ACEO of the Day: SNOWFLAKE!

When it became clear that the weather would not provide us snow for Christmas, I got out my scissors and cut a bunch of snowflakes out of paper. I hung them around the house so we would have "snow" on Christmas morning.
I just couldn't resist turning the smallest ones into ACEOs. The background is watercolor and acrylic on crinkled card stock.
Interested in owning this one? Bid on it here.

ACEO of the Day: SOFT LANDSCAPE

This meditative little landscape has a quiet, dreamy feel that gives imagination a place to roam. It would make a perfect addition to your ACEO collection. Buy it today.

ACEO of the Day: BELIEVE

This lovely ACEO is one of my popular Inspiration series. Vivid colors give this card a sense of drama that underscores the message. Add this to your collection as a reminder of what's most important to you.

The card is standard ACEO size: 2.5 x 3.5 inches; an original watercolor on acid-free watercolor paper.

Purchase this art card.

ACEO of the Day: AFTERNOON LIGHT

My favorite time of day is late afternoon when the light slants low creating long shadows. That time of day is magical; the light is warm and the shadows have a depth that they don't have the rest of the day. I have great memories of relaxing for a few minutes after work and before dinner, watching the light play across the landscape. This card brings them all back to me.

To own this card now; visit eBay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=006&sspagename=STRK%3AMESE%3AIT&viewitem=&item=160064428390&rd=1&rd=1

See other ATCs / ACEOs on my web site at www.LifeNeedsArt.com .

ACEO of the Day: STONEWASH

Ah, the one that started it all! An original watercolor ATC / ACEO on 140 lb paper. This card was painted using transparent watercolor applied in layers of glazes. The brushy design was created by tinting the paper with color, applying masking fluid and allowing it to dry, and the applying more color. When those subsequent layers were dry, the masking fluid was rubbed off to reveal the underlying colors. The little yellow spot was a happy accident, much to my delight.

ACEO of the Day: BELIEVE

One of the popular "Inspiration" series, BELIEVE, is a soft and gentle reminder to keep your beliefs close at hand. See more of the series at: http://www.lifeneedsart.com/atcs-inspiration.html

Life Needs Art on the web

For a concise list of art-related links and news, visit Life Needs Art on Squidoo:

http://www.squidoo.com/lifeneedsart/

You'll find links to places to purchase my artwork, gifts with my designs, and links to some of my favorite artists.

Take a drink of "Cool Water", a new ACEO

"Cool Water", a new ACEO, is now available for sale on ArtbyUs.com:

http://www.artbyus.com/auctions.php?a=6&b=3066

Here's your chance to take home an original ACEO -- not a print -- by Karen Koch. The painting is 2.5 x 3.5 inches (standard ACEO size), watercolor on Rives BFK paper.

It would make an impressive addition to your collection.

ACEO = Art cards, editions, originals

"DREAM" ACEO now on eBay

Here is your chance to own one of my original ACEOs: Dream. One of the Inspiration series, this little card has gorgeous colors and will make a cheerful reminder to point yourself in the direction of your dreams. Follow the link below to view the auction:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=006&sspagename=STRK%3AMESE%3AIT&viewitem=&item=160056224193&rd=1&rd=1

See all items at http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZlifeneedsartQQhtZ-1

"Afternoon Light" ACEO published

I've finally gotten around to posting pics of the ACEOs I completed over the summer. I made so many that it's taken a while to get them all scanned and posted. But worth the wait, I hope.

All 3 ATC / ACEO pages have new images:

http://www.lifeneedsart.com/ATCpics2.html
http://www.lifeneedsart.com/ATCpics.html
http://www.lifeneedsart.com/atcs-inspiration.html

"Afternoon Light" (pictured here) is available for sale on ArtbyUs.com.

2007 Calendars are 20% OFF this week!

2007 calendars are on sale 20% off, now through Dec. 3. Three designs to choose from:

• Abstracts: a different abstract painting each month
• ACEOs: a unique Inspiration ACEO each month
• Spring Breeze: one image for the entire year

Visit www.lifeneedsart.com/giftshop.html or www.cafepress.com/life_needs_art to view or purchase.

Greeting Cards and Ornaments are 25% off!

Greeting cards and ornaments are 25% off in the Gift Shop until Sunday, Nov. 19. Great time to pick up gifts for the holidays!

Shipping is FREE on orders of $50 or more.

www.lifeneedsart.com/giftshop.html
www.cafepress.com/life_needs_art

ACEO Magazine

My ACEO, "Spring Breeze" will be included in the December 2006 inaugural issue of ACEO Magazine. Visit the lovely ACEO Magazine web site where you can learn more. It promises to be an exciting new art magazine; subscribe today to keep up on this growing and highly collectible field.

2007 Calendars are Here!

Get a year-long dose of your favorite paintings by Karen Koch in these original 2007 calendars. One calendar (below) has a different abstract painting each month. The other calendar (right) has a different ATC/ACEO with an inspirational saying each month.

Makes great gifts for friends, coworkers, neighbors -- or yourself!

Get them from www.lifeneedsart.com or www.cafepress.com/life_needs_art/

Vote for my painting!

I need your help! I've entered a painting in an online exhibit, and the jurying process will be done by visitors to the web site.

The voting process will determine which paintings are included in the exhibit, and the one that gets the most votes will win the Best of Show prize.

Please consider voting for my painting, "Memories of Lanterns and Lightning Bugs". It is entered in the September exhibit at www.emergingartistsgroup.com .

Here's a link to the site. My painting is about halfway down the page:
http://emergingartistsgroup.com/v-web/gallery/sept06?page=1

Voting ends September 16. Tell your friends! There are many outstanding entries, so the competition is tough. I appreciate your help.

Thanks,
Karen

Memories of Lanterns and Lightning Bugs

Just finished this painting. I have great memories of growing up around San Francisco and going to Chinatown once in a while with the family or school groups. I can remember, but not clearly, how the lanterns looked sparkling at night. Lightning bugs, too -- I can remember being fascinated with them, as most kids are. I got a relatively technical book about them -- how they fly, why they blink, how they form social attachments -- that I read on a vacation once. I can't remember the name of it now, and it was probably way over my head, but I ate up every word.

This painting is my representation of those memories.

"Memories of Lanterns and Lightning Bugs"
18 x 24 inches
acrylic on canvas
August 2006

Inspiration ATCs / ACEOs

I've just posted a new collection of ATCs* on www.lifeneedsart.com. Either click the link on the home page or go directly to: http://www.lifeneedsart.com/atcs-inspiration.html .

The cards will be available at the University Park Art Fair (August 19), along with some new abstract ATCs.

Stop out and see me!

~~~~~~~~~~~
*ATC = Artist Trading Card
ACEO = Art Card, Edition and Original

Upcoming Shows

I am exhibiting in 2 outdoor art fairs - The University Park Art Fair at Grace Park (Akron), and Taste of Hudson. Stop out and see me at both shows!

Grace Park:
Saturday, August 19
10 AM - 6 PM
www.universityparkartfair.org

Taste of Hudson:
Sunday, Sept. 3
12-8 PM
Monday, Sept. 4
11 AM - 6 PM
www.tasteofhudson.com