Kathleen Creates

No So Deep Thoughts from the Artist In the Basement

Beauty everywhere I look April 24, 2008

Filed under: Art, Life, Not so deep thoughts, Uncategorized — kathleencreates @ 3:47 pm
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Irish greenBare tree

I have been walking around feeling a little high lately.  Everywhere I look I see nature’s beauty.  Maybe it is because we are actually having a Spring season this year.  As opposed to Virginia’s usual mad rush from Winter to Summer.  Everywhere I look nature is begging me to notice her.  And yes, I am quite sure that Nature is a woman.  Who else but a woman would display her beauty over and over begging you for a complement?  Well, she’s definitely caught my attention.  Here are a couple of shots of the little things I noticed on a recent walk. 

I see you, Nature.  And you are gorgeous.

 

It’s all black and white March 7, 2008

Filed under: Art, Life, Not so deep thoughts, Uncategorized — kathleencreates @ 3:20 pm
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Recently I wondered what it would be like to fill a white space with black shapes.  This small ponderence started me down another art journey that resulted in my first sale of Art.  Now, to be clear, I have sold things before.  I sell my art on greeting cards, mirrors, magnets, a bird house and of course I have sold lots of jewelry.  But this sale was the first piece of Art for Art’s sake - Art that has no other function than to be admired.  

The sale then inspired me to make more of my black and white or “Filigree” pieces.  I now have a series of 6, all available on my Etsy site (http://www.beautifullystrange.etsy.com)  Pictured here is “Bird on a Pedestal” my latest work in the series.  As always, I would love to hear your thoughts.

 Kathleen

 

Quid Pro Quo January 20, 2008

Filed under: Art, Blogging, Life, Mixed media, Not so deep thoughts, Uncategorized — kathleencreates @ 6:35 pm
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My favorite Yahoo group has announced that it will most likely dissolve at the end of this month.  I am so sad.  I have had such amazing art exchanges with this group.  Just finished a bracelet made from 20 different handmade charms from numerous artists.  Such a cool experience - to send in 10 of something and get 10 amazing pieces of art in return.

 My most recent swap was a one on one exchange with a very talented artist named Ang. (Visit her blog here  http://altermyworld.blogspot.com/) She fell in love with my tree cards and ordered a couple of sets, then asked if I would make one just for her.  I in turn selected one of her design concepts and asked her to make one for me. 

 O happy day! When her card arrived in the mail I was smitten.  Every time I look at it I feel like its my birthday.  What a great feeling.   I have posted here pics of both my and Ang’s art.  Hope it makes you smile too.

Kathleen

 

Don’t take me seriously December 7, 2007

Filed under: Art, Life, Not so deep thoughts — kathleencreates @ 8:03 pm
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3.5 inch pocket mirrors

I have a bit of a block when it comes to making art.  I am fine making stuff that I know will have some practical use.  Needing to send out thank you cards spurred me to create lots of little pieces that I could re-print.  Next, I thought it would be fun to do a whole series of initials that I could then reprint on little items, like the pocket mirrors I have pictured here (for sale at http://www.beautifullystrange.etsy.com)  It is only when trying to create art that will hang on the wall, that I run out of ideas.  Suddenly, I am hesitant - Not quite sure what I should add, or even where to begin.  Part of me would love to create large pieces of art - great big canvases that serve no other purpose than to look pretty.  But that little voice in my head keeps saying  “Do that and you are suddenly taking yourself so seriously!”  I can’t even bring myself to frame and hang my own stuff, I am so afraid of what that little voice will say.  So instead, I just keep hammering out 5×7 and 8×10 pieces that exist only to be scanned and reprinted.  Really, I have a whole stack here. 

So what to do?  I have ordered mats that will enable me to sell some of my stuff as art for arts sake.  Maybe once I have sold a few I will be ready to let go of the originals and finally take on that sofa sized canvas.  Or maybe not. 

 

Just another excuse to make art. November 12, 2007

Filed under: Art, Collage, Life, Not so deep thoughts, Uncategorized — kathleencreates @ 7:23 pm
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As many of you know, I have recently been ill and required minor surgery.  I have received a wonderful outpouring of affection from friends far and wide making thank you cards a necessity.  So I took this opportunity to make a few new pieces of art.  I figured if I am gonna send a card, why pay for someone else’s work?  I would much rather make something and pass it on.  The fruits of my labors became a set of 4 bird themed cards, and a set of 4  with trees.  They will soon be off to all my lovely friends and relatives. 

I was pleased enough to post a few here and offer both sets for sale at my etsy shop www.beautifullystrange.etsy.com.

As always, I would love to hear your thoughts.

Kathleen

 

My big fat skinny book. The journey ends. October 9, 2007

Filed under: Art, Buy my art!, Collage, Journal, Mixed media, Not so deep thoughts, skinny book — kathleencreates @ 8:42 pm

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Today I completed the last of my skinny book pages.  26 all original pages, 8″ X 4″ each,  were required and as I look through them I realize that I have learned much from this  exercise.  I have learned to doodle. I have learned to control a paint brush.  I have learned that I actually like watercolor, something I never thought I would say.  I have learned to mix colors without fear.  Basically, I have learned how to behave like an artist. 

 26 all original pages is a daunting task, to say the least.  I promised that I would use this opportunity to explore different techniques.  But this  exercise has brought me so much more.  It has helped me to develop the style I was looking for, one full of whimsy and color.  It has forced me to put aside the notion that I can’t draw and accept my abilities for all their faults.  It also forced me too create when I truly didn’t want to - and I am amazed at what came out during that time. 

In short, creating 26 all original skinny book pages has helped me to feel and act like an artist, and trust that I am good at it.  I highly recommend the experience.

Kathleen

 

Feeling a little blocked… October 2, 2007

Filed under: Art, Blogging, Collage, Mixed media, Not so deep thoughts, sewing, skinny book — kathleencreates @ 3:11 pm

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A little over a week ago, we put our dog to sleep.  This has left me feeling sorely uncreative (among other things.)  Normally, I would just allow myself time to get through it, knowing that I will eventually be able to get my art on.  My problem is this - my skinny book pages are due soon and I still have a lot to do.  So I am trying to work through it.  Even though I really feel it is not my best work. 

I have made 5 pages and thrown out 2 - something I don’t normally do.  Usually even if a work isn’t what I was going for, I can handle the surprise and make it into something else that I like.  Not this time.  I am veiwing everything with a great big jaundiced eye (not my usual rose colored glasses) and it all looks like crap to me. 

 I can only hope the receipients of these pages don’t agree with me. 

 In the meantime, I am throwing everything I have at this effort.  Paint, sewing, clip art, collage, layers - everything I can think of.   The pics above are of the ones that are dry.  On the left is “glamorous” - I love using this face.  I call her Judith.  The one on the right is a reaction to feeling like my heart is missing a piece since Augie died. 

Kathleen

 

How do you thank someone for buying your art? October 1, 2007

Filed under: Art, Blogging, Buy my art!, Life, Mixed media, Not so deep thoughts, recycled art — kathleencreates @ 5:01 pm

A fridge magnet - the item purchased.Thank you card

I have had a few sales on Esty (Etsy is a fabulous place to buy and sell handmade items.  Check out my shops by clicking on the links under “buy my art”) and am now wondering what to send as a thank you.   If the item is above a certain price and the package can hold another item, I might send a little freebie that doesn’t raise the price of shipping.  However, my last couple of sales have been refrigerator magnets.  These items sell for only $4.00 and the $2 shipping won’t cover the addition of another item.  So what to send?  I have started making little thank you cards on scraps of watercolor paper.  I figure it is a nice gesture and uses up a piece of paper that would normally be garbage. 

But it leaves me thinking… Is it wrong to thank an art buyer with more art?  Seems like rather circular logic to me.  I mean, just because they buy something from me doesn’t neccesarily mean they will like my style of doodle art.   True, I have gotten a good reaction from these pieces, but that does not mean they are universally loved.  So I wonder, do I look like I am cheaping out?  Or is it really the thought that counts?

 Let me know what you think.  I would be interested in your opinions.

Kathleen

 

Hello my name is Kathleen and I am a purseaholic. September 17, 2007

Filed under: Art, Blogging, Life, Mixed media, recycled art, sewing — kathleencreates @ 12:38 am

goldpurse1.jpgOrange thread sketching tote

So there I said it.  I am on a never ending quest for the perfect purse.  I keep thinking if I could just find that purse, then I wouldn’t want for anything ever again.  But who am I kidding.  I see so many purses that I adore and it seems that I am not alone in my quest.  I just kept thinking, I could make that and make it better. 

 My prices start at $30, a little incentive to get you hooked.  Actually, I don’t think a good purse should cost an arm and a leg.  Just my humble opinion. 

I would love to hear your thoughts not only on my current stock but also as to what you think makes the “perfect purse.”  If you like what you see, let me know or place an order for a custom purse.  Your design, my creativity. 

 

Thread sketching is great! September 9, 2007

Filed under: Art, Blogging, Collage, Mixed media, Not so deep thoughts, sewing — kathleencreates @ 2:38 pm

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After seeing the amazing work of my fellow blogger Kelli Perkins  http://ephemeralalchemy.blogspot.com/2007/06/more-thread-sketching.html  I jumped at the chance to take a thread sketching class.  Let me tell you, I am in love!  I was already doing something like this with my applique, but learning the technique has taken my art to a whole other level. 

 In the class, we worked on a sweet little pillow (emphasis on the word sweet) in pinks and purples.  I then was introduced to variegated thread (such a great idea!!) and found a whole new calling.  Look for many more of my pieces/products to feature thread sketching.  In fact, I came home from the class and pulled out two tote bags I had bought at Ikea for embellishing (Love the cheapness of Ikea.)  I sat down and gave them a good painting to which I will add thread sketching.  I just have to go back to the store for more variegated thread (look at all the pretty colors…)

 The pic above is of the front of the pillow I worked on in class.  As I am not much for pillows, I will probably turn this into a purse and offer it for sale on Etsy.  If I make a little money, I can buy more stuff to do more thread sketching!  (Have I mentioned I love thread sketching?)