eugene snapshots #4

I am surprised that there isn't a prayer flag draped over the Welcome to Eugene sign on the highway:)

YAY! I made artwork postcards, my first artwork set!!  (I used zazzle for those of you that want to make some too) I could not put the whole image of some of these paintings onto to the postcard size, but I tried to pick a part of the painting that I felt held true to the original the feeling I was trying to convey.  I have felt so happy at the response to my photo postcard sets.....and I am such a postcard nut myself that this all feels right and good....the scales of happiness are balanced.....there is something about the power of a simple postcard..... Oh, I am crushing on the fact that postcards still exist in this e-mail world, that someone takes the time-out to write a small note and then off it goes traveling and arrives to recipient who (if like me) tells everyone who will listen:) that they received a postcard, reads it again and again and maybe even tucks into a mirror frame so they can look at it everyday......ummm......I am crushing......big time:)

1st artwork postcard sets

I am singing for her and she still sees the beauty in my song

which one is the king and which one is the queen?

from peter

will you be kissing me tonight?

mender of broken hearts

he loves

too smart

*this postcard set is in my shop.

Finally Me

Yesterday Meri, from meri's musings generously posted on her new shared site  Finally Me,  my first interview with Suzanne Sperl. This blogging community is constantly making me smile at all the support that continues to grow from it. Please do yourself a favor and take the time to check out this new wonderful site there is something for everyone. Here is a small excerpt from their about us page.


"FinallyMe is a love child brought into being by friends and co-founders Adrienne and Meri.  We decided to create a site that focuses on things of interest to women of substance and invites readers to celebrate their beauty and talents, deal with life’s challenges with grace, continue to grow, and be role models for younger women." 


You have to love this, right:) - kt

ZiBagz etsy artist/shopkeeper interview (2)

An etsy artist/shopkeeper interview with the very talented Lisa Zinza, owner of ZiBagz

My Name is Lisa Zinza, I live in Orondo, Washington nestled between two ridges on the Columbia River.

Kt: Lisa what made you decide to open an etsy shop?

Lisa: I have always wanted to have my own little shop. A place for a friend to gather drink tea and have lunch. I would have local artists and bulk dried herbs, teas and coffee.  In the meantime.. here I am at etsy...reality. My very good friend Naomi of Sea debris introduced me to etsy and I have been hooked ever since.

kt: How would you describe your style(vibe)

Lisa: Difficult as I am, quite eclectic. Vintage rustic and throw in some bohemian and gypsy. shabby chic folk...is that a category??? Hippie (at heart) but I do like the elegance of the Victorian period. I love Ralph Lauren...elegant country. But then I can be western as well...hum...I would just say my style is Lisa Zinza...my mom would agree I am sure.

kt: What would you like your customers to know about you?

Lisa: That I love a challenge and if you have something in mind that you want...I will give it my best shot.  I have created a few bags that have come from someone else's imagination and might I say they turned out really cool...for instance the lovely Shonna is the inspiration for my painted pouches.

kt: What types of people, music, and other things inspire you?

Lisa: Positive thinkers...like the inspirational Katy. 

kt: Ah.. thanks:)

Lisa: I love texture. The sun in my hair and the wind in my face. I am inspired by a fabulous watercolor or detailed quilt. A folksy guitar, raspy voice and sultry song. The thing is ...when the day gets overwhelming with the stresses of the times I have to re focus my attention on what does inspire me...ground me...and make me a more like-able being.  Having a creative outlet really helps.

kt: What is the best piece of advice you've been given?

lisa: To not take myself too seriously. Artists tend to scrutinize the details, wanting everything to be perfect.  To see things others don't.... that can be time consuming and fruitless...not to mention exhausting. Quality is very important and to always do your best...but be realistic, balanced.

kt: I am curious if your shop was not a virtual shop but in an actual building what would it be like?

Lisa: Oh...this is my dream....great question. If I had a shop it would be in an old building downtown...long and narrow. Brick and I would have the brick exposed inside. A loft for eating and selling bulk tea/coffee and herbs with a gnarly wood railing...very rustic. Downstairs would be the gallery with local artists of all kinds....paintings, handmade baskets, lots of pottery, and music...to fill all the senses....Dream....Dream... Dream.

kt: Lisa I am going to end this interview with one last question. What superpower would you have and why?

Lisa: I love the mom on Mr. Incredible aka Elastigirl. I would like the flexibility to get everything done that I need to (everything at one time) and the ability to turn myself into whatever I need to be to get the job done...that list is extensive for a mom-:o

Kt: Lisa, thank you for taking the time out to answer my questions.... I love learning more about the owners of these online shops....it gives me more insight to who they are.

If you are interested in purchasing any of Lisa's original work her shop is 

ZiBagz
she also shares more on her blog
Zibagz

and you can always reach herzibagz@yahoo.com

tiny vases

I have always been one to collect small nature finds, pick a bouquet of dandelions and other precious weeds. When my kids were young we never returned home without some finds. I let them have small vases in their rooms for their special finds. Now some adults will say "You can not put that ceramic vase in their room, they will break it....that is not for small kids!" I say, Yes, it is possible it might get broken but what I have found is that when you let them participate in being able to enjoy something that is usually "Hands-off" and show them how to handle it they do their best to careful and most importantly it makes them feel special and responsible.....and if it breaks, it breaks, accidents happen.  Yesterday my middle daughter borrowed my camera to go shoot some fall photos and she came back and called to me from the other room "Mom, I collected some chestnuts and acorns" 
"Just put them in the special bowl" I responded
"I already did" she said


me in the kitchen smiling

*these two small vases are going in the shop this week

snapshots of eugene #3

1. I love this neighbor's mail box.

2. Thistledown farm

4. The ride back from the pumpkin patch.

sewing napkins

I am almost finished with my napkins. I made so many cloth napkins when my kids were little.  They were kept in a draw near the table and whomever was helping me set the table would choose the napkins. I loved watching this part...seeing which ones they were drawn too. Which one they would put near their plate.  


I feel so at home when I sew.  So good in fact, that the feelings I get when I sew seem to go right into whatever I am making.  These napkins are no exception, their size makes me happy, the fact that they are made from homespun cotton and the reversible side is a soft vintage  cotton material that has covered bridges, small towns and horses printed all over it.....love, love!  I am thinking of Thanksgiving dinners, camping, or some one little setting the table and deciding on choosing these napkins to put on the table.  I am putting all these thoughts into them as I sew......and glancing over at my youngest daughter who is dancing in the kitchen....I am humming along to the music, sewing.... feeling very content.


These 3 sets of four will be in my shop next week.  I am taking off tomorrow, so have a great weekend!

Sperlygirl etsy artist/shopkeeper interview (1)

As an etsy artist/shopkeeper I know that starting up one of these on-line shops means that you are but one fish among many in this virtual world. Budgets can be tight or non-existent:) You might be juggling kids a job or both, but still finding pockets of time to work on your shop....because it really means something to you and being one among many can also be inspiring when each one is creating something that truly comes from within.

 My hope is to be able to interview when I can and give a little exposure to my fellow on-line artist /shopkeepers........supporting others that are creating things that simply add more beauty to our world.....well as far as I am concerned it is a win, win situation. 

So here it goes;

My first etsy artist/shopkeeper interview with the very talented Suzanne Sperl owner of sperlygirl

Hi, I am Suzanne. Thanks for having me here. :)

kt: Hey Suzanne I am so glad you agreed to do this interview! So let me start off with this question "What made you open up your sperlygirl etsy shop?"

suzanne: I wanted to challenge myself creatively. I am always making little things and giving them and I wanted to take it a bit further to see where it may lead.

kt: What memorable responses have you had to your work?

suzanne: When someone has taken the time to tell me that what I created has spoken to them and meant something to them - those are the comments I hold tenderly in my heart. Those are the greatest rewards I could hope for.

kt: What types of things (people, music, etc..) inspire you?

suzanne: I find inspiration everywhere but especially in the little things in life - ordinary moments, the ones that many could easily pass over as uneventful or quiet - it's there that I find life's magic.

time spent by the sea; my babes; my husband, my tribe of incredible girlfriends; music (especially heartfelt lyrics); yoga: the peace i find running: are all sources of inspiration for me.

kt: How would you describe your style (vibe)
suzanne:  Eclectic and constantly evolving. Personal style is an art form itself and mine is a reflection of all the things I am interested in and hope to become.


kt: If your shop was not virtual but in an actual building what colors would the walls be painted or would they be painted (collages)?
suzanne: Each room would be a different color. They would be bold and bright to evoke emotion but yet not enough to overwhelm. Right now, I am really into blue and oranges together in various shades and intensities. Combined, they feel energetic, vibrant, and joyful.

kt: What is the best piece of advice you've been given?
suzanne:  My senior show in college, a video installation, which was a tryptic of three original poems projected on a large scale of sheets of handmade Japanese papers that were hung from the ceiling. The poems and images depicted my journey out of grief. This show was deeply personal. I had worked hard to create this natural setting in the gallery to contrast the medium of technology. The videos were supposed to play one after the  but as my professor arrived, everything seemed to get off kilter and they started playing over each other. I was mortified. He turned to me and gently said,"It's just like life, isn't it? You cannot predict or plan in." His words and reaction brought much comfort to me then....and has stayed with me since.


kt: Okay, I am going to end this interview with a fun and silly question. "What superpower would you have?"
suzanne: Oh, I'd so love to fly.


If you are interested in purchasing any of Suzanne's original work her shop is 

sperlygirl
she also shares more about her life on her blog
sperlygirl blog

and you can always chat with her on twitter: sperlygirl


Thanks so much Suzanne for taking the time out to do this interview. I loved meeting the artist that belonged to the sperlygirl shop.
kt

too smart

I shared the beginning of this painting the other day

It changed as my paintings always do. I just love that there are stages to creating, to getting to the finished piece, I am not always sure that I like that the original thought has disappeared and become something else, but this is why I use my camera,  so I can remember the first layer.....the first thought.

too smart

She was too smart to drown her sorrows with alcohol. She would only have a drink if it was during celebratory ceremonies of respect, festivity, or rejoicing. She was deciding to be sober for the ups and downs that life sometimes offers. This was far more meaningful. She is smart and I am rooting for her.

*this painting is in my shop

etsy treasury (autumn by the shore)

A nice Sunday treat, my painting always be true was featured in sperlygirl's treasury today autumn by the shore. I will be posting my first etsy artist/shopkeeper interview this week and sperlygirl will be featured. I am so excited!

snapshots of eugene #2

1 & 2) a neighbor's fence turned into an art exchange. I am crazy about this idea.

3 &4) this woman's garden is still going strong, I loved her orange sitting chair tucked near the back

5 &6 ) an alleyway and sidewalk showing signs of fall

7) a booth at the Saturday market I loved that this man was making single cups of drip coffee

8) flower booth   9) pumpkins at the market   10) a man roasting peppers at the market

11) leaving you with a photo of decorations on a porch

too smart

I am working on a new painting.  I feel the need to explain my paintings of late. I have always felt that my paintings of women are a bit of myself and other women.  My new ones are leaning more towards vulnerability. I was laughing to myself thinking Oh they are kind-of the painting versions of early Alanis Morissette songs minus the hard edge. I do admire her for truly putting it out there. 


The painting I am working on right now is making me laugh and smile while I work on it, the possible titles running through my head


she could drink herself silly if she had the time and money to waste
she was too smart, being sober was much more interesting


I am not a big drinker, I do love a glass of wine here and there, but it really never agrees with me.  So this woman is the part of me the part that knows what it feels like to be drunk, where feelings tend to go a little numb and you get permission to stumble around and bump into things maybe even slur out a few cuss words, dance up a storm and then go pass-out in a corner.... yes been there, done that.  What I like about this woman is that she knows it is more meaningful to go through life feeling the good and the bad, she is too smart not to know that....I like that she is showing up on my canvas today.

postcard "vignettes" 12 in a set

I finally finished deciding which photos to make into postcards. I am choosing to call these postcard sets vignettes and I am using the literature definition: short, impressionistic scenes that focus on one moment or give a particular insight into a character, idea, or setting. 


I do love where the word vignette comes from 
Vignette is a word that originally meant "something that may be written on a vine-leaf". Since my photos are each small enough to fit on a vine leaf I thought the choice vignette had even more meaning.


Okay, so the following postcards are going to be sold in groups of 12...sort-of like a box of notecards minus the box and notecards:)

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

12.

*These postcard "vignettes" packages of twelve are in the shop.