gary to grill some gorgeous Filet Mignon and are always in a jolly mood on this day.

In a few hours Gary will take the 5 minute drive to pick up my mom and bring her here to be with us. As always, I have bought her an Orchid corsage, which has become a tradition. When I was growing up, my dad always bought one for my mom on Mother's Day. Now that he is gone, I have taken up that tradition and I always have a beautiful be-ribboned Orchid waiting to be pinned to her blouse.

For me, this day is always chock-full of memories from past Mother's Days. Those sweet, early times when the kids were so excited for me to open their gifts and read the cards. And through these last 18 years of Mother's Day celebrations, I have received countless cards and lush bouquets and beautifully wrapped packages. BUT, the greatest gifts are the hearts of my children.

To all moms who read this: I hope this day brings you that simple but deep love in the pit of your heart that only a child can so innocently give.

To My Dearest Friend Cindy N: You have been an inspiration to me for so many years. Through your ups and downs, happinesses and heartaches and a loss of a child, you are a strong and steadfast mom. Your perseverance and unconditional love will, in the end, always be what your children will treasure.

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

It's almost noon and I'm freshly out of bed. It was nice to get caught up on this week's lost rest.

Everyone is scuttering about doing their daily stuff. Mother's Day is at the top of the list and Gary and the kids have a day of shopping planned. I am staying home alone. Hoping to "just be". I'm not exactly sure what I'll do, but I have a feeling that I may end up in the garden. I am also looking forward to tidying up my studio. Maybe a clean studio will motivate me to finish some collage projects that I've been using as dust catchers lately.

It's a beautiful day today. The kind of day that fools you into believing that it's hotter than it actually is. Gary is mowing and I can smell the fresh cut grass through my open windows. An intoxicating smell that takes me back to my "little girl" years and, once again, puts my mind back to the memories of my dad.

I believe I'll step outside and take an inventory of what needs to be done. Or maybe I'll just have a seat at the picnic table and enjoy the subtle warmth of the sun on my shoulders.

As usual, here is a peek at the newest print listed in My Etsy Shop.

The Desert Lark


It's been a crazy busy week and I haven't had much time to comment on my awesome artist friend's blogs. I will make up for it this weekend and I'll visit you all, and I'm looking forward to it!

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

Here I am, back again in a rush. I'm not even going to begin to list all the commitments that I have today. All I know is that I'm running late AGAIN, and I don't like feeling overwhelmed. Just one more day of appointments and "have-tos" and then I have the whole weekend to just be. I'm hoping to clean up my desk and finish up some of the collage projects that are half way finished. Listing prints on Etsy has ultimately made me lazy, I think. I have a big inventory of my collages on my computer, therefore, if I don't finish an original, I can just list a print. Isn't that the laziest thing you've ever heard an artist say?

So, as usual, I've listed an ACEO print in My Etsy Shop this morning:

Summer Games


I've always liked this ACEO. The two little girls playing ball in the bushes have such peculiar looks on their faces and I was particularly pleased with the moon behind the saguaro.

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

Well, Good Afternoon:

I'm running late today. I've been running late since first thing this morning. It was a busy morning and I got off to a slow pace. I did manage to get my morning walk in. From that point on, things have been crazy. My mom had an appointment for an Ultrasound. While I was trying to get ready to go and pick her up, the phone rang three times, two surveys and one wrong number. Ugghhh!! I finally got out the door and drove over to pick up my mom. The Ultrasound was scheduled in a new building. One that I had never been to before, so I, of course, got lost. Just a little off track. But, we found the place and made it with not a single minute to spare. I sat in the medical facility for about an hour. After finishing up there, I dropped my mom off at her Senior Apartment and drove on home. Next in line: an appointment with a landscaper to come in and give me an estimate on breaking up some hard-as-a-rock dirt in my garden path. I must admit, I was very pleased with his quote, and a little surprised that he would take such a small job at all. Then, he hung around for awhile and chatted and looked at my walking sticks. Now, I'm off to take my son to his guitar lessons.

Phew ~ I really need a quiet day to catch my breath. Maybe tomorrow.

In the meantime, I listed an older ACEO today in My Etsy Shop.

California Citrus Ghost


I am hopeful that I will have something of interest to blog about tomorrow. Thanks for hanging in there and continuing to read my blog even on these rushed and chaotic days.

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

Good Morning:

Looks like a hot and busy day today. I have an appointment to get my hair done in a couple of hours, and I absolutely loathe hair appointments with a fiery passion!! I'm always very relieved to have fresh blonde streaks and a few snaggled ends trimmed off, but I hate sitting through the process. Needless to say, I'm a bit cranky about the whole thing.

Once I muddle my way through the "salon" and get back home, all will be well once again!!

It's been a quiet few days, so I don't have much to blog about. I have a really cool picture of "water on Lavender", but since I have my photo blog, my best pictures are showcased over there. If you'd like to see, you can check it out at
Kim's Kandid Kamera.

Well, let's see, what's been going on in the last 24 hours. Oh, I know, one of my Walking Sticks molted yesterday. He left a nice piece of stick skin on the bottom of his habitat. But alas... I will use that photo on my other blog.

As you can tell, I'm a bit addled today. I have a million and 4 things to do and have no time to do them. You know why? BECAUSE I HAVE A HAIR APPOINTMENT!! You have to understand, when I go to get my hair done, it takes hours. I have long, naturally curly hair, and I always get a bleach weave. For whatever reason, it takes forever for the blonde to come up. So, I sit and sit and sit, reading brainless magazines under a hair dryer. I'd much rather be home collaging or gardening.

So, for today, I will leave you with a peek at the newest print in
My Etsy Shop.

Guitar Playing Oink Pig


This piece is a 5" x 7" mixed media that I made a couple of years ago. It sold in September of 2005. It's completely different than my usual collage work. There are no vintage photos or spooky moons. Just a simple watercolored pig playing guitar in a Hawaiian shirt.

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

Good Morning:

Looks like it's going to be another unusually hot and dry spring day. I am keeping close watch on my tender spring flowers, and there's a slight scent of summer smoke in the air from the forest fire in the county next to me. Just as my garden began to unfold, the hot and dry, lava like temperatures kicked in, only to make her struggle ever so hard to continue her beauty regimen.

However, with the invention of the suburban garden hose and my daily attention, even here in the parched and crackeled desert, my garden is proudly alive.

Would you care to take a little tour?

Welcome To My Garden


My Garden Path


My Pink Roses


My Patio Garden


Thanks ever so much for taking the time to meander my garden path.

Here is my newest 4" x 6" collage print in My Etsy Shop.

Pretty Mexican Girl At Party


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

Well Folks, it's only May 7th, but it feels like a fiery red day in August. I woke up feeling uplifted by the warmth in the air, but throughout the course of the morning, a sense of melancholy has set in.

Warm mornings and the oncoming of summer always remind me of my dad. Just simple little memories that have a permanent headquarters in my heart and mind. Remembrances of his laugh and his love of coffee. I can close my eyes and hear him call me..."Babe". My dad never called me Kim. Literally, never ever, not once did he call me by my name. The only time I ever heard him say the word "Kim" was when he was referring to me in conversation with someone else. When he talked about me to my mom he called me "The Baby". Up until the last days of his life, I was always "Babe".

My dad passed away in January of 2003 at 83 years of age. He died here in my home on hospice. It was a long process and difficult to watch. Even now, I have a hard time remembering him as he was when I was young. The first couple of years after he died, all I could remember of him was the last month of his life. Little by little, I am able to remember him for the man and the dad that he was throughout my life

I can remember now, the particular gait that he had when he would slowly and meticulously mow the lawn. I can smell the grape kool-aid that my mom would often keep in the refrigerator for him. I can close my eyes and smell the coffee perking on the old O'Keefe & Merritt in our tiny little kitchen. My dad would pour a cup of coffee and sit at the kitchen table and read the paper. The front door and back door opened to the summer sounds of the outside world.

So, little by little I am reclaiming the memories of my dad as he was when he was vibrant and strong and funny. So much can be stolen with death. For quite a while, I thought that death had stolen my dad from me completely. It seemed to have left a big canvas, completely empty except for one black corner. Now, I am starting to see layers of color and light on the canvas. Someday, the painting will be finished....

Newest ACEO print in My Etsy Shop.
Summer Camp


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

How highly unusual that I should blog in the evening, but I am a teensy bit excited to give you a sneak peek of my newest blog.

It is a simple photo blog. No text, just a photo a day.

It's called "Kim's Kandid Kamera" and can be found here.

There are only 2 photos posted at this time. But...I intend to stop by my new blog every morning when I'm finished here and add a single photo.

I love taking pictures and hope that this will be an interesting journey.

I would so love to invite any of my artist friends that have a passion for taking photos to do a photo blog. And please, if any of you would care to link me, I would so appreciate the exposure.

Thanks for taking the time to visit my new blog.

Until Tomorrow:
Kim
Garden Painter Art
gnarly-dolls

Good Morning All:

We survived the haunting task of shopping for swim suits yesterday. They have already been tucked away in secret nooks, not to be viewed again until time to put them on. That's fine by me. I try not to spend too much time contemplating myself in a bathing suit. I close my eyes, put it on, bask in the heavenly sun, and close my eyes to take it off. Needless to say, I am not a fan of wearing a swimsuit.

On to today's business, which is a "My Favorite Things" post.



As you can see in the picture above, one of my favorite things is a mossy, rusted rabbit with a pipe, ever so elegantly, protruding from the top of his head. To me, he is one of the sweetest things in my garden. This rabbit, in his previous life, was the lamp that sat in my daughter's nursery. She used it until she decided she wanted something more "grown up". In truth, I've had this lamp longer than I've had my daughter, as he was purchased for her nursery before she was born. He sat, guarding her sleep for so many years. When Ava decided that she was ready for a change, I just couldn't say good-bye to the loyal bunny that gave my daughter comfort and light. So, I took off his lampshade and was able to see him in a new "light". He would be ever so perfect in my garden. I must say, he loves his new home, and has even been kind enough to take on a beautiful patina of mossy green. He stands tall and proud alongside the daylilies and geraniums, and he never fails to make me smile. Even now, with his connection to electricity removed and his lampshade long gone, he still shines brightly and comforts my heart.

Now, here is a peek at my newly listed collage print in My Etsy Shop.

LITTLE BOBBY-DRESS UP AND THE RELUCTANT VISITOR



Until Tomorrow:
Kim
Garden Painter Art
gnarly-dolls

Alright...here it is, May again. Which, generally speaking, is a good thing. Spring is in the air, colors are bouncing out of control in the garden and the sun shines well into the evening. Along with all of these lovely May happenings comes one dreadful and hideous task.... SHOPPING FOR A BATHING SUIT ~~ Yup, it's that time of year again. Today is the day. I'm feeling brave and hopeful (plus, I have a 10% off coupon for Old Navy). So, off we go. Just Ava and me. Mother and daughter sharing the classic yet depressing spring time ritual.

We'll make it fun as we are planning on shopping for other little goodies also. Goodies that will soothe our souls. Trinkets that will take away the sting from the scant suits that cover such small amounts of our bodies.

Never Fear. A few trips to the beach and a good tan can do wonders for a new summer bikini.



So today, we will brave the bulge and ignore the white of our winter skin. All the while knowing that, in a few weeks, we will be indulging in our favorite summer "activity". Long, luxurious days, lying on our colorful striped beach chairs. Listening to the crash of the waves. A soft salt in the air and a cold Diet Coke in hand.

In honor of today's ritual, I have listed a print of my ACEO "Arizona Sunbathers" in My Etsy Shop.

Arizona Sunbathers



Until Tomorrow:
Kim
Garden Painter Art
gnarly-dolls

Good Morning:

I started my day with a cool and rainy 3 mile walk. Now that's a great way to start a fresh new day, if you ask me!

I've been looking over some of my past posts this morning, and I think I need to make it clear that I AM NOT AN ENTOMOLOGIST!! Wow, I can't believe how many posts I have that focus on insects. Mantis, Ladybugs, Walking Sticks.... and I admit, I have the creepy-crawlies just like so many others. Because my kids have learned outside of school since the beginning, I have always had cool projects going on all the time. It just so happens that there are lots of cool Science projects on the market for the "common folk". When my boys were younger, the insect projects were what they always chose. So, through the years, we just became "friendly" with bugs.

This post will focus on the release of my many hundreds of baby Praying Mantis, and that should be it for bug posts. At least for awhile anyway!

We released my babies late yesterday evening in my garden. They have voracious appetites and eat thousands of aphids and small insects each day. Being that they eat aphids, we released most of them on and around my roses. The egg sacs were still productive, so we hid them under the roses. After we released them, we managed to get some very good pictures of them in their natural environment:

Praying Mantis on Yellow Rose



Praying Mantis Egg Sac



Praying Mantis Close-Up



Now that most of you are probably thoroughly creeped out, I would like to thank you for being so patient and kind enough to continue to read my blog.

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

5" x 7" collage print entitled: "Ghostly Gert's Tucson Patio Party". This collage is what I like to call "story art". Most of my larger than ACEO size collages are story art. Here's Ghostly Gert's story:

This is poor ol' Ghostly Gert, revisiting the most exciting yet tragic day of her "life". Oh the happenings on that lovely desert patio. It goes like this: August 13, 1910, a sweltering hot day in Tucson, Arizona. It was Gert's 11th birthday and she was having a big party. Hundreds of friends and family members were swarming in. The food was delicious and the cake, oh the cake. It was 4 layers high. It was such an extravagent party. Everyone was laughing and dancing. Gert and the other children were playing games. Hopscotch, Tag, Croquet. Then, before anyone could do anything to stop it, tragedy struck...

Now, you get to fill in the blank. The end of the story belongs to you.



The second print that I listed this morning is an ACEO entitled: "Song Series: Inspired by Stairway To Heaven". This one is for all of you Led Zeppelin fans out there!!



Thanks so much for stopping by my blog today.

Until Tomorrow:
Kim
Garden Painter Art
gnarly-dolls

Good Morning:

It's a little overcast today, but not too chilly. A perfect day for playing outdoors. I don't have much time to post as Gary is home from work today, preparing to take Garrison for his driving test. I have lots of prints and paper dolls to get signed and off to the post office. And...as usual, there are unfinished garden projects waiting patiently to be finished.

So, today, I will post a couple of pictures of my newest prints, which you can find in My Etsy Shop.

The first is a print of a recent 5" x 7" collage entitled: "Let Me Come In".



The second is a print of my 97th ACEO entitled: "Comforts Of Home".



Thanks so much for stopping by each day to share my daily goings-on and to peek at my art. I truly do appreciate it.

Until Tomorrow:
Kim
Garden Painter Art
gnarly-dolls

Good Afternoon All:

Time has flown today as it's after 3 o'clock in the afternoon. It's been one of those calm and glorious days when nothing too exciting happens. My house is quiet right now, except for the chop chop chopping of my daughter Ava preparing vegetables for the grill basket. Gary and my oldest son, Garrison, are out practicing driving for his behind the wheel test tomorrow. My other son, Brayden is lurking about somewhere. Most likely, he is sitting on the living room couch engrossed in "The Lord Of The Rings", as he has been each day this week.

We're having a bar-b-que this evening and have no plans to do anything more than that!

The most uneventful days can often be where I find myself most at peace. The quietness allows me to hear the sounds that sometimes get lost in busy-ness. It may be my kids footsteps plodding down the hall or the cat using his scratching post to it's full potential. It doesn't matter so much what I hear, but the simple fact that I hear what sometimes goes unnoticed and unheard. At this very moment, my house is echoing with the sound of hungry goldfinches flocking about the back yard feeders. Sitting next to me is my Praying Mantis habitat with hundreds of freshly hatched and voraciously hungry insects. I can hear them jumping and tapping all about inside their netted home.


Somewhere in a distant room is a television tuned to The Food Network. Likely, my daughter is watching TV while she's preparing for the bar-b-que.

The comforts of home rely so much on all of my senses. Hearing my home is something that I have learned to appreciate. Being aware of the sounds is just as heart-warming as the sights and smells. Although I must admit, the smells that gently tickle your nose when Ava is making a special desert can often place your focus on the smells of home.


Several night ago, Ava made her first attempt at baking with yeast. She made homemade Cinnamon Rolls. They were heavenly. They rose perfectly and had a wonderfully subtle glaze on top.


So, home can be the ultimate comfort, touching all of your senses, sometimes all at once. Whether it's the tapping of Mantis, or the sweet smell of homemade Cinnamon Rolls, the simple gifts that home offers can be the best and most worthy gifts in a lifetime.

Until Tomorrow:
Kim
Garden Painter Art
gnarly-dolls

Good Morning All:

I'm off for a long day in the garden. It's beyond warm here today, and it's a great time to work in the yard and get a little tan all at once.

I wanted to let you all know that I am offering free shipping for this weekend only, on all of my articulated paper doll prints!! You can take a look at them in My Etsy Shop.

If you are interested in purchasing any of these paper dolls, but you don't have an Etsy account, simply let me know in my comment section and you can order directly through me with the same free postage for this weekend.

Here are some pics:

The Three Little Pigs


Fannie The Roaring 20's Dancing Girl


Grayson: The Happy Cat


Junior: The Wonder Schnauzer


Vintage Girl Holding Bird


Thanks so much for taking a look and I hope this finds you ready for a great day!

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