Here Kitty Kitty!

 

I believe in good things.

prints available.
laura@laurakaiken.com

thank you for taking a peek.

Inspiration from Henri Matisse

Source
I came across this wonderful short film today.  I love Henri Matisse and his work.  I couldn’t help but share this with you.  Notice that even though he is in a wheelchair he kept working! 

May we all be so inspired.

Have a great Monday.

Laura.

Next up: Nellie Wortman

Don’t forget the blog hop and your chance to win…

Week by week we'll go from one blog to the next!

Remember to collect all the secret words. These words will work out to say a very artful phrase, and you'll need all the pieces to be eligible for the final prize drawings!

Please HOP over and visit the Amazing Mixed Media Jewelry Artist...

Nellie Wortman

http://www.earlymorningthoughts.typepad.com/

(Pick Up the Next Secret Word)

Today is fun….

 

Yea it’s my birthday! 

psst.  I have two new paintings to share this weekend!  Come back to see.

Well, how do you like it?

So I have been working on updates.  I think I finally have a new banner for this blog, and I have also updated my webpage.  What do you think? 
I get real tired, real fast of seeing the same ole thing.
Oh while I am thinking about it, will be having our "Nothin but Nudes" opening Friday Night, Feb. 3, 6-9.  If you can stop by.  It's going to be fun, and Wasted Wine is going to be playing. 

The artwork will be great, needless to say!
Hope to see you soon!
Laura.

Have you been keeping up?

Alrighty then, here is the next hop....don't forget your secret word! Please HOP over and visit the Amazing Mixed Media Jewelry Artist...


Kecia Deveney
http://lemoncholys.blogspot.com/
(Pick Up the Next Secret Word)

Have fun!
laura.

Next Hopper up…

Our Next Artist is Up for the Artful Gathering Blog Hop!

Celebrating Artful Gathering 2012 Online Art Retreat,
Open for Registration!

Blog Hop your way for chance to win!

From June to August 2012, ArtfulGathering.com will be presenting TWO exciting semesters of premiere online video workshops offered by fabulous artists who are known nationally and internationally. We are all very excited to share out knowledge, skill, and creativity with you, and we hope that you will join us for this AMAZING annual online event.

Blog Hop with us for a chance to win a prizes from Jerry's Artarama!

Each week the faculty of Artful Gathering will be announcing a featured blog to visit.

You can hop along with us until the final destination blog is reached, and where ONE Grand Prize winner will be chosen at Random for a chance to win a $200.00 e-gift card from Jerry's Artarama!!!

Two Runner Up winners will also be chosen at random for a chance to win a $25.00 e-gift card from Jerrys.

Each week I will announce the next featured blog for you to visit, and there you will find a new secret word or words that you will need to collect along your way from blog to blog. Once you have collected all the words from each blog you visit, they will work out to say a very artsy phrase. Here are the rules:

1. For your chance to win, you must collect all the secret code words and submit them upon the final destination blog in May. A random drawing will be conducted from those contestants who have submitted the complete collection of secret words!
2. Three winners will be randomly drawn. One for the $200.00 e-card to Jerry's, and two runner's up for the 25.00 e-card to Jerrys.
   
3. Week by week we'll go from one blog to the next!
   
   Remember to collect all the secret words. These words will work out to say a very artful phrase, and you'll need all the pieces to be eligible for the final prize drawings!

Please HOP over and visit the Amazing Animal Portrait Artist...
Elizabeth G. Johnson

http://windandhoney.blogspot.com/

(Pick Up the Next Secret Word)

Yippee ,I am in the spotlight this week.

Artful Gathering Event Registration is Open!

I'm the Spotlight Artist for The Artful Gathering Blog Hop!
Follow along with me for fun, creativity, and a chance to win a

$200.00 e-gift card from Jerry's Artarama!

This summer I will be teaching TWO fabulous premiere video workshops at

The Artful Gathering Online Art Retreat 2012

Mosaics for the Absolute Beginner

From June 6 to July 17

Welcome to the world of mosaics, the Laura way! This approximately 3 hour introductory class will introduce beginners to the basics of mosaic creating: the astonishing array of materials and adhesives, design and composition, and the cutting and laying of tile.

Supplies such as glass tile, ceramic tile, sheet glass, and china are available from vendors on the supply list, which will be included with paid class. No prior art experience is necessary, just an openness to numerous possibilities that you can create with mosaic art. This will be a fun and relaxing experience! This class does not include grouting techniques, but does include instructions for two 4x4” mosaic blocks. Patterns will also be included. I look forward to meeting you!

And...

Introduction to Mosaic with a Twist

From July 15 - August 25

This informative class will cover all the basic information students will need to finish a 10 x 10 inch mirror project. This 2 to 3 hour class will include patterns to follow and is intended for a more seasoned beginner who wants to learn more on the process of creating a mosaic piece; cutting, adhesion, tile layout, and grouting. Students will be introduced to materials such as glass tile, art glass, china, ceramic tile, and more. Students are encouraged to experiment with color and texture to discover the possibilities of mosaic. A supply list will be included at signup with a resource for vendors. Grouting techniques will be included. Let’s get ready to have fun!

Come Hop With US!

Hop Rules:

If you would like to hop with us and meet all the super awesome Artful Gathering 2012 Art Instructors, and have a chance to win a random drawing prize in our random drawing, then hop with us! Each week, I will announce the blog for you to visit, and off you go to meet them, and to pick up the newest secret word. Your chance to win prizes....

1. For your chance to win, you must collect all the secret code words and submit them upon the final destination blog in May. A random drawing will be conducted from those contestants who have submitted the complete collection of secret words!
2. Three winners will be randomly drawn. One for the $200.00 e-card to Jerry's, and two runner's up for the 25.00 e-card to Jerrys.
   
   

   This weeks word is ......PICTURES
   Next week, I'll announce the next person to hop to. Good luck!!!

Ever heard of a Blog Hop?

Celebrating Artful Gathering 2012 Online Art Retreat,
Open for Registration!
Blog Hop your way for chance to win!

From June to August 2012, ArtfulGathering.com will be presenting TWO exciting semesters of premiere online video workshops offered by fabulous artists who are known nationally and internationally-including myself. We are all very excited to share out knowledge, skill, and creativity with you, and we hope that you will join us for this AMAZING annual online event.

Blog Hop with us for a chance to win a prizes from Jerry's Artarama!

Each week the faculty of Artful Gathering will be announcing a featured blog to visit.

You can hop along with us until the final destination blog is reached, and where ONE Grand Prize winner will be chosen at Random for a chance to win a

$200.00 e-gift card from Jerry's Artarama!!!

Two Runner Up winners will also be chosen at random for a chance to win a

$25.00 e-gift card from Jerry's Artarama!!!

Each week I will announce the next featured blog for you to visit, and there you will find a new secret word or words that you will need to collect along your way from blog to blog. Once you have collected all the words from each blog you visit, they will work out to say a very artsy phrase. Here are the rules:

1. Blog Hoppers need to Register for the Artful Gathering 2012 Event to be eligible for the Grand Prize Drawing, AND must have all the secret puzzle words collected from each instructors blog.
2. Runner up prizes will be randomly selected from all participants. Registration to Artful Gathering is not required, but blog hoppers will need to have all the secret puzzle words to be eligible to win.
   

Week by week we'll go from one blog to the next!

Remember to collect all the secret words. These words will work out to say a very artful phrase, and you'll need all the pieces to be eligible for the final prize drawings!

Please HOP over and visit the Amazing

Jodi Ohl

www.sweetrepeats.blogspot.com

Yes! I have gift certificates.

 

Can’t think of a gift that would be perfect? I can. The my studio offers gift certificates that can be used for mosaic, jewelry or artwork, even classes! You can’t go wrong. I have a whole new line of mosaic jewelry and would love to customize it for you.
Yellow Jacket fan? USC fan? Tigers? Dogs? Up to six letters can be used.

HO HO HO!

Laura.

This is easy peasy. Just click buy now and then add the amount that you would like to purchase. In turn I will send you a custom gift certificate that you can print for your special gift giving.

That’s it!

Told you it was easy peasy!

The Perfect Gift

Yes! I have gift certificates.

 

Can’t think of a gift that would be perfect? I can. The my studio offers gift certificates that can be used for mosaic, jewelry or artwork, even classes! You can’t go wrong. I have a whole new line of mosaic jewelry and would love to customize it for you.
Yellow Jacket fan? USC fan? Tigers? Dogs? Up to six letters can be used.

HO HO HO!

Laura.

This is easy peasy. Just click buy now and then add the amount that you would like to purchase. In turn I will send you a custom gift certificate that you can print for your special gift giving.

That’s it!

Told you it was easy peasy!

Just listed!

 

 

I have just listed a few new things at Etsy.  When you have time, take a look!

This piece is titled “I Wish you Blessing from Above”  She is a stylized original painting of mixed media.  She started as a poured painting with different colored paints.  When dried, I found the image and pulled in the sweet little animals.  It’s kind of like making figures out of clouds.

More info in my shop at Etsy :)

She is Thankful for Today

I have been participating in a mosaic exchange now for about 9 years.  This year my piece went to Finland. (Isn’t wild to think how small the world is now due to the internet.)  Her face is hand-painted with broken china for the blouse.  Glazed ceramic makes up the dress. The background is vitreous glass cut in little squares and rectangles.

I think she is precious.  I hope she likes her new home across the waters.

Artful Gathering 2011 - Online Art Retreat!

I am so excited that this year I will an instructor in The Artful Gathering 2012
Be sure to check out the blogsite for more information. 

Over twenty diverse art classes!

Come on and join the fun this summer!

New watercolor, appearing now!

“She  Loves Simple”

original watercolor

©Laura K. Aiken

Prints available

easy peasy…

Another class I was able to attend this summer was with Jane LaFazio.  This class was also offered at Random Art Studio.  My goal was to learn how to move the paint faster and easier without a lot of worry.  First I did my outline, which was a pattern from a tile and then I added the watercolor.  So much fun.  Then for some reason…I decided to add zentangles.  I think I got a little carried away.  :)

Thanks for stopping by!

My Summer Fun…

Does this bird make me look fat?

oops! I can’t remember everyone’s name…

The early bird get the worm.

This summer I was delighted to attended Helen Shafer Garcia’s watercolor class at Random Arts in Saluda, NC.  We all had the best time.  So much fun to finally meet, in person, folks that you have “talked” with via Facebook.  If you have a chance be sure and take a class with Helen….and don’t forget to check out Jane Powell at Random Arts, she will be opening her new shop/studio soon.  It’s really going to be nice!

Lots of fun stuff is happening in Laura Land!  Coming soon-

Finally….a finished handbag!

This is my fourth year to contribute a handpainted handbag for the South Carolina Ovarian Cancer Foundation, Handbags for Hope.  Such a fun project and I always do it at the extreme last minute.  I didn’t even think I was going to be able to create one this year…but I am so glad I did. 
Come to the auction and be intrigued by tons of other beautiful handbags by Greenville Artists.

Thursday, September 22 at the Upcountry History Museum

It’s for a wonderful cause, with great food and delicious wine!

Coming soon to a studio near you!

 

I have been having so much fun getting prepared for Greenville’s Open Studios coming up.  Go ahead and mark you calendars now for November 4-6th.
Tons of artists in Greenville will be showing off their works in their own studios!

Color Choices

 

Do you ever wonder how to come up with a color scheme? Take a look at nature.

There you have it!