STUDIO NEWS January 2020

Happy New Year!! (They don't look like this anymore - it didn't take long for me to get paint on them, like the majority of my wardrobe)

Studio News, January 2020

If you are reading this, you made it through the holidays, one of the most stressful times of the year. Congratulations on surviving and getting a start on the new decade. How weird is that? We've got a new decade on our hands. I don't remember 2010 being that big of a deal, but I was pretty engrossed in raising my kids then, and social media was much quieter, too. As someone who's never watched a whole lot of television and currently limits their online time, I rather prefer things on the quieter side. I have enough voices already in my head, lol! So here we are, feeling even more pressure because it's the start of a new year and a new decade, to make resolutions and throw out those habits that don't serve us well. I'm going to tell you something, though - each day is a new start and a chance to love ourselves a bit harder, faults and all. That's how I look at it. January is just a month to hunker down (if you live where there's colder temps), rejuice and be a kinder person. I am looking forward to all that this year will teach me. My eyes, ears and heart are open and taking it all in. It's going to be epic because I'm going to treat it that way. I made you a playlist. Just 10 songs that maybe you haven't heard before, favorites of mine. Maybe you'll fall in love with one of these artists yourself. Or add a couple to your own painting/creating/housecleaning/commuting playlist!! As to what's happening in the studio, I did start with a thorough re-organization of my paintings' storage and a little re-organization of my working space. I'm preparing exhibition entries for 7 shows and curating work for an installation of Daydream paintings, coupled with a tutorial on how to appreciate abstract art, at my local library in March. I am continuing to paint movement studies using butterflies, bumble bees and now dragonflies, and taking the Daydreams BIG (36"x48") with collaged bits of smaller Daydreams added. I am reading (here's a link to my virtual bookshelf), journaling, meditating and yoga-ing. And I am currently sniffling. It would appear that I'm coming down with a sinus thing. Meanwhile, the ever constant nitty gritty: If you would like a pet portrait (they make wonderful Valentines!) Message me for details. 2020 Workshops: I am teaching at The Hudson River Valley School in New York (March) and at Painting Miles in Raleigh, NC (November). Follow the links for further information. (And if you are curious about bringing me to your neck of the woods, please reach out) For about the cost of a cup of coffee, you can join my online classroom. It's perfect for creatives of all walks. Via video and other resources coupled with a private online community space, I provide exclusive behind the scenes footage of idea germination, painting progressions, materials, inspirations, studio management, etc. Access is $5/montth. My journaling class meets on the 3rd Thursday of each month in Lake Orion (MI). This month I will be teaching/sharing some of the processes I use in the daydream paintings - this is an exclusive opportunity to try some of the approaches out. My FIneArtAmerica storefront is open 24/7, with over 300 paintings which can be reproduced on a variety of textiles, along with smartphone cases and other traditional surfaces. Prices start around $3 and go up. Wanting to gift yourself or someone special an original painting? Reach out - I have Daydreams, Echos and Sirens in my home studio, and can ship worldwide. I am happy to arrange for payment plans, too - I want you to be able to live with the painting you desire. As you make travel plans for this year, consider visiting one of my galleries in person (they also have websites for those staying closer to home) - Equis Art Gallery (Red Hook, NY), Bozutto Greene (Lutherville, MD), Hayley Gallery (New Albany, OH), Gallery Orange, (New Orleans, LA) and The Art of Custom Framing (Troy, MI). And, finally, please let me know what you think. I'm always listening. Feel free to respond to this newsletter, shoot me an email, comment on the blog or interact via Facebook or Instagram. Locals can join my journaling group that meets monthly. There's all sorts of ways for us to connect! THANK YOU so much for making it this far, for reading all my wordy words, for buying my art or taking my classes or commenting and sharing things on social media. I am so grateful to share this journey with you. HAPPY NEW YEAR!! Warmly, Kim