Category: Northern Az

Evening Drive in the Woods

Creative spirits have discovered the wonderful gift of time to create.

Evening Drive in the Woods
Watercolor in my art Journal
approximately 5″ x 7 “

Coronavirus…Interesting times for us. Lots of uncertainty, fear of the unknown, fear of the known.
One thing I think many of us have discovered is the gift of time. Time to dream. Time to pray. Time to sit quietly. Time to reflect. Time to value and give thanks for all the good things in our lives; our family, our friends, our health, our homes, our freedom.

Creative spirits are loving the wonderful gift of time to create. To explore our creative potential. To play. Maybe to start an art journal or learn a new medium. Perhaps to practice. To perfect a technique. To bask in the glory of creation. To acknowledge that we have been blessed with the gift of being able to create with the greatest Creator of All!

It’s has also apparently opened the door to dreaming about an evening drive in the woods!

Take care of yourselves!
Kathy Ann

Fire on the Mountain

Fire on the Mountain

I have long been interested in encaustic art. I even bought all the various supplies…small crock pot, griddle, wax, temperature gauge, all of it! But I was intimidated by the process and worried about the fumes since I have asthma. Then I saw a painting from a fellow artist, asking her if it was encaustic and she replied no, thereby introducing me to the world of Oil & Cold Wax.

Of course it took me a while to actually start experimenting with cold wax…starting with this portrait, since I was primarily focused on faces at the time.

So now here I am in 2020 and there has been a definite shift in my art. I joined Matt Tommey’s online artist mentoring program, that I credit for somehow influencing this shift. I have been participating in Created To Thrive for a few months now, and even though I have been sporadic in participating and taking advantage of all the advice and guidance available, I am glad I joined. It feels good to belong to a group of like-minded creatives.

But that’s not the only influence on my dive into oil and cold wax…I have been watching YouTube videos that have inspired me as well. Gently guiding me through the process and man oh man am I having FUN!

So, anyway…here is my jump back into the medium. I feel a newfound passion for the medium and enjoy experimenting like never before! A sense of freedom and a lessening of the fear of failure or screwing up. SO glad I am on this journey and so glad I live in a time with such a tremendous access to learning on the internet!

Take care,

Kathy Ann

 

Flagstaff 4th of July

Flagstaff is the epitome of small town, all American, Independence Day celebrations. We do love the 4th of July!

The day starts bright & early with the Infamous 4th of July Parade. And by early…I mean EARLY! The parade may start st 9:00 AM, but if you want a good spot on the curb with room for the entire family (and by ENTIRE family I mean mom & dad, grammy & pa, aunties, uncles, and cousins galore!), and your camp chairs, you need to get there by 7:30 or earlier. Yep, that’s right – my daughter in law & kids got there at 7:30 AM and claimed the only spot left in the shade, facing away from the sun (logistics is very important here!).
Next on the agenda is a walk over to Art in the Park (the local arts & craft festival) to browse the creations of the many talented artists & artisans displaying their wares while enjoying a day surrounded by music, yummy food and art.

Since my husband is a veteran, next on the agenda was a walk across the street from the park, joining some friends at the American Legion for a little craft show they were putting on in the parking lot.
Next is fireworks at the country club…and yes, the whole town shows up for this, too! My husband & I didn’t make it to the fireworks this year 🙁, but the rest of the family enjoyed the festivities…More food, music, fun & games for the kids, fireworks and most importantly, family & friends!

Love this town! Love this family! Love our  community!

Hope your Fourth was as good as ours!

Take care,

Kathy Ann

Doin’ A Little Front Porch Sittin’

I spent several hours working on a painting that started as a sketch late last night (that, I may add, kept being just out of my reach…I just couldn’t seem to capture her essence).

She’s not there yet, but I’ve had enough of her for today.

So, now my reward after watering the front flowers, is a little front porch sittin’!


This is without a doubt, my favorite time of day…

As I was watering, I look out and see our cute, little bunny couple, robins, dove, sparrows hummingbirds and other lovely winged creatures all enjoying the evening together (if only humans could get along so well)…it’s a real live page out of a children’s picture book!

 So there you have it, the peaceful end of a pretty peaceful day.

Take care, 

Kathy Ann

It’s not Summer without a Pretty Wreath on the Door!

Enjoying today’s Flagstaff summer monsoon storm…Perfect weather for finally getting around to creating my summer wreath for the front door. What better way to welcome guests than with pretty flowers on the door!


Too bad these are not quite as popular as they once were…I used to have my own dried floral business back in the day…Always so easy to get lost in the creation of pretty arrangements. Still love it! And it’s second nature to me….I can whip out a wreath in no time at all. 

I could never figure out a good way to ship them…otherwise I could perhaps still sell them in my Etsy shop…I know there are places were they are still popular and people would prefer hand made to Walmart mass-produced versions….

Anyway, Happy Summer!

Take care, Kathy Ann

First Lake Trip of the Season

We are a family of boaters. Mention  a coming lake trip and we are ALL onboard! Chomping at the bit, waiting for the day of departure to arrive. Seriously. Waiting.

Waiting to take that 2 hour drive to Lake Powell. Waiting to drive down that hot, loooong ramp and launch into that gorgeous, cool water.
Waiting for that moment when we find just the right spot. The perfect beach. That beach where the shade comes early after a long hot day of sun & fun.

Ahhhhhh….That’s it. That’s what it is all about. The Lake Trip.From the youngest…

To the oldest…
To the furriest …
We love the lake!

Wishing everyone a lovely, wonderful, super-duper Summer filled with love, family, friends…

And good food!

Take care, 

Kathy Ann

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