a full day, rich in color:

For the past two days I have been wanting to experiment with the xylene photo transfer. Unfortunately, that desire has been interrupted by a very minor setback. 

My daughter was home fairly sick with a respiratory virus and fever, and not only would the fumes not be a great idea, but I was also busy needing to care for her. So, if no further set backs this week, I will resume tomorrow! 

The process starts with me having to go get laser prints made, and even before that, I have to find the images and manipulate them on photoshop. Which all takes time, which I have to set aside faithfully in trust.  

So, today, I will share with you the little moments of joy for me. Each day is such an adventure living here in NYC. Some days are definitely more than others, but seems like each day holds so much opportunity. Even if nothing is happening, if I open my eyes, and look all around me, just discovering new things, places, and even new street art is so much fun. Could this mean that I am liking it more and more here? 

So, the day started with my run. Nothing special, or if there was, I missed it because I was listening to a sermon. 

On the way to an event in Manhattan, I walked by this gem. 

A bluegrass band entertaining 1-4 year olds at the cute little farmer's market a block from the end of our street (Every Wednesday) !!

Beautiful flowers. 

The Graffiti galleries that show up everywhere you go.  This was a trailer outside on the street near the Delancy St. Subway exit. 

Passing through I didn't even photograph the film crews all over the streets. It is such a common thing to see these days. Failed to ask what they were filming today. 

Today I seemed to be more interested in the murals that were all over. 

This is Jessica, she is an amazing singer, and a passionate person lifting others up and breathing life into those all around her through nutrition and beautiful song.  I was invited to a private taping session with her and her friend. Think Broadway, and just a few people in the room. AMAZING!!! 

Ahhhh, more layers and layers of images/art/advertisements etc... everywhere that fade out, get torn, ripped, distorted, representing the passage of time and the creative minds that walk this city every day. 

Now, I will be headed to a bible study that is down the street. 
When I come home, I will have walked over 7 miles and 16000 steps. I will fall on my bed exhausted. And I will pray that I do not catch the horrible virus that my girl has!!!!! Til tomorrow... 

Kimberly

Showing Up.

Having read several books this year: 

(Art and Fear by David Bayles and Ted Orland, 

The War of Art by Steven Pressfield, 

The Creative Call by Elsheimer, 

How to be an Explorer of theWorld by Keri Smith, 

How to be Interesting by Jessica Hagy, 

Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott, and 

Steal like and Artist by Austin Kleon)

Throughout all the books, I noticed a similar trend in topics.  

It turns out that creatives struggle the most with the act of just

showing up, 

and believing that Art is real work and that they can do it. 

Writers have the torturous task to sit at their computers staring at a blank screen, painters similarly at a blank canvas, musicians at a blank composition notebook. The encouragement was to just show up and start. 

“Almost all good writing begins with terrible first efforts. You need to start somewhere.” 

― Anne Lamott, Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life  

To carve out the time is a great struggle, then fighting off the negative voices, ugh. 

The TRUTH is that Art fills the world with beauty, creativity, problem solving, new technologies, and much much more. So I am speaking truth to myself all the time now.   

Okay, so I am showing up. 

I hope you will too. 

Today: I am dreaming of the possibilities of photo transfers and what I want to create. 

In preparation for my new photo transfer work, I am going back through old files to find a ton of images that I have taken over the years, this is one of my "drive by shootings". (pictures that I take as we are on a road trip, what ever we are passing that catches my eye).  

Below:  Raw verses after processed in PS CS5. 

original and manipulated in photoshop using actions and textures and my own adjustments. Photo work around 30 min.  

Tomorrow: 

I will have several transfers to show you too. 

I want to try one with Modge Podge with paper, and one with Modge Podge and transparency, one with the xylene and one with the Acetone. come back tomorrow!!! 

I might add words and paint in the end. 

Also: Photo Transfer Letters coming soon. 

Part of my trekking around NYC involves this new project. 

I am finding letters in the environments and then I am going to spell out things that are related to that particular place/neighborhood that I am in. Then make photo transfer art from those letters. Stay tuned for more!!  

A messy first attempt (without gas mask, which made me hold my breath and probably rush through it). I will be attempting this again very soon. These are letters found in Brooklyn then processed and transferred via Blender Pen on press board painted with gesso. If you like, stay tuned for more fun art.

a Brooklyn calling

It has been some time since I have blogged...AGAIN.  

What is so strange is that I completely forget about blogging altogether. It wasn't until recently when a piece came to me so effortlessly that I started to think about blogging again. It was a poem, a very private and personal poem that I shared only with my counselor and husband. When it was clear that they were moved by it, I realized, that just maybe, maybe what I have to say can move others and it would be good for me to share.  

Is it possible that what I see and how I see the world needs to be shared? 

I guess it is possible, so here goes. 

To begin, this is my mission statement:  

To live an authentic, generous, and creative life 

for the Glory of God. 

( a little late in life, but it is never never too late my friend) 

{Art is what opens up the window of the soul and breathes life into places that need life, helps you feel in places that haven't felt in some time and helps you sit in awe and behold beauty}.  

As I let go of all my preconceived ideas of where my life was suppose to be today at 44, and give everything over to my living Creator asking that he will use me not only to inspire, but to help others see his beauty and love and Grace. I know he loves us all and that He loves to give us the gifts of creativity. 

So my first step is to worship and pray. 

Pray for creativity as a gift that will give to others and for the blessings of God to rest on me, so that I can share creatively and financially with others, and for God to use my gifts for the flourishing of others.  

My second step is to show up ( faithfully everyday): 

I will be exploring making art and experimenting with different art processes and "showing up" for art each and every day whether it be exploration,  collecting, finding details, learning about artists that I love, or experimenting with process and equipment, I am going to just show up and begin. 

This week I experimented with Photo Transfer Process. I cannot wait to experiment more! Very excited to see what happens next. 

I did buy a gas mask too!

I don't know exactly where this journey will lead me. But I do know one thing, I will be fighting  {The War of Art} .

And you never know, as we pursue creativity together, pursue creative thinking, and problem solving, 

Maybe, together we can do our part to get educated, make beautiful things, make the world a better place through a using our creative minds to make beautiful useful things, to find solutions to problems, and maybe even solutions to major world problems such as hunger and thirst and shelter for those in need., We could inspire each other to create businesses that are about the flourishing of all human souls restoring dignity of people. 

Interested? 

EXPLORATION: 

I don't have a studio space just yet ( on my TDL) so, I decided to explore each neighborhood of NYC, all except possibly the ones where I might get into trouble or disappear without a trace from earth, (which are few and far between). And I will be creating what I can in our 10 x 10 living room/dining room.

This Sat, as I decided to get my butt off the sofa and go exploring, and so glad I did!! 

As I stepped off the train, the vibrancy of Williamsburg came alive as fresh aromas of grilled  yummies delightful tasty treats on open grills at the Smorgasburg reached my Olfactory system.  The open air restaurants that expose their interiors during the Spring by opening up large doors or windows exposing the life of conversations, good wine and food and enjoying the community of friends.  

You could sense the lifted spirits touched by the sunshine and warm breezes, amongst the colors of paintings & graffiti , and layers of flyers and stickers that have worn away with time representing moments of time where things are and were happening and people were excited to attend.  

My favorite find, and a place that I cannot wait to return was The City Reliquary. A museum of old NYC relics. The restaurant that was so awesome and I would love to return to was... this one, but I didn't get a pic of the whole name!  

I cannot remember the full name of this restaurant in Williamsburg, please comment if you know. I took the photo, but didn't take a wider angle. What a cool place!!

Now, would you like to see more images, videos, and art that will help you along the way too? Would you like me to share this journey with you? Could it inspire you?  Please chime in if you are out there reading and feel a connection to this journey. 

This week I also was asked to photograph this beautiful Brooklyn Family! 

Now, because I do love my photography work, and miss it greatly, I had so much fun!!! I am still available for sessions in Brooklyn and Manhattan for creative photo portrait sessions Through Spring. And again in Autumn. 

www.kimberlynaranjo.com

Running NYC

NYC 

www.birchcoffee.com

I have decided to exercise more, lose this weight and get in shape (AGAIN for the 1000nth time since my tween years), gain flexibility and strength and hopefully staying strong. I know I am not alone in this what feels like a grueling battle against the inevitable aging process that will eventually win. My attitude could get negative, but, in my years of wisdom, I have also decided that any negativity is poison, and we have choices in life, and choosing positive words and grateful hearts is a choice.

Making that conscious choice each day to be grateful can begin today, and it is a daily choice for me to be grateful for the working healthy body that I have, to take care of it with nutrition and exercise and acknowledge it is my responsibility, and choose to work hard to foster strength and flexible muscles. This is my goal. To be grateful for each day and take care of what is here, it is a gift!

So, I fight, I run, making my way through the city, seeing the city and the people of the city working, moving, pushing this or that, pulling carts, and plants and dresses, and machinery, and so much more, its like a rhythm all on its own. If I were a musician, I would sit in the presence of it all and come up with rhythms on a drum or piano. What a great place to get inspired for music! (I would think).

Even when the weather is perfect, I still sometimes don't want to!! I know its going to hurt, and its going to be hard,  So, each day I am fighting against lazy attitudes, and choosing to run, walk fast, catch my breath and run again as far as my legs will go. The absolute cool thing about NYC is that I can pick a destination and ride the train home!

Although, be prepared if you choose to run in the city. Its like an aromas explosion and minute by minute it is a different smell especially on Mondays! So get ready to also give your olfactory system a good workout too. Smells of everything and anything will hit your nostrils eventually, particularly grilled chicken, hot pretzels, cigarette smoke, old fish, human urine, perfume, coffee, and absolutely not may favorite... a bit of garbage death, oh the horror.

As the pounding of my shoes hitting pavement creates a rhythm that I begin to breathe to, weaving in and out of humans all dressed up, eating their bagels and drinking their coffee, or on their phones, all busy and headed somewhere, I begin repeating over and over in my mind, "I'm still strong, I'm still young, I have a lot of life to live and give, and this battle hurts, there will be pain, there will be lots of pain! Fight through the pain to get the gain. Don't quit, don't quit because this is hard. Keep going, fight through the hurt you are a fighter. You can do this, this is your victory. This is hard, but good. Just keep going!!

One thing's for certain, a reoccurring theme in own my life is
"It is going to hurt if its going work."

Trying to figure out a reward system for myself, I've decided to visit one coffee shop each week designated "one of the best places to get coffee in NYC" and experience the "decaf" goodness ( only if I reach my goals). To start this reward system, I chose Birch Coffee on 27th in between Broadway and 5th. Rich flavor,  interior woodsy and raw metals, and I loved the colors and lighting and the handmade ceramics on the shelves. Felt very Brooklyn/ and what I have seen in Nashville recently. Really good coffee, people working there were very friendly, and for that I was grateful.

I will announce next week the next coffee adventure. 

If you have of any ideas of places to visit next.. You all can respond here. 

One of the greatest discoveries this week has been the Floral district. In Love! Brain creative overload. I'll leave you with some images snapped with thy iPhone after my run this morn! beautilicious!  

Summer Adventure: Raleigh, Tennessee, Michigan, Canada, NYC {part one}

As I took a trip literally in a big circle through the USA, through NC TN MI and Canada back to NYC, I will be sharing bits an pieces of the experience as I come across fun pictures that I took and remember stories. I am afraid with school staring and with deadlines, I am in no place to figure out how to relay it in any specific order, but this is where I will start, nearly at the end.

Memphis. Why did I have to go begin to like Memphis a bit again? I swore that even until my dying day I would never like this place ever again.
But after a trip to see my beloved brother, spending time with family, taking trips to the Rendezvous, Peabody, Metal Museum, Beale Street, the Arcade, and the cute little town center in Collierville TN, My heart was warmed up to the idea of visiting now way more often. Believe it or not, I am maturing and growing and feeling wiser in my 40's and people like Maya Angelou,  Martin Luther King, My pastors, and of course my king Jesus have lead me to a path of forgiveness and healing old places that once made Memphis to me detestable now through forgiveness of myself, others, and embracing me now have Memphis once again an enjoyable place, and I find it just fun to be there.

We explored like tourists all week and I marveled at my once prison of a city how it has become a great place to spend time having fun and making good new memories there.

One day after a fabulously fun photo session with a friend I knew from high school, my family explored the downtown area with a fresh set of eyes. Even my brother admitted that living all the way in Collierville, he rarely made it to the city.

I was encouraged that memphis had improved Main street with stores like "Life is Good" and many other little coffee shops, ice cream and art galleries.

this next picture is just for cuteness factor as we walked by a store front where this little guy was the guard dog to the entrance. I think it was more like hanging a cute balloon in front of the store to attract visitors.

 
One particular store I found adorable was this one called #RedVelvet on Main near the Arcade Restaurant. , I was immediately attracted to the turquoise doors. Me.want.doors. I swear At some point in my life I have to have a renovated barn with beautiful double 9 pane glass turquoise doors and a chalkboard out front. Don't ask me why.. it just has to happen.

Red Velvet catered to the young vintage inspired rockabilly hipster-esque type, but there is simply nothing wrong with this fashion-dated 43 year old creative young at heart and soul who couldn't pull off wearing a single thing in that place without making someone question my sanity for me to simply sit back and admire what the youth this day and age is embracing in wanting more elegant beauty and enjoy the creativity in their design.

I mean, really, When I was young enough to pull off this kind of style,  I lived in an era of poodle hair,  parachute pants, shoulder pads, sweaters tucked into acid washed high hipped pleated button front jeans. So, almost everything is an improvement from when I was young and my skin was still youthful and my legs didn't jiggle.

So, if you are too young to know about this, just watch Karate Kid 3 and you will see exactly what I am talking about.

I did find these old tires turned into ottomans particularly adorable and the guy who makes them also drives around in a pink caddie giving a vintage tour of Memphis in kind of a kitschy quirky way.

The man's name is actually Tad Pierson, and honestly, I think he has to be one of the most interesting people on the planet. Way to go Tad : http://www.memphisdowntowner.com/my2cents-pages/Tad-Pierson.html

The young woman sporting a sleeve here was adorbs as well, and she is in a band. wishing I could find her business card which disintegrated in my suitcase somewhere. The clothes at this boutique would challenge any Brooklyn best and the prices would compete too.

My kids taller than me son and 544 Main which is nothing special, mainly because it was a closed gallery and I couldn't go in, but just a cool door and great lighting and a limited time where both kids were actually willing to look at me and stand next to each other without trying to hit, scratch, attack or kill the other sibling. A rare moment.

 
This is the Arcade. A staple of Memphis because it is the oldest restaurant that is still active and busy and has survived years of being able to hear a pin drop downtown. It is now enjoying the bit of revival in the area. Great for me to see.

Three days passed with no warning.. Three photos here

A trip to the apple store in soho

Painting with my boo 

And a cozy morning in #brooklyn 

Photo of the day #brooklyn

Today, aside from a very frustrating grocery store visit, I just sat, worshiped, prayed, read and painted. I intentionally tried to just enjoy making something even when I had no idea what to paint & as I got started, I didn't get disappointed that it didn't turn out quite like I hoped. Just excited to take One baby step at a time to get to a place where creation is fun and captivating and engaging again. Doing is way better than day dreaming about it.