Karin Bolstad Original Artwork

Book Reports: "Wild Feminine" by Tami Lynn Kent and "The Power of Now" by Eckhart Tolle

2011-12-30T14:39:00.001-08:00

It's been a while since I've written about books that I like. And there have been many since the last time I wrote a book report....but I have time and energy right now so I thought I'd tell you about the two most recent books I've read!

"Wild Feminine" is by a Physical Therapist who specializes in the pelvic region of the female anatomy (I can hear all male readers drop out now. It's cool; I don't hold it against you). I checked it out from the library even though it normally is not a book I would be attracted to....Too drum circle-y and girly-woo-woo. But you know what I've realized/admitted to myself - and am proud of? I totally dig girly woo-woo! And my physical/spiritual health has been of predominant interest to me after a tumultuous past couple years that included crisis's of the health persuasion. Anyhoo, be prepared for TMI - after the birth of my daughter, I pee. When I would prefer not to. You know, sneezing, coughing, jumping, running, dancing. My doctors all say the same thing: kegels. I hate kegels. I always feel like my eyes are bulging out. But I decided to commit to kegels and bought a DVD about strengthening the pelvic floor and this book seemed like a good compliment to this endeavor.

There were a lot of interesting ideas in "Wild Feminine" that really made me go "hmmmm". In the author's opinion, we are spiritual/creative beings living in form, and if you are in a female form, that creative spirit lives in your "root" - your pelvic bowl. And if you aren't loving and caring for your pelvic bowl, it manifests in physical issues and "energy blockages".

And I have to be honest. I have never focused my attention on my uterus or my ovaries or my....you know. Even while pregnant. The whole area held as much interest to me as my gall bladder. I just took it for granted....as I realized, I do my whole physical self. I'm entering the age, though, where things don't just "work" anymore, and I no longer have the luxury of taking my body for granted. But I really appreciate experiencing that....because it made me realize that I was very much cut off from parts of my feminine self, and if you are a person who understands "chakras" - cut off from my second chakra. (I'll let you research that on your own. Don't need to digress off into Indian Health care and spirituality.)

A very cool "aha" moment (to quote The Lady Oprah-ness), is when I realized how much I was cringing over my daughter's obsession with all things pink, princess, make up, glitter....and she's FOUR. I came of age when feminism meant rejection of these things, because to identify with princesses was to subscribe to the belief that women were weak and needed to be "saved" by a prince, and happiness was defined by marriage and a castle. But that is only one aspect of the many meanings of fairy tales....and femininity. I LOVED fairy tales and princesses when I was little, too. But I shut that part of me down when I believed that I was sold a bill of goods about what it meant to be a woman, as defined by fairy tales and the culture at large. But what if you re-claimed that Princess Archetype? What if it's ok to love beautiful things? What if it's ok to think that you are beautiful? And what if there's much, much more to fairy tales and femininity than the simplistic Disney message of Prince as be all and end all? (Think "Women who Run with the Wolves". There's an oldy but a goody) As long as you don't completely identify with appearances (see book report about "The Power of Now"), enjoying "girly" things is....fun. For both females and males (see, the men already exited stage left in the beginning so I can say that). It feels like such a relief to admit that I like princesses too! (not overly fond of pink, but give it time....)

Anyway, I think this is a book worth reading not only for women with health issues in that *ahem* region, but for any woman who wants to expand their perception of what it means to be a woman. It's definitely changed in the past 10-20 years, and I think it is also important for us as mothers to get more clear on the feminine for the sake of our children as well as ourselves. And there's a chapter on "v" massage. Can't miss out on that.

Ok so the other book I've recently read, and I am SO behind the times on this one, is "The Power of Now" by Eckhart Tolle. I've tried in the past but could never get through the first chapter. I guess I wasn't ready for the ideas contained therein. But I have become one of THOSE people....the ones who have a sticky note on every page denoting an interesting passage or sentence. I'm still digesting the ideas, but I have to say....Oprah madness aside (my husband on some sort of principle will buy no book that has "Oprah's Book Club" stamped on the front. Personally, I think she has picked some gooders in the past....but don't tell my husband)...the book really resonated with me! So here's the gist of it.

We are not our thoughts. We are not our brain. We are not our stories. Everything we have used to define ourselves - is probably not our True Self. The brain is a tool to get through this world, and part of the way it does this is that it created and ego-self-image. This ego self image is everything we have gone through in the past, every sad/hard story, every good story, the things we have, the roles we play, the jobs we have...

So what is the True Self? Eckhart calls it "presence" or the "observer/watcher". How do you re-identify with this self? Being present NOW. Because the past and future are illusions. Ok this all sounds pretty esoteric but seriously, give this book a try. (And he can explain it a whole lot better). It was personally interesting for me because I tend to be a worry wort, and it has some very practical suggestions on how not to let that aspect of my ego/brain take over. One of the bigger things I gleaned from the book (and watching the beginning of the webcast on Oprah.com) was that I was starting to identify with my lack of serotonin production; ie: my anxiety disorder. I was starting to make it part of who I was/am. Eckhart's suggestion, which I am putting into effect NOW is to no longer talk about it. I had the experience; it has lead me to where I am, but it does not define me. This will be a challenge for me because I love to share aspects of my life and to listen to others, and I think to share things that others are reluctant to talk about might be helpful. But I've become too identified with it. So, bye bye story.

This is one of many practices I would like to try in order to quiet my "monkey mind" and find the stillness where True Self resides. Another thing I found quite fascinating is that I am a practitioner (? not sure if that is the correct term) of the I-Ching. The philosophy and advice that I have gathered from this ancient book has helped me through some very difficult times. But often I've felt lost by some of the terminology that the I-Ching uses - and I feel like "The Power of Now" explains much of what the I-Ching has tried (and tried, and tried) to convey to me.

So if you feel like some great spiritual reading, both of these I found to be riveting and I will be adding to my personal library.

(Other awesome books of this genre - "Broken Open" and "The Seekers Guide" by Elizabeth Lesser).

Two New-Old prints in my Etsy Shop!

2011-12-30T14:16:00.000-08:00

"Passiflora" Digital Art Print on Cardstock

(Original artwork done in chalk pastel)

$25

"Fear" Digital Art Print on Cardstock

(Original artwork done in chalk pastel)

$15

New items for sale in the "Attic" section of my Etsy shop! You can read about them and buy them HERE.

New Old Painting at my Etsy Shoppe!

2011-12-20T14:24:00.001-08:00

"Let us Love Dogs"

16" X 20" Mixed Media Acrylic Painting on Canvas board

$250

You can view it HERE.

Hello, my blog!

2011-12-17T08:40:00.000-08:00

Oh dear neglected blog, forgive me for my infidelity. I now spend more time on FB. It is just so hard to post in more than one place. And Twitter, forget about it. That account will probably never have any action.

It's simply this: I have a larger audience on FB. People read and respond. I TRY to post in both places, I truly do. Because you were my first love, oh blogspot blog...my first confessional, my first gallery, my first place to rant or share or whatever.

I promise I will never give up on you, and always post my art shows and things I'm working on....but you just won't be as cool as you once were....full of my interests and photos of my life.....until I have more time. And honestly, don't know when that will be. I hope someday.

That said, I wanted to share a couple art things: I've added some older work to my Etsy shop...cleaning out the studio for when we move to our new house in Langley next Spring! So go to http://www.etsy.com/shop/karinart. I will be adding sporadically over the next few months.

The other piece of news: I will be showing in the Rob Schouten Gallery in Greenbank next August - YAY! However - this is not a threat, just information for you, that means my prices will double. So if you ever wanted to purchase any of my work, DO IT NOW. You will also help me with an art related goal I have for next year. Will share more if it works out!!! It involves international travel, intrigue, and hopefully an even BETTER artist (me) coming out the other end of the experience. Support me! :-) Maybe I should add one of those annoying paypal buttons to the blog so you can just straight up give me cash. mmmm, cash.

I have no art pictures on hand to share, so the above photo is my daughter, Lulu, and our Irish Wolfhound, Oskar (aka "Grom Grom", among other monikers). Oskar, unfortunately, has been diagnosed with a bummer form of cancer so please send healing thoughts our way for my dearest fuzz fuzz. Or cash. Just kidding. Sort of.

About my Friends: Lisa Lamoreaux and Jennifer Phillips

2011-10-28T11:42:00.000-07:00

"Late Afternoon" by Jennifer Phillips

"Little Tree Charm" by Jennifer Phillips (available at her Etsy Shop)

"Sweet Melody" by Lisa Lamoreaux

"The Shape of Silk" by Lisa Lamoreaux

I said I was going to post weekly on my friends, which totally jinxed me. I should never promise my time like that, it's not like I'm single white female with no kid and all kinds of time just for the taking. I live on a new schedule these days which has been hard for my super organizer self to accept: spontaneous time. When I have a sec time.

So I have a sec and I am devoting it to one of my oldest friends, Lisa Lamoreaux and one of my newest friends and Lisa's studio mate, Jennifer Phillips.

Lisa and I met in Bellingham in 1992ish. She was the manager of an awesome woo-woo store called the Crystal Dolphin, which I applied to work at 3 times before they accepted me into their fold as retail peon. Lisa saved my bacon when my boyfriend at the time and I broke up, who I lived with- and I needed to really, really, not live with anymore (oh, the huge mistakes we make as youngsters. So many mistakes in that package - and yah, I know, all kinds of lessons. blah blah blah) - and Lisa asked if I wanted to move in with her. Joy! Lisa is 5 years older than me and I IDEALIZED her. I felt so honored that she actually WANTED ME TO LIVE WITH HER. (Later I learned she totally had second thoughts. Not personally about me of course, just giving up her personal space. That's what I tell myself anyway).

Anyway, to make a long, long, long story short we have been friends and friends with complications and friends again (and complications, and friends, etc etc) since then. She has been pivotal in my life in many many many ways and is basically family. She is also a talented artist, as you can see by the artwork of hers I posted above (You can purchase these pieces at The Art Study in the University Village).

Jennifer is a NEW friend that I met through Lisa, as a fellow bridesmaid in Lisa's wedding. I don't know her as well, but the brief time I spent with her I knew that we would TOTALLY get each other and if she didn't live in Renton (Renton? really Lisa and Jennifer? RENTON?), we'd be hanging out and stuff. She is also way talented in the art department and I hope to someday have another random, spontaneous sec to get down to their studio and learn art secrets.

Please visit their sites:

http://lisalamoreaux.com

and

http://jenniferphillipsart.blogspot.com/

to learn more about them!

Old Painting made New

2011-10-28T11:37:00.000-07:00

"Baptism"

24" X 24" Mixed Media Acrylic Painting

SOLD

I did this piece in 2007, and I thought I had posted it somewhere on this blog, but apparently I didn't. So I don't have a "Before" image, only the "After" - but basically what I did was add birds and more detail to the dress and the moths. It now belongs to one of my favorite peoples here on Whidbey Island.

About My Friends: Andrea Walker

2011-10-05T09:10:00.001-07:00

Hello all.

I am trying to post more on my blog - I've always enjoyed it, until my life got all busy and stuff, not to mention Facebook, where I now tend to post more. Well I think my blog is still a worthy place to write. So I decided to add a new weekly post about my friends that have websites! If you'll look to your right, you'll see I have links to them in the sidebar. But you may not have clicked on them so I am going to introduce you. We will just start at the top and work our way down.

Andrea Walker and I met initially at Seward Park, strolling our babies and I was walking my Irish Wolfhound, Oskar. We then joined a walking around Seward Park mother's group, which maybe we both attended twice? But we stayed in touch because, well, we liked each other. We then found out we had a common friend, Maija Fiebig (also listed in the right sidebar) who was my studio partner in Georgetown at the time. Maija actually knows everyone, it's very odd. But we'll discuss that when I get to the "M's". Andrea and I also did some fun girl's night's without the kids - and then I moved to Whidbey Island. That's where we found out we had another couple of common friends, Sarah Rosselet and Chris Allen. (Who also are friends with Maija. Of course).

Anyway, Andrea is an extremely talented Seattle photographer. She photographs food, people, landscapes, growy things....and has a great blog you can visit to see more of her work at http://andreajwalker.tumblr.com/

Andrea is not only talented, but just one of the most engaging and charismatic people I've ever met. She's one of those people who exude this "energy" that just makes you want to hang out with them. It's like happy dust or something.

So that's Andrea.

Next week, we'll meet Kim from Bouncing Wall!

Dreamy Places: Victorian in PA and Turkish Cave House

2011-10-01T08:42:00.000-07:00

I heart the NY Times Real Estate Section. Here's some pics of two houses that caught my eye:

First, this Victorian is pretty freakin' cool:

WHAT: A five-bedroom, two-bath Victorian

HOW MUCH: $517,000

SIZE: 2,666 square feet (not including the enclosed front porch or the third-floor artist’s studio)

PRICE PER SQUARE FOOT: $193.92

SETTING: Located about 12 miles west of Philadelphia, Media is a compact town — about 5,400 residents in less than a square mile — with several buildings, like this house, dating to the mid-19th century. A shopping-and-dining street has a 1920s performing arts center and a regularly running trolley. The commuter train stops about two miles away; the ride to Philadelphia’s central station takes about a half-hour.

INSIDE: Built circa 1865, this house has been renovated piecemeal over the past 19 years by the current owner, who widened doorways between rooms to open the space and stripped several walls to expose raw brick. The house retains its original chestnut woodwork in the foyer and hardwood floors throughout. On the main level, both the living and dining rooms have fireplaces. The family room, which has French doors that open onto the back deck, was a recent addition. The current owner put his own touches on several rooms: the kitchen, for example, has handmade cabinets built from antique furniture, with custom stained-glass panes; 1840s tiles in the backsplash; and a center island built from part of a church altar. There are three bedrooms on the second floor, and two bedrooms on the third floor, the former attic, one of which is used as an artist’s studio. The second floor also has a small kitchen, left over from a time when the house was a duplex.

OUTDOOR SPACE: There’s a back deck and a yard. There’s also small front yard and an enclosed front porch.

The second one is a house in Cappadocia Turkey

I won't print the whole article, just show you the pictures. Click the link above if you want to read about it!

New Show: Prima Bistro, Langley Wa Sept 30 - Dec 31st

2011-09-29T11:45:00.000-07:00

Hi all!
I have a new show coming right up - in fact, too darn fast. I had grand plans of having a full new group of 11 paintings done for my show called "The New Normal: Chapters". Well, I got 6 done - good enough! I plan on painting the remaining 5 and getting them up at Prima as soon as possible - since I have a whole 3 months that I get to hang there! Well not me personally, ugh, morbid. My ART that is.
I'm really proud of this group because it's the first time I've had a concrete theme and also my artwork and my style has been steadily improving - with a special thank you to Jane Richlovsky and her classes at Pratt on color and how to put together a group of work, and to Irene Perez-Omer who taught a class on how to "write" a traditional Christian Icon that profoundly influenced both myself and my artwork. I'm not actually Christian, but that did not matter - learning about the tradition and symbolism and prayer and meditation that went into each icon had a definite effect on how I now approach the easel.

The group of work started out with a very simple theme: women and books. But when I started the group, my father suddenly passed away from a heart attack - and the paintings changed. Instead they became a reflection of the stages I am going through (the "chapters") on how I am trying to adjust to not having him in my life. Thus, the New Normal (I stole that phrase from my friend Chris. Hope that's ok. But as soon as I heard it - it was like "yah - that's totally what I'm going through - figuring out the new normal".

For those of you who cannot attend the show personally, here are pictures of the 6 I have done so far.

"Mourning"

11" X 17" Mixed Media Acrylic Painting on cradled birch panel

$350

"Respite"

18" X 24" Mixed Media Acrylic Painting on cradled birch panel

$525

"The Good Mother"

18" X 24" Mixed Media Acrylic Painting on cradled birch panel

SOLD

"The Good Wife"

11" X 17" Mixed Media Acrylic Painting on cradled birch panel

SOLD

"Good Friends"

18" X 24" Mixed Media Acrylic Painting on cradled birch panel

SOLD

"Checking Out"

18" X 24" Mixed Media Acrylic Painting on cradled birch panel

SOLD

(enlarge any of these by clicking on them to get the detail - this specific one is kind of cool because I used grass to weave her hair and stuffed fabric for her quilts, and the dog and cat are my actual dog and cat, Oskar and Stella)

In all of the paintings except "Checking Out" there are vines with thorns, which is a symbol of my anxiety and sadness. "Mourning" includes pieces of the newspaper obituaries my father was in. The snow symbolizes death, and I'm not sure where the Stellar's Jay came from, other than they were around screeching and yelling at about that time."Respite" was about a trip to Kauai my husband and I took soon after my dad passed, and in it you can see that though the woman is crying, she is reaching for the white rose - symbolically reaching for happiness again. "The Good Mother" is about coming back to my daughter (who is no longer an infant, she's 4!) through the grief an anxiety - also about what it means to be a "good mother" and how confusing and hard that is. "The Good Wife" is about coming back to my husband - and how confusing and hard that can be, not just with suffering a painful loss but as a parent trying to reconnect with your spouse! "Good Friends" is about how I could not have gotten through this past year and a half without my friends (you know who you are!). "Checking Out" is how even though I need to go forward and "rejoin" my life, there is a huge part of me that just wants to hibernate and hide.

As I said, there's still 5 more brewing in the studio. I hope you can come and see the work personally if you are in the area!

Karin

The New Normal

2011-08-29T12:01:00.001-07:00

Hello, World!

I haven't posted anything particularily deep or personal in a long time - for some very good reasons.

First of all, this blog is both personal but also connected to my art website so I've often been torn between how much to share - is it unprofessional to give out information that you would share among friends? Second, how much do you share not only with people that may or may not be your clients or patrons/esses but the general public? Is it self indulgent and what is the word I'm looking for...exhibitionistic? In my life, I don't hide much. I don't feel uncomfortable sharing aspects of my life, painful or ugly or wonderful or plain mundane - just as I LOVE hearing others' stories. So maybe it doesn't matter if I share with the WHOLE WORLD (or the fraction that stumbles upon this blog). And really, everyone shares everything nowadays, my small bleat of personal hardships will more than likely get lost in the noise. In other words, big whoop, Karin.

The other reason I haven't posted: since about the end of 2009 my life started to get very challenging. Let's just say I got lost. Do I share those challenges? Because they are hard and ugly and painful. But then I think, maybe it would be helpful to others? Or is that just an excuse for my exhibitionist side. Don't know.

But anyway. I am writing now so I suppose I have already made my decision - I will tell you a little of where I've been and where I am now.

Lord where to start. I guess I'll just cut to the chase: mid 2010 I had I guess what you would call a nervous breakdown. I was suicidal-ish and spent a week at Overlake Psychiatric Hospital and a week as an out patient and since then spent a lot of time with both a psychiatric nurse and a psychologist. How did I get there? Well, turns out I have an "anxiety disorder".

I've always been a sensitive soul, and in the past I've been diagnosed with mild depression, exacerbated by the fact I lost my mother to cancer when I was 18 years old. But over the past year + I see now that it was more that I had anxiety that lead to depression. So what is anxiety? We all have it, I just have it in excess. I have a hyper-sensitive nervous system, and my brain does not make enough serotonin, a neurotransmitter that affects mood. My fight or flight process is activated much faster than a healthy one - leading to excessive worrying, negative doom like thoughts and self image, paranoias, and difficulty trying new things. Growing up it manifested as social anxiety, excessive blushing, and a desire to isolate. I also had a severe paranoia of driving! I didn't get my license until I was 20 years old and it still took a few years to be able to feel comfortable behind the wheel.

So I've had this "condition" in a manageable amount through out my life, until a series of events happening in close time proximity to each other basically shorted out my nervous system. That's probably not the medically correct description but it is what makes sense to me. I had a child - wonderful, but exhausting on both body and brain; my daughter suffered some health issues (she's fine but they were very stressful at the time); I and my family moved; immediately after moving we left the country for a 3 week visit to my father in Norway that included some stress about my father's declining health; we returned to a bird mite infestation of our house that forced us to move out for a month; more issues with my father and fear for his health; and then what was the "tipping point" for me: I found out I had precancerous cells on my cervix. This is highly treatable but my ability to regulate my fear response was gone and I started to have pretty much constant anxiety, especially because my mother had died from breast cancer. This was exacerbated by the fact that my bladder suddenly started to hurt - hurt A LOT - which was later diagnosed as Intersticial Cystitis - incurable. So I decided to go on antidepressants, which in the past had helped in other situations. I went on Zoloft because I was still nursing. Didn't work. Made it worse (though helped with the bladder pain). I suffered for a month waiting for it to work but things got worse and worse. I started having burning sensations on random parts of my body and severe back pain - all which lead me back to the internet where I self diagnosed all kinds of horrid things. Finally I decided to switch antidepressants to Celexa, which had worked in the past - and weaned my daughter so I could take it. However, I was started on what turned out to be a much too high a dose for where my brain was at and within a day went completely nuts. It was horrific. I ended up in the emergency room and the next day begged to go to the hospital. I was so afraid that this was my new normal and I couldn't accept it, didn't want it, would rather be dead.

This was the best thing that could have happened to me, and my family. My in-laws drove out from Montana immediately to help my husband with my daughter while I was gone and to help when I came home from the hospital. My drugs were re-calibrated with the help of the hospital psychiatrists and then my psychiatric nurse, and with time -about 4 months - I was no longer having daily anxiety. I changed what I ate and incorporated more exercise into my life (ZUMBA!) and follow many anxiety reducing practices other than just the medication. I started to feel like I wasn't in the dark forest anymore - though it was tentative hope.

At this time my father, who was spending the summer in Norway, returned home deathly ill. He had diverticulitis which had resulted in a complication called a fistula, which required surgery. He had lost 50 lbs in 3 months. The surgery was relatively routine but unfortunately he was of a 2% group that had the surgery go awry, which lead to a month in the hospital and rehab. He came out of rehab and went home for a week, in which time he became deathly dehydrated and had to go back to the hospital. At this point, my brother and I decided he had to live with one of us. My brother currently was remodeling his home - so that meant dad would come home with me.

You'd think this would cause me more anxiety - instead it was a RELIEF. I finally didn't have to worry about what was going on or if he was taking care of himself because I would be there. So I took care of him, with help from my family and visiting nurses and the doctors and surgeons. He started to put back on his weight and was going to go back into surgery to have an iliostomy reversed. Then we were going to continue his regime of weight gain and strengthening - and had made the decision that he would move to Whidbey and live with us or near us. I was very happy about this. But it was not to be. On February 24th, he laid down for a nap, and had a heart attack and passed away. He was 67.

We had the memorial service in May and buried him in Norway this past month.

Where we buried my dad

The view from where my dad's resting place is.

So New Normal. Grief. Growth. I have so much that I have lost and gained, I cannot really tell you all. But I believe - I think - I have been through this current fire and I am on the other end. I am a new person with a new life and I'm figuring it out. We are still happy on Whidbey and looking to buy a house. I am resuming my artwork and my goal to become a kick-ass painter - and where that leads I'm not sure but I am very excited about the work I am currently doing. My daughter is healthy and happy. We have lot's of good good friends, old and new. I have connected deeply to many in my family and recognized their worth in my life - and plan on making sure that they stay part of my life, not distant. I don't know what I would do without my husband and my brother.

What else to say? I just took an amazing course on how to "write" Traditional Christian Icons, and so here is the result of that class.

Mary Magdalene "written" by Karin Bolstad

Thank you Irene Perez-Omer for a life changing experience - both artistic and spiritual (you can learn about her at iconarts.com). I'm very excited to see how it impacts my current work. I will be showing a new group of paintings in October at Prima Bistro in Langley, on Whidbey. The group is called "Chapters" and originally it was loosely themed as figurative paintings of women and books, but grew into the stages or "chapters" I've been going through since losing my father. I will give you one sneak peek of the first of these paintings. :-)

"Mourning"

16" X 20" Mixed Media Acrylic Painting

Well that's where I am now. I am both thankful for where I've been and excited for where I will be going -whether it is challenges or blessings, for that is life. This month one close friend is getting married, another is engaged, and another will be having her first baby! These are all good signs! And Fall will be here soon - I adore Fall - and Scott and I will be celebrating our 6th wedding anniversary. Lulu turned 4 years old on the 18th....4! I cannot believe it! She is more beautiful, interesting, and dear to me every day.

Lulu with her new birthday pink guitar

I think that is a good place to stop. Phew, that was a LONG POST! :-)

New Show: Beck's Hair Artistry, Langley WA, May - July-ish 2011

2011-05-03T13:02:00.001-07:00

My second show on Whidbey, at my favorite hair salon - Beck's Hair Artistry. It is also the premiere of my improved Petite Fleurs AND my recent price hike. Decided it was time after 6 years to up my prices just a wee bit. Learned a way to price my art from my artist mentor/teacher/friend, Jane Richlovsky - what you do is decide on a fair price for say your smallest work. Then ADD the height and width (framer's inches). So my 5X7's I want to sell for $150. So 5 + 7 = 12 and 150 divided by 12 = 12.5. So 12.5 is what I apply to all my other artwork - add each dimensions and multiply it by 12.5 - voila! New and improved prices.

Anyway here are some pics of the art hung up at Beck's cool space.

Doin' some work

2011-04-27T12:31:00.001-07:00

My website (http:karinbolstad.com) is going to be less than perfect for a little while because I need to make some tweaks. I apologize for this. Tweaks always end up with something happening I didn't intend, then I have to figure out WHY it happened so I can fix it. And then the site isn't perfect for awhile. I hate that.

But what I'm up to is updating some of the images - some of my artwork I've gone back to and IMPROVED. yee. The sad part for you but happy for me is that it is time to also increase my prices. If you find something you like before I do this, I will honor that price but you better git hoppin' goes they are going UP.

Hope all is well with everyone!

Karin

I needed me some new music

2011-03-18T16:30:00.000-07:00

I just went nuts and bought three albums via i-tunes -Sigur Ros, Glasser (thanks Alison), and Ruth Moody. Here's a sampling from the three. "Festival" I am dedicating to my father, Ragnvald, who passed away February 24th.

New Show: Island Framery 1/15 - 2/10/11

2011-01-26T12:46:00.000-08:00

It's been a while since my art has been up and this is the first time I've shown at my new home, Whidbey Island! I haven't had a lot of time to paint over the past year, so these are the last few from my most recent group. Don't they look pretty on the red wall?

The Frame shop (http:islandframery.com) is in Clinton, and though it is a wee shop the owners are very charming and talented at framing. I hope if you are passing through, you'll drop by! The prices are very reasonable - just a little warning - the prices might be going up next group of paintings so now's your chance to purchase your very own original Karin Bolstad Artwork! :-)

Everybody is free Music Video (sunscreen)

2011-01-03T11:54:00.000-08:00

Remember this song?

Goodbye, Nora Dora and Flora

2010-11-02T11:04:00.000-07:00

When I seriously began to paint again back in 2006, Nora, Dora and Flora was one of the first pieces I did. I love them and they have followed me from Seattle Cafe's to Whidbey Island. Well someone else finally fell in love with them as well -

Welcome to your new home with Axel, ND and F!

New Show: Cafe Lati, Aug 1 - Sept 10 2010

2010-08-06T08:28:00.000-07:00

Hi all,
sorry about the minimal blogging these days. Been a crazy few months but hopefully things are settling down and I can re-focus on some painting and art! :-)
Speaking of which, my art is currently hanging at a sweet little spot up in North Seattle near Nathan Hale High School called Cafe Lati. Latife, the owner, saw my work up at Cafe Lulu and loved it so much she wanted to hang it in her spot and who am I to say no to such flattery? :-)

Music Interlude

2010-07-24T11:45:00.000-07:00

Ingrid Michaelson "Be Ok" (working on it)

Pearl Jam "Just Breathe" (to my buds at O.H.)

Dave Mathews "You and Me" (to Scott)

New Show: Cafe Lulu, now thru July 1 2010

2010-05-21T11:09:00.000-07:00

I have my art hanging up in one of my favorite little spots in Seattle, Cafe Lulu on 65th and Latona near Greenlake. The owner, Karen Laurie, is the coolest chick ever and if you haven't been in, go! Go now!

Here is a small little pic from the art class I am taking at Pratt - I'm practicing landscapes -

Bye Bye Facebook

2010-05-07T18:37:00.001-07:00

I made a snap decision right now that felt both bold and risky....I de-activated my facebook account.

I'm just a little creeped out about all these privacy issues, and just using plain 'ole email made plenty of sense before in order to communicate with friends....but it's scary, leaving, because now I'm out of the social networking loop. Will I have any friends anymore? Will I miss out on things?Well, we'll see how it goes.

I'll keep you posted.

UPDATE:

couldn't do it. too many people's contact info I only have through FB. So just upped my privacy. oh well. :-)

Bare Necessities: The New Modus Operandi for a New Age

2010-04-23T06:42:00.000-07:00

Reading a lot of great books these days about the need for a low energy lifestyle (or carbon free lifestyle). Lulu was watching Jungle Book this morning and the song that Balu sings should be our new Green Life Anthem I think. Here's the lyrics:

Look for the bare necessities
The simple bare necessities
Forget about your worries and your strife
I mean the bare necessities
Old Mother Nature's recipes
That brings the bare necessities of life

Wherever I wander, wherever I roam
I couldn't be fonder of my big home
The bees are buzzin' in the tree
To make some honey just for me
When you look under the rocks and plants
And take a glance at the fancy ants
Then maybe try a few

The bare necessities of life will come to you
They'll come to you!

Look for the bare necessities
The simple bare necessities
Forget about your worries and your strife
I mean the bare necessities
That's why a bear can rest at ease
With just the bare necessities of life

Now when you pick a pawpaw
Or a prickly pear
And you prick a raw paw
Next time beware
Don't pick the prickly pear by the paw
When you pick a pear
Try to use the claw
But you don't need to use the claw
When you pick a pear of the big pawpaw
Have I given you a clue ?

The bare necessities of life will come to you
They'll come to you!

So just try and relax, yeah cool it
Fall apart in my backyard
'Cause let me tell you something little britches
If you act like that bee acts, uh uh
You're working too hard

And don't spend your time lookin' around
For something you want that can't be found
When you find out you can live without it
And go along not thinkin' about it
I'll tell you something true

The bare necessities of life will come to you

Dreamy Places: Green Cave Home in Utah

2010-04-21T09:50:00.000-07:00

Holy cow. This is so cool! A green home built right into a cave, plus 45 acres for $475K. Check out the info HERE

New Show: Cafe Dharwin April 2010

2010-04-13T07:47:00.000-07:00

I have my art up at a very cool little joint on 10th Ave E and Roanoke in Seattle. If that's your neck of the woods, check 'er out!

Here are three new paintings I did recently for your viewing pleasure: two were commissions, and I did something new this time and stained the sides dark, which I kinda dig. Alice is a new 5" X 7" Petit Fleur (see the portfolio HERE). The way I did the back of "Alice" is how all new Petit Fleurs will be created - with it's own specialty paper backing and a nametag (see pics).

The Journey: End of Vol. 1

6" X 8" Mixed Media Acrylic Painting on cradled hardboard

Lucy Roberta Crumb 6 X 8"

Mixed Media Acrylic Painting on cradled hardboard

"Alice"

5" X 7" Mixed Media Acrylic Painting on embellished birch panel

SOLD

My Little Star

2010-04-09T11:56:00.000-07:00

Inspiring Art

2010-03-02T09:19:00.000-08:00

Found two artists online that I love love love.

Erika Meriaux and Fred Calleri. The first two are Erika's and the second three are Fred's. Click on their names to learn more about them.

New Show: Caffe Vita Pioneer Square 3/1 - 3/31/2010

2010-02-28T13:52:00.000-08:00

"Ancestors + Archetypes"

18" X 24" Mixed Media Acrylic Painting on cradled birch board

$525

New show at Caffe Vita in Pioneer Square in Seattle! The address is 125 Prefontaine Place South. I will also be a part of the first Thursday Artwalk on March 4th -so I'll be hanging out with my art this coming Thursday from about 5 - 7PM. Come on by and keep me company.

NEW WEBSITE!

2010-01-30T15:04:00.000-08:00

Allrighty, folks. New portfolio site up at http://karinbolstad.com. Let me know if you notice any crazy mis-spellings or dead links or anything else that jes don't work!

Some Website Changes

2010-01-25T09:07:00.000-08:00

Over the next couple days I am going to be putting up a portfolio site at http://karinbolstad.com, which currently points to this blogger blog at http://karinbolstad.blogspot.com. So if you attempt to find this blog at karinbolstad.com, until the new site is totally up and functioning, you might encounter some difficulties - I apologize for that...

BUT the new site is going to be awesome. I will keep this blog as well, so you will always be able to find it at karinbolstad.blogspot.com, and my portfolio site will link with it.

:-)

1/11/10: The date of a personal REVELATION

2010-01-11T20:20:00.000-08:00

It's rare, I think, for there to be an actual moment when you know your life has changed - not outwardly, but inside yourself, in your understanding of you and you in the world and the world itself....well, I've just had one of those.

It's been building up for a while now - perhaps even over the past year. I guess you could argue my whole life, but this past year it's sped up. But I picked up a book at at the library which has crystalized this change or cracked open some understanding - I don't know, it's so fresh it's hard to put into words. I want to do it justice, but I worry if I don't get it down right now it will slip away from me, lost back in the mundane world, and I'll forget the magic.

So forgive me if I stumble a little here.

Ok, so the book: Traveling with Pomegranates, a mother daughter story by Sue Monk Kidd and Ann Kidd Taylor. Sue Monk Kidd wrote the popular novel The Secret Life of Bees, and this book is an autobiographical tale by both her and her daughter relating their experiences during a period of time before that book was written, when they were both at a crossroads in their personal/creative/spiritual lives and within their relationship with each other as mother and daughter.

I'm not going to go too deeply into the details of the book other than to say so far it is beautifully written, and full of stories that relate so personally to my own life experience I can barely stand it, and it has culminated in a serious forehead slapping turning point moment as of like an hour ago. I highly, highly recommend it, and I'm not even done with it yet.

So where to start with my revelation?

Ok so this may come as a surprise to you, whoever you are, reader of my blog, that I have a hard time calling myself an "artist", especially since at the top of this page it says "Karin Bolstad Original Artwork". Funny, huh.

So perhaps a little background -here's a quick(?) history of me and art:

I've always drawn well, as long as I can remember. Both my brother an I have a natural talent for art, as does our father, where we probably inherited that gene. My father's uncle (or was it great uncle? can't remember) also had this talent, and we have some of his paintings somewhere, in some box - I can remember them as a child hanging in our dining room, watercolors of women carrying baskets on their heads - this uncle was a world traveler. Anyway that could be a whole other story to relate and I am digressing.

An oil painting I did in the 6th grade.

My favorite artistic subject circa 1987.

A "doodle" my dad did while on the phone when I was little. Yes, a doodle.

So I always wanted to be an artist, or rather, as a child it just seemed a given that that's what I would do with my life: art. Or a librarian. But as I grew older, a combination of self doubt and "reality" altered that "given" into what I should do that would be practical, and make my parents feel justified in spending large amounts of money on my education. They never said I couldn't be an artist, but of course worried about their daughter being able to support herself. My own father gave up any dreams of being an artist for the practical choice of becoming an architect, which could (and did) support his family.

So I chose illustration/graphic design for my degree, which seemed like a fair compromise. I had also stopped believing I was good enough to be an "artist", and was afraid of that lifestyle anyway. It took a far greater degree of confidence than I, at the time, had.

However. I didn't seem to have enough confidence/talent to succeed as an illustrator/designer either. I half-heartedly pursued it, while supporting myself with a myriad of pay-the-bills jobs, without really committing to it, over a period of - ok, a really long time. And it wasn't linear: I'd give up the idea of being an illustrator or a graphic designer and look into other career choices (culinary arts, alternative health, psychology, education, retail business owner, wife and mother - still have the last two), and then swing back to spotty illustration jobs or design work within whatever other job I was doing.

Around 1997, there was a little shift back towards plain ole' art for art's sake: I started doing pastel paintings and fell in love with the medium. At the time I was working a couple of waitress jobs, and both restaurants let me hang my art in them. It was crazy, all of a sudden I had art hanging in a public space like I was an artist or something!

One of my favorite pieces from the pastel period - "Passiflora".

But I still didn't believe it, and had to justify it in some way - for example, one of the pieces was of my ex-boyfriend's dog, Nesta, who we had to put down - I drew her as an angel, and it turned out really well. This elicited many requests for dog portraits, and I enthusiastically latched onto this: I was supposed to be a pet portrait illustrator! But, even though I did a few pieces I was proud of, none of them (except maybe one) ever turned out as well as the Nesta piece.

"Nesta"

This has been a recurring theme since then: I do a piece of artwork that is successful, and I decide that THAT is the route I must go! And I reign in my creative juices and try to funnel them down that one river, where it quickly dries up into a trickle and then I once again doubt that I am an artist at all....

So I continued this way, sort of having jobs, sort of doing design and illustration, sort of being an artist, and not committing to any. If I did commit to any of them over the other, I looked for signs of success, which would tell me that I chose correctly. But it didn't happen. Success.

It did happen to my best friend, though, around 2001. She also had been following a winding road of career choices, and underneath it all she wanted to be an artist. She hid it so well, though, that when she decided to be an artist(while obtaining a degree in psychology), and subsequently started producing artwork that was met with a hungry and adoring public, I was floored. And jealous. Consumed. With. Jealousy.

Not a good thing, especially since we were living together, and I had tentatively decided to pursue art again, and my art did not receive the same response. My poor little art. I so consistently crushed it under my expectations. It was a tiny little flower, and my ego needed it to be so much more! And my poor friend, finally pursuing her dreams, and getting not so good support from her supposed best friend. Our friendship suffered horrible setbacks because of my identity crisis, and it's a blessing she hasn't written me off completely. But that also is a whole other story, and I'm digressing again.

Around this time I guess I kind of had a nervous breakdown, of sorts. I was just so exhausted from all my self doubt and trying to be - something. Someone that my family/friends would be proud of, someone that deserved love. So I did the best thing I could've done, well two things really. I said "enough!" and I started taking antidepressants. I committed to my then-current job, working at a really great natural remedies store called The Herbalist, and I committed to myself - I found a place to live by myself, and I decided to avoid romantic relationships for awhile. That was a huge turning point for me - over those next two years, I realized I had been suffering from depression for perhaps my whole life, and now I wasn't! YEEE! And that gave me the freedom to be kind to myself, which I never had been before.

Once I decided I was happy with plain ole' me, I met my then-future husband and started down the road of my 30's, which has been the happiest in my life. I have to say every year since then has been better than the one before, and continues to get better and better!

But what about art, you are probably wondering. Well, I still didn't get that bit figured out. I stayed at the Herbalist, doing as I had always done before - falling back to illustration and design. I had more success, though, with those two, this time. This lead to me deciding to leave The Herbalist to pursue design on my own - I had finally gained enough confidence in that skill area of my life. So I made a business card and started working on design projects for friends and family. I discovered a real pleasure in designing websites after collaborating on an online boutique with a good friend of mine, and wandered down that path for awhile. Then I got pregnant. Meanwhile, I was still painting, and displaying my artwork at local cafes.

Very quickly I realized something had to give. I couldn't keep running the boutique, so my partner took it over. I kept up with a few design jobs and the painting - and then my daughter was born. Then I had to give it all up, because - well, duh, I had a baby.

For a brief moment, I thought perhaps, this is what I am for: motherhood. I don't have to keep wondering what I am going to "be" when I grow up; here it is, my most wonderful beautiful perfect daughter. All else pales besides this visitor, this luminescent being, this all consuming relentless user of all my energy and time. And that is true: that is my number one priority, my biggest most important role of all, Lulu's mommy.

But if I'm going to be a good mommy, I have to do my own stuff. So I've continued with some design jobs, and some painting, when I have a spare moment, until just recently. Just recently a portion of my most precious spare time was eaten up with a stupid, stupid dispute with a printer of a job I was working on. I had no time to paint; arguing with these chuckleheads was what I was working on. And it pissed me off. I wanted to paint. Lightbulb. I wanted to paint!

My daughter had provided me, by limiting my time, with the one thing I never could give myself: permission to give art priority over all else. (That and my husband having a well paid job. Thanks honey!!)

Perhaps you think that is the end to my story: girl decides to be ONLY an artist, finally. But that wasn't the revelation; rather that was the precursor to the revelation.

You see, I still find myself looking for life, people, the world to give me success to prove that I made the right choice. That I am "supposed" to be an artist. I am looking for validation.

I chose illustration/design in order to gain validation from my parents/family, and I looked for validation from the public in all of my other career/life choices. I would tentatively try something and look for confirmation outside myself. I did the exact same thing with my love relationships: I fell into romances with men/boys who liked me simply because they liked me, ergo that meant that I was likable. I looked outside myself for love, and when I finally figured out the whole love thyself deal was when I met my husband.

So with art. I keep waiting for the sales and accolades to prove I am an artist. When that isn't what defines being an artist. I define it. I am an artist, whether or not these things happen. Realizing this gives me permission to love my art and give it the time and nourishment it deserves. Does that make sense? It resonates deeply with me but I don't know if I can put it into words. I finally am giving my art the respect it deserves: first I decided on giving it the time, and now behind it I am giving it the faith.

I have more to say about this but I'm getting tired and a little punchy. One more thing before I go to bed: Thank you, those of you out there, that never doubted and always thought I was an artist, a good artist. You know who you are.

Quote of the day

2010-01-03T20:12:00.000-08:00

A close friend of mine gave me this piece of very good advice:

"Cyber-stalking always uncovers something random and emotionally uncomfortable."

She added:

"I've been doing it all day long and am not going to stop until my emotions are crushed in some way."

This is why she is one of my closest friends. It's good to have people around who can relate to your dark side(s).

xo secret friend

New Show: Caffe Vita Capitol Hill 1/1/10 - 2/28/10

2010-01-03T07:22:00.000-08:00

After a very very busy December, I have completed some new paintings which are now hanging at Caffe Vita on Capitol Hill in Seattle. I'm still painting using vintage photos and postcards as models, but I've also been reading about icon painting which has lead to an excessive use of gold and silver paint, and also influenced how I portray my ladies' faces. Here's the newest works:

Golden Rosa

16" X 20" Mixed Media Acrylic painting on cradled masonite panel

$450
SOLD

Cherise and her Orchids

18" X 24" Mixed Media Acrylic Painting on cradled birch panel

SOLD

Catherine

5" X 7" Mixed Media Acrylic Painting on cradled birch panel

SOLD

Side view of Catherine

Louise

5" X 7" Mixed Media Acrylic Painting on cradled birch panel

$150

Sarah

5" X 7" Mixed Media Acrylic Painting on cradled birch panel

$150

Joanna

6"X 8" Mixed Media Painting on cradled masonite panel

SOLD

Joshua

6" X 8" Mixed Media Acrylic painting on cradled masonite panel

SOLD

How to Achieve Well-Being.

2009-12-14T17:31:00.001-08:00

I was thinking about what it takes to feel content in this world, as a human. I often think of Maslow's pyramid, which I learned about when I had a brief flirtation with getting a master's degree in psychology and took some introductory classes. Loved those classes, but realized that as much as I loved learning about psychology and the brain, I had no interest in working with crazy people. Good thing for the crazies I figured that out sooner rather than later. But I digress.

Maslow's pyramid: Abraham Maslow studied people he found to be at the height of mental health to obtain a model for what motivates a "normal" human being. He describes a set of needs, organized in a hierarchy from the most basic to more esoteric needs. Wikipedia describes it thusly:

"Maslow's hierarchy of needs is also predetermined in order of importance. It is often depicted as a pyramid consisting of five levels: the lowest level is associated with physiological needs, while the uppermost level is associated with self-actualization needs, particularly those related to identity and purpose. The higher needs in this hierarchy only come into focus when the lower needs in the pyramid are met. Once an individual has moved upwards to the next level, needs in the lower level will no longer be prioritized. If a lower set of needs is no longer being met, the individual will temporarily re-prioritize those needs by focusing attention on the unfulfilled needs, but will not permanently regress to the lower level. For instance, a businessperson at the esteem level who is diagnosed with cancer will spend a great deal of time concentrating on their health (physiological needs), but will continue to value their work performance (esteem needs) and will likely return to work during periods of remission."

The needs are:

1. Physiological (basic physical needs: food water pooping etc etc)

2. Safety (security of home and job and health)

3. Love and Belonging (friends, family, a mate)

4. Self Esteem (confidence, respect for and by others)

5. Self Actualization (morality, creativity)

Spinning off of that, I sort of condensed it into 4 areas of things to work on in one's life in order to be happy/content.

1. Physical health - eat right, exercise, and get enough sleep

2. Mental health - do the above, and take vitamins/medication if anything is wrong with your brain. Pursue intellectual interests, have stimulating conversations, avoid too much tv and media.

3. Spiritual health - do the above, and meditate/pray, journal, take walks in nature, pursue a creative hobby, go to church of your choosing if you're churchy.

4. Relational health - collect positive, healthy friends, find a mate and be good to them, spend quality time with your children if you have those, and be honest and accepting of the rest of your family

Just some random thinkings. What do you feel you need to be happy/content in this life?

Didier Massard and Lori Nix

2009-11-20T14:54:00.000-08:00

Just read a great book by Lev Grossman called The Magicians. It's Harry Potter for grownups!
What also struck me, though, was the photograph on the cover by Didier Massard. Turns out it's model he created and photographed, or something like that. His images are so dreamy and romantic - and along those same lines check out Lori Nix.

Autumn Trees by Didier Massard

The Library by Lori Nix

Why my spirit getting broken is a good thing...

2009-11-20T11:27:00.000-08:00

....I think.
For the past almost 6 months (!!!) I have been going through a printing drama with Plasticprinters.com. In a nutshell, I presented a business card job to them in June. The colors did not turn out the way my client liked (I gave them CMYK which made them look pixelated), and Steve our sales rep not only agreed to reprint with new Pantone spot colors, but also agreed to some design changes my client asked for. Which was super generous - technically he didn't have to agree to that. But HE DID. So I sent him new colors and the adjusted design - and my client waited, and waited, and waited. Finally a month later, we checked in to find out the "job jacket went momentarily missing". Then two weeks later, the reprint was sent - and the colors were changed, but the other changes that were discussed were not changed. Curses! They somehow used the old artwork. And then blamed me when my client asked about it! So I went to the sales manager, presented the email proof that I had sent the correct artwork, and he agreed to reprint it again. So I sent the correct artwork but now a month has gone by - no cards. So for the past week I've been calling/emailing to find out what's up - and finally I get an email saying the owner of the business canceled the job because he says the second run was done to our specifications and they aren't printing it again.
Annoying on so many different levels.
But here's the part that's good about all this: I don't have time for this kind of bullshit. I am a full time mom of a two year old, and when I have a precious spare moment, I do not want to be dealing with printers who don't give a shit about me and my work. If I was working full time as a graphic/web designer, more than likely I would have found trustworthy printers that I can trust with my clients projects, and I would have time to manage the projects from design to print. But I'm not a full time designer. And part (less than part) time isn't going to cut it - I'm too much of a perfectionist for things to go awry like this. So during my part (part) time, all I am going to do is paint.
So it's official. I am no longer Karin Bolstad Art + Design. Just ART!!!!

Stillettoheights: Artist Jennifer Gordon

2009-11-13T09:55:00.000-08:00

Just bought me some new art - They are 4 x 4 mounted mixed media prints by Jennifer Gordon. Aren't they purty? Check out her shop at stilettoheights.etsy.com.

New Show: Caffe Ladro Union, 11/1 - 12/31

2009-10-31T14:16:00.000-07:00

I'm hanging a couple pieces at Caffe Ladro on Union between 1st and 2nd in Downtown Seattle for the next two months if you want to check it out! I haven't had a lot of time to do anything new, but I managed to spiff up a couple of old ones that didn't really feel done.

Spring

16 X 20 Mixed Media Acrylic Painting

$450

(You can see what it looked like before HERE)

In the Midnight Garden

13.5 X 23.5 Mixed Media Acrylic Painting on birch panel

$462.50

(I never took a before picture of this one, but she used to have a huge fur coat and hat. No more)

She Waits Like an Iceberg

18 X 24 Mixed Media Acrylic Painting

$525

(You can see what she used to look like HERE)

Oren Lavie: Her Morning Elegance

2009-10-22T19:02:00.001-07:00

Dreamy Places: An Artist Retreat, Whidbey Island

2009-10-11T08:46:00.000-07:00

Probably the coolest new construction house I've seen for sale on Whidbey Island so far. LOVE IT.
MLS#29120996, $679K
"Inspired, eclectic Whidbey Island treasure. Meticulously built with unique artistic charm on gorgeous acreage with a peek-a-boo-view-of-the-Sound setting. Open & sunny; gardens galore. 2 bedrooms, 1 1/2 baths, fireplace, reclaimed hardwood floors. Energy efficient Loewen windows, electric heat pump, metal roofing, on-demand water heater, water purification system, custom walnut & steel stairs/staircase, Japanese soaking tub, steam shower for two. 40x60 Barn/Workshop, full basement."

James Yuill "No Surprise"

2009-10-07T10:57:00.000-07:00

Freakin' COOLEST

2009-10-02T15:09:00.000-07:00

Chateau Lamp from Anthropologie.com! How cool is this??? Click on the image so you can see the widdle chairs. The floor is made out of book leaves. Oh, if only I had a spare grand lying around, to spend frivolously...

New/Old

2009-09-20T15:24:00.000-07:00

I heart Nytimes.com.

Two articles I found interesting this weekend:

Designed, Delivered and Sealed

- about modular homes created by New World Homes that are both green AND designed to look 150 years old. I thought this was a great idea because most current modular/green homes are very modern in design, and how cool would it be to have an old farmhouse that was NEW? And GREEN?

Carl Jung and the Holy Grail of the Unconscious

- about a new (old) book by Carl Jung, which is mostly a journal documenting his experience delving into his own unconscious. What I found really interesting, being the visual person I am, was his illustrations. Whaddya want to bet that before long posters of this art will grace many a psychologist's waiting room, not to mention all the college dorm rooms...

More Interesting Artists

2009-09-17T08:17:00.000-07:00

Claire Curneen "Blue"

Bruno Lucchesi "After Shopping"

Some other interesting 3-d depictions of figures - I'm really fascinated by the bas-relief. Perhaps I will play with this before I break completely from 2-d to attempt an art doll - so exciting! Can't wait to get to the studio!

Definitely click on the names of the artists and visit their websites - such amazing work.

My Newest Obsession

2009-09-14T14:01:00.000-07:00

This is such an odd obsession for me, because I've always found dolls, well, creepy. Because they ARE creepy. Like clowns.

But there's something about assembling a character - not just painting a picture, but making their bodies and clothing and accessorizing them, and then creating their environments - I think I might like doing something like that. I have always been such an "all over the map" kind of artist, always wanting to try new things and styles - making dolls would satisfy my mixed media bent.

As a child, I loved dioramas, the fashion plate game, and those big barbie heads you could do their makeup and hair - there's some common thread in these interests that seems to also be satisfied by creating little people.

I don't know if anything will come of this, but it has been a lot of fun perusing current doll artist's work!

Some things I've been thinking about

2009-08-15T16:40:00.000-07:00

I wish I could post some new artwork, but it's summertime, and I'm home with my darling daughter, doing mommy and child things. No room for doodlin' around with paints and such. Instead, here is a picture my Uncle Gudbrand took of Lulu and I while we were visiting my father and family in Norway this past July. I love it; it will be framed soon and on the wall! As for my artwork -I'm ok with the fact I'm not currently in the art studio, because I'll have time soon, and I'm really loving our new home on Whidbey, and being able to go to the beach with Lulu - every day if we want!

This morning the whole fam walked to a nearby organic farm - one of our neighbors has two large gardens of vegetables, fruits and herbs that you can wander into and pick from, and then pay for it in a handily available glass jar. Surrounding the garden are horses, llamas, goats, sheep and a donkey. It is a lot of fun for all of us, and picking fresh produce that is cheaper than at the supermarket fills me with glee.

However, the short walk to said farm is along one of Whidbey's more commonly used roads, and as anyone who lives somewhere other than a large metropolitan area knows, there isn't any sidewalks. It's not really a freeway, but it's not a quite side street either. When people cruise down it, they are going about 40/50 mph and not expecting peds. It's a bit harrowing. It's rather ironic really, when I think of the fact that while we lived in the city, it cheesed me that we had to drive to get to any quiet and nature-like nice to walk. I looked forward to moving out here, and walking on beaches and in the woods - right outside my door! But - no sidewalks. So I actually walked more back at home.

So here's my rant: why, when building streets, just add a couple feet on both sides? For bikes and walkers? Sure, it's more money, but ultimately it just seems like something that makes sense, for bikers and walkers. Which is practically everyone. We all walk, those of us with use of our legs.

My other rant: why can't we invent anti-gravity pods already, so we can drive around in hovercrafts? Then there's room for BOTH walkers and drivers. Screw the electric car. Skip to hovercrafts.

Dastardly Hackers

2009-08-06T13:14:00.000-07:00

I just read that Twitter and Facebook have been attacked by hackers, and this is while I've been researching attacks on Wordpress blogs. I've designed a few sites using Wordpress, and I've even meant to switch from Blogger for a while now. I really like Blogger, but I like how you can sculpt WP into a regular site with pages and such. Well, no more. Because it is open source, hackers have targeted WP in order to inject code that links to Viagra and Cialis sites etc etc. My friend Shelly Mazzanoble's site, which I designed, has been hacked over the past year - first she couldn't upload photos, so I upgraded and loaded up a whole new site, but now when you search her name you get info for drugs and stuff. I can't figure out how to fix it, at least not with spending hours researching and digging through every form and page on her site. Sigh. And it seems even if you DO fix the problem, it's an ongoing battle, and honestly who has the time???

This really bums me out, for both Shelly and myself, and all other blogs/sites that have been hacked. I think there should be a special hell designed for hackers. Blast you, hackers! (fist shaking in air).

Albert Maysles Home

2009-08-01T08:19:00.000-07:00

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2009/07/31/realestate/0802-habi-audioss/index.html

Backlog

2009-06-26T15:44:00.000-07:00

Can it be true? I haven't written since May 6th?

It's actually not a surprise at all; I'm being disingenuous. The last 3 months have been a complete whirlwind, since we came back to Seattle from Whidbey Island at the end of February.

We went up there and stayed for a month for a couple reasons: one, I hate February and anything to distract me from the drear that is February is a good thing and two, we had been considering off and on for a year or so whether we wanted to move up to Whidbey Island.

We (my husband Scott and I) really loved our stay, and thought, why not? We'll rent our house out in Seattle and rent a place up there. And if we really love it after a year, then sell our house and buy one on the island.

Then just for sh*ts and poops we decided to find out from a real estate agent (the lovely and talented Domenica Lovaglia of West Seattle Windermere) how much our house could possibly sell for. We didn't have high expectations in this economic climate: but Domenica gave us a very sunny and optimistic number. So we thought, well, what the heck? Let's see what happens.

So April was spent fixing up the house and packing. The house went on the market on May 4th. We got an offer a week and a half later! So then the rest of May was more cleaning, purging and packing and racing back and forth from Seattle and W.I. looking for a place to rent. We found an amazing spot, and I mean AMAZING, just in time and so we moved June 6th, and after a couple weeks we're settling in nicely.

WTF? It's so crazy when you make a big life decision and everything just falls in to place and suddenly everything is different. So here we are. No longer city mice. We have bunnies and deer and eagles and all kinds of wildlife in our "backyard" (we are on 13 acres. I little different then our city backyard that was maybe 600 sq ft). We have raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, salmon berries, mulberries, apples, cherries, pears, and plums. We have an extensive herb garden and a plot to plant our own vegetables. I have my own separate art studio and Scott has a loft for his office.

There are so many details, big and small, that are things that I have fantasized about for so long. I cannot believe I'm here.

Anyway, I'm posting some pics not only of this great new place, but some from the past few months as well.

In keeping with the whirlwind that has been our life, on Monday we are leaving for Norway for 3 weeks to visit with my father's family - who other than one uncle and one cousin, haven't met my husband or my daughter yet. I haven't been back since 1998 - way overdue.

So there won't be any posts until we get back - then a whole crapload of new pics and stories I'm sure!

Lulu enjoying a spring rain puddle.

My experiment with dyeing easter eggs with onion skins. I used little leaves and flowers to make the patterns. See how HERE.

This was my favorite, using plum blossoms.

Here's a pic of the picnic table, fire pit and shelter in our new backyard!

Here's my new painting studio, in the inside.

Here's a picture of the house from the backyard.

Here's the mulberry tree outside the bedroom window.

This is where the woodpile lives.

Here's another building on the property.

This is the outside of the art studio.

Some pink poppies in the garden.

The woodstove.

The livingroom.

The kitchen and dining room.

See you all in a few weeks!

Dreamy Places: My House!

2009-05-06T07:45:00.000-07:00

For the past two months we have been packing and purging and cleaning like mad, because we decided to put the house on the market and move up to Whidbey Island!!! You can see more info at www.5014fortysecond.com, in case you are looking for a house in the Columbia City neighborhood of Seattle.

Here's pics of the results of our labor (of love):

Illustration Friday: Poise

2009-04-01T08:36:00.000-07:00

"Glaukopis/Love in a Cold Climate"

mixed media on birch panel

SOLD

click to enlarge

This painting is based on a photo of Nancy Mitford. She was an author in the early 20th century - the two books of hers I have read is "The Pursuit of Love" & "Love in a Cold Climate". If you like "Cold Comfort Farm" by Stella Gibbons you will definitely love Nancy Mitford.
There are many photos out there of her and her sisters - and I think she (and her family) are the epitome of "poise".

My mixed media in this painting got even more "mixed" - the trees and owl are linoleum prints I made and sealed to the board, and the white trees behind the figure are scratched into the paint. So this work is a mixture of acrylic painting, collage, linoleum printing, pencil drawing, and scratchboard.

New Show: Caffe Ladro Fremont, April/May 2009

2009-03-30T14:59:00.001-07:00

I will have my work up at Caffe Ladro Fremont (452 N 36th St) for the next two months - and I even have three new pieces to add to the bunch. I also noticed on their website that the photo they have for the Caffe Ladro Capitol Hill location has MY art in the background. If you look closely, with a magnifying glass, you can see 'em. :-)

"Dorothea"

5X7 mixed media on birch panel

$150

"Esther"

5X7 mixed media on birch panel

SOLD

I have it on REPEAT

2009-03-26T12:22:00.000-07:00

Brandi Carlile - "Have You Ever"

Whidbey homes

2009-03-12T05:55:00.000-07:00

While we were on Whidbey, we explored a lot of different neighborhoods. One of the amazing things about living on Whidbey is you can really have a variety of environments - you could live on the beach, in town, in farmland, or in the woods. Here's a few houses that I took pictures of in all of these places.

This house I'm totally in love with - an old 1945 stone cottage on 1.5 acres. When can we move int?

This house overlooks a valley of farms with the Puget Sound off to the right (can't see in picture) - can you imagine? Living in a farmhouse with a view of the ocean?

I just thought this house was a neat combination of new and old touches. Visualize without the cars in front.

Totally dreamy beach house.

I love the design of this house: obviously they used some sort of reclaimed wood (from a barn?) to front the house.
Nice old creepy Coupeville house.

The above 4 pics are from a beach community that doesn't allow cars. Loved the old 40's beach cottages.

Neato straw bale house that our friends were renting in a co-housing community.

English style cottage on the ocean. Sigh.

So excited!

2009-03-11T13:50:00.000-07:00

We just bought tickets to go to Norway this summer! I am so excited! My father grew up in Norway and all of his relatives still live there. The last time I went out was Christmas of 1998 - so this visit is LOONNGG overdue. Even more exciting: I get to introduce my husband and daughter.
We got a great deal through a summer sale with SAS, and are going to fly into Stockholm, rent a car, and drive over to Oslo and then up north to stay on an island where my father and uncle have an old farmhouse.
And when we land in Stockholm, we get to visit one of my favorite blog artists, Karin Erikkson (and not just because we have the same name), who has a wee store called manos that is located in an old working farm north of town. Above are some pictures of her store and her ceramics. LOVE THEM!

More Magical Whidbey

2009-02-27T17:42:00.000-08:00

So much of our visit here on Whidbey Island this month has felt magical - not just my magical percolator story (read HERE). We shared our spot on the beach with some wildlife - namely, a family of otters who were hanging out under the house (until I knew what was going on I was pretty sure all the bangs and creaks meant the cabin was haunted) and a family of bald eagles who scoped out the fish situation from the trees behind us. Both otters and eagles were in sets of three -just like our family (if you don't count the dog - sorry Grombers). Today, our last day here, was gloriously sunny - just like the day we arrived. On the day we came, the eagles flew by the front door, which felt like a fine welcome. Today, they followed me and Lulu and Oskar as we did our last beach walk.
I found a rock with a white marking on it that looked like a dragonfly - I looked up some possible meanings of the symbolism of dragonflies and found them remarkably applicable to my current situation. The dragonfly deals with:
Mind
Dreams
Balance
Thoughts
Awareness
Living to the fullest

I have a few more posts coming with pictures from our trip, so this won't be the last time you read about our late winter Island Idyll - but since today is officially our last day I want to say Goodbye - but only for now. We have fallen in love and we are coming back - soon I hope!

My magical coffee pot

2009-02-25T07:35:00.000-08:00

If you may recall, I purchased a vintage percolator recently (read about it HERE), The woman who rented our beach cottage to us on Whidbey read my post and wrote me this email:

"I’m a little shook up, Karin. I feel like I‘ve seen a ghost.

I may have told you that we bought the houses with everything left in them; stuffed full of forty years or more of stuff. That coffee pot was in the cottage on the shelf by the sink! I can’t say for sure it is the exact one, but I think that’s it! There was another one next door with a glass nobule and one just like in the picture in my house! In 2003 I had a huge, open house estate sale to empty the houses for refurbishing. Most neighbors on the street came to the sale with stories and history to share. They went through the houses, room by room, reminiscing. Clara was about 88; she picked up the one with the glass top and told me about countless cups of afternoon coffee she and the other women on the street had shared. I gave her the pot as a keepsake. I gave one to Barbra Greenleaf (she is some how related to the previous owners), she still lives in the blue house towards the ferry. At the end of the sale I went up to Good Cheer to let them know I had a pick ups worth of good stuff to donate if they’d be able to come pick it up for me. I think the coffee pot/percolator may have been in that load. I remember that I put the cords inside the pots (like my mom taught me) so they wouldn’t get separated.
Apparently, these percolators where a great source of pride for these ladies as well. And now you’ve brought this one back to life. Wow.

Rose"

Ok how cool is that?

Spooky!

2009-02-17T15:09:00.001-08:00

There was another beautiful sunrise outside our window the other morning, so I went outside to see if I could capture the colors and the light. Sunrise photos really are pretty boring - they are only amazing in person. So why are we still compelled to whip out our cameras and snap away in the early morn? Especially me, since I know nothing about taking quality photos.
Anyhoo, the first picture had the flash still on, which reflected off the frost on the grass (first picture), so I turned it off. However when I took the second picture, the flash still went off (I swear I turned it off!), and captured what I assume is fog/moisture in the air. But why didn't that happen in the first picture? And what's up with the supposedly turned off flash? So I turned it off - again - and got the third picture.
Kinda creeped me.

More Scenes from Whidbey: Saratoga Woods Walk

2009-02-17T15:03:00.001-08:00

Scott, Lulu and Oskar

Old outhouse?

We went on a short hike through the Saratoga woods near Langley the other day. It was very north-westy - big trees, lotsa ferns and moss. It was a nice stroll. There are a bunch of other trails nearby - here's a mapif you are in the area and feeling nature-y.

Book Report: Made From Scratch by Jenna Woginrich

2009-02-15T07:55:00.000-08:00

I recently read Made from Scratch: Discovering the Pleasures of a Handmade Life by Jenna Woginrich, and I would definitely recommend it to all you crafters and gardeners and pioneer-wannabe types. Jenna is a twenty-something graphic designer who also has a passion for chickens, sewing her own clothes, baking her own bread, and a good cuppa joe. At the time of her writing her book, she lived in a small northern town in Idaho, and after meeting a farmer-type family, learned all kinds of practical homesteading type activities, which she recounts in her book, along with fun crafts so the reader can participate. It was a quick read that I found inspiring. One thing, for some reason, stood out for me: the previously mentioned passion for coffee. Which is weird, because I'm not a huge coffee drinker. Anyway, she raves about coffee made in a percolator. She found a vintage stove top percolator at a thrift store, the kind with the see-through nobule on the lid where you can see the coffee spit up as it percolates. She says this is the best coffee she's ever had.
I found myself overcome with the desire to purchase my own vintage percolator and test out whether or not this made good coffee, under the excuse that it was for my husband, who does love coffee quite passionately. I checked on ebay, and found they ranged from $30 up to $70-ish. My interest dimmed slightly. I wanted cheap.
So I headed to the local Goodwill. No percolator. I took a trip south to Burien with my friend Alison, to check out their local thrift stores. No dice - except one that was missing a cord, and it was like $10 or something ridiculous. Didn't meet the criteria.
Anyway I had kind of given up on this random quest. So here we are on Whidbey this month - and they have this AWESOME thrift store called Good Cheer. We had gone in looking for a cookie sheet, and low and behold, an electric percolator for $3! With all the parts! It wasn't as cool as Jenna's, (no see through nobule) - but it was cheap! And whole!
We brought it home and I made my first pot of percolated coffee. And I tell you what: it's ridiculously fast, tasty, and makes a neat noise as it percs. I heart it. I also saw online that this particular model sells for like $50-$70. AND I GOT IT FOR 3 BUCKS. SWEET.

Here's a completely un-related photo that made me laugh this bright sunny AM: we have a neighbor dog that knows what time I give Oskar his breakfast, and comes running over to our yard to try to scam some kibble. This morning I was late with the chow and looked out the window and noticed him patiently waiting for us. Later, I saw the evidence of his visit.

On the Beach and a visit from the fam

2009-02-13T07:56:00.001-08:00

Cousin Stella having some juice

NB looking on....

View from 1st street in Langley, looking at Camano Island (this photo isn't in black and white - that is how dark and grey it was that day....)

Renee and Stella at the big scale in Langley

NB on the beach

Grombly on the beach

Castle Park on Whidbey

2009-02-13T07:48:00.000-08:00

We went to a park on Maxwelton Rd near Langley the other day called by locals "castle park", for obvious reasons. This place was SO COOL. A huge, wooden castle with all kinds of things to climb and swing on and hide in and slide down. It was ridiculous. I wanted to be a kid again so I could join in the fun. Surrounding the park was huge expanses (and I mean HUGE) of green fields for soccer and baseball, and tracks for running. It was pretty impressive!

What it's like being a Mom

2009-02-12T13:32:00.001-08:00

~click to enlarge~

My friend Kim sent this out and I thought it was interesting - I was thinking about my own perceptions of parents before I had my daughter, and what I imagined being a mom was like. I knew it was hard work, but I didn't think about why - I guess I thought there were sleepless nights and a lot of chasing around - which there are, but what causes the retreating from a social life and normal friend interactions (at least for me) is the exhaustion caused by the RELENTLESSNESS of it, and the having to do everything with your brain split down the middle - one half for functioning, the other half always aware of this other person and keeping them safe, entertained, educated -all that stuff.
We get up at about 6:30 every morning, and until 7:30 every night there is a routine that doesn't break for me, regardless if I am tired or sick or bored or whatever. Lulu takes a nap, but she has never napped very long, and lately it's only been about a 1/2 hr - barely enough for me to sit and relax. And then we are up again.
So by the time she is in bed at night, I am also ready for bed.
I love my life with her, but it is hard to explain to friends by 7PM is way too late for us to get together for dinner. We are already way too pooped, not to mention the fact that it's time for Lulu to go to bed. Babysitter, you ask? Well, for us, Lulu still nurses and that is how she goes to sleep. Not many babysitters out there are also wet-nurses.
Honestly though I'm mostly fine with it. I do know that this part, this taking care of a baby/toddler part, is such a small fraction of the time I get to be with her. So if my friends are patient, my childless friends, we'll see you in a couple years.
:-)

Whidbey Island Idyll

2009-02-04T13:11:00.000-08:00

Well, we took the plunge! Well, more like we're putting a toe in.
We've rented a beach cottage on Whidbey Island for a month, to see how we like island living. This is day three, and I'm loving it! So is Nutty Buddy and Grombly (daughter and dog). We've been playing at the beach, right outside our door, and we've been to a couple parks and up to the quaint tourist town of Langley. There are three bald eagles that hang out behind the house - and man, those birds are big when you get up close. Made me worry a bit for NB. She is small, and I don't know if eagles are interested in small humans for snacking.
The cottage is adorable and funky, and though I was worried that we'd be cramped, I don't feel claustrophobic at all. Instead it feels cozy and easy to manage.
Here are some pics from our first three days:

The fireplace

In the mudroom/entrance, looking in

Shelves in the kitchen

Kitchen

Shell on windowsill in living room

Kitchen window

View from livingroom (Grom in the foreground)

View of ferry and sunrise from the living room

NB digging in the sand at the beach (Grom digging his own hole in the background)

Dog Portrait

2009-01-26T16:23:00.001-08:00

Here's a painting of my brother's dog I did for a xmas present:

The Adorableness that is my Daughter

2009-01-25T20:13:00.000-08:00

We were shopping at Barnes + Noble and at Anthropologie - I took these pics with my phone, so they aren't great, but Nutty Buddy was being SO cute. At Anthropologie, she saw a shelf of stuffed dogs. She took a bunch out and climbed in with the remainder. At B+N she wanted to listen to some tunes with us.

Elizabeth Mitchell

2009-01-22T08:29:00.001-08:00

Her album "You are My Little Bird" for kids always makes Nutty Buddy dance! Especially "Little Liza Jane".

Sugar Hill Records

2009-01-18T09:00:00.001-08:00

Here's a fun site if you like bluegrass/americana music. Which I do.

www.sugarhillrecords.com

Dreamy Places: A Cannery in Liberty, ME

2009-01-18T08:02:00.000-08:00

I saw this in the NY Times a few weeks back and think it is the coolest condo ever!!!
Here's the text:

"WHAT: A three-bedroom one-bath apartment in a century-old canning factory

HOW MUCH $325,000

PER SQUARE FOOT: $16.25

SETTING: This property is made up of five buildings spread over two acres — three barns, a miniature Cape house and a 1908 cannery refurbished into a residence by its current owner, who bought the bundle in the early 1970s.

Liberty is a town in southern Maine of under 950 residents. The town center does not have a grocery store. The octagonal former post office is now home to the Liberty Historical Society. The 1,017-acre Lake St. George, a mile west, is popular with fisherman, and its adjoining park has over three miles of hiking trails.

For shopping, residents go to Belfast or Camden, coastal towns about 30 to 40 minutes east. Augusta is about 35 minutes west and has a regional airport with thrice-daily flights to Boston. Portland is about an hour and 45 minutes south.

COMMON SPACES: The apartment is divided into summer and winter sides — each side has a different level of insulation. It is heated by a wood-burning stove. Both have kitchens, bedrooms and sitting areas. The current owner installed all of the built-in cabinets, counters and shelves in the house.

Other buildings on the property are used for storage, woodworking, welding and machine shops for carpentry and sculpture.

PERSONAL SPACES: There are winter and summer bedrooms, and a summer-side deck with southeastern exposure.

OUTDOOR SPACE: Several of the buildings, including the cannery, form a horseshoe around a garden. The rest of the two acres display the current owner’s iron sculpture alongside a fleet of vintage automobiles and farm equipment. Price and inventory of the collection is negotiable. A stream runs along the edge of the property.

TAXES: $1,007 a year

CONTACT: Kate Jackson, Legacy Properties Sotheby’s International Realty (207) 230-1003 (x203); www.legacypropertiessir.com"

Just got me some new music

2009-01-17T12:41:00.000-08:00

Kasey Chambers & Shane Nicholson - Rattlin' Bones

I'm friends with Dolan Geiman

2009-01-06T13:15:00.001-08:00

Dolan Geiman's website asked me to be on their friends page. Yeee!

A Month Without my Computer: What I Learned

2009-01-04T14:23:00.000-08:00

So it feels like my string of hard knocks may have run it's course finally: starting the 6th of December, I have had quite the bummer of a month. First, as you know from the most recent posts, I lost a year's worth of pictures and work and oh, everything when my non-backed up hard drive kicked the bucket. Everything else since then has been minor in comparison, but difficult none-the-less: a horrible 3 week cold, a whopper of a bladder infection, severe back pain, and due to snow not a lot of breaks from a cranky 1+ year old. But today (oh glorious day) Lulu has been all smiles and giggles, my illnesses have seemed to subsided, I have a massage scheduled in an hour, and my computer is back in my arms with the even bigger bonus of a handful of pictures that are not lost after all.
Yeee!
But I have to say this month of bullshit days in suck city has had some positive bits. Not having my computer has forced me to seek other forms of entertainment. I've read more, taken knitting back up, and cooked more. Because we had a series of snowstorms that forced us to stay home (and not xmas shop) I actually made some gifts and they turned out grand: cookies and candies, a portrait of my brother's dog, knitted pot holders for my dad, and a purse for my brother's girlfriend. Which I am particularly proud of because it has a liner and I embroidered on it too!!
I've made the resolution, because of my computer-less epiphanies, that the computer shall now live upstairs and be used sparingly, not for random bored-ness. No more compulsive email checking, because please, it's not like I get ALL that many emails. We are also going to let go of our tv once the digital dealio switches over in February, because tv is, well, kinda lame. We will still be netflixing though, I'm not that hard core.
:-)

Reprieve

2009-01-04T12:13:00.001-08:00

I just had my hard drive replaced, after a month of not having a computer, and grieving the loss of 16 months of photos - that included the birth and first 16 months of my daughter's life. So this morning I've been re-loading what data I do have backed up - and came upon a happy surprise - I had the hospital and her first day of photos saved AND I found that I hadn't deleted all of her photos off of my website - so I have her 2nd month, part of her 5th month, and her 6th-9th months. The photos are only website quality - BUT STILL.

Oh happy day!

I am Your Cautionary Tale

2008-12-16T08:12:00.000-08:00

Last week my one year old computer crashed. The hard drive suffered mechanical failure, which is the worst kind. The company I sent my lap top to, DriveSavers, has an ad that says they save half a million dollars worth of data off of a computer that sat on the bottom of the Amazon River for two days, but my computer they could not save. And I, the idiot that I am, did not back things up. Since the day Lulu was born. So I have lost ALL OF MY DAUGHTER'S PICTURES UP TIL NOW - her FIRST YEAR. And video - her first bath, her first steps. I have been crying non -stop for two days.

Don't be me - back up your data. I don't know why I didn't even THINK about backing up, considering that there's no other possession, except perhaps my mother's wedding rings, that I care more about. I've just been, you know, busy being a new mom.

So I am working on getting perspective, that of course what matters is my ACTUAL daughter, not these pictures, but it's really hard not to mourn this. Why couldn't I have lost the year's of pictures before she was born, for heaven's sake? I don't give a crap about those!!!

So ya. you're probably a lot smarter than me, but in case backing up your stuff is something you haven't gotten around to, you better. DON'T BE ME.

New Paintings, New Show

2008-12-05T15:27:00.001-08:00

January and February of 2009 my art will be hanging at Cafe Ladro on 15th, across from QFC near Group Health Hospital on Capitol Hill.
Here's two more paintings, fresh from the studio:

Annie

5X7" Mixed Media Acrylic Painting on cedar panel

$150

Lily

5X7" Mixed Media Acrylic Painting on cedar panel

$150

Great Art!

2008-12-01T11:06:00.000-08:00

I met Flora Bowley back when I worked on Petaline. I LOVE LOVE LOVE her use of color, and wish that I could afford a big, splashy painting for my livingroom. We don't have big chunks of money to use for art collection, much to my chagrin, but Flora does have little sweet paintings she calls her "minis" for an affordable $125.

This morning while paying my Etsy bill, I somehow stumbled on an artist named Sarah Blank. She is another artist, like myself, drawn to images from the past. I love the stories her art tries to tell. Her blog is really fun too!

mmmm, foam!

2008-11-30T19:25:00.000-08:00

Nutty Buddy discovers the yumminess that is good latte foam. mmmm, foam.

New Show: Cafe Dharwin December 2008

2008-11-30T12:40:00.000-08:00

Ginny

5 X 7 Mixed Media Acrylic Painting

Cedar Cradled Artboard

$150

Betty

5 X 7 Mixed Media Acrylic Painting

Cedar Cradled Artboard

SOLD

I'll be putting my art up at a really darling little place named Cafe Dharwin in the Capitol Hill/Roanoake neighborhood for December. Come check it out, I have a couple new ones right now too. I'm planning on making a series of these 5 X 7" portraits from vintage photos.

Should be Interesting!

2008-11-25T11:32:00.000-08:00

Scott and I have been talking off and on for the last couple of years about whether or not we want to live someplace a little more "country" and see if we can hack it. I went to college in Bellingham and LOVED living in a smaller city, but now that I've been back in Seattle for 13 years it's hard to move - we have our family and friends here, and our routines, and of course all of the great things you can have in a city. But there are things that wear on me here - the noise, the traffic, the crime. All that big city stuff. And I would really love it if Lulu, as she gets older, would have more freedom to run and play - not that Seattle doesn't have great parks - but I have this fantasy of her being able to play in more nature/natural settings, if you get me. I grew up in Seattle but we lived right up against a green belt, so in a way my brother and I were able to go play in "the woods" as we were kids. And our neighborhood was really quiet so we could ride our bikes everywhere, and wander wherever. Doesn't seem to be the same now.
So, I've been exploring neighboring Pacific NW towns to see if there are any places close by we would want to re-locate to. Here's the maybe list so far:
Bellingham
Portland (it's a big city but it seems to have a smaller town feel)
Port Townsend
Langley (Whidbey Island)

The convenient thing about the 4th choice, Langley, is it wouldn't require Scott looking for a new job - it is a 20 minute ferry ride practically to Boeing's doorstep. Soooo - we decided we should rent a place there and see if we like it. Originally we were thinking 6 months to a year, but now we've scaled back to a month and then see where we are at. So in February we'll be on Whidbey, checking out the island scene, to see if we could fit in there. We found an itsy bitsy cabin right on the water that we are going to shoe-horn our little family and large dog into while we explore the area. Here's some pics of our sweet cabin rental.....Should be interesting!!!

Etsy Artists

2008-11-16T20:35:00.000-08:00

You don't have to search too hard on Etsy anymore to find really high quality, creative art - check out these guys:

Illustration Friday: Pretend

2008-11-14T12:40:00.003-08:00

This was an illustration I did 13 years ago for an Illustration class at the School of Visual Concepts, taught by the late great Fred Hilliard. I think the assignment was do an illustration for some sort of clothing ad - I think the caption was something like "It's 100% wool!"

I Made Bread

2008-11-13T07:40:00.000-08:00

For the first time. Isn't that exciting?? And it was good too!I made it from the Rustic White Bread recipe in The America's Test Kitchen Family Cookbook, which I LOVE!

Rustic White Bread
Ingredients:

2 cups bread flour
2 cups plus 1/4 cup whole wheat or all purpose flour
1 envelope instant yeast
2 tsp. salt
1 3/4 cups warm water
2 Tb honey

Mix the dry ingredients (minus the 1/4 cup whole wheat flour) in a food processor. While running, add the water and honey and mix for about one minute, until the dough comes together. Turn the cuisinart off and let the dough rest in the processor for 2 minutes and then pulse for 30 seconds more.

Turn the dough out to a lightly floured counter and knead for one minute. Place dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover bowl with plastic wrap and let rise in a draft-free area for 1 - 1.5 hours.

When the dough is doubled in size, turn it out to a clean counter and dimple it with your fingertips. This will release some of the air. Once the dough is flattened a bit, pull up the sides to form a tight ball. Place the shaped dough on a sheet of parchment and cover loosely with greased plastic wrap. Let it rise again for about 1.5 hours.

Place baking stone in oven and preheat to 500 degrees F. Place a cast iron pan on the bottom of the oven (or very bottom shelf) and preheat it as well.

Let the baking stone heat up for about 30 minutes and no longer than one hour.

Once the dough has risen again, slice an "x" in the top with a very sharp knife or razor blade. Slide the parchment paper with the bread onto the baking stone. Pour 1.5 cups of water in the cast iron pan to form steam. Using a mister, mist water on the bread and on the walls of the oven. Bake for 30 seconds, remist the bread and walls. Bake for 30 seconds, re-mist again. Bake for 30 seconds and mist for a final time.

Bake for an additional 12 minutes (or less if it is getting too brown) at 500, and then lower the oven temperature to 400F and bake for another 20 minutes. When the bread is done, it will sound hollow when thumped.

Transfer to a wire rack and cool.

Petaline

2008-11-12T18:32:00.000-08:00

I'm pretty low key when it comes to fashion. Well, honestly, it's more a combination of lazy and cheap when it comes to fashion with me. I'm definitely a jeans and sweatshirts kind of girl - but that doesn't mean jeans and sweatshirts have to be frumpy - and my friend Alison has helped me a few times make the transition from frumpville to maybe kinda hip!
So she did it again today - she's been wanting me to try on this line of sweatshirts from Prairie Underground that she carries in her online shop Petaline. She finally cornered me and of course, I loved them. What I loved about them: they nip in at your ribcage, making you look deceptively skinny by hiding any leftover pregnancy blubber. They have a gather on the back above your butt so it doesn't catch on aforementioned blubber and ride up -instead it skims right over the dodgy bits making you look elegant and slender. The sleeves are long, making your arms appear willowy. The fabric is thick and high quality. Soooo....I bought two. Here they are:

Here's some other stuff from Petaline that are pretty durn cool:

Stephanie Simek - Illuminated Sea Cookie Pin

Stephanie Simek - Speckled Quail Egg Pendant

Una - Emelina Top

Una - Maribel Top

Illustration Friday: Wise

2008-11-07T14:47:00.003-08:00

Nora, Dora + Flora

Mixed Media Acrylic Painting on canvas

36" X 48"

SOLD

If age=wisdom, then these are some wise women.

Book Report: Choosing Simplicity

2008-11-05T06:53:00.000-08:00

I just finished Choosing Simplicity:Real People Finding Peace and Fulfillment in a Complex World by Linda Breen Pierce. It came out about 10 years ago, but it definitely is still applicable to today, especially with the current economic climate. It is about the "simplicity movement", which may sound like a back-to-the-earth, grow your own food, spin your own wool kind of thing but really what it is is examining yourself to figure out what means the most to you, prioritizing it, and letting go of the things that don't matter. So for some people it may mean giving up a big house and cars and renting an apartment so they have enough $ to travel. For some it's figuring out how to work part time so you can be home with the kids. There's all kinds of life stories that fit the "voluntary simplicity" term - and Linda's book follows 211 people and families who choose to live a more simple yet fulfilling life.
I was really inspired by the book, though it wasn't a revelation, Scott and I seem to be heading in that direction anyway -but it's really helpful to see how different people achieve a more fulfilling lifestyle without being chained to bills/jobs/etc. In Linda's last chapter she has a list of 10 items that are her prescription for a simple life (here they are paraphrased):
1. Write in a journal daily.
2. Take 3-4 months off per year to live in some very different place.
3. Limit your work outside of the house to 30 hrs - 20 if you are a parent.
4. Don't bring any material thing into your house unless you want to keep it for the rest of your life.
5. Spend at least an hour a week in nature, away from people.
6. Live in a home with only those rooms you and your family use daily.
7. select a home and workplace no more than 30 minutes away from each other.
8. Do whatever you can to connect with spirit - prayer, walks in nature, meditation etc etc.
9. Seek others who want to live simply.
10. Practice saying no - to more things, more unwanted responsibilities, more social activities.

Good book. Go read.

I was touched

2008-11-04T20:28:00.000-08:00

by John McCain's concession speech. Well done sir.
And Congratulations to President Obama! And may we all work together, as hard as we can, to make things better.

my new favorite snack

2008-11-02T14:32:00.001-08:00

Dreamy Places: Coupeville WA

2008-11-01T08:56:00.001-07:00

One of the local towns that I have my eye on as a possible dreamy small town to live in is Coupeville on Whidbey Island. It is the oldest town in Washington State (or perhaps the second oldest? Can't quite remember), and I first noticed it as the setting for the movie Practical Magic with Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman. Completely charming.

Here are some houses currently for sale in Coupeville:
MLS #28177017, $715K:"The Zylstra House, c. 1889, and separate studio/workshop attached to 1 car garage sit on 4 lots in the heart of downtown Coupeville. The possibilities are endless and this estate is truly one of a kind. Estate consists of 2 building lots which are segregated should a buyer desire to build or sell the lots at the end of the block."

MLS#28085963, $679K: "Originally the 1890 Madrona schoolhouse, this completely remodeled home is truly one-of-a-kind. Three bedrooms, three bathrooms, as well as a den/office, rec room and bonus room. Lots of light and 9-foot ceilings give an airy, spacious feel. Charming bedrooms, dramatic master on the first level with bathroom ensuite and walk in closet. On beautiful Madrona Way, this home enjoys waterfrontage and fantastic views. 0.75 acre."

MLS#28073232, $649K: "This is one of Coupevilles most charming,historic,waterfront cottages on Penn Cove,nestled on the edge of the Town Park.Take a short stroll down the bluff trail to downtown shopping & dining,or use the Town Park trail for easy beach access.The house consistes of 2 cabins from San de Fuca that were moved to this site.The home was remodeled in the 1990s with a 2nd remodel started in 2006 but not completed.1 bedroom loft & open floorplan.Private,enchanting location with views of the Wharf & Cove."

MLS#28156580, $479K: "1890 cabin remodeled by Frank Tichy in 2001 into a classic! Located in central Coupeville this Cape Cod style home is finished w/fine details such as wide plank pine flooring, 10 ft ceilings, classic molding, farmhouse sink & 700 sf finished attic with gable ceilings. You will be welcomed into a lg entry that leads to dining room & open living area w/gas fireplace & French doors to deck w/pergola. The kitchen is large & equipped w/Subzero frig & Jenn-air range/oven. Basement w/workshop."

Mixtape for Lulu

2008-10-30T07:48:00.001-07:00

I've been looking for some way to post mixes I make - I was trying to do it through ITunes, and their Imixes, but I recently got the new version of ITunes and there's a bug and I can't make the mixes anymore, and honestly, I do not have the HOURS IT TAKES to figure out how to fix the bug, or figure out how to get help to fix the bug. So I found this super cool site Mixwit thru Happy Mundane and here is a mixtape in honor of my daughter Lulu.

Illustration Friday: Repair

2008-10-29T12:29:00.000-07:00

Boy this haunted house is in need of repair.

This pic was just a play around with collage have fun piece. It is from a photo I took of a delapidated house in Great Falls MT. I wanted to see how I could combine painting, drawing and collage.

Happy Halloween!

Beautiful Luren

2008-10-24T05:38:00.000-07:00

My talented friend Katie Cannon, who works for MSNBC as a photo journalist, took this pic of me and Lulu when she turned one. It is one of many fabulous pictures Katie took! Now I have to decide which to print! All of them I think!
Thanks Katie!!!

Here also is a version of this same photo, using this oh-so-cool application poladroid which I found via Happy Mundane who found it via SwissMiss. SO much fun!

Illustration Friday: Late

2008-10-21T14:28:00.000-07:00

"Isabella, Sophie + a good book"

5"X7" Mixed Media Acrylic Painting

SOLD

It's getting late, time to go to bed and stop reading....
(posted for illustration friday)

Scratchboard

2008-10-21T14:20:00.000-07:00

For a long time I was completely besotted with using scratchboard, though lately I haven't used it. I love the detail and texture it provides, much like traditional printmaking. The material I use is something called clayboard, which is a piece of masonite with a smooth, thin layer of white clay layed on one side. I then take ink and draw a picture on it, and then with scraping tools, create white lines in the dark ink picture. It's like drawing in reverse - instead of dark lines on a white background, it's white lines on a dark background.
Here are some examples:

Chine Colle Linoleum Prints

2008-10-21T12:40:00.001-07:00

About 5 years ago, I took a printmaking class in Ballard from Sev Shoon Art Center, and totally fell in love with linoleum printing, and especially the technique of Chine-colle.
From Wikipedia: Chine-collé is a special technique in printmaking in which the image is transferred to a surface that is bonded to a heavier support in the printing process. One purpose is to allow the printmaker to print on a much more delicate surface, such as Japanese paper or linen, which pulls finer details off the plate. Another purpose is to provide a background color behind the image that is different from the surrounding backing sheet.
In the typical "direct print" method, the plate is inked, the thin paper (dampened) is placed on the inked plate and trimmed to size, paste is applied to the thin paper, and the ensemble (plate plus thin paper with paste) is placed on a dampened backing sheet. Then, this is run through a printing press. In the pressure of the press, the ink is transferred to the thin paper, and the thinner paper is simultaneously adhered to the backing paper. An advantage of this method is that the thin paper will be exactly the desired size, since it is trimmed to size and then quickly affixed in place.
For the laymen: What that means is I cut out colored/patterned paper and paste it between the plate and my linoleum, so when the whole thing goes through the printer it presses it all together and I have certain areas in my print with color or pattern.
Here are some examples:

Paintings

2008-10-21T12:10:00.000-07:00

My most recent groups of paintings have been influenced by a passion for vintage photos. I've also been experimenting with mixed media - I love to collage in paper and found objects, and now I'm also seeing how I can incorporate drawing with either pen and ink or pencil. Here are some examples of some paintings from the past two years.

"Rose"

5"X7" Mixed Media Acrylic Painting on canvas

SOLD

"Pearl"

5" X 7" Mixed Media Acrylic Painting on canvas

SOLD

"Lois"

28" X 36" Mixed Media Acrylic Painting on canvas

SOLD

"Portrait with Brooch"

11" X 20" Mixed Media Acrylic painting on cradled hardboard

SOLD

"Ruth"

18" X 24" Mixed Media Acrylic Painting on cradled hardboard

(this painting totally changed. See more current posts or portfolio site for current iteration)

Music: Andrew Bird + Alela Diane

2008-10-20T07:22:00.000-07:00

What I'm listening to these days (Thanks Maija!):

This is TOTALLY my idea

2008-10-19T08:33:00.001-07:00

I've been thinking about what the perfect community to live in would be, because I've been reading Last Harvest: How a Cornfield Became New Daleville by Witold Rybczynski - which is about how a developer designs a housing development. I - like many others - do not like the cookie cutter towns of beige that crop up in once picturesque farmland or formerly untouched wilderness. If there is going to be a development, there seems to be so much better, creative, low impact, and attractive alternatives. I had this brainstorm about creating a community shaped much like a European town, with a town center/park, surrounded by cool buildings with essential businesses in the ground floor and apts up above, and then circling this little culdesacs of houses. My idea also had parking below the development and no cars allowed in the community, except maybe two AM's a week for delivery's, and that in order to get from car to house there would be little bicycle tow truck dealies that you would pay a couple bucks to get you there, if you didn't want to walk. They could also do errands for you, like dry cleaning. Anyway, to make the little town even cooler have the houses be older homes reclaimed and moved to the site. Dreamy, no?
So this awesome guy, Hall Smyth (what a great name) wants to do this in New York and New England with restored BARNS. How freakin' cool is THAT?
Check out the NY Times article HERE.

Book Review: The Herbal Kitchen AND a recipe

2008-10-18T08:01:00.000-07:00

I just checked out from the library The Herbal Kitchen: Cooking with Fragrance and Flavor by Jerry Traunfeld. Just like his first book, The Herbfarm Cookbook, I've found a wealth of beautifully crafted (and easy!) recipes that follow the seasons of the year, and utilize a variety of herbs.
Here's my new favorite comfort food from The Herbal Kitchen:

Braised Pork Shoulder with pears and thyme
10 servings

5 # boneless pork shoulder (boston butt) cut into 10 rectangular pieces, or 5# shoulder blade chops
salt and fresh ground pepper
1/4 c olive oil
2 onions, sliced
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 c white wine
2 c chicken broth
4 pears, bosc or bartett, peeled, seeded and chopped into 1/2 inch dice
1 small bunch (1 ounce) thyme
4 bay leaves, fresh or dry
1/2 vanilla bean, split lengthwise
3 T coarsely chopped thyme
1/2 c coarsely chopped fresh parsley
1 T fresh lemon

Sprinkle pork with salt and pepper on all sides. Heat large heavy pot (8qt) over medium high heat x a few minutes, then add olive oil. Using tongs, lower in pork and cook ~3minutes on a side (till deep caramel in color). Do not try to cram more than one layer, will likely need to do a few batches. Turn heat to medium-low and pour off most of fat (leave thin layer). Add in onions and garlic. Cook till softened. Add in broth and wine and scrape bottom of pan with wooden spoon to get up all the caramelized bits. Add pears, then add back in pork. Tie thyme together with bay and vanilla using kitchen twine and nestle between pieces of pork. Cover and cook at a gentle simmer over very low heat until meat is tender, about 2 hours.

Take out pork and cover loosely. Discard herbs (bouquet garni). Add chopped thyme to pot, increase the heat, and boil off liquid until thick enough to coat a spoon (5-10 minutes). Add in parsley and lemon and adjust to taste. Return pork to pan and serve. Very good reheated.

Belvidere neighborhood, W. Seattle

2008-10-18T07:49:00.001-07:00

Two homes with much potential for dreaminess in W. Seattle, in an extremely lovely and walkable neighborhood.

#1: $465K - "Oh Boy - Bring your builder/designer.Heres a gem in the roughest of rough....A classic Old World Charmer(circa 1912)w/great bones.Start with the existing: Big,rocking chair front porch,4 BRs,1.5 Bth,20x22 ft fam rm addn off kitchen,great wood floors in LR&DR,period fireplace,peek view from FR & Location! Location Location! In area of EXPENSIVE HOMES.Use your imagination to realize the potential on the rest.For example,check under the gray siding?Subject to lien holders approval-allow 5 weeks." mls #: 28029221

This one has a lot of potential, with the great dark wood trim and fabulous front porch. My husband and I walked by it and from that brief look we saw a few things off the bat that need to be done -It has a weird slapped on addition on the back that would need to be taken off, and the porch looks like it's sloping and needs work, and the siding would have to be re-done...so it needs help. But once you were done, amazing house in amazing neighborhood.

#2: $470K -"Classic Vintage Charmer located in the desirable North Admiral. Just steps to Metro Market and all daily needs. Period correct features include: stately entry, inviting brick fireplace, gleaming oak floors, tulip leaded windows, & formal dining room. New 30 year roof, gas furnace, water heater, & sewer line. Updated Chefs kitch. Addtl living space in basement, perfect for future expansion, detached 1 car garage/shop. Beautiful landscaped outdoor areas w/patio for entertaining. A must see!" mls#: 28151728

This one is done and super cute. Not much of a yard, but hey, less gardening to do! And you are a block away from Met Market, on a secluded street with nice trees.

Hee hee

2008-10-16T07:13:00.000-07:00

"Goodnight Moon, Hello Martini"

From the book Hatched by Sloane Tanen & Stefan Hagen

Time to get Halloweeny

2008-10-13T21:26:00.001-07:00

Since I am a mom now, I feel like the celebration of holidays in our household needs to be taken up a notch. My own mom was amazing during the holidays- with very tasteful decorations, tons of great food, thoughtful and exceptionally wrapped gifts. She was very MS before MS even came on the scene. I am not quite at the caliber of my mom, but I do love to cook, and I do love creating and embellishing our living space.
So now it's almost Halloween, Lulu's second Halloween. On her first Halloween she wore an outfit from her Grandma Mary that said "My First Halloween" which lasted all of 30 minutes before she had an explodey poo that coated both of us. Then our next door neighbors came over with their baby girl, Cora and I think we all had a beer and called it a night.
Probably won't be too different this year, except I'll try to find a costume for Lulu and I just ordered some cool window posters for our house, from a site called Grandin Road. Check out some of the cool things they have:

Here's some Halloween pics from last year, when Lulu was 2 months and Cora was 1 month old.

A Little Levity

2008-10-12T15:39:00.001-07:00

And also check out this vid that Maija showed me, eet eez so silly: