the letter "p"

p is for palm -- this is a 9 x 12 commission i just finished last night. it is very similar to one i posted earlier but smaller. for this piece, i had to tear the paper into much smaller pieces than i normally do. it was a fun challenge!!


p is for peg -- this collage has a little dowel rod peg at the back to hold it up!

p is for presley -- today he was wandering around the bedroom and saw his image in our floor length mirror. he was so excited and kept trying to smell the other little guy in the mirror and pawed at its legs. it was so very, very cute!! of course, when i left the room to get the camera he followed me. another missed photo op!

p is for personal perseverance -- i must say that i've been so inspired by the athletes at the olympics. it's hard to imagine the kind of dedication, sweat and tears that goes into not only a 4-year long trek to the olympics but for many of these athletes a lifelong commitment to reach a goal. i'm humbled by them and inspired to persevere in my quest to reach my personal goals!!

blessed

blessed
mixed media collage
9 x 9 x 3/4 aspen wood
copyright 2008 julie king

as many of you know i am an avid reader and one of my favorite things to read is a heart-touching coming of age story. i enjoy how these stories typically start out depicting the total innocence of youth. the main character is generally an 11 to 13 year-old boy or girl enjoying a carefree summer vacation . . . no homework, hanging with friends, late night kick the can games and fishing in the creek down the road. as the story progresses, events force the youngster to grow up a bit, leaving all that childish innocence behind. one of my faves of this genre is to kill a mockingbird. and, i remember how i adored a tree grows in brooklyn the first time i read it. i'm currently reading stephen king's hearts in atlantis and it carries that same classic theme of maturity being thrust on a young boy. sometimes in my hectic, go-go-go life i long for the innocence and simplicity of childhood. oh, to be reading in the tree house all afternoon with nothing more to worry about than what mom was fixing for supper. what a sense of freedom to never think about paying bills or retirement funds or at what age we take the plunge and purchase supplemental medical insurance. i long for twilight hide and seek with my siblings, cranking the handle on the homemade ice cream churn, rotten tomato fights in the garden and playing old maid until we knew every card by heart by the bends and knicks in the corners of the cards. so here's my pledge to myself to laugh more, play more, sing, dance, frolic and cavort more. but mostly, i promise to seek that blessed childish innocence whenever i can.

listen soulful serenade

listen soulful serenade
9 x 9 x 3/4 mixed media
copyright 2008 julie king


listen with your heart
to life's melodious sounds
the trill of early morning
when joyful notes abound

listen with your soul
when evening starts to fall
hear whispers of the angels
the loon's first lonely call

listen with wild abandon
when moonlight hits the glade
ah, what a lyrical ballad --
nature's soulful serenade

hello, friends. someone asked me recently if i write poetry to match my art or create art to accompany my poetry. the art almost always comes first but i have been enjoying exploring rhyming words as i collage in preparation for the poem. the above poem started as a little inkling of an idea as i was walking presley in the semi-darkness just a bit ago. my senses were filled with the wonderful sounds of the evening, the beautiful moon and the cool feel of dew on my feet. i was thinking how easy it is to get busy and not notice the beautiful soundtrack provided by nature. so i stopped, breathed in the cool night air, and listened with my heart and soul to night's melody. then i said a little prayer of thanksgiving for my blessed life and the wonders that are ours for the taking . . . if we only stop to listen.

ducklings

the little ducklings hatched this week! just like last year i got to see them one evening and the next morning mama had moved them off to the pond across the road. there were 9 broken-open eggs left in th nest. what a big happy family! can't wait to see if they come back to next in the same spot next year.

we're off to enjoy the beautiful weather!

happenings in the studio

busy, busy, busy happenings here in julie king art studio!

presley visited the vet today and is doing much better. his head tilt is improved and he's not quite as wobbly. our vet put him on arthritis meds and a special diet to get him to gain some weight. he is sleeping soundly right now under the art table, just like a good art studio mascot should!!

hotel gallery in tipp city asked me to display my art!! i'll be sharing one of the little art rooms with a wood artist starting september 1st. i'm very excited and busy sketching out some new ideas so i'll have a bigger variety of originals to display (and sell!!) there.

sales, sales, sales!!! art is flying out the door and i need to replenish my inventory. i feel a couple of all-nighters coming up soon.

new originals have been added to my etsy shop!! and, i still have several more to go!!

oriental rice paper has made its first appearance in my art room. creative experimentation is under way.

thanks to all of you for continuing to read the infrequent posts on my blog. i'm trying to live a fuller, richer, more active life AND work on my art. i'll blog when i can but can't promise a daily post right now!

kayak for a cure

this morning we left the house bright and early to drive to columbus to participate in the kayak for a cure ms fundraiser. what a glorious day! the above shot of early-morning kayakers greeted us when we arrived at alum creek state park beach.


about 40 kayakers participated in the 3 hour paddle.



these are our kayaks -- king for him and queen for me. hee hee
here we are shortly before the big launch!


these 2 young men inspired me so much today. mark, on the left and the founder of kayak for a cure, not only has a dream for making the world a better place but is willing to work long hours to ensure it comes true. you've got to admire someone who takes that one small step that could lead to great things. ken, on the right, organized the columbus event today as a dedication to his dad who was diagnosed with ms in 1993. his goal was to raise $10,000 and we fell short by less than $500. ken's heartfelt dedication to a cause inspired and humbled me so much! donations can still be made to this cause by clicking on the link here and then going to the columbus, ohio link to make a donation.


here is a big part of the group returning to shore after a fun time of recreation and fellowship. some of the young people in this group had never met ken or mark before. they saw the invitation to participate in the event at their local gym and pitched right in to raise money and further the fight to find a cure for ms. wow! i never cease to be amazed by the overwhelmingly giving spirit of mankind.

we came home tired and sunburnt but filled with the resolve to do more to better this wonderful world. thanks, mark and ken, for the inspiration, the dedication and your awesome giving spirits!!

my heart sings (again)

my heart sings in the garden
mixed media collage
on 9 x 9 x 3/4 solid aspen
copyright 2008 julie king

ok, that was weird. i was getting ready to type the copy that i wanted to add to the photo in the post right below this one and it just posted on its own. too weird! and it won't let me delete it. anyway, i did this little piece last night and had plans to post it today when i got home and then i saw that the creative and wonderful steviewren had tagged me with a challenge. now, what are the odds that the tag would have to do with music and singing the same as my new little piece of art??!! basically i'm to list 5 songs that i'm ashamed or embarrassed to admit that i like. hmmmmmm . . . not much of anything embarrasses me so this is a breeze. here are 4 not-too-classy, slightly hickish or just plain sappy songs that i love to sing!! plus one adorable one that i hum for days and days after jenna visits!!

country road by john denver -- for me, there's nothing like a drive along a country road with the windows down and the smell of new-mown hay in the air. wonderbar!!

lady by kenny rogers -- just love those lyrics "i'm your knight in shining armor and i love you"

cherish by the association -- brings back memories of slow dancing in junior high and that wonderful, sappy feeling of a crush

sugar by bobby sherman -- gotta love that bubble gum music!!

you are my sunshine as sung by my 3-year old granddaughter jenna!! it takes a tiny bit of prompting to get her to remember all the lyrics but it is such a joy to see and hear!

thanks, steviewren, that really was fun!!!

my heart sings in the garden

this and that

thank you all for all your comments and prayers regarding my dear sweet presley. he is doing much better altho still walking like a drunk sailor. he has been diagnosed with canine ideopathic vestibular disease which basically is a neurological disorder in older dogs which makes it very difficult for them to ascertain the position of their body in relation to the earth. he was not able to stand on his own when we brought him home on saturday but is walking on his own now although weaving and spinning with an occasional fall or wipe out. in the above photo he is starting a clockwise spin which he simply can't control. our vet has nicknamed him mr. wobbles and it is most appropriate. if all goes well he will continue to improve over the next week or so altho he may always have the head tilt to the right. we are encouraged, overwhelmingly grateful and lavishing him with tons of love and attention!!


we had a dessert contest at work on friday and i entered grandma j's butterscoth pie along with the above tag. no ribbons for me but it was fun anyway!

as promised here is the revised birch grove cabin. i like this cabin much better. it is almost hidden in the background and is a nice little surprise when you discover it. just the way an autumn get-away should be!!


my 3 1/2 year old granddaughter jenna spent the night with us saturday and i introduced her to magic pencils (my watercolor pencil set). she was enthralled and i'm sure these will be one of her fave things to do at grandma julie's house on each visit!


and, finally, here is our mama mallard duck back in her little protected spot behind my asiatic lilies in the east flower bed. this is her second nest sitting this year. we leave her in complete peace and i think she enjoys the solitude, quiet and occasional drink of water when i water the flower bed. oh how i love living as one with nature . . . even if it is in the suburbs!!

presley dear

my heart is breaking with sadness and worry over my dear presley. he woke us in the middle of the night thursday night unable to stand up or control his body. our vet says it might be a brain tumor or a severe case of vertigo. he has been at the vet under observation and sedation since yesterday morning. we will go to visit this morning and get a report. we've been dreading this situation for some time now as he is almost sixteen and has slowed down a lot over the last few months. the house is so empty without my little shadow and i can't bear to imagine life without him. i've vowed to do totally right by him and ensure he is comfortable and knows how very much he is loved for whatever time we have left with him. but inevitability weighs so very heavy on my heart. how do you say goodbye to such a faithful friend, one who gives so much and really expects so little in return?

meow time

sunset garden cat
mixed media collage
12 x 12 x 1 1/2 gallery canvas
copyright 2008 julie king

kaleidoscope garden cat
mixed media collage
12 x 12 x 1 1/2 gallery canvas
copyright 2008 julie king

just finished up the second of these 2 commissions i started over the weekend. i'm glad to be getting back into the swing of working full time and collaging bright and early in the morning and again after work/at night. i'm off to read some of YOUR blogs now!

live simply . . . carefree

i spent most of the day today in the art room finishing up a few projects, sketching some new ideas, working on a commission and having so much fun. part of the time i listened to music, often singing along to some of my favorites. other times i enjoyed the quiet letting my thoughts run free. during one of those reflective moments i was thinking about a post that steviewren wrote a few days ago. it was about clotheslines being banned in many towns as they are viewed as an eye sore. i thought back to all the time i spent at the clothesline growing up, hanging up the family wash and then enjoying the wonderful smell when it was time to take everything down. it wasn't until i moved to ohio ten years ago that i quit hanging clothes out to dry. i miss it so much! so the above piece is my little tribute to the iconic american clothesline and my belief that a simple life is happier and much more carefree! thanks, steviewren, for the inspiration!

sisters

dark and light
day and night
as different as we can be

heart to heart
so far apart
fall’n from the same family tree

memories to share
so very aware
of the heart ties that bind us together

through laughter and tears
for 55 years
you’ve been my emotional tether

miles and years
laughter and tears
yet always so close to my heart

birch grove cabin

this little piece is a work in process. i'm not completely happy with it yet . . . pretty pleased with the tress but not the cabin. as usual, it's all torn paper with bits of chalk, oil pastels and ink to add dimension and details. i'll putter around with it a bit more over the next week or two and then stamp it done. i'm thinking about doing a completely new cabin. i'm just not wild about how this one turned out. i'm calling it birch grove cabin. for me it represents a quiet place of nature where you can walk thru the crisp fallen leaves, soak up the sun-drenched autumn air and snuggle before the fireplace at night with a good book.

blog award

the talented and lovely denise at coutier de papier nominated me for this blog award a few days ago. denise's blog is so lovely and full of vintage finds and her very creative pieces of art. it is always such a delight to see what she's been up to so don't forget to stop over and check it out!

the rules of this award are 1) to put the award logo on your blog 2) add a link to the person who nominated you 3) nominate at least 7 other blogs 4) add links to those blogs from yours 5) leave a message for your nominees on their blogs. here are my picks -- all lovely ladies who inspire me to keep creating and blogging:

megan coyle's blog -- very artistic, wonderful paper collages!!!

margins -- wow! check out her hand-cut stencil art!!

paper, ink, scissors & stamps -- handmade cards that are miniature pieces of art!!

stegart -- gorgeous handmade fabric and paper art quilts!!

noodle and lou studio -- adorable, whimsical, funky art!!

dada's place -- delightful illustrations to warm your heart!!

thanks, ladies, for your inspiration!!

nostalgia

one evening last week i spent some time at borders bookstore while my husband worked late. i've had my eye on steve martin's memoir born standing up for some time now. so i bought it, started reading it that night, was delighted by so many parts of it and finished it late (late!!) friday night. it transported me back to so many wonderful memories of the late 60's and 70's. it made me laugh and gave me such a nostalgic, bittersweet feeling of lost youth and a renewed appreciation for the creative, groundbreaking era. i can completely recall the first time i ever saw steve on tv (the tonight show) with his arrow thru the head, his banjo and his silly, feel-good, off-the-wall comedy act. of course, as with most things in this stage of my life, it got me thinking about the phases of my life and the times -- good and bad -- that i've had. it is so nice to be able to read about the 60's and 70's and compare what history says with my reflections and memories of the times. today i handed the book off to my dad who will most likely finish it before retiring tonight. i can't wait to see what he thinks of it.

on a whim i bought john fogarty's the long road home cd while at borders as well. it was $9.95 and i figured what the heck i know a few of these tunes and it could be fun! whoa! a few tunes? it was amazing to me as i listened to the cd for the first time in my art room bright and early saturday morning how many of the songs i knew and how many wonderful memories flooded over me as i listened. i was transported back to dancing with a high school crush by who'll stop the rain. and, wasn't it just yesterday that my brother rodger and i sang out loud and strong with the radio version of lookin' out my back door? it was summer and we were cruising in the family 1964 impala with all the windows down and driving way too fast! we joked about taking our act on the road. we both loved to sing and had a wonderful harmony thing going to almost every song on the radio. then there was the memory of singing lookin out my back door on the bus on my senior class trip to washington dc. there were 32 of us seniors on the trip and we really belted out some of the popular tunes of the day all the way from indiana to dc and back again. i know we must have sung ccr's jeremiah was a bullfrog at least 50 times on that trip!!

so, i am very grateful for a random trip to borders which turned into a magical time machine, transporting me back to the carefree days of my youth!! i shared the cd with my son matt today. he is usually the one turning me onto his fave music. it was my turn to return the favor today! can't wait to see what he has to say, too!

bye bye garden cat

tomorrow i'll be mailing my little garden cat collage off to her new home with auburn kat. i couldn't resist posting a photo of the collage all wrapped up in my signature handmade wrapping paper. i'll miss you, my little garden cat! you were one of my early pieces, a total experiment that worked out quite well. you kept me company in my art room and brightened my day! you'll love it with auburn kat as she is a real cat lover and little kittie friends for you to play with. take care, all!!

joyful nesting

earlier this week i was cleaning up the art room and came across a rubber stamp box to be pitched. just as my hand traveled toward the trash can a light bulb went off in my head. i could make something out of this! quick as lightning i was off to the stash of paper and pile of vintage books to get inspired! and the above is what i ended up creating -- joyful nesting.


the bird illustration is from an old bird book i've had for along time. the nest is torn pieces of vintage sheet music. if you look closely, you can see where i wrote soar, fly free and sing on the leaves of the tree.

for a little finishing touch i added a piece of copper wire, some ceramic beads and an organza ribbon. what a fun piece this was to make. so, of course, now i'm on the hunt for cute little boxes so i can make more. hunt and gather, hunt and gather!! once i've made a few, i'll list them in my etsy shop!!