BLUE MOON STUDIO - The Art and Musings of Frankie Kins

We Have a Girl!

Before I let time get away from me, I wanted to make an announcement.  We have a new granddaughter, Katelyn Elizabeth Kins.  She was born on May 13, 2008 at 2:05 pm.  She weighed 5 pounds 9 ounces and is 18-1/2 inches long.   Proud parents are Jim and Theresa; big brother is Tyler.  We haven't got to see her yet as she lives in Colorado, but hopefully soon.  Here's a pic:

Everyone is home and doing fine.  Tyler is helping out his parents and has even changed a diaper (with a little help, I'm sure).  He told his Mom, "I have to learn, because you guys can't do everything".  (That kid comes up with the greatest one liners.)

Tyler and Katie

On another note, I finally started doing some more photography work.  It's been a while that I have worked on anything and it feels good to get back in the groove.  Here are some of my new listings on Etsy:

Daughter Amy sent me a bouquet of the most beautiful lilies for Mother's Day.  They were yellow, pink and orange.  I couldn't help but take a picture for remembrance, but I liked this particular shot so well that I decided to try it in black and white.  Normally, I do not do flowers in black and white, but this one turned out really good, I think, because of the deep contrast. 

This is the same shot, only manipulated to look like a TTV (through the viewfinder) shot.  This is my first try at a TTV and I like how this one turned out.  (Sometimes I think I just get lucky.)   One of the things I really enjoy is trying to mimic alternative processes through digital manipulation.   TTV is quite popular these days, so I'll probably try a few more. 

I just love digital photography.  There are just so many ways to edit the same picture.  This one was manipulated to look like it was shot with a "Lens Baby" lens.  I haven't listed this one yet.

So there you have it:  One shot edited three different ways.

I like them all, but I think the black and white is my favorite.

I've been spending some time with the ball jointed dolls, too, and sat up a little photo shoot the other day.   This is one of my favorites from that shoot:   

I listed a few others that you might want to take a look at in my shop.

It's way past anyone's bedtime, but I'm a night owl, as I have mentioned before.  Before I sign off, though, I would like to wish my daughter, Amy Lyn, a very happy birthday today.    I still miss living in Colorado where I can be with my most of my kids and grandkids on their birthdays.  Usually I would cook their choice of a dinner and it would be a family affair.  I miss those days.  Oh, well, I suupose it is important to make the best of one's circumstances, right?  Anyway, Amy, have a wonderful birthday.  Your card is in the mail.  I hope you get everything you wish for today.

Until next time......

Congratulations, Lou!

One of my favorite artists, Louise Robinson, from Art and Ghosts (www.artandghosts.typepad.com) has her name on the cover of the current issue of Somerset Studio magazine, along with a  NINE PAGE ARTICLE about her work!   Yay!  Congrulations, Louise.   You really should go out and get a copy of this issue so you can read the article.  It looks like this:

It's always so exciting to see your name in print. 

You might also want to visit her Etsy shop:

http://www.artandghosts.etsy.com 

I'm finally back to my normal self (pretty much), thank the Lord!   Anyway, I'm starting to think up some creative stuff and trying to decide what I'm going to do first.  I also need to get some of my art stuff organized.  It's kind of making my crazy looking at all of this stuff in such a small place.

I mentioned a while back that I thought I would like to try making doll clothes for Blythe and ball jointed dollies.  I have everything I need to get going, but I have lacked some power to get going with it.  Recently, I opened the Etsy shop for the same:  http://www.blytheave.etsy.com   but I don't have any product in yet.   So, hopefully soon...I'm really working on getting going, I really am.  I really do like the dolls though----all of them.  I'm just trying to come up with a line of clothing that is unlike the stuff that everyone else does.  So, time will tell, I suppose. 

Here's a sweet picture of my little Isabella I've been working on:

Sometimes when I get so many ideas going on at once, it is a little hard to decide what to do first, you know? 

I like this picture of her with the midnight sepia action on it.

I know this is a short post, but short is better than nothing, right?

Just think, in a few days, IT WILL BE SPRING!   Yay!

Catch ya later!

Which Character are you?

I ran across this on another blog and thought I would share it with you.

http://www.strangegirl.com/emma/q

MIA--but I'm Baaaccckkkk.....

It's been way too long since I have written a blog post.  After Christmas I took an extended vacation and visited with my parents in Arkansas and since I returned home from there a couple of weeks ago, I have just kind of been a lazy bum.   I may have a bit of the after holiday blues, but hopefully that is on the upswing.

The good news is that LIFE IMAGES has finally made publication and is available at your local bookseller.  I happened to find extra copies tobuy to give away at my Michael's store.  Here's a few pics:

The cover.                          The work entitled Freedom is also on the title page.  (I looked through the magazine three times before I figured that out.

  Stampington & Co. is continuing to use Garden Nymph in their publications as advertisment for the next issue.

This is very exciting and I do need to send more work to them and get my name out there a little bit, don't you think?

Here's our grandson, Eddie, age 9 on Christmas Eve.

Next, his brother, Ethan, age almost 5 on Christmas Eve.

Also, our grandson, Tyler, age 5 on the same day.

I'll try to put some more pics in with my next post.  Just wanted to get this one out since it has been so very long. 

I hope you are having a happy new year and that things are going well for you!  Don't forget to vote!

River

Was thinking about this song today.  It about sums up the way I feel right now (not about the romance part, but the rest of it). Listen to it here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ulr7MPyhPaY&feature=related

River    by Joni Mitchell

It's coming on Christmas They're cutting down trees They're putting up reindeer And singing songs of joy and peace Oh I wish I had a river I could skate away on But it don't snow here It stays pretty green I'm going to make a lot of money Then I'm going to quit this crazy scene Oh I wish I had a river I could skate away on I wish I had a river so long I would teach my feet to fly I wish I had a river I could skate away on I made my baby cry He tried hard to help me You know, he put me at ease And he loved me so naughty Made me weak in the knees Oh, I wish I had a river I could skate away on I'm so hard to handle I'm selfish and I'm sad Now I've gone and lost the best baby That I ever had I wish I had a river I could skate away on Oh, I wish I had a river so long I would teach my feet to fly I wish I had a river I could skate away on I made my baby say goodbye It's coming on Christmas They're cutting down trees They're putting up reindeer And singing songs of joy and peace I wish I had a river I could skate away on

Copyright © 1970; Joni Mitchell

Fun, Fun, Fun

I'll try to keep this post short because I'm sleepy and need to go to bed.  :D  Just wanted to give you a quick update.

Tonight, while I was flipping through the pages of the lastest issue of Somerset Studio, I turned the page and there was the ad for Life Images, the new photography magazine that will debut on January 1, 2008.  I knew that some of my work was going to be published in that magazine, but what I didn't know what that they would use my "Garden Nymph"  in the advertisement.  Here it is:

See?  Right there in the middle.  Yay!

I've been doing a lot of Blythe buying and shopping lately and not much photography.  I hope to do some sewing for Blythe and ball jointed dolls and sell the clothes, but that will probably be after the first of the year.   I have a name picked out for another shop and everything, but I can't tell you what it is.  Shhh.....it's a secret.   :D 

Here are some pictures of my Cloud 9 Bowl Blythe.  I named her Reba because she reminded me of Reba McIntire. 

Isn't she cute? 

Full view.  Her tiny little shoes were going for $20.00 on the This Is Blythe forum.  Can you believe it?

We will be heading towards Missouri this week for my mother-in-law, Ada's birthday.  (I think she will be 87.)  Also, on the same day, is my daughter, Jana's birthday.  Happy birthday, baby girl!  I LOVE YOU!    For the most part, I'll be off line from November 8 through the 18th. 

Catch ya later!

Look What I Bought!

Yes, I know.....I'm horribly late with a post.  But, I did have a good excuse this time.  I have been feeling quite poorly for the past month, but fortunately, am on the upswing of things, I think.   I wouldn't want to relive it, let's put it that way.  But enough of that boring old topic.

I must be feeling better because I'm back on Etsy spending money.  Yay!  It's funny....when I find a new artist that I think is just "rippin;" (new word I learned on Etsy) I just want to sit down with them and talk to them and be their best friend for a day to learn about their creative process, their methods....and yes, their secrets.  However, this doesn't really happen.  Nevertheless, I crave it.   Here are two photos that I have purchased in the past few weeks:

The Uses of Enchantement by artandghosts.  As you already know, Louise is one of my favorite artists right now.  We have become internet pals and I must say that her work inspires me tremendously.   I would love to be able to spend a day or two with her and be like a sponge and soak up all of the creativity that is around this young woman.  Amazing. 

You may think I'm silly buying art when I already have an apartment full of it, but I do like change in that department.  So, I'm redoing the art in my bathroom.  It's all going to be my favorite funky stuff from these creative people I so adore.  Then I can sit in a tub of bubbles and just admire them to my heart's content.

I should probably tell you that the little girl in this picture reminds me of me at a certain age.  I had my photograph taken in a dress so very similar and my hair was, back then, a golden blonde.  The only thing that would have been different is that I probably would have had on saddle oxford shoes and not the mary janes.  (I detested the saddle oxfords, but my mother insisted I wear them anyway.  Yuck! )  I also insisted on wearing a poodle necklace in the photo.  My mother begged me not to, but I prevailed.  Besides that, it has my favorite pair of colors:  robin-egg blue and red.  Yay!  Someday when I get the old photos sorted, I'll show you that pic.....okay, I found it.  Here it is:   

No, I don't have red sleeves, but the dress was a black and red checked plaid.  The blouse part was grey as I recall.  Don't you just love my poodle necklace that my Mom got me from a Sara Coventry jewelry party.  I LOVED that necklace.  I was about five or six in this picture, I guess.

Lou, I hope you get a look at this, because it sure kind of looks like your girl.

How I Got My Stutter by madelaineadelaide.  Isn't this piece just fabulous?  This young artist is only 16 years old (or 200 months as she puts it).   I can't tell you exactly what draws me to this piece, but draw me it does.  I love the dress, I love the green background, just everything.  And the thought of using a butterfly to make a cup of tea, well, it's just intriguing.   I predict great things for the very clever Madelaine. 

And now, my offering for this post:    Middle-Age Metamorphosis

Last month I joined the Self Portrait Challenge group.  Well, the challenge was bathroom and this is what I came up with.  However, I didn't actually finish it until after the challenge was over, so I'm posting it here.  I will probably list it on Etsy, just because it is weird.   I couldn't decide exactly what to photograph and the feet were easy, so here you go.  Yes, I took the coward's way out.  Abso-stinkin'-lutely.

I had to manipulate this to make it look like a Holga; otherwise, you could see the veins in my feet and everything and then you would know that I'm "really gettin' old" as my grandsons tell me.   This one bothers me just a bit, because my ex-husband used to say, "If there's anything about you that's ugly, it would be your feet".   Well, la-ti-frickin'-da.  Do you know anyone who has pretty feet besides a baby?  Anyway, I have a complex about my feet, so I guess it actually took something psychologically major to make me post this piece. 

I realize that I now have several feet, leg, shoe pictures in my little portfolio.  Someone is surely bound to accuse me of a foot fetish before long. 

Did I ever tell you about the time I worked at the hospital and answered the phone and it was the foot fetish guy calling?    No?  I didn't?   Well............

Happy (???) Anniversary

Well, today marks my one year anniversary of living in Southern California.  I have really had a bad attitude about this of late, but I have promised myself that I'm going to try to straighten up and fly right.  This has been a hard year....lot of loneliness, doubts, health issues, etc.  I know this is where we are supposed to be for now, but that has not made it any easier. 

Truth told, I should be having the time of my life.  This is the first time in our married life that I have not had to work.  I have plenty of time to pursue all of the things I like to do, etc.  So quit yer whinin', lady....right?  I'm working on it, I really am.

Returned a week ago from a trip to Colorado.  I enjoyed my trip, but it was very tiring.  Took me all of last week to recover.  I think I'm back in the groove again. 

I did stay up all night, night before last, and actually accomplished some work.  Here you go:

  This is called "New Life".   I have manipulated the photo to look like a Polaroid transfer (I LOVE those).  It has gotten great response on Etsy.   I suppose I love this piece because of the robin-egg blue color, my absolute favoritest color in the world.

I should have named this "Nina's Nest" because it reminds me of Nina Bagley, a jewelry and mixed-media artist from out east.  Nina makes tiny, tiny bird nests out of silver and uses them in her work. 

Check Nina out HERE.

Here is the black and white version, entitled "The Offering".  This was manipulated to look like a Holga camera took the shot.  I love it in black and white, too; but I must say my favorite is the color version.

Well, I have water therapy again today, so I must make this post a short one.  And in the words of the infamous Carol Burnett, "I'm so glad we had this time together, just to have a laugh and sing a song.  Seems we just get started and before you know it.....comes the time we have to say so long."  So long, everybody!

Fly Me to the Moon--PARIS TO THE MOON, That Is

I must share with you the most favorite place I have found since moving to Southern California:  Paris to the Moon in Costa Mesa.  I have a penchant for little boutiques....always have, always will.  This one has more eye candy than you can ever take in your the five senses.  I always leave there feeling as if I just didn't see it all, already anxious for my next visit.

Finding  Paris to the Moon was quite an accident...blog hopping (another favorite pasttime).   I was visiting Pam Garrison's blog (http://pamgarrison.typepad.com/) and she was talking about the Artists' Market at Paris to the Moon.  Immediately I was interested and wrote down the information.  That was back in February and I have probably visited once a month since. 

Paris to the Moon, established about six years ago, is owned by Darren Calkins, a merchandising and assemblage artist.  (He's also the owner of FG & Company.)  The atmosphere he has created in this little treasure box is calm, serene and friendly.  And then, there's GLITTER; I mean, LOTS of glitter. 

(Can I just tell you I WANT one of these shirts?) 

The cabinet has all kinds of Debbee Thibault goodies inside.  (I want some of them, too!)  Gee whiz, I think I could max out the credit card here! 

(The Paris sign was made by artist Wendy Addison.)

When I asked Kerri Judd, author, mixed-media artist and manager of Paris to the Moon, the item the shop is most known for, she told me "Crowns".   I don't know if you have seen all the buzz about crowns and tiaras these days, but, trust me, there's a crown for every occasion and a reason to invent an occasion just to wear one.    Kerri has written a new book (her second, by the way), called "Crowns & Tiaras" by Lark Books.  Danyel Montecinos co-author.  Of course, I have my own autographed copy.   :D   (ISBN-13:  978-1-60059-097-9)   Kerri believes every girl should be the queen of something, so I have dubbed myself "Queen of Pretty Pictures".   Please address me by this title from now on.  (just kidding....)  Kerri's book is available at the shop and from Lark Books.

Crowns are priced for every budget at Paris to the Moon:  $4.00 to $1200.00. 

Crown artists represented at Paris to the Moon are:  Anna Corba, Pam Garrison, Sandra Evertson, Ashley Carter, just to name a few.   I believe this one (the most expensive in the store) was made by Ashley Carter. 

You can't be this close to the ocean and not have an interesting array of gifts from the sea.  Paris to the Moon has a whole section dedicated to shells and mermaids.  Lovely!

Exciting changes are also happening at Paris to the Moon.  They have opened another store, just outside the door and a few steps away toward the back, called Paris Undergound.    This store represents the darker side of the moon and inside you will find a bit of the macabre, art a bit on the dark side (not TOO dark, though) and a touch of goth.  It is definitely a feast for the senses and a complete turn around from the store in front.   Here's a sampling for you:

 

A ghostly table set for all manner of goblin.

Pretty scary, don't you think?

My first trip to Paris to the Moon was for their Artist Market, which they hold twice a year.    The next one will be held on Saturday, August 25, 2007 from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.   It is so much fun!  The parking lot is filled with artists, many that you will know from your favorite magazines and blogs.  Scheduled for the 25th are:  Marah Johnson (mixed media collage), Katelyn Aronson (Treasures from the Sea), Anita Byers (a Bit of Goth) and many more.  Trust me on this one.....you don't want to miss this!    And just so you know, I'll be in their next Artist Market, along about February 2008!  Woo-Hoo!

Paris to the Moon is located at 1720 Santa Ana Avenue, Costa Mesa, California.  Their hours are 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday; Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.  They are closed Sunday.  Paris Underground is currently open Thursday, Friday and Saturday, but will have the same hours as their sister store after September 8, 2007. 

Exciting Things are Happening

Just a brief post to bring you all up to date. 

First of all, I was on the front page on Etsy again today, along with my pal, artandghosts.  For me, it is always exciting to be on the front page.   Here's a screen shot I saved:

I don't know if you are going to be able to see that very well, but there I am, on the bottom row in the middle.  Yay!

The most exciting news, however, is that I applied to sell my photography at Hella Good and was accepted.  I'm in the midst of paperwork right now and believe that my goodies will be up on their site very soon.  Of course, I'll let you know when.   Here's their site,  www.hellagoodproducts.com   You may want to check it out.  They have some very exclusive items in their online store and I'm told they cater to celebrities. 

I'm also getting ready to submit some photography for a publication....more on that later if I'm chosen to appear in the magazine.  My art work has been published several times before (collage) and my photography once prior to this.  So if my work appears in this publication, I'll be shouting it from the rooftops.  It's always such a thrill. 

Photography is such a personal thing I suppose.  Many photographers that I have run into believe that one should never manipulate and the photographs should be pure.  Well, I am from the complete opposite school on that subject.  Manipulating is what I do.  Attempting to mimic darkroom techniques digitally is normally my goal.  And as you already know, I have a penchant for anything that looks vintage.   So, I'll close this post with my latest piece which is straight out of the camera.  Funny thing, though, it has very few views compared to my other work.  (Hey, I just offer it up; I can never tell what you really want to look at!  :D  )

Bougainvillea

Well, that's it for now.  I hope you have a wonderful day!