Autism Awareness

April is Autism Awareness Month... but technically, everyday is Autism Awareness month in our house.
This year, I have decided to create positive posts during April mainly on Facebook that links and shares to active groups that support Autism.
Lighting blue lights is impressive and pretty but I ask for more for my son. Im just afraid its too easy for some to wear blue or change a light bulb and then forget about the thousands of families affected by Autism every day... including ours.

Above is the pic of Ryan and Erin on the walk last year for Autism Project RI . We had a wonderful time and were very tired!!  We spent the rest of the afternoon having a picnic and listening to music, painting faces, eating cotton candy... Its a great family day.

 

Our local groups are amazing. They are run by volunteers and mainly parents and grandparents of kids on the spectrum. They have  turned their day to day jobs into these consumer advocacy groups offering families support, fundraising and trainings. It amazes and humbles me that they do this for no or little money.

Autism Project RI
 This is the group founded by my friend Joann Quinn. Her son was obsessed with Blue's clues at a young age like Ryan. He is a grown teen now and so lovely.
She has taken this small organization and helped it grow and change to offer all the karate classes Ryan takes and the social groups.
They have an annual walk coming up this April... The link will take you to their homepage... amazing stuff and have many tools and supports for families and individuals on the spectrum with amazing staff...
Every year, they run a summer camp for the kids that is totally "normal" summer camp activities but with a one to one ratio and TONS of visuals, schedules and support for our kids... great sensory experience!!

Community Autism Resources
This is the Massachusetts group that is amazing. My supervisor (and good friend ) Jan Randall is the resource specialist there and I learn SO MUCH about what is going on in the community and how to function with my son etc from them...
They offer great programs like the ASD symposium which is a wonderful learning conference and opportunity to learn from great people in the "business" of Autism.
They area also the group that puts on the Parent Retreat that Jon and I attended back in Feb... It truly is an amazing overnight escape especially since so many of us just don't get the opportunity to get away.. this gives us parents a great excuse to take one night and focus on us as a couple, to strengthen our friendship and surround ourselves with other people who just "get it".
Jon and I would have friends if we could see these people all the time... Sadly, so many of us are so busy the retreat is our only reprieve... so I'll take it!

Two great organizations I like to promote and help. If you are ever looking for a way to help , find a group in your area like the two above to donate time, money etc to as the families directly benefit from their services...
Thanks to everyone who has reached out and made a difference by focusing on Autism this month in some way... from lighting it blue to donating time or services to a family in need or an organization... every bit helps...
Peace,
Kim Faucher

Sketching

Even when I am the most disconnected from the world, I make time to sketch and doodle. I have been out of school for a two month break and barely did any painting in large scale.. I am catching up on my crafts though and paint frequently and expressively through that.
Wanted to share some of my random sketchiness .
Sometimes I just get the ideas down in pen or pencil... Sometimes I use watercolor and at times my sketches are more like complete works of art... Random keeps it fun.... I shared some photos here to show you just how eclectic my style is but more importantly that there is no right way to sketch...
Getting the ideas down is all that matters and the style, how often, where you sketch or what supplies you use is completely up to you.... Dont let those things get in the way of doodling and sketching... It is the artists version of recess... Free play ... Dont critique or judge just do and not only will you be a better artist for it but also it has the ability to reduce stress, put you in tune with an inner spirit, capture lost mojos etc...
I would love if you shared some of your favorite sketching/doodling sites artists as I am always looking to share inspiration... And I would LOVE to have you link doodles sketches marks here for me to see, love and admire!
Peace,
Kimo

Happy heart day!!!!

I was packing Erins lunch when I saw this bitty heart shaped space in her bagel crisp.....
Guess it proves that love is everywhere when you pay attention . Happy Valentines Day!

I wonder

If there are any blog awards for being the most neglectful blogger?
So sorry... I miss it actually... Jumping between Facebook , Instagram, Pinterest, Tumblr and Polyvore makes a girl forget where I have last posted!!!
This is my special place though... The place that is all mine and where I feel the most myself, quiet, alone as I prefer...
I will share the obligatory latest art creation pictures for visual interest and promise I will return very shortly with se news, more art and music talk...
Peace,
Kimo

Before

I begin posting more holiday themed posts, I thought I would share the mass amounts of Fall thanksgiving type cards I was able to create over the last few weeks.
Used a ton of stuff from the Oct and Nov My Creative Scrapbook kits

So thankful

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving.
I havent been around here much... Busy with school, life, community and art.
And then I remembered that I dont need to blog about everything. I rarely update my Facebook status, only take pictures I enjoy and ones that preserve a memory.
When life is so full, i am blessed that I no longer have the time.

Instead I enjoy sleeping in the afternnon sun with a white furry friend at my feet.
I sip the first cup of coffee slowly while everyone else still sleeps and I create art with a passion so strong I feel like I might burst!
As we celebrate this long weekend of traditions, turkey, football, shopping and most important families, I take time to live fully and wish you all full bellies, the warmth of togetherness and hope of the upcoming season of love and life.
Peace,
Kimo

Oops I Did It Again....

I say Im going to blog regularly and then I go and get sick for a week, tend to in laws surgeries and a few weeks of adjusting to a new routine and life is too busy to blog... But enough excuses...!
Going to share some new projects i created... Its so rare that I do art or crafts just for fun anymore but squeezing in that time really makes my soul happy...
Once I photograph something I can share it... Here is some recent homework...
Oil painting, for Rhode Island School of Design

Flower canvas collage... In progress for Brave Girl Art School

A few pages I added to my Living Canvas art journal

Crafts Meow stamps

I had ordered a bunch of Crafts Meow stamps awhile ago. I finally sat down the other night to stamp the night away with my little munchkin before she headed back to school... the Middle School... yikes! How did that happen? ;)
We spent most of the night stamping and then the next day, I assembled and pasted these little creations.

I love the cute little images and they stamped so nice and smooth. I added a lot of fun little goodies to the card fronts as you know I love to layer...

Have a great Labor Day weekend. Celebrating all those who work so hard to make my life easier this weekend. No big plans but we will be hosting my high school girlfriend Suki... always alot of laughs to be had from that! Looking forward to staying up late, giggling and feeling like Im 16 again!!

Peace,
Kimo

Photographs

I decided to share some of my photography work. I am by NO means a professional photographer but I have always done really well capturing images with very little to no editing afterwards.
I almost always have my camera on a no flash setting and play around with ISO if at all ...
I don't have any fancy lenses but I like to take realistic, natural photos.

This is a photo I snapped of a pinecone. I had set it up as a still life for a drawing assignment and decided to photograph it as well. I converted it to black and white because I loved the contrast of the lights.

While camping, I was lucky enough to capture this beautiful butterfly. I didnt' have time to correct any settings and I don't own a macro lens so I just zoomed in and got as close as I could without disturbing it... butterflies are just so beautiful and I will probably paint this little baby one day.

One of my all time FAVORITE things to photograph are old barns, cabins and rustic wood... I don't know what it is.. the texture, the misshapen fences or the rickety barn doors but there is just such elegance for my eyes. Luckily, living in New England, there is no shortage of OLD places... many historical to photograph and enjoy...

I love sheep and cows. They are so still, yet make some funny noises and are super friendly. It makes me enjoy taking time to notice the differences in each one... I can actually notice personality differences in them as well. This guy was literally begging me to photograph him.. He came over twice and just did this... stand in the path like..." Here you go, lady.. snap away! "  Ha... love how he almost had a smile ;)

Next up, are my two other favorite subjects coastal items such as shells, beaches  and lighthouses...
sigh...

This Fall , RISD is having a series in the museum called from NATURE.  In turn, I am taking the course Nature Lab for my certificate program. We will visit the showing of artwork, get out in nature, photograph, draw, paint and write all about it. RIGHT UP MY ALLEY! So excited to begin!!!
These pictures will be ones I will use to inspire me and help create my assignments.
Hope you enjoyed my little selection of my favorite photos.
Peace,
Kim

Handmade Backgrounds

AS I wandered through my collection of layouts, cards and projects, I noticed that I do quite a bit of patterned paper layering. I love love love pattern papers. I love to issue challenges to myself and One thing I wanted to play around with is my background stamps and creating handmade backgrounds without using pattern paper .
I sat down to try and change it up.

Originally, I had made this tag set

I created a card using paper I painted from an art journal page with some pattern paper behind it and some spritzed corrugated board.

and another one... notice I started doing more and more layering as I begun to feel more comfortable with it all....

The entire back surface is hand painted paper, with inked and stamped elements and a handwritten sentiment.. gulp!

Then, I made these two layouts using stamps and other original backgrounds (and barely any pattern paper)

I still really really love my pattern paper but I am glad I did this. Not only does it give me the ability to use up my background stamps and paints, I create unique backgrounds and patterns while doing so.
Have you tried anything new lately? Would love to hear any "self challenges" you find yourself doing.

Peace,
Kim

Layered card group

Here today to share some layered cards. I never make cards in a seasonally correct manner. Ha.. .Here is a pretty little spring card. Stamp is a muse. Pattern papers are My Minds Eye, Pink Paislee . Birdie is October Afternoon. Isn't he cute!?

Next up .. How bout a cupcake? Everyone needs some cake on their birthday, right? I created a cupcake out of chipboard and covered it with pattern paper. Then added a paper flower for the cherry and a TON of glitter to give it some sprinkle... Isn't it yummy?

Lastly, here is a pretty layered card perfect for giving to a friend. Lots of pink and flowers adorn these coordinating pattern papers

Be back soon with some layouts and more cards.
Peace,
Kim

Getting ready

For 2012 Stamp A Faire.... So excited... Online means people like me get to go... Woot! Here I am... House is clean, pizza ordered for dinner , apron is on and Im ready to get inky!!!
Cant wait to meet all the fellow campers!!!

Happy Summer

Its in full swing for us ... It always seems to take that long to get ourselves in summer mode! Did everyone have a good 4th... We made cupcakes, swam in the kiddie pools, had a cookout and watched fireworks.
Poor Ry Ry headed into 1st day of summer session today... Sigh.. No rest for the weary!
Here are some pics of our celebration and some sneaks of some artwork from the Mixed Media class at RISD last weekend! Enjoy