I am super excited to announce the first Bushwick Community Art Market happening this weekend from 11-4pm

Please come support local art!

a. favorite art material- Watercolor paints, lush brushes and velvety smooth watercolor paper.

b. places of inspiration-  I am inspired by everything around me especially nature and it’s beautiful colors.

c. favorite website- Just one! That is really hard. I love visiting Posie Gets Cozy by Alicia Paulson http://rosylittlethings.typepad.com/. I love peeking into her sweet life filled with handmade crafts, crocheting, embroidery and homemade meals. Her blog is all about the comforts of home and a simple happy life. Oh, and she is uber talented!

d. what provokes you to create art- Its like breathing to me. I am not happy unless I am creating something. If I am not painting or working on the computer, I am trying to sew or learn how to crochet and embroider.

See her work here,

http://www.stephanieryandesign.com

The world certainly needs more positive, bright, and delightful artwork. Stephanie Ryan’s artwork came up in my daily blog reading and I was in love instantly. Delicate and yet vibrant watercolors that encourage the viewers to stop and breathe, and yes smell the flowers! Because I work with children there are some extremes in what I experience each day. I see both the wonderful and the heartbreaking parts of life. But when I see things like Stepahnie Ryan’s work and I remind myself of all the beautiful things in our world, then I know that art exists for that purpose.

Artists create things that express their emotions. This work expresses joy, happiness, growth, and harmony. While those may seem to be common words to describe bliss, they are difficult emotions to experience. We have to take the time to feel each emotion, and we have to stop moving so fast and carelessly that we don’t notice those experiences. We have to literally stop and smell the flowers, feel the texture, experience the color with our eyes. Artists like Stephanie Ryan clearly take the time to delight in the beautiful things of this world.

Focus on that!

Focus on all the things you love, and make your heartbeat faster.

Find your passion, and put all waking hours of yourself into it.

The world is a scary place, but it is also so incredible and we just need to slow down and experience it.

Here are some things to brighten up your day!

1. I love GUD:: Burt Bee’s new line. It’s natural and cruelty free! The price is also incredible, and you can find it at most Walgreens & Target.

2. This artwork is currently my desktop background. Stephanie Ryan’s watercolors are so colorful and warm any space. Check out her Etsy shop for amazing prints!

3. I started really paying attention to animal tested products, what I already own, and what I must get rid of! Nail polish is very often used in animal testing, however this wonderful company does not engage in those disgusting practices! Introducing ZOYA! Love this clean and simple color, especially when my hands are often covered in paint. It feels special to have clean and crisp nails.

(( Return to Sender font is by Tom Kolter of GhostsofBIGFOOT ))

]]> http://www.brittkee.com/blog/2013/03/11/4498/feed/ 0 http://www.brittkee.com/blog/2013/02/19/4476/ http://www.brittkee.com/blog/2013/02/19/4476/#comments Tue, 19 Feb 2013 02:23:39 +0000 brittkee http://www.brittkee.com/blog/?p=4476

(the distribution of the plants makes it look crooked, but I measured everything promise)

I was inspired to make this from this, and this.

The total cost of materials was just under $20.00.

This includes, the jars, plants, hose clamps, plumbing metal, and the piece of wood.

Once the weather warms up I am going to stain the wood.

With the help of a special someone this took less than an hour to put together.

It is a wonderful greeting as soon as you walk in the door.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Links:

Podcasts :::: Radio Lab, The Moth

Music :::: Chrome Sparks, Skeleton Zoo

Games :::: Ninja Fruit

Jokes :::: CC

(View of Manhattan from the Brooklyn Bridge Park)

]]> http://www.brittkee.com/blog/2013/02/12/4432/feed/ 1 http://www.brittkee.com/blog/2013/02/06/meet-gordon/ http://www.brittkee.com/blog/2013/02/06/meet-gordon/#comments Tue, 05 Feb 2013 16:20:16 +0000 brittkee http://www.brittkee.com/blog/?p=4417

Where did Gordon come from?

He stumbled out onto the street while my friends were passing by.

Lucky for him he landed into our home shortly after.

He had the whole mess of street cat blues, worms, upper respiratory infection, and malnutrition.

But as you can see from the last few pictures he has turned around completely and is now healthy and rambunctious!

Because he was sick it was a slow introduction (which is necessary!) between him and Grizzly.

There is still a lot of work to do, to ensure that Grizzly knows he is not taking over.

However I think they will be forever friends in the near future.

Something that has been on my mind,

I have noticed lots of friends getting new pets, and I must say I am very disappointed that these pets are coming from breeders.

I know that we all want the best looking, most adorable, smartest new friend.

However there are so many homeless loving animals just waiting for us to commit to them.

Before you get a new pet, please visit your local shelter first, and

Check out Petfinder!

You can search for the particular breed that you want!

You can google rescues for german shepards, golden retrievers, scottish folds, whatever your heart desires!

Think about this,

I worked in the Murfreesboro City shelter for four years as a volunteer and we put 20-30 dogs & cats down each day!

We gave them the injection (I held them for this procedure) and then we burned their bodies.

The shelter had to kill so many wonderful animals because of ignorance and neglect that the facility had an incinerator.

This is grim, and sad…. terrible to read and think about.

Go back to the top and look at Gordon’s adorable face.

Spay & neuter your pet

and when you want to get another friend

consider the shelter, petfinder, and rescues before you go to a breeder

(or contact me and I will help you find the perfect friend, it’s my favorite kind of match making!)

♥♥♥