Well....it took awhile, but I finally did what several of you have requested through the years and added PayPal to my website to make purchasing easier for you (and for me for that matter!) Because I have work out in galleries, I can not have everything on PayPal but anything in my possession is available. Wherever you find an "Add to Cart" button, it is available online. All of my Jewelry and several paintings. I also have different art items like my blessing crosses and other jewelry not on the site here, and small paintings available at my shop on Etsy.com.

Just go to http://www.paintedpapers.etsy.com/. I plan to add things there as time goes on such as cards and bookmarkers and small fun paintings.

So.......GO GET 'EM!!!

MY NEW ETSY.COM ACCOUNT

I finally did it after hearing many of you suggest it. I have a "shop" on Etsy.com for my jewelry. I will see how it goes before adding other artwork. You can check it out (and order if you want!) at http://www.paintedpapers.etsy.com/

Comment here and let me know what you think.

THANK YOU TO RESPECTFUL CUSTOMERS


It's been interesting all the response I have gotten from other artist about the customer who did "her own thing" to my art. (see my blog October 26). Most are outraged and what is sad is that this seems to be something people feel like they have the freedom to do to orginal art. How sad. It almost makes me want to stop. One artist who does beautiful metal sculptures in beautiful specialized colors had a customer say he "planned to alter our design by spray painting it different bright colors for each holiday!" I would throw up!! I just can't believe that people are that indifferent to the hard work that artists put into their art. Obviously, they just don't understand. I am thankful for my customers who have honored my creations by preserving them and respecting them. My heart and soul goes into each piece I create, from my new line of jewelry up to the most expensive piece. It's all a piece of me and when someone "changes" it, they are violating me. So this is just my way of saying "Thank you" to those of you who have been faithful to my creations and respectful of my heart.

NEW BEGINNINGS

This is my new adventure. Don't worry...I'm still doing my regular art, but being the "saver" I am, my mind is constantly churning when I look at all the "left overs" from my pieces. I've used them in blessing crosses, prayer pockets and many other "ideas" through the years. Some successful, some not. This is my latest. Jewelry made from my scraps which is mostly paper and wire with other bits and pieces thrown in. I'M HAVING A BALL!! These are my first attempts, but I have at present made 5 pins and 15 pairs of earrings. I hope to have these at the ARKANSAS CRAFT GUILD CHRISTMAS SHOWCASE in December (see my exhibits page for more info on that). I call them "New Beginnings" because I am taking discards from my art and giving them new life. Isn't that what new beginnings are all about anyway? I'd love to hear what you think.

Haven't posted in awhile but had an incident today that is prompting me to write. I had a customer who bought 4 of my blessing crosses and when I asked her if she got them and if she liked them (she is out of state) she let me know that she added her own touch to them by adding "glitter glaze" (whatever that is!!) I was furious. I am still furious. The sad thing is, she professes to being an artist. I'm an artist. I would NEVER take someone elses work and re-work it or add to it in any way. I let her know how I felt and then wrote to several of my artist (real artist) friends to get their take on it. Below are some of the responses:

I think whoever did that to YOUR work was WWWAAAAAYYYYYY out of line.

I can't believe that someone would even want to add anything to an original piece of artwork. How did you even find out about it? this is so crazy. I haven't had anyone ask me specific steps in how i create a piece of artwork but i also haven't been in the artworld very long. to me, this is demeaning the piece of artwork and you have every right in feeling the way you do.

You are not wrong! No one should add to or take from your work of art! Any Teacher should know this. To try to make you feel bad for speaking up about this makes it even worse to me.

When your art leaves your studio, it is copyrighted automatically. You still own the copyright even though the piece has been sold. No one should alter your work as it would be infringing on your copyright. The only legal way someone can alter your work would be if they bought your copyright, too. If they buy the copyright, they are free to use your piece as they wish. (this happens more in the advertisting world).

Please people, don't do this to orginal artwork with someone else's name on it. Not only is it illegal, it is unethical, especially coming from another artist. This person has bought art from me in the past, and even though she says she has not altered anything else, I don't trust her and will not sell to her again. And what is sadder about this is that I don't even think she thinks she did anything wrong.

"INDIAN SUMMER"

This piece of mine was chosen for the 2008 Small Works on Paper and will tour the state of Arkansas in 2008. It's from my "Paper Quilt" Series. The piece is made up of paper sewn together. This was a really enjoyable series I did and I am so honored to have one of these pieces chosen for this exhibit!

I LOVE IT WHEN THIS HAPPENS!! "Art to Match Your Heart, not your Couch" is not just a catchy slogan for me. It is the truth and came to me after several times of similar things like what happened this past weekend occurring over and over again.

We just returned from an Art Fair in Springfield, Illinois, which I will refrain from commenting on here. About the middle of the afternoon on Sunday a lovely young lady came into the booth and zeroed in on my painting "Undampened" which is from a photo I took of a wedding couple in the rain in the Cinque Terre in Italy. After awhile of studying it and talking to the lady with her about it, she turned to me and began her story. She had just gotten married recently in the very park where we were having the art show and just as the ceremony was ending, it started raining and they had to put up the umberellas. Not only that, she has dark hair like the girl in the painting and her husband has a redish beard and mustache..AND...to top it all off...guess where they went on their honeymoon!! Yep! ITALY!! Yes....she most definitely bought the painting. I'm sure glad, because I'm afraid I would have had to give it to her!! Just kidding! (It's wasn't that good of a show!!) Her story in relation to a painting of mine has happen many times and I LOVE IT when it does. I've always believed that when I am doing a piece, God already has the person in mind for it....He just has to get us together and sometimes that takes time.


Thanks Kristin for letting me share this!

I just finished this piece and really do like it a lot and wanted to share it.

It's title is "Seller of Purple".

It was inspired by this stained glass window that was in the Baptistry of Saint Lydia in Philippi, Greece. Paul is on the left and I did this one of him when I first returned from the trip.

I wanted to do one of Lydia, but sometimes I have to "mull" it over for awhile...so...2 years later I finally visualized how I wanted to do it. This is why I always keep a journal and sketch books. I'm not always ready to do the painting right away. Some paintings have to be thought about, at least that is the way it works for me. Although I love the one of Paul and the way it turned out, I just had a softer feel for Lydia. She was a woman from Thyatira who met Paul by the river in Philippi and heard what he had to say about Jesus and that day, she and her household were baptized. It's a beautiful small river there in Philippi. Very peaceful.

I'm off next week (Sept 8th and 9th) to Springfield, Illinois for a new art show. It's the "Art Spectacular at the Carillon". It's not only a new show for us, but a new show period. Only in it's second year and the first year was a bad weather year, so I really don't have much to go on. What I DO know after years of doing shows is that I like shows put on by local people in the community and I like small shows. Much more personal. I did a "producer" show one year (those are shows put on by people to make money for themselves) and swore never again. They just want your money and could care less about you. The other thing I have learned is that you have no idea what a show will be for you until you do it. So....off we go and we will see............

I'm in a funky mood. The Art Show in St. Louis was a bummer...worse one I've had in 7 years, but I don't take it personally because it was that way for everyone there. Not many buyers were present. A lot of factors played in this, but bottom line is...it was a bad show. Now, EVEN THOUGH I KNOW it was not me or my art, as a "sensitive" artist, I DO take it personally (Did I just contradict myself?). It makes me want to stop painting, forget it, close the doors to my studio.....but this too will pass. I'm kind of at a cross roads anyway. I love doing images of my trip to Italy

and trees.....I love doing trees and sunsets and Moons........

BUT, I love my abstracts and Ancient Word Series and Paper Quilts.

I'm going in several different directions and so I guess I need to stop for awhile. I have a commission to finish (which is going very nicely) and I'm MORE than ready for the next 2 shows....so think I'll just stop for awhile.

Right................(wonder how long that will last!!)

Well, it was bound to happen sooner or later. I think every artist (who didn't start out as an abstract artist) has a yearning to escape now and then into that world. I have bordered on it for years working in abstract representational, but sometimes I just want to get that "representational" word out of it. So....I started a sketch book called "The Abstract Book" and it is a place I can go and remove all thoughts and pre-conceived ideas about anything and just start painting, glueing and sewing. I have had a ball!! And what has been amazing to me is that before I finish each piece, there is a title floating around in my head. Sometimes the title fits and sometimes not, but this is an excercise in "letting go", so I'm just going with it. I highly recommend it to all my frustrated artist friends out there, especially those of us who do this for a living. It has been freeing to me to the point that I am now actually putting my toe in the water, so to speak, and am actually going to present 3 small ones at my next show in St. Louis. We will see what happens! I would love to have feed back on what ya' think. On my website you can check out my 3 pieces for sale under "Squares"THIS IS A MONTAGE I DID OF MY BOOK WITH INSIDE PAGES ON TOP

THIS IS ONE OF THE IMAGES TITLED "PIECES OF MEMORIES"

CHRIST THE TEACHER


This is a sample of some of the wonderful art my son is producing while serving time in prison in Missouri due to consequences of years of drug abuse. He is 37 years old and I never knew he had this in him. He didn't either! I think it's the first time he's ever had something he genuinely enjoys doing. Naturally, I am encouraging him to continue on with developing his own style. Right now he only has ballpoint pen and colored pencil to work with and is doing an awesome job! I wouldn't have to patience to do what he is doing. These pieces are for sale and can be seen on my site under Pooleart. This one is all I have right now because they have been selling so well and you can see the progression of how much better each one gets. Dare I believe that expressing his faith and struggles through art could bring him out of the darkness he found himself in? I think I will...............

"TRIBUTE"
I am so honored to have one of my pieces chosen for the 2008 Arkansas Artists Calendar sponsored by the Arkansas Govenor's Mansion. The piece chosen for the calendar is "Tribute" which is a special piece to me because it was inspired by a pot of tulips a friend gave to me when I had to have my precious cat "Mootzie" put to sleep on Feb. 14th of this year. She was 18 years old and my dear companion for all those years. I feel, that without them knowing this, the judges are honoring her by their choice of this painting.

Gonna have to change my Blog photo..got my hair allllllll cut off today and I LOVE IT!! Some of you remember me when it was down to my waist

This photo was taken the night before I cut off 10" for "Locks of Love" about 2 years ago....then it looked like this...

Then like the photo I'm using for my Blogspot.....
Now.....today.....Wha La...................................



And in case you are wondering.............yes, the curl is God given. I think He knew I was not going to be one to mess with my hair, so he gave me good wash and wear hair!!

Now...on a different note........

Remember the post of my "treasures" a few days ago? Well, here is the finished piece.... You can check it out better on my website. I love the way the "treasures" turn to triangles (which represent movement or angels or direction or birds) which here represent movement from this material world to our heavenly world with God, where only treasures of the spirit remain and our heart is moving right along with us because "Where our treasure is, there our heart will be also."

"WHERE YOUR TREASURE IS..."

Ho Hum....just another day on the lake...
This is really fun..........

Whew!! A weekend with 2 of John's 5 grandkids!! Alison 4 and Josh 2! An evening on the lake on Friday in the pouring down rain, then on Saturday we got all ready to spend the day on the lake and the boat wouldn't start!! Thank God for good neighbors with a party barge!! THEN, we got back from the boat ride and decided to do a little sea doo riding and one of them wouldn't start!! ( Am I getting a message of somekind here??). In spite of it all we had a great time and the kids loved it!! That was what counted. Broken down motors and time wasted messing with details meant nothing to them. They found plenty to do while we fretted! Ahhh..youth........ This was their first visit and we are sure hoping they come again. Well....I guess the pictures show how "unaffected" they were by everything!! Like I said...............ahhhhhh......youth...........

TREASURES ON EARTH

I began a new piece today in my Ancient Word series based on Matthew 6: 19-21 where Jesus tells us about not storing up our treasures here on earth where rust and moth can destroy them and thieves can steal them, but to store up treasures in heaven...because where your heart is there your treasure will be also. I love the way The Message, which is a modern day translation of the Bible, says it, "Don't hoard treasure down here where it gets eaten by moths and corroded by rust or—worse!—stolen by burglars. Stockpile treasure in heaven, where it's safe from moth and rust and burglars. It's obvious, isn't it? The place where your treasure is, is the place you will most want to be, and end up being." These are some of the little "treasures" I made up today to go in the piece. I can't help but think as I put this piece together, that someday it too will be dust, but what will live on is the message.

FORTY DAYS AND FORTY NIGHTS
I said today I wanted to talk about my series "Ancient Words". On my website I have a statement about it. Go to http://www.paintedpapers.com/aw/aw_open.htm and you can read about that. What I want to say here is how blessed I have been by this series, and how blessed I continue to be! out of the 21 pieces I have created to date, only 4 are left and that is since June 1st. I'm not saying this to brag....oh no no no....I am saying this to relate how God's Word is going out to homes and businesses all over the U.S.!! How great is that? God is being glorified and that is what it is all about to me. The people who have been moved to tears by a piece, the total strangers who have called me up to talk about it, the ones who have stated that "it took their breath away", that's not me, that's not my work, that is GOD'S WORD!! Yea!!! I have a sketch book full of sketches inspired through reading the "Ancient Word" and hope to continue doing these for a long time to come. I firmly believe that God will use me in this way, until He's done.

I have to tell you, I have played with this blogspot all day and having a ball!! I think this is going to be fun, but I need some response, so let me hear from anyone out there what you think! Okay....now I'm going to bed. Tomorrow I'm going to talk about my favorite series I'm doing called "Ancient Words". What a journey that has been and still is. Okay....NOW I'm going to bed....really...........

Last year I had the awesome opportunity to go to Italy!! My precious daughter, Shari, took my husband and I there for my 60th birthday!! (Yes Moms....my daughter took me!!). for me it was a turning point in my art. To be in the presence of some of the finest art in the world...to bathe myself in the Renassiance everyday, was this artist's dream. I came back with a new eye for color and a new feel for texture that I didn't know I had in me. I've had people say, "why don't you paint this or that again." I don't want to. It's not me anymore. For me, art is about growth, about learning more about myself everytime I lay paper to paper and paint to paper. Go to "Sketches of Italy" and see some pieces of my journal I kept on the trip. The pieces I have that are for sale are on my website, but these posted here are a few of the ones already sold.

Okay....there is some blogging for the day.

Later!!

Well, I'm brand new at this Blogger thing, but think it's a great way to talk about my art and my life. I'm a journaler and to me this is just a step beyond that to share my heart and maybe put into words and pictures where my inspiration comes from and what the results are. So bear with me while I struggle through this. It'll either work....or it won't!! So here goes.................