Double Decker Arts Festival

I had the honor of participating in the Double Decker Festival in Oxford this weekend and it was a BLAST! I met soooo many wonderful people from all over and sold quite a few pieces of art! It was originally supposed to rain ALL DAY and thunderstorm but we prayed and prayed and prayed and low and behold it DIDN'T rain AT ALL!!! I couldn't believe it! Boy were we happy! My mom and sister came with me on the trip and my hubby stayed home with the kids. My new friend, Bradley Gordon, (see his AWESOME art at www.bradleysgordon.com) loaned me his tent to use during the festival....what a blessing. Everyone there was extremely friendly and hospitable. I was exhausted (and still am) but it was worth it. Here are some pics from our fun in Oxford!! -Katie

Parallels

WOW...I'm always amazed at how God talks to me through experiences with my kids. There are sooooo many similarities between their relationship with me and my relationship with God! Every. Single. Day I try to guide my kids in one direction (the right direction) and they inevitably decide that we need to do it their way (which is the wrong way, of course). If they could just see that even though it doesn't make sense to them (what I'm asking them to do)it will all work out the way it's supposed to!!! What is wrong with them?? Well, is that NOT how we are with God?? Every day He guides me in the ways I should go and I keep believing that I have a better way!! What is wrong with ME?? It truly is humbling because I am just a grumbling, whining little girl who wants it my way...{stomp foot here}. Thank you God that I do not get MY way because I would be in a world of trouble. I can't see past my face and yet He sees all of eternity. Thank you God for teaching me these lessons through my kids...even if it makes me want to pull my hair out :):) -Katie

Look Familiar?

I was just looking back through my pics from our beach trip last October. I saw the pic that inspired one of my pieces of art for my art show at Palladio and thought I'd post it again.....I love to show where I get my inspiration!!! This is from The Shops of Ruskin in Seaside. The painting is entitled "Walking Through Ruskin" and is available at Palladio in midtown Memphis. See y'all later! -Katie

My Birthday and Pierced Ears!

March was a bit of a whirlwind as it seems it was gone as soon as it started. My birthday was in the middle of the month (and on Spring Break might I add....It's always been over spring break which is either fun or a bummer bc all of my friends are out of town). Well, this year I travelled alone with all four kids to my parents' house down in Mississippi for 4 days! My husband is a pilot and is in upgrade training at work so I'm alone a lot these days :) We decided to make the most of it with trips to the park and a 'surprise' birthday party thrown by my kids at my parents' house. It was cute. They get so into it...love them. My hubby took me out for the night when we got back in town...I always love date nights with him! My oldest (and only girl) got her ears pierced while we were in MS! She was very, very, very nervous about it....to the point that I really thought she was going to back out. Well, she went through with it and has been extremely happy about her decision. It's a strange thing seeing your kids grow.....literally before your eyes. I'm so proud of her though and love seeing her experience new things and hit milestones! Love you Baby Girl!

Slacker!!

Ok, I admit, I've totally failed at blogging lately! BUT it's because I've been SOOOOOO busy!! Thanks to all my awesome customers and followers that I might never meet for buying my art! Here's a glimpse at the art show opening at Palladio at the beginning of this month. It was so much fun and I've already had a great response to the show. The theme is "Wandering the South". It shows places and moments from my past to present day all over the south. I LOVE the south and LOVE putting it on canvas! Now to work on pieces for all of my stores and Double Decker in Oxford coming up at the end of April! See y'all soon! -KT

All in the Family

Most of y'all have seen my FB page and my shameless plugs for my 8 year old daughter Olivia! She has decided that she wants to paint. (believe me I know that a month from now that might not be the case anymore). More than painting, she loves horses. She wants her own horse so desperately that she is willing to earn the money herself to make it happen!!!....which is where painting comes in. This may be a little hobby for her now but I actually think she's pretty good. I call her work 'Abstract Landscapes'. Check it out....she's already sold one. :) See y'all soon! Katie

What We Do...

So one of my kids FAVE things to do (particularly this time of year) is to drive around in the late afternoon looking for deer just out of the woods in a field. We get ice cream every Friday and then drive around eating it and looking for any deer we can find. We don't always see them but sometimes we get lucky. I don't think there's anything more beautiful than watching deer graze in a meadow...(no I'm not against hunting but I must say I get a little bit of the "Bambi's poor mother" thing going on every time I see someone post a pic of a dead deer they just shot.) Tear. Anyway, here is my very latest painting entitled "Out of the Woods"- 100% inspired by my outings with the kiddos. See ya soon! Katie

Happy New Year!

My family and I rang in the new year in style....Sonic and then milk and water in champagne glasses at midnight! It was a fun night but definitely had me thinking about how my life has changed. 10 years ago Jeremy and I would have gone out to a fabulous dinner and then counted down with some friends. I can honestly say that while my kids are little, I love the idea of having everyone under the same roof for New Year's. I know it's something I will long for when they are older. These days will pass and everyone will head in different directions and I will stay up late worried sick about whether they are going to get home ok. While I spend a lot of my time filling sippy cups and wiping booties I know that this time is fleeting. Don't get me wrong...I will NOT miss the stress of the day in and day out (I hate when people say that to me- "enjoy this time! It passes so fast!"- ughhh) HOWEVER, I know what they mean. It's a time in your life that you wouldn't necessarily want to go back and repeat but rather I need to make a point to look around and soak up moments with my kids- find JOY in moments. We are raising our children to leave us when they are older or we haven't done our job. It's something that I'd like my husband and I to look back on and say "Well done. You did your job" As of right now I will enjoy the milk and water toasts at midnight and call it JOY! Happy New Year everyone! May God bless you in 2013!!! See ya soon! Katie

Have yourself a....

MERRY LITTLE CHRISTMAS!! I hope that everyone out there has a wonderful Christmas with people they love around them. My kids are very excited about this year and I love to see their little faces when they open their gifts! More importantly I want to express to my kids what Christmas is really about. The birth of our Savior!!! Take time to stop and really praise the ONE who made Himself flesh so that He could one day die the death we deserved to die. Merry Christmas everyone from our family to yours!!!!

Unspeakable

I went back and forth about whether or not to blog about the terrible events that occurred in Connecticut this past Friday morning. Really I just didn't know if I could put my thoughts into words. Then my pastor sent this email out to the entire congregation and I think it's perfect. Please read and share....

Dear Ones, I didn’t know what the right format should be. Addressing the horrors of this week needed to be done, but was tomorrow morning’s worship service the best venue? I’ve chosen GOL hoping it would reach the most people the fastest, and be the most appropriate. Today’s headlines in the morning paper was one word: UNSPEAKABLE. It is an apt word. What happened yesterday, and earlier this week in an Oregon mall, is indeed unspeakable. What sense are we to make of this? Apart from the enormous sorrow that surely we must feel for a group of parents whose kindergarteners have been senselessly murdered, what redemptive response is open to us? I humbly submit this. C.S Lewis, in his “Abolition of Man”, said this: “And all the time---such is the tragi-comedy of our situation---we continue to clamor for those very qualities we are rendering impossible…..In a sort of ghastly simplicity we remove the organ and demand the function. We make men without chests and expect of them virtue and enterprise. We laugh at honor and are shocked to find traitors in our midst. We castrate and bid the geldings be fruitful.” This culture in which we live has attacked and opposed just about every moral underpinning that gives a bit of structure and sense to life, from the biblical definition of marriage, to the discarding of unwanted pregnancies. The culture has dismissed all sense of decency and morality and then wonders why so much evil exists. Castrated geldings simply cannot reproduce. A culture gutted of morality simply cannot live morally. We long for qualities that our morally vacuous culture renders impossible. That said, what redemptive response can there be? For us, as people who belong to the beautiful Savior, we possess a message that changes not just individuals, but whole societies. We must become, in the power of the Holy Spirit, more urgent in our efforts to broadcast a message that restores sanity to people and their culture. We must pray, yes. But pray not only for the sweet comfort for those in so much grief at this hour, but pray that the God of all grace will see fit to open blind eyes and exchange hearts of stone for hearts of flesh. We must give. Yes, give. Give so that more may hear of this Savior in Central America, in India, in Binghampton, etc. You may expect me to say this, and so that I won’t disappoint you, here it is: Jesus Christ is the hope of this world. His people must magnify Him. As for me, I know of no other response to these senseless tragedies. I love you loads, Jimmy Young

My Memphis

I've lived in Memphis most of my life....from when I was itty bitty. Well, technically Germantown but anytime you go out of town and someone asks you where you're from you always just say 'Memphis'. Honestly I can't always say that I've loved it here...just being honest. When I was younger, and even not that long ago, I longed for 'greener pastures'. Don't we all at some point? Although the grass seems greener elsewhere it's really only greener where it is watered. I have had to make a conscious decision to love my city and love the people in it. I've noticed that when I jump in and look at all this great place has to offer that that's when I find happiness here. It is a great place. Full of culture, art, music and awesome people. It gets better every year. Sure it has it's problems but what place doesn't? If you don't like something then I urge you to jump in and get your hands dirty. Form relationships, love on others...isn't that what we are called to do? I want to encourage all my fellow Memphians (no matter your zip code) to strive to LOVE this place too....and if you already have a love affair with Memphis, be contagious!! We are a great city and we need to be proud! Below is a painting entitled "My Memphis" that I did for an event at Market Central in November. See you soon! Katie

Life as I Know It

Lately my days have been spent painting and parenting. It's my busy time of year which means I have to close myself up in the studio more often than not. My poor hubby has seen me in 'painting clothes' AKA 'not attractive clothes' more than he cares to admit! Needless to say we are ALL looking forward to Christmas Day!! Here is a pic of me painting and an inspirational pic from one of my boys. I love to let them inspire my art....it makes it so easy!

Oh Baby!

Well, our little man turned one recently. Beau is our fourth and final kiddo!!....really....final....really! He has brought much joy (and hard work) but mostly joy. I am acutely aware that every day I get to spend with my kids is precious and not to take a single day for granted. We love you Beau!

Beach Trip

Ok, so this is a little late....well, not that late I guess. We went to the beach over Fall Break which was early October. I've been without a computer for months and just now got a new one which means I'm just now able to post pics. Let me just say that I got TONS of inspiration while we were there!!! We stayed in Destin but traveled to Seaside and Rosemary Beach two days in a row....can we say LOVE? I admit I've never been down that way and never understood what all the hoop-la was about....I know now! I can't wait to go back and stay in Seaside with the kiddos. If anyone has any suggestions on where to stay just holler! Here are some pics of our exploration and some pieces I did as soon as we got back. See ya soon! Katie

St. George's Art Show

Earlier this month I had the privilege of participating in the St. George's Art Show at the high school campus on Houston Levee. SOOOO FUN!! I loved being there, surrounded by artists, art, food and my hot date of course! I loved actually getting to meet the people who bought my pieces and talk to them and find out where my babies will be hanging in their homes! It's not everyday I can meet the people who are admiring my work. It's quite humbling. I will always feel gratitude towards all those who compliment my work and push me to keep producing!

It's a very well run show and I hope I will be able to participate in it again next year!! See you soon! Katie

Where have you been?

That's what I feel like asking myself!! Where HAVE I been?? Busy....doing shows....going crazy. Recently I had the honor of attending my daughter's very first horse show. She got 5th place in her age and division...I was proud of my little equestrian. Not only was it a sweet little show it also served as an abundance of inspiration!!! And everyone knows... I look for inspiration EVERYWHERE!!!!

I LOVE LOVE LOVE to draw inspiration from my life and not just pulling ideas out of the blue. I have really been into horses lately....wonder why?? The piece above is called "Grazing Before the Show" and is 48x48. It's currently hanging in my house...one day soon I'll be able to part with it. :) See ya soon...for real this time!! Katie

iPad dependency

Well a few months ago our computer crashed. As a result we bought an iPad (1st generation mind you) because it's way cheaper than buying a new computer. I didn't realize that there are just certain things that I can't do on the iPad. For example, I cannot upload any new pictures on my website...that's why it looks like I haven't painted in months!!!! (Don't give me tips on how to make it work...I've listened to and tried everything!!) Frustrated doesn't begin to explain how irritated I am about the whole thing. Oh well. If that's my biggest problem in life then I guess that's pretty good. All this to say, I'm totally dependent on this iPad and what it will and won't let me do. Might be time to let someone do my website for me!!! See y'all later! Katie

These days

So, lately I feel like a one armed paper hanger. Really! I have been super busy with commissions and upcoming shows...not to mention taking care of our 4 kids and running a business...oh and being a wife. Speaking of, I need to give a huge shout out to my man. He takes care of our kids and takes care of me so well!!! I love him so very much! It's not uncommon to see him with all 4 kiddos on a grocery run...and he rarely complains!! I don't really have anything great to report. Just busy. Our daughter started 3rd grade this week and two of the boys will start preschool later this month. I've been in a blue and green phase with painting lately I guess mainly because of the summer landscape. It's been very hot here but tonight I actually felt a nice cool breeze! Makes me long for fall....BAD!!!! I feel some new and invigorated art coming on this fall!! Stay tuned! -Katie

No Words...

It's been awhile since I've blogged. There's a reason. One of my very best friends lost her precious 2 month old baby one month ago. Time stopped. Nothing has made sense. So many things have been questioned. I don't want to use too many words at the risk of saying the wrong thing. The truth is that there are NO WORDS....no one can explain this. There's nothing we can point to that explains why this would happen EXCEPT...God's will. God's will- these words come from my friend, the mother of this precious one who God scooped up and took home after 59 days on this earth. She blows me away day in and day out with faith so rock solid that it can only come from HIM. She leans on the Lord with total uncertainty toward the coming seconds, minutes, hours, days... only knowing that she has Him. He will sustain her. He will sustain her family. I have no other words than this precious scripture "...you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your heart will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you." John 16:22 I love you friend.