Gina Lee Kim

A Colorful New Year

2012-01-09T15:35:00.007-05:00

I hope to achieve some important creative goals this year. Like de-cluttering my studio, hang art around the house (maybe even a mobile or two!), do some book-binding, work on Stephen's baby book, art journal everyday (well try to anyway), organize my paints/paper/stencil/fabric stash, start a series of whimsical children's illustrations and make them into cards and prints, move some furniture around, breathe...

I'm sure glad this little guy wants to help.

Christmas Photo Bloopers

2011-12-23T14:32:00.008-05:00

We thought it would be nice to take our first family Christmas photo. But try getting a baby to look right at the camera!

"Stephen! Stephen! Look at the camera! Look at the camera!" (I am making monkey noises at this point....like THAT's gonna work)

"Stephen! Stephen! Turn your head.....not that way! This way!" (I am literally twisting our boy's head while nonchalantly smiling)

Then, Stephen starts fussing up a storm that he's had enough. He wants to nurse right now! Production stalled to a halt. (Um.....don't know why my husband thought this was the time to take a picture. Oh yeah, I look attractive)

Note: I tried to photoshop a discretionary rectangle for sensitive anti-breastfeeding viewers. Hey, at least it's festive green!

Finally. A photo worth sending, with all of us looking and smiling at the camera!

Happy Holidays!!!

When A Beloved Pet Dies

2011-12-21T12:41:00.049-05:00

"Heartbreak is life educating us." ~George Bernard Shaw

When a beloved pet passes away and is laid to rest, I must find a special rock nearby and bring it home. Once the stone is cleaned and primed with clear gesso, I am ready to paint.

I tell myself that painting a tranquil landscape would be a nice distraction. But, by the time I take out all my paint tubes and brushes, I'm fighting back the tears. I guess I am ready. Ready to confront the tremendous sorrow I feel that can't be expressed with words...

...but with images.

With each brushstroke, with each nuisance of color and texture I create, my mind drifts to happier times as well.

A time when my precious little one was free from any pain. A time when I was showered with kisses just because she enjoyed being with me.

When I am finished, I set my rock to dry near a window. I like to see how this inanimate object comes to life. It shifts color at different times of the day, depending on the light. Color can do that.

Many of us have endured the loss of our pets, but you'll always be connected to the pureness of their spirit and unconditional love. They will remind you......in beautiful ways.

Being loved by an animal will help you laugh more, love more, become grounded and appreciate nature. Most importantly, they make you a compassionate human being.

Pets can do that.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

In memory of Midnight, Autumn, Summer, Clover, Missy, Cali & Ginger. Thank you for choosing us to be your mommy & daddy. Until we meet again.

This post is also dedicated to Dr. Cheung. Thank you for all that you continue to do for our precious little ones.

Who's Your Daddy?

2011-12-11T17:47:00.003-05:00

Stephen says, "Now with my antlers coming in, I definitely don't resemble anything like my dad!"

"If I start growing a tail & my nose turns red, mom has some explaining to do!"

It's Here! It's Here!

2011-12-06T19:28:00.037-05:00

Just arrived. Hot off the press. Two very important books are on my table right now. And I'm proud to say, I'm featured in one of them!!!

Inside the Creative Studio: Inspiration and Ideas for Your Art and Craft Space, is by Cate Coulacos Prato, editor of Cloth Paper Scissors STUDIOS. One reviewer fondly called it "craft porn" and after peaking inside, you'll see why. It's the full monty, folks.

Not only does it expose my studio (a converted spare bedroom, back when I lived in Massachusetts) but you get to visit a variety of artists in an intimate way, i.e. inside their creative environment. May this beautiful book help you envision a dream space to call your own art studio. Thank you Cloth Paper Scissors. You've been so good to me. Preview and buy it here.

The other special publication is a hardcover, coffee-table photo book I created. I wanted it to be stunning and Apple made it easy. Just in time for the holidays.

As a way to say, sorry-I-haven't-posted-in-a-long-time-dear-bloggers, may I give you a small sampling inside this book (destined to go to family members that don't read my blog! LOL).

Gosh he looks so small. Two days old here.

A photo medley of him sleeping.

Stephen sure slept a lot.

Snug as a bug.

I love the full-bleed, panoramic page spreads.

Oh Little Boo. We love you.

Splish splash.

Tummy time.

Everyone was pretty exhausted!

Horsing around inside Baby Gap dressing room!

Delighted how the back cover turned out!

Art Journaling w/ a Baby

2011-11-02T11:14:00.009-04:00

Have you tried out all your Distress Stains yet? I so want to use them in my art!

While Stephen sleeps, I try [key word: try] to do something creative. My efforts usually fail because my son is such a light sleeper. But I tell myself, if I take out my art supplies to make color notes & do nothing else, I've succeeded.

BTW, hope all of you had a fun Halloween. I know Stephen did (who is turning 3 months old next week!!!).

He is so cute when he gets excited.

He's especially thrilled about an art journaling class we are taking together from this talented lady, which started yesterday.

I think Stephen is mesmerized by Julie's voice!

Good Morning, Stephen!

2011-09-12T12:25:00.005-04:00

This is how the morning started.

This is how it ended once we arrived at the Chicago Botanic Garden.

Hello Stephen!

2011-09-01T16:11:00.015-04:00

It's been quite a while since I've posted. But I have kind of a good reason...

Welcome to the world, Stephen Robert Hully! We've been waiting for you.

Born: August 9th, 2011 @ 6:53 pm

Weight: 8 lbs. 10 oz.

Length: 21 in.

Ten perfect little fingers. Ten perfect little toes.

Everyone is healthy, happy and well.

As a welcome-home gift, Jim gave me this lovely antique rocking chair. A place for Stephen to enjoy all those tender lullabies. Love, love, love its beautiful pattern!

Love, love, love my beautiful family.

Hello Belly!

2011-07-13T22:36:00.010-04:00

This is me at 36 weeks pregnant. I feel so much these days: Really excited. Really tired. A little scared. But absolutely, positively in love.

(Note: all photos taken by hubby)

I am learning to let go. The baby room isn't anywhere finished but that's okay. It's more important to start packing for the hospital & be prepared for anything in the next several weeks. The weather has been so hot/humid, which means I need to rest & take it easy. We still have tons of moving boxes to meander through (at some point, you just give up trying to find the salad spinner, you know what I mean?)! And what about your art, Gina?

Well, I'm sort of on a painting hiatus. I did set up a temporary art studio but for now,

we've got this huge, creative, life-changing "project" to get ready for (emphasize the word: huge)!

Once Upon a Time

2011-06-07T17:53:00.036-04:00

Once upon a time, there was a princess who lived alone in a fixer-upper castle. She longed to be with her handsome prince who was a thousand miles away in a strange land, slaying tiny dragons (aka adjusting to a new job in a new location). They loved each other very much and she was with child (his, that is...not with some random UPS guy or the milkman).

Anywho, the princess had to slay tiny dragons of her own like hiring the right tradesmen to restore their beautiful modest fortress. A plethora of painters, plumbers & carpenters stopped by to show-off their skills. So did drywall specialists, plaster artists, carpet cleaners & real estate agents. The princess also interviewed a handful of giddy maids. In the end she tried to hire the most competent people of all the land. But only the ones who were capable AND recognized the princess's raw talent in comedic arts got the job (aka laughed at all her jokes).

And the day came when the movers showed up and hauled away their world's possessions...

...except for their WI-FI internet access, thank goodness. For how else was the princess going to update her facebook status?

Then, the princess patiently waited a couple days more. Her prince charming was coming to physically get her in their freshly updated castle, now ready to go on the market. They road on a silver stallion, named Subaru, for 1100 miles in 24 hours with tons of restroom stops.

At last, the prince and his expectant princess (with their baby boy bambino happily kicking inside) are blissfully living together in their new home. This little royal family is whole again.

The End.

Moral of the story: you can lose your mind and pee in your pregnant pants, but never ever lose hope.

(above embellishment magically found on the floor, after movers disassembled the princess' craft table)

Blog Break

2011-05-17T00:09:00.006-04:00

I'm taking an official blog break to get ready for our move. Countdown = less than 2 weeks! Enjoy an accidentally torn watercolor that I "sewed" back together via photoshop. Ripped right in half with my foot! But in the end, anything can be fixed :)

“However confused the scene of our life appears, however torn we may be who now face that scene, it can be faced, and we can go on to be whole.”

~ Muriel Rukeyser

Happy Mother's Day

2011-05-08T23:54:00.002-04:00

"A mother understands...

...what a child cannot say." ~Anonymous

Happy Mother's Day.

Can't I just Buy the Lemonade?

2011-05-03T00:31:00.023-04:00

Title: Lemon Drop Tree. 12" x 16" watercolor on paper.

Yikes. I haven't posted in almost a month. Sorry folks. You know how it is. Life happens and sometimes you're handed lemons. Ideally you can turn a handful of them into lemonade but not when you're bombarded. It's like being in a bad dream where I'm the geeky kid standing alone, being pelted at dodgeball. Except this game uses lemons and it's coming at me one right after the other. A sad scene really: she's clueless, fatigued, helpless and vulnerable (while we're at it, why not add gangly & pasty white with braces?). Unfortunately, I'm not dreaming.

[Sigh]

The reality is, I've become Ms. General Contractor. No. Make that Ms. Umpa-Lumpa-Waddling-6-Months-Pregnant-Who-Doesn't-Know-What-She's-Doing, General Contractor. I am dealing with things like potable expansion tanks, a refrigerator's damper diffuser, HVAC condensation pipes, indirect open vent traps and plumbing vent systems. It's all over my head. Actually, more like fiberglass insulation over my head as I crawl in the attic (don't worry, I own a HEPA mask and I went up there only once. The last thing I need is to be in the news as the pregnant lady who got lodged under her roof). But one thing I do know is I hate licensed professionals who cut corners! Emphasize the word hate, here. So now, I'm making sure every home issue is either replaced, fully corrected & updated properly. Yes, it saddens me to the core that it delays being with my husband. But at the end of the day, we are homeowners that have a clear conscious. We can sleep at night! OK, that's the extent of my rant.

[Sigh]

April has turned into May. My husband and I are still living apart. But he lovingly reminds me everyday that it's not for long. He's proud of me. Tears are welling-up now as I write this. I miss him; I miss my best friend. Honestly, can't I just buy the lemonade?

Thank You Golden & The Sketchbook Project!

2011-04-05T14:15:00.018-04:00

Thank you Golden and Sue Bleiweiss over at The Sketchbook Project for my prize, which finally arrived today! In case you missed it, this was my visual journal page that won for the month of January.

I don't know where to begin! These acrylic swatches are actually painted on, which far surpasses what any CMYK print/poster could replicate. Invaluable for color mixing.

Fluid acrylics in the perfect travel size. Oodles of brochures and beautiful pamphlets on every Golden product & medium they manufacture with helpful tips. Even chemical data sheets with vivid color spectrum analysis, which I love to read about. I know. I'm a color nerd!

The best part? A Golden T-shirt! Which I don't think is a maternity-size small but hey that's okay. If my bare belly sticks out, I'm a Golden Girl and proud of it!

What kind generosity. Thank you. Thank you.

Me, At 21 Weeks

2011-03-25T14:14:00.012-04:00

That's me, just shy of 21 weeks.

Boy, is he growing! I love, love, love feeling him move....peak fluttering is always between 2 to 3 a.m.

I'd just like to say how impossible it is to take a self-portrait

with one hand on an iPhone!

Have a great weekend.

A Double Whammy

2011-03-24T01:27:00.011-04:00

I just bought a Sue Pelletier original!

I'm also taking her mixed-media class this Sunday, on 3D textured surfaces. A double whammy!! I only learned about her workshop this past weekend. So lucky I got in!

Title: Party Dress by Sue Pelletier. 12" x 12" mixed-media original on canvas panel.

Next month, I'll be attending another workshop to learn from this talented lady. With these two art classes held locally, I've been given a rich artistic & creative opportunity before I permanently move out of Massachusetts. What a fabulous excuse to wear my party dress....pardon me....maternity party dress!

HOME UPDATE: This past week I sprained my ankle so bad that my neighbor had to drive me to the ER. Let's just say that at 20 weeks pregnant, I looked positively ridiculous hobbling around with crutches & an air-cast! Then a week prior to that, our water heater broke & flooded the kitchen. Yeah. It's only money, she sobbed.

But everything is fine. Baby is fine. Hubby is fine. AND we found a place to live in Illinois. We are very grateful for so many things aren't we? I'm still in the middle of packing, but with every box I seal, I say a prayer for Japan. For I am fortunate to know that I'll have a new home to move into. And I don't want to forget it.

A Return to Card Making

2011-03-13T16:22:00.006-04:00

Yay! Before I permanently leave for Chicago suburbs, my girlfriend and I are taking this class with Jennifer McGuire, as she is coming to the Boston area.

I remember making this simple card years ago (2005) and sending it to a dear friend whom I missed very much. I loved every minute of creating it out of watercolor painting scraps, copper wire, and embellishments.

I must confess that I own tons of inks, stamps, colored pens, glitter, paper, punches, etc., thinking that I'd make cards instead. I still end up sending store-bought cards due to lack of time or creative energy...and I so want to change that!

Drum Roll: We're Having a...

2011-03-01T16:19:00.007-05:00

(click twice to really zoom in)

This is our son at 17 weeks and 2 days. He weighs 5 ounces (about as much as a turnip, so they say). Jim and I are are positively thrilled over here!

The cutest turnip I've ever seen!

Goldfinch Behavior

2011-02-24T17:18:00.007-05:00

"Faith is the bird that feels the light when the dawn is still dark."
~Rabindranath Tagore

Title: Goldfinch. 10 x10" Mixed media painting with hand-cut Japanese paper, silver metal leafing & iridescent vellum. (SOLD)

Here's something I didn't know about the American Goldfinch...

The goldfinch is an active little bird, always in the best of spirits. It has a definite personality exemplifying light-hearted cheerfulness, restlessness, sociability, and untiring activity. It seeks the company of its own species and, in the winter, often moves about with siskins and redpolls in large flocks, roving over the fields, feeding together in the birches and among the weeds protruding above the snow.

Honestly, is it spring yet people? Unlike the goldfinch, I am not in my best spirits during winter when it's cold, miserable & grey outside. But like the goldfinch, I do love seeking the company of my own species....I call them my artist friends :)

I Want This!

2011-02-19T15:29:00.001-05:00

I can't wait to get my hands on a SMASHfolio journal! Don't you just love the glue/pen? April is the soonest these will be out in stores.

Happy Valentines Day

2011-02-14T07:12:00.008-05:00

"Above all, be true to yourself, and if you cannot put your heart in it, take yourself out of it." ~Anonymous

This is true in love.

This is true in friendships.

This is true in a chosen career.

This is true in your art.

And this is true when trying to find a new home!

Jim & I must quickly decide on where to live for the next year or so in north Chicago. A daunting task but not really. Not when you love the process...when you love your realtor...when you love the beginnings of a new adventure.

May your Valentine wish today be about true, courageous love with all your heart in it.

Incredible. Ingenius. Inspiring.

2011-02-05T13:16:00.003-05:00

Talented musician + talented illustrator = beautiful collaboration.

Enjoy.

I won!

2011-02-01T19:51:00.013-05:00

Click on image to go directly onto flickr site.

My collage entry above was selected as one of the winners for The Sketchbook Challenge!!! What an honor. Thank you, Sue!

Closet Transformation

2011-01-19T18:07:00.022-05:00

Hi guys! Thank you for all your wonderful messages and sharing in the joy of our most recent announcement. I'm doing okay physically. Mentally, I haven't even started to take in ALL that we've gotta do for this move. I am, however, writing down a huge to-do list with tiny check boxes next to them (because that I can manage....ha).

BEFORE

So before I start packing up my studio, I wanted to show you a before-and-after photo I've been meaning to post. I was tired of opening up this studio closet and have everything fall all over the place. Hey, there's my stethoscope!

AFTER

Now, it's a special corner for my sewing machine & a way to organize my fiber/quilting mixed media stuff. The best part is that I can close the door whenever I want to. It's also a great place to secretly crawl underneath & wolf down an entire Ben & Jerry's.

AFTER (close-up)

It's a shame all of this will have to be packed up. BUT I'm so excited as to what studio space I can create at our new home in Chicagoland. It may have to be a make-shift art station on our dining room table but that's quite alright.

I'm still working as a nurse and come home completely exhausted. Thankfully, that'll come to an end soon. I so look forward to the day that I can stay home & start nesting--making a home ready for our little family as well as seriously start painting again. I shall be the woman with a huge baby bump, dancing and singing with a paintbrush........while her new neighbors are watching.

We're Preggers!

2011-01-05T15:05:00.012-05:00

From my last post, remember my 3rd big news? Mystery door #3?

The grand reveal is that Jim & I are pregnant!!! We were totally surprised when we found out. I don't know how it happened. Well, I mean, I know HOW it happened. But you know what I mean. Like, you don't turn 38, work crazy hours, then wham-o: a bun starts cooking in the oven. This is just so HUGE.

Well, actually, the little bugger's the size of a cashew right now. Do you see its tiny fist waving at you? Tears of joy welled up when I saw this ultrasound. Jim squeezed my hand. There's a little person growing inside me & yet it feels so unbelievable & surreal. Oh little, little one...can't wait to meet you.

Year 2011, you really are the year that everything happens. That good happens.

2011 I'm Ready For You

2011-01-02T22:24:00.015-05:00

Dear 2011,

With a huge, deep breath and my heart open wide, I am ready for you. The new year has barely started and yet, you are giving me some life-changing news. I am blown away. I am freaked out. I am excited. I am grateful.

News #1: my husband, who has been laid off for 10 months, was offered an amazing position. His job starts in 2 weeks!

Original SOLD

News #2: But one tiny detail with my hubby's new job involves us moving to Chicago area. Holy moly, this isn't just moving. It's finding a place there. Then me flying back to Massachusetts to start packing. Then it's Jim joining me again & together, making the ultimate 1000-mile journey to our new life in Illinois....while putting our home on the market (?)

Private Collection (NFS)

News #3: Well, 2011, you sure gave me yet another monumental opportunity of a lifetime. Please stay tuned, my lovely blog friends. It's huge.

Giveaway Winner Announced!

2010-12-22T08:03:00.005-05:00

Thank you to all those who participated on my Cloth Paper Scissors Gifts 2010 issue giveaway.

Kelly Warren, you won! Please e-mail me your mailing address.

It was great to read everyone's comment. Again, there will be plenty more giveaways to come and more creativity to share!

Happy Holidays!

Cloth Paper Scissors Giveaway 2010

2010-12-15T22:20:00.019-05:00

You know your heart skips a beat when you see your Cloth Paper Scissors magazine arrive in the mail. Well, hold on to your blogger pants because the editor (thanks Jenn!) has asked me to be a part of CPS Blog Tour. This means in the coming year, I'll be reviewing each issue & conducting great giveaways right here on my blog.

Let's start with a celebratory giveaway! One lucky winner will receive the first annual holiday issue of Cloth Paper Scissors Gifts, 2010. This is a beautiful issue with 148 pages of inspiring projects. Available in bookstore newsstands (e.g. Barnes & Noble, Borders) or you can order directly from Interweave.

Will you be keeping all of your remnant holiday gift-wrapping paper, ribbons & tags? If so, how do you plan to use/recycle them towards your art? Answer in your comment below and the winner will be announced Wednesday, December 22nd.

Ho! Ho! Ho! Go! Go! Go!

The Greatest Treasure

2010-12-13T22:43:00.010-05:00

There is a life-force within your soul, seek that.

There is a gem in the mountain of your body, seek that.

O traveler, if you are in search of the greatest treasure, don't look outside.

Look inside yourself and seek that.

~Rumi

*****************************

Dear Lovely Peeps (& my poor deserted blog!),

The demands at my other job may have put a pause button on this "art girl" but not for long! I may be physically exhausted but so unbelievably grateful. It is, in my opinion, impossible to permanently crush/squelch/bury the inner passion. It has a way of popping up & forcing its way out. Creative souls are meant to fly, not caged.

The holidays are here! How do you feel about that? A part of me wants to hold onto what's left of 2010 (i.e. try to finish all the crazy, busy stuff on my plate) but deep down, I cannot wait for the new year to arrive. To start fresh. To embrace the possibilities. To dive into more art projects. To give myself maximum self-care. To spend time with color, fabrics & paint. To write in my journal.

Thanks for visiting. I'll be sharing some exciting news, creative fun, & cool giveaways soon! And remember, you are rich. Look at the gem you already are...

New Art Journal Flip

2010-11-23T23:41:00.008-05:00

I know I'm a late comer to Mary Ann Moss' online class, but can I say how creatively inspired I am because of her? I finally completed 2 signatures that will go inside a sewn journal cover.

Hope you like the video because let me tell you, it wasn't easy! I almost gave up after 4-5 takes. While shooting, the doorbell would ring or I'd get a phone call. Then 3 landscaping guys arrived right outside my kitchen & started firing up their leaf-blowers. Any minute, I was expecting a jet plane to land on our driveway. Seriously!

Enjoy.

A Creative Season

2010-11-04T21:07:00.026-04:00

Title: Seasons. 8" x 8" Watercolor on paper. SOLD.

I am learning so much in my weekly memoir writing class. Tonight was a special occasion because Joseph Hurka came to visit us. We got to pick Joe's brain, read an amazing excerpt from him & delve into the writing process. I came home bursting at the creative seams!

Amongst my lecture notes--with lots of chicken scratches & notebook doodles--I am reminded of the strong correlation between the writer's life and the visual artist/painter's life:

Be authentic; write what you know.
Serve your truth.
Resist anything that trespasses the spirit (i.e. fight for your life, do what is right, protect humanity, preserve the human heart).
Take the pressure off yourself by doing what you want to do & not what you think the public wants you to do.
Like a music composer, develop beautiful or haunting measures & then go build on that.
Whether it's your 1st or 51st draft, expect your work to grow organically.
Develop self-trust. THIS. IS. HUGE.
There's a bigger life force out there that is guiding us each step of the way--embrace the mystery.
It's okay to hold onto artistic material you don't publish/sell/share...certain works are far better left in an unedited, pure state.
Keep a safe place for your writing that you can work on later (this is similar to an earlier post I shared here).

Have a great weekend everyone! This is truly a creative season to be alive!

That's nice Gina. Now go back to your studio & work :)

Morning Moments

2010-10-30T07:42:00.006-04:00

I sit here to witness a beautiful sunrise...

....illuminating the kitchen and the cup of coffee I'm holding.

Not a creature is stirring.

Well, maybe this one!

Happy Halloween!

2010-10-29T14:09:00.005-04:00

Happy Halloween everybody! Make it a superhero moment!

p.s. thank you all for your birthday wishes....

My Birthday is Today

2010-10-28T10:54:00.008-04:00

So, my friend e-mails me the following fun facts:

You were born on a Saturday.
Your date of conception was probably 5th February 1972. (Um....a little TMI about my parents! LOL)
You've seen 10 leap years.
Your Zodiac Sign is Scorpio.
Your Chinese Zodiac Sign is Rat.
Your Ruling Planet is Mars.
Your Birthstone is Opal.
Your Birth Flower is Calendula.
Your Birth Tree is Walnut Tree.
Your Birth Number is 3.
Your Lucky Color is Shades of Red.
Your Lucky Day is Tuesday.
Your Lucky Number is Two.

Yes, today is my birthday. I'm 38 and proud of it!

My Studio Corner

2010-10-18T20:40:00.012-04:00

Here's a video of my desk + hutch. I have changed things around since being featured in Cloth Paper Scissors. I needed a dedicated spot for ALL my pens (sakura, sharpies, etc.) on the bottom shelf. The majority of my ribbons are now stored elsewhere in my room.

Whenever I open my desk, I feel inspired to create something. It's a special nook/corner of my studio. Thanks for watching!

The Perfect Art Journal!

2010-09-29T11:50:00.005-04:00

Hello everybody, especially my fellow artist peeps! Have I got *the* sketchbook for you!

Introducing the Fasionflat Sketchpad! Originally designed for the aspiring & professional fashion designer, this spiral-bound notebook is perfect for the art journaler in all of us. Look inside, watch a cute demo & learn what a disappearing croquis is (think: proportional dress-form templates)!

I accidentally discovered this sketchbook at Jo-Ann's Fabric Store and was delighted to the core when I was able to use my 50% coupon. You'll love the thick, high-quality, white pages that can accept pens, markers & light washes. Prime it with gesso, and you can go all "mixed-media" on it!

The Fasionflat Sketchpad was invented by the talented & lovely Tamar Daniel. Read more about her here.

A Self-Portrait Homework

2010-09-23T12:04:00.009-04:00

This self-portrait was part of a recent "Crafting My Best Life" homework, over at Jenny Doh's Creative Lab.

Painted inside the lid of a keep-sake photo box, this mixed media piece holds important symbolisms for me and I shall treasure it always. It's a sort of synopsis of who I am, where I came from, and what it was like growing up (which I shared with my classmates).

Will share more soon!

It's a Girl!

2010-09-19T13:07:00.006-04:00

We have a new addition to our family! At 5 weeks old, she was part of Jim's birthday present. He named her Apple.

As a baby, she sure sleeps alot. Everyone should have their morning coffee like this....with a cute, cuddly fur-ball sleeping right on top of you.

Secret Question. Secret Answer.

2010-09-17T11:39:00.025-04:00

Secret Question: How did a watercolorist like me become a mixed media artist?

Title: I'm So Gladiolus I Did. 11" x 14" watercolor & acrylic mixed media on paper, finished with mica glitter.

Secret Answer: I simply jumped right in & I'm so glad-iolous I did!

There's a huge learning curve in the world of mixed media with so many directions you could go. Do I like mixed media that involves stitch/sewing? art journaling/bookbinding? printing/stencilery (is that a word)? collage/assemblage? wire sculpting/guilding? YES to all!

It's creatively overwhelming with all the possibilities. But after pouring over the beautiful pages of Somerset Studios & Cloth Paper Scissors, I had to get on board....to push my watercolor skills to the next level.

Secret Question: What's next on my art plate?

Secret Answer: 21 Secrets Art Journaling Workshop!

This is an awsome platform to dive into, learn, create & explore. Come join me! The 3 instructors I look forward to learning from are:

1. Effy Wild with her "The Art Journal as Soul Mirror"

2. Emma Peabody's "Ancient Chinese Paper Cutting Meets Modern Art Journal"

3. Hanna Andersson's "Layers of Tissue"

*************************

p.s. OK, this has got to be the last on-line workshop I enroll for the rest of the year. Otherwise, I'll be financially doomed!

p.p.s. it helps to sell a piece of furniture on craigslist to fund all these classes.....a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do!

My Fun-filled Plate for Fall 2010

2010-09-09T14:10:00.015-04:00

Title: Cherry Orchard. 11" x 14" watercolor & acrylic mixed media. SOLD.

Hello there! Now that summer is coming to an end (how sad....snif, snif), I have 2 more classes left with @Home with Claudine Hellmuth, I'd like to keep investing in my growth and creativity. Here's what I've signed up for:

Cresendoh Creative Lab w/ Jenny Doh - to continue crafting a powerful, creative life & have fun

The Art of Silliness w/ Carla Sonheim - to loosen up my drawing skills & have fun

Making a Memoir: A Non-fiction Writing Workshop w/ Alison McGonagle - to augment my art journaling practice & have fun

The Sketchbook Project w/ 30,o00 other artists - to be a part of a dynamic community & have fun

So clearly, the common denominator is to have fun! How about you? How will you finish 2010 in a creative and joyous way? Please share with us any creative links & adventures you're planning to take this fall.

Cloth Paper Scissors Artisan Search

2010-09-02T23:05:00.021-04:00

For the last 4 solid weeks, if I include all the preliminary sketching, planning, back-pedalling & brainstorming, I have been working on something incredibly, uber important to me.

Cloth Paper Scissors Artisans Search 2011.

Have you entered yet? If not, please join me! Let's get inspired together & validate all those Michaels purchases (yeah right). Ask me a month ago, I wasn't even going to enter. Then one day the inspiration hit me like a ton of bricks. Remember these? I got out of bed at 2am and started sewing!

In honor of Beethoven, I give you my Moonlight "Sew"nata Series! I know....the pun gets to be too much around here. But if you click on each title below, it'll link you over to some cute close-ups as well as an explanation on how I made each piece.

Title: Moonlight Sewnata III

Title: Moonlight Sewnata II

Title: Moonlight Sewnata I

Again, thank you for your kind support & enthusiasm! Your comments & viewing of my art here as well as at clothpapersissors.com really matters to me. To learn more about the contest & look at their extensive community gallery, you can start by visiting here.

Work Work Work = Love Love Love

2010-08-27T21:17:00.018-04:00

A heartfelt thank you to all those that commented on my last post. Blessings to you for your courage & compassionate heart.

Life is wonderful again! I've been painting, sewing, hammering, sanding, melting, sorting, cutting & gluing. Will post the grand reveal soon. Until then, here is a current shot of my studio! OMG look at all that crapola!

Are you shocked? OK folks, let's move along now. Nothing to see here.

To distract you, here's a cute photo of Autumn....

...and Summer :).

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"Amidst all the clutter, beyond all the obstacles, aside from all the static are the goals set. Put your head down, do the best job possible..."

~ Donald Rumsfeld

Well, Summer puts her head down in the most adorable way. She's working hard alright, napping to recharge her creative mojo. Have a great weekend everybody!

What Matters

2010-08-22T10:35:00.010-04:00

Always be yourself,

because the people that matter

don't mind,

and the ones that mind

don't matter.

**********************

The above quote is etched on a paperweight that is sitting on my desk. It reminds me that I matter and the ones that love me matter.

And not the mean, hurtful, destructively patronizing, petty people we all know (they should never matter to you; you're too precious). Negative people are great teachers, however. Let's just say, I don't invite them over for dinner, but they do serve some value I think. Otherwise why would they keep popping up in our lives?

Q: What did you learn from that certain negative person in your life? How did you turn it around? I'D LOVE TO KNOW!

Moon Dreams

2010-08-14T14:59:00.010-04:00

When the moon is shining with all its radiance, I want to stare at it for hours.

I stretch my arm up & imagine touching it with my fingers. But this heavenly body seems so far away.

For now, I shall harness the moon in my dreams.

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Note: both paintings were done in watercolor. To learn more about my style of painting, take a weekend art intensive with me here, coming this October.

As always, thank you for visiting!

Quick Post & Quick Dye Project

2010-08-13T13:37:00.017-04:00

After wiping my watercolor palette clean with paper towels, I noticed they were too pretty to throw away. I decided to add more color to them and let dry (I see a future stitched mixed-media project waiting for me).

Scrunching them up this way while wet gave me beautiful wrinkled texture. When almost dry, I threw them in the dryer to heat-set.

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OK, so where has the time gone this week? Before I go to work (like, in half an hour!) I wanted the thank everyone for sharing your suggestions regarding my resist challenge via facebook, twitter & blog. Here were some creative highlights on how to write over wax pastel/white crayon backgrounds:

Again, thank you everybody!!! Have a great weekend.

Watercolor Resists + Challenge

2010-08-09T20:10:00.004-04:00

I love to doodle & create simple resist techniques with watercolor & white crayons.

They'd make great art journal backgrounds.

But how are my gel pens going to write over the wax without clogging up?

Maybe seal it with clear gesso. Hmmmm.....any advice?

Abstraction Attraction

2010-08-09T18:07:00.008-04:00

I painted a bunch of abstract backgrounds today using watercolor, a spray bottle & some margarita salt.

I see a a row of orchard trees forming here.

I see a forest forming here.

I see my hips expanding here.

Summer Greens, Part 2

2010-08-07T15:13:00.007-04:00

My painting session went better the second time around (compared to my first Summer Greens). This one "felt" a lot looser & freer, which is an important goal for me.

Title: Summer Greens II. 11" x1 4" Watercolor on paper mixed with mica pigments.

Summer Greens

2010-08-07T14:04:00.004-04:00

"A perfect summer day is when the sun is shining, the breeze is blowing, the birds are singing,...

...and the lawn mower is broken." ~ James Dent

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Painting Title: Summer Greens. 8" x 8" Watercolor on paper sprayed with lemon yellow gouache for added texture.

Hope Bouquet

2010-08-03T14:22:00.005-04:00

Title: Hope Bouquet. 11" x 14" Watercolor on paper, using salt-technique as background.

“Man can live forty days without food,

three days without water,

six minutes without air,

but only one second without hope.”

~ Unknown

Fire Alarm Art Journal

2010-07-29T15:32:00.014-04:00

The more I do art, the more empowered I become. If beautiful colors and textures are all around us, then it's our job as artists to capture them!

Here's a background page I started today in my art journal. I initially primed it with gesso, glued on some lace, pumped a single spritz of turquoise (Adirondack Color Wash), mingled it with mineral violet watercolor, and then placed some strategic smudges of lime green with my Neocolor II pastel. Can you guess where all those little pieces of colored paper came from?

Note: Please don't be like me! Instead of waiting for each layer to dry, I blast things to death with my heat gun, flaring up bubbles, or worse, smoke. I am so this word:

impatient |imˈpā sh ənt| = adj. restlessly eager; having or showing a tendency to be quickly irritated or provoked

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Have a great day. And be inspired.....without setting off your fire alarm.

Campbell & Complimentary Colors

2010-07-23T11:12:00.011-04:00

"The privilege of a lifetime is to be who you are." ~ Joseph Campbell

Don't you think there is something wonderfully accurate in Campbell's quote? It's like a heartfelt blessing to everyone living on this planet.

It truly is a privilege to be in the moment right now...to be able to capture what I see & feel through art. For this piece, I used complementary colors--ultramarine blue & cadmium orange--to depict one of my favorite watercolor scenes: a moonlit sky obscured by foliage.

A heartfelt blessing to all my visitors & bloggy friends.

Have a great weekend!

Permission to Dream

2010-07-22T10:40:00.005-04:00

"An artist is a dreamer...

consenting to dream...

of the actual world." ~ George Santayana

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Note: the first painting above is watercolor; the second is acrylic.

Take A Hike with Colored Pencils

2010-07-21T20:35:00.008-04:00

I try to carry a couple of colored pencils with me at all times. Here's a quick sketch I did while taking a hike along Gazos Creek in Half Moon Bay, CA.

"What is more beautiful than a road..."

~ George Sand

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p.s. Here's a cute rattie video of Summer. Sometimes, she just doesn't want to eat her vegetables.

Playing & Experimenting: The Early Years

2010-07-20T08:40:00.014-04:00

Here are some early paintings I did many many years ago.

I must say, it's hard not to judge the embarrassing "awkward stages" of my artistic development. But I see the beauty of it all. I was indeed playing & experimenting.

I did lots of moonscapes & enchanted forest scenes...

and lots of bouquets & florals.

Like most people, I started out in acrylics. I painted this desert scene (instead of studying for my chemistry final in college). Perhaps the most challenging aspect about acrylic is capturing the light. I always thought my acrylic paintings, especially my clouds, looked "plasticy" & flat.

A couple of years later, I attempted to paint with acrylics again. I was trying to capture the luscious lavender fields of Provence. I thought this turned out well, but notice I boycotted clouds (ha).

Then watercolor found me. There was something magical & mysterious about this medium that I couldn't ignore. Even painting abstractly, I fell in love with its fluidity & transparency.

Have a great day!

My Weekend Watercolor Retreat

2010-07-10T12:42:00.014-04:00

Howdie! It's been incredibly busy over here at my studio. I'm gearing up to teach a weekend watercolor retreat at the charming Artascope Studios very soon!

Wanna have a good chuckle? If you click here & scroll down to the last picture, you'll see the fabulous Claudine Hellmuth in a demo.

Notice the perky one sitting in the front row?

Please be so kind to spread the word if you'd like! It's not too late to register :)

"Watercolor: A Whole New Approach in the Garden"

• July 23–25

"Watercolor: Capture the Brilliance of Autumn"

• October 15–17

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p.s. I couldn't help but include Autumn & Summer in today's post. They are exhausted with me talking about color wheels, watercolor paint, watercolor brushes, watercolor this, watercolor that. Just look at them....bored out of their minds.

p.p.s. ...and this is what greets me the second I come home.

Happy Independence Day

2010-07-04T16:36:00.003-04:00

Merry 4th of July!

We Interrupt This Message

2010-06-17T22:34:00.013-04:00

We interrupt this message with some irresistible cuteness!

This is Autumn saying cheese.

This is Summer sleeping in her yoga prayer pose.

And this is how they enjoy their long summer nights.

Enjoy their video!

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p.s. be sure to check if you were one of the winners of my last blog giveaway!

And The Winners Are...

2010-06-17T12:39:00.007-04:00

Thank you everybody for participating in my recent blog giveaway! This was so much fun!

First Prize goes to Chel

Second Prize goes to Jen

Third Prize goes to PaperPumpkin

Winners, please e-mail me your mailing address so I can send out your prize: ginaleekim [at] me [dot] com

Blog Giveaway - Cool Prizes

2010-06-08T10:56:00.009-04:00

I'm having a giveaway to celebrate >100 lovely blog followers. Thank you so much for your continued encouragement & support!

HERE ARE THE RULES:

Please comment by midnight, June 16th.
If you're a follower already, your name has been automatically entered in the drawing twice!!
Mention this giveaway in your blog, twitter, or facebook, to enter thrice (i.e. three times :)!!! But be sure to tell me you did so in your comment.

Three winners will be announced Thursday, June 17th:

First place winner will receive all 4 of these beautiful, foliage-themed wooden stamps by Hero Arts.

Second place winner will receive this Fluid Chalk Inkpad set by ColorBox. Great for distressing backgrounds!

Third place winner will receive this booklet by mixed-media artist Sherrill Kahn, "Magic with Markers: for Paper, Fabric, Wood, Metal, Plastic & Clay".

GOOD LUCK!

Crafting in England (Video)

2010-06-02T12:42:00.007-04:00

Here's a video share for all of you. Thank you for the well wishes while I was away.

It is good to be home!

Trip Across The Pond

2010-05-20T15:55:00.014-04:00

Jim cashed in all of his skymiles & we're getting ready to go to England. A vacation is long over due! I plan to do nothing but...

eat...

make crank calls to the Queen...

and bring my sketchbook everywhere.

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Thanks to all those who took my poll on facebook.

The tiny flower embellishment on Mitzy was taken off.

Sew Done!

2010-05-20T01:51:00.012-04:00

Two hours into it, I'm sew happy it's done!

Title: Mitzy. 10" x 10" Mixed media on canvas, using Sticky-Back Canvas & sewn background of origami papers.

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Note: I burnished an inkjet photo of Mitzy on the back (adhesive side) of Claudine Hellmuth's Sticky-Back Canvas. It was pretty fuzzy after rubbing off the wet paper with water. I had to render & capture any lost details with acrylic paint.

Thank you Claudine for this fabulous tip!

Sew Cute Doggie

2010-05-19T21:30:00.013-04:00

I'm working on a mixed-media painting that's almost finished.

It's proving to be kind of a difficult, or shall we say, 'woof' project.

A lot of 3 steps forward/2 steps back or completely starting over. But that doesn't really matter. What matters is I'm playing with some fun stuff: fusible interfacing, acrylic paint, stickyback canvas, watersoluable oil pastels, matte medium...chocolate.

Even sewing! I swear it took me forever to thread my sewing machine properly. BTW, who writes these crude owner's manual anyway?

Isn't it fun to sew a pretty quilt out of paper & fabric? For me, it's the background that makes an artwork come alive. It's like the supporting cast that makes all the difference in the world.

And speaking of supporting cast...

Thank you kind bloggers for your sweet words of encouragement.

Thank you.

I hope everyone gets the chance to watch this inspiring video from Elizabeth Gilbert.

Stretching For More

2010-05-16T05:55:00.025-04:00

This is me when I was 3 or 4 years old.

I'm the short one standing next to my friend--a pretty next-door-neighbor, whose name I have completely forgotten (if this is you circa 1975 & you lived on Crucero Drive, San Jose, CA, please tell me).

I love this picture. My legs are so short and my head looks like a booblehead. Misproportioned or still growing?

May I share something? I hate my nursing schedule. Tuesdays, Fridays & Sundays I work until midnight. Every other weekend, I work Saturday & Sunday @7am. Every other Sunday, I'm doing a double shift (7am 'til midnight). I am terrified of getting an admission Friday nights, because it means I don't get out on time. And if I'm working the next day Saturday, I am screwed. I'm back on the floor totally sleep deprived, lucky if I get 3 to 4 hours of zzz's.

It's like being hit by a semi.

My art has suffered because of this, which saddens me a lot. My time for creativity has become misproportioned. Misproportioned or still growing? Please tell me I'm still growing. As long as there is hope at the end of the tunnel, as long as I keep my inner creative-fire burning, I'll be okay.

Then here's to growing & stretching for more.

I'm getting ready to teach a watercolor weekend retreat in Maine @ Artascope Studios this July & October 2010. This excites me very much! Also, check out Claudine Hellmuth's beeswax class & Donna Downey's surface design class. They're teaching @ Artascope too!

I have signed up for Claudine's on-line class. I'm teetering back & forth about registering for Kelly Rae's e-course. Are any of you taking it?

My First Beeswax Series

2010-05-04T15:13:00.018-04:00

So here's what I've been working on in the studio, plus a video to share. I am in love with beeswax collage!

This still needs some wiring on the fences. Maybe a gate too.

I honestly don't know why I said "whack whack". One whack is enough!

(And yes, I was wearing my robe while filming this)

This was a pure experimental piece. That's watercolor paper covered in beeswax!

Had to make a bird house. It's okay to use acrylic white pen for details at the end.

Used a stick to engrave the swirls & whirls. Polished with mica for some iridescence.

This one's my favorite. Hope you enjoyed today's post. Have a great day!

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If you want more tutorial information on beeswax collage, go to Claudine's website.

Video Coming Soon!

2010-05-02T14:06:00.007-04:00

Can you guess what I've been working on?

Video coming soon!

Thanks for patiently waiting (she says with a mouthful of candy).

Twix Me Up Scottie

2010-04-28T17:43:00.008-04:00

I have today and tomorrow off. This made me so happy that I was dancing in my kitchen this morning. It's time to create boys & girls. Time to create. But then I realized my studio is a complete mess, which made me stop dancing.

Screw it. No time to sit, tidy & organize.

I shall use a super turbo leaf-blower to clean off my studio table if I have to.

Ooo but finding candy on the floor amongst my embellishments made me start dancing again!

Will post something soon...something to sweeten the creative spirit.

My Grain of Sand

2010-04-21T05:59:00.012-04:00

"...Conserve your energies for the big, worthwhile things. It isn't the mountain ahead that wears you out–it's the grain of sand in your shoe." ~ Robert Service (1874 - 1958)

Title: Violet Horizon. 2"x 5" Watercolor sketch on paper.

My grain of sand these days is Amazon's 1000Markets.com--a vendor I use to sell my paintings. A couple of days ago, they temporarily suspended my account because they deemed my shop wasn't "active enough". That got me so upset/sad. I felt like saying: Dear 1000Markets, sorry I wasn't profitable enough in your eyes. I've been working hard at my other job. You know, taking care of children as a nurse!

Ugh....1000Markets did contact me & said my store is up and running again, but I think I shall eventually move my online shop to Etsy.

(Thank you for letting me vent)

Summer & Autumn: The Movie

2010-04-17T11:10:00.028-04:00

I think they enjoyed starring in their own feature film (my first attempt using iMovie).

Have a great weekend!

Happy Springtime Watercolor

2010-04-16T12:44:00.016-04:00

Even though it's still cold outside, I anticipate springtime warmth & joy.

I'm just happy because:

1. our taxes are done & the IRS owes us money

2. co-workers are no longer tempting me with their Easter candies

Thank goodness it's all over!

Unfinished 3" x 6" mixed-media tag.

Speaking of joy-joy, I am teaching one of my watercolor workshops @ Joppa Flats, this Saturday, April 17th. Hope you'll come & join us!

Title: Illumination Dream Tree. 11" x 14" watercolor on paper.

Finished Mural

2010-04-07T17:02:00.008-04:00

I struggled a bit on how I could've finished this mural differently. What if I added some leaves on top? Some birch trunks? How about a castle in the distance with a dolphin jumping up out of the water? An ice cream truck driving by?

So glad I stopped when I did!

Handmade Wall, Handmade Cards

2010-03-29T22:42:00.031-04:00

Remember my secret mural project? After working on it for 5 hours last week, I finished the midground. But right when I was about to take a picture, my camera battery died.

Here was the finished midground before I started working on it today. Four hours of painting non-stop, I began the last stages of the mural.

Here is the emerging foreground. I am eager to get the mural done this week but with my crazy work schedule I have got to pace myself. Three words: tendonitis flare up.

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Some other exciting news (minus the tendonitis 'cuz that's boring news). Do you see anything familiar in the following photo?

What a thrill! My handmade cards are being carried by Valerie's Gallery--a charming gift shop featuring fine American craft & art. Hope you enjoy the video of her beautiful store (shot, directed, produced by my friend Bill). Thank you so much Valerie!

Display table says: LOCAL ARTIST. Handmade watercolor & mixed-media cards by Gina Lee Kim. 5" x 7" size--perfect for framing!

They are $10 each & have a special backstory, which were posted here, here & here. Again, these are not prints but lovingly handmade, mini-art cards with stitching, doilies, ribbon & fabric. Each one slightly different. Limited batch.

For more information on purchasing, please call (978) 499-8444.

Looks Pearfect To Me

2010-03-21T12:59:00.017-04:00

Had so much fun teaching my watercolor workshop yesterday.

I always tell my students that they are just pear-fect!

Still-life Demo: Pear Study. 11 x 14" watercolor on paper with wax resist & gouache background--my modified version of Dory Kanter's windowpane painting technique.

Golden Hour

2010-03-18T05:39:00.008-04:00

Title: Golden Hour. 11 x 14" commissioned watercolor on paper.

In photography, the golden hour is the first and last hour of sunlight producing a luminous landscape. For me, the golden hour is enjoying a cup of coffee at 5:00 a.m. & being properly caffeinated prior to work. Hazelnut me, Coffee-mate. Hazelnut me.

After my nursing shift today, hubby & I will be going into Boston to meet up with some mighty wonderful friends. Cheers to your Thursday everybody!

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

A special thank you to my sweet blog-friend and beautiful artist, Cathy Nichols. Visit, or better yet, participate in her Found Art Fridays.

Secret Mural Project

2010-03-17T21:41:00.010-04:00

I'm working on a special mural project that's kind of a secret. After painting for 5 hours, phase I: background water & sky is done. Enjoy the photos for now!

Art Saves-Good Happens

2010-03-16T00:46:00.044-04:00

I am truly honored to be featured in Jenny Doh's Readers Share this week!

Jenny is on an Art-Saves campaign. Her mission at www.crescendoh.com has created an amazing artist community with inspirational stories & wonderful resources.

Thank you Jenny.

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

As Jim & I are embracing our challenges, such lovely outpouring of people's comments, e-mails, letters & phone calls continue to renew our spirit. It is life-saving encouragement. It is kindness I shall never forget.

Thank you everybody.

The following news is proof that good happens...that art is saving us in so many splendid ways (5 major ways to be exact):

1. My husband may still be job-hunting, but a steady stream of consulting work has been coming through the pipeline.

2. My employer changed my part-time nursing position to full-time, which qualifies Jim & I for health benefits.

3. Valerie's Gallery, a beautiful local fine art & handcraft gift store is going to carry my art cards (this was the secret project I was working on from my previous post!)

4. I was asked to paint a mural for the sensory room at a local hospital (I'll be sure to post before & after photos).

5. I am teaching two, watercolor weekend-retreats this year at the charming Artascope Studios (more details to come).

Yup. Good definitely happens.

Creative Thursday

2010-03-11T11:39:00.007-05:00

Today I am in the studio painting, sewing, inking, gluing...

....an exciting little announcement coming soon!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~ PHOTO UPDATE ~*~*~*~*~*~*~

For those of you who put me on some organizational pedestal, please don't! This is what my studio looks right now (with little goat paths to get from one side to the other).

Live Inspired Journal

2010-03-05T13:14:00.011-05:00

My sweet friend, Pauline, sent me a comp book (by live-inspired.com) with the most beautiful quote on the cover.

I dug-up one of my watercolor paintings that I thought really captured the words.

Here's what the front cover says on my new journal...

She’s turning her life into something sacred: Each breath, a new birth. Each moment, a new chance. She bows her head, gathers her dreams from a pure, deep stream and stretches her arms towards the sky.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Thank you Pauline. It's easy to keep smiling with thoughtful friends like you :)

A Hint of Spring & A Blog Award

2010-03-04T16:36:00.017-05:00

Who puts a potted plant in the middle of her craft table?

I do! I need winter to be over. Like yesterday. As you can see, I'm making more postcards for a special "hope project" I started last month.

Another fun update in the studio is that I have a complete & functional lamp now. We're talking a lamp base with a lampshade. Imagine that!

I used leftover polka-dotted fabric and JoAnn's self-adhesive lampshade kit.

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And last but not least, a huge THANK YOU to Lisa Holtzman!

The fabulous & talented Lisa recently gave me a Sunshine Award.

Her art & lettering is so beautiful, breathtaking & inspiring. A special congratulations to all!

Thank You CPS STUDIOS! Again!

2010-02-22T20:19:00.029-05:00

My new friend Lynn Fisher facebooked me tonight saying "Gina, very cute photo of the rats in the latest Studios magazine!!!!" What fantastic news this is. I couldn't be more proud of the little ones.

Lynn further told me that Summer & Autumn is featured on page 135 in the article, "Pets in the Studio, Where the Fur Flies" (Cloth Paper Scissors' STUDIOS, Spring 2010). I can't wait to get my copy!

Congratulations Autumn!

Congratulations Summer!

And now, kissably famous!

Enjoy a little clip of the ratties.

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p.s. For more adorable Summer & Autumn stories, you can go here & here.

p.p.s. A big thank you to Cate. It's such an honor & thrill to be in CPS again!

2010 Postcard Swap

2010-02-15T17:45:00.014-05:00

Have you met the talented & lovely Hanna? Because of her amazing efforts, bloggers were able to take part of an international postcard swap. I dropped-off ten Valentine cards in the post office last week...mail that went as far as Australia, England & the Netherlands.

It felt so good to send a bit of cheerfulness out into the world...not to mention some color during the dead of winter! To view the Flickr group of all the contributors, click here.

Mixed media: watercolor, acrylic, sheer ribbon, glitter cardstock, pretty paper napkin scraps, a bit of stitchery & doily. Collaged with self-leveing gel medium, then flattened carefully with a warm iron.

I had so much fun making these that I couldn't stop with just ten. Staring at the surplus of cards I made, it gave me an idea to do this.

Thank you everyone for your profound kindness & encouragement from my last post. Jim & I are hanging in there!

When It Rains....You Shower Back Love

2010-02-12T13:35:00.033-05:00

My husband was laid off yesterday. He is driving into work today to collect his belongings. Colleagues are taking him out to lunch as a last good-bye. Oh, how we need our cherished friends.

This news is a real punch in the gut. We are scared out of our minds. And yet, Jim's sanity & humor is intact the last time I checked. We will take things one day at a time...a good moto to live by.

So, when it rains it pours. BUT I have an action plan!

For this Valentine's season, I have made several extra batches of cards. Do you need support? Are you going through a difficult time? Then send me your address & I will drop off an affirmation card for you in the mail. Think of it as a postcard hug. A symbol of hope. It's my way of saying to the Universe that I trust & believe in an abundant world. That in the end, we have each other & that humanity cannot be beaten.

To receive a postcard, please do 2 things:

Step 1) e-mail me your mailing address at ginaleekim@me.com or click here

Step 2) then leave a comment below saying that you did Step 1

I will send out all that I have, until I run out.

Please remember, I cannot send you a card if you don't supply me an address.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

p.s. if anyone knows of a great research & development team (with a concentration in molecular biology) in the state of MA, NH or ME, please let me know!

Fragmented But Whole

2010-02-05T08:46:00.015-05:00

The dictionary dropped open on my foot today. After jumping up & down and yelling out an expletive, one particular word caught my eye.

Fragment = noun |ˈfragmənt|; a small part broken or separated off of something.

Wow. That's how I feel. Fragmented. I feel apart from my home-life (there's an ugly, ugly leak in my ceiling), my art-life (I have been stifled, no, crushed creatively), my health-life (I've been eating everything in sight), & my soul-life (seasonal affective disorder has kicked me in the rear, big time). And I can't stand it!

The dictionary went on. Fragment suggests that breakage has occurred and often refers to a brittle substance such as glass or pottery.

Hmmm....am I brittle? Of all the textures out there, I love glass & pottery. Words like iridescence, translucency & craftsmanship come to mind. Not brittle. I guess something beautiful to behold can be just as vulnerable.

OK. I am vulnerable. I'm vulnerable to people's negativity & cynicism. I'm vulnerable when a senior nurse relentlessly reminds me of how new I am (can't we all just get along?). I'm vulnerable when someone makes a snide comment that my studio was obviously cleaned-up before I took photos (duh). I'm vulnerable at Michael's scrapbooking isle, when I see adorable nursery/baby themes or family embellishments (nuff said).

I may be vulnerable but I am not brittle. I am not broken to the point of no return. Like these cropped watercolor bits & found pieces. They may be segmented but when you re-assemble them, you see new possibilities. Like a visual collage, they are fragmented but they still make a beautiful whole.

After today's post, I'm taking a break from blogging. I need to join a gym that isn't next to an ice cream shop. Find a plumber that wears adequate pants (don't wanna see the dark side of one's moon). Take massive action in space-clearing & organizing. But most importantly, restore my life so I can find my inner creativity & joy again.

Thank you so much for understanding! Be well.

Stuff We Love

2010-01-29T11:00:00.007-05:00

ADDENDUM: Cathy Nichols posted my art in her Found Art Friday themed, art blog today. What an honor & a delightful way to start the weekend. A big love to you too, girlfriend!

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I spent the morning with two of my girlfriends--Pauline & Valerie--who always make me feel "at home" & happy to be in my own skin.

Title: Love Is Always & Forever. 8" x 10" mixed media art journal page.

How fun it was to play today. I so needed it! I cut simple heart-shapes, painted them with watercolors, glued some text & then added gold embellishments (thank you Pauline for the black polka-dotted scrapbook paper; it totally anchored the piece).

Oh the gift of friendship.

As women, we love to share what is beautiful (like interior design & home decorating, a bouquet of fresh flowers, handmade goods & fabulous Etsy finds, yummy spiced-apple-cider tea with lemon cake & craft projects spread out on the dining table).

As women, we love to share what is possible (like hidden wishes, untapped dreams, crazy-cool business goals & brilliant design ideas). Anything is possible under the context of joyful goodness & optimistic hope. It's important to share the important stuff...

...the stuff that makes us come alive...the stuff we're passionate about...

..and the stuff that makes us blissfully say "Awww!"

Thank You Kindly

2010-01-27T15:22:00.008-05:00

I wanted to thank everyone for encouraging me this past week. As I'm in awe of & so grateful for your kindness, I meditate on the following quote, for it is exactly how I feel...

Title: Enchanted. 5" x 7" watercolor & acrylic mixed media on paper.

"A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart, and can sing it back to you when you have forgotten the words."
~ Unknown

Fighting for Our Dreams

2010-01-25T22:44:00.017-05:00

“Life is full of beauty. Notice it. Notice the bumble bee, the small child, and the smiling faces. Smell the rain, and feel the wind. Live your life to the fullest potential, and fight...

Title: What Dreams May Come. 14" x 11" Watercolor & acrylic mixed media on canvas.

...fight for your dreams.” ~Ashley Smith

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Right now, I am fighting for my dreams. I'm creatively drained to the core because, well, I'm dog tired. It hasn't always been smooth sailing--to balance my precious art life with my precious nursing life. I knew conquering two careers at the same time was not going to be easy. But then again, art found me.

(It could also mean that I'm just plain nuts :).

My Version of Twilight Series

2010-01-21T17:23:00.005-05:00

Since I'm too chicken to read about vampires or any kind of ghoulish, spooky tales,

I'll just stick to my own "New Moon" series...lol.

Title: New Moon Promise. 10 x 10" watercolor & acrylic mixed-media on wood (SOLD).

Past Art Journal Pages

2010-01-20T19:13:00.012-05:00

Here are some old journal pages I've uncovered while "organizing" my studio today...

Organizing is a loose term around here! In reality, it's just sifting through my clutter and reminiscing. If perfection is overrated, then I can keep my studio looking disheveled a bit longer!

Foreigner (Not the Rock Band)

2010-01-18T08:39:00.022-05:00

I usually don't do figuratives or paint portraits. Drawing the human form has always intimidated me. It's exhausting to get the proportions right. The more I erase & fix my subject, the more my inner critic becomes alive saying, "Hey, her nose isn't symmetrical," or "Why does his eyes look crossed?" or "That forehead is huge!...making a helicopter landing pad are we?"

Title: Eve. 7" x 7" Watercolor & acrylic mixed media sketch on paper.

Figuratives & portraiture make a foreigner out of me. It is a strange, new artistic territory. Perhaps I should attempt painting faces more often because it challenges me in a good way. I'd like to turn my people-drawing-anxiety into I'm-going-to-be-kinder-to-myself adventure. I do love painting the backgrounds!

Title: Eve's Garden. 7" x 7" Watercolor & acrylic mixed media sketch on paper.

Oh, but give me a landscape or still-life subject any day.

Happy Martin-Luther-King-Jr-Day, everyone. And may we continue to hold the precious people of Haiti in our hearts & minds.

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"Almost always, the creative dedicated minority has made the world better."

~ Martin Luther King, Jr.

Prayers for Haiti (Repost)

2010-01-16T19:00:00.001-05:00

My prayers & thoughts go out to the people of Haiti at this critical time...

(Please help.)

Adorable Doesn't Cut It

2010-01-14T15:50:00.056-05:00

As many of you know, my husband & I are proud parents of 2 beautiful girls, Summer & Autumn! Our beloved pet rats amaze us every day & enrich our lives in so many ways.

As BFFs, they're inseparable. Jim & I take the girls out of their cage multiple times throughout the day. We talk to them, pet them, kiss them & let them explore their world.

This is Autumn (aka Miss Nut-job) trying to sneak her way upstairs! She may be this high-energy, super-intelligent & mischievous crazy-girl, but it's her loving heart that blows me away. A couple of months ago, I was crying over a very difficult ordeal while holding Autumn. Autumn then started to lick my tears. I'll never forget how she turned my sadness into a smile.

Do you see why she's called Miss Nut-job? This is Autumn flying...her routine, death-defying leap off the couch & onto my hands. So trusting!

Summer is quite the opposite. She's smart too but a little more cautious & circumspect. She seeks comfort, warmth & safety at all times. Summer prefers to be underneath a towel, between 2 pillows or hiding along my collar.

A million dollar shot taken by my husband! That's Summer making a fist & Autumn doing some kind of advanced Aikido high-kick!! I know they're just playing when they wrestle but when I hear high-pitched squeaks & yelps, I become a concerned mother. I try to break-up their "fights" because I don't want them getting hurt.

That's Summer saying she's sorry. But then, right when I turn my back...

...they're wrestling again! Here they are in frozen posture, looking guilty as ever!

After a jaunt of silly rambunctiousness, our rats take little naps. Autumn & Summer are so cute it hurts. I hope they know how loved they are. Jim & I cannot imagine our lives without these little ones. The word adorable just doesn't cut it.

Winter Moonscape

2010-01-13T16:03:00.005-05:00

"My well-being is not in my partner.

My sense of security does not come from a job.

The quality of my life is not dictated by anything outside of me...

All I need is within me now."

(October 28, 2005, journal entry)

tiny tiny

2010-01-12T14:24:00.006-05:00

Untitled. 2.75" x 2.75" mixed media on canvas.

“Make the most of yourself by fanning the tiny, inner sparks of possibility into flames of achievement.” ~ Golda Meir

Art Supply Confession & Suze Orman

2010-01-07T12:49:00.018-05:00

Confession #1: While vacationing last month in California AND as a total Christmas gift to myself, I bought a lot of painting supplies, pretty paper & mixed-media embellishments at my favorite art store. Here's a small sampling of the loot.

Confession #2: I currently have a dangerous amount of art supplies at dickblick.com, sitting idle in my shopping cart--one click away from submitting my order. We're talking beautiful array of Sakura pens & copic markers, Golden fluid acrylics & gel mediums, Caran d'Ache crayons, Kolinsky watercolor brushes, etc. Oh, the time & energy I spent in researching/reading-up on each item!

Confession #3: I just couldn't do it. The guilt of ordering more art supplies would have killed me. Instead, I called my husband at work. I say this from the bottom of my heart: I am so grateful that there's nothing I cannot discuss with my life-partner. He supports me. He anchors me. He encourages me. It's important for us to keep our financial dialogue going--because with solid communication, this is how Jim & I will realize our short-term/long-term goals, live by our values & plan out our fabulous dream. Together. So, without anymore hesitation, I called up one of my educational services, transferred my funds & closed out one of my student loans. Boy, did it hurt. But it was a good hurt. I want to grow up.

The result: I believe the universe acknowledged this shift I was making towards living a more authentic, creative life. A life where I am using & honoring what I already have. I tweeted Ms. Suze Orman with, "I hope UR proud of me! Instead of spending $ on art supplies, I just wrote a huge check & closed one of my student loans :)"

Suze Orman, listed as Time Magazine's 100 Most Influential People of the World, tweeted me back!

So, if you're an artist/crafter vowing not to spend so much this year, then come along with me. We can do this together! Next time you want to impulsively buy something (even if you're holding a Michael's 50% coupon), ask yourself if you truly need it. Is there some creative way to use the supplies you currently own? You'd be surprised at how innovative you can be. It's all about going green as well.

The world needs beauty & the world needs artists. Let us not kill ourselves or our financial spirit getting there!

Cloth, Pear, Scissors

2010-01-06T10:32:00.014-05:00

There are some art journal pages that are very near & dear to me.

Title: Winter Window Pear. 8" x 10" watercolor, pen & gold lettering on black paper.

Title: Joy Weaving. 8" x 10" mixed media of interwoven paper, fabric scraps & gold ink.

I hang these two right next to each other. They're up in my studio, suspended in glass floating frames. Both projects are found in Dory Kanter's book "Art Escapes". I decided to bring them down today & really look at them. Study them. Treasure them. All over again.

Resist Me Not

2010-01-05T14:54:00.039-05:00

I don't know what it is about resist techniques. They are addicting! A happy-dance-excitement comes over me at their beautiful unveiling. I did this quickly with a small paintbrush dipped in gloss medium & then a final wash of green gold watercolor. Voila!

The inspiration came from the floral design on my Vista Print business cards. I still have about 1000 cards left from a huge order I made last year! This year, I want to design my own business cards....cards that totally exemplify who I am as an artist. I have 3-4 design layouts in mind & I'd love for all of you keen artists/bloggers out there to help me pick your favorite. Would you kindly help me? That'll be a fun future post :).

I have always used Golden mediums but I decided to try out Liquitex version of gesso, matte medium, & gloss medium/varnish while traveling on my vacation. Liquitex may sell their fluid mediums in cute 4 oz. containers, but I noticed it took forever for this brand to dry, especially the gloss medium/varnish. My substrate remained tacky & sticky for a very long time. BTW, did you know that fluid matte medium can serve as a clear ground for any pencil or pastel work over dried acrylic paint?

After trying the Liquitex version, I prefer Golden's Polymer Matte Medium, hands down.

One more thing I can't resist. Pens. Sharpie came out with this click-able fine tip pen in a sexy ergonomic barrel. It's making my art journaling a pure delight.

(click to zoom-in on hummingbird)

May you have a delightful day today my sweet friends & lovely visitors.

From my art table to yours!

Silver Lining

2010-01-03T21:05:00.025-05:00

I had a rough day at work today. So much happened towards the end of my shift that I didn't get out on time to see my friend. Being a nurse herself, she totally understood. You make plans to catch up & yet life happens. We both sighed & laughed over the phone--a moment that made me feel loved & connected.

Title: Silver Lining. 11" x 14" tissue paper mixed-media collage on canvas board.

Blogging has allowed me to discover YOU--lots of talented, artistic, kindred souls that make me feel connected. Life is endurable when you know you're not alone! And as artists, as creatives, it's important to express ourselves & to explore what shapes us.

BTW, remember what my outside patio looked like during the Summer season? during Autumn season? Remember how New England winter turns me into? Well, it's definitely here!!

The silver lining is that the days are getting longer now. I like that term "silver lining". Every cloud has one. Although it may not be immediately apparent, every difficult or sad situation can have a comforting or hopeful aspect.

Every situation.

It's even true in mixed-media painting :). I think I shall add some silver sparkle & pearlescent mica to finish off the above painting. Have a great day!

No More New Year's Resolutions

2009-12-29T12:51:00.028-05:00

I remember reading a newspaper article about New Year's resolutions--23% of Americans give up their very first week & 49% give up on the 2nd week. So, setting resolutions just suck. There's no better word for it.

Title: Happy New Year. 11" x 14" watercolor on paper.

For my entire adult life, my goals have been the same (very similar to my talented blogger friend Gina Mckinnis):

1. lose weight

2. keep a clean & organized home

3. always be positive (well, Gina M. says "be kind" but of all people she doesn't have work on that!)

My three resolutions are problematic because they're just too lofty. I even read them out loud a half an hour later. Still sounds lofty. Honestly, I'd rather have a nervous breakdown & then dig myself out of it. That way, it'll be a desperate yet guaranteed, life-changing makeover. But my poor husband could do without the drama!

Untitled. 11" x 14" watercolor still-life demo on paper.

I think there are general directions & targets you want to set-up for yourself in life. But if you're not having fun or if it's making you feel inadequate as a human being, then stop.

Untitled. 11" x 14" watercolor still-life demo on paper.

Lifecoach Laura Berman Fortgang has always said we worry too much. "People panic & say, 'I don't know what my purpose is!' or 'I don't know my passion is!' But it's not about that at all. It's really about looking around & seeing where you are the most valuable to people. Living a meaningful life is about connection. And connection is an internal experience. A meaningful life starts with how you feel."

Ok then. No more setting & chasing after lofty goals. No more feeling deficient when I can't maintain them. I must feel first in order to take a meaningful direction towards positive change. Mother Teresa spoke about one universal, beautiful & achievable goal: "We cannot do great things. Only small things with great love."

Untitled. Ultramarine blue value study on watercolor paper.

Therefore, my new 2010 "anti-resolution" will be just one sentence, a single intention...

to meditate on one small outcome each day

that will help me fall more deeply in love with life.

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Wishing you an awesome, blissfully simple, happy new year!

Looking Up

2009-12-27T01:01:00.032-05:00

Once in a blue moon, you watch a special movie that make you swell up in the eyes, squeeze your husband's hand, & shed buckets of tears. As I was working on this painting,

Title: Hope Orchard. 4" x 6" mixed media on canvas (SOLD).

I thought about the movie's uplifting & heartwarming message. I also compared its meaning to my own life. For a moment, I felt quite sad. What adventures & dreams have I not realized? Where's my adventure book? Perfectly blank? What is holding me back?

Monterey Bay Aquarium. Sea Kelp Forest.

I am so grateful that we had the means & the time to take a California vacation. I need to think less. Feel more. Enjoy beauty because it's there & not kill the moment by questioning how long it will last. As if worrying will make things last forever (ha).

Me, Grace & Cathy. Little Gracie will be one Dec 30!

I haven't missed out on life after all. There is so much adventure in:

spending a day with good-for-your-soul-people, like your friends

a baby's smile

a family dog, unable to stop licking your face

taking in the sunshine

a sushi platter

downloading more than 1000 photos from your camera....a day!

a hotel room that serves as a temporary art studio

laughing so hard, you snort latte foam out of your nose

the words "I love you"

Jim & me. Christmas 2009.

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p.s. Thank you Kim, for featuring me on Newburyport Today. What an honor!