Go GaGa Blog

Design Services & Art Classes

2012-09-11T12:16:00.003-07:00

Hi! Hi! Well, it certainly has been awhile since I've put up a post on this site. My bad. BUT! in my defense I've been hard at work establishing a home daycare. What an amazing experience to be home for my kids... and yours too!

I have to say though that I have a creative itch to scratch and I think I've found a solution. I've decided to add a new page to my website featuring a design service to create "Business Cards for Busy Moms" (& Dads), as well as, art classes for your creative kids. Registration for the Fall Session is now open. Take a click on over and check out the details. Art & Design

I look forward to meeting new parents and their children. This is going to be fun!

Mompreneur

2012-04-22T08:17:00.006-07:00

The other day a friend of mine and fellow mommy, described me as a Mompreneur. I loved that! It made me feel powerful and for those of you who know me... I love the feeling of power! LOL

Definition: Mompreneur is a neologism defined as a female business owner who is actively balancing the role of mom and the role of entrepreneur.

For all the Mompreneurs out there, kudos and congratulations.

Times are Changing

2012-04-13T09:45:00.003-07:00

Recently I resigned from my job as Store Manager at a local sign company. I'm sad to have done that because I really enjoyed the pace, the environment and the people I worked with. On the other hand, I've created a new position for myself... daycare provider! I'm simply building upon my passion for my family and keeping my focus on them and other people's gems too. It's an exciting time!

The trick now is managing my time with the kids and my creative passions too. I've recently had a request to paint another mat and a chair. I think once I get up and running I'll be able to manage both.

Seems to be working

2012-01-21T17:34:00.000-08:00

So far the addition of the acrylic paint seems to be sticking to the varathane. I guess because they are both "plastic" they adhere well to each other. Having said that, if I try to scratch it off it will come off. I'm pretty sure that the final varathane coating will be seemless. Phew! The yellow looks great. I'm just trying to decide how to change up the quilt image. I estimate I'll need another 10-15 hours to make all of the proposed changes.

I'd like to be working on the chair more but I've recently turned my paint brush to my walls!! Time to get rid of the builders' paint nightmare.

New "Follow" Feature

2012-01-07T18:53:00.000-08:00

Hey Hey!!

I've just added the Follow feature to my Blog so that we can stay connected. I know that projects can sometimes take awhile to complete and updating a Blog can take a little longer. So... Follow my Blog and get my updates when I make them!

Cheers!

Current Bear Hugs Chair

2012-01-07T18:16:00.000-08:00

Here is the current chair design. Once I've made all the changes I will post new images.

I will also be sure to give an overview of the process(es) I used to complete the chair.
I look forward to the task at hand!

The Bear Hugs Chair

2012-01-07T17:47:00.000-08:00

William's new chair will require revisions to make it more personal.

The pink areas of the chair will be changed to yellow ochre. The quilted squares on the back of the chair will be modified to state his name and birth date, as well, I'm considering adding a small portrait of the baby. I think I will also play up the bear paw elements on the front and back posts of the chair to give a more playful appearance... but, not with as much contrast... more subtle. I think once the chair has been modified it will be perfect for William!

The Challenge:
Since this chair has already been sealed with varathane, I am not 100% sure how the changes I make will adhere. I'm considering giving the areas a light sanding, making the changes and then reapplying the varathane coating. I hope the acrylic paint will stick and not simply flake or peel away.

If you have any suggestions I'd love to hear them!

Website Update

2012-01-07T16:39:00.000-08:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Just a quick note to let you know that I have made a few updates to my website. The last 2 floor mat images, Sea Turtle & Blue Crab, were added, as well, the Bear Hugs kids' rocking chair is no longer for sale. A little boy, William, is the proud new owner!

I wish you all the best in 2012!

5 of 5 Paintings Complete!

2011-08-12T20:59:00.000-07:00

5 of 5 paintings are now complete! My client should have received them today... I'm looking forward to her review. Once I know she has seen them first I'll be able to post the images on my website for you to see too.

LOL It's hard for me to let go of my work... there is so much time and care invested into each one. They literally become a part of my family.

Mats Galore

2011-02-21T15:46:00.000-08:00

Last June I had a person from North Carolina contact me about creating a series of floor mats for a beach house. Imagine my surprise and excitement to have someone from so far away interested in my work.

Since then I have been working fairly steadily to create a total of 5 mats. To date I have 3 completed and shipped. My work was described as "spectacular"... what a thrill! I am currently working on the remaining 2 mats.

Completed:

40x57" Compass Rose

30x24" Sunflowers
40x24" Dolphin

In Progress:
30x30" Crab

30x30" Sea Turtle

It has been a unique experience working with someone I've never met but with the right questions and a cooperative client things have been going smoothly.

I'll soon be posting the 3 completed mats on my website so check back soon to see them!
Kelly

Website Update

2008-07-01T20:02:00.000-07:00

Hey All,

Quick note. My website has been updated with new chair images if you'd like to check them out. Hope you are having a great summer so far!

Kelly

Little Traveller

2008-06-14T10:41:00.000-07:00

Hello,

The Little Traveller, as I've named the latest chair, is almost complete. Today I am putting on the finishing touches and tidying up loose ends. Tomorrow I will apply the first coat of varathane. I've really enjoyed painting this chair. It has an element of humour and whimsy that has held my interest for the past few months.

I'll be posting images here and on my webite is a couple of weeks. The chair will be delivered to it's new owner next weekend so I have to be patient. I'm looking forward to sharing it with you.

Kelly

New Design Comps

2008-04-26T19:10:00.000-07:00

My latest chair design, like the Korean/Canadian chair, is a great educational tool... for me! I'm learning about various cultures.

Seen here, we have the story of a traditional Colombian taxi as it zooms past beaches (coast to coast), farm fields, sugar cane fields, and through the city of New York. There are personal touches along the way that reflect family heritage and name sakes. Most importantly the bridge of a young boy between his heritage and his birthplace.

I hope I do the story justice! If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to send me a note.

Kelly

New Chair Underway

2008-03-26T18:10:00.000-07:00

I have a new chair design underway and I'm really looking forward to working on it. The theme is a blend of Colombian country and New York city buzz. The design will also have a travellers feel about it.

For those of you who are curious, here is an image of the Korean/Canadian inspired chair. If you have any questions about a chair that you may like to work on with me please feel free to contact me. I check my messages everyday.

All the best!

Kelly

Poll

2008-02-27T08:41:00.000-08:00

Thanks to those of you who voted for your favourite theme chair on my poll. Farm Yard was the favourite! I've been collecting inspiration for that theme and hope to get something started in the next few months.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

2007-12-21T13:01:00.000-08:00

Hello friends!

It certainly has been awhile since my last posting but I wanted to let you know that I am alive and well! In November I started a new part-time job working in a sign production shop in more of a managerial role, and it has been a good experience... so good that I'm taking the job on a full time basis in the January.

As for chair designs... my Winnie-the-Pooh client has realized the importance of original and personalized design. We will be hashing out the details in January but I think it will be another multi-cultural chair inspired by Colombian, US and Canadian cultures. Very cool! I'll keep you posted. ;)

I wish you all a safe and joyous holiday season.
Sincerely,
Kelly

Fini

2007-10-17T10:38:00.000-07:00

The Korean Inspired chair is complete! I love it. I still have to apply one more coat of varathane and then the chair will be totally completed. This weekend I'll be delivering it to it's new owner. It's an amazing feeling to look at a finished piece... I often ask myself if I really did it. Once the chair is in the hands of the owners I will be able to post the pics on my website. Check back next week to see it.

Creative Update

2007-09-22T11:13:00.000-07:00

My latest chair is really coming along. Creating the design completely on the computer first has really been great as acting as my storyboard. I'll definitely do it that way for all my chairs. Speaking of which... it seems the next chair may be a Winnie the Pooh inspired theme. I'll have to consider my approach to this order.

On another note... I've recently been hired to become an Art Specialist at a Montessori school in Oakville. I am extremely excited about that! I'll be teaching Casa 1 and 2. I'm sure there will be some good times!

Needless to say I'm very busy but very busy doing art and raising a beautiful little girl. No complaints.

Chair is underway!

2007-09-04T09:40:00.000-07:00

Hi There,

The new chair design has been approved by my client - we had a couple of versions from which we bounced ideas off each other. We've decided to go with a Korean inspired landscape that could also be a Canadian one upon first glance. I have subtley incorporated the symbols of both of the Korean and Canadian flags into the pond/seat of the chair. The ying yang of the Korean flag is emulated with the fish and there is a floating maple leaf representing Canada.

The overall design of the chair mainly features elements that exist in both countries landscapes... the Korean meaning behind each of the elements is what carries the Korean theme further. For instance, in Korea there is a Sunrise festival every year which represents the begining of a new year. I felt that was particularily significant at the onset of the child's birthday. That's why I chose to have a sunrise as a part of the design.

On the back of the chair I chose a nightime scene to highlight his name and the meaning of his name, Shines Brightly. It also allowed me to add 5 bats which is very good luck... only people who'd researched that would know... otherwise, there again, Canada has bats :)

Other images with meaning that are incorporated into the design are a deer, turtle, mandarin ducks, tiger, rose of sharron, bamboo and a butterfly. Please follow the following link to view the meanings of the symbols: http://english.gangnam.go.kr/koreanpattern/index.htm

Progress: The base painting of the chair is half finished.

Due Date: Mid-October of this year... so stay tuned for images of the completed chair!

If you have any questions regarding this design or my process please feel free to contact me.

Cheers!

Kelly

Kid Chair Commission

2007-07-22T07:38:00.000-07:00

Great news... yesterday I had the pleasure of meeting a very cute Korean baby adopted by my friends. I was also very honoured to be asked to paint the little prince his very own chair. Yay! His Korean name means, Shines Brightly... I'm thinking about creating a design that reflects his name and incorporates elements of a quilt created by his Mom. This is going to be a wonderful collaboration!

Welcome!

2007-07-15T11:50:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone,

So this is my inaugural blog and I look forward to conversing with you!

My hope is to provide regular updates regarding current projects as well as to take feedback regarding exisiting work and ideas for future themes. Please feel free to contact me here if you have questions about how to get started on a project with me.

All the best!
Kelly