Just want to take a minute to say Happy Mother's Day to you all. I know there are some that have fur kids and that counts in my book! Wishing everyone across the board a wonderful day. I spent some time this morning looking at photos and slides of my Mom, I sure do miss her. Love you Mom! I am so glad my kids got to meet her, Patrick was 4 when she passed so I hope that he remembers her plus I have kept the stories alive in hopes that that helps them all remember their Marmie.

I had a little visit to doctor on Friday and came away with new insight. It is time to get rid of the stressors in your life. Carrying around all that stress will affect your health, take that from me. Some are going to be very hard and some are going to hurt the people that are the stressors but I can not afford to let the stressors weigh me down. Don't worry I am fine just making changes to prevent anything in the future! Takeaway: TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF!!!!

Art Happens on Tarboro has three new artists displaying their work. Wilson has been alive with activity- Eyes on Main Street is open and new businesses are moving in and opening.

Chelle Edwards of ibG Creative Design. Chelle is a stained glass artist- her work shows stained glass as the beautiful, versatile medium it is, that belongs in every home or office.  More of Chelle's work can be seen at her Etsy Shop 
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Ray Schmitz of CanTejas Art . Ray is an amazing artist- his work includes, acrylic on canvas, pencil on art paper and pencil drawing. More of his work can also be seen on his website www.cantejas.com

Carole Stoiber also has joined the artists at Art Happens on Tarboro. Carole's work includes watercolor, acrylic, oil and silk painting. More of Carole's work can be seen on her website www.carolestoiberart.com.

​Last week was the opening of Eyes on Main Street Photo Festival. It was an amazing weekend filled with wonderful photographers, amazing lectures, fun parties and great music.  Thank you Jerome De Perlinghi for this amazing gift you have given to Wilson and the world of photography.

I have been busy in the studio doing repairs and working on commissions. The studio is a buzz with activity and I love it. I did bring Fred to work one day. He did pretty well until Jon Snow, the shop dog from next door, came to the front door. Fred can open a heavy glass store door! And he does not seem to like small children in strollers. So his days at work are limited.

Wishing everyone a wonderful spring. Stop by and visit me at Art Happens on Tarboro sometime.

Well it has been raining here in Wilson all spring. The ground is full of water and taking walks with Fred we come home covered in mud! Glad he is enjoying himself.

For the past four First Fridays it has been raining and a couple of people in town are talking about Second Saturday might be a better choice. Need to track the weather for the last months to see if it was better. 

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I just finished two repairs and a commission piece. And then walked in two more repairs. I love the challenge of repairs, trying to make the repair without taking the piece that means so much to the owner and changing it up a bunch. I wish these pieces could tell their story.
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The awning has been removed. The studio is much brighter and looks bigger from the inside. It was like trimming your Russian Grandfather's eyebrows Now I just need to clean and paint the Cadillac Shade so it is not a unibrow! You can see all of the window space now! Love it! Thank goodness the window cleaner comes every two weeks.

I think the dangling light fixture that is the up light needs to be removed or fixed. There is street light to the left of the building and it lights up the sign quite a bit. 

I would love to change the color or the blue siding to teal or purple to match logo but it is not the end of the world.

What would you do to jazz it up a bit? I really do not want to paint the bricks, being historical and all.

Well today is Groundhog Day and in a few hours we will find out if spring is is close or if we have more cold ahead. Weather here says in the 70's mid to late week coming up. I can not wait for warmer weather, the zipper broke on my winter coat last night and I really do not want to go out and buy a new coat this year. I can hear you saying "Kim go buy the damn coat and be done with it!" I know I need to because I will forget next fall and be without a warm coat. Ok I am heading online to look for a warm coat that will keep me warm walking Fred at 5:30 am in 25 degree weather.

Things are going well at Art Happens on Tarboro. We have new artists come in this week. A lady that makes sea glass jewelry and a man that makes mosaic guitars. I will take photos today and post them- I forgot to take pictures last night at First Friday. I have a commission in the works and am coming up with a plan/curriculum for a homeschool art class. 

I have found that time is getting away from me. I made a list at the beginning or the year of things to do and I am already behind! The list includes projects for the house and studio. Like the garbage can full of broken tiles from the garden that is sitting in the driveway that I can not move because it is too heavy, it taunts me every time I pull into the driveway and every time I come out kitchen door. I need to get the hand truck and just move them damn thing!  I did manage to put Art Date on the calendar each month and I did accomplish that for January! Putting myself first finally. 

February 8 is my Stained Glass Heart Pendant class from 11 am to 2 pm, come on down and make yourself a Valentine's gift for you!  There will be time to make 2 so you can MOGO- make one give one!

Wishing you the best February ever! And lots of art work in your future- either bought or made by you.

Keep art in your heART,
​Kim

Can you believe it is 2019 already? Where did the year go? I wish I could slow things down a little, I can not keep up with the speed the days are flying by.

Lots of plans for the new year... classes at the store, work on the commissions that are waiting for me to get to work on them- a transom, a cardinal panel with birch trees and a door, also set up course for visiting artists, and plan a summer camp for this year along with all the everyday things that crop up. Hoping to get some visiting instructors to come do classes and workshops also. What kind of classes would you like to see? 

At home I need to work on the fence line gardens- they did not get any work done to them in 2018 as I was working on getting English Ivy off the Big Pecan Tree in front yard. I am hoping for some nice weather days when store is closed to work in the gardens before Poison Ivy gets bad. Also need to do something about the state of the finish on the hard wood floor in the guest room, there is no sealant left on it and floor is stained from spills. I finally have everything that does not belong on main floor up in the attic, what a difference that makes.

I am working on re-branding my business to jazz it up a bit. No one has complained or said anything, I just feel it is time to get updated. Same colors, same message but new look to packaging, etc. It has been fun learning about branding and working with different products. I am also working on new display for the store.... more to come on that when I find the components.

What are your plans for 2019? Any new things in your future? Travel? And to where?

My studio mates are having a hard time not coming to work in the studio with me! I found out that they sleep all day when I am at the store. Bums! I need to find these two jobs!
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Wishing you all the best that 2019 can bring.

Remember to keep art in your heART!

Kim

After all the work was done and passed City Inspection, the store opened November 27! The first days we had lots of friend visitors and made sales. It was great fun showing off the store and having friends support the vision. 

We were open for A Downtown Christmas December 1 for 10 am to 9 pm. Lots of visitors, many looking for the Merch Search clue. I was dog tired after that long day. 

First Friday was good, a steady stream of visitors and lots of great feedback. Purchased way too much beverage and too much food left over but it is all a learning process. I am hoping to get it down to the right balance of food and drink.

Adjusting to work Tuesday through Saturday 10 am to 5 pm has been a challenge. I do come home mid day to take Fred for a walk so he is not floating! He acts so sad when I leave in the morning and sits on the sofa until I get into the living room before he gets up. Then he turns into a pogo stick! Hours will be cut back in January to Wednesday through Saturday 10 am to 5 pm, just to see if that has any change. 

I have done three repairs and am drawing up two commissions. It is so good to be back at work and creating. I do love my job.

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The January Class schedule will be going out in the January Happenings Newsletter so keep your eyes peeled.

Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! What are you creative plans for the New Year?

Remember keep art in your heART!

All the best,
Kim

I used to say I am the worst letter writer well now I can say I am the worst blogger! OMG it was June the last time I posted. I feel horrible.I hope you will forgive me.

Needless to say a lot has happened since June 14.

The stage was taken down in the store to make the front room all one level. The carpet and vinyl in the back was pulled up to reveal the rotten floors which in turn showed rotted joists. Not in the plan at all. Hired Electrician, Carpenters and HVAC. I moved the workbench cabinets from screen porch to store.

I started painting the fire hydrant on the corner of Nash and Tarboro.

Watercolor class ended. Wish it could have gone on longer but it was not meant to be for me. I have the techniques down, just need to practice, practice, practice.

We had to say good bye to Nanook. While my sister and a friend were visited with their dogs, Nanook got sick on Saturday night, slept all day Sunday and did not want to go outside at all. All night he kept growling, I imagine the pain caused that. So Monday a trip to the vet which ended up being a good bye. Nanook was just one month shy of his 14th birthday. We will miss him dearly. He was such a great dog. Wesley spent days walking around the house crying and looking for his brother.
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The day I picked up Nanook's ashes at the vet's I went to the Wayne County Shelter and found Fred- a 6 month old Brittany Spaniel mix. He looks like a short haired Jack Russell on steroids. We went to Obedience class but Fred barked the whole time. We ended up separating from class mate in aisles in Petsmart so Fred would not have bark the whole time. He and Wesley get along well. Wesley loves to chase Fred through the house and wrestle. 

AC is house went out June 26 and the whole system was replaced August 7. I did miss ac but it was too hot to not have it. I got used to ac and can't live without it. Getting soft in my old age.

The roof on house in three places in the beginning of August from all the rain. A roofer came and patched the three places and we stayed dry during Hurricane Florence.

Work on the building so far includes replacing all wood joists and flooring. New electrical outlets and converting fluorescent to LEDs.

Went to doctors numerous times for Poison Ivy, Seems that the neighbor will not take responsibility for the poison ivy growing from her yard. I try to keep it cut back but as nature is it keeps growing into my yard. Ugh! I met an elderly woman who suggested  soaking brown paper bag in apple cider vinegar and put paper patch on blisters to draw out poison and itch. Guess what! It works and I have a covered bowl in my fridge.

I started making Beerings, earrings made from beer cans and they are on display and sale in the Downtown Public House. I will be selling them along with other items at the Whirligig Festival November 3 and 4.

I was interviewed by the Wilson Times about the store, it was teaser in a larger article. As the store gets ready to open I will be a feature in an article.

I have been taking Business Classes at the Small Business Center at Wilson Community College. There is so much to learn and relearn as I have been in business for years and things change and grow. It is amazing all the free classes that are available.

Top row: Nanook, Nanook and Wesley, Wesley and Fred
Bottom Row: My first watercolour, new HVAC system in house, Hibiscus in my garden

Enough about me...what have you been up to? Any new projects in the works? Did you take any trips this summer? Any cool plans you want to share?

So I think I am going to put blog post on my calendar so months don't pass by and I have to write a novel to catch you up.

​Keep art in your heART!

Today a new lock went in the front door of Art Happens on Tarboro. The previous renter was supposed to get everything out by June 1, they still have an air conditioner in the wall but I need to be able to start work to get ready to open. We have lost almost two weeks waiting. Yes I am a bit antsy to get going!

Contractors are coming to give estimate on back door replacement, hanging wall mounted sink, switching bathroom door from right open to left open, installing utility sink in old mens room, pulling up vinyl and carpet and replacing rotten wooden floor ( I stuck my foot through the floor in ladies room), put exhaust fan where ac unit is and move handicap vamp and shorten. We swill decide if we are going to see if the transoms are ok and then we will uncover them inside and out.

Sebastian will be painting the sign. Can't wait to see it up.

Tedd will be power painting ceiling and walls. Thank you Tedd, you are my hero!

Electrician is coming to remove fluorescent lights and replace with hanging track system and adding new outlets.

HVAC Guy is coming to put in mini split system. 

This Saturday I am painting a fire hydrant on the corner of Nash and Tarboro. Picked up the paint yesterday and I am ready. Anyone want to come help? I will treat to lunch at Da Bayou!
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Here are some interior photos of the store and what I envision for the lighting system. 

I am hoping all the work can be done by July 1 so we can open for First Friday in July! Fingers crossed. If you want to come and help out with set up after work is done I would love the help. Lunch at Da Bayou!

Today was the Survey, should take a few days to wrap that up with City and then we can set closing. It Is getting close, I can feel it! My house is full of display, supplies, finished product and furniture. I will be more excited to have that cleared out and know setting up is going to take awhile.

Here is the logo for Art Happens on Tarboro! What do you think?

I will update as we get forward movement. Hoping for July 1 Opening, fingers crossed.