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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

"I am sorry to say that Peter was not very well during the evening. His mother put him to bed, and made some camomile tea; and she gave a dose of it to Peter! One tablespoon to be taken at bedtime." - from "Peter Rabbit" by Beatrix Potter

This illustration was done in watercolors and charcoal. Anyone know if a charcoal pencil--or something similar to charcoal--that's waterproof? I prefer to outline my images first, but that's not possible with regular charcoal.

I don't know if any of you out there have seen Miss Potter, starring Rene Zellweger, but it's a charming film and romantic to boot. I thought for sure most of it was fiction, but after doing a little research--it happened to be VERY close to the real life of Beatrix Potter. Very very inspiring.

Hello There:

I'm off to quite a busy day, but wanted to check in and say "Thank You" to all who commented on my previous entry. Should I change my business name or not is still the question being volleyed around my house. I've come up with several names that I really like, but am dreadful of all that would need to be done if I choose to make the change. Most people think that I should change and that my name is, indeed, misleading. The overall opinion is that, if I'm going to do it, I need to do it now and make a huge deal out of it. Holler it out to the world!! I will keep you posted and may be back to ask for more opinions!!

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I've been quite busy in my studio, and I'm off to a productive week already. Here's what I've just listed in My Etsy Shop:

LITTLE BERTIE IN THE GARDEN (4" x 6" collage on canvas)



GUARDIAN OF LAZY DAYS (collage ACEO 2-1/2" x 3-1/2" miniature art)



As always, if you don't have an Etsy account, but are interested in either of these pieces, or prints of these pieces, just email me. Up at the top, left hand corner of my blog, just click the "email me" button. Until I get my blog shop in order and get that pesky little paypal button attached, this is the only way to offer my pieces here.

Again, thanks ever so much for your comments and opinions on my newest adventure.

Until Next Time:
Kim
Garden Painter Art

This is an older illustration of mine, some rabbits enjoying the winter weather. It's snowing today so it seemed suitable.

It's maybe a little old-fashioned, as many of my illustrations seem to accidentally become, I don't see these wooden sleds anymore anyway! But at least sledding never goes out of style.

Rabbit's Gift: A Fable from China
by George Shannon; illustrated by Laura Dronzek

Harcourt, Inc.

The rabbit in this story starts out with an extra turnip, and winds up with a lot of friends. He passes along the extra turnip to Donkey, who he imagines is lonely. Donkey--not knowing it came from Rabbit--passes the surprise treat along to another animal friend he thinks might need it more. And so on, until it comes full circle.

An end note states that variations of the story have turned up in places as different as Germany and Jordan, and likely exist "among and beyond these cultures."

The understated acrylics cover a lot of ground emotionally, from the animals' kindly nature to the frosty landscape. You can almost feel a chill in the air (though maybe I have the heat turned too low) in Dronzek's expressionistic blending of blues, grays and whites. A dab of yellow in rabbit's white fur tells us something about his disposition--a ray of warmth in the harsh winter.

Rating: *\*\*\

Leaving for the beach in the morning...soooo no posts next week. I'll be watching other artists for a change!

Art Monday was ...Crazy Hairstyle...I pulled this old thing from the moth balls for...um...CRAZY HARE... :) And yeah...it's really OLD!

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:

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

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

Spring conjures up fluffy bunnies n' chicks. As such, I present to you Rabbit. Described by Neil Gaiman as, "magical and disturbing," it plays out like a Dick and Jane book gone dark. Not a cute little bun bun tale.



Thanks to Neil Gaiman for the link.