Merry Christmas!!!!

I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas! Hopefully, my next post, will be coming to you from sunny (warmer than here!) Florida!!!

Many Blessings!!

Kim

Christmas is right around the corner!!!

Time is going by so quickly this year. I think time really does fly when you're having fun! The photo is of my Mom and two of my nieces at Thanksgiving. The girls were shaking the presents with their names on them under the tree, mostly trying to determine what was toys and what was clothes!! They were too funny!

The end of the year is fast approaching and I'm busy getting ready for the holidays, preparing for my classes in Florida, shipping out paintings that have been sold, and trying to stay warm!! No wonder I don't have any time right now!

As an update, I'm planning on starting back up the classes in Northern Ky April 23rd 2011. Now, I still have to get approval on that, but that's what I'm shooting for. Those of you on my email list, will hear from me before then. If you're not on the list, but want to be, email me or post a comment and I'll get back with you and sign you up. Happy painting!!!

Where have I been...???

Well, I'm done with my finals at school this week!!!! Wehoo!!!! The drawing I've posted is my final for my Analysis of Form class. I turned it in last night. I rarely do drawings, so this was a challenge for me. But, that's what art is all about sometimes...creating challenges and overcoming them. The seascape painting I just cranked out this week also. I'll be making some modifications to it, but it will likely be a future class. I love the green in the wave.

Speaking of my class, I want to thank each and every one of you who attended this year. You wouldn't believe how much I brag on all of you and how much I'll be missing my students from Northern KY the next three months. I hope to have fun teaching workshops at the Von Liebig Arts Center and River Park Community Center in Naples FL, but I can't imagine that we can have the fun we've had here in KY. Thank you all so much and have a wonderful Christmas and New Years!

Happy Monday!!!

Well, another fun class this past Saturday... and me without my camera again!!! I swear that many of your skies looked better than mine! They were gorgeous! You newbies...(you know who you are)... are doing fantastic, AND some of you veterans are doing amazing paintings now. With just one class left here in 2010, I want to thank each and every one of you for giving me a shot to share what I know. I would never have imagined what fun, and how rewarding this is for me. THANK YOU!

Since I didn't take photos again, I thought I would post a photo of one of the paintings we didn't get to this year. It will surely make the 2011 line up. For those of you feeling a bit adventurous, try this one on your own! If you've taken 2 or 3 of my classes you know how to do everything in this painting. Hope to see you all Saturday for our final painting of the year!!!!

What if there were two of me?

Well, there isn't! This is an assignment for my digital media class (a required course or I wouldn't be taking it). I had to clone myself. If I COULD clone myself, I could teach way more painting classes, would probably have a 4.o average in school, have a cleaner house, and ...well...the list goes on and on. Since I can't "clone" myself, I try to be a good time manager. Hard for an artist, but I'm getting better at it.

This week, I'm preparing for my final two painting classes of the year for here in Northern KY. I'm excited and bummed at the same time. I'll be back in April but will really miss everyone I've had in class. I hope to leave all of my students with a true "Joy of Painting".

Thanksgiving

I'm so thankful for so many things. I was blessed to spend this past Thanksgiving at my parents house with my family. One of the photos is of my youngest niece, the other is my daughter and me from Halloween. My daughter has become the family photographer, and I'm so grateful for that too! I love being able to share our memories with others and even re-live them by going over past photos.

Florida!!

Well, it's hard to believe, but soon I'll be off to teach my classes in Sunny Florida! I just got off the phone with the staff down in Naples and we're starting to finalize the details. I'll be teaching weekly classes at the River Park Community Center on 11th Street, and I'm so excited about it! The only downside, is that I'm going to really miss all of the folks from my class at Hobby Lobby here in Florence KY. We have such a great group and I hope everyone will return to paint with me again in April 2011.

My last classes of this year are December 4th & December 11th at the Hobby Lobby in Florence KY. We're looking pretty full right now, but be sure to contact me if you want to be put on the waiting list. We'll be doing some door prize drawings for everyone that attends.

Happy Painting!!

Thanksgiving is right around the corner!

Hard to believe, but it will be "turkey day" soon! My guy and I run the Thanksgiving Day 10K in Cincinnati Ohio each year. Last year, we ran it with Tom's nephew Bugsy. He had just volunteered to go to Afghanistan and we were spending as much time as possible with him. A few days after the race, Bugsy was on his way to report for duty and was killed in a car accident within site of the armory. We were all devastated. Life is so short.

This year, as we run the race again, this time without Bugsy, I'm reminded how thankful I am to have my family. The photo is from a calendar that my daughter made for me that hangs in my studio. The large image is my Mom and their dog Chloe. The two men in the upper right are my Dad & Brother. The lower right is my Mom, Daughter, and me there in the middle. I hope as we approach this Thanksgiving holiday that you consider all you have to be thankful for...and that you take the time to give thanks.

Bob Ross Method

I just wanted to take a moment to remind everyone that I teach the "Bob Ross Method". Now, the painting I have posted here is done with the Bob Ross Method...however it is not a Bob Ross Painting. What does that mean? Well, it means that I did just what Bob would have wanted. I took his method, used his brushes, and came up with my own painting. I used all Bob Ross colors except that I put a bit of cerulean blue in the sky toward the right. I hope for those of you who have taken my classes that you will feel confident enough to try a painting on your own as well.

Also for those of you who were concerned, I'm still doing my upcoming classes. My display was removed at Hobby Lobby temporarily while they did some re-arranging. I didn't find out about it until today.

This Saturday is the waterfall class! This will be a new one for many of you, so come ready to learn!!

Read, read, read....

Ok, now I realize not all of you are into reading books like I am, but if you want to better yourself as an artist, you need to GROW as an artist. How can you do that? Well, taking a class, going to art galleries, and yes .... read about the art medium you have chosen. You don't have to stick to books, the Internet is an unlimited source of information. If you don't like to read books or the Internet, see if your local library has DVDs you can check and out watch. The point is, the more you understand about the "craft" of your art medium, the better you will be able to make that medium do what you want it to. Happy painting!!!

Amarillo Skye

This little yearling just moved out of our "nest" to his new home. His new "mama" Amy has been emailing me his progress. Before he left our pastures for his new ones he had sort of befriended one of our female horses. She kept calling out to him after he had gone. Evidently he's already made friends with another female horse at the stable he's at now. I guess he's a ladies man even though he's a geld!! No one can seem to figure out what color to call him either. I kept using the term "buff" or "creamella". As an artist I would probably call him "unbleached titanium", but the horse community wouldn't get that!!

Regardless, he's doing well and seems to be very happy in his new surroundings. Thanks Amy for giving Skye a good home!! We're still looking for that right person for Hershey!

Well...I've done it again...

Yep...I brought my camera to my painting class and didn't take any photos. It's funny, but I get so busy after the 1st class trying to get ready for the 2nd one. Then I'm usually talking with everyone after the 2nd class (something which my guy claims I excel at) and forget to take some then. So....bummer that I didn't get to show every one's great paintings from Saturday, and there were some fantastic ones. Instead, here's a snapshot of the painting for December 4th. I know the class is already filled, but let me know if you want me to try to get you in. Thanks again to everyone for making these classes so fun and keep on painting!!!

Bob Ross Brushes

People often ask me if they can do the Bob Ross paintings with non-Bob Ross brushes. You can certainly do them, but you will NOT get the same results. Now don't get me wrong. I'm not saying that the best brushes out there are the Bob Ross Brushes. No way! There are many great brand name brushes, some expensive, some not, that are good quality. I own many of them. However, for THIS method...the Bob Ross Wet-On-Wet Method....his brushes are the way to go. Please remember this is only one way of oil painting, and there are many. There's a reason that I provide all the brushes for you to use in my classes. You need them to get the consistent results for his paintings. Bob Ross did all the hard work...the research, development, and designing the paintings. Take the tools he's given you and use them to make yourself a better artist. Take care of these brushes and they will last you a long time. Happy painting!!

Pastel Seascape Class

Well another fantastic class! Great job everyone!
I didn't get to take any photos from the first class because it was so crazy once we were all finished. It was so fun looking at everyone's work and discussing the upcoming classes.

Speaking of which...Here are the classes I still have openings in before I leave to do some teaching in Florida.
December 4th 2010
December 11th 2010

I'm taking names for cancellations that may occur for the October 23rd & November 13th classes. Thanks so much to all of YOU for making these painting classes such a success. You can't imagine how much I look forward to spending those Saturdays painting, laughing, and getting to know each of you a bit. Remember to keep on painting!!!!

Halloween Month

I've never been a big Halloween person, but I have some niece's that just love it. I get a kick out of walking around with them while they "trick or treat". I'm working on some pins/magnets for Halloween using some family photos, fabric and yarn. I've still got more to do, but here they are in the layout stage. They're pretty funny! That's me with my daughter in one photo and one of my sweet little nieces in the other. I got the idea out of Cloth Paper Scissors magazine. Someone there did "Scarie Marie". They had black and white images of Marie Antoinette and they made them into these little medallion looking things. Pretty cute idea...I just adapted it. Magazines are a great source of fun ideas and a great way to get YOUR ideas published. Need some inspiration? Check out some crafters magazines/blogs/websites. There are some really fun ideas out there.

Bob Ross Finishing Spray

When I complete one of my Bob Ross style paintings, whether it be for display, sale, or just to hang in my home, I spray it with the Bob Ross Finishing Varnish. I do it right after I complete the painting and while it's still wet. However, you should NOT use other varnishes on your paintings this way. If you do want to put a protective varnish over your painting and don't want to use the Bob Ross Brand, you have a couple of options. The first is Retouch or Damar Varnish. You can safely spray this on your painting once it's been dry to the touch for over a month. Waiting longer is better, but you should be ok. FOLLOW THE MANUFACTURERS INSTRUCTIONS!!! The next option is to wait a year after you've completed the painting and brush or spray on a final gloss or matte varnish. Oil paintings take 6 months to a year to completely dry....even though they may feel dry to the touch. Try to think of oil paintings drying as being a chemical process...not evaporation. Again, read the labels and feel free to ask me if you have any questions. Happy Painting!!!!

Crew Cut

This is Crew Cut, one of the horses we recently sold this summer. A horse is a funny animal. They're huge and could trample you easily, but they're by nature a "flight" animal. So the key is to earn their trust. I had the pleasure of earning this guys trust this summer and to my astonishment, found he loved being stalled. He will no doubt end up in one of my paintings, but I wanted to show him off a bit here. I'm currently working with his younger brother right now. Two totally different personalities, but that's what makes it interesting.

Glacier Lake Class

Well, another class finished with some fantastic results!! Here's some photos of a few of the students. Way to go everyone!

Family Reunions

I just had to share this "self-portrait" taken by my lovely little niece. She's our resident photographer. We had a family reunion for my Mom's side of the family and wow was it hot that day! That of course didn't stop this littly sweety from teaching her Aunt Kim some frisby moves.

Get the Book!!

So, you've taken one of my classes...or another class from a Certified Ross Instructor and you want to try a painting on your own. Well...GO FOR IT!! Once you've taken the class, much of the technique that is skipped over in the book, you get at the class. Try it! You can always, re-use your canvas if you don't like the results the first time. (Ask me if you need some advice on how to do that.) Believe me, practice will make this technique work for you. Don't be afraid to go for it!

I am so PROUD of my last class!!!

We did a seascape this past Saturday. Seascapes, even the Bob Ross ones, can be very difficult. Everyone did fantastic! I'm so proud!!! Thanks so much everyone in both the afternoon and morning class. I had such fun! Keep on painting!

We're Over Half Way Thru 2010 !!!

I can't believe that we're already into the first week of August! I feel like I just got back from Florida a few weeks ago. I'm blessed to be able to spend time down in Naples Florida (where this photo of Tom was taken) during the winter months. I love my Kentucky home, but I've gained such an appreciation for the warm climates, beautiful gardens, and lovely people of Naples. Many of my paintings take inspiration from this beautiful area.

My New Camera

I just bought my daughter's old digital camera...which is very advanced for me! It takes great photos with little effort. Sometimes a little technology is a very good thing!!! This photo is a painting for an upcoming class.

My Birthday Gift

I just wanted to share the cool birthday gift my daughter made for me. It's a huge collage of photos of my family. I LOVE photos! My daughter knowing this made this up for me. It's hanging in my studio where I can clearly see it everyday.

The Bob Ross Seascapes

I'm offering a seascape class in August. I tend to make my seas a bit on the "stormy" side. I guess I like seeing that water churned up! Seascapes can be a bit more difficult, but don't let that intimidate you from trying them. This method of painting is about making the brushes work for you.

My Workspace

I've had some folks ask about my studio space where I do most of my paintings. Well, here it is! When you first walk in, I've got some comfy chairs and framed demo's of the paintings I offer classes on. As you look back, you can see my main easel with some of my wildlife paintings (at the beginning phases) hanging in the back. I also have a long table in front of some glass sliding doors for some of my smaller works. Great light is essential! As you may have noticed I have sheers over the windows to diffuse the natural light without weakening it. This is pretty much how it looks most days except I generally have my palette and a wet canvas out. Staying organized helps me to be able to put my focus on my painting. If you're planning on painting fairly often (which I hope you do!!) find a spot that you can dedicate for your supplies. Give yourself some space to be creative!!!!

Scaling Down the Bob Ross Painting

Most of the paintings I do for classes are scaled down to the 12 x 16 inch size. Bob Ross did most of his paintings on the 18 x 24 inch canvas. As a result, I sometimes make a few changes so I can fit everything onto the smaller canvas and into the timeframe of a 3 hour class. Here's an example of one with those changes. I usually try to keep it as close as possible. In this case I had to take out some of the trees to the right of the painting to make it fit. I also had to leave out the river stones at the bottom for time purposes. Happy Painting!!

My Other Artwork

I'm sometimes asked if I sell other artwork besides teaching my Bob Ross Style classes. Yes! Here's one of my little still lifes. Remember that the painting technique (Bob Ross Wet-On-Wet) is to help YOU find your art voice. I hope my students use what they've learned to create they're own artwork. Bob Ross used to say when you were painting "it's your world". Well...he was right! It is! So keep those paint brushes wet and make your painting "your world"!

Take A Class!

I just had to include a photo of my last Saturday class. They were such an awesome group! Want to get out and meet some interesting people? Well take a class!! Painting, bead making, knitting...whatever! It's a great way to share and learn from, and about others. Think you won't learn anything? Think again! I don't care who you are, you always take away something from sharing some time with others. Thank you to all of the students I currently have and all of the new ones I've just been introduced to. You guys are the reason I share my gift! Happy Painting!!

Meet Chassie

Meet my little dog Chassie. She's one of the cutest, sweetest dogs you would ever meet. She was hanging out on the deck with us the other night so I shot this photo. I LOVE my dog!!!

Happy Little Trees

Just a little tip...when using the fan brush to make your "happy little trees", don't forget to hold the handle at an upward angle. This is for evergreens that have branches going "up"...or the "happy trees" as I call them. I think you'll be pleased with the results. Happy Painting!!!

IT'S VACATION SEASON!!!

This is a photo of me and my guy on the beach in Florida this past March. We had such a fun time that day. Beaching, biking, walking, sightseeing...it was awesome! I hope you get to do something fun this summer, whether its a planned vacation, or just some awesome days with loved ones.

Snow Scene

This is one of the classes that I currently offer. I'm not much for hanging out in the snow, but I sure like painting it!

Memorial Day

I just spent the afternoon at the Kentucky Veterans Cemetery for a Memorial Service. It was wonderful. Way more folks showed up than they had planned, the local schools had students performing, and there were many of our fine service men and women in attendance to honor those lost. We said goodbye to 2 veterans close to us this year. Rick Kirk (that's his son with the two servicemen by the marine flag), and Lorenzy (Bugsy) Holland, (Bugsy is the one in uniform.) Words cannot express how grateful I am to all of the men and women who are willing to serve this country. Thank you. God Bless the USA and God Bless all of those who have, and are currently in service to this county.