Kim Gann Art

5 Step Dinner

2012-02-07T20:45:00.002-05:00

Today I thought I would share a quick and easy recipe/meal with you.

When I was a little girl this is one of my favorite meals mom would make.

Tuna Salad and Rice Pilaf

canned tuna in water
mayonaise
lettuce
onion
minute rice
no egg yolk noodles
chicken broth
olive oil
salt & pepper

Step 1.
Add a couple tablespoons of olive oil to pan. Brown egg noodles. Careful not to use to much heat. Gently toss in oil until most have brown areas.

Step 2. Add 2 cups Chicken Broth.

Step 3. Add 2 cups Minute Rice.

Step 4. Turn heat up to medium. Cover and steam until rice is tender.

Step 5. In large bowl. Tear one head lettuce into bite size pieces. Drain tuna and add to bowl. Add 1/4 to 1/2 cups mayo, depending on taste. salt & pepper. Stir together.

And you have a meal!

Enjoy ;0)

Blog Party

2012-02-05T00:04:00.002-05:00

Inspiration Card Swap

2012-02-04T23:45:00.000-05:00

I'm working on a deck of cards for a card swap with a soul sister Jessica Brogan, in the e-course we are taking. www.hellosoulhellobusiness.com

I discovered an artist whom I am very captivated by, Flora Bowley. So I decided to create this Inspiration Deck by intuitive painting. It can be thought provoking but I'm trying not to put to much thought in them and just make them beautiful. Earlier I stopped by the thrift store to pick up a couple of books to use the pages in some art. Hadn't even thought about the cards today, but I found a book called "The Amazing Results of Positive Thinking". Wow how perfect is that, right? and all books were on sale for a quarter.

It's funny how things come together. The resources are always there.

This is just the beginning of the deck. I have to add the words and the other finishing touches.Then I will send them off to Texas where they will be separated into other decks for all who participated in the swap.

From Old to New- My Studio

2012-02-01T13:19:00.000-05:00

This is where we began. I had art classes here for 7 years.

You can see some boxes of art. Of course it didn't

look like this, but notice the old walls and floor.

I had this shop so many different colors over the years. Do you see the bright green. At one time the entire shop was that color, with accents of purple and pink.

We found beautiful old paneling under the pegboard and painted a lovely old creamy white.

The very back wall is where the barn was built.

Construction begins.

The left side is where my office was, it is now the coop.

I love the moss on the door. I'm hoping to keep it alive with a gentle mist.

I think a woodpecker was saving some seeds. I have never seen a woodpecker hole up close. It isn't round, it's more like a wedge. Very interesting. This post is now the legs to a table.

The barn wood for this half of the barn is from a barn which was over 100 years old. It was going to be torn down and burnt. Actually came from the family of the Hatfields and McCoys fued. This is from the McCoy's side.

Twelve Things You Were Not Taught in School About Creative Thinking | The Creativity Post

2012-01-31T09:47:00.000-05:00

Today in my Hello Soul Hello Business class we are talking about thinking out side of the box. One of my 'soul sisters' posted this and it is Phenomenal!!!! It says it all!!! Love, Love, Love.
I hope this takes you to the link. If it doesn't, google it. It is SO worth reading.

Twelve Things You Were Not Taught in School About Creative Thinking | The Creativity Post

KG Art Studio-My Studio

2012-01-29T23:39:00.000-05:00

Welcome to KG Art Studio.

The Home of The Chicken Coop Series.

Built from two old barns we found and disassembled.

Looking out of the barn into the workshop area.

I paint on the porch.

The Chickens are at home on the barn.

Below is the Coop.

The cedar post are still a little sticky with sap.

I use the largest piece in the cave at www.bluegrassunderground.com

My personal work area at the front of the studio.

Fun,Fun,Fun.

Organization.

Acrylics.

My little corner.

My palette.

Brushes.

Liquid acrylics..bright and beautiful.

E-Course

2012-01-19T14:10:00.002-05:00

Here is the website for the best e-course in the world. www.hellosoulhellobusiness.com

Sorry I couldn't get the 'button' on here......it's not to late to join.

Stocking Swap

2011-12-15T18:28:00.000-05:00

My friend Cerri of The Little Pink Studio had a stocking swap and I signed up to participate. She matched me with Jeanne. Here is a link to her blog http://www.jeanneszewczyk.com I received my package yesterday, but just like Christmas I had to wait. I didn't have my camera on hand.

I opened the box and found a sweet Christmas card.

When I pulled the packing away..

which I loved the use of old patterns as packing....

I found a box full of sweets.

Lovely little package of eggs.

A precious little rooster ornament.

Oh my word, look at this darling chicken cookie cutter.

A precious little glass dish with....

....some sweet fragrant soap.

And all these goodies.

Jeanne sent to me some vintage recipe cards and photos,

chicken napkins, and tags

and a precious little praying angel.

Here is my stocking.

Lovely cream colored velvet with burlap trim and a glittered K.

Thank-You Jeanne. I love all my gifts.

Thank-You Cerri for hosting the swap.

New Studio Pictures

2011-11-30T23:34:00.000-05:00

KG Art Studio

The Chicken Coop

More art to be hung.

Looking out into the studio from inside the Coop.

The front of the shop is set up as the cutting area.

4 tables placed together make one large workshop table

and 2 long tables go together in the sewing center.

Lots of Creativity will come together here.

Kits will be available for most workshops for those who are too far away to join.

Sweet Rainy Day

2011-11-16T22:22:00.001-05:00

Today was such a rainy day, but at least it was warm. Christmas shoppers were everywhere. I had a 30% off coupon which made it the perfect time to do some 'major' Christmas shopping....SO I DID :0)

As I was checking out I began talking to the lady behind me, she had been in the back of the store doing some shopping over the phone to get free shipping. As we talked, the sound of the pouring rain sang on the roof like a rock band. She asked if I had an umbrella, which I didn't. She told me to take her umbrella and she would get it back when the clerk loaded my car. I pulled up to the front of the store and here she comes with not only her packages, but mine too. Wow, what a wonderful reminder that there really are some sweet people left out there. What a great day!

Let Me Introduce a Few of My Chickens

2011-11-15T20:18:00.001-05:00

This is Winter of the Four Seasons..which only 3 are complete. Fall is still in the thinking.

This is Opp T Mistic. She is the chick who stands for the fight against Breast Cancer. I painted her in honor of my sweetest friend, Gaylene Opp. Gaylene was diagnosed in December 2008. She fought a very courageous battle. On February 27, 2011 she received her wings. All proceeds of sales from this print will go to Susan G Komen Knoxville.

This is Artsy Chick...hummm, yes I painted her as myself.

This is The Pickin Chickens, the bluegrass band on stage They usually appear at Bluegrassunderground.com once a month.Who knows we might see you there. Hope so!

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

2011-11-14T21:23:00.001-05:00

<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/3194067/kim-gann-art?claim=f52s3xr88p3">Follow my blog with Bloglovin</a>

Next Door Neighbors

2011-11-13T22:35:00.001-05:00

We have been camping this week.

It's a great little place not to far from home,

where we can travel back and forth for work if we need to.

A business associate came by today

and took me for a ride around the property next to the campground.

I had seen different animals in the neighboring fields,

but today I got a close look at them.

I love donkeys!

This is truly an odd couple. Walking thru the field together.

This is Honey. My tour guide.

I believe these are Elk, they were frightened of us.

Not sure what type of deer these are, but I thought the picture turned out pretty cool.

I think these are the younger deer. I kinda thought they were Reindeer, but not sure.

This is the beautiful addition to a home.
This will be the bedroom overlooking the beautiful creek. It's amazing.

And an old stained glass window. I love it!

New Studio

2011-11-11T00:32:00.000-05:00

So....this is my shop beFoRE....

Good grief I have a lot of stuff...

Lots of things to move out before the painting begins...

We found old paneling behind the pegboard...
I LoVE PaiNTeD paNeLiNG...

Walls being prepared for the barn wood.

Beautiful Moss covered boards.

Sorry Mr Woodpecker...He was storing seeds in this log.

and the barn is going up..

Lovin' that antique white paneling...
and dark gray ceiling...

My son getting caught on camera.

Cody, Bridgett and Baby Leland.

My sweet husband summing everything up....This was his vision....Making me the best studio/shop.

My new studio space is almost complete. Yee-Haw...I have a BARN!

Breast Cancer Awareness

2011-10-24T21:15:00.000-04:00

October is the beginning of the holiday's.

We look forward to cooler weather, beautiful fall foilage, pumpkins, mums and Halloween. But it is also the month of Breast Cancer Awareness. Many of us have been affcected by breast cancer either directly or indirectly, it's devastating either way. So remember October is more than the beginning of the holiday season, it's the month to go PINK.

Let me share a bit about my friend.

Gaylene loved the Holidays. We had fun times at Halloween. We could spend hours in the Halloween super stores looking at the different costumes and trying on big butts...we had so much fun! Then we waited for the new Christmas movie of the season, which we tried to make a yearly tradition. Busy lives happen and the girls grew up, so the past few years were different. But when we got together we were still as close as ever.

All proceeds of any of the Opp T Mistic items go to Susan G Komen of Knoxville to help find a cure. I wish the cure had been found before it took Gaylene.

When Gaylene thought something was funny she had a favorite quote or saying, it was "that's great!" and it was always said with laughter. I know when she went thru Heavens Gates and she recieved her wings she said "That's Great!"

This is in memory of my sweetest friend Gaylene Opp.

8/19/61 - 2/27/11

I love you and miss you Gaylene.

Our Christmas Boy

2011-08-09T23:42:00.000-04:00

We will be welcoming a ......(DRUMROLL PLEASE)......a baby boy around Christmas this year. His name is Leland James. We can't wait!. I had been waiting for a month for the doctors appointment, but couldn't go because of work. We had a terrible day the day before. Got a late start- I son't even remember why_truck wasn't repaired correctly from dealership, brake parts went to the wrong customer, so we had to go the next day...the day I had been waiting for. I couldn't let Mitch go on this trip alone, it was to big of a job. But it was ok, this allowed Chelsey to go in for the appointment. She text me to say "it's a boy". I'm so glad to know and I absolutely can not wait until he gets here.

The shopping has begun.

Fresh Green Beans

2011-07-31T23:02:00.000-04:00

When I was a little girl my grandparents had a wonderful vegetable garden every year. I think of it as wonderful now, but tHeN....I didN'T. I don't remember working in the garden or even going into the garden to pick anything. What I remember is ... BreAKinG beAnS. Momma, mamaw, and Aunt Linda would be sitting on the porch with pans in laps, stringing and breaking and talking...having a good time. I guess some days they had too many beans, so the children had to help. That was me and my cousin. I don't remember if my cousin was unhappy about the situation, but I sure was.

One summer we had so many beans to break, it cut into my playtime and I didn't like that at all. I said I would never eat green beans again.....and I didn't for years.

Now, as an adult I love beans. I love planting them, watching them grow, and getting in the garden early to pick, then starting the process of stringing and breaking. And don't forget the shellies. For the past couple of years I haven't had a garden. I miss that summertime therapy. Thank Heavens for Farmers Markets.

Mitch loves fresh green beans. I love the smell of the freshness as I begin to break into them, stringing as I go unitl I have a handful then snap. Break into about 1 inch pieces, then wash before placing them into a pot.

There are many seasonings for fresh green beans. Today I cooked Paula Dean style...lots of butter and seasoning salt. If I have a ham hock I will add that to the pot, yumm seasons them up nicely. I have added olive oil, salt and pepper with a few new potatoes...they're really good this way too.

Perfect for a Sunday dinner. The house smells great and the reward is delicious!

In memory of my mom..Barbara, my grandmother Dona and my Aunt Linda. I hope we get to experience the good ole' days in Heaven, I can't wait to see them again.

Our Wedding Day

2011-07-30T22:00:00.000-04:00

On October 30th 2010 I married my best friend!

It was early summer when we decided on a fall wedding. We had big plans of renting a huge cabin in the Smokies, so all of our families could be with us for a few days before our wedding day. We found a beautiful cabin and were thinking about a place for the ceremony. A field next to a creek or a big beautiful barn where a bluegrass band could play was our plans. We also wanted to have a smoker with some barbeque, smoked corn, baked beans and sweet tea. So...those were the plans.

We had been going to this new, cool place where bluegrass bands played once a month.....in a cave! It's a nice drive over to McMinnville TN to Cumberland Caverns which is also the home of Bluegrass Underground. Well we went over to the show in June and Mitch said " why don't we get married here, in the cave?" I thought it would be fun and different. And for an October wedding..what better place than a cave, especially an October 30th wedding. We love something different and we wanted our day to be a celebration as well as a wonderful lifetime memory for everyone. So we scheduled a meeting with the manager Teddy and the producer Todd at the next show. Todd scheduled Donna Ulisse and The Lonsome River Band. Wow, we never dreamed of having such tallent play at our wedding. This built even more excitement.

No one could believe we were really going to get married in a cave. It's not like we're spelunkers, we just like "unique" and FUN! Planning was pretty simple as we wanted to keep it simple. Sometimes as I was planning and shopping I would drift off into a dream of white linen table cloths and monogrammed chair covers with a bow on the back...and then I would SnAP back into reality and remember I needed fall colors of beautiful oranges, reds, and yellows....and purple for an extra splash of color. I wouldn't have had it any other way. I bought a variety of beautiful pumpkins and mums. I used lots of candles....and straw. (kept far apart in the decor) For the splash of purple I used purple table covers, remember we were in a cave and everything IS and GETS... DiRty, but thats ok.

Here we are getting ready to go up on stage. The crowd had no idea they were about to be guest at a wedding, but I think they were excited and happy about the surprise. I hadn't been nervous until I saw the crowd, so I couldn't look. I thought Mitch would be the nervous one, but he was as calm as ever. Oh what a HaPpy DaY!

The biggest surprise to me was Mitch's "I Do" it was " I do...I do...I really.. do" The cowd LoVEd it!

I LOVED it MoRe.

Teddy, the manager of Cumberland Caverns, was sweet enough to perform our ceremony. He told about how the cave was formed by two rivers running thru it and crossing paths, just like our paths crossed.

Mr & Mrs Mitch Gann

As you can see the cave is enormous. It doesn't feel like you're in a cave at all. And it is always around 63 degrees year round.

This is Mitch's favorite picture!

Everyone loved my bridal jeans. Mitch wanted to get married in jeans and boots, he wanted me to kind of match, but I wanted something a little special. My sister and I went to the fabric store to find fabric to make a shirt for Mitch. While there I looked at the bridal fabric and to see the beauty and detail of it I laid it across my jeans to have a dark, contrasting background and WaLla.....there it was. My special outfit. Everyone raved over my jeans, they were pretty cute. So now I'm in the process of making these "Fancy Pants".

We ran over to Nashville for a few days ...to honeymoon. We had a great time. Rode the horse and carriage thru town and visited all the shops up and down the strip.

Our last night we were invited to be guest at The Loveless Barn. We had a great time. If you ever go to Nashville on a Wed night, this is a place to go. It is a small venue for really good music.

Prints

2011-07-13T23:23:00.000-04:00

Prints and giclee's and stickers and magnets,and cups and t-shirts and bags......getting ready to hit the road with the chickens. Excited about the prints annnnd the giclee's, they look like photographs on paper. Kinda nervous about dropping them off for their photo shoot. This family of chickens continues to grow.
I will post pix of the newest soon. His name is Junkin' Chicken.

Pickin Chickens-The Individuals

2011-07-11T23:46:00.000-04:00

Today I completed the individual Pickin' Chickens. Now to get them ready for the cave. Yes...the cave, 333 feet below ground, July 23 Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver and Becky Schlegal will be performing. So lots of printing to be done. Mugs, t-shirts, bags, and prints will be available at the show. For more information on the show go to www.bluegrassunderground.com