Greetings! ...from Kimberly Shaw

Blue Toile Teacup

The classic toile design has always been a favorite of mine. Blue toile is traditionally the most popular choice, and with good reason. Not only are the designs calming, but also the lovely french blue hue.

 

Art is Work

I'm not sure this post is necessary, but maybe it is. Perhaps it will encourage another Artist to see their work as valuable. In reality, it is work. Sure, painting and drawing are enjoyable to the Artist, but isn't constructing enjoyable to the Contractor, analyzing data enjoyable to the Accountant, or teaching math for the Teacher? Is it typical to ask the Contractor, Accountant, Teacher, or other professional for free work? Probably not. Then why is the Artist?

I was approached this week by another professional asking for one of my illustrations to use on their businesses' program cover page. The person asking to use my art is a Communications Coordinator in charge of overseeing design content for the business' promotional materials and ads. My response thanked her for appreciating my work (she called it impressive) and for asking for my permission. I decided to reiterate that my design work is my profession and I wasn't willing to give it away. If the business she was representing wished to pay for my work, I'd be happy to speak with her. She responded by telling me the business was small and "so generally can't pay." I wonder if she receives payment for her work. Did the company pay her to contact me for my artwork? Does the business require payment for their products and services?

I'm not opposed to giving away free art. I love designing and creating for others. It's a way I use my abilities to bless and encourage. What I am opposed to is other working professionals asking for free work in order to promote theirs. Or in some cases, to ease their burden and time by using something someone else already created.

The artwork she asked to use was an inspirational piece found on my blog. It is an original piece that took time and materials to create. First, I researched my subject. Then I designed, sketched, and illustrated it. Finally, I photographed and edited it before posting it on my blog and other social media sights. Ironically the work in question, "Everything Has Its Time," is about the Book of Ecclesiastes which states, "There is a time for everything." There was a time I would have said yes to another business using my artwork for free. The pleasure of having my artwork grace the cover of their program would have been enough. But now is not that time.

 

A R T  I S  W O R K  (aka: Artwork)

 

Mount Angel Gervias Road NE Watercolor

Mount Angel Gervias Road NE. A small watercolor in my watercolor journal. My favorite part of this scene are the mailboxes facing each other. They speak to me of news coming in and out, as well as an indication of neighbors living across the road from each other. Though they are out in the country they aren't isolated.

 

Nine Images in Cerulean Blue

Each of these images was painted predominately with Da Vinci watercolor paint in Cerulean Blue. As I painted these random images they started to remind me of the different aspects of life. The mountain peaks to represent hurtles we sometimes need to climb. A butterfly to represent growth and transformation. A coffee pot for the times others serve us or we have the privilege to serve them. An eye to see things more clearly. A sports car for life's fun adventures. Cookie Monster to represent the silly child in each of us. The outhouse for the crappy things that creep in. A Betta fish to represent the times we just need to be alone. And a flower to remind us to never stop growing or planting the seeds of righteousness no matter what life throws at us.

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Mourning Dove

I love hearing the Mourning Doves cooing outside. I came across this verse and was inspired to paint one sitting on my fence, now full of Eden Rose buds getting ready to blossom soon.

"The flowers are springing up, the season of singing birds has come, and the cooing of turtledoves fills the air." Song of Solomon 2:12.

Donuts with Grandma

My maternal Grandmother was the most instrumental in my belief in God. Not because of the things she said, but for the things she did. As a child when I stayed at her house for the weekend she made an effort to leave early on Sunday morning to stop at Winchell’s Doughnut Shop before church. The shop was long and narrow with small tables lined up against the wall on the right, and a long counter of donuts on the left. Typically one or two homeless-looking men sat at their own tables.

While I eyed the donuts, Grandma greeted the men sitting quietly at the tables. She would tell them that God loved them, and then ask if she could give them a ride to church. I can still see her in my mind’s eye pointing out the glass windows down the street in the direction she would gladly take them.

At first her actions shocked me. Grandma was an elegant woman. Her home was a dreamy cottage with frilly lampshades, beautifully upholstered furniture, and tailored curtains. She was always dressed well, her hair was always styled, with perfect make-up that brought out the cheerfulness in her face. Even her car, a turquoise Thunderbird, was impeccable.

It was inconceivable at my age that she would let an un-showered stranger in her car with us. But as I grew up I discovered she did this for each of her Grandchildren. While I thought I was about to receive the blessing of a donut, she was blessing me with things eternal. She was showing me how to love others and how to share the good news of God's salvation. That was her true character. Her willingness to yield to Christ pushed past the façade. Jesus through her greeted each stranger and offered them hope in the way of an invitation. As I stood there holding a doughnut wrapped in a napkin in one hand and an orange juice in the other, wearing a pretty dress she made for me, I was seeing Jesus through her.

My Grandmother’s acts have forever encouraged me, knowing the small interactions with others may actually be life changing for them. So I grab every opportunity to reveal God to others. It may be as simple as sharing with a Taco Bell drive thru employee that he is named after the first man God created; his name tag read, “ADAM.” His response, “Wow, I didn’t know that.”

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Mustard Seed Faith

Happy Sunday everyone! Here's a little painting inspired while studying Matthew with my Bible Study buddies. May God who created all that's pure and lovely increase your faith in Him, and grant you His abundant blessings this New Year.

“The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field; and of all the seeds it is the smallest, but when it has grown it is the largest of the garden herbs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air find shelter in its branches." ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭13:31-32‬

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Kitty Flys a Kite

Happy New Years Everyone! May it be filled with many delightful adventures.

This painting was my brother's Christmas gift. He wanted a nautical scene. When I jokingly suggest a picture of his cat flying a kite at the beach, he said "Perfect!" When asked what his cat's favorite color was he playfully replied, "Jellyfish." So on the beach towel I illustrated a peanut butter and jellyfish sandwich, and a cup of coffee. Why coffee? Each morning as my brother grinds his coffee, his cat waits for him to give her a bean which she eats.

This painting was pure fun to create. Do you see the little a crab escaping its bucket as the tide rises? She's a petite kitty, so she's struggling to hang on to her fish kite as a gust of whips it around, catching the attention of three gulls who swoop in on it.

8"x10" Watercolor
Copyright Kimberly Shaw 2016.

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Shelley Teacup Card Unfolding

A sneak peak at what I'm working on in the Studio today. I'm painting a Shelley teacup which was on loan from a friend. I love its curviness and blue accents on the rim and handle.

This is my second attempt at this design. My first painting was OK, but not exactly what I had in mind, so I choose to do it over. Glad I did, I'm much happier with this one.

Here's my personal critique of my original artwork:

I wasn't thrilled with the bright background color or design, nor the color of the ribbon, or the flowers in the foreground. The overall color of the shadows on the teacup were too warm making it look muddy. I also thought a tighter weave on the lace over a richer blue would look better.

 

Chintzy New Card Sneak Peak

Here's a sneak peak at a new card I'm almost finished with in a delightful chintzy pattern of small cottage flowers in pink, yellow, and blue.

I painted the blue flowers closer to periwinkle to match the Harney & Sons Paris tea bag which will be inserted in the rim of the card.

The inspiration came from a teacup saucer in my collection.  As I don't have the teacup, I created one, than added the flowers from the rim and center of the saucer.  I especially love the wonderful contrast between the pastel flowers and the dark burgundy at the rim.

Available early 2016 at kimberlyshawgraphics.com

The pattern reads, "Charmaine, Royal Stafford Bone China, Made in England."

Painting Lace with Watercolor

The lace in a watercolor painting isn't actually painted. Painting the space around it allows the unpainted paper be the white of the lace. I start with a sketch from a photograph I've taken of the lace I want to illustrate. My final sketch is then transferred in pencil to the watercolor paper with the help of a light table. OK, so now that the prep is finished, here's the fun part!

1st - Paint the surface the lace is sitting on, the space around it, and add shadow as needed.

2nd - Paint the shadows on the lace, keeping in mind the direction of light. Doing this now keeps the color in the open spaces from smearing later. Perfection isn't needed, have fun letting the paint flow. I used a mixture of cobalt blue and burnt sienna.

3rd - With a tiny paint brush, carefully drop paint into the open spaces of the lace, creating some variation in the darkness of the paint, allowing the paint to remain darker at one edge where a shadow may occur. 

This is from a new card I'm creating. Painting the lace, or rather the negative space around the lace, is my favorite part of the painting. I hope this example has encouraged you to give it a try. And remember, this type of watercolor painting can't be rushed. If the surface still feels cool, it's not dry yet, painting over it will cause it to be muddy. Instead, put the kettle on for a fresh cup of tea, fold the laundry, feed the cat, whatever needs attention (this is the time I force myself to get chores done because I'd rather keep painting).

If you have any questions, let me know, I'll be happy to help.

Kindest regards, Kimberly

Greetings at the Front Door

As a designer I'm always thinking about what I can create. I had a very nice door plaque by the front door welcoming visitors, but wanted something that picked up the nuance of my 1919 Craftsman home, something reminiscent of the Arts and Crafts Movement.  "Greetings" seemed appropriate for a greeting card designer.

The text in the upper left is a beautiful picture of Jesus' nature of meeting and greeting people.  In response the people run to Him, grasped His feet, and worshiped Him. See Matthew 28:9

Field

"Field" acrylic on 8x10 canvas copyright Kimberly Shaw 2014

I quickly painted this last Spring as a background, planning to add more to it, but I think I knew it was finished at this stage. It reminds me of a time when my son could barely see out the back window from his car seat. He and I were on our way to NE Oceanside. Having passed the main part of town we came to a clearing. Brad raised his little arm, pointed out the car window, and exclaimed, "A field, mommy! A field!" I'll never forget that moment. Brad's name means, "a broad clearing." It was then God revealed He had a hand in influencing Brad's name which describes the character God gave him. Brad has always loved open spaces, and I love that about him. I don't have the heart to add more to this painting. It represents a memory I never want to forget, of Brad when he was little, and of God when He was big.

Partridge Ornaments

This year I started a new tradition. Based on the song and the story of "The Twelve Days of Christmas" I made Partridge ornaments for my kids made from vintage hankies I've collected. The Partridge in a Pear Tree represents Christ. For the next 11 years, I'll create ornaments from the rest of the songs charactors. So you're thinking, wow, that's a long time to plan. But why not, how often do we repeat other traditions? And how often are those traditions repeated for a lot longer? So I say, go for it!

The sticks were found while on a walk with my neighbor. As the wind picked up the sticks were blown from the trees. So, you may be thinking, who can cut up a charming vintage hanky. I admit, it was hard cutting the first one, but I think the outcome is better than leaving the hankie folded on a shelf. Besides, who doesn't love their kids more than an old hankie?

Arbor Garden

An arbor watercolor painted just for fun, with orange azaleas, yellow roses, and pink hollyhocks.

Wishing you all a wonderful summer, and hoping you have time to be creative, weather in your garden or at your work table.

Blue and White Teacup Watercolor

Friday nights around my dining room table have become a special time of fellowship, creativity, and tea.  Plenty of tea while waiting for the paper to dry before adding more color, which means staying up late and laughing more. The last two weeks we've been painting a blue and white teacup. First we painted the shadows and background.

The second week we painted the blue and white details with our tiniest brushes, and darken the table to create more contrast between the white rim of the saucer and the table.

My neighbor has a beautiful collection of blue and white china, so it wasn't hard finding a lovely subject to paint.  This one caught our eye with a butterfly and bird among the flowers.

May your cup always be full of the memories you share.

Larkspur Watercolor

"Then the LORD God planted a garden in Eden in the east, and there he placed the man he had made." -Genesis 2:8. I like thinking of God as a gardener. Seeds are a marvel to me, and His word is filled with references to seeds. "Plant the good seeds of righteousness, and you will harvest a crop of love.  Plow up the hard ground of your hearts, for now is the time to seek the LORD, that he may come and shower righteousness upon you.' -Hosea 10:12

Spiral Galaxy

Titled "Psalms 19" this watercolor was a gift for my brother's birthday.  Originally it didn't have the spiral, but I thought it needed more stars :)

"The heavens proclaim the glory of God.  The skies display His craftsmanship.
Day after day they continue to speak; night after night they make Him known.
They speak without a sound or word; their voice is never heard.
Yet their message has gone throughout the earth, and their words to all the world." Psalms 19:1-4

Watercolor Galexy

This was really fun to paint, and way out of my normal genre of artwork.  First I added blobs of color right out of the paint tube, mixed them together with a wide wet brush, covered the wet surface with large salt granules, and let it dry over night. The next morning I scraped off the salt stuck to the surface, and added chinese white stars and clouds. 

Copyright Kimberly Shaw 2014

Jupiter and the Moon

Watercolor by Kimberly Shaw Dec 20, 2013

I enjoy the night sky immensely and I almost missed this event if God had answered my prayer. It was a silly prayer.  I was tired and wanted to sleep. I went to bed early, about 8:30.  I typically sleep very well, but on December 18th sleep escaped me.  After an hour I shouted out loud, "God, I'm so tired I just want to sleep!"

A few minutes later a bright light from outside flooded my room.  A closer look revealed the full moon overhead and a bright star next to it.  A quick Google search told me it was Jupiter, which would be 2 degrees from the moon on Dec 18th at 9:30pm in the Pacific Northwest.  Even more amazing to me, personally, it was a cloudless night where it had been overcast all week. 

With my big coat over my PJ's, I stepped outside into the cold winter air to marvel at the wonder of God who, at the opportune time cleared the sky to show me His creation and kept me awake to see it.

White Flower Watercolor

I began teaching my neighbors to watercolor. I thought painting a white flower would be an easy first lesson, letting them play with the paint in the background while adding little color to the flower. Being self taught I'm learning that I think differently than others. Their flowers turned out gorgeous, though they struggled with NOT painting the flower.  Next week: landscapes.

Royal Albert Lady Carlyle

A commissioned watercolor piece of Royal Albert's Lady Carlyle teacup and saucer, which was given as a Christmas gift after it was framed and matted. I really enjoyed the lace on this one. Commission work of your favorite teacup or china piece is available. Email or call for a quote.

Sunday Drive Watercolor

Watercolored from a photo taken last Fall, Mount Angel Hwy headed south towards Bethany.

Copyright Kimberly Shaw 2013

CA Poppy Field, Oregon

I discovered this field of California Poppies near Silverton, Oregon.

5"x7" watercolor copyright Kimberly Shaw

Oceanside, Oregon

A quick little watercolor of my visit to the coast, copyright Kimberly Shaw 2013

Willamette Farm

A typical scene in the Willamette Valley countryside.

8"x10" watercolor on 140 lb hotpress paper. Copyright Kimberly Shaw 2013

Bee Happy

This 8x10 watercolor painting of a bee enjoying the lavender.  Copyright Kimberly Shaw 2013

School

School is for fish.

Education is for children.

A small watercolor painted just for fun.

Spring Green

A Teacup Greeting Card in the making inspired by a small vintage saucer. Unable to locate the matching teacup, I created my own.  A wide green band on the teacup and saucer are accented with agold trim. Resting on a frilly doily the green is complimented with a warm burnt orange tabletop.  The black details were created using an old-school Koh-I-Noor Rapidograph pen, the smallest  000/.25 size, and shaded with a light watercolor wash. 

Artwork copyright Kimberly Shaw 2010

 

Aquarelle

A new card in the making.

This Royal Grafton teacup was so much fun to watercolor in its delightful aqua color, sitting on a frilly doily, against a salmon pink background. 

Working it Out

Tea is a key element in my artwork, and I have plenty to choose from.

These colorful teabags, mostly from Harney & Sons Fine Teas, become a part of each Teacup Greeting card I design. 

My mother's antique pansy teacup was the inspiration for painting for a new card.

First I start with a sketch to plan the design.

The shadows are painted first to avoid smearing the artwork later.

Next I added the gold trim, because honestly, it was an easier choice than conquering the pansies right off.

Once the pansies were finished I incorporated my grandmother's handmade table runner underneath.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hollyhock Watercolor

Hollihocks are my favorite flower. They dominate the garden with their tall stalks and cheerful blossoms.  This is a 4" x 10" watercolor on 140# hotpress paper.  Copyright Kimberly Shaw

High T at the Great Wall of China

 

I was inspired to paint this watercolor by learning the real meaning behind the term "High Tea" from my friend & historian Gary Holloway, who has an impresive blue and white plate collection.

"High Tea" was coined by Sir Lipton who preferred to have his tea at a higher dining table verses a low table (such as the coffee table of today) where the ladies served their tea in the parlor or sitting room.  

November Mums

The Chrysanthemum is November's birth flower. 

Watercolor Copyright Kimberly Shaw

 

October Marigolds

Calendula, aka Marigold, is the birth flower of everyone born in October. Did you know they are edible? 

Watercolor Copyright Kimberly Shaw

September Asters

Asters are September's birth flower.

August Gladiolus

Gladiolus are August's birth flower.  Its name comes from the Latin word for sword 'gladius,' and is also known as the Sword Lilly symbolizes strength and moral integrity.

Watercolor Copyright Kimberly Shaw

July Delphinium

For all those born in July, your birth flower is the tall and glamorous Delphiniam that tends to steal the show in the garden.

Watercolor Copyright Kimberly Shaw

May & June Birth Flowers

May's birth flow is Lilly of the Valley. The little chick is Marianne on her way to her first tea party with a hat she borrowed from her Mum.

The Rose is June's birth flower.

I chose to paint a yellow rose which signifies joy, gladness, frienship, and says, "I care".

Watercolors Copyright Kimberly Shaw

Tea Room

                    A little art project to hang in my tea room, where all the Harney & Son's Teas are stored.

copyright Kimberly Shaw 2009