30 Paintings in 30 Days

 

A New Year Challenge!

 

Artist, Leslie Saeta (she hosts on online show, Artists Helping Artists) has an offer that I couldn't refuse. Starting on Janurary 2nd, paint one thing everyday for 30 days. My focus will be things I find in a garden.  I'll add my work to her blog,(Slices of Life) and can watch for the work submitted from other artists too. It should be a fun experiment for inspiration to me and others. You are welcome to join in too!

 

I have been indulging my time with watercolor lately and so this challenge will give me the opportunity to focus on real work and understanding in this medium. I took a watercolor class this fall from artist, Pat Fiorello at Smith Gilbert Gardens in Kennesaw, GA . The painting above was the end result of that day.

 

I was sitting in the Children's Garden and found myself alone under a pavillion and surrounded by late summer vegetable plots of drying tomato and squash on the vine and vintage bean varieties running along the fences. These large calla lillies were centered in the middle of the garden and they held my attention due to their very large size, at least 10 feet tall!

 

I learned that watercolor requires the painter to begin with the lightest colors and then end with the darkest, that shadows play a tricky part and to always remember to have fun with the process. 

 

While sketching the subject, I began to realize the deep seated resolve to have perfection in my painting then I remembered that I am an amature and to not be so hard on myself - after all it was my first attempt to paint in this manner of plein air.

 

Our class was small with only 2 other students, one painting watercolor and one painting in oils. The gardens were expansive and so after our morning introduction of sketching and the painting processes we didn't see each other.  At the end of the day when we gathered for the critique, I was in awe of  everyone's work. Waterfalls, ponds, rose gardens and gazebo's were unveiled for discussion.

 

When I showed my painting, one person said, "Wow, it looks like the style of Matisse." I laughed and said all my paintings look like that. They just come out that way.

 

I took some photos that day which I plan to use in the 30 day challenge and hope that as I persue this little passion for 30 days I will become a better painter.

 

I hope you will check in with me here as I'll add my paintings on a weekly basis. Your comments are always welcome!

 

Best wishes for your 2013 as you push forward as you design your life and live your life!

Kathy

www.kathypowellinteriors.com

 

 

 

 

 

Decorating "Douglas" the Tree

Decorating "Douglas"



This season Harry and I did something unusual, we bought our Christmas Tree before Thanksgiving! That's not normal for us and we didn't plan for it, it just happened that way. The very noble Douglas fir tree is our favorite and is a tradition at our house. In the past, he has been our indoor friend, but it's an unusual year and we knew he would be outdoors on the veranda this time.

 

  

 Lia and Harry

 





 

With that little blessing of a decision, we knew that we would have our Thanksgiving dinner guests, friends and family help decorate "Douglas" after dinner. It was Chamber of Commerce weather in Tucker and everyone got in the spirit and the moment to make Douglas look his Christmas best!

 

 

Philip and Lia



 

Douglas is living large on the veranda this holiday season to welcome all! 

 

 

Thanksgiving Day 2012 was filled with the wonderful aromas of a home cooked meal, close family and friends and of course decorating "Douglas". I wonder what our suburb wildlife will think of Douglas this year?

 

 



 

Ending a Project and finding a Friend

Finishing a project is a mix of emotions. Part of me breaths a sigh of relief and part of me is a little sad that it's over.

This particular experience was a first for me. A recently bereaved client, missing her beloved husband of over 50 years and becoming re-acquainted with herself and new responsibilities. A lovely, caring woman has shared her life with me for a little while as we slowly manuvered  through the decorating project of their home.

There may  be more to do, in other rooms and little things here and there, but what has happened in the background? I learned so much about the human spirit and have made a wonderful new friend in the process.

BEFORE



AFTER

This is a great example of Design Your Life  - Live Your Life!

Kathy

Nature Inspired Design Recipe

This print was the first serious step to the redesign of her bedroom.

There is actually a similar print that will join the room and are the guides for the project.

The palette shown above takes care of the bedding and the window treatments for bedroom and adjoining bath. The recipe for this project has a little ready made mixed with custom design and we are getting close to installation in a few more weeks. The paint is Benjamin Moore - the ceiling is in Lookout Point 1646 (a pale blue)  and the walls are Pink Damask  890 (very light hue of pink). The trim is a crisp white. 

Together they bring a cool and comforting greeting anytime of day.

Painting - done

Accent Lighting - done

Custom upholstered chair  - ready to arrive 

Now we wait...

Can't wait to bring it all together!

There is more work underway in this wonderful place she calls Home.

Creative Designs for Home

by Kathy Powell Interiors

The Times - they are a Changin

There may be a resonable explaination for this occurance in the Dogwood in my yard. One branch that seems to reach out to the street (and the sun) has decided to bloom now. I was amazed to see a little piece of spring return in 90 degree heat - in August.

Each spring I look at this tree to see the blooms and in the fall watch for the red berries and so don't recall if this branch did not bloom with the others. It's different every year depending what the winter was like and things like the drought. I have noticed in the past few weeks, the squirrels are eating something from the tree too.

I wanted to share this photo of my blooming dogwood on August 1st and now today is August 4, it's blooms are still there.

Enjoy the mystery!

Working Creatively as a Volunteer

WORKING CREATIVELY: Now that summer is almost here with hot and humid 80 degree weather,  I am taking a small break from the many community activities I help make happen in Tucker, GA.

Vacation time is near and I need to see the ocean for a few days. Relaxing with friends and family and much needed down time is on the agenda!

Volunteerism has become a big part of my life! I am glad to help where I can with the organizations that I care about most. This spring has been no exception to giving of my time, talents and energy! Here are some photos of events for Tucker Historical Society this spring.



Tucker Plant Swap and Share in April - This event is so much fun!




It may look messy to you, but we start with about 1000 propragated baby plants and then the community takes over from there. Thanks to Tucker First Baptist Church for their parking lot to hold the event and to all the society members who work the event.




Tucker Historical Society's 2012 10th Annual Garden Tour was held May 19th and it was a beautiful day for a garden tour! 5 private gardens and the pic above is from the Master Gardener's Butterfly Garden at Browning Courthouse.This is garden is open to the public - what a great way to learn about the life of a butterfly! Thank you Dawn!

The five private gardens were amazing this year with two repeats from previous years and three new gardens were added. Each one is special unto itself. When you put them together on a tour, it really highlights not only the garden but the gardeners who work months to bring it all together with their own special touch to their own special place!

Organizing the garden tour is a group effort of so many people and while I personally  logged many miles and hours, it could not happen without the Garden Tour Sponsors, the businesses who are the Ticket Outlets, our Garden Greeter volunteers, Tucker Arts Guild's artists in the gardens, our board and our members and more folks in Tucker.  The local media of Tucker Times and Up Close & Personal in Tucker share the event news with their readers and really help bring the Tucker community closer together.

 

The Bentley Garden

The Kramer Garden

The Netzell Gronwall Garden

The Riggins Garden

The Samford Garden

Tucker Day was Saturday,  May 12th from 9am to 4pm. The theme was "It's a New Day" and it was a great day for Tucker Historical Society! Everyone who stopped at our booth reminised over the old photos and recalled their personal memories and sacrifices when they touched the WWI and WWII uniforms on display. We met so many people who wanted to share some of their memories of Tucker Day - we put some of those on camera for a video and that turned out very well!

Grayson and Trish working hard at the booth!

Mr. Robbie Robinson who worked at Smith Shoes on Main Street in the 1950's through the 1980's
sharing his happy memories.

The donated WWI and WWI uniforms and the Tucker Library quilt from 1985.


Now that I've shared my memories of Tucker Historical Society's springtime events, I'll close by saying Happy Memorial Day to our Veterans and thank you for your service!


Design Your Life - Live Your Life!
Kat

Today was one of those days that I became almost numb from working with year end financial tasks. My treat for a job well done was taking in the lovely afternoon on the veranda with the cats. This is the kind of weather that it's almost 50 degrees outdoors and it feels down right freezing cold in the house. We venture out, coffee in hand, talking to Scout and Teddy and loving the sunshine warming us.

What a great day in January to walk around and see what is happening right under my nose.

Oh no, it's not time yet! Or is it?

Baby girl Scout wants to play with the camera



Crocus pushing up too!



An old concrete birdbath holds pansies in a small zen garden.

Old man, Teddy la Rue doesn't care for photo opps.

Just a snapshot of my afternoon and it was fun discovering what nature is thinking today.
Enjoy your winter day!

Design your life - Live your life!