How to use this Page

Yes, Darcy! I want to share the story
of the Oldest Wild Bird in the World
with a special child(ren).
"On Dec. 10, 1956, early in my first visit to Midway, I banded 99 incubating Laysan Albatrosses in the downtown area of Sand Island, Midway. Wisdom (band number 587-51945) is still alive, healthy, and incubating again in December 2011 (and in 2012 and in 2013). While I have grown old and gray and get around only with the use of a cane, Wisdom still looks and acts just the same as on the day I banded her. . .remarkable true story. . . beautifully illustrated in color." -- Chandler S. Robbins, Sc.D., Senior Scientist (Retired), USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, Laurel, MD.
CLICK BELOW to view
the story of the 63-year-old bird
in your favorite store.

• Kindle
• Paperback on Amazon
• Hardcover on Amazon
• Barnes & Noble (Nook)

When you transition from writing to marketing, it’s important to be able to talk about your book in a succinct way. You spend three months or three years writing the thing; but you’re lucky to get 30 seconds to pitch it to an editor, agent, or even to a reader. An elevator pitch is a short description–you only have as long as it takes an elevator to go from one floor to another, maybe 30 seconds–that summarizes and entices as the same time. Folks want to know immediately if this is the sort of thing they want to read.

What Do Editors, Agents and Readers Want to Know About Your Book

Genre. When I hear something about World War II and army men, I know it’s not for me, but for my husband. I don’t enjoy military history. When he hears something about space travel and alien civilizations, he knows that I love science fiction and it might be a great book for me. Research says that somewhere around eighth grade, people fall in love with certain genres and pretty much read that genre for life. A good elevator pitch establishes genre.

Hook. Bait a hook with something interesting or something smelly or something tasty. Elevator pitches really do fish for readers. Given your genre and other particulars of your audience, what interests them? Now, normally, I am not interested in military history, World War II history, etc. But one of my favorite books is THE BOOK THIEF, which is firmly a World War II story. But I wouldn’t rise to that bait. If instead, you tell me that Death is the narrator of the book, I would pause and want a bit more information. That’s a really unusual, but appropriate, twist on a narrator. It’s not enough by itself to get me to pick up the book, but it’s a good start.

Teaser. Leave the reader wanting more! In 30-seconds, you cannot explain the origins of this character, summarize the plot or talk about subplots. Instead, you need to leave the reader wanting more. Editors and agents should ask to see the whole manuscript. Readers should flip to the opening chapter and dip a toe into the waters of this story. 30 seconds, a hundred words or so–you don’t have time for the whole kitchen sink. Instead, tease. What tidbit can you offer that will get a reader wondering about your story?

Creating the Perfect Elevator Hook

Well, you can’t create the absolute perfect elevator hook. Instead, create ten good ones. In tasks like this, it’s a good practice to ask yourself to write multiple iterations and variations. A dozen or so is great because you get past the cliches of the first couple and find yourself doing something unexpected.

Compare. One popular shortcut for a story is to compare it to something popular. Here is the movie trailer for Tom Cruise’s 2014 movie, “Edge of Tomorrow.” Watch the trailer and then try to compare it to a couple other movies.

If you can’t see this movie, click here.

When we saw this trailer recently, my son quipped, “It’s Starship Troopers plus GroundsHog Day.”
That’s apt, easy to remember and a great elevator pitch!

Theme. You may want to concentrate on the story’s theme.

For a forthcoming novel, THE GIRL, THE GYPSY AND THE GARGOYLE, here’s my elevator speech:

Michelangelo once said, “Every block of stone has a statue inside it and it is the task of the sculptor to discover it.” But what if an unscrupulous sculptor could trap someone inside a block of stone, just so he could carve them?
Find out more about this book here. Coming March, 2014.

Did you click on the “Find Out More” above? Why or why not? This pitch won’t resonate with everyone; you only need the elevator pitch to resonate with the RIGHT readers!

Emotion. You DO want to put some sort of emotional spin on the hook. This is a “heartwarming” story. It’s an “unscrupulous” sculptor. The action-adventure story is a “thrilling” ride. Look for places to replace boring words with something laden with action. Readers go along on the ride a story offers so they can FEEL something. Hint at the overall tone or emotional content of the story by using the right emotional words.

Exaggerate. Finally, don’t be shy. This is the time to pull out the modest hyperboles, to cast your story as something unusual and interesting. Author Dean Wesley Smith recommends that all writers watch the following video, “Five Guys in a Limousine” as an example of how to take something tame and pump it up. It’s hilarious–but instructive. Watch it multiple times!

If you can’t see this video, click here.

In the comments below, leave a short (no more than 3 sentences) elevator pitch for your work-in-progress novel. If you add the words, FEEDBACK PLEASE, we’ll try to give you one person’s reaction to the pitch!

Good Morning Friends:

As always, I've been busy beyond belief the last week. I have a full house to cook for, my mom to take care of, and countless other "little things" to attend to. The constant busi-ness has kept me on the run without a minute to blog. But...this morning, I have a few quiet hours to myself, and I intend to catch up with some of my "own" things.

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Here we are, only a week away from Thanksgiving, and like so many Thanksgivings of my childhood, it's nearing the 90 degree mark. I close my eyes and pretend I smell a blustery day. I can hear the whish of the wind and the crackle of red leaves under my feet. But alas... it is only a daydream. The unwelcome ring of my cell phone has brought me back to the hot and dry reality of the Thanksgiving season in the desert of Southern California.

Even with the unusually warm holidays that we have here, we always manage to enjoy ourselves completely. We have our Thanksgiving meal later than many other folks do. I've found that if we wait until it's dark outside to eat, it feels cooler, AND...I can light candles.

I always look forward to setting the table with my antique Noritake, and pink and green depression glass. I don't even mind the fact that all of my antique dishes must be washed by hand. It keeps me connected to my history. All of my dishes and glasswear have been given to me by my mom and my aunts, and even a few friends. I wash each piece in the sink. I like to remember who gave it to me and how they acquired it in the first place.

I have a fabulous set of dark green goblets that were given to me by my aunt (my dad's sister). Originally, each goblet came with oatmeal, and she managed to collect a set of 6 during the depression. She's 93 now and still going. My antique Noritake was brought back from Japan after WWII by a soldier and given to my grandma
(my mom's mom). The teapot has been broken and glued back together and can't be used, but the thin, beautiful tea cups and plates and saucers are lovingly used for the holidays and teas with my friends.

After each piece is carefully washed and dried, they are put back in the china cabinet, awaiting patiently until the next time they are called to duty.

So today, I will attend to my daily comings and goings. I will finish planning the Thanksgiving menu and maybe or maybe not do a little shopping. And through it all, I will look forward to carefully setting the holiday table with the old dishes. The dishes that hold our memories and our history.

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Just a little aside: I managed to get some work done in my studio and I've listed the new piece in My Etsy Shop. I've listed the original piece instead of a print.

On With The Honeymoon



I've also listed a gnarly-doll. It's a big Jack Frost Humpty Dumpty....





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As always, I so appreciate your interest in my blog as well as my art.

Until Next Time:
Kim
Garden Painter Art

I'm freshly home from church today and ready for a nice warm day. The blistering sun of a couple weeks ago has, little by little, cooled to a pleasant, late summer warmth.

We had a lovely day at the beach on Friday, and I can't quite convince myself not to go back again this coming week. Maybe just for a few hours on Tuesday or Friday. We'll see....

We had a friendly seagull visit us for awhile on Friday....



Then he called in the rest of his friends and it got too creepy, so, unfortunately, I was compelled to have my daughter give them a little spook. Just enough to cause them to fly a couple of feet to our right.



I'm so happy that I was able to get 26 greeting cards approved for my new "card boutique". Some have verses and some are blank. If you have a chance, I would truly appreciate it if you could stop by my shop and have a look. AND....please, let me know what you think. Would you buy such quirky cards?

This is where my cards can be found: Kim's Card Boutique.

Some of the cards are collages and some are photos. I have two pages up, so when you've finished looking at the first page, remember to click on next at the bottom of the page so you can see all the cards.

Well, I'm off for the day. My mom just celebrated her 80th birthday on September 4th and we're taking her to The Outback for a belated birthday celebration.

Hope this gorgeous Sunday afternoon finds you blessed and content.

Until Next Time:
Kim
Garden Painter Art
gnarly-dolls

Thinking about something is cerebral and is generally written in summary

Feeling something is visceral and is generally written in scene.

Track your story. How much out of body or in the head time versus how much in the body, experience time does your story encompass?

Use the Scene Tracker Kit to deepen each and every scene you write.

For more information, go to:
http://www.blockbusterplots.com/tools.html

Good Morning Friends:

I have a quick moment of stillness, so I thought I would grab the opportunity to pop in here and say "Thank You". Thank you to all of you who have sent me e-cards and e-mails. Thanks to all of you who have offered your prayers and kindness and understanding. These are the little daily surprises that keep me going.

A quick update on my mom: She's having good days right now. The internal bleeding has stopped and she is getting up and dressed in the mornings. She has a big appetite and has regained some strength since her stay in the hospital. She has an awesome hospice nurse named "Raul" and we are both absolutely in love with him. Although she is feeling fair, her body is continuing to fail internally. We are living our life just as hospice taught us to do when my dad was dying: one day at a time. The hardest part about having a hospice patient in your home is keeping yourself and the rest of the family from falling into depression. We can't all go out at the same time, and the time that I once spent with my family at night is now spent taking care of my mom. Unfortunately, we don't have a very large house and there are no extra or "guest" rooms. So, this weekend my mom will move into our master bedroom and my husband and I will sleep in the living room floor. We have tried to come up with creative alternatives that would allow my husband and I to continue to have some privacy, but there just isn't any other way to set things up.

I'll try to stop in again early next week as I feel a little lost when I'm not blogging.

In the meantime, I've relisted a set of "gnarly-dolls" that I made many months ago. I had thought that I may like to keep them for myself, but, under the circumstances, we could use the extra money, so I re-listed them in My Etsy Shop.

Zeb and Essy


Zeb and Essy Naked


Until Next Time:
Kim
Garden Painter Art

Good Morning All:

With the warm summer mornings and brutally hot days we've had this last week, it takes my mind back to some of the family road trips we took through the 1990s and early 2000s.

We traveled back and forth between Northwest Arkansas and Southern California many times during the summers when our kids were little. For whatever unfortunate reason, no matter what vehicle we owned at the time, it was inevitable: our air-conditioner would go bonkers as soon as we started off across the long, parched desert roads. I can remember it being so miserable and stuffy in our van that we had wet towels wrapped around our necks. We would soak the towels in the ice chest and get them good and icy cold and wrap them around our shoulders and necks. The kids would literally put them over their entire heads!! It was miserable at the time, but looking back, it made great memories.

On one of our many trips, my daughter, who was about 6 at the time, was coming down with a cold and had a fever on our first day on the road. She was lying down in the back seat and I was sitting next to her. She looked at me, said, "uh-oh, sorry" and launched her breakfast all over both of us. We stopped at a restaurant and cleaned up. She felt better the rest of the day, but honestly, we were foul smelling until we made it to the hotel in Grants, New Mexico.

This trip became so common place for us, that my husband, who was the driver extraordinaire, had the trip down to a science. What should have been a nice, leisurely 3 day 2 night trip, became a whirl-wind one-nighter. Two long days on the road and one night. We always stayed at the same Days Inn in Grants New Mexico.

Through our journeys, we made some awesome discoveries. Not only cool discoveries along the roadside, but discoveries about ourselves and our strength and perseverance.

One of the most beautiful sights that we found on the roadside was this gorgeous and abandoned church in Cuervo, New Mexico:





I had often admired it from Interstate 40, but getting my husband off the beaten path was not easy. The last trip we made, he pulled off of I-40 and onto old Route 66 so that I could get some pictures of my often admired church. We didn't get out of the car, but I managed to snap some nice photos. I have always intended to use this church in a 5" x 7" collage someday.

Our trips were never luxurious or even very pleasant, but looking back, I can see how important they were. It taught my kids patience and appreciation of roadside sights. We endured heat and exhaustion and the stench of a very huge cattle ranch in the Texas panhandle. We have boxes of photos from these trips that are now classified as my personal treasures.

It's doubtful that we'll make that trip across the great American highway again. At least not without air-conditioning. But I wouldn't trade my memories of those long and stuffy days, packed in our van with 3 kids for any amount of money.

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

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:

Just popping in for a quick entry today. I've been dealing with Doctors and insurance stuff for my mom the last few days. I'm taking her in today for an Endoscopy, which will take between 2 and 4 hours.

For those of you who don't already know, my mom has non alcohol induced Cirrhosis. She's almost 80 and has gone through too many gruesome tests to mention. Today, they're checking for inflamed veins in her esophogus. If the test is positive, then she'll be put on meds.

I think after this test, she's decided no more tests. Just medication to slow the process and visits with her general Dr. There's really nothing that can be done. She's too old for a transplant, they can't stop the process, so....with meds they can SLOW the process. The tests are stressful for her and the waiting for results are even more stressful. She just wants to live her life without people picking and prodding her. I'll support her decision, whatever it may be.

So... I'm off for a long day of sitting and reading and sitting and reading...

I did relist some of my 5" x 7" $13.00 collage prints today in My Etsy Shop. I'm offering all of these particular prints with free shipping this week. As always, if you're interested in purchasing directly through me, just go to my blog profile and send me an email. Here are a few of the prints:

"Best Friends Forever #1"


"A Crow In The Desert"


"Dog Girl On A Journey"


"Junior's Flood"


Thanks so much for checking in. I'll be back tomorrow or Thursday, depending on how well my mom is doing.

Until Then:
Kim
Garden Painter Art
gnarly-dolls

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:

Looks like my "blog a day" challenge isn't going as well as I had hoped!! I was absent yesterday as I took my mom to get some bloodwork done before she has another round of tests next week. By the time I got home, the day moved forward with no time to sit at the computer for even a minute or two!!

I did, however, steal a moment to list a new ACEO collage in My Etsy Shop.
This new ACEO is entitled "A Spy And Her Guardian" and it's my 199th ACEO.

I sort of have a "spy" series going. This newest card is the 3rd in the series and the first two were sold last year. But...I will eventually offer them as prints.

A Spy In The Desert


A Spy In The Garden


This is simply a quick "art marketing" entry today, as I am off to another busy day. Thank you all so very much for continuing to stop by and read my daily offerings. I always look forward to doing the same for you!!

Until Tomorrow:
Kim
Garden Painter Art

Good Morning:

I'm back from what is traditionally a busy week. My wedding anniversary is on June 13, my oldest son's birthday is on June 17, and Father's Day always falls on Sunday after our anniversary.

Altogether, we had a great week, but today is officially "back to the norm". This is always a sad and melancholy Monday as Gary goes back to work after being off for days. He has always planned days off around our anniversary and Garrison's birthday. We're somewhat like "Siamese Twins" when he's home from work for an extended period of time. When he goes back to work, I just find myself a little dis-gruntled. I'm not sure what to do with my time.

I've been to the garden this morning and enjoyed the cool of the morning.





It isn't as hot today, but in the next day or so, we're going to get blasted with daytime highs in the 100's. I'm making a conscious effort to breath in the sights and smells of the damp morning that's upon us now, as I know full well what's lurking around the dry, desert corner!!

Don't get me wrong, it will still be hot enough to turn the air-conditioner on in the afternoon, but I might be able to squeeze in a few hours with open windows.

I have plans to meet with some dear friends for dinner this evening. Nothing more than a Subway sandwich, but nevertheless, it's always nice to steal a few moments with friends that you don't get to see as often as you would like. I'm also hoping to work on a collage ACEO that's almost finished. I'd like to get it listed in My Etsy Shop tomorrow morning.

Otherwise, I have a new "Set of 3" ACEO collage prints entitled "Plumpy Babies" listed today:







Forgive me for such a scattered blog entry. I'm simply trying to get back into the "swing of things" after such a perfectly dreamy week.

Until Tomorrow:
Kim
Garden Painter Art
gnarly-dolls

Good Morning:

Well, well, well...I'm home from a lovely 20th Anniversary celebration!! We left on Wednesday morning and returned Thursday afternoon. I had no part in the planning at all. Other than the fact that we were going away and staying somewhere in Temecula, I had no idea what our plans were. Gary took care of the whole trip. What a luxury...all I had to do was pack lightly and get in the car. That's literally all I had to do.

We stayed in a breathtaking "villa" in the Temecula wine country. Each villa is designed as a free standing structure with no shared walls. The whole resort is built in the middle of a vineyard. We had a charming back patio right outside the french doors that opened out to rows and rows of grapevines:



I'm not sure how to explain this any other way except that we did lots but did nothing!! We had lunch at one of the other vineyards on the way up, as check in time wasn't until 2:00p.m. After a leisurly lunch on a gorgeous and rustic patio, we made our way to the villa. After check in, we just hung out, really. We took lots of pictures and shared a bottle of Almond Champagne. Our back patio had a sunset view and we sat outside and breathed in the red and blue of the setting sun:


I must admit though, I'm a little spooked by the "orbs" in the photo above !!

After having such a hearty lunch earlier, we decided to skip dinner and instead opted for "snacks". Gary found his way to the local market and brought home cheese and crackers, and grapes and cookies.

We slept in the next morning and then headed out to breakfast. We made our way back to the villa just in time to pack and take a few pictures of ourselves on the patio:



Like I said, we did nothing but did lots. The trip went so perfectly that, looking back now, it almost seems surreal. Almost dream-like. After 20 years of marriage, was that really us, slap in the middle of a vineyard sipping champagne and watching the sunset?

Looking back to my wedding day, 20 years ago, there was so much stress and fear and excessive planning, it really wasn't enjoyable. Who would ever have thought that 20 years later, we would have a better time on our anniversary than we did on our wedding day?

So, all in all, we had a perfect anniversary. It doesn't sound like much when I write it down, but keep in mind, this is after all, the edited version!! :}

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I've listed a new "art2" (art squared) 6" x 6" collage print in My Etsy Shop.

Through this weekend, I'm offering a free ACEO print of your choice with any purchase of an art2.

Glamour Girl Comes Home


I'm off for a day of birthday and Father's day shopping today. My oldest son turns 19 on Sunday, so we'll have a combination birthday/father's day dinner.

Until Tomorrow:
Kim
Garden Painter Art
gnarly-dolls

Good Morning:

Looks like it's winding up to be a hot one today. Unfortunately, that means the air conditioner will need to be turned on. I don't like days that call for me to close the windows and turn on the air. But...I am thankful that we have central air and are able to use it when needed. I can't imagine living here, in the Southern California desert, without it. Although generations of folks lived here before there was such a thing as electric cooling. I often wonder what it must have been like to farm this area at the turn of the century. What long, hot days they must have survived.

I'm looking at a busy day today. But busy in a good way. Although Gary and I will only be gone for 1 night, we will be gone for 2 full days. That means packing a couple of outfits, making sure that I have all of my daily hair products and accessories. All will work out fine, I'm sure. But....I'm forgetful and high-strung, so in order to function logistically, I live by lists!! Each time I remember something that needs to be done, I write it down. Like right now, I'm thinking, "I need to clean the kitty box before I leave", and "I can't forget my contact lense case and my glasses". Oh yeah, Gary mentioned that we should bring the binoculars because there are lots of birds where we are going. If I don't make detailed lists every day, I can get so off-track that I'm almost literally bumping off walls!!

I'm so looking forward to a few days rest in the country. And...I can honestly say that I think I need it!! But when it's time to come home, I'll be ready. I miss my home when I'm gone away for very long. Even after a fun family day at Disneyland, I'm always ready to come home and nest.

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I actually managed to finish an ACEO collage yesterday. So, what I listed this morning in My Etsy Shop is a new original, not a print. It's entitled "Amelia's Day In The Sun". I have a box of photos that includes lots of pictures of Amelia. I don't know who she was or where she lived, but she always looked happy. I know her name is Amelia because all of the photos are labeled as such. This particular collage could have been in my "Guardian" series, as Amelia is being watched and protected by her guardian, but in title, it is not part of the series.

"Amelia's Day In The Sun"


As always, if you are interested in any of the art you see on my blog, it can be purchased directly through me. Just go to my profile and send an email. I'll get back to you with all of the details.

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I am signing off until Friday morning. I'll have some fresh, new photos from our Anniversary and, I hope, a few new stories to tell.

Until Friday:
Kim
Garden Painter Art

Good Morning:

Just a quick little post to sign off for the weekend. We're feverishly working on my garden path, in hopes of finishing up the hardscape before the hotter days kick in. It's coolish and pleasant out today, so this is the perfect day to work outdoors. We're off to the home center in hopes of purchasing lots of creeping thyme and a few bamboo sticks to "teepee" the squash!!

I hope this weekend brings you contentment and satisfaction in whatever you do.

Until Monday:
Kim
Garden Painter Art
gnarly-dolls

Good Morning:

I've been tagged by the lovely and always sincere Katey of Quacks of Life. I love to give the 7 random facts about myself, but...I won't tag anyone else because I think I've tagged just about everyone I know already. So, here it goes:

1. Like Katey, I knew that my kids would learn at home before they were born.

2. I no longer count my steps.

3. I can't breath in complete darkness.

4. I have a passion for Fried Green Tomatoes.

5. I will be celebrating my 20th wedding anniversary on June 13th.

6. I hate showers, as I can't breath when water gets on my face, so I take baths.

7. I have no sense of logic, therefore, everything I own is out of order.

and...there you have it. 7 random facts about me.

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I have a few errands to run today, and then I'm off to the studio to paint some backgrounds for my next round of collage ACEOs.

I've listed another set of 3 ACEO collage prints in My Etsy Shop. This particular set includes 3 prints from my "Best Friends Forever" series.

"Best Friends Forever #3 : Circus Men"
Check out the guy in the pink pants. His fly is open!! I have a series of vintage photos with these two guys hamming it up for the camera. They were circus performers from the 20's. I think they were a couple.


"Best Friends Forever #4"


"Best Friends Forever #1"


I'm offering free shipping on all of my "sets of 3" ACEO collage prints today, Saturday and Sunday. As always, if anyone is interested in my collage, it can be purchased directly through my blog. Just go to my profile and send me an email.

As always, thank you so much for continuing to stop by my blog to read my daily entries and take peeks at my art.

Until Tomorrow:
Kim
Garden Painter Art
gnarly-dolls

Good Morning All:

Here it is, June 7th and it's chilly enough to wear a light jacket. I'm forcing myself to enjoy it though, as I know that within the next week or so, the temperature could be in the 90's to low 100's and I'll be wishing for a little chill!!

I spent a small portion of the afternoon yesterday going through a box of my treasures. Included in this box is my mom's wedding ring set from 1946, a strand of pearls given to me by an old lady named "Pansy" that lived next door to me when I was a little girl, and lots of other goodies that would most likely be junk to anyone else!

Also included in this old shoe box is my Grandma Watson's glove. A single glove, as the mate belongs to one of my mom's sisters. I don't know exactly how old it is, but I know that the gloves were sent to my grandma by my grandpa during World War I. I don't even know where he purchased them, although I've been given the broad idea that it was "somewhere in Europe, maybe Germany".


It is so delicate and tiny. I wonder if my grandma ever wore the gloves, as it looks as though it really wouldn't fit an average sized woman.

I imagine it is made from silk lace, but I don't know for sure. There are two mother of pearl snaps on the wrist...



and it has turned a beautiful light tea color over the years. It's kept in the same envelope that my grandpa sent them in originally. Unfortunately, the stamps are long gone and the writing on the envelope was done in pencil and is mostly worn away.

I'll keep this one single glove, along with my other little family treasures, in the old shoe box until it's time to divide them up. But...every once in a while, I'll open the lid and take a peek at the history that will one day belong to my kids.

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I took a stroll through the garden today and Jr. came along with me. He's not too helpful, but he means well......


And, as usual, here's a link to My Etsy Shop. I've listed a set of 3 "Ghostly" collage ACEO prints today. As always, if you're interested in purchasing something in my shop, but you don't have an Etsy account, simply email me through my blog and I'll be more than happy to work with you.

The Lonely Ghost


The Ghostly Owners


Until Tomorrow:
Kim
Garden Painter Art
gnarly-dolls

Good Morning:

Oh how I love these damp and gloomy but warmish June mornings. Perfect for sipping coffee outdoors. There's a certain look in the air on mornings like this. All of the colors in my garden seem to pop in an almost surreal way ~~





There's a luscious smell of earth and mold and lavender~~



My roses are in full bloom, and in this filtered and hazy light, they are almost vulgar in their brightness. Let's see what will happen if I take a picture of them in sepia~~



Alright...I think I like it. Now, let's see what happens when I take a picture of them in cyan~~



The smell outside is heavenly, like a warm summer morning in the South. Today, my garden smells like Arkansas. It makes me want to dig a little nook under the daylilies and fall into it. To breath so deeply that I can't draw in any more air. I'll let the air out and start all over again. Quietly rolled up in my little nook, just breathing in deeply and smelling the smell of an earthy Southern morning.

So...here I am, slap, in the middle of the Southern California desert. Struggling to keep this curious cottage garden full of life. Watching as my water bill soars with each passing dry, summer day. But you see, mornings like this make it all worth the effort and cost. The simple smells of growth and life and soil. The pop of vulgar color and layers of blossoms....This is my life.

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

Good Morning:

Another Monday is upon us. A fresh start, or a new beginning, whichever you like. Either way, it's nothing more than a psychological way to put events from the previous days behind us and look forward to, what we hope will be better days! Well...that's how I feel today, anyway, as last week was not filled with softness or glee!!

Today is a new opportunity to start afresh, and I am hopeful to have a week without any dead birds, law enforcement or lost bank cards.

I have had a quiet sort of morning, as it was chilly enough to keep me indoors, although the sun is making it's presence known at last. I found myself just sort of wandering around my house. Appreciating my bits and pieces that sit quietly on the hutches and shelves:

Humpty Dumpty Flower Pot Sitter


Vintage Oval Print and Assorted Nests


I am a brave gal today as I am going to boldly put my bathing suit on and catch some sun with my daughter in the backyard. While I'm relaxing, I'll close my eyes and pretend that I'm here:



I haven't been to the beach yet this year, but starting next week, there will be weekly trips!!

So, as I dreadfully slink into my bikini, I will leave you with a link to My Etsy Shop, where you can find my newest listing of a set of ACEO collage prints. They are from my "Beautiful Girl" series:

Beautiful Girl : Backside


Beautiful Girl : Frontside


I hope this finds all of you enjoying your day and maybe even catching a few rays.

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

I'd like to say "Good Morning", but it's now beyond that, so I'll say "Good Afternoon".

We're freshly home from church and on our way to see "Pirates" and then to dinner. I took a quick stroll through the garden and brought along my camera. While I spent my time looking for signs of budding tomatoes and listening to the buzz of our hummingbirds, Jr. spent his time engaged in his favorite sport of Ground Staring:



and.....



While I'm on the subject of dogs, let me give a little air-time to my good ol' loyal yellow Lab, Homer. She's such a sweet and timid girl. She's getting old now,(she's 11), and it's showing in her hips, but she's still happy:



Now, onto the monstrous squash plant. I literally planted 6 itty bitty plants 3 weeks ago. I snapped this picture and posted it only 3 days ago.....



and now, have a look at it today....



It's growing like bamboo!! I hope that we get a good batch of squash. It can be yummy, but as any good Southerner knows, a squash needs to be breaded and fried and always full of calories!!

Well, I'm off to the movies. I hope this finds all of you having a sunny and "ground-staring" kind of day.

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

Good Morning:

For those of you who read my blog regularly, you know that I have been crazy busy. LIke a chicken with my head cut off!! I am learning that I am logistically lacking. I have a lack of time planning skills.

So, instead of a long blog this morning, I've decided to use this time to re-connect with my blogging friends. I feel dis-connected and need to find out what's happening in everyone else's world.

I'll leave you with a few pictures of some of my Original collage ACEOs, as opposed to my prints. I am offering free shipping on all of my original ACEOs in My Etsy Shop starting today, June 1 thru Sunday, June3rd. As always, if any of my blogger friends are interested in purchasing one of my collages but you don't have an Etsy account, just email me and I can sell directly to you. Keep in mind, any of my originals can always be made into a print.

The Constantly Running Baby


The Lonely Ghost


Happy In A Bungalow


Best Friends Forever


Thanks so much to all of you who come here each and everyday to read and comment. I absolutely appreciate it.

Until Tomorrow:
Kim
Garden Painter Art

Good Morning:

I'm up and about and looking forward to a new day. I'm hopeful that it will be a better day than yesterday was.

Thinking back on my day yesterday, I can find it intriguing, but in the heat of the happenings, it wasn't such an intriguing day.

It was a nice enough morning, and I found my way to the back gardens as usual. I thought I would check the strawberries for any signs of buds. Generally, I'm not a glove wearer, so I blindly stick my bare hands into the strawberries. I did find a few buds, but I also pulled out a freshly dead goldfinch with a broken neck. Seems she flew into my sliding glass door and dropped dead into the terra-cotta pot full of lush, green strawberry plants.

I didn't really think much about it, as I often come across death and rat skulls and such, in my garden. I threw her on my hill to let nature take her. I always think this is a much better option than the trash can method. So, on with my day.

Next, I'm off in my car to my daily destinations. Driving on a street that I'm familiar with, but has unrecognizable construction work going on. Part of the street was roped off and I needed to make a left turn onto a smaller street. I did manage to make my left turn, but in doing so, I absolutely cut off a police officer. Just like that. I saw him across from me, but I wasn't sure if he had a stop sign because of all the construction hullabaloo. Like the "polite" person that I am, I look directly at him, put my hand up in a little wave and mouth "sorry" to him. Well...of course, he pulled me over. From that point on it was just surreal. I had never been pulled over before!! It really was just like the show "Cops". He asked me to turn off my vehicle and if I had any weapons or drugs in my car or on my person, and asked if I had any outstanding warrants. I showed him my driver's license, which I had to fetch from my purse, which, of course, was in the backseat. I knew enough not to reach behind me without first asking him. So, I had to turn my car back on, roll down the back window so that he could "get a visual" on my purse, and then he allowed me to reach back and get it. He took my license and "ran" it through wherever they "run" it through. Then, he came back, handed me my license and said to slow down a little and have a good day. What??? No ticket?? Thankful of the outcome, I was on my way.

Well...as I'm carefully driving on to the bank, probably a little too carefully, I decide to take a backstreet that goes through some horse property. There's a charming old barn and hundred year old Cacti. So, I'm driving along and in a simple heartbeat, a bird flies right into the front of my car. He hit with enough force to kill him instantly and fall to the side of the road. Two dead birds in one day. What the heck is going on? I continue on, as there's nothing I can do for the bird. I find my way to the bank, although slightly shaken and a little confused. Once inside, I'm immediately helped. I sit down to get my paperwork together. I open my wallet to grab my debit card....it's gone. Yep, gone. I think to myself "What the heck is going on?" I looked through every nook and cranny of my wallet. Emptied my purse. Checked my pockets. Nothing. My debit card had vanished. I finished my banking and carefully, very carefully journeyed home.

I spent the rest of yesterday mentally backtracking my steps. Trying to figure out when the last time was that I used my bank card. Needless to say, I haven't found it yet...

All in all, it was an odd and curious day yesterday. I seriously hope that today is calm and predictible.

I'll leave you with a few photos today. A picture of the progress of the garden path, a few pictures of our herbs and edibles and...yet another picture of my sweet Jr. doing what he does best....

Jr. staring at "ground fairies"


Making progress on my garden path


My daughter's kitchen garden


Cinnamon Basil


Yellow Crook Neck Squash


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

Good Morning:

It's May 30th in the Southern California desert and I'm wearing a jacket!! There's a Spring chill in the air that has me wishing I could crawl back in bed. The sun has played peek-a-boo with me for the last 30 minutes but it looks like it's finally here to stay.

I have a busy day ahead. Grocery shopping with my mom is at the top of the list. She'll buy only what she truly needs, but it will take several hours to accomplish. A slow pace and lots of browsing will take place. I must admit, as my mom has aged, I have learned a lesson in patience. These weekly shopping trips are just as difficult or just as enjoyable as I make them. I chose, long ago, to make them as enjoyable as possible.

Ultimately, I try to imagine myself in her place. Will I be slow and a little adled when I'm almost 80? I'd like to think not, but truth is brutal and chances are, I WILL be slow and a bit adled by the time I reach 80, IF I reach 80! Will I have someone to take me shopping and lavish me with patience and understanding and share my slow pace? I hope so... but honestly, I can't bear to think about my senior years. I am fearful and almost sickened by it. Isn't that terrible? I remember a time when I thought that those days would be calm and almost sweet. Then, I witnessed my dad die in my home on hospice. I participated in his care and comfort, and now, I have a dis-gruntled fear and loathing of age that is probably out of proportion.

I enjoy talking to my mom on the phone. She still sounds the same as when I was a little girl. I can't see her through the phone. It's the visual that hurts. And, to be honest, I'm selfish too. I don't want to go through hospice with her and I don't want to take her to the Dr. appointments or tests. I just want to talk to her on the phone.

I'm guessing the reason that all of this has come gushing out is the fact that I've been looking through old photos, hoping to find one to use in a new collage. The beautiful photos of mom in the 40's freshly married, wearing her "I Love Lucy" dresses. She was so young and had her dreams in front of her. Now, in what seems like a blink of an eye, she's in the late winter of her life. My dad's gone and my mom lives in a senior apartment. Yet...I have daily access to images on old photo paper that proves otherwise. Youth and hope and life are captured within a rectangular piece of paper. Stored away in a box, only to be brought out on certain occasions.

So, I'll take mom shopping today and, thankfully, she's alive to shop. I'll make sure to get her home in time to go down stairs in her apartment building, and play pokeno. I know that she needs and absolutely deserves every ounce of patience and understanding that I can give her. And...I have every intention of giving her all that I can. I'll do my best to leave my fear and loathing of age at home. This journey should be joyful...and I will try my best to make it that way.

**************************************************

I listed a set of 3 ACEO prints in My Etsy Shop
today. The first 2 collage ACEO prints are my mom and dad:

"Happy Desert Couple #1" My mom and dad


"Happy Desert Couple #2" My mom and dad


"Happy Desert Neighbors" A vintage photo image of some strangers that I thought would make handsome and attractive neighbors in this collage series


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

Good Morning:

Okay...here's the deal. Take a look at the picture of the cookies above. Count them and then leave your answer in the comment section of this blog entry. Whoever guesses the correct number of cookies on the platter, or comes the closest, WINS !! The contest will be open until 8 O'clock pst.

Once the winner has been established, I will contact them and they will be asked to got to My Etsy Shop and choose one print. Any size print will do, as long as it isn't an original. My prints range in size from ACEO 2.5" x 3.5", 4" x 6" and 5" x 7". Once the winner has made a choice, I will send the print. Pretty simple, huh?

I hope everyone enjoys the contest. I always have lots of fun on my contest days!!

Good Luck:
Kim
Garden Painter Art
gnarly-dolls
Kim's Kandid Kamera

Good Morning:

Just a quick little blog this morning. I'm signing off for the Memorial Day weekend. But...I thought I would pop in to let you know that I'll be back on Tuesday with another CONTEST!!

Check back here on Tuesday morning for the instructions. The winner will be asked to go to my My Etsy Shop and choose any one print from my store. It doesn't matter what size or price range as long as it's a print.

I hope this finds everyone ready for a fun weekend and ready to ring in the summer!!

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

Good Morning:

Another warm and comforting day is upon us, as well as another Friday.

I was hopeful that I would wake up feeling inspired to write about something worthwhile, but alas, my recent lack of focus seems to be over-staying it's welcome. The moment that I sit down to create a string of words that might hold someone's interest, I go blank. Empty-headed. I must admit, this isn't the first time that I've lost my "flair" for words. It's always been an up and down process for me. I wrote poetry and journals all through my high school years, and there were plenty of dry spells throughout. This, evidentally, is one of my many dry spells.

I so enjoy blogging and find that it helps to clear my thoughts and my heart. So, as I wade through this flood of empty words, I will be patient, as I hope that you will be also! And...on a morning in the future, I'll sit here, before my computer, and the words will find me again. Until then, I shall continue to pull from my scant sources of unfascinating daily happenings, in hopes that your loyalty will hold you here until I can, once again, find words to hold a reader's attention.

So, I will share a few pictures with you today. Simple pictures of the stuff that daily life is made from:

A beautiful Chitalpa Tree blossom in my backyard



My miniature Schnauzer, Jr. who spends large amounts of time staring at the ground



And again, Jr. staring at the ground



Agapanthus: (always a sign that spring is firmly in place and summer is just around the corner)



*******************************************

The good news: I've finally finished the collage that I've been working on for who knows how long. I'm happy with the results, but sad that I'm done. As any of you know that visit here daily, my fascination with the photo in this collage has been a source of daily curiosity for me.



If any of my blog readers would like to purchase a print of this collage, you can order directly through my blog. Just go to my profile and click on the handy-dandy email button. I am selling them for $10.00 each on Etsy plus shipping and handling. If you are one of my blog readers and purchase through my blog, I'll give you free shipping!

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