Sunday, February 22, 2009
Thursday, February 12, 2009
OWOH Winner
Using : http://www.random.org/integers/ I generated that magic list of random integers. And the winner is Melanie, AKA TwinsMom. Melanie left me a very personal and heart felt message as did so many of you (see below). Thank you Melanie for participating. I will keep your aunt in my prayers and I hope she enjoys "Hope." Please visit Melanie's blog: http://88designs.blogspot.com/ . She is a digi scrapbooker an Mom of twins (3 yrs old) and an 11 year old. As many of us, she has got her hands full!
"that is truly heartwarming! My aunt is undergoing treatment for breast cancer right now. she is about halfway through her radiation treatments. she was lucky that they caught hers very early so she didn't have to go through chemo, too. she has done remarkably well. AND, I also have a set of twins. They are boy/girl twins and they are three. And a set they are!!! Please enter me in the drawing for this picture!! I would love to be able to give it to my aunt. It would have a very special meaning to her!!!" Melanie.
I will look forward to next years event and am truly grateful for discovering so many new blogs.
k
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
In the Classroom of Silence. Completed.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
OWOH
Monday, January 26, 2009
One World One Heart Blog Event!
It was just today that I came across this wonderful bloggers event called One World One Heart. You can read about it here or click on the icon: http://oneworldoneheart.typepad.com/one_worldone_heart/2009/01/index.html. This event, which is in its third year I believe, involves a blog give away but those who participate are linked through the One World One Heart blog over 600 participants and going strong). Lisa, the woman who started this event, explains the concept and why she started it here: http://oneworldoneheart.typepad.com/one_worldone_heart/2009/01/from-my-heart.html. Basically the event brings a variety of bloggers from all over the world together to share their stories. The giveaway part is just icing on the cake. I thought that this was a really an awesome idea. There are so many talented people out with with a story to tell. I have a handful of blogs that I follow rigorously and I know that it will be fun to add a few more! I will definitely leave a comment on some of the wonderful blogs who are participating in the hopes I just might win a little something. Some of the give aways are beautiful. More importantly though, is the good reads I am experiencing through so many new blogs.
So here is how it works. Below is a scan of the original artwork entitled Hope. She was donated to a breast cancer fundraiser but I would like to giveaway an Art Print of this work. The print is about 5 by 7 and is centered on a 8 by 10 paper, archival, very high quality matte, and printed with archival inks. I will title and sign the print on the front. I created this piece because a good friend had been recently diagnosed with cancer. This is one of my favorite mixed media and collage pieces. The poem quoted is by Emily Dickinson, "Hope is a the thing with feathers that perches in the soul..."
What you need to do if you would like to have me send this to you, is to leave a comment on THIS post. Please include your email address or some way that I can contact you if you should win. You can post up to midnight on Feb. 11th . I will draw a winner at random on February 12th and post his or her name to my blog. That is all...Simple! Happy commenting!
k
Conscious Cup Show: Jan - Feb. 2--9
Friday, January 16, 2009
Classroom of Silence- More definition
Today is another cold one here in McHenry, IL. The temperature (without wind chill) this AM was -17. Yep,
-17! My kids did not have school again, yea! It was nice to allow them to really sleep in. I made a nice warm sweet bread, lemon poppy seed, for breakfast and they were able to have it warm out of the oven. All the homework was shelved and they have basically watched TV or played video games. Oh to be a kid again!
I was able to sneak in a little studio time and here is the next phase of this piece. Things are a bit more defined. I am currently working on the veil. I plan on building up the layers/folds with more tissue and then I will probably give it a wash of color. I am not exactly sure. Sometimes my portraits will speak to me as I am working. That probably sounds weird but for me anyway, it is true. This one, however, is silent. I wonder if that in itself says something?
K
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Classroom of Silence-working title
Monday, January 12, 2009
der Weihnachtstraum 1-109
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Christmas Eve 2008
And I did survive the Nutcracker. I attended 8 of the 10 performances. I never ever get tired of watching my children perform. They are artists for sure. Colin and his sister Kaitie (who is two years older than him) received standing ovations for their Russian solos. They were awesome. I had more parents of dancers (many of whom I only know by sight) came up to me to say how wonderful they were. Colin was also Fritz and I was blown away by that performance as well. And then there was his performance as a Spun Candy Cavalier. My Little boy was the talk of the town! I am so proud of him and his sisters. I might also say that he is now on a full dance scholarship. I guess they like him!
May your Christmas be blessed and your New Year prosperous. Till 2009...
k
Monday, December 01, 2008
Nutcracker Push 12-1-08
Thursday, October 30, 2008
A Christmas Dream: part 2 10-30-08
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Christmas Dream in progress...very roughed in. 10-24-08
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
She Bowed for Clara: Finished 10-14-08
Thursday, October 09, 2008
Found Art Tuesday 10-6-08: La Virgen
And I just noticed a new widget or gadget on this blog. We can become followers of our favorite blogs. So cool. I was surprised to see that I had a follower. Thank you UNDAUNTED! Now I have to figure out how I can follow my favorites.
k
Saturday, October 04, 2008
Nutcracker Mixed Media work: Arabian interpretation
Monday, September 22, 2008
A First for Me.
I am most humbled by this thoughtful award. Sometimes when we are feeling sorry for ourselves, or "unloved, undiscovered, unwanted, un...", you get the drift, someone comes along to make your day, week, month, year..... I want to thank Linda for making my day and I am sure my week too. I am grateful that you read my blog and make comments of the nature that keep me going. And what is really so neat is that I can say I have a friend that lives in the United Kingdom. The power of the Internet has not ceased to amaze me. So anyway, there are some rules that apply when you receive an Internet award like this. First though, I will share what Linda (AKA Undaunted, http://rediscovering-art.blogspot.com/) said about this little spot on the cyberspace highway:Kathy LaRocco is also a mixed media artist who paints and uses collage. Again, I can't help wondering how she even comes up with her ideas. Apart from producing work that is absolutely beautiful, I admire Kathy for stretching herself beyond her comfort zone and trying new techniques.
You know what, not even my children admire me! Now for the rules:
1) Choose 7 favorite blogs and…
2) Put the logo on your blog
3) Link the person you received your award from
4) Nominate at least 7 other blogs (didn't we already do that?)
5) Put links of those blogs on yours
6) Leave a message on the blogs of the ones you’ve nominated
I do have quite a few blogs that I try to keep up with for sanity's sake. Linda's and Rosa's have already won this award. So I am not sure, but my guess would be that it would be redundant to nominate them again. I enjoy these ladies art and words so much...Thank you for both being such an inspiration. Here are my nominations:
1.Kelly Rae
Kelly's words just soar. Not only do I look to her as a "mentor" but her sage advice and tenderness are so rare. Her art is definitely buried deep within her and she draws from her memories and experiences with so much strength. I think she would never admit to that because she is a very humble and appreciative artist, but never-the-less, she is stronger than she gives herself credit for. Please visit her site. You will not be disappointed.. Also, check out her new book. I absolutely loved it..... Taking Flight
2. Misty Mawn
Aside from Rosa's blog, Misty Mawn's was the first bog that I read with any amount of regularity. Her art reflects her soul. She is that good. She is a wonderful photographer as well. I so enjoy seeing pictures of her home in Virginia and pictures of her children. Because she feels with such depth, her writing ring true in the same vein as Kelly Rae's. But it is so unfair to even begin to compare these two wonderful artists. I just know that in Misty, I find some of myself. She too is a mentor. I treasure the articles she has written for both Somerset Studio and Cloth, Paper, Scissors. They are mini classes. I treasure her descriptions of all the wonderful encounters she has had as a guest teacher on her many art retreats . One of my greatest dreams is to be able to study with her, just once.....
3. Zorana
I discovered Zorana's blog after reading Artful Blogging (Somerset Studio). Her work is lovely and I enjoy reading about those little things that a working artists contends with. I can relate to her posts about her teen daughter and collage bound son. And well, I just plain love her use of color and form.
4. dj pettitt
dj is so well known in the mixed media world. Her classes are always well attended (so I hear, I have never taken a class with her). I have been a fan of her work for years. Her pro traits are so full of life and emotion. Her work with fabric is almost legendary. By reading her blog and getting a glimpse into her world, I have realized she is a regular person. She loves dogs and just went through the loss a her beloved companion. She only recently brought home a puppy and I swear her little Tulla Girl is just about the most adorable puppy that I have ever seen (and I have seen a ton of puppies). I will enjoy watching her little puppy grow up. Gosh I love dogs!
5. Kari
I have been a cyber space friend of Kari's for several years now. We met each other in a deco swap group run by Lisa Vollrath. The group is now defunct but I learned so many mixed media techniques by communicating with the artists from this group. Kari's blog is all about her "daily" painting exploits. She is primarily a watercolor artist who also explores the mixed media world. I enjoy reading about her thoughts as she completes a work. And her water colors are absolutely stunning. I look at them and shake my head. How the "hell" does she do that?
6. Paulette Insall
Paulette's blog was mentioned on another site (I wish I could remember where). I love her portraits and when I discovered that she teaches on line classes, I signed up as soon as I got payed (from my day job). She has a small son and as with these other artists, I really enjoy reading about her human side. The side that is a mother and is vulnerable. Her art work is taking off and she is becoming a presence on the Internet.
7. Claudine Hellmuth
Besides being an internationally known and loved collage artist, inventor of sorts, and all around cool person, Claudine's blog is just so happy. You can feel her smiles and her positive attitude. Of course she does write about sad things that happen in her life but for the most part, her blog exudes happiness. From her books and DVD tutorials, I have learned so many interesting techniques. And she keeps them coming through her blog.
And there you have...some personal favorites of mine. These ladies have inspired in ways that I can't put into words. I feel that my art is coming alive through them...even though they basically don't know I exist. It really doesn't matter though...I am just so lucky that blogging allows us to peer into the hearts and souls of so many wonderful artists.
k