The Summer of Color 4: One Week To Go!

"But I can hardly sit still. I keep fidgeting, crossing one leg and then the other. 

I feel like I could throw off sparks, or break a window -- maybe rearrange all the furniture."

- Raymond Carver

One. Tiny. Week. Left.

And the anticipation is killing me.  I can't wait to share all the messy details of this year's Summer of Color 4: Smudge, Splash & Pop with you. 

If you've always wanted to play along, consider making this your year. I promise, you don't want to miss all of the creativity, connection and fun during the lazy days of Summer. Wanna know more? Check out our Flickr pool, Facebook page or all of the SOC details here.

And remember, there will be no art the opening week. Just a lotta beans spilled. Oh, and our first of seven pretty fabulous giveaways (but I bet you already knew that ;). 

So get your thinking cap on and your supplies out: it's gonna be a colorful ride . . . .

But before you go, we must play what has become an SOC tradition. Check out this updated version of what has to be my favorite video for color inspiration:

Until Next Week . . .

Eeeeee,

Kristin xo

The Summer of Color 4: Let the Countdown Begin!

"Don't you long for something different to happen, 

something so exciting and new it carries you along with it like a great tide, 

something that lets your life blaze and burn so the whole world can see it?"

- Juliet Marillier 

Are. You. Ready?! 

The Summer of Color 4: Smudge, Splash & Pop is just around the corner. . . . that's two tiny weeks left before all the secrets of this year's event will be spilled. And let me tell you, it's gonna be a crazy-colorful journey. . . .

Don't know what I'm talking about? Oh no, you're gonna want to hear about this. After all, what would a fabulous year be without a little Summer of Color? Wanna see more? Check out our Flickr pool here. Wanna start the conversation? Join The Summer of Color Facebook group here.

Can't wait to get started? (I don't blame you). How about a little video about the effects of color while we wait:

Now: let the countdown begin! 

Colorful Kisses,

Kristin xo

#BringBackOurGirls

 "I Am Made of Stars" 

9 x 12 mixed-media on watercolor

"It's not about how much we give but how much love we put into giving"

- Mother Teresa

On April 14, nearly 300 girls were abducted from their school in Nigeria by a radical group that believes that girls should not dare to dream about becoming anything but wives and mothers. To date, there is no information about these girls, other than the group leader's boast that they will be sold into slavery. One month later, artists are coming together for these girls. 

Please join me, our host Jessica Sporn and artists from around the world in doing what we can to support this cause. Many of us have donated original work for auction here. All proceeds will be donated to girlrising.com, a global campaign for girls' education. 

To participate in the auction, please pop over to #BringBackOurGirls. The auction will start at 7 am EDT on May 15th and last until 3 pm EDT on May 17th. 

For my part, I am proud to offer the following (a favorite!) mixed-media painting. The original post describing the work can be found here. 

Oh! One more thing: as an added incentive, I'm offering a free mug matching the painting as my gift to the highest bidder. And of course all shipping costs will be absorbed by me.

Free 10 oz art mug is my gift with the purchase of this painting

To read more information about the girls and their plight, you can go here. To learn about what actions you can take, please check out the Facebook page here. And to see all the blog posts from other artists who are contributing to the cause, please join the hop below:

Jessica Sporn   http://jessicasporn.blogspot.com

Linda Kittmer  http://lindakittmer.blogspot.ca

Ronda Palazzari  http://rondapalazzari.typepad.com

Marjie Kemper   http://www.marjiekemper.com

Judy Shea   http://thekeytomyart.wordpress.com

Glenda Hoagland   http://pilgrimsthoughts.blogspot.com

Astrid Maclean  http://astridsartisticefforts.blogspot.com

Lisa Pace   http://lisapace.com

Jackie Neal   http://creatingwithoutcrayons-jackiepneal.com

Claudine Criner   http://claudinesartcorner.blogspot.com

France Papillon   http://www.france-papillon.com

Kristin Van Valkenburgh  http://TwinkleTwinkleLikeAStar.blogspot.com

Marcia Beckett  http://marciabeckett.blogspot.com

Ruth Levy   http://lerusho.wordpress.com/

Sally Lynn MacDonald   http://www.SallyLynnMacDonald.com

Renee Zarate   http://renee-boltonhouse.blogspot.com

Natasha May   http://natashamay.blogspot.com/

Carmen Whitehead   http://www.serendipitystudiobycw.blogspot.com/

Seth Apter   http://thealteredpage.blogspot.com/

Marybeth Shaw   http://mbshaw.blogspot.com/

Amy Ingardia-Walker  http://creativelyquirkyathome.blogspot.com/

Kelly Warren  http://happyshackdesigns.blogspot.com

Julie Bernier http://juliebernierphotography.zenfolio.com/

Adrienne Hoban  http://www.allure-decor.com/

Krista van Tol   http://craftylittlepigtails.blogspot.com

Cheryl Grigsby http://cherylspaperartz.blogspot.com

Jill Meyer www.jillmeyer.com

Lisa Flaherty http://mypeaceofpaper.blogspot.com

Kerry C. Mitchell http://kerrycmitchell.com

Lizabeth Harrington http://www.craicarts.blogspot.com;www.facebook.com/craicarts.com

Barbara Lanza www.barbaralanza.com

From the bottom of my heart, I thank you. Together we can make a difference. . . .

UPDATE: And together WE DID! I'm thrilled to report that the auction brought in over $3,900 for the girls. Thank you for all of your help and support! 

Thank you Kristin, Eva and Paint Party Friday!

Kristin xo

We Are All of Us Stars . . .

Ava Lee

 6 x 6 Birchwood Canvas

 "We are all of us stars, and we deserve to twinkle."

- Marilyn Monroe

Oh how I love this quote. And really, anything related to Marilyn Monroe. As a child, I would stare at big picture books of Hollywood Starlets for hours, hoping of course, to be just like them one day. And Marilyn Monroe was my favorite. Her bird-brained demeanor never fooled me. I thought she was brilliant.

But anyway . . .  Happy PPF! 

This week I played with a little 6 x 6 Birchwood canvas. It was made for the newest baby-to-be in our family, a little girl. (Hopefully her Mommy doesn't read this. No, I think I'm safe ;) Her nursery is being made pretty as we speak, and I hope she'll like this tiny addition.

I took some process shots again: in case you'd like to see how I got here. 

 Began with the "peeling paint" technique. 

Once dry, I added another layer of watered-down gesso for a softer look.

Pencil Sketch 

Colors added with watercolor crayons, acrylic and acrylic paint and gel pens. 

A second layer of oil pastels was laid down for a shot of bold color. 

And here's what became of her:

A decorative paper crown, Swarovski crystals and look - more iridescent stars - Hmm.

The sides. The entire piece was sanded and sealed before adding the final accents.

There we are. I hope she likes it. And thank you for taking a peek.

To Twinkling, 

Kristin xo

He Loves You So . . .

 9 x 12 altered backer board

"Tears shed for another person are not a sign of weakness. They are a sign of a pure heart."

- Jose N. Harris

So I found the coolest substrate the other day as I was rummaging around my stash looking for something new to art on. I guess I've been wise for years, as I've never been able to throw anything away just in case it may perhaps be useful in some random future project. Well okay, wise may not be the right word; perhaps hoard is more appropriate. But either way, my wise-hoarding ways did serve me well this week as I found an old piece of backer board (for framing) to play with. All it needed was a little gesso to get it going . . . .

I took some process photos along the way for a little show & tell:

Getting started: gesso applied with a palette knife followed by some stamping, watercolor crayons, acrylic and mark making.

A quick sketch. I wanted to express sorrow.

The finished sketch with a sad girl, wonky house & a mama bird with her three chicks. 

Okay, so now you may be wondering what the piece is about. I created it for my girlfriend who lost her Father - after many years battling sickness - just last week. As expected, she is devistated. And she's an only child. So everything that needed to be done in the aftermath of his passing was left to her and her alone to figure out. My heart broke for her as I tried - from another state - to do what I could to comfort her. Creating this painting was the only thing I could really think of. I know it won't bring him back or ease her sadness, but I do hope that it will make her feel less alone. 

Tears created by pressing a wet brush loaded with watercolor under the eyes. 

And here's what it looks like finished:

Complete with a bit of glitter, iridescent stars (which are making their way into everything I've done lately), sequins and ink.

The road reads; "He Loves You So."

Thank you for taking a peek. And be sure to check out PPF. You'll always be glad that you did.

Yours,

Kristin xo

YOU are the Spark . . .

9 x 12 Loose Art Journal Page

"You are the Spark that ignites the World"

-- Anonymous 

Happy Easter, Happy Spring & Happy PPF!

This little girl came about shortly after hearing the fabulous quote above. I just couldn't keep my mind off of the inspiring words and, naturally, knew that there would soon be a journal page in response to them. Here's what I came up with. Pink, polka dots, and glitter; what more could a girl ask for?

I hope this finds you knee-deep in colored eggs, jelly beans, chocolate bunnies. And that you are surrounded by those you love.


To Bunny Kisses,
Kristin xo

It's Spring Again . . .

"It is Spring again. The Earth is like a child that knows poems by heart."

- Rainer Maria Rilke

I love this time of year. The colors, the smells, the sound of birds chirping: really, what could be better? Oh yeah, I know. Spring Break! And let me tell you, as a newbie to Homeschooling, I really appreciate the chance to spend some time with my kidlet without the pressure of having to school her (well, you know what I mean). . . So, heres to bold, beautiful flowers, the smell of freesia in the air and some time off with family. Hopefully, I'll even get a chance to listen to some of those chirping birds. . . .

To the love of Spring,

Kristin xo