Mending

Let's touch base-

     It's been a minute since I posted or shared anything on the blog so I'm taking this down time to try to be more connected with you here. Nothing real profound, just feeling the need to reach out since I'm not getting to see you all at the art shows this Spring and Summer. I'm also practicing not spacing twice at the end of sentences ;). ignore it if you see it happen please. I haven't felt inspired to work on any #WindowFramed pieces as of yet but I'm trying to keep my hands busy.  Above are my much loved and patched jeans that are needing an over haul thanks to my Keto lifestyle.  If you'd told me last year that I'd handle this world wide pandemic without a bowl of pasta as my wingman I'd have laughed out loud but that's just what I'm doing. Hence the need for jean alteration. So I'm using what I have and not buying more until it feels appropriate. I'm mending and making do. Visible mending feels like a signal to me and others that I care for what I have. To stop the disposable lifestyle. Reduce/Reuse/Recycle is a hashtag I often use online when referring to my art work. Even truer now in the whole of my life. Slowing down, paying attention, paying tribute to the people, places and things that support me in this life.

Be Well,

Kim  

Hello-

     It's been a few months since I made a blog post and a bit of a wait in the car service waiting room seemed like the perfect opportunity to catch up with you all.  So let's get started.

     I've passed out a few cards about commission work but no one has jumped at the offer yet.  I'm not discouraged.  It felt good to claim that as an option and I know the right people will find me when its a perfect option.  The Spring shows have been filled with weather challenges.  I never curse the rain around here because I realize that it is hard to come by most of the time and it is keeping the temperature down.  I will however grumble about the mud in the booth and the untidy results in Vincent, the new van.

     My narrow avoidance of an art scam did have a positive result.  I have all my current #WindowFramed pieces in one place for viewing.  I've created a Flickr page (click on the underlined word and a new window will open with the page for you)  that will take you right to where I've posted everything that is ready to go now.  I'll keep it current by either removing or posting SOLD on pieces no longer available.  Those of you who follow me on Instagram have been getting these updates regularly and getting a first look at new pieces and the process of their creation and even the finding of the windows.  You are following along on Instagram right? Prints are still available through my Etsy shops as well, links on the right.  You'll find my international work there as well.

I posted my upcoming dates there recently I'll post a short recap here.  Contact me if you need further location details.

May 26 and 27 Kerrville Arts Festival
June 7,8, and 9 at the Lavender Festival in Blanco
July 6 and 7 Rockport Art Festival
July 26.27 and 28 Ruidoso Art Festival NM

In between studio work in town and art shows on the road the cats and I are giving Mom a hand at the home place in the country.  As a result my life if full of all the things I love and that is a good thing.  So I think you know everything that is interesting.  You don't want to know about my creaky knee or continuously patched jeans, right?  So I will close with a photo of a cow with cartoonishly windblown horns.  I'm always willing to find the whimsy in something.  I hope you are too.  It makes the world a better place.

Thanks to you all for your continued support and for following along on this adventure.

Til next time,

Kim

Still seeing

Old Tony Lama


     2017 is here and I've noticed that my perspective on things hasn't changed.  I'm still drawn to that one thing in the landscape that is out of place and catches my eye.  That one herd of animals with something to say.



 

 

    The quirky, the fun, the off center, the truly lovely and the spark of a dream all still speak to me. 

 

 

 

    This makes me hopeful.  These are things that make me happy and these things make a scary world a better place. I hope that you find those things that will make 2017 that for you as well. 

 

 

Coming soon, an updated schedule of venues where I'll be sharing my work in person in the coming year. Stay tuned!

 

Talk to you soon,

 

 

 

New Mexico adventure

New Mexico certainly did live up to the title Land of Enchantment.  We followed rainstorms and back roads all about the state.

Wandered through old neighborhoods and envied colorful doors, windows and gardens.

The best part of all was having these adventures with my Mom and sister Cheryl.  The "go see" gene is strong in the family and roaming the roads with like minded folk can't be beat.

Continuing the Western theme of the summer will be my next venue.  I'll be on the courthouse square during Celebrate Bandera this Labor Day weekend.

Celebrate Bandera Labor Day Weekend

Come out and enjoy all that makes Bandera the cowboy capitol of the world. Longhorns, cowboys, music, food and fun.

Hope to see you there!

Kim

ps Next up Scotland!

Celebrate Mothers

 

 

Let's Celebrate Mothers

 

 

   I happen to have a wonderful one and I'm sure many of you do as well.  I've also been lucky to be exposed to many other examples in my life as well.  You may not have children of your own to mother but mother friends or perhaps your babies are covered by fur, feather or fin.  I believe those count as well.  Care and nurturing keep the world spinning and civilization balanced.  So raise a glass in toast to mothers everywhere.  It doesn't matter if its your original mother or one you found along the way.  To those souls that care for and nurture us, worry and sometimes weep but always hope and dream for us. Where would we be without you?



 

 



Finally a Barn to explore

The Night Loft

 

 

Hello Friend-

 

 

If we've been in a car together within the last year or so then you probably remember me scanning the road sides for the perfect barn to photograph. If we haven't been out on the roads together then I hope we get to go someday.  Anywho......so the other day Mom and I were out for a drive and I spotted a barn at the Hill Country State Natural Area that clearly needed to be investigated further.  So I put a call out to my photo buds and they agreed to explore it with me.

 

We braved low water crossings, frigid northern winds, pollen for days and an early morning start to see what we could see.

 

 

We found some wonderful light and a barn full of character.  Warm old wood, cool tin walls, dirt floors and a loft where apparently the night sky is kept during the day.  What's not to love?

 

 

 

This does not mean I have finished exploring barns.  In fact, this has whetted my appetite and I will continue to explore each one I come across. 

 

 

I love spotting the little quirks in the structure.  The reuse of found architecture, recycled doors windows and wood bits and pieces.

 

 

 

Good times and a wonderful lunch with like minded photo fiends makes for wonderful memories and photographs.  Give me a heads up if you've spotted a barn you think I need to check out.

 

 

 

 

So until next time dear friend, keep your eyes open and see what you can see.  Oh and you can see me and my work in person on March 12 from 10-4 at the SoFlo Market

 

All the best,

 

Kim





 



 



 

 







 

 





 



 



Some Button Loves You

Hello Friend-

  I hope this new year finds you where you want to be or maybe on the way there.  That's true for me.  I'm at the point where I feel like I can focus my energies full time on my photography.  That means I've been assembling my art show booth set up, booking shows, building inventory, keeping myself open to new opportunities and adventures.  The show aspect of that starts this Saturday with a booth at the SoFlo Market here in town. San Antonio in Springtime is something to see and yes Spring starts in February here. Put away those sweaters.  So if you are in the area stop in and say Hi.  I will be at lots of other venues in and around the area and will keep you posted.  Follow along on my Facebook page and all the other social media links you can find on the right side of the page.  If you follow me on Twitter you'll be subject to some of my binge passions, Outlander, Agents of Shield, etc.  There's always something interesting happening there.

So...that's it.  The family and pets are doing well.  I'm spending the Spring and Summer working the art show/craft fair circuit in the area (fingers crossed for a Ruidoso show), Scotland in September because...Scotland, and any other adventures I can find my way into.  Happy Valentine's Day and like the photo says I hope some button loves you.

I'll write again soon,

Kim

Giving Thanks

I decided that today is the perfect time to reflect on this year and some things that I'm thankful about.

 

Mom, always

 

Dad...who left us in February but what I'm grateful for was the extra time I got to spend with him.  If I hadn't made the decision to leave work when I did that wouldn't have happened.  Miss you Dad

 

My wonderful sister Cheryl who got to share her new home with the family this year.  Here she is with Mom on a road trip she, Mom and my brother Bruce took around the Southwest recently.  I was home cuddling the kitties. My wonderful nieces and nephews and extended family. Love you guys!



 

 

 

My fabulous friends Shannon and Mario who introduced me to my favorite place on the planet...Scotland.  My trips with them and www.scottishdreamtours.com as well as our other adventures are always a highlight to any year. Love you guys.

 



The above two images are from this year's adventure and bring to mind an online community that I'm a member of that enjoys and dives deep into the world Diana Gabaldon created with Outlander.  Here's a shout out to the online community at www.storywonk.com headed by Alastair Stephens and Lani Diane Rich of The Scot and the Sassenach podcast that help me keep the grey matter firing.

My dear friends that became so much more than just fellow Etsy shop holders.  I've been lucky enough to meet each of the ladies in person and in fact with our powerful magic we are even able to conjure rainbows out of thin air as witnessed here as Janet and I came off the mountain in Jerome AZ this year.  The power of friendships is amazing.

And finally, my near and dear local friends that are always supportive, always willing to go for a ride to see what we can see, talk shop about photography, offer their support online and "like" just one more image from Scotland and the new friends I've made along the way this year on my travels.

It has been a year with highs and lows and I'm so thankful that you all were there to share them with me.

Talk to you again soon,

Kim

Hatched

Hatched: conspire to devise (a plot or plan) synonyms: conceive, concoct, brew, invent, plan, design


Hello again-

   As you might guess from the image above I've been thinking.  I've had a project in mind for a while and I've been letting it simmer.  It has been steeping.  I've been gathering information and I'm about ready to lay this egg, launch this project, dive into the deep end.  Ok, wait a sec.  This is sounding much more epic than it really is.  I've had an idea in my head about a way to sell my images in something other than a "hang them on the wall" way.  Just a couple more step to take and I'll be able to try it out.  So I just wanted to let you know I'm not just sitting around tidying my house and obsessively sweeping (this may end up a problem, we'll see) refer to last post.  So my plan is about ready to hatch and next week I'll start implementing it.  I hope to remember to photograph the process along the way so I can share it with you in a post instead of just the end product.  So how do you start projects?  Months of planning or a late night trip to your supply store of choice and asses and elbows til you finish?  Wish me luck! 

Talk to you again soon,

Kim

Almost forgot-I got my website up and running www.kclarkphotos.com This is a spot that links to all the places you can find me and my work online.  Give it a whirl.

Springtime Winter Wonderland

 

 

Good Morning Friend-

 

I woke up to a chilly temperature of 30 degrees here in the mountains of New Mexico.  While we haven't had snow here in Ruidoso I did get to visit some yesterday just up the road in Cloudcroft.  When I say "up the road" I mean that literally.  Winding up a mountain road filled with pine trees and chortling ravens Cheryl and Al and I came across some snow fall.

 

 

I hadn't seen snow you could pack in your hand since back in college when Southwest was shut down opening weekend by a hundred year snow. I know at least one of my readers was in it with me. So we stopped and I piddled around captured some images and chunked some snow, really accurately I might add.

 

I'm all set for Christmas cards this year.  So many beautiful scenes around here.  Even utilitarian barns manage to look picturesque.

 

 

 

 

 

This first image at the top of the page is an old railroad trestle just outside of Cloudcroft as you head down the mountain into Alamogordo and into a whole other kind of white out.

 

 

 

 

 

The conditions weren't ideal for visiting White Sands National Monument but they were impressive none the less. It was windy and the sand was "weaponized" to a fine baby powder dust that was everywhere.  But it was strangely compelling to drive through the dunes and see only white.  A totally alien landscape that we attempt to tame with picnic tables and road signs.  I'd love to shoot it again on a still night with just the stars above.  Perhaps on the next trip.

 

So a lovely day with snow on top, snow like drifts at the bottom and good Mexican food in between in Tularosa. 

 

Stay tuned.  You never know what I might find next.

 

Later-

Kim

 

 





 









Maps are my friends

Hello-

Are you a map fan?  Does the accordion puzzle that is a paper map fill you with excitement rather than dread?  Does the map pocket in your car actually contain a map? Does trailing your finger along the rural road on a map, acting as the navigator, give you with satisfaction? If so, then you will totally understand how the ritual of getting out the maps can help build the excitement for an upcoming trip.

I spent close to thirty years at work with at least one map in my hand for most of the day.  I gave folks directions over the phone.  Stayed with them on the line as they passed intersections and called out street names to me.  After years of this I think I self installed a type of GPS in my head or at the very least I erased any fear of using a map and panicking at what getting lost could mean. I always felt sorry for folks that just didn't seem to get that the sun rose in the East and set in the West and you could use this information to map your place in the world.

So yesterday I bought my airplane tickets for Scotland at the end of August and this morning I brought out the map.  Travel dreams are being brought to the forefront of my thoughts.  Don't get me wrong, they are always there, but they are getting a lot more dream time as of now.  Prior to Scotland though I've got a road trip with my sister. I'll be taking her back home to Ruidoso NM and meeting up with a couple of friends at some point West of there before heading home again. I'll have my camera gear on the seat next to me as well as the maps.  I'll have my eyes, mind and heart wide open to see what I can see. I will also have my iphone as well but its not as much fun to fold up and put away.

So stay tuned friend.  I'll have my gear for posting and processing photographs as well so you'll be able to travel along with me.

Unexpected Connections

Hello Friend-

Well, I survived and enjoyed the weekend's art show and sale. That is really saying something for one who is basically a solitary person in this and every lifetime.  That's not to say that I don't enjoy society and meeting folks but if I had my druthers and push came to shove I'd be holed up with a book all by my onesies and be very content.  That being said, meeting folks at the show was a real joy.  I think I might get better at it with practice.  I'll share a couple of examples of why it was so unexpected and delightful.

 

 

A young couple walks into the booth and starts looking through my travels images.  They were enjoying the images from Italy in particular. Come to find out they were new to San Antonio and had moved from Italy.  The young woman asked me if I knew what the street name on the wall of this image translated to?  I had to say I hadn't realized it was anything other than a street name.  But this is Italy folks and everything has a touch of the cinematic about it.  The name sign you can see about the young woman's head on the right is Piazzetta del Buonumore. Which translates to Good Mood Place.  How wonderful is that?  How sweet it was to meet a couple a little bit homesick and willing to share a little of the secret magic of Italy with me.  Score one for meeting new people!

 

 

 

 

 

Cue another young couple.  They were everywhere by the way. Young folks shopping, walking impossibly cute dogs and enjoying life.  Anyway, so another lovely young couple steps in, drawn by some of my quirky livestock photos.  Kisses was the hit of the booth.

 

 

The couple is drawn to the kissing longhorns and came in to chat. Come to find out they are from Glasgow Scotland and recognize the above image as the young woman used to live right across the street from where it was taken.  They went home with Kisses.  That makes my heart smile that as much as I'm in love with Scotland I was able to create something from home that spoke to someone from there.  Score two for let's meet more new people!

 

I ended up having a great show, meeting lots of charming folks and feeling affirmed in my decision to follow my dream and make art with my photography and still be able to sustain my material needs while feeding my soul.

 

Thank you to everybody that stopped by the booth and found something they liked or maybe just one of my super wonderful www.moo.com business cards that are little gems of  images to collect that have all my contact details and places to find me online.  Thanks to photo friends that stopped by to share their love and support. Thanks also to my pal Peter Florczak at www.peterflorczak.com  and his compelling images that shared the booth space with me . Without his materials and unflagging support and years of experience I would have been all at sea in this strange new world that is the art show circuit. Nobody understands the life better than another photographer. 

 

So I end the weekend a little foot sore, pollen covered but filled with the happy energy that comes of people enjoying my work and sharing the laughter, sighs and wonder that is out there to see.

 

 

 

 

Until next time-

 

 

All the best,

 

Kim



 



 



Images from Italy

I'm not sure who was the most surprised when we found what was apparently a bit of Scotland right in the middle if Sicily.  We were on our last bit of the trip and we're making our way across Sicily to visit Syracuse before settling down in Palermo for a couple of days when the magic happened.

We drove through a large swath of the country that strongly resembled the rolling green hills of Scotland.

It was a lovely tie in to my next trip that starts in two weeks and that I'll be blogging about regularly from my iPad that is coming with me.

I'll be packing warmer clothes and heading to more northern climes (just in time as it's getting hot here in Texas).

Italy was a truly wonderful adventure and finding a reminder of my favorite place on the planet felt like an affirmation of the trip and a good omen for the next trip.  Never pass up an opportunity to take a trip, anywhere.

All the best,

Kim

Vacilando

 

I'm in the process of reading Travels with Charley by John Steinbeck.  I can't tell you what a chord this has struck with me.  Perhaps it reminds me of my young life living in Alaska and camping out most weekends during the summer.  Maybe he is capturing they same feelings I'm having now when I MUST "go and see".  For whatever reason I am thoroughly enjoying it.  About 22% in (thank you Kindle for the lack of page numbers) he describes the word vacilando.  Its a Spanish word that doesn't really have an English equivalent.  He says, "if one is vacilando, he is going somewhere but doesn't greatly care whether or not he gets there, although he has direction.  This so closely describes my "go and see" trips that I actually said "exactly!" out loud when I read it.

I'm on an Easter egg hunt, a visual troll using my imagination as bait. I hit the high planes west of San Antonio last weekend and came across cows in the winter scrub brush, empty houses with stories still to tell and a new word that just might make a great tattoo.