The Weekender

Monday, Monday ya'll.  So far, mine has been all about catching up on emails, cleaning and errands.  The weekend was spent stateside, shopping and shopping some more.  The pics above are of some of the goodies I picked up.  The number one thing on my shopping list was a new pair of running shoes, since I officially killed my others (we're talking wore right through them).  The pair of sneakers I ended up choosing are Asics Speedstar 5 - they are SO light, it's like wearing a cushy pair of socks.  Can't wait to try 'em out at the gym tonight!  The gym bag was a steal from Old Navy, and I think if my purse could talk it would thank me for no longer having to lug sweaty shoes around - haha.  Another steal, this clutch is from Wet Seal.  I love all the zippers and compartments inside - perfect for a wallet pack rat like me.

In other news... I am attempting to last until at least Thursday without coffee.  Why?  Frankly, at this point in the day I DO NOT KNOW what I was thinking when I decided this.  I have been having serious issues sleeping lately, so this is an attempt to remedy the wide awake nights.  Really, I'm secretly hoping it doesn't help because I just do miss my noon hour latte right now.  Wish me luck - and if anyone else out there has any BETTER ideas, please, please do fill me in!

Back to it.

K.

Sarah 101

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Um.  HGTV's Sarah 101 has converted me from being a dodgey t.v. watcher, into that person who can hardly wait a week between episodes.  It's ridiculous.  Sarah Richardson, I am your slave.  You can catch what you've missed here... but fair warning - you will be hooked.
The loft bedroom that she made-over this week was already perfection before she touched it - the most impeccable industrial space.  I love most of what she did - the antique rug, re-upholstered wingback chair, the over-sized vintage ladder (wow)... Personally, I would've played less on the primary colors and maybe, just maybe I would have had the entire bed frame done in leather and used that gorgeous fabric elsewhere.  I know she was calling it 'dragon' motif... but it reads floral to me, and this is a man-cave bedroom after all.  All of this nattering, ya know, in my totally unprofessional opinion.  Ha.
This morning I said goodbye to the big ole collage and delivered it to a very excited Linda : )  I think it's back to the paints for me now, just to switch it up a bit.  And oy, get back to those dresses too hey?!  Yup.
For now, happy weekend everyone!
K.
--- Dove Tree is sponsoring on Pie N' The Sky blog for the month of February, so be sure to stop in there and check it out! ---

Feathers, Frocks & Finishing Touches

Today has been a catch-up day around here... tidying up some loose ends on an order, finishing some feathery head pieces for a spring photo shoot (bring on the warmer weather!) and plotting dress ideas for S/S 2011.

Tonight is out with the girls - Ladies' Night at Bloom with Stella & Dot, followed by some wine maybe?!  Yes, please!

K.

The Black Keys

Two great tunes by The Black Keys... "Next Girl" and "Howlin' For You." Boys can rock, geez. Enjoying the music and getting on with the Wednesday business of staining, homework and Bloom time...

Here I go.

K.
--- Check out the Portfolio section for a peek at a pretty photo shoot by Erika of Element Photography and Russ Dueck - more photos coming to the Portfolio section soon! ---

Yellena James

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I found these pretty and inspiring drawings in the Etsy shop of one Yellena James.  You can check out more work by this talented artist here and visit her blog for more info and photos.  As it turns out, some of her artwork was recently featured on ABC's Modern Family (who doesn't love that show?!).  Pretty incredible, if you ask me - I can't even decide on a favorite piece.
Tuesday looks like a little sanding, staining, drying and repeat... follow that up with some homework and then my usual Tuesday afternoon gig.  I am super in love with Tuesday evenings because it means a great yoga class and some quality girl time... all in the comfort of spandex.  Does it get any better?  Ha.
K.

The Weekender

Well that was a lazy sort of weekend, some outings to the gym aside.  Saturday turned into a spontaneous Winnipeg trip when I got an email about a 40% off sale at my favorite art supply store... throw in some Starbucks, sushi and a new pair of summery pants and it was a successful excursion!  If I really worked the tunnel vision I could even kinda pretend there wasn't snow and enjoy that sunny drive, iTunes blaring.

Sunday, oh Sunday.  There was a visit with some of my favorite lil ladies, Miss Ariel, Miss Amilia and Joycie... followed by a walk home, the (extra) long way around.  I topped the day off with a late supper of wine & appies, some work on Linda's collage and a little homework in bed.  Nice.

Today is more work on Linda's collage - I'll finish the wording today and top-coat the piece... then all that's left is to stain the frame.  There seems to be a lot of waiting and watching for glue, ink and color to dry in my life!  

(You will notice that I am indeed ON the collage, ON the table in these photos).

Sigh of relief for the last week of January... Ew.

K.

I See Venice, I See France...

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I think this is one of the most beautiful photos I have ever seen... it's not helping a mind that is already on the prowl for an escape.  You know those times you are searching for something to look forward to?  I have a lot of those in January, it's my "winter-blah" month.  The solution doesn't have to be something as extravagant as big travel - but maybe just a new project or idea to get really excited about.  I don't find that inspiration is usually hard to come by, so I need to keep that in mind and just be okay with the January-ness of it all.  I do kinda wonder what ideas will come along next... I'm hoping they involve paint.
For today, it's back to work on the collage - Yes Linda, your collage ; )  It's sooo big that I've actually been sitting on it on top of the dining room table while I work.  I'm sure that would be quite the sight...
Happy Friday!

K.

Collage Project... Reveal II

The second of the two collages...  Just for fun and with my own words.  You can check out the details of the piece in the Painting & Drawing section.  

Today is for working away at the current collage project, on order for a friend and her great family.  After two days of working out in the world and getting some coursework in I am so ready to spend the (VERY COLD) day hibernating with the art projects in my own space.  Lunch break with a homemade latte and Sarah 101 on PVR (that's like TiVO for my American friends) - exactly the kind of day I'm lookin' for...

K.

Flower Garlands

Vintage Carnival Fabric Flower Garland

Fabric Flower Party Pack

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I came across these garlands on the Mixed Plate blog and had to join in on passing along some love for these sweet blooms from Pretty Swell.  

These photos are well staged and make me crave spring... and hmm, cupcakes too (yes, even chalk drawings can make me hungry).  Apparently I am on a baking kick this week - cookies yesterday and tiny cakes today.  Hey, no occasion necessary, icing is for always.

Enjoy your Wednesday, world.

K.
--- And thank-you, thank-you for your patience... I've started in on the photos for the Painting & Drawing page.  There will be more, but it's a solid start.  Next up, photos to the Portfolio page, coming soon! ---

Pretty & Proper

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Two things I love: TULLE (you truly have my heart) & STRIPES.  Don't they make a great pair?  I've also got love for this photo by Galaxie Andrews.  I would definitely make friends with these two dames.  
On the go for Tuesday: reading for the Lit. class this morning, the usual photo adventure with Jamie in the afternoon, quick supper before yoga class and finally, finally, a glass of wine with my gal Jenna-Loo to top it all off.  
K.

Blue Skies, Red Trees, Green Grass

Red Trees

Acrylic on canvas

48"w x 36"h x 3"d

Ha ha, for a girl who likes to be creative, I sure don't get wild with the names for my pieces... something to work on!  I finished this piece *just* before Christmas.  It was one of those that I struggled to get going on, but when it started happening it was a non-stop painting marathon.  Now I'm left wanting to paint more trees... and maybe I will find the time to sneak some of that in this week.  That would make me happy.

Today is the first day of my new and totally self-inflicted "schedule."  Yeah.  We'll see how that goes.  Hopefully I stick to it.  That would mean M/TH/F for Dove Tree projects and T/W for course work and the part time gigs.  I am going to put efforts into leaving evenings and weekends for gym time, yoga, friendly friends and family.

I'm kinda addicted to odd hours so we'll see, we'll see.

K.

--- OH, and I am slowly getting photos prepped and uploaded for the "Painting" page... it's next in line.  For now, check out the photos in "Workspace" if you're interested.

I Wear Eye Wear

I've worn the specs since I was a bookworm of a kid... until junior high when I made the switch to contact lenses.  At the time it was a matter of braces AND glasses, c'mon!  That combo plus the 5'10" super-skinny-haven't-grown-into-my-body-yet frame was just killer for the 12 year-old self-esteem.  That all makes me laugh now, even though it was exactly as bad as it sounds : )  

Anyway, so I've had the pair in the photo above for years but they are an outdated prescription.  I had an eye exam yesterday where the optometrist kindly pointed out that my eyes haven't changed in years and I shouldn't be driving in these glasses.  Okay, I get it, I'm hazardous in these things... it is time I do something about it.

So far I've got a top three pairs of 

GEEKERY:

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... and a bunch of others I love but probably couldn't pull off:

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Whaddya think?

K.

--- Oh, and yes, yes I am mostly blonde again! ---

Top Houses & 2011 Must-Haves

Victoria Webster's regency style home:

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...and Colette van den Thillart's rustic cottage:

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Just a little inspiration for the home front... Check out the video on House & Home to watch a 15 minute run-down of the top homes and trends for the upcoming year:

Top Houses & 2011 Must-Haves

Prrretty.

K.

Collage Project... Reveal I

A few years back I had the pleasure of meeting a lovely gal named Leanne who was looking for someone to do the decor for her wedding... I can't speak for her, but it was instant *like* for me.  I was actually totally disappointed to have met her only weeks before she planned to move away from this little town.  But, fast forward a couple of years and hey, we're still in touch!  Leanne has been a friend and a very, very faithful art client ever since.  Our meetings are always fun and without fail, include coffee and a good chat.

This collage is composed of words from the "advice tree" at her wedding, handwritten on wood/paper collage (click on the top photo to see a larger image).  The whole piece (frame included) is about 5' wide and 2' tall, in a 2" deep frame.

Off for the usual Tuesday afternoon adventure I go.

K.

Oh.What.to.Wear

Miles of Open Road Ruffle Top - Ruche

Leather & Stone Tribal Necklace - Urban Outfitters

I.D. Holder Key Chain Wallet - Urban Outfitters

Kimchi Blue Perforated Heel - Urban Outfitters

Miscellaneous - Polyvore

Sometimes it's hard to feel inspired by the wardrobe in January.  If you're like me, your mind has already moved on to pretty spring colors and airy little dresses... but, we're just not quite there yet.  For these in-between months, I love greys with pretty accessories, warm sweaters and soft leather.  I'm going to try to enjoy keeping cozy and a wee bit neutral for a couple more months and I'll try not to get ahead of myself wishing away this chilly season.  No promises.

I had a great morning coffee date with my lady Jami and her sweet lil' boy, Cruz - thanks guys!  Then it was on to some planning for another BIG ole collage (and yes, pics of the first two soon) and now to get my head outta the closet and back to work mode.  

We'll call that Monday.

K.

New Year, New Look

It was time for a little makeover around here!  I'll be working hard in the next couple of days to compile photos for the new pages in the sidebars, so bear with me you lovely and oh-so patient people : )

K.

Blog friends out there - send me an email if you're interested in swapping ads/buttons for the "Friends" section of the sidebar (dove.tree.art@gmail.com).

Heavy In Your Arms

A friend commented on my post yesterday that the photoshoot by Paul de Luna reminded her of this Florence and The Machine tune... I've shared a bit of Florence before, but this tune has a darker feel to it for sure.  Thanks for the comment K!

After doggin' all day and night yesterday to pull together a new look and some extra pages for the blog (yes, including a page for art photos),  today it's off to the city to do something about this crazy bird lady hair I have going on.  Wish me luck deciding on a color before I get to the salon...

Happy Friday!

K.

"I've seen her in my dream."

Blank Magazine #55

Photos by: Paul de Luna

Styling by: Sarah Parlow

Model: Zen Sevastyanova

I was just so completely enamoured with this editorial when I saw it on Boho Market that I had to pass it along.  It's surreal and totally divine - love at first sight for me.

Enjoy.

K.

2011...

I've never really been into resolutions, but I'm finding with a business that goals are inevitable and not only that, but accountability is an important part of accomplishing those goals.  So, while I remain my stubborn self and refuse to call these New Year's resolutions, here's a few aims for 2011:

-Streamline my online presence so that it's all linked and visually cohesive - whether this means a website with links to blog, shop and art, or something totally different I haven't decided yet.  I think things are just a little scattered about right now and I'd like to pull it all together - I think that will help me with focus too (this should be a whole other goal).

-Finish a slew of spring/summer dresses in the next couple of months so they're ready to photograph and hopefully put it into 'lookbook' format in the warmer months.

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-Work away on my time management skills, or lack thereof... Maybe a self-imposed schedule would be wise, or some way of ensuring that I work fewer late nights, especially when the classes start-up again.  I will need serious luck on this one because I'm just not the most naturally organized person.

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-Speaking of classes, 2011 needs to down another 9-12 credit hours... which doesn't sound like a lot, but there just aren't enough hours in the day for me to do everything I want to do, so I'm hoping this is me being realistic. Ha.

-Keep on with the pace of the painting - it's been so good to split time on the creative outlets in the last couple of months, I am totally loving doing artwork for people and some just for fun too.  I would love for part of this goal to be accumulating some sort of stock as well, so that I can also post finished pieces for sale instead of only doing custom.  I think most of my favorites have happened when I just go with my gut, no restraints or guidelines... even though that's a good challenge too.

-And (last one, I swear) on a more personal note I want to keep up with the water chugging and gym/running/yoga routine.  I've always been active, but the consistency I've had going in the last half of 2010 has really had me *feeling* healthy.  (Just don't ask me to lift anything heavier than a latte - ha ha!)

There you have it folks, now to get moving on all the plans for 2011!  

What sorts of resolutions and goals did y'all set for the New Year?

K.

-You can check out the 2010 goals and how it all played out HERE.

A New Year

 I'll get down to the 2011 goals post really soon... but for now, best of the best and Happy New Year to everyone!  

K.