Happy New Year..Welcome 2010!

"Sea Glass Collected from Port Mahon Beach 2009"

I am so ready to say goodbye to 2009 and HELLO to 2010! I am thankful for all that 2009 offered to me - both professionally and personally but I know that 2010 holds many surprises in store for me! I feel that it is going to be a GREAT year for me....How about you?

Merry Christmas

My Uggs..my Favorite Christmas Gift!!
Merry Christmas 2009

After all the hustle and bustle, worrying if we are getting just the right gift....Christmas has come and gone! It's amazing how much fun Christmas is now that the kids are all young adults..The house is filled with joy and laughter and anticipation. Even the dogs joined in the fun.

The kids seemed to enjoy the gifts of art and especially the handpainted recipe boxes filled with their grandmother's recipes. Maybe one day, they will be the one bringing the pound cake or fudge cake to a holiday dinner!

I'm off to create some art today..

Be good to yourself.

Merry Christmas

It's Christmas Eve...the day we celebrate the holiday. My grandchildren are here waiting in anticipation for everyone to arrive tonight. My father has called from Mississipi with his annual call announcing "It's Christmas Eve!" and all that's left is for the kids to arrive this evening. I watch my grandson and granddaughter - 10 and 13 - and wonder if they miss their mother as terribly as I miss my daughter! Four years ago, was her last Christmas and she was her happiest that Christmas. Three short weeks later she was gone. At the holidays, I miss her the most and it doesn't seem to get better with time.

Here's hoping you're keeping your family close during the Christmas season and enjoying the love of being together.

Have a Merry Christmas !

I'm Back!

"Under the Sea"

" Winter Memories"

I've had some technical difficulties lately with my blog....but I'm back and getting ready for the holidays. We are in the middle of a snowstorm, here in the Northeast. I'm sitting by the Christmas tree with the tree lit as the snow falls all around us . Hope you are warm and dry and in the holiday spirit!

Be good to yourself,

Karen

Happy Thanksgiving!

Image by controltheweb via Flickr

The turkey's in the oven, the macaroni and cheese is made, the stuffing is waiting in the fridge, the sweet potatoe casserole has the marshmallows waiting to toast and of course one disaster has already been made today (the turkey was bad - smelling to high heaven and had to go back to the store and get another one at seven this morning!!) All this and it's only 9am this morning! I'm almost jealous of people that eat at normal times like 6pm but my family insists on eating at 12:30. We've been doing it that way since I was a kid in Mississippi...years (too many to count) ago.

To all of you, a Happy Thanksgiving..no matter when you celebrate. Enjoy your family and friends! If you plan to take advantage of the Black Friday deals...have fun! Me..I'll be working and trying to get some rest this weekend. I've got a lot of painting to do to catch up for the blah mood I've been in lately.

Don't forget to stop by my website for some great deals on art. I'm trying to mark down everything to clean off the shelves forfresh new product. I have an ad coming out in the January Somerset Studio and I'd like to stock the shelves with new artwork. Take advantage of the sale prices now for the holidays.

Art Sale

Just a quick post to let you know that all my art has been reduced for the holidays. Please stop by my website at JacksonSquare Studios to check out the great deals! Do some holiday shopping - buy some great art at 25% off now until Christmas!

Be good to yourself..

Karen

New Shadow Boxes

I finished the first of two shadow boxes that I've been working on. Vintage sewing machine drawers and lots of found items are used in these little shadow boxes. I'll be adding these to my website when the second one is completed.

I'm slowly working my way out of my creative funk. Changed my "tune" so to speak and painted some really funky boxes yesterday...can't wait to post them! Trying to get started on some Christmas presents....

Be good to yourself.

Karen

No thoughts, none....

Image by Martin LaBar via Flickr

My mind is completely void of creativity....I feel like I am in a vortex of blah! I joined Mystele's Gut Art class to jump start my creative juices...I haven't gotten past the first 5 videos.

I decided to do something different in my studio so I started some vintage sewing machine drawer shadow boxes. I almost finished one, started another...there they sit on my messy art table.

I have some projects I want to start for the girls for Christmas. Maybe if I get in my studio and do a really good cleaning I'll get a little bit motivated.

Do you ever feel this way? Like someone sucked all the creative thoughts out of your head? I know that work is getting in the way of my art and I don't like it! What do you do to get you art Mojo back? I'd love to hear your thoughts and ideas.

Be good to yourself,

Karen

Happy Halloween!

Halloween at the Hospital....

There was fun for all yesterday at the psych hospital..this is just a few of the costumes. After spending the day celebrating Halloween a day early, we went out to dinner and then to the Goodwill store.

I picked up a cashmere turtleneck Talbots sweater for $3.00, a Banana Republic sweater for $3.00 and a J. Crew button down shirt for $3.50. I think I did well don't you??

Take care of your trick or treaters and yourself!
Karen

Hello Sunday!

Emma Floats

Sally's Spring

It's the weekend and I finished a little bit of art. "Sally's Spring" has been in progress for months...one of those paintings that just wouldn't say "I'm done now"!

I'm working on some sewing machine drawer shadow boxes....can't wait to show you.

Be good to yourself,

Karen

JacksonSquare Studios 2010 Calendar from Zazzle.com

JacksonSquare Studios 2010 Calendar from Zazzle.com

Shared via AddThis

Those Curls!

She worked

Very Hard

To Keep Those Curls!

New artwork listing today at my website - JacksonSquare Studios. I'm having a hard time keeping up - alot of items have sold and I need fresh new paintings. I signed up for Mystele's Gut art class but haven't had a chance to start it yet...hoping for a chance to do that this weekend!

It's still raining, chilly and windy. Perfect weather to create...I'll post my work later. Hope you having a creative weekend.

Be good to yourself,

Karen

Changes....

Image via Wikipedia

I looked at the date on my last post and realized that it has been quite a while since my last post! Going back to work has taken quite a toll on me, leaving me no time for blogging, tweeting, facebook or even painting. I'm lucky if I get to flip through a magazine before falling asleep at night. Not my idea of balanced life!! I'm hoping to get some painting done this weekend - my website is looking a bit bare!

I'd like to put a question out to those of you that artists...What type of crackle product do you use? I'm looking for a product that you use AFTER you finish the painting - everything I've used is the two step process that requires a contrasting coat of paint. I'm looking for the crackle that you can apply to the entire painting with a antiquing glaze or stain. Any ideas???

I hope you have great plans for the weekend...stay warm and dry..we're in the middle of a nor'easter.

Be good to yourself,
Karen

Blooms and Birds...and the return of my life!

A textured background

Acrylic Paint and Melted Oil Pastels

"Blossoms and Birds"

I am so delighted to have been given my life back! I saw my back surgeon today for my post-op visit....the last time I was there I was wheeled in in a wheelchair, in excruciating pain. Today, I walked in - a new woman! In my eyes, he is a miracle worker! I go back to work tomorrow with restrictions and start physical therapy this week. In order to prevent this from happening again (My spine is in terrible shape due to arthritis) I will need to get myself in shape and stay that way. (Here we go again!) Core exercises, yoga and weight loss....that's my prescription for good health.

Here's wishing you good health today.

Karen

Berries and Birds

"Berries & Birds"

I'm very drawn to birds these days. I wonder what that means? I have several more "bird" paintings in the works. Expect to see more.

Be good to yourself,

Karen

97th post...and New Art

"If Only We Could Fly"




"She Always Picked the Best"

Two new pieces of art that will be added to the site today...little bits of whimsy for sale in my studio at JacksonSquare Studio. This month, all my large paintings have been DRASTICALLY reduced....really reduced, not just a little bit. The September 20% Sale is now over and the October sale is even better!! If there's something you've your eye on...check it out...

I just noticed that this my 97th post. So, I should probably do something special for my 100th post. Like a giveaway or something. What do you think? I think that today, I will start looking around my studio for a little basket to put together and see if can I pull together some things....I'm thinkin a 100th post parth. I don't think it's kind of thing you just let pass, right? Well, I've got two more posts to go to plan it!

So healing is going well....walking daily. Walked almost the entire block yesterday. Still in a lot of pain during the day and night and resisting the urge to take painkillers all day...trying to use ice and movement and rest..Sleeping (or should I see attempting to sleep) is still very difficult! My leg becomes very painful at night..I'm looking forward to physical therapy and some tips they may be able to give me with that. I have NOT enjoyed not being able to ride in a car for thisperiod of time! I have strict instructions to stay out of a car - as a driver and as a passenger for two weeks! NO FUN! I am getting a little stir crazy and would like to go for a ride at least to the pharmacy or to the art supply store to replace the bottle of matte medium I needed...no such luck!!

Before I go, I want to get serious and ask that anyone that reads my blog to please stop and take a minute to think of my sister who is having surgery today. She is 43 years old and has just been diagnosed with breast cancer. She has two teenage daughters, a wonderful husband and a wonderful life and out of nowhere, found a lump under her arm. Anyway, breast cancer can strike anyone, any age group, any family! This surgery is the first step in her treatment. I know that she will be ok with good medicine, healing thoughts, and prayer. Please include her in yours, if you will.

Have a great day, be good to yourself.

Karen

Have a great day! I'll be planning my 100th post party and will talk to you soon

Karen

New Art Work..Blackbirds Fly

Blackbird Singing in the dead of night

Take these broken wings and learn to fly

"Blackbirds Fly"

Just finished this 12 x 12 mixed media piece..took me longer than usual due to my surgery. I'm moving a bit slow these days but I'm determined that this is not going to get me down. We will be adding this to my website JacksonSquare Studios on Thursday.

Stay tuned for more art updates...I'm trying to get back in the groove again - It's been awhile since I've felt like painting or doing anything for that matter! Hope you are enjoying the first taste of fall!

Have a great day!

Karen

Last Day of 20% off Sale

My month long September Sale is coming to an end....if you have your eye on any of my art work on my site (http://www.jacksonsquarestudios.com/) now is the time to buy! Until September 30, all art on the site is 20% off! That's a deal...for all you art lovers out there!

Purchase directly from the site, or e-mail me at jacksonsquare@comcast.net.

So head right over and see what's left cause after September, we will be restocking the shelves for October madness!!

Have a great day!,

Karen

Melange Team Challenge - Heavenly

Jane, originally uploaded by jacksonsquarestudios.

This week's Melange Team Challenge is "Heavenly" Since I haven't been able to pain lately, I brought out my painting "Jane" that I paintied while taking Jane Des Rosier's class. I just love her techniques. I can only aspire to be half as good as her!

Go to the Melange Team Website and look at the other great blog entries....they are quite Beautiful!!

Have a heavenly day.
XO Karen

Home from Back surgery..on the mend

Image by Salihan.com via Flickr

So surgery went well! Amazinly well! The first few hours were a bit worrisome...There was much more to do inside my spine than he anticipated (he had to "chistle" much longer than usual and had to move my spine over to get to a large calcification). All of this meant, two hours longer in surgery and the probability of more pain. When I woke up, my leg was hurting like crazy! I was so disappointed but when my doctor was notified, he ran three doses of massive steroids and that pain went away.

It's Thursday morning, I've been home since yesterday and am doing great! The only pain I have is getting up and down. No leg pain, no hip pain - which is blesssed relief. I had so many people tell me that last day work "I'm praying for tomorrow" - I have to believe that someone was listening because I could have been feeling much worse right now! I don't want to push it...but I'm going to try to get in the studio and paint just a little this afternoon and a little longer tomorrow. I'm not going to push myself...I'll just see how it goes!

How's your days? Are you creating anything ? I'd love to see it. (Living vicariously through others, you know??)

Have a great day!

XO Karen

Karen

Finished Product...

Gwyn
The Good Witch
is finished....

the combination of

texture and wax

is

pretty cool!!

Have a great day,

Karen

Gwyn the good witch

Gwyn the good witch, originally uploaded by jacksonsquarestudios.

Here's my entry for the team challenge this week "Wee Witches". I haven't painting much due to my upcomin back surgery and horrible back and leg pain but I must say...I'm missing my studio like crazy! I saw the topic, had this little sketch drawn up and the background already to go....and well, her you go!

Gwyn, the Good Witch is a mixed media piece completed on a 12 x 12 piece of birch panel. I used modeling paste on the background to create a textured background and painted over it with a sort of china blue color. My little with is collaged on along with patterned papers, book pages and sheet music for interest. There's some stamping and painting on the background for visual interest too. A little sparkle and charcoal for aging the piece and she's ready to go! Hope you enjoy her. She will be posted on my website this weekend for sale.

If you are interested before then. send me a comment and we can work something out!!

Go over to the Melange Team Site and check out all of the beautiful artwork that the team members submit! You will be amazed by the loveliness of it all! You might even be tempted to join in next week...you don't have to be a member to play!

Have a great day!!

"Balancing Act"

available at JacksonSquare Studios

Finally, the doctor has determined that I need back surgery. I will have the surgery on Tuesday and my hope is that by Wednesday, this pain in my leg will be completely gone! I'm still amazed that I went to the doctor complaining of leg and back pain, he recommended an injection, I got it and immediately the pain increased. Within a week, I could barely walk and now I need surgery. When I asked how this happened, he said "Bad luck and bad genes". Wow!

No painting in almost a week. I've done a bit of sketching but no painting - that's one of the worst things about all of this! I'm hoping to get an ice pack, prop up my foot and get in the studio this weekend!

Have a great night,

Karen

Giveaway Winner!

Congratulations

to

Angela!

I had a giveaway this weekend on my Fan Page on Facebook....Anyone that signed up as a subscriber was eligible to win artwork on my webpage..(the 12th person to sign up). I will be wrapping this little piece "Jenna" and sending her on her way to North Carolina.

Have a great Tuesday,

Karen

Art Updates

Precious and Me

A beautiful little fairy with her kitty "Precious"

Jenna

Dancing Doll

My daughter my friend

It's been difficult to paint this week...the injection I got in my back seems to have made things worse. The doctor seems to think that the discs that were injected may have herniated or ruptured so I am getting a new MRI on Monday. Meanwhile, I am barely walking, am sleeping in a chair and am in the worst pain I've ever been in my life! I'm just hoping that once the doctor diagnosis the problem that they fix it QUICK!

I'm adding these little canvases to my website this week. They are 8x10..love the bright colors and all of them have either wooden knobs or glass knobs on top! They will be priced at $24.95....what a DEAL!! Go to www.jacksonsquarestudios.com and pick up one today!!

Have a great Sunday!!

Karen