It is time for a New Year and a New Smile.

I hope everyone has a Happy New Year and I hope you will have a year full of laughter.
2011 Look out world..It is time for all artist to be filled with inspiration , peace and laughter.

Katelen

Heart And Sew

I have not had much time for the studio.  I am spending  most of my time with my Mom.  She is not doing well..She is getting more and more confused..Her dreams and reality are forming into one.. When she sleeps which is a lot but when she wakes up her dream continues on.. I could go on with story after story of her dreams..
To get to the pillow.  Which is what you see in the photograph.. My Mom sewed when we were growing up.
She sewed for us and she sewed for others.. She later opened a shop when I was in school.  She loved to sew, knit ,crotchet and anything to do with thread or fabric.   Now she can not remember how to sew

Yet she is always dreaming of beautiful fabrics..Wonderful Dresses made in all colors.. Boxes and Rooms filled with fabric.. She has twice got the scissors and cut her sheet in half  and then a pair of her pj's...When I ask her why she cut these things..She always says they needed repairing... No more scissors....
I decided to get some felt that we could cut together for fun..So we cut flowers out with no pattern...We did a few and then she says Ouch these scissors are hurting my hand... Just as a child would do after a few minutes.
I decided to take the flowers we cut out and I made this simple pillow out of burlap and then tried to sew the words by hand..  "Me And You" ..I am going to give it to her for a Christmas gift..  A memory we can keep....
Treasure every moment you have with your Mom.  If your Mom is already left this world..Make something for in Memory of her... Just for your heart and soul...Or as for me and my Mom.....Heart and Sew.

THIS will be my last post for this year..I just want to say thank you to everyone that follows me and the ones who just stop by..  
You all inspire me, and make me smile and sometimes laugh at loud .Then there are times your honesty of pain and sorrow makes me cry..I  feel blessed for your friendship.
I hope all have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
May God Bless .
 Katelen

Sketch Book Sunday

Today is a day for staying inside by the fire place. The temperature dropped last night and it is cold in the south. So what do you do when that happens? You pick up the sketch book and think about warmth and nesting.  LOL
This little piece is done on watercolor paper 9x12 size.Using my Derwent Inktense pencils.These are so much fun and wonderful color..

I called this little piece Family Protection...It started with sketching the people and I decided not to put faces on them and somehow I say eggs in their heads and then I just started with trying to sketch a nest behind them. It was not so much thinking of families protecting their children but how we as humans should protect the earth and the small things that sometimes can not take care of them self. To protect the trees and what lives in the Forrest.
That is my story..You may see another one.
If it is cold were you are snuggle up and stay warm..If it is warm where you are send some of your sunshine this way.
Have a good week.
May you always dream in color.
Katelen

Peaceful Chaos

This is done on wood 20x20..Acrylic.... I think this is finished but I am waiting..I have not signed it yet..I have put it aside and will look at it later..
I have titled it Peaceful Chaos... When I started this I was listening to Native American Flute Music..I painted to the music and some how me and my paint become part of the music.It was peaceful and it was calming..
Even among all the chaos in my life.

I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving.. I hope everyone has something to be thankful for even if it is just the simple pleasure of the day.

I form the light and create darkness,
I bring prosperity and create disaster,
I, the Lord, do all these things......Isaiah 45:7 


Katelen

Meditate With Your Heart

I know I have not been posting very much art lately..You know why because I have not the Time or the Energy...  Today I did find a little time and I had some duck cloth and I thought why not..Always start with Gesso..Then I had some left over paint that I had started another piece but I am sending it to a friend.  I would share that one with you but I want her to see it first..
I am trying to meditate to try to release stress and more stress..LOL...The words I read first from my Bible.Then I wrote it down and then I just started sketching..Which I am not a face person..I need a lot of practice..A LOT.... YEARS......I enjoyed it and as you see she has a really long neck...Why because earlier I was looking at Modigliani.  Not that mine looks anything like his.. I am just saying that is where it is coming from..
Meditation must come from the heart to find peace.  So this is what I came up with.
 Hope you have a good week and may you always dream in color.....
Katelen

May the Words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight....Psalm 19:14

There is a Time for Everything

As you remember I am de-cluttering in my life and in my home and studio..I am still working at it and as I said once before it could take a life time..I am on my way and still have a long way to go..I do have a collection to take away..So as I took this photo it reminded me sometimes beauty is in the compacting of things no longer needed.
I think this is my time in life ....a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away....Ecclesiastes 3:6

Have a good weekend.
May you always dream in color.
Katelen

Weekend Time

Pastels.  I love flowers and yet  I  am not a flower person when it comes to drawing or painting or pastels.
My Mom loves Iris and if you can tell what it is..It is suppose to be an Iris...LOL..  If you click on it you might be able to see better.
My Mom has been really keeping me busy.. She now gets confused and dreams.  Her dreams seem so real to her that when she wakes up she thinks it is real.  So we have  visitors all the time in my Mom's mind. 
It brings me laughter yet it worries me also..

OKAY Can someone help me with the blank space I have on my sidebar...I have went into the HTML and  I can not find info on my side bar..Does anyone  know how to fix this..I am computer dummie.
I would appreciate any help.  Thanks.

Have a good weekend..

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High and will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.  Psalm 91:1

Katelen

Fall and Friends

I have not been posting lately and have been De- cluttering my studio and my home and my self.  I did not realize how much junk I was holding onto.  I have got rid of a lot  but I still have a long way to go. Today I decided to take a walk just in my yard.  I decided to go under my  one and only  large tree in my yard.. My Mom calls it our playhouse..So I am playing. First I decided to visit Mr. Rock. He is the foundation of my playhouse.

 Then  I found the guy who is in charge of my one tree Forrest.  He is one funny character but full of stories

 The I  met these two girls.  They are best friends and you know how important a best friend is.  Priceless!!!!




 So this little guy followed me from my studio..He is full of mischief and magic..

 This is my One Tree Forest that is in my yard.. He has friends all behind him but they belong to someone else.

 So as I was telling you I am de-cluttering my life. I have cleaned and still cleaning it may take a while or a Life Time but I am using this to help me get organized.  Click on the picture below to see a much closer view.

Enjoy the week and please stop by again soon. I hope I will be doing something creative.
Blessings and Peace.
Katelen

Dreams and 9

This is done on wood 15x15.....Dreams are a normal for me and I keep a journal of my dreams.
Some are just dreams and some should be listened to and some we will understand in a later time of our life..Do I believe in dreams? Yes but we have to listen close to them. Some are just dreams of nothing or are they? I dream in color and so much detail it is amazing and sometimes confusing. This dream what I remember the most and was so clear was a male voice and He said Katelen Dial 9 ....Not 911 just the number 9.
9 if you read has so many meanings..I do not listen to them..It has to have a meaning to me.
One day I will know.

John Lennon
He said he had a connection to the number 9.
He also had a song #9 Dream

So long ago
Was it in a dream,was it just a dream.
I know, yes I know.
Seemed so very real,it seemed so real to me.

Took a walk down the street
Through the heat whispered trees
I thought I could hear
Someone call out my name as it started to rain.

Do you ever dream of numbers?
What do dreams mean to You.

Have a good week.
May you always dream in color.
Katelen

It is Time to

Fun to paint with crayons on Tar Paper......Have a great weekend..Enjoy each moment.
Come on Prepare your self for the journey.
Or prepare your heart for the good and bad of the journey, because it makes you become who you are.
So come on pick up the crayons.. You know you want to..

May you always dream in color.
Katelen

Here I Sit

This is just a piece done on paper. A mix media piece. You might want to click on to see the colors. It is really hard to capture the coppers and silvers..
Below is just a close up the messenger.


I can not believe it has been a month since I have posted. So much going on in my life, yet not worth sharing. It would be all rude, dark and depressing and who wants to hear that. NO ONE..
So I have stayed away. I have stopped in on a few of you and left a comment or two..I am sorry to say I have not done much of that either..

So I will leave you with a few words.

We need to accept fear and anger with a genuine loving-kindness for ourselves, and then let them go. If you suppress them, the attachment nurtures their roots. It is all right to let it come and let it go.

I am trying to let it go.

Love and Peace.
Katelen

What does this Mean To You?

Sew I have been trying to learn.. Why just because I love old fabric and love the color of thread running through fabric, with words of poetry written on the old worn fabric..No it will not be perfect, but it is what I want it to be..Just like me imperfect but with inner beauty....LOL...
So you ask why this little tiny tie and the words Tie On One..If you are from the south there is a saying He or She really tied one on..Which means really had too much to drink...

No, this is not what this one means..First I love ties, I collect them mostly vintage and strange.
I wear them sometimes.
TIE
is really a strong word and to put around ones neck and to tie it on.
You are creating a bond. To unite in a relationship where it be of Love or Friendship. You are making a connection of two things. An attachment..
So many words can relate to the word tie.. So to me it is just a symbol of Life..
Tie
Bond
Bind
Connect
Attach
Unite
All these words are needed where it be in friendship or Love. Which really are just one word created into one.

Have a good week and tie one on and see how it feels..

Katelen

What does your Throne look like???????

This done in pastel..I love pastel yet I always never work in it..When I do I remember that I love to work in the touch of its softness and bold beautiful colors .

I have been working in my house trying to motivate my self and paint pieces of furniture that have been waiting..I finished one piece and it is red and I love it..It was my great grandmother's. I do hope she would approve that I painted her furniture Red.

So this piece which is not perfect but it is for me and it made me think ..To be a Queen you must have a throne... Throne's can come in all sizes and shapes. So tell me girls what does your throne look like?

Have a great weekend.

May you always dream in Color.

Katelen

There is but one cause of human failure, and that is man's lack of faith in his true self.......William James

Beauty of Corrosion

BEAUTY

OF

Corrosion.. These are photos taken through the walk of yesterday.

Katelen

All Nature is but Art, unknown to thee,

All chance, direction, which thous canst not see.

All discord, harmony not understood.

All partial evil, universal good.

And, spite of pride, in erring reason's spite.

One truth is clear, Whatever Is, Is Right.

Alexander Pope...

Dreams and Fears

For our dreams sometime haunt us. Dreamers and believers of dreams when they awake and recall the dreams. I pick up the pen to recall my dreams seeing them and remember the fear of them and the not knowing what they mean to us.. Traveling at the speed of light locked inside trying to get out realizing I am alone and trapped. ..Then we come unto another fear the door and not knowing what is behind it and when we do enter the rain is pouring down so hard and we can not see only feel the darkness and feel the cold of the rain that is soaking our body..Walking toward nothing but hoping for peace and light..Then until we realize I am dreaming, wake up, wake up..Is dawn..Your are traveling in the spirit world..

This piece is titled Spirit...It is a dream and sometimes our dreams are fears. Fears are large at times and they make the night long when we are traveling in the Spirit World of the Unknown.

May your dreams be of peaceful things but when they are not and are filled with fear..Just realize I am dreaming...Wake UP....And hope it is just a dream.

The sound fear,
the door with no knob.
Rain,Rain,Rain.

Katelen

The Love of Paper

For this piece is 15x15 on birch wood.

What we are today comes from our thoughts of yesterday, and our present thoughts build our life of tomorrow. Our life is the creation of our mind.............Buddha


Dirt,Rain,Sun,Grass,Paper,Art.
The love of Paper.
Katelen

Queen Of Heart's.....Re post from 2009

If you guys have not been to the Altered Page..You should! Seth is a wonderful artist and always is coming up with new things to do..This is a re post from 2009...
Seth calls this Buried Treasure..Look on his blog to meet some wonderful artist..
http://thealteredpage.blogspot.com/ .
This is a piece I done on canvas...I decided to re post it because we are the queen of our own heart. I just keep forgetting this..
Hope you enjoy.
Katelen

For Here I Sit

Water color paper and acrylic and ink...I am so running over with words in my head that they have become to consume me..I have left all these things I feel inside of my self..Stay inside. I have not been in my studio..I have tried to stay away..WHY? Because there is so much inside I do not want to let it go..Sounds crazy for it seems.. So I was driving and all of a sudden I start talking in words of poetry and words of life..Yes out loud..I realized it can not stay inside any longer. I have to work to create but most of all I must write....It may be words that can not be read or it could be words that are so bold you can not ignore them..We shall see....

For the bird is singing the words for me because I am yet to shy to share so many words of anger, mistrust and most of all just pissed off..

God teaches us through things we may not like..He does not cause the pain but he let's it happen to mold who we should become.. I am watches him through eyes of questioning?

Yes it has been awhile since I have posted and I suppose you guys have thought I had stopped creating. You were right and so let us begin again. Are you ready..I am. I have new eyes and it may not always be perfect my work or it may not always be kind and sweet but it will be what I want to create..

Also You guys who follow Seth at The Altered Page Thursday will be buried treasure day..Where artist will pull something out of the past and re post it...So give it a look because there are some wonderful artist.

May you always dream in color.

Katelen

Seeking the Perfect Circle

With Me and My Camera, I am on a quest it seems to find the perfect circle. I have found that is almost impossible. I have found beauty in so many lost and forgotten circles made for work. They did their jobs for years to be pitched aside and forgotten. Then I came along their path to find true beauty in them and to realize life has so many circles, we must go around and around in them and then lay them down. Also sometimes we have to be by our self to complete the circle.

Then there are times two circles are needed to do the job. They have to work as one to get the job done. Yet it seems so as in life. One wheel wants to go in one direction and one in the other,

so they can not work and they come to a full stop.

Then their are the wheels that are bonded together. So when one gives up the bond keeps pulling the other until it can find it's self and begin to work again as a team.

So as life, We think we can do it all by our self but it is not so true. We need that support of the other wheels so we can continue the circle of Life. Yes sometimes we do have to do it on our own but it is always nice to have someone along for the ride.

May you always dream in color.

Katelen

Guard My Heart

I know I have not been posting..I really do not have a lot words to say but I am one of those people who can always find a few words even in the darkest days.. LOL...
This piece I done is a metal guard that I found in a old store building. I am not sure what it was but now it is the guard that surrounds the heart to protect it.
So here I am again sharing my heart with everyone to read pain or laughter, you guys get it all.
Too much is going on in my life and so I finally got one piece of art done. I am still outside in the heat with the camera and searching for that perfect shot. Trying to relax and mediatate to calm my mind. To search for the answers that I have not found. God is using me to make me who I am to become the person he wants me to be..To teach me lessons that will make me closer to him.
Have a relaxing day.
Remember to always dream in color.
Katelen

Turn off the Lights

For I have not posted in a long time. Things in my life have stopped me.. I am not sure I am breathing but I must be because I feel the pain too deep. So I said turn off the lights and took this photo of how it could be possible. Life changes you by just the flip of light switch. So if you take all the light switches and the lights go off. It should make it easier.

Then I walked out and saw this beautiful glowing moon. Gold, bright and pulling me into it's light.

I wanted to walk away and go back inside where it was dark. Then I realized it is dark outside too or at least in my heart. It holds Anger, Pain and Broken Love. Yet the moon was telling me something but I did not understand.

I realize the wheel of life will continue to turn, I just did not realize there were so many wheels going at one time. Every person has his or hers own wheel. But they do not all go in the same directions.

Hope you enjoy the photos. The words maybe not so much. That is all I have been doing. Keeping my camera in my hand and trying to capture that moment. Because once it is gone it is gone.

Katelen

Some of you say Joy is greater than sorrow and others say, Nay sorrow is greater.

But I say unto you, they are inseparable.

Together they come, and when one sits alone with you at your door, remember that the other is asleep upon your bed.....Kahlil Gibran

Cloud Watching

Today is the day for cloud watching.. Or it was the day I decided to paint this. It had rained and when it rains here the sky is so blue and the clouds are puffy and white and beautiful. So I decided take five minutes and lay back on the grass and look up. OH I see a man running, I see a spirit bird and I see the almost looks like a horse... You can see so many things with using the wonderful word of imagination. My Dad taught me to cloud watch. He could look up in the clouds and show me so many wonderful things..I never knew their were so many things up in the sky. We watched clouds all my life not just as a child but as an adult too...

So now when I watch clouds now I always think of my Dad and wonder is he putting some of these up for me...

This is just done on paper. I did the back ground in blue and just decided to sketch the hieroglyphics in ink.

So if you have not ever took the time to cloud watch..You do not know what is floating above you.

So take Five and sit or lay back and look at the sky...What do you see??

Have a good week and may you always dream in color.

Katelen

Day and Night

I have decided on the Graffiti Type of Art. I put mine on Tar Paper used for roofing..

I know I have been looking at some other blogs and it looks like fun..So I tried.. It was fun, I really did not think. I just started putting layers down. And I ask my self what is some of my favorite things? Sun, Moon, Stars and Love!!!!!!!!...So I just went with it.

It is called Day and Night.....

I know I have not been posting as much and I miss everyone and I sure have not been visiting as much. The summer there is so much my Mom wants me to do.. Plant flowers and more flowers...Then she is teaching me how to plant a vegetable garden.. Then she wants me to paint her a sign for her front door. I could gone on and on. Oh yes, I know I have to go to the grocery store at least 2-3 times a week..Because she just needs what ever it is NOW!!!!!!!!!!...LOL

Yet I love her and she loves me. I am lucky to have her but if anyone wants to borrow her for a day or two. HA HA...

Have a good week.

May you always dream in color.

Katelen

Waiting

I have been dreaming, which is not unusual for me. I have always dreamed and remembered them since I was a child. I wake up and when I know it has a story even if it is simple things. Like this Door and a Heart . I write them down, not always in my journal. It may just be a notebook that I start writing until I can not remember any more. Some are so insane and some are so beautiful. Dreams speak to me. I know some say, your weird they are just dreams. I know some have no meaning but others tell me a story. Sometimes I do not know what the story means but one day it will make sense to me. This piece is just done on Tar Paper 20x20..

It is simple made and simple words.

Yet the story is more than just Simple. It has a powerful Meaning.

May you always dream in color.

Katelen

Hidden Beauty

As every thing in Life sometimes we do not see things at all on the first glance. We look over them and they are right in front of our face.

It can just take a small turn and it catches our eyes and then we start to look. To realize the beauty is hidden and sometimes we have to wait and to see the real beauty. It is in nature as in humans. Sometimes we do not see the real beauty on the outside it is the inside that really counts.

There it is the Beauty...It was hidden and it made me stop and wait and get to him before he showed the real beauty that was hidden inside.

So do not be so quick to look away and think there is nothing there. Get to know them before you are so quick to judge the outside. You could miss a really beautiful blessing.

Have a good weekend and always keep watching...

May you always dream in color.

Katelen

The Traveler

15x18 on birch panel. I could not get a shot of the depth of the colors and so here it is. I hope you can see it. Maybe click on the picture and maybe get a better look. How many times have I said that..LOL.. I do not even think that will help but ,one day I will get it right...

It has been a nice week with the spring like weather. In the 70's in the day and cool at night.

Could not ask for better weather. I have been working on this piece for awhile. I put a coat of gesso and then I put paper down that I had varnished and then I put layer of layer of color down. Then it just did not look right. Then I sat there looking then I say the black bird come into my head. So I sketch him and then painted him black. Just the way he is suppose to be. He traveled and traveled to get to me. Where he started from no ones knows. He has traveled for years. You see him visit so many different artists and they capture him on their canvas as they see him and then he moves on. I know one time he was in CA and one time he was in New Mexico and then on and on. This time he stopped at my place in this little state AL. He has left put he is still in my memory and I am sure he will show up again . I think he was flying toward CO and from there he was leaving the states heading toward Brazil.

So watch out he may show up at your house and onto your canvas.

May you always dream in color.

Katelen

Sunday Evening

Sunday Evening. With the colors of brown and red and texture of the old and the forgotten.

As the camera travels to another area and I see the line of Life crossing the horizon.

Sunday Evening Ends with a Shadow Shot . The Life of a simple old stool gives you the color of nature and life.

Enjoy the Beauty of the Simple Things.

God Bless.

May you always dream in color.

Katelen

IT IS A MYSTERY

24x24 on canvas..If you want to get a better look give a click. I could not get a close view, this is the best I could do. I have a new camera..Can you say still must be the photographer.

So I know you want to know the story behind the piece..OK maybe I just want to tell you..Even on the computer I can not stop sharing my stories. I was riding down the road and I look over and saw this swamp grey, dark and dreary. Mystery in watery darkness with trees standing in the middle with their arms pointing to the sky..To me there was sadness in the trees wanting to dance but could not because they were stuck in the still water of the swamp.
I did not have my camera..Don't you hate that when you see something and you can not get that shot to remember the perfect of the entire surrounding.
So I started this painting, planning on trying to catch that on canvas dark, sadness of trees.
I started with darkness then BOOM these swamp wood witches jump onto my canvas. Dancing and inviting. So I was pulled into their magic .
Maybe one day I will travel down that road again and catch the photo shot of the dark swamp and the trees that were sad..
But today I am dancing with the swamp witches .

May you always dream in color.
Katelen

EYE BELIEVE

This is a 15x20 acrylic on wood..This is one of those you pick up and paint on it and lay it down. Come back days or weeks and paint on it again and lay it down.. To me I finally finished and it is called Eye Believe.

I believe some days are wonderful and some days are not.

I believe in good friends and lots of laughter.

I believe most people in life somewhere have goodness in the heart and I believe some do not.

I believe some days one glass of wine is all I need some days It is not..

I believe I was born for a reason but I have yet to find it.

I believe life is a beautiful journey, if you are looking in the right places.

I believe in some of my dreams and some are what I had for dinner....LOL

I believe red is my favorite color and yellow is not

I believe I am a artist with the heart of a poet.

I believe in God.

I believe I could go on for every but I am not.....

.

I know you can add to my list...Lets me know what you believe in and lets be honest.

May You Always Dream In Color...

Katelen

The Key and the Door

This is a small mixed media piece. It is made out of a box that came in the mail with junk info. Yet it turn out to be the perfect thing to use for this. Above you see the cover and you open it up and this is what you will see..

It is in my house sitting on a table with antique door knob plates. I love old antique pieces they put so much more pride in the detail and quality.

Enjoy your week and remember You hold the key that opens the door.

May you always dream in color.

Katelen

Lost and Found Objects or just Faith

Small piece 5x5 on hand made paper. For my eyes seem to look on the ground more than it does in the direction I am going. Maybe that is why I miss a lot of things, but I seem to find treasures on the ground. So I suppose I really do not miss things, I seem to find things lost by some and then it is my destiny to find them. For many walk the same paths and do glance down once in awhile and see the same things and give it a kick with their foot thinking it just trash on their path. Those people are missing the beauty of found objects. This piece is called
LASTING.

This is another found object while digging through an old building. This one is called GRACE.

Where you are one of those people who find beauty in looking down and finding those small treasure or where you are one of those people that call it trash. My thoughts are you do not know what your missing!!!!

.............I am bound on a journey without end....Sun Yun-feng.

May you always dream in color.

Katelen