Wednesday Feb 15, 2012

Wow~  busy darn day today!  Showed student animations at school this afternoon for the large community meeting and the response was great!  I'll have to see about uploading a couple for your entertainment...
Here are some antlers that I painted while trying to think of ways of demonstrating painting on a complimentary colored ground...  which is purple...

And if you want them, you can bid on them HERE!  I'm only going to continue doing these auctions for another couple months, because I haven't been getting as great a response as I'd hoped.  I guess I have to give something away soon to get more subscribers!  Stay tuned...
kat!

Monday~ darn it!

I DID get paintings done this weekend, really!  It's just that I get caught up doing the "business" side of the art and then I'm too tired to post anything...

so here's a couple dogs I've redone for a client because I didn't want to give them to her until I liked them!  That's a tricky thing too-  quality control-  I've gotten a lot more fussy about when the work is finished.  I want it to be fresh and feel that it has been painted quickly and with freedom, but sometimes this requires stepping back and letting it sit before adding the finishing strokes, and sometimes it even needs gessoing over, in parts or all!  I need to extend my 6 week deadlines to 3 months....

Wed Feb 8th

Had another great class tonight and forgot to take a photo of my sample!  So here is a lovely commissioned piece of a firepit up at the cabin...

And send me your cats!
xokat

Sunday!!!! Feb 5~

Yay!  FINALLY actually got some painting done this weekend!  Though I also got a little obsessed with Franken-stuff too-  I'll be dropping some things over at Articulture next saturday, if you're interested-  mostly sweater skirts...   It IS so satisfying to go through those bins and pull some sweaters out and get cracking on them!  Thank you Pam Robinson for sending me that box!!!!
SO this is somewhat of a value study of the illustrious Bingo, in order to better be able to explain it to my patient class on Wednesday...

And you can BID on him at my Daily Paint works site!  Just click HERE!!! Starting at $25 bucks, baby!  What a DEAL!!!
Oh, and I hadn't really meant his man-parts to be so obvious...

Wed! okay, yes it is Thursday...

Last night was the first night of my Painting Lessons!  For adults!  And wow!  It was REALLY REALLY fun!!!!  If I do say so myself....  I think I talked as quickly as I could and still be understood, but there is SO much I want to cover!  Hmmm....  thank goodness there's 4 more classes!  And I only left about 40 minutes for the students to paint!  They need MUCH more time than that...  but they were great listeners, and had excellent questions, and even though my demo was not a masterpiece (see below) they still believed I could paint~
I can't wait til next week!

Here's a couple of apple demos....

Sunday Jan 29- 30.....

Man, I DO apologize-  it has been a wicked winter with coughs and colds and stitches... but here is another commission for your viewing pleasure, Koda, and he is being mailed home today!
And do get me your cat images if you are interested!  I am for SURE donating a portion of all sales to the Caring For Cats Rescue group, located here in the twin cities who do good work for our feline souls~  I have to admit, I was a lover of cats before I loved dogs, I think because I was a shy and awkward kid (at some points in my social growth) and the elusive love of a cat meant more to me than the all-pervasive sloppy dog love I now value so much....

...not that all dogs are sloppy, or all-pervasive, and acknowledging that we own a cat who is more like a dog than some dogs I know....

SUNDAY Jan 22, 2012

Soooo.... I seem to be starting this year off being a bit to busy to post... I have honestly been painting my butt off this weekend, but had a few other distractions such as Max throwing his accordion across the living room, no target in mind really, but it connected with Duane's face and caused a ruptured something or other in his lower lip so he had to go get four stitches to close the gaping hole...  you know that little bridge of skin holding your lip to your jaw, when you put your tongue down into the very front of your mouth, in front of your front teeth?  Yeah, that little thing- oops~  Yes.  And then, I took Max to see the New Muppet Movie at the Riverview with friends this evening and just got back, and made the mistake of sharing a HUGE Sprite with him....  yeah, not a good bedtime drink for a 2year old...

SO these are commissions, because I am not finished with the large (16x20) cityscape I am working on...
Stay tuned for more!
And my FIRST Adult Painting Class starts NEXT WEEK!!!!! I am REALLY excited!  I am not sure whether the "Adult' part refers to me or the students...  time will tell...

MLK eve!

Missed Sunday again~  sorry 'bout that!  We had a full house yesterday with lovely artcar folks up from Texas to see the Art Shanties and hopefully have an art car parade on the ICE-  something that rarely happens in Texas, but unfortunately we couldn't drive on the ice either, so our guests satisfied themselves with firecracker-hats instead...  but DO get out to the Shanties while you can!  Only THREE more weekends!!!!!  Here's a link! Art Shanty Projects!   We'll be out there for sure on Feb 4 for the Art Cars On Ice parade and to have a Groundhog Cakewalk for our Anniversary!

ANYWAY, here is a little painting of Max and the penguins at the MN Zoo, of which we are members, which allows me to take many photos of my favorite animals...  I think there may be a "30 Otters in 30 Days" project coming up~  oh and get me your CAT PICS for March's "30 Cats in 30 Days"!!!!
And you can bid on "Who's Looking at Who?" HERE~ starting at $30!

Wednesday's Post, a Day LATE~

Hi all!  This is Castor, just to get you in the mood for the "30 Cats in 30 Days" project that will be commencing in MARCH!  Thought I'd start getting the word out, but perhaps I am pushing it TOO early....

anyway, enjoy a little kitty love...

Sunday Jan 8

Feeling a bit better after over a week of not feeling well, but I am still heading to bed early tonight~
Here is a little piece from a photo on my way to work last week, right at the greyhound bus station on 9th and First Ave~
It's up for auction at my DailyPaintWorks site-  check it out!

Wed Jan 4

I tried sending this last night and it didn't work-  I'm home sick with a crappy cold-  does that affect the whole year, do you think?  Starting off with a cold, introspective, under the covers... hmmm...
I do want to mention that I will be teaching a painting class at my studio this February, Wed eves from 6:30 to 8:30-  There are 5 wednesdays this February!  We'll be looking at painting as a daily habit and how to get yourself there, so expect some homework!  I wanted to let you all know first-  It'll be $100 for the month, and you can pay via credit card~  I'm limiting it to the first seven people and you are the first people to hear!  Spread the word!
Here's a couple commissions for your canine-viewing pleasure~

Petey

Bella

Sunday, Jan 1! Happy New Year!

SO I am back!  Wow, it is crazy how a couple week's vacation can totally screw up your schedule...
I DID paint a lot, some are still waiting to be collected by their new owners so I don't want to post them just yet.  But I DO have this lovely Cairn Terrier I just painted tonight, in an attempt to get back on track. 
It is that shape of a dog that I am most attracted to-  that stocky, solid, trotting brick, reminding me of a bear cub, or a soap sculpture, or a stuffed toy.  Just so compact and smooth.  I want to carve a cairn terrier....

And again, you can own this wonderful spunk of a pup by clicking HERE to join the auction!
xoxokat!

wed dec 21 SOLSTICE

so in celebration of solstice, and of the beauty of a straight-face and a sense of humor, here is a cat.  Do be aware that the Cats of March are approaching, and if you know anyone who would want to be included in the "30 Cats in 30 Days-2012" project, do direct them to this blog and my e-mail...

this is a present for someone whom I hope is NOT following my blog... but I rather like this one~  without and with the frame...

ack-THURSDAY!

Man, I swear I will be better next year!  Wow-  you know, I DO paint almost every single day, and those I miss, I really feel the absence~  I think the issue is actually getting the darn things photographed and posted!!!
Here are a couple commissions for your viewing pleasure!
Xoxokat!

Sun/Mon... I give up~ either way, it's ART, right?

...and yes, i've been just a tad busy this weekend, so this is actually a painting I did in Door County this summer at the Peninsula School in Carol Marine's workshop...  seeing as I didn't bring many still life items, I ended up using these lovely vintage black boots I'd just gotten on-line.  I still want to paint a series of boots, maybe even all the boots I own.  Hmm.  Do I have enough for a month?  I just might...

And this one is also up for auction at Daily PaintWorks!  You can click HERE to bid!
Can you let me know what you think of this site?  It has been an experiment for the last couple months to post a painting there for the auctions, and I am happy that almost all have sold, but I'm not sure whether I should keep it up or not, as they aren't quite bringing in what I would have sold them for...  but it IS fun~
thanks for following!

Wednesday Dec 7, 2011

Whoa!  I mistyped at first and put "2012"...  sure makes you think about how fast time DOES go by.  I still remember learning from Sr. Agnes I think in 4th grade how to put the proper heading on your paper, including date with your name, and writing "1975" and then in January, "1976" and how difficult that was to get used to, but that "1976" seemed to last a WHOLE heckuva lot longer that "2007" did, for me personally, I don't know about you~

so here are a couple more commissions.  And I just want to remind you to check out my Daily Paintworks auctions, because noone has bid on my last two and I can't figure out why and it is affecting my attitude.  They are both starting SUPER low priced, at $25 or $30, and would make great presents, and if you live near me I'll deliver them to you so you won't have to pay postage....

Sorry, just been a little under the weather and sleepy lately.  Things will look up in a week or two~
xokat!
OH and DO come to something this weekend!  Mom and I will be at the Women's Art Festival all day saturday, 10-5, and I'll be at Diamond's with the Holiday Art Show for the Pancake Breakfast on Sunday from 11-1 and at HOBT for the "Dreams of Winter" Artist Reception from 4:30-6 after the 3pm show of "Winter Dreams" which is MY favorite HOBT production, as it features the wonderful groundhogs that were present at our wedding in 2008 at the Artshanty Projects on Medicine Lake on Groundhog's Day!

SUNDAY or monday....

I swear, I WILL be back on a regular schedule as soon as life returns to normal...  whatever that looks like lately...

It's just been a LITTLE nutty, as I am sure you're life is too, with the holidays and all.  This weekend is my last big weekend-  We have the Women's Art Festival on Sat from 10-5 and the Diamond's and HOBT Artist Receptions on sunday, and tomorrow I am going to the Bloomington Art Center to set up for the Gifts in the Gallery Sale, and I end up sitting up and worrying and planning on how I'm going to set my stuff up to its advantage, and whether my prices are on, and who is gonna buy anything anyway...
ack~
so HERE is a pup from the Red Hot Art Festival this summer, silly silly dog!  You can bid on him and give him to someone for Christmas!  Go HERE! This one is starting at $25...

xokat!

Yes, THURSDAY- missed Wed again...

Sorry folks!  I know you all depend on my timing, but sheesh and jimminy it is BUSY around here!  It is the holiday crush, I think... so I have a couple commissions to share, some in process~

I am never going to get over the incredible connection between human and beast-  and how much fun it is to be a part of that delicious electricity...
So these are Annabelle and Pete, respectively... I am not sure what either client thinks of these yet, but I like them, especially Pete-  the contrast of dark and light in the photo really drew me in and those lovely fleshy wrinkles on his hind leg, I can feel them....
Come see me tomorrow and Sat at the Shasta Building!  I may be painting!

Sunday Nov27!

So, this is a Shiba Inu from the Home for Life dog walk at the Mall of America last sunday~  been a busy weekend, as holidays often are and this was my first chance to paint in three days!  So I apologize to all my clients waiting patiently for their masterpieces to materialize, but for my paint to flow well and naturally I have to exercise my creative visions as often and as whimsically as I wish.  And I really wanted to play with the multiple shadows below this spry dog, belted into his beautiful blue jacket, held by the shadow arm with the leash.  It was fun! 

And you can bid on it at Daily Paintworks too! Click HERE for the auction page!
It'll be dry by the time I need to mail it to you~
kat!

WedOOPS Thanksgiving DAY!

Yes, I got a lot done last night, painted a couple groundhogs for our "Dreams of Winter" Show, as I felt the lacking of any rodents would be quite telling, and also they deserve representation as the ambassadors of our wedding...  and started on a larger piece for a commission.  I also spent last sunday early morning at the MOA (where I very rarely set foot, but the hours were perfect and the crowd- both canine and homosapiens-  were wonderful!)  as the entertainment/live artist for the Home For Life Dog Walk!  It was much more fun than I'd expected, and the couple whose dog is in this painting sought me out to purchase it from me, unfinished!  I got to paint quickly and large for two hours straight!  What a dream!  Got to do that more often-  let me know if you need an artist to come over and paint live at your event!
Oh and the groundhogs will be at the Heart of the Beast for the durtation of the Dreams of Winter Exhibition, and will be for sale!  If you LOVE them and want them, you can certainly let me know and I can mark them sold before they even go up!
Personally, I crack up when I see them...
What a silly animal~

Sunday Nov 20

So, first snowfall reads significantly different on the "excitement" meter for a 2.5 year old than it does for his aging parents....
Max was so excited yesterday, he had to step in and touch every bit of snow he could find on our excursions, while I was overly aware of the fact that rain had preceded the white stuff and that equals ICE and I have this horrible fear of sliding and slamming into something.  Perhaps brought on by childbirth and the diminishment of my testosterone...  which incidentally also presaged the selling of my motorcycle, if you were wondering.

ANYWAY, we had a lovely walk this evening, me on the sidewalk, Max across everyone's lawns to leave tracks and here is the dog of the evening, for auction, as is, starting at the incredible lax fee of $30,  which is downright silly but SUCH a sweet face!  As promised or maybe just suggested, the Jax, who I now realize is actually JAZZ!  So, for a shot to help send my child to college, and maybe I'm just being melancholy, you can bid on him here.

Wednesday! November 16~ Give to the Max Day!

but not necessarily to my Max... he's got plenty of stuff already!

So here is a commission of Jax, a very cute and little dog, who likes dry white wines and cozy nights by the fire while the snow blankets the ground~  Really.  No, see, I painted this pup a bit too close-up at first, and my collector really wanted to emphasize Jax's sweet petite perspective, so I gave it another shot.  I've honestly never painted a wine glass before.   I like his intense gaze towards the empty glass, as if he is attempting mind control...  "fill my glass....fill  my   glass....."
Still think I need a bit more practice...  but Jax's original painting MAY be this sunday's auction....  stay tuned!

Sunday Nov 13

Busy busy weekend!  Man, but fun too~  though I was a terrible mom yesterday and let Max eat 3 small bags of oreo/holiday cookies at the Barton Open School sale, and wow that stuff REALLY does affect a kid!  I felt really bad because it was clear that he didn't have control over his emotions or his energy and he had to run and run and scream it all out~  and THEN I came home with balloons, from the 5th Annual Art Boutique (thanks Jay!) and he went NUTS~

But I am sure you don't want to hear that much about that....  so here is yet another painting, and I'll be setting it up on Daily Paintworks too for an auction!   This was a sweet little heartstealing puppy at the Twin Cities Obedience Training Club Fall Bazaar I sat at all day Saturday~  I'm hoping to get a couple commissions from it, because unfortunately I didn't sell much.  But the dogs were SO fun to see!  And I saw this pup out in the parking lot and his owner and he were pretty constantly surrounded by ooooooing and aaahhhing people, wanting to pet him and remark on him.  He really was a great little, outgoing, unafraid little beast!
So click here to join in the auction and have him for your very own!  Your friends will all be jealous~

Wednesday~ Nov 9, 2011

I can't believe it's almost 2012.... SO weird... I'm sitting here watching "Back to the Future", with all its inherent 80sness...  I think what I love most is the concept of the fluidity of time, and that things can change.  But also that those small details DO matter.
SO here are a couple commissions...
Details, baby, details....

And you can find me active this weekend at the Twin Cities Obedience Training Club on Saturday from 9-2 with paintings and cards and prints and books!  And also at the 5th Annual Art Boutique at 4901 11th Ave S!  See the flyer!
thank you!

Monday morning... Oops...

Sorry folks!  Here's the post from last night, kinda a re-post really, since I want to put a piece up on the auction at DPW and here is one!
I am working on a few new winter scenes from my collection of Pine City photos from last February (since we FORTUNATELY don't have snow yet!) and will put those up soon too!  What with Daylight Savings and the youngest sister being in town (from Beirut, where she works a big job! silly girl) and having family gatherings and Duane being gone all weekend to work on the set for "Winter Dreams" at Heart of the Beast (have you ever taken a 2 3/4 years old to Anthropologie and thought you could try clothes on? Ha!) so all in all it was a WAY busy weekend!  I did manage to collect a lovely pile of art to hang at Diamond's this weekend after we have Duane's Closing Party this Friday (6-8!) so stay tuned!

Click here if you'd like to get in on the auction for little Dudley here...

Wed Nov 2

It is "All Soul's Day" in the Catholic Tradition, and I am fortunate to have more than a few souls to think of whom I know thought kindly of me while they were alive, and I hope are still thinking kindly of me now...  as I think of them~

And speaking of souls, I don't think I have ever really doubted that animals have them.  We went to see Cavalia this past weekend, the Circe De Soleil Show with all horses, Duane and Max and me, and both Duane and I were amazed at how the sudden appearance of a group of herbivorous quadrupeds could bring us both to tears.  I mean, WOW~  I had tears streaming down my face for the good first half of the show.  Like those tears of awe that you get sometimes, when you are just struck thoughtless by a sight, or a sound.  I have to admit that I have these occurrences a lot more since Max came, possibly because of the disappearance of my testosterone which caused me to sell my motorcycle and stop stilting.  But these horses, they were so beautiful, it was amazing.  I found myself feeling so connected to the performers working with them, as if I were experiencing everything they were~  It was seriously incredible.
And Max was amazing-  huge grin on his face for pretty much the entire show, which was 2.5 hours, which is pretty crazy for a 2 and 7/12 year old...
We stuck around for the stable visit after where I was able to take some photos of these amazing creatures in their calmer state.  This is one of them~

Sunday October 30th

And here is a sweet little dog on a pink rug~  our favorite little Gus-tapher, who can be SO annoyingly clingy at times, and yet also faithful, and patient, and frolicky and joyful and just all that great energy of dogdom wrapped in one fuzzy little bundle!
And you can bid on this one at Daily Paint Works!

I just really love the edges of things!  You know, the rug, the light, his nose and ears...  I like this one!
You can like it too!  So click here to go bid on it!

Wed, Oct 26

Here is a great smile!  Sorry, it's a commission, so you can't have it...
More later!

Sunday October 23rd

What a lovely fall weekend!  And I spent most of today napping and watching kids' movies with Max, feeling a bit under the weather.  Had a great time at the VFW for the Fall HandmadeMN Market!  It always is a gas chatting with people, PLUS I was able to get a couple paintings done!
Here's the first, from my morning drive into school through downtown Minneapolis-  this is 9th street, and I think that's the Hell's Kitchen sign off to the left, barely visible below the skyway...
I LOVE living in Minneapolis!  And it is SO fun to actually WORK in Minneapolis now too!  Yay!
Not that I have anything against St. Paul....

I will be attempting to post this one on the Daily PaintWorks site....  for an auction, starting at $30...  if you are interested, click here!

WEDNESDAY!!!!!

By gum, it sure is wednesday!  And I may have done a really stupid thing by actually signing up for Daily PaintWorks because my daily paintings are usually already commissioned.  Hmmm.  Perhaps I will just have to make time for at least 2 paintings a week that are NOT commissioned...  DPW is an on-line art auction site, created by artist Carol Marine and her husband as a venue for daily painters who want a place to sell their work on-line.  It is all pretty darn cool and helpful~  if you don't remember, Carol Marine is the artist I took a workshop from this summer up in Fish Creek in Door County MI at the Peninsula School for the Arts.

so anyway, here is a sweet little fluffy white something or other....
 named "Jazz" which I think is the perfect name~

Sunday Oct 16th I think...

SO after another gorgeous 3rd Sunday, and lots of lovely food and people (thanks for the leftovers!  I'm just heading out to grab another bite of a little something...)  I've been working on these this weekend~  let me know what you think...

more later...

Wednesday, Oct 12

Hey!  Look mom!  It IS Wednesday!  And I have two paintings!  Yehaw!  Whew~

thank goodness... maybe this means I am back on track again.  I do seriously find that I paint MUCH better when I am able to be consistent, which means painting every day, even if it really isn't worth keeping.  It is the practice.




So here we have an irresistible face from the Red Hot Art Festival, with oh so much tongue!  And a snap-shot painting of my drive in to work last week.  I want to do more of the leaves right now- they are gorgeous, though I am not sure what it will look like tomorrow after the rain and wind of today.
Both paintings are 6x8 inches on panel, and are $60 each, if you are interested!

Monday Oct 10th!

Sorry!  I tried posting last night and along with being personally exhausted, my internet wasn't cooperating...  It amazes me how impotent I feel at those times... while at other times I feel omnipresent!!! 

And now, I think I got Gus' tounge a BIT too big on one side....  but I do really like his eyes!
xokat!

Thursday~ Yup...

...but if you've been paying attention, you know we've been a bit busy in the Corrigan/Tougas household... and now Max has a wee cold that kept us up most of the night.  I think it is pretty obvious that he is our first (and only) child, because rather than just leave him to cough and whine his way back to sleep again, we both had to rush in a hover over him for hours, propping him up so he can breathe, trying to figure out what medicine we can give him, poor little popit...
Anyway, I've got all the art out in the van for hanging at the Firehouse tonight and hope to have a great weekend at the L7 Art Collective Show!

Here's another piece that will be there!  It's 18x18 $400~  "Willows at Lake Hiawatha"~

Monday- I know, I did it again!

Dang!  I think it was almost easier when I was committing to every DAY, because then if I forgot to post, I KNEW it...  if that makes sense-  dang!
Well, anyway, here's a couple I'll have at the Firehouse show this weekend...  Windy Trees and Below the Wabasha Bridge~  both small, 8x10 I think, come see them in person!