Happy Holidays!

First it was the snow falling in Seattle and then the mounds of it in Greeley where my sister Betony lives and then on into Kansas and the prairies of my childhood and home. I'm hearing that it's cold, icy, wet and snowy - the perfect winter storm. But here in Vermont as I look out the window the sun is gently peeking through the wispy clouds, the grass is still amazingly green - but the trees are quiet - the sign that I always look for before the weather changes. There is a little shimmer of movement here and there, the last helicopter pods hanging on to the branches, but really, there is a watchful quietness and awareness in these trees this morning. This is what I'm thinking of this morning - not my full day ahead of me, not the painting that's waiting on my desk to be worked on, not the hours of prep-time I have to do for my dance classes, not the bathrooms that need cleaning or the coffee that wants making, or my aching back....but just trees. Just trees.

Sister Show! Oct 21st, 5pm - 10pm.

Contact: Katie Flindall
Moon House Art Gallery and Studio
802-882-1079
katieflindall@gmail.com
www.moonhouseart.com

Two sisters, Betony Coons of Greeley Colorado and Katie Flindall of Waterbury Vermont invite the public to the Moon House Art Gallery and Studio for their Sister Show, celebrating their seperate works as artists combined into one showing. Moon House Art Gallery and Studio, at 157 South Main in Waterbury, will be open from 5 pm to 10 pm, and refreshments will be served.

The Sister Show will celebrate the diversity of sisterhood with an exhibit of Katie Flindall's original whimsical watercolors and sister Betony Coon's beautifully intense collages. The gallery offers watercolors, mixed media paintings, art cards, limited edition prints and Petite Art (original pieces inexpensively priced). Please call 802.882.1079 or visit the website at: www.moonhouseart.com.

--
Katie Flindall
Moon House Art Gallery
157 S. Main St.
Waterbury, VT 05676
802.882.1079
www.moonhouseart.com

Always feels good to finish a piece

The finished commistioned piece - good to have this done and framed up!



A little snippet from the painting






The studio has become pile of messiness in this busy time - rug twisted up, shelf pulled away from the wall because of the leak in the bathroom, cats running through papers on the floor - ahh the peaceful artist's space (although I must say that it doesn't look that bad in black and white!!). But you really don't want to see the rest of our house!

Hey all - whoever is interested - This is an amazing artist's site that I just found. I found Penelope Illustration through Illustration Friday and I think it's just increadible! There is soooooooo much there - this girl is awesome! I think she also created Illustration Friday too - which in itself is a huge thing! This website is really inspiring to me and is kind of where I see my site going - or kind of how I see myself working. Wow - I have a ton to do and even more to learn! Check it out:
http://www.penelopeillustration.com/

Creating

Hi All - I thought I would share my process of creating a piece for all of you! I've taken a series of photos along the stages of the delevopement of this commissioned piece. I've really enjoyed working on it and now it's fun to see the whole process all over again! First I start with a pencil sketch, then add pen over top and lastly add the watercolor - a long, yet delightful process - but also a little trying when you have a deadline! Anyway, enjoy!

A new sign!

Good morning!

It's a little rainy and grey here in Vermont. I woke up quite sore from a hard, but wonderful, night of teaching ballet and lyrical last evening! But today is my off day for dance - no planning, no listening to class music, no rolling around on the floor! - it's only time for art! Right now I'm working on a commissioned piece for a man and his family up in Canada. The piece is of their beautiful homestead, dogs, a cat and apple trees under a starry sky. I think it's going well so far, but it's always a little hard having a time limit - need to deliver it next weekend - yikes!
Another thing I want to add for those folks in the area, is that I'm getting a new sign out front for the gallery! My sign is being made by Third Generation Design out of Winsor Vermont and I can't wait to see it hanging out front! Look back later to pictures!
And now, on to a visual of my artist's morning:



Most morning I eat breakfast right here at the computer, contemplating spending the whole day right here - blogging, emailing, pretty much wasting a lot of time! :) But I've got a deadline in front of me, and this is what it looks like!.....


This is Simone - the always loving little cat, who is dreaming of her art expo at the Art Hop


This is the more time consuming Stirling (A.K.A Little Buddy). I spend a lot of time that I could be painting watching him out the back window in the fenced in yard - just waiting for that moment when I'm not looking so he can escape!


And here is a little quick sketch that one of my customers did that I will soon be making into a large scale watercolor - imagination is a big perk here! Stay tuned.


My messy art table - exactly how it looks this morning! Not terribly inspiring - but that's where it somehow happens! :)


And in just a moment, as I wait for the water to boil, this will be my saving grace!

The Rest of My Life

Just wanted to share a bit of the rest of my life when I'm not painting or going to art shows.
I love to take pictures of flowers and beautiful colorful things. I really like how the Monarch and Echinacea (pictured below)turned out and am constantly inspired by the colors and brilliant shades of nature. Those colors are a big influence in my work.

Last week I canned seven jars of peaches and really enjoyed their color floating in the cooling water. Their shape is just amazing to me and the way they melt from yellow to orange to a dusting of red as you turn them in your hand is just so cool!

I also sold a little original piece out of my gallery this week and it's always a bit of an emotional time for me to see a piece leave. I put so much of my heart, soul and imagination into them - they are like my little children in a way. They come with me in the car to art shows, they hang in my home, they have an ever lasting presence in my life. It's hard to let them go. But I'm also glad to be able to create things that other people love as much as I do. It's quite an amazing experience.

Love my work -

Katie

Art Hop

So I've just gotten home from the 2006 Art Hop in Burlington. I'm really quite wiped, so I won't write much - but just to say that it's really amazing to see artists displaying their souls work, see all the people flocking to check it all out and see how amazing a community can be when there is support for art! I am completely inspired and so glad I had a small part in it!
- Katie

Sister Show!

Hello Everyone!
It's been too long since I updated this space! Last you heard from me was in July! Oh well, life is just that fast! Lots of wonderful things are happening in my world as an artist and with my little Moon House Art Gallery and Studio I call home.

First off I had a wonderful time in Stowe at "For Art's Sake Show and Sale"! Met many admiral people (one of which Being Jess Graham who is now in FART night - but more about that later!) and came away with a littel extra to go in the bank too.

I've also been getting back into the season of dance - I'm also a dance teacher! Which keeps me quite busy when I'm not painting!

This evening I'm headed out to the Art Hop in Burlinton, VT where I am exhipiting my works at the Jordan Silverman Studio on Pine St. The Art Hop is a great event put on by SEABA (South End Art Business Association). Thousands of people stroll the streets of Burlington looking at (and hopefully purchasing!) hundreds of artists works! Really quite an amazing feat! I'm thrilled to be part of it! Check it out at: www.seaba.com

Also I'd like to share an article that Theresa Stclair did about my art and gallery in the Vermont Journal - it will really give you a nice taste of what my art is all about: http://www.vermontjournal.com/topnews.htm#fifthstory

Lastly, the most exciting thing for me right now is that my sister Betony Coons and I are doing a Sister Show together on October 21st from 5pm-10pm, here at Moon House Art, simutanously along with my one year gallery anniversary! I'm completely excited and hope to see lots of you there!!

Until next post - thank you friends and family for all your wonderful love and support!

Fall is on the way here in Vermont! Love - Katie

PS: FART night is a womans art group (ie: Female Art) that I am part of here in central Vermont. We bring food, music, and do an art project together once a month. It's a great time and I'm so lucky to have the other amazing women artists in my life!

Sisters of the Seasons

I've finally finished this little piece! Took me about a year! Really! Whew! Loved how it turned out though! Enjoy!

Oh! And check my newly designed website! Complete with PayPal! I'm high-tech now. :)

www.moonhouseart.com

Art In Bloom

Come see my art, and the beautiful work of Timothy Fisher at the Lazy Pear Gallery in Montpelier June 15th - July 31st - Art In Bloom! Opening reception: Friday June 16th, 5-8pm. See you there!

The Little Princess

Hi Everyone! It's so good to finally be into full-swing Spring here! Took a few weeks of rain, but now it seems the sun is here to stay! I am getting ready for my string of art shows this summer - always a fun and busy time! My schedule thus far is:

Cobourg, Ontario, Waterfront Festival Canada Day Celebration - July 1,2 and 3
www.waterfrontfestival.ca

Stowe Street Art Fair, Waterbury, Vermont - July 15

For Art's Sake, Stowe, Vermont - August 26 and 27
www.helenday.org

Stowe Foliage Art and Craft Festival, Stowe, Vermont - October 6,7 and 8
www.craftproducers.com

And lastly, I'm sharing with you my newest little painting, "The Little Princess". Enjoy and Happy Spring - almost Summer!

Much love always -

Katie

Spring Opening!

Opening up for Spring! Come see me at my studio/gallery in Waterbury April 1 & 2 all day! New pieces of original artwork, beautiful limited edition prints, cards and springs treats!

Teatime in the Orchard

My newest painting, "Teatime in the Orchard". Two friends meeting under the orchard branches to have tea as the birds and moon look on. Watercolor, acrylic and ink pen.

Prairie Tea

A bit of a strange winter here in Vermont, with no snow and a few too many grey days, got me to thinking about the Kansas prairie. My sister Willow sent me some beautiful pictures of a hike she and her friends took this past Fall near Manhattan, KS, which reminded me of how dear the prairie is to me. I was inspired to do this piece because I have so much to thank the Kansas prairie for - for morning walks and evening strolls with loved ones, little animals in the grasses, hawks soaring overhead, the never-ending expanse that stretches out around you, the seasons of earthy color, and finally, the peace that the prairie has planted in my heart that I carry forth with me wherever I go. Enjoy!

Valentine's Creations

Ahhh...the season of love. Here are a few lovely little pieces I created specifically for Valentine's Day cards. They are titled: "Forget-Me-Not", "Valentine", and "Flying Love". Enjoy! And happy love day!
- Katie

The Cave

Here is a watercolor that I did recently for a contest through the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. The contest goes like this: While walking home from school Ben takes a detour through the woods and is caught in a sudden snowstorm. Cold and afraid, he ducks into a cave for shelter. Once inside the cave, he's amazed to find....Illustrate what he finds. And I did!

Walking

Greetings from a winter wonderland here in Vermont!

I've recently been thinking about family and how incredibly important and dear they are to me and how each and every one of them has shaped my life. More specifically I was thinking about Papa, my dad who lives in Kansas with my mom and twin brothers who are still at home. Papa and I have always gone on walks together around our prairie acreage and enjoy those moments being together and loving nature in it's peaceful, captivating and intriguing ways. I love walking out in that real world with Papa, noticing the little bugs in the grasses, picking out the different families of plants and growing things, and watching the birds flitting from tree to tree and feeling the wind on our skin. Papa always says the wind is the earth breathing, I love thinking of it in that way. We both have a sense of awe about the natural world - and I always love sharing that with him. With all of that in mind, this painting created itself of those times. Enjoy!