paintings – Page 5 – Karla's Cottage

St Augustine isn’t exactly near Disney, but it really isn’t all that far away…

family, Food and Drink, paintings, Travel

By Karla Nathan / February 27, 2020

I took advantage of being in Florida and made a day trip to Orlando. My sis, Terry and her fun husband were there on a spur of the moment trip.

It was pretty dang cold out for that part of the country, so we thought we would try something different. Instead of going to a park, we had a sightseeing day.

And we based our wanderings around whatever reservations we could get for meals. If you know much about Disney, you might know about the big hoopla around making reservations for meals 180 days in advance. They book up that quickly, especially character meals.

I’ve discovered that people hoard those reservations and make as many as they can, deciding at the last minute which to keep.

You can usually snag a good one with the 24 hour window there is to get refunds on deposits when cancelling.

We were lucky to get into tea at the Grand Floridian for lunch and dinner at Storybook Woods with Snow White.

Along with the Evil Queen.

Both restaurants are in hotels, not in a park, so no ticket was required. But we still got to see the Magic Kingdom fireworks over Wilderness Lodge when we arrived to dine with Snow and Dopey.

The rest of the day was spent riding the skyline and monorail to sightsee at hotels along the way.

I’d never seen the Grand Floridian before and loved all of the details.

Of course, Disney is all about the details and art. This giant mosaic is at the newest hotel, the Riviera.

Keeping with our laid back attitude, we took a break at the Riviera in the kids’ craft room. Dale got some hot chocolate, we watched a movie on the big screen, and I did the day’s project.

It was a lesson in doing an animation cell, where you paint on the back of the clear plastic, then flip it over when done. This is what the back of mine looked like.

We took the time to watch a bride arrive for her wedding, a teeny girl dressed as a princess get a photo shoot, we meandered through lobbies, gift shops, and looked around Disney Springs.

You never know what sights you’ll see when you slow down and take the time to look.

Like a biker paying tribute to Walt, or a cross eyed Elsa made of crystals.

I can’t say that I have ever had a bad day at Disney, but this lazy, no plan, wandering around day, sure was extra special.

Taking a break to paint

flowers, paintings

By Karla Nathan / January 18, 2020

Do you ever just make something for the pure joy of making it? In the past, I’ve operated that way, made what I wanted, then found a purpose for it, or not.
But it seems like my life as an artist had mostly dissolved into taking care of the house, the family, the dogs, upcoming classes, or gathering things to sell.

Then, the other day, I decided to paint some flowers.

For no reason, and I had other things to do, too.

It was a nice reminder to stay in contact with my inner artist. So I framed and hung it where it would keep reminding me to take breaks from too much to do, and just create for the plain, old love of creating.

My watercolor bluebird class for our workshop

bird song art event, cottage, paintings, Workshops

By Karla Nathan / September 14, 2019

Having never taught watercolors before and being extremely overworked, overwrought, and tired, recently- I was worried about this bluebird class.

But I shouldn't have been! The attendees did a wonderful job. I was so proud of them and very impressed. They each got a hand drawn page to paint after we used a big, blank page to get some practice done on.

Everyone's turned out just lovely. And after painting them, they popped the pictures into mini frames to embellish with a rhinestone cluster.

Nora even "branched out" and painted this sweet bluebird.

Honestly, it was one of my favorite classes. I had a wonderful time showing some painting tricks to friends. And it made me wish I had more time to paint. It was a lot of fun.

I'll leave you with some photos of the studio, all spiffed up and ready for company.

By the way, if you would like to see puppy pictures, please check them out here: https://karlascottage.typepad.com/cottage_doodles/

A snowy, canvas mural

bird song art event, paintings

By Karla Nathan / August 22, 2019

I painted one last canvas drop cloth.

The others were old murals that I touched up.

This one is brand new.

I bought a $15, 9×6’ drop cloth from Walmart and a cheap gallon of gray blue paint to start it.

This will be used for a backdrop at A Snowbird’s Song.

It is meant to be a photo op for our Peeps.

I kept it pretty simple, a snowy background for people to stand in front of, with the tree and birds to the sides and above their heads.

I will just have to figure out a good place to hang it.

For now, it is in the garage behind the junk, like the other one.

While I was working in the garage, dressed in paint clothes, I cleaned the space up. Everything got carried out to the driveway, the walls repainted (as well as the garage door). I even moved the fridge!

Then, I put everything back in what I sure hope, is a less cluttered manner.

Maybe it won’t be nearly as much work to get the room ready in November for Snowbird? I use the spot as a store, and it is always a chore to prepare it.

Heck, I can just drape the messes in painted drop cloths! No work at all…

Upcoming Class Announcements, Autumn Glory and A Snowbird’s Song

bird song art event, paintings, Workshops

By Karla Nathan / May 15, 2019

She is a darling sprite, isn’t she? Here is what Karen has to say about her:

Welcome Fall with Felicity the Flower Fairy!

Mounted on a vintage shaker and posed in a shimmering rose bloom with her flower wand, Felicity will now work her Autumnal magic- making all of the flowers in the world bloom one last time before winter steals away all of their petals!

All pieces including vintage bisque baby are supplied for you. Just bring anything special of your own that you wish to use; such as any small rhinestone bling.

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This class and a watercolor lesson will be offered in my studio at the Cottage on Saturday, August 31st.

You will have a choice of Autumn Ecru or Soft Pink for Karen Hillman's project.

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My class will be a watercolor lesson on how to paint a bluebird. You will receive a hand drawn bird, instructions, and watercolor markers to complete your own painting. Once painted, we will cut out the image and pop it into this sweet, little frame and embellish it with lace, ribbons, and vintage rhinestones.

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Included will be a watercolor journal covered in a painted cover (by me).

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Inside the back pocket is a print out of watercolor tips and tricks to help you fill the book with future paintings

The day will include lunch, beverages, and treats. Also a sweet treat presentation on making Apple Cider Cake Pops from Karen, Hospitality Queen of the Cozy Castle.

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Class size is very limited, please contact me for more info:

karlanathan@sbcglobal.net

Date:

Saturday, August 31st

Place:

Karla’s Cottage- Lawrence, KS

Cost:

$115

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Includes:

Lunch, beverages, goodies

Karen’s kit for making Felicia the Flower Fairy

A set of watercolor markers, a hand done drawing for you to paint, a watercolor notebook, painted frame with embellishments, and an instructional chart for my project.

I hope we will see you there! The class size is limited to the amount of antique dolls Karen has on hand. This is a makeup class for the one we had to postpone in April, so priority will go to previously signed up guests.

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To register, please email me at:

karlanathan@sbcglobal.net

ps- If you are coming in from out of town, this is also Sparks Flea Market weekend, one hour and 20 minutes from my house, up north a ways. It is a fun, and funky place to shop, and is open Thursday- Sunday. I plan on being there on Thursday, myself, but I promise not to buy it all, there will still be some vintage goodies left to shop for!

And guess what???

Birdsong is BACK!

Registration will be open soon, I am working on details now.

I hope to be welcoming you to the Cottage for both workshops, I love filling the room with my Peeps!

Hand painted birdie greeting cards

paintings, Workshops

By Karla Nathan / April 13, 2019

When I was planning the workshop with my buddy Karen, I made up lots of sample paintings to figure out which I wanted to use for the class.

Sadly, we had to cancel our class!

I used the paintings to make some springtime cards to send to the ladies who had signed up to come to our workshop, with my apologies and a discount for them to use if they sign up to take the make up class.

Karen will be back in August for a workshop, and I hope to offer this watercolor doodley class later this spring. It will be a one day playdate, along with another project and lunch. Let me know if you are interested, seating will be limited.

Details to come, when I get all settled from my trip down south to teach in Georgia.

More books? Why yes!

Books, paintings

By Karla Nathan / April 2, 2019

While I was on a roll with book making… I just kept on a going.

I have soft, Easter colors like pink…

Ocean and mermaid tones….

And soft grays (with more pink!).

But these are not all, I still have a stack on my desk. I think I will transform one into a travel journal for myself.

Paint pour tag books

Books, paintings

By Karla Nathan / March 30, 2019

Remember my months long obsession with acrylic paint pouring? I still LOVE it, but put the supplies aside for the winter, because I needed to reclaim the garage I'd been working in. During my dream state of making one canvas after another, I also painted on some tags. These were used to make a couple of books.

And since I love playing with wallpaper too, I covered the interior of one of them.

These are going to be on my vendor table at Once Upon an Easter. I am bringing SO MUCH STUFF, that I know I will never sell it all, so I should be listing some stuff to sell in my Boutique when I get home and settled.

Hand painted book covers for the watercolor class

bird song art event, paintings, Tutorials, Workshops

By Karla Nathan / March 17, 2019

Between getting ready for Once Upon An Easter and prepping the kits to send to Georgia, I’ve taken some breaks to work on the watercolor journals for the class at the cottage on Saturday, April 20th.

Each is a small, watercolor notebook with 140lb paper. I have enveloped them in a deconstructed pour paint canvas, then embellished them and added a ribbon tie.

On the inside of the back cover, I’ve added a pocket.

The pockets are designed to hold the watercolor tips and tricks page that I made.

It gives steps on how to paint the little bluebird that I will hand draw on the front page of each notebook.

You also will receive a pack of watercolor pens to keep so you can practice in your new book.

Once painted, the bird will be ready to pop into a little frame that can be foofed up with a selection of vintage jewels, ribbons, and lace.

I have had a lot of interest in the classes (Karen Hillman will be doing two pretty lessons that day too).

But- it is Easter weekend.

Not the best date to plan an event, huh? Well, my buddy happens to be visiting at that time and we are happy to have the day to play together, hoping a few people could join us.

And luckily, a handful of Peeps are able to attend.

But many have said it is an action packed family time or Easter dinner prep day.

At first I was only offering the classes and luncheon as a package deal. But since people are so busy, I thought I’d modify that to say that if you would like to come in the morning and stay for lunch to do Karen’s two projects, or come for lunch and stay for my afternoon project that would be an option.

You could play with pretties for just half a day, then still have time to get that cake baked and those eggs dyed.

If you are interested:

Morning session with lunch is $60

Afternoon session with lunch is $60

No time to relax over a meal? A session alone is $50

(But don’t think you will leave hungry, I’ll pack up some treats to go for you!)

Email me at:

Karlanathan@sbcglobal.net

The Last Foof of February

cottage, paintings

By Karla Nathan / March 3, 2019

Well, it’s almost Spring, and in the meantime, while waiting for flowers to bloom and save me from the horrors of winter, I’ve surrounded myself with flowers indoors.

Besides a tiny bit of online shopping for the quilt and shams in previous posts, most of my “rosy-up the house” make overs have been switcheroos from one area to another. Or digging things from cabinets to bring out and reuse.

These roses are some that I painted years ago, and the tiny framed pieces had been on a shelf in another room.

There is a new piece here. My BFF, Beth, gifted me with a folding mirror for Christmas. It has a gorgeous picture on the front, and I’ve sat it up on the cabinet top, nestled behind some greenery.

This cabinet top got shuffled around and I added some projects made in classes over the years. They are sat in front of a watercolor I’d done ages upon ages ago, but will never be tired of.

There are always happy memories tied up in the decor when I can incorporate pieces from past art events!

Ps- These are all paintings that I have done myself. The watercolor marker tricks I will be sharing at A Song of Spring are meant for art journaling, or smaller projects. But the techniques behind them are universal. Learning the basics for cute doodles can be the start to learning how to paint something to hang over your mantel.

details for the class are here:

https://karlascottage.typepad.com/karlascottage/2019/03/a-song-of-spring-sign-ups-are-open.html