Our Greatest Addiction

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Currently

The past couple weeks really flew by, and I can't believe it's already the end of October! I've been spending a lot of time in the studio; making paintings, brainstorming projects, and planning for the holidays. This time of year is always a busy one, but fortunately I'm getting ahead on all my work.
I'm also trying to take time to relax, rest, and enjoy the autumn season. (Which means sweaters, hot coffee, socks, and open windows. I love fall so much.)

(An adorable Jade turtle which Daniel got for me in China, A new line was released in the ArtShop,

Cleaned out the hardware store, Handmade DIY business cards)

Reading
Everyday Elsie | On Balancing Work, Hobbies, and Real Life
Create Loves | A Personal Post, Ways To Simplify
Maiedae | Fall DIY Ideas
Flowerchild Dwelling | Get Cozy
Elephantine | Recommended Reading

Eating
A Beautiful Mess | 3 Vegetarian Chilis

Looking Forward To
Releasing another round of new paintings. These newer pieces are some of my favorites!

Working On
Besides painting, I'm making a few tutorials for next month, some Autumn-themed. Also, I've been spending some time working on personal artworks. Some more realistic, some totally abstract. It's wonderful to just make things and not worry about the results.

Enjoying
The beautiful chilly sweater, Drinking lots of hot coffee, Wearing sweaters, Playing with color schemes, Reading more poetry, Making lists of everything.

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Today I'm prepping content for November, and getting those DIY projects ready. I'm also planning out content and projects for the last two months of 2012, and I'm really excited about all the goodness to come this season!

peace and love,

-k

13 Before 2013

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This year is slowly dwindling down to a close, but it's not over yet. With the three months still remaining in 2012, I'd like to accomplish more. From taking photos everyday, to getting new business cards, photographing some paintings, and learning to relax and rest. So, in order to clear my mind and get moving, I'm sharing the 13 things I want to do before the new year arrives... Here we go!

1. New Product Line - (for the artshop) I've finished a brand new line of watercolor paintings. They are being released this week!

2. Artist Life Interviews - (for B&B blog) This month the first interview will debut!

3. This Year - (a graphic design project) I want to make an infographic of 2012's events and memories  in December.

4. Scheduled - (an everyday goal) With Daniel returning from China, we've decided to try and have more structure to our workdays. Hello calendars, routines, meal lists, weekly chores, and more sanity.

5. Organized - (an everyday goal) I got my blogging notebook, art inventory, lists, notebooks, folders, and the challenge now is to use them efficiently.

6. DIY Craze - (for B&B blog) I'm over-flowing with ideas for tutorials. Expect more projects to come soon!

7. Focus - (an everyday goal) The goal here is to not take on too many projects. Do a few things, and do them excellently.

8. New Packaging - (for the artshop) Daniel helped me brainstorm some killer ideas, now I just need to do something crafty with them...

9. Photograph Things - (an everyday goal) I've officially completed my Photo 365 Project, but I want to continue to take snapshots of my work, life, and everyday things.

10. Holiday Prep Work - (a big project) For the shops, for my own gifts, cleaning/organizing for the new year. (I enjoy doing this, but I wish I would start earlier in the year!)

11. Relax - (an everyday goal) This is an important one. With this huge list of goals, it sounds like I won't sleep until Valentine's Day. But relaxing and resting has become a giant priority as of recently.

12. Artist's Way - (a course/study) After struggling with my personal artwork, I've started reading the Artist's Way. (I'm doing the study and hoping that when 2013 rolls around I'll have some new perspectives to work with.)

13. Branding - (for my professional work) Logo, Website, Business Cards, Stamps, Portfolio, the entire shebang. Here's to hoping I can finally get a strong brand together for next year and get legit.

I'll share an updated version of this list at the close of 2012 and see how many goals I managed to accomplish. Some goals are big projects, tasks to be completed. Others are "everyday" goals, or things I want to practice everyday until they become completely habitual and natural. (I have a lot of these, as you may have noticed.)

Of course, I'll be taking photos to document each goal as I work on/complete them.
Here's to hoping I can make some progress!

peace & love,

-k

Currently

I spent my entire week curled up with hot teas, good books, and a couple empty journals to fill. I ended up taking an unintentional (but much-needed) vacation from blogging, working, and making paintings.

After Daniel returned from China, we've enjoyed simply spending time together. Relaxing, sharing stories, and just enjoying each other's company. We're slowly making the transition from vacations to "work-mode", but we have schedules, lists, and plans to keep things structured. (We even decided on "studio hours", and when we will/will not take phone calls! Yay!)

(Cuddly Samson in the mornings, From a page in my sketchbook,

Another sketchbook page shot, Good reading)

Reads
Elephantine | Friday Fiction: Soup For A Lonely Heart
DesignLoveFest | Patternfest // 11
The Veda House | Wise Words My Dear
Elise Blaha | Rubber Stamp
A Merry Mishap | Inspiration from Stadshem

Eats
A Beautiful Mess | Akinosie Chocolate Milkshake Recipe

Looking Forward To
I'm thrilled to finally be releasing the Artist Life Interviews this month! I'm so happy to be working on this brand new series. It's really incredible!

Newly Discovered

Vanilla and Lace: I discovered this shop the other day and fell in love! (I'm sharing my favorite pieces from the shop later this week over on B&B.) 

Working On

-13 goals before 2013. (I'll be sharing these later today.)
-Getting back to blogging, I always miss it when I'm away. Plus I'm organized and full of ideas!
-DIY Brainstorm Session. I've got big DIY plans in the works... 

Today, we're hanging paintings around the home and making a big calendar for us to plan our months by. I'm also prepping a brand new line of paintings for the ArtShop & lots of fresh content for B&B, so stay tuned for lots of amazing things this month!

peace & love

-k

Currently

This time of year always brings a new wave of inspiration, motivation, and fresh ideas. I've been doing a lot of brainstorming and working on some new projects. I spent most of this week making a whole new batch of watercolor paintings for the ArtShop. (I'll be sharing the new paintings over on B&B vey soon!)

Also, Daniel left for his trip to China for a Biennale! I'm excited for his return and to hear about the exhibition. Before he left, I snapped some photographs of Daniel working in his studio, (you can check them out over on his blog.)

(Making plans/goals/brainstorms, Creating lots of new paintings

Playing with my new toys, Mood-boarding a new project)

Reads
Oana Befort | Sketchbook 
The Veda House | "Never Love A Wild Thing" Downloadable Wallpaper 
This Is Colossal | Welcome To Planet Earth, The UFO Welcome Center
Miss Moss | Modern Findings
Roots & Feathers | Animal Medicine Spider 

Tunes
Mr. Woodnote & Eva Lazarus | Diamonds In The Dirt - I typically starts getting a craving for this song during the late night, when I'm knee-deep in my work. I love the easy-going tone and poetic lyrics.

Newly Discovered
Vigilante Paper - With such a consistent and creative aesthetic, it's difficult to not love Vigilante Paper. (Just take a peak at their lookbook!)

Looking Forward To
1. Daniel coming home from China. I can't wait to see him!
2. Making a big abstract painting, just for me.
3. I organized all of my blog calendars, notebooks, folders, and everything. I'm so excited to make my work more efficient.