The Calm Of Solemn Days Draw Near

November is approaching, the skies (and sea) are turning grey, the air is fragrant with the dampened earth, the bark is peeling from the trees, the mountain tops are covered in white ...

 

and the calm of solemn days draw near.

 

 

 

 

My etsy shop Seawashed has new lower prices to make your holiday gift giving easier on your pocketbook in these economic hardships. I am offering Christmas Cards (set of 10) for $10 again.   All original paintings and one of a kind subway signs for under $80.  Watercolor prints and notecards for $10, $15, and $20.  And sea gift tags for $5.

 

 

 

 

This is a custom order I finished this week. I painted the white background in my trademark weathered driftwood style...it is faint but so lovely. I am so pleased with how it turned out that I am going to paint a 'CALM' subway sign this week with the white background.

Hope you are breathing in all the goodness of autumn.  I sure am.

 

Sea Tidings,

Kerrie

 

*photos~ Vosgesparis, Seawashed.

For The Elderly and Beautiful

Have you seen The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel for the Elderly and Beautiful yet?  If you are 45 yrs. and up you will most likely enjoy it.  There are many good actors in it, but Judy Dench is always a favorite of mine.  I most relate to her character, Evelyn, whom even blogs about her adventure in the movie.  It does encourage one not to grow weary in aging.

 In India, we have a saying; everything will be all right in the end. So if it is not all right, it is not yet the end. "

Have a beautiful weekend. ox

Sea Tidings,
Kerrie

River Birch Trees

 

"I found the poems in the fields and only wrote them down." ~John Clare

 

River birch trees in my backyard

 

The garden-bed tucked in the birch and redwood trees for autumn and winter. 

 

The rain is now falling washing away the dust of summer's extended heat. 

 

Sea Tidings,

Kerrie

 

DWELL

Dwell- to make one's home.

 

 

 

 

 

 

My newest One Of A Kind Subway Sign painting on canvas with one word...Dwell.

Available in my etsy shop Seawashed.

 

 

 

 

 

And look what my daughter brought home for me from the produce stand on the side of a country road...a grey pumpkin!  This is what I have been wanting and haven't been able to find anywhere.  It's perfect for Sea Cottage. 

 

 

"One thing I desire...to dwell in the house of the Lord..." Psalm 27:4

 

"He who dwells in the secret place..." Psalm 91

 

 

I am reading Gift From The Sea and O how the words speak to me...

 

"One becomes, in fact, like the element on which one lies, flattened by the sea;  bare, open, empty as the beach." ~Anne Morrow Lindbergh

 

Sea Tidings,

Kerrie

 

 

 

*photos~ Seawashed, French Grey, Beachcomber.

 

The Beauty We Glimpse Dimly

 

These are the words I have been pondering.  They speak so much to me. 

 

 

I carry them in my heart like a song. 

 

And they carry me as I go about my days in the home, garden, my studio, and walks through the park.

 Their melody plays as I make changes around our home for the new season of grey weather and quiet mood.   I've added more candles to the mantel with a scattering of more shells and driftwood...

 

The shells on the candles below are from a loyal customer, who has become a dear friend, off the shores of Australia.  I used  eco-cotton natural yarn to tie them to white prayer candles.  I have been lighting them every evening and thinking of you, Pamela. 

 

 

 

In my studio I have been painting  more CALM subway signs.  I painted this one a year ago for display in our Local Fine Art Center.  It has graced the wall of our sitting room ever since.  It brings serenity to our home.  I don't believe I will ever tire of it.   This is why I decided it was time to paint more to have available for you to purchase in my etsy shop Seawashed. 

This is the one available at Seawashed.  I believe it turned out better than the one in my home.  Each piece is One Of Kind, so no two paintings will ever be alike. 

 

 

 

I have been riding my beach cruiser 'emma' alot lately.  It is a peaceful way to glimpse the beauty in each day.  The experience is altogether different than getting into my car and driving from place to place.  There is a calm  that is worth the added time it takes to get somewhere.

 

 

The beauty we glimpse dimly...it is like breath {of life} for my soul.  It is far more valuable than gold to me.  It is what keeps me going through the darkest storms.  Beauty can be found anywhere, if we have the hearts to see it.  

Sea Tidings,
Kerrie

Noelle

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'Noelle' is the newest in The Rose Series. She is an 8 x 8 x 1.5 original painting in the french nordic palette of white and grey. This painting (and all of my paintings) is done on a gallery wrapped, stretched, archival, acid-free, titanium acrylic gesso primed canvas.

 

 

I have painted the roses as if they are floating to give an ethereal feeling, like angels in heaven. 

 

The entire canvas is painted in white first, then I add the roses.

 

 

 

My original paintings on canvas are always painted on the sides so there is no need to frame them, only if you would like to. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I will be doing several more of these rose paintings in the white and grey palette in different sizes.  I believe they would be lovely to add to your Christmas Decor or to give as a gift.

Now for the Autumn Roses Giveaway...
 

And the winner is...

True Random Number Generator    Result:20

Congratulations Ellen!  If you could please email me  your mailing address I will ship this gift to you asap! 


Thank you everyone who participated.  Please remember to visit Seawashed for your holiday gift shopping, including Christmas cards and gift tags. 

Sea Tidings,
Kerrie

It Finally Feels Like Fall

After another nearly 100 degree day yesterday, it was nice to wake up to a crisp fall feeling morning.  Bella and I remained snug in bed a little bit longer than usual.  The tea kettle whistle was a welcome delight.  Ahh, I just love autumn. 

There is much to do on our calender this weekend.  Tomorrow begins Homecoming with a parade.  I will ride my beach cruiser 'emma' to watch my son on the senior float.  Yes, my baby is a senior this year!  Then we will go to the football game.  Our team is #1 this year so it should be a good one.  Saturday is the homecoming dance, but in the day we have the Big Pumpkin Festival which brings in thousands from all over northern california.  It is one of the largest pumpkin contests in the country.  We also have our First Saturday Event in Old Town with many vendures, food, bands, and just a good time.   So we will ride our beach cruisers through Old Town and then on to the Pumpkin Festival.  Should be a lovely day to begin October. 

I almost forgot, my daughter Gracie got her drivers license today! 

Sea Tidings,
Kerrie

PS~ I learned how to enable my blogs for mobile viewing today.  So now you can visit Sea Cottage from your phones. 



*photo~ gypsypurplehome.tumblr

French Nordic Living Inspired

 

 

 

Autumn leading into winter is my favorite season.  My growing collection of Jeanne d' Arc Living magazines continue to inspire my homelife as well as my artwork.  I find myself continually painting from a grey palette.  I have found that it conveys the quiet, fragile, beauty of  the objects of nature I paint creating the pieces of artwork that I am so drawn to in providing sanctuary for my home and for selling in my shop.  

 

 

 

 So for the holidays this year ( autumn and winter celebrations) I've decided to decorate with the quiet shades of grey, inspired by french nordic living, and remain with that palette in my Seawashed shop.
I have been busy creating and printing christmas notecards.

 

 

These deer notecards were printed using a free graphic, courtesy of The Graphic Fairy, with a 'Merry Christmas' script added, but can be purchased without the script upon request.  They are simple in black and white for an elegant greeting.  All notecards are blank inside so they can be used as holiday invitations or thank you notes as well.

 

 

  

'Snowy Trees' Notecards are also printed from an original painting on canvas (which is also available in the shop).   I printed these notecards in a grey to go with my french nordic living inspired holiday theme.  The actual cards came out of the printer with a soft vintage look (photos can be seen in my shop).  The original is in grey, white, brown, and blue.  All Christmas notecards are $10 for a set of 8.

 

 

 

 

I will share the 'Coastal' Christmas cards in a later post...french nordic inspired also.   Seawashed Grey Pumpkin Notecards and prints are still available for your autumn decorating and celebrating. 

 

Sea Tidings,

Kerrie 

 

 

*photos~ Jeanne d'Arc Living, French Grey, Seawashed.

Autumn Roses Giveaway

 

 

 

Hello Everyone.  Hello October!  It still feels like summer here...can you believe it is 100 degrees today?  I had a beautiful 10 day holiday with my Husband.  We swam almost everyday, rode our beach cruisers, and walked...everywhere.  We spent two days in the city walking through the parks and dining at our favorite cafe's.  We also did some gardening and dining in our own backyard which was so relaxing. 

 

 Now I am ready to return to my studio and paint, paint, paint.  I will begin by painting some more of my grey and white roses.  I've decided to keep it simple for the holiday season this year in my Seawashed Shop by offering artwork in a palette of grey, black and white.  You will find christmas cards, prints and original paintings(for gift giving) in this soft, quiet palette. 

I decided to begin October with an Autumn Giveaway.  And since I will be adding to my Rose Series I thought I would give 'Cora' away...she is painted in a soft coral which I thought would look lovely for any autumn setting.  Afterall roses are never out of season. 
 

 

In addition to 'Cora' I am giving away a small Anthropologie latte bowl in turqoise.  The painting and the bowl together are a perfect combination for all who love the french nordic cottage living style.  I also believe that my college education in chinese painting influences my minimalist approach to this Seawashed Rose Series.  They would look good in any minimalist decor or asian infused decor.

 

 

And who doesn't like Anthropologie?!  This sweet latte bowl can be used for just about anything your little heart desires. 

 

 

 

 

 

Cora is an 8 x 10 acrylic painting on stretched canvas.  The entire canvas is painted.  The white background is not the canvas but actually painted with titanium white acrylic.  The sides are painted white too so need to frame. 

 

I am  keeping the Giveaway rules simple...

To enter all you have to do is leave a comment(or comments).  You are welcome to share on facebook, blog, tweet, instagram.   Be sure to leave comments for more entries.   Enter as many times as you want!  Giveaway ends Monday October 8th.  Good luck and happy autumn!

Sea Tidings,
Kerrie