Collage Diva

Congratulations AEDM and NaBloPoMo Participants!

Congratulations to all of the creative souls who took up the challenge to create art every day and to blog about it in Leah Piken Kolidas' Art Every Day Month (AEDM) challenge found on her blog, creativeeveryday.com. Kudos to all of the bloggers who met their daily blog challenge in November for NaBloPoMo, National Blog Posting Month.

It takes a lot of planning and dedication blog daily. Our blogs are a great record of what we have done and where we have been. If you have neglected your blog, I encourage you to set aside at least a couple of times a week to post something. You'll love having this place to go back to.

Visiting other blogs is a big part of being a part of the blogging community. I've missed making the rounds with the crazy daily blogging schedule. In December, my focus will be to make the rounds and share my travels with a new Sunday series called, Collage Diva's blog tour. I'm first stops will be to those bloggers who generously took the time to visit my blog and leave me comments. Swing by on Sunday, December 5th as I begin my tour.

Cheers!

Kathryn, Collage Diva

Meet My Imaginary Boyfriend

There is a little spot in Bloglandia that is far, far, away from where I live. It is a place where the artist's play inspires me to pull out my art journal and paints. The artist's name is iHanna and she lives in Sweden.

I recently stopped by iHanna's blog. It was on a whim for there is nothing structured about how I travel in Bloglandia. She was sharing some 5x5 inch collages that she was creating for Art Every Day Month. As a singleton, I couldn't resist the collage pictured above titled, "My Imaginary Boyfriend."

The words on the collage sealed the deal for me. "Today my pretend boyfriend told me I don't need to pretend anymore." Much to my delight, the collage was available for sale in her Etsy shop. Without hesitation I swung over to the store and placed the order. "I'm supporting a fellow artist" I thought as I completed the transaction. I imagined iHanna getting the order and a smile appearing on her face. To complete the order I left iHanna a little love note, "I love your artwork iHanna and I look forward to meeting my imaginary boyfriend." Well, my pretend boyfriend arrived last week. The order was filled on the spot and it arrived so quickly! I picked up a frame to keep him clean and safe and proudly on display. I haven't settled on where he will live but I'm leaning to the bedroom. That is a good place for a boyfriend to hang out, don't you think?

What are you waiting for? Take a trip to Sweden and pay the lovely iHannah a visit.

Her blog: www.ihanna.nu/blog/

Her Etsy shop: www.etsy.com/shop/ihanna

And, be sure to leave her a love note in one of the comment sections of her blog. Let her know that the Collage Diva sent you.

{soul hugs}

Kathryn, Collage Diva

A New Journey Begins

I suppose it shouldn't surprise me that today marks the beginning of the Advent season and I am embarking on a new journey. My journeys seems to coincide with various milestones on the liturgical calendar. It is likely the influence of my day job creeping into my personal life. It is hard to imagine that 2010 is nearing a close. I look back on this year and I'm awed by all that I've accomplished. I'm so proud of the many exhibits that I've participated in, the books and magazines where my art is landing, and how much I have learned. In the last 7 years, I've opened my heart to learn the lessons of forgiveness. It is amazing what happens when we stop blaming and making excuses. With all of this, I see that there are so many lessons I need to learn. It is clear from my self-destructive eating habits that I'm still carrying a lot of unresolved pain. I've picked up the book, "A Course in Weight Loss" by Marianne Williamson. From reading the first lesson I see that it is time to shed a light onto my shadows. Williamson offers a clue, "the only way to transcend fear is to replace it with love."

To work through the concepts in the book and to explore my feelings, I turn to art making and creative journal keeping. I thought my journey needed a lantern to help me light the way. I pulled out a photo of a lantern that I shot in Rye, NH (summer 2009) and altered it.

In the first lesson we are to imagine our excess weight as a brick wall. Fear has built this wall and love will tear it down. (note: brick wall photo taken in Portsmouth, NH, November 2009) With my lantern I take a closer look at the bricks.

{click on the image above for a closer look}

It may take me a while before I'm ready to move onto the second lesson. As you can see there are a lot of bricks to explore. I sum up the lesson in one word, "surrender." After visualizing each brick and the events that lead to its formation, Williamson instructs the reader to hand the brick over to God who will take it on. Place in His hands the brick crumbles. 

I firmly believe that lifestyle changes alone are not enough. We need to look at our beliefs (more often misconceptions) and long-held pain. If we don't put a light onto these shadows then any weight we lose will likely come back.

After creating the artwork and writing in my journal about some of the words found on the bricks, I feel a huge weight lifting off. I am intrigued by where this journey is going to take me. I'm ready to let go of my brick suit.

Wherever you may be on this first day of Advent, may you have a lantern of love to light your way.

{soul hugs}

Kathryn, Collage Diva

 

The color of butter, yum!

My Thanksgiving day was non-traditional. Rather than gathering with a lot of people to eat turkey, stuffing, and such, my son and I spent the day hanging out with my dear friend Claudia. My son made sugar cookies and I picked up some butter cookies, and shortbread. At the center of the plate above is a jar of lemon curd that my friend Deb D. made. I wanted to do a taste test to find a good companion for the lemon curd. 

Here is Claudia with her camera poised. I am grateful for my friendship with Claudia. We share a love for photography and we play so well together. The best part is how we get excited about the same things - cracked paint, stacks of cookies, dried flowers. Claudia notices and celebrates the little details that I love. We giggled all afternoon as we snapped shot after shot of the china and treats.

It was fun too, to share my taste test with Claudia. We agreed that the butter biscuits from France tasted best plain while the lemon curd worked well on the shortbread from Scotland.

This set of china came from Claudia's aunt. I love the little details on the tea cup handles.

These simple little cookies have wonderful lines and patterns.

Our favorite part of eating this shortbread was the last bite. These cookies literally melted in our mouths with a buttery finish.

This motif may show up in my artwork the future. I'm experimenting with layering textures and patterns in my photography.

We discovered that the best vehicle for the lemon curd were the sugar cookies that my son baked. 

Deb, the lemon curd expert is looking into what it will take to bring her lemon curd to market. I hope she does so you all can enjoy this amazing spread.

The biscuits are from LU. CLICK HERE to visit the LU website to find these products in your area.

Cheers!

Kathryn, Collage Diva

Thanksgiving Wishes

I will be celebrating Thanksgiving in a non-traditional way today. I'm heading over to my friend Claudia's house to play. I have my camera packed and some treats. I'm sure to have some more show-n-tell for new blogs posts.

Keeping a gratitude journal has brought the spirit of Thanksgiving to my every day life. May the spirit of giving and thanks fill your heart today and every day!

{soul hugs}

Kathryn, Collage Diva

Wishcasting Wednesday - What I wish to celebrate.

Each Wednesday Jamie Ridler hosts, Wishcasting Wednesday. Jamie posts a question and bloggers from around the world blog a response. We all convene HERE to share links to our posts and to make the rounds.

I haven't participated in a while as I've been super busy. I've missed the practice of focusing in on a simple question. All week I've been thinking about the question that Jamie posed last week: What do you wish to celebrate? I'm going to approach my Wishcasting Wednesday responses a little differently. I love ruminating over a topic. I carry a theme with me as I go through my day. The great thing about Wishcasting Wednesday is that I'm responding to what my heart has to say. I'm so relaxed about it that I feel no blocks or resistance. In these explorations other creative ideas emerge that help me to respond to the riskier prompts, as in a call for art for publication or exhibition. I'm thinking that each Wednesday when I have time to participate, I'll respond to the previous week's question. Then I'll collect my new question and carry it with me for days until the next Wednesday appears where the cycle begins again. 

What do I wish to celebrate?

I started by making a list of all that I have accomplished this year. I've launched my first products this year (see the beautiful pins on the right side of this blog? I made those and I sell them.) I've been published in books, calendars, and magazines -- all for the first time this year. I've dared to enter my artwork into many exhibits. I'm grateful for the Women's Caucus for Arts, NH Chapter as they have provided so many opportunities to exhibit. I'm currently waiting to hear back on two exhibits that are connected to the national organization. If I'm in, my artwork will appear in NYC. That's right the big apple. Both shows are in February. Even if my work doesn't make it into these shows, I feel like celebrating. I celebrate how I've dared to create and put my work out there. I've been pretty fearless since July when it comes to responding to calls for art. I'm focused on the prompts, themes, and specifications for each opportunity. I'm focused even more on creating from my heart in response to these calls. I find that the more I say YES! the more opportunities that come up and there is simply no time for fear. There is only time to do. (I recognize some Yoda wisdom in all of this.) There is so much GREAT work to be done. I'm no longer hung up on whether or not I'm an "artist." To even question this seems silly now.

Today I celebrate the creative spirit in me that keeps daring to say "Bring it on! I'm ready."

Next up: What do you wish to invite in?

{soul hugs}

Kathryn, Collage Diva

PS - Curious about my journal page? I pulled out an old book that I started to alter and haven't touched in over a year! I've decided to return to it and experiment with different color combinations and painting techniques. I'm thinking that I'll fill the book with these painting experiments and then scan these pages to use in my projects. On this particular page I like the effect of layering paint and scraping some of hte top pink layer to let the yellow underpainting to show through. This journal page was finished digitally by adding a scan of my doodling and some additional text.

It's day twenty-four in these challenges for November:

AEDM

NaBloPoMo

PS - Please know that I love to receive comments and I read each and every one. Since I will be super busy this month creating art and posting daily, I may not have a chance to respond to each comment. In December I'm planning on making it a month of visiting the bloggers who left comments on my site and each day I'll blog and highlight where my blog travels take me. If you would like to be a part of my blog tour in December, leave a comment on any of my posts throughout November. Of course the thoughtful comments will be the ones that will get my attention first when I head out on my blog tour.

 

 

 

Institute on Disability 2011 Calendar (IOD)

This week my complimentary copies of the Institute on Disability (IOD) 2011 Calendar arrived in the mail.

Can you pick out my painting? I bet you can!

Look, I'm February! February is definitely "my" month in 2011. I have so much happening in February including my artwork in another calendar. (More on the other calendar in an upcoming post.) Each work of art was paired with a quote. I love the quote they selected to go with my artwork.

In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity. - Albert Einstein

Around the net I see a lot of bloggers use the words, "possibility" and "wishes." One of my mentors heard me using these words and pointed out how possibility thinking and wishful thinking isn't the action I need. She recommended that I replace these words with "opportunity." After changing the language that I use, I find myself receptive to opportunities. In 2010, I've participated in 6 exhibits, and several collaborative projects and publications. I have a long "opportunity" list and 2011 will likely be even more prolific than 2010. I'm grateful that there are so many opportunities to create and connect.

This calendar is so beautiful and I am honored to be a part of this project.

CLICK HERE for a closer look at my painting, "The Shape of Solidarity" and to learn about how I interpreted the theme for the IOD calendar.

CLICK HERE to order the calendar. Only $10 each!

 

 

Frost Full Moon Dream Board

{click image to get a closer look} Last night the full moon was spectacular. I pulled out my magazines and selected a white color scheme to go with the "frost" full moon. I've been asked how I create my collages. I thought about it as I worked last night. When I create I work intuitively. I follow the lines of each object and piece the images together like a puzzle. For example, follow the lines in the architecture; notice how the arches connect to the stairs and the hand? Notice how the stack of ice cubes follow the line of the statue. I overlap, interlock, and abut images so there is a feeling of cohesion.

Interpreting my own collages is great fun. I see the statue in this collage as a contemplative and thoughtful woman. She has held back her passion and at times has been described as an "ice queen." She thinks about what it will take to move past her lonely and cold position. The hands reaching out is a clue that says, "don't be afraid to offer your heart."

When I stopped by Jamie Ridler's blog, I noticed this video. I hope you have a moment to check it out. Brene Brown speaks on vulnerability and connection, loving with our whole hearts, and leaning into joy. This video is a great compliment to my collage.

 

 

Swing by Jamie Ridler's blog to see the dream boards from other dreamers.

Gift for YOU! Download a mini dream journal.

(Updated with new ideas from Lady North. Scroll down to see how the mini dream journal can be a star booklet with pockets for ATC's or a magical dream votive holder!)

I was so inspired by Wendy Fedan's mini gratitude book that I couldn't resist designing a mini journal. This journal contains the prompts that I use weekly to check-in and keep my dream wheels in motion.

This journal is designed to encourage you to keep track of your accomplishments, to celebrate all that you do, and to make plans for reaching your goals. The best part about the size of this journal (aside from it looking so darn cute) is that it forces you to keep it SIMPLE.

CLICK HERE to download a copy of this mini dream journal.

But wait there is more!

You have to check out what my very sweet and clever soul sister, Lady North did with the mini dream journal. She rearranged the pages and folded it into a star book! Just fold, and add one little cut and you have a booklet. No ribbons, brads, or staples needed!

I love what she did so much that I tweaked the layout so the little pages line up when you fold it.

CLICK HERE to download the STAR CUT version of the mini dream journal. (pdf)

Swing by Lady North's blog to get the instructions on how to fold your star booklet. She also posted some clever ideas on how to adapt the journal to add pockets to tuck in ATC's. She even made it into a magical dream votive holder!

The best gift for me is spontaneous creativity like this. If you have been inspired to get creative with the mini dream journal or anything that I post, please share it! Know that your creative spark lights the way for others.

Thank you darling Lady North for sharing this fabulous mini dream journal alternative.

Feel free to share the mini dream journal with your friends. Print copies and give them out. Post a link to it on your blog or on FB. Tuck them in stockings or holiday cards. Keep saying YES! to your dreams.

Here are the links again:

The original Mini Dream Journal Free download link

The Star-Cut Mini Dream Journal Free download link

Lady North's Instructions and Great Ideas

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Many thanks to SARK for being a HUGE inspiration. SARK's Dream Boogie classes are a great way to help you go from dreaming to doing. I highly recommend any of SARK's offerings on her website, Planet SARK.

Christmas Show Photos and Upcoming Events

I had so much fun hanging out with my good friend Pam at the Exeter Area GFWC 33rd Annual Yuletide Fair. Although the foot traffic and sales were less than I expected, I did make money to hang out with one of my very favorite people. Now how cool is that? Pictured above is Pam with her whimsical Christmas stockings.

Pam's stockings were featured last December in NH Magazine. It was fun to see people walk by our table and oooh and ahhh, giggle, and laugh.

Here I am with my pins and bookmarks. I'm in front of a computer every day. It felt so good to be unplugged and the spend the day chatting with people about my art. I would love to reduce the amount of computer time and increase the amount of studio time and face-to-face networking time.

Here is the sign that I made to illustrate the three different pin designs.

Pam and I work so well together that we are going to team up at two shows in December. Mark your calendars and swing by!

December 11, 2010
The Riverworks Restaurant and Tavern
3rd Annual Shop Local Event
164 Main Street, Newmarket, NH

December 18, 2010
The Stone Church on Zion Hill
5 Granite Street, Newmarket, NH

As soon as I verify the times, I'll post them. Watch for updates in my e-mail newsletter and Facebook pages. 

If you can't make the shows, you can easily buy the pins online. Don't forget that shipping is included in the price!

Follow Your Heart Pin & Bookmark $9 CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS	Friendship Circle Pin & Bookmark $9 CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS
Serving Love Pin and Bookmark $9 CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS

Learn about new products from True North Arts.

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