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Good Morning Bloggers and Artists:

I just wanted to take this opportunity to check in and give a few updates. As many of you know, my mom has been on and off of hospice due to an end stage autoimmune liver disease. Since I last posted, she became a fall risk and we moved her in with us in late June. By mid July, she took a fall here at my home in the bathroom, and of course, broke her hip. So....off to the E.R. Surgery was the next day, but due to her low Hemoglobin and very low blood pressure (all due to her illness), the surgeoun truly didn't expect my mom to make it off the operating table. I, on the other hand, knew better. I've witnessed my mom rally back more times than I can count! Well, she survived the surgery and went on to therapy. When she was released from therapy, she came back to my home and was put back onto hospice. That's basically where I'm at right now. I have nurses and "the bathing lady" in and out of my home almost each day. In between their visits, I care for my mom. She's been given the green light to put full weight on her broken side, so I'm helping with her home therapy. She still has the end stage disease, and eventually, it'll get the best of her, but for now, she's coming along.

Honestly, all that you've just read really is making a long story short. There have been other struggles, and I feel we're slowly but surely coming out of this long, dreadful and dark slump.

I haven't had the time to visit my studio in close to a year. No new art to show.

I'm running a vintage photo shop on Etsy called MustyBoxesEphemera, and it's doing well.

So, my intentions are to work my art and my blog back into my daily life. My husband and I are working on making some visual changes to my blog. Different background etc...

I have some ideas going round about in my head for a new collage, so I am hopeful to find the time to clean my desk and get back to life!!

Thanks so much for stopping by:
Kim
Garden Painter Art

Good Morning:

I wanted to simply pop in and say "thank you" to all my great blog friends for continuing to check my blog. I've received so many thoughtful and supportive emails from you all, and they have been more helpful than you know.

I don't have much to blog about today, and I don't have any photos to share, but I felt like I wanted to at least say, "I'm still here and still finding my way".

Again, thanks so much for the continued support:
Kim
Garden Painter Art

Well, this is an oddity....I never blog in the evening. It's something that I've always enjoyed with my morning coffee. But alas...I've been so busy, I just haven't had the time to blog in the last few days.

What's keeping me so busy you ask?

Well, I've opened up a second shop on Etsy to clear out some of my supplies. I have pounds and pounds of photos, ephemera, scrapbooky type stuff and more. I've gone through and seperated out the items that I use, and I'm offering everything else to other collage/mixed media artists on Etsy. I figure, I can make a few dollars, do a little recycling, and give other artists the opportunity to adopt some extremely delightful items as well. Here's a link to my new shop:

Musty Boxes Ephemera

It's been lots of fun having a look at my collections of old paper and such, but it's been long hours and lots of hard work. Lots of picture taking!! I will be listing more and more each day.

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In the midst of all this wreckage, I've managed to finish a couple of pieces:

Martha Feeds The Goat (ACEO 2-1/2" x 3-1/2")



Guardian Of The Musically Inclined Rabbit (4" x 6")


Both of these pieces can be found ~Here~ These pieces can also be purchased through my blog. Or....you can requests prints of these pieces as well. Just give me a holler by clicking on my email, here on my blog, in the upper left hand corner.

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I'll be back in a day or two with an entry that isn't brutally marketing my shops!

Until Next Time:
Kim
Garden Painter Art

Good Morning:

It's that time of year once again....the dreaded beginning of "Spring Cleaning". Grout cleaning, appliance shining, doo-dad dusting and all sorts of other laborious tasks. I always enter into the season dreading the big cleaning, but once I get started, I find myself re-connecting to my home. I have so many pieces around my house that were passed down to me from my mom and aunts. Old tea sets from my grandmother, whom I never met, as she died before I was born. Nic-Nacs given to me by my kids when they were tots. So many memories surround me, yet so much of the time I find myself walking through my house but not really seeing what's in my home. Spring Cleaning allows me to literally touch memories, to carefully dust these precious gifts that sometime become overlooked.

Now, don't get me wrong....I am not a fan of the basic labor of cleaning away grime from general living. I don't like mopping the floors or cleaning the kitchen grout (which, by the way, I use diet coke to clean the grout as it works wonders). But... when it comes time to really dust the nic-nacs and re-arrange the china cabinet, I find myself getting lost in some of the sweetest memories of my life.

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I have 3 new ACEO prints listed in My Etsy Shop.

Johnny On The Bridge


Sunny Day In Germany


On With The Honeymoon


I wonder sometimes if I should be more specific about what an ACEO is. I'm sure some folks that read my blog must wonder what the acronym stands for:

"ACEO" is an acronym for "Art Cards Editions and Originals". ACEOs are collectible art cards always measuring 2 ½ X 3 ½ inches. That is the size of a standard sports trading card. The rule about size is the ONLY rule in the ACEO world. An ACEO can be created in any medium the artist desires: paint, collage, colored pencils, ink, etc. There are even ACEOs made from wood, clay, fabric, and metal. They can be originals or prints.

ACEOs are tiny art works that can be matted and framed to hang on the wall. Many people display their ACEO collections in the same kind of plastic sheets and albums that sports card collectors use. You might slip an ACEO into a greeting card as an extra surprise for a birthday, anniversary, or Christmas. ACEOs sell on Ebay and Etsy for anywhere from ninety-nine cents to over one hundred dollars or more!

I love making them because I enjoy working small. I love tiny detail, so making ACEOs are perfect for me.

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Well, I best be off. I have an appointment with a grout brush...

Until Next Time
Kim
Garden Painter Art

Good Morning:

Just a short entry today, as Thursday's are always my busiest days. It's been a simple and quiet day thus far, which is always a lovely way to start a day. I am rather fond of days that are hushed and ordinary. It gives me time to see and smell all the goodness that is so easily overlooked in the busy-ness that can sometimes take over.

If I breath in deep, I can almost smell the Springtime today. Even though it's a little chilly outside, and an ever-so-slight grayness has moved in, there is a hint of Spring lurking beneath. I will enjoy this simple morning as long as it lasts. As I know that within the oncoming hours, the daily rush will set in, and I will be off in a whirlwind of chores and commitments.

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I finished another collage ACEO last night and listed it in My Etsy Shop. It's another in my "Amelia" series and it may be my favorite of all...

Amelia Visits The Ghostly Orchards



I just love the ghostly Victorian women picking apples. I left them sepia toned except for the apples, to give them a sort of ethereal look.

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Thanks ever so much for taking the time to stop by and have a look at my blog. As always, I truly appreciate it.

Until Next Time:
Kim
Garden Painter Art

Good Morning:

I've been wrestling with an idea for quite some time, but I'm still unsure if it's a wise decision. So, I've decided to bring my idea here, as so many of my readers are artists as well. And those readers who aren't artists have prized opinions as well!!

I've been playing with the idea of changing my business name. I've been Garden Painter Art for about 5 years now. The name came from the fact that each and every one of my collages has an image of my garden somewhere within. I love the idea of that. BUT... I think my name is mis-leading. I think people see the name Garden Painter Art and they assume I do floral paintings. I just don't think my name is fitting for my art.

I don't have a huge following, of course, but I do sell quite a bit. I feel like, if I'm going to change my name, I should do it now. Of course, as Murphy's Law would have it, I've just ordered business cards!! This is a long term makeover project that I'm starting. I feel like I need to do some cleaning up of loose ends and get myself stream-lined.

So...I would truly love lots of honest opinions. From artists as well as readers in general. I need to be able to see how a name change would be perceived by the public.

Any ideas would be truly appreciated. If you like, you can email me. Just go up to the left hand corner of my blog and click the email link.

I'm hopeful to get lots of opinions, as I am not sure if what I'm thinking is a good idea or not.

Thanks so much:
Kim
Garden Painter Art (for now)

Good Morning:

As I sit, tap tap tapping on this electronic communicator, my fingers are aching with cold. It's one of those desert mornings that allows an icy wind to find it's way through every crack and crevice in the house. Even with the heater on, the air is cold to the nose. The chilly wind gave me the honest excuse to skip my morning walk. The thought of heaving myself out of a warm bed at 7:30 a.m. to walk 3 miles in this wind just seemed, well...it seemed wrong. Although, I must admit, this was not the best morning to skip a walk, considering the amount of calories I must've consumed last night for Valentine's Day.

Last night, Gary and I had our usual V-Day dinner, shared a bottle of Almond Champagne, and had too much sinful but heavenly homemade cheesecake. For the last few years, Ava (my daughter) has been making a V-Day desert. This year she chose to make not one, but two cheesecakes. A Peanut Butter Cheesecake and a Lemon Cheesecake with Strawberries. AND...she always makes homemade whipped cream to go along. It was lovely. A feast for the heart as well as the belly...



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I haven't finished any new pieces in the last few days, but I did list a new print in MY ETSY SHOP. The warm weather we had a few days ago made me long for Springtime and Easter (which is my favorite holiday). This little ACEO print was originally made with Easter in mind:

THE EGG HUNT



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Looks like I'm off for the day. I have a few little chores to attend to and I am hopeful to find some time to start a new collage.

Until Next Time:
Kim
Garden Painter Art

Good Morning:

Well, just as I suspected, the few days of 80 degree weather that we had here in the Southern California desert was short lived. I'm okay with that. It just doesn't seem right to be so warm in February. Our walk this morning was chilly to the bone with a constant goose-bump inducing wind. Was nice to get back home and have that first cup of morning coffee.

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It seems that today is Valentine's Day. Ava (my daughter) is busy in the kitchen making a cheesecake for Gary and me to have as our desert tonight. She's altering the recipe to make a peanutbutter cheesecake, so I'm looking forward to the end result. Later today, I'll run out and buy a bottle of Almond Champagne and set the table for a nice dinner for two. Ava will make dinner for my two sons and herself, and Gary and I will feast on our traditional Valentine dinner of "Pick-Up-Stix". I shan't allow myself to think of the sinful amount of calories that I'll be consuming!!

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I have a new original 4" x 6" collage on canvas listed in My Etsy Shop. Have a look at the old church in the background. I took that photo a few years back in Cuervo, New Mexico. It's a little abandoned town off of Interstate 40. I googled Cuervo not too long ago, and found that there are some interesting stories connected to the town.

SUNDAY MORNING WITH LITTLE RABBIT AND BROTHER BILLY


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Looks like I'm off for the day. I have a few chores that need to be attended to.

Until Next Time:
Kim
Garden Painter Art

Good Morning:

I'm back from my morning walk, and found the squirrels were fresh out of their burrows and the woodpeckers were busy doing whatever it is that they do. My own yard is filled with the chit-chat of thankful birds at my just-filled feeders. I can almost feel myself ready to bloom for spring. BUT...I know better than to jump to conclusions, as it is only February. Although we have had lovely days of 80 degree temperatures, the small and hidden logical part in my brain tells me that we are still in for more winter weather. Alas, with each passing day, spring gets one day closer...

I have been fairly busy in my studio lately and have managed to finish 2 collage ACEOs (2-1/2" x 3-1/2" miniature art)

BENNY AND THE SUMMER STORM (sold)


AMELIA BABYSITS THE NEIGHBORS (this is the 3rd "Amelia" aceo in the series).

(Check out the pouting little girl with the blue pixie hat on. That's me when I was a little girl, just getting ready to have one of my royal tantrums)!

I just love working with these vintage photos of "Amelia". I don't know who she is, but I have lots of photos of her, as I adopted a musty box of her family photos at the flea market. I only know her name is Amelia because that's what the back of her pictures say. In each and every photo, she is happy and smiling. I will continue to make more "Amelia" pieces. I am honored to be able to give her photos a new life.

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I have a handful of little "chores" to do today, but will have time to finish the current collage I'm working on. Gary is home from work today, as it's Lincoln's Birthday. Although he isn't able to enjoy his day off, as he has a terrible cold.

Thanks for stopping by
Until Next Time:
Kim
Garden Painter Art

Good Morning:

Well, it's been over a week since I've made my way to my blog. Filling the big, white, and blank page seems such a heavy task, yet when I do have the words, I enjoy it so. Although I haven't many words lately, I have managed to finish two new collages. They are both listed in My Etsy Shop.

The first collage is a second piece in my "Fiona" series. It's a 5" x 7" on canvas:

FASHIONABLE FIONA




The second collage is another in my "Rabbit" series. It's a 4" x 6" on canvas and I like to classify it as "story art", as there is a story to the piece. It goes like this:

"What you get with this collage is a lovely summer afternoon somewhere in the English countryside. The kind of warm day with miniature breezes that call you to laze about. But on this day, Rabbit had an unexpected visit from her dear friend, Dog. Dog felt that the day was so warm and fresh that a party was in order. Dog brought hats and tea and scones. A nice time was had by all...BUT, something was amiss. There was a static in the air and a low howl far in the distance....

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

RABBIT'S UNEXPECTED PARTY



Both of these pieces will, eventually, be offered in print form in my Etsy shop. If you are interested in either of these collages or a print of either one, but you don't have an Etsy account, feel free to email me for details. You can do so by going to the top left hand corner of my blog and click on the email button.

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As much as I loathe using my blog as a simple marketing tool, that must be what I use it for today, as I'm off to another busy day. Meds for my mom and picking up some medical records for her as well.

As always, thank you ever so much for stopping by and having a look at my new work. I truly appreciate it.

Until Next Time
Kim
Garden Painter Art

Good Morning:

I'm off to a busy day, as so often it seems I am. I wanted to take a smidge of a minute to share this lovely photo with you. My husband snapped it from the hill in our backyard ~~



It's impossible to capture the vastness of the snow on the mountains with my little digital camera, but it is a breathtaking sight. Before long, a large portion of the snow will be melted and the smog will be back, but today is lovely....


Until Next Time:
Kim
Garden Painter Art

What a lovely rainy morning it is. The dampness in the air is tempting me to cuddle up in my favorite reading chair...



But alas, I've only been up and alert for approximately one hour. I am hoping to get a few things done today, but am finding myself a little slow as I seem to have a nasty ear infection. I have an ear condition that I take daily medication for, and for the most part, it's kept under control. Every once in a while, my ears give me fits, and with the change in weather, this is a likely time for them to misbehave. I will do as much as my ears will allow, and otherwise, I will be perfectly content to stay in and wallow in the warmth of my home. While the rain is boldly dripping outside, making just enough splatter to be heard through the windows and doors, I will be thankful for the roof over my head and the blessing of ears that can still hear the rain...





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I am anxious to get back to work and I have several pieces just waiting for me to finish them...



Whether I will feel well enough to work today is yet to be seen, but I may give it a whirl and see what happens. I know that my heart is ready to work, now I'll see if my ears will allow it. I have several projects going on all at once, as I always do. I am hopeful to finish a few pieces so that if I'm able to pay my Etsy fees, I can begin listing again.

I'm off for the morning. On to my daily doings. My hope is to be finished with all that I must do before nightfall. I would so enjoy a little time to quietly sit in my favorite reading chair, listening to the rain with a cup of Peppermint Tea in hand.

Until Next Time:
Kim
Garden Painter Art

Good Morning:

I'm just on my second cup of coffee and finally coming awake. I was given the go-ahead from my mom's nurse to take her home yesterday, so she spent her first night in 11 nights in her own bed. For me, I spent the night in my own bed for the first time in 11 nights as well...I slept hard. Too hard. I don't remember enjoying the opportunity to stretch out as I must have fallen asleep, literally, the second my head hit the pillow. Before I knew it, it was morning once again.

For those of you who have had a newborn at home, I'm sure you know that almost "zombie" like feeling that overtakes you after many long nights without any sleep. I can remember taking care of my restless babies during the night, and running on a complete deficit of sleep for days. I remember almost feeling sick and sort of seeing silver just at the lack of sleep. But dealing with a newborn is a good thing!! Taking care of my mom left me feeling that same constant sleep deficit except you didn't have the overwhelming joy of holding your sleeping baby once they finally dozed off.

I haven't spoken to my mom yet this morning, because I know she has been sleeping late and I don't want to disturb her. I will, however, call her in an hour or so. I am so hopeful that all went well.

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At this point, I still haven't sat down to work. I'm finding it difficult to justify the time spent as I can no longer list my art in my Etsy shop. I wasn't able to pay the fees this month, so my listing priviledges have been suspended. I can still sell what's already in my shop, but I can't list anything new until I can manage to get my fees paid. I just feel defeated...

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As many of you know, I am a gardener. Well, let me rephrase that: I love to garden. I'm not sure that loving to garden necessarily qualifies you as an actual "gardener". Nevertheless, I love to garden. Until this morning, I hadn't been out to my garden in literally months. Normally, even throughout the winter, I would take the time to stroll around and look for the hope of new life. The hope of Springtime. But this winter, I just couldn't find the heart to stroll or the interest to look for Spring. This morning, I found myself wandering around with time on my hands. With no desire to collage, I forced myself to grab my camera and step out back. I can see that, in my garden's lack of being nurtured throughout these last months, it is suffering. The Lavendar needs to be cut back, the Geraniums need to be dead-headed, and the hummingbird feeder needs to be replenished. I have one dead Apricot tree and lots of cleaning up to do. All of this will have to wait for another day. BUT...I did manage to find some hint of life...





And my little turtle is still loyaly watching out for my garden...



The Geraniums are trying hard to pretend it's April...



as they must take advantage of the cooler days before the heat sets in and brings with it their hideous enemy: The cut worm. Just as my Geraniums are extravagent in bloom, they will be overtaken by this green and plumpy foe...



My heart is sad for my garden as I have not been as loyal to it as my little turtle has. He's stood strong through hot days and cold nights, wind and rain. I, on the other hand, have turned my back on the fruit and flowers that I made a commitment to nurture and care for.

Until Next Time:
Kim

Oh how I wish I were here...




Oh how I wish it were Springtime...




Oh how I wish I could eat 3 or maybe 4 of these without gaining an ounce...

I'd like to be able to say "Good Morning", but alas...the morning has come and gone. Officially, it is afternoon. 12:15 to be exact. Although the afternoon has made it's way into my home, I am still in my pajamas. Normally, this would be unusual for me, but with my mom convalescing/recuperating here at my home, it's become quite the norm over the last week. I will make every effort to, at least, slip on a pair of jeans at some point.

I woke this morning to find that one of my favorite collages had sold at my Etsy shop...



It was the original piece that sold as opposed to the print. I do believe this piece has become my all-time favorite. I will prettily package her and send her on her way, all the while feeling a little melancholy at the thought of her absence. Knowing I can keep her for myself in print form makes it easier to say good-bye.

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As it has become the norm, I find no surprise in the fact that today will be a busy day without even leaving the house. My mom's nurse will be here for his twice weekly visit. Which, I might add, is always delightful, believe it or not. He is a kind hearted and funny man with a booming voice and quite a contagious laugh. He is larger than life in so many ways (physically as well). His calling to hospice is perfection. It is exactly where he needs to be and wants to be. He is a true blessing. If all goes as hoped, my mom may be able to go back to her place on Wednesday or Thursday. We will see how it goes.

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As I knew when I started tap tap tapping the keys on this computer, this would be a shortish blog entry today, for it is oh so late and my mom is ready for lunch. I intend to make every effort to come back tomorrow.

And....Marie, yes, the illustration of Alice with the longneck still scares me. I shan't drink from a small bottle myself!!

Until Next Time:
Kim
Garden Painter Art

Good Morning:

I thought I might take this opportunity to stop by this morning while my mom's resting. I had a look out the window a moment ago and it looks windy and crisp. The Palm Trees across the street are whipping every which-a-way. The howling wind makes my mini-schnauzer nervous and/or giddy (he's not sure yet which way he feels). Personally, I love the wind. I love the sound of it creeping around the corners of the house. I love the movement it brings. Everything in the garden is alive in the wind. The birds can be seen riding the waves, soaring and darting. Outside my windows, there's life in the wind. How I envy those soaring birds...

I've found it comes very easily lately to get lost in sights, lost in thoughts and lost in books. Late at night and early in the morning hours, while my mom is sleeping/waking...sleeping/waking I've re-discovered "Alice". I haven't read "Alice's Adventures In Wonderland" and "Through The Looking Glass" for years. What a lovely place to run away to...so many Anthropomorphic animals and flowers. I remember as a little girl (maybe seven and a half exactly?) being fascinated by Anthropomorphic animals and I reckon that may be why I portray my own animals in such a way within my collages. And...although I was never a fan of Disney's portrayal of "Alice", I do remember the "Alice In Wonderland" ride being my most favorite ride in Disneyland. Well, that's neither here nor there, but I truly am inspired by the magic within the books. I am currently enjoying the silly banter between Alice and Humpty Dumpty.

Oops...I hear my mom calling. She's ready for some oatmeal. I'll quickly share a few pictures of my newer pieces. I haven't worked this last week, but these are current as of a couple weeks ago.

And speaking of Anthropomorphic animals, this collage is called "Rabbit's Celebration". It's a 6" x 8" on canvas



Here's a close-up of the Celebrating Rabbit



And these are my two newest ACEOs...

Rabbit Visits The Country ~ my 203rd ACEO



Amelia's Lovely Girls ~ my 204th ACEO



I haven't the time to post a link to my Etsy shop, but these are all available there. You can find the link in the upper left hand corner.

I'm off...back to reality.

Thanks for having a peek at my blog as I truly appreciate it.

Kim
Garden Painter Art