Profile

Portfolio

Slideshow

Store

Bio

Blog

Contact

Website

Portfolio Blog

10 Jan, 2009

One of my favorite subjects to photograph & work with is the "fabulous feline". Cats are so emotive and energetic. It's hard to go wrong when snapping these furballs! I like to feature my cats in imaginary circumstances - places I feel they would love to be if given the freedom to fly or talk about their dreams to us. My "StarKitty Collection" was inspired by the wonderful story "The StarThrower" by Loren Eiseley. If you don't know of it, it's a simple tale of a man who watches from afar a boy throwing starfish that were washed up on a beach back into the sea. While watching, he realizes that the boy is preforming a futile task. There were simply too many starfish that needed to be saved. The man walks to the boy and says "Why are you doing this, there is simply no way you can make a difference to these starfish - there's simply too many!". The boy just bends over and picks up another starfish and throws the creature as far as he can into the steel gray sea. He looks at the man and simply says, "I made a difference to that one.". Seeing the wisdom in the boys words, the man joins the boy in his effort to save one at a time.

My "StarKitty Collection" are photo illustrations of rescue cats that I know & love set in their own dreamworld.... where they live, run, play, and dream without hinderance like a starfish who is thrown back into the sea. We all have our own StarThrower. Some call it a "Guardian Angel", some call it "mother or father", some call it "good fortune" or "God". Whatever or whoever we choose to hold dear as our StarThrower, those in our life or dreams that help us survive this turbulent world is of our choosing.... but we all must have a StarThrower - or I fear we would perish slowly like a starfish on the beach.

Reply

09 Jan, 2009

I always worry, constantly worry... then I think of all the great men & women who have gently explained that worry is useless - Gandhi, Jesus, Buddah. Action is the only way, thinking helps, creating powerful and useful work helps... and I think about the hummingbird. What a powerhouse! Does she worry - I doubt it! She wouldn't have time to fly and eat, love and create babies now would she if all she did was worry? Action!! Sometimes we fall into a quagmire of fear which immobilizes us. We drink, or sleep, or talk on the phone at all hours to people who would rather be sleeping or drinking! Things don't get solved. Talking is nice, is fun - but, the answers lay within ourselves. We have to learn to stand alone while working together in this vivid & miraculous world, adding whatever little bit we can to make it a better universe.

Reply

04 Jan, 2009

The Holidays are over in my country, the US, and I am getting ready to have a great New Years. Working on my art is the most enjoyable thing I have ever done - this includes relationships, family outings, family innings (hmmm, what does that mean?), and even travel. With my art I can travel anywhere just by taking the photos that matter to me and digitally making them into a magic that I can't quite determine. It is a force on its own. I'm sure you painters understand. A painting isn't created verbatim, it morphs, it grows, it becomes... that is how I feel photo illustration & my work is.

I learn new techniques everyday... which helps me mold my vision in ways I never imagined. But, the muse still has its head... it dictates, it consumes, many times it warms the finished form...

I look forward to a good New Years. I hope that the world's people can finally see the falicy of anger - that war begets war, destruction leads to more destruction, force can never bend the will of a resolute people, as we in the US proved more than a century age in our American Revolution.

And kindness to our Earth must be our primary concern. We have to get beyond borders and boundaries to heal what we all have damaged... or there will be no passion, no art, no life... I feel strongly that the goodness in people will win out... and the petty differences and gross injustices will pass on....

Reply

01 Jan, 2009

Happy 2009! To everyone I wish only PEACE, success, happiness, and kindness. When we give such things, I really think we get them back. I had a rocky Holiday - but, saw 2 kids trying to get to Ohio from Nashville after their car broke down. Me & my dad thought a random act of kindness was due. I invited them to a grand ole Waffle House breakfast! They provided an hour of wonderful conversation, and left with some food in their bellies as they continued their journey.

I think times are going to get tougher before they get better, but a world-size group hug would really do a lot to help... mentally or physically, let's try to stop, think, and smile... Happy New Years!

Reply

11 Dec, 2008

I just wanted to share two quotes I found that I think are very appropriate to this time of the season and the circumstances many of us find ourselves in during this economic downturn. I think everyone has been affected in one way or another, whether directly or simply through a friend or family member who may have lost a job or health insurance. As an artist, I've never had too much money, I've always been rather bohemian and didn't really find solace in "things", rather I found it in creating. But, reality is reality & we all need a roof over our heads and food in our bellies, or if we are feeding a family, we need to see they are taken care of.

All that being said, I would like to share two inspirational thoughts for this unusual Holiday season throughout the world. So much promise & yet so much misery is simultaneously in our midst.

Anyhoo, here are the quotes and wherewith I found them:

"Art will always have value and it will always express the most elevated and progressive aesthetics, tendencies, and ideals to which human beings can aspire. Art is timeless; it represents the future-- it always has and it always will. It represents talent, brilliance, genius, vision, and the materialization of hope, faith, and the courage of conviction. It represents solace and beauty-- an oasis where people can escape from the stresses and pressures of daily life. No matter what happens out there, great art has the power to reenergize, to reinvigorate, and even to heal. Ultimately and above all, it offers the promise that at some point in the not-to-distant future, everything will be well once again and that with the passage of time, we will unquestionably recover what we only temporarily have misplaced." Alan Bamberger (http://www.artbusiness.com/osoquunewec.html)

and one dear to my heart:

"The truly creative mind in any field is no more than this: A human creature born abnormally, inhumanely sensitive. To them…a touch is a blow, a sound is a noise, a misfortune is a tragedy, a joy is an ecstasy, a friend is a lover, a lover is a god, and failure is death.”

- Pearl S. Buck Nobel & Pulitzer

Here's to a productive and meaningful Holiday & New Years to all!

Reply

30 Nov, 2008

It's Sunday after Thanksgiving... here's hoping everyone had a safe & peaceful Thanksgiving. The world needs peace so much right now... I hope to add to the world in my own little way with my art. It seems so small considering the situation on this globe right now... but, it's what I do. :)

On a positive note, I sold two of my works at the charity benefit! Yippee! 2 out of 3... and I am so thrilled that someone wanted my works gracing their walls! I guess that is the warm, fuzzy glow you get when you sell your first works. I really am especially grateful to my subjects - my Chihuahua & my Tortie cat!

I've been judged into the Nashville Artist Guild (may have already mentioned that).. very proud to be part of this prestigious & active group. I look forward to being a part of a brick & mortar group. I really love art galleries... calm in this crazy world... well, onward & upward - more photos to shoot, capturing my world for you! Hope you enjoy!

Reply

15 Nov, 2008

Hi All, Well, my first brick & mortar show is over! I was chosen as one of the artists in a charity show at the HA Gallery (http://www.hagallery.com) in Nashville, TN . The artwork was sold via sealed bids. I had three pieces & sold two. Very, very happy! Part of the proceeds will go to the Fix for Life Spay/Neuter clinic (http://www.fixforlife.com). Most wonderful cause!

It was a wonderful event. The art was beautiful & well placed and the food & drink were excellent. Boy did they have a crowd too! I tend to get hyperventalated in close crowds & my 79 year-old father came along... so, we only were able to stay for a short time... but, it was well worth it.

I am so happy to have had the chance (event was sponsored by a wonderful local newspaper: the Nashville Paw -http://www.nashvillepaw.com) to show my work in a brick & mortar setting. It is just so fun and rewarding to mix with warm bodies & art!

Reply

24 Oct, 2008

Hi All, It's been a wild few weeks. I'm preparing for my first gallery showing at a Charity gig for a new spay/neuter clinic in Nashville, TN. The gallery is the well-respected HA Gallery on our art street - 8th Avenue. I have 3 wonderful pieces that I will be donating which are gallery wrapped on canvas. I was very happy to see how nicely the photos translate to canvas. This is my 1st showing, so I'm preparing publicity cards/art cards etc. etc. I'm very excited. For all those who've been there & have any advice - please e-mail me at [email protected]. I will need all the advice I can get!

2 weeks til we have a new president. I've already voted. I am hoping that once our new guy is in, the economy will take that important step to new green industry. I really feel that will get us out of this dive. Once we stabilize or begin to straighten out this house of cards, people might start buying art again! Peace, Kim

Reply

21 Sep, 2008

Nashville is out of gas... literally. Our tanks are dry. Luckily, I have some gas left & work at home. Why we are out is probably as big a question as why the country is going to the doogies. If I ponder on these issues too long my head will explode, so, I will instead work on my love - my art. Best to all out there in these very weird times!

Reply

13 Sep, 2008

Well, since Gustav went through the South, Ike has followed. I watched the Hurricane most of the night and again wish the best for all who were in its wake. I think we all should be humbled by the force of nature... it's beauty, strength, and wisdom always puts me in awe. That is why I love taking pictures of nature, animals, and the like. We are nature, of course, and need to emphasize that! I always enjoy seeing photos of children smelling flowers, petting an animal, or looking at the sky. They seem to understand our connection so well!

Reply