Cat Kerr: 2016

Monday, December 5, 2016

"Make it Artsy" Dreams do come true,with a lot of help from my friends...

When my sister asked me(while taking this photo),"how ya feeling?"....well,this kinda sums it up. I felt completely out of my element,overwhelmed and nerves running through me like bolts of electricity. There were so many things I felt I did wrong...like talking to fast,forgetting to smile,making a big mess....I can go on and on...

But that's not what this post is about.

This post is about ALL the things that went right

and all the folks that helped me along the way.

Sure I was thrilled at the idea of being on TV show,but it scared the heck out of me too! With a deep breathe I said yes because I'm constantly trying to remember that I have to keep doing things that scare me in order to keep growing.

First, I wanted to thank my hubby and family.I couldn't of done this without them.Hubby switched his work schedule,took care of my son and pups and as always,was so very supportive. The gratitude I feel for having this man in my life runs deep and strong.

So when I first received the message from Kathie(K&S Productions)I'll admit,I thought she accidentally messaged the wrong person heehee but as things began to finalize, I started to believe that this was really going to happen. So thank you Kathie for finding me and believing in me and my work.

A big Thank You to Alumilte (moldputty.com) for sponsoring me.These are core products that I love to use and I was so happy to use them in my segments.

(here's how I set up each segment with steps)

Thank you USPS for delivering a very important box full of samples and product.

Thank you to the best helper ever,my sister Sandy.She picked me up in Ohio and went with me to the studio that morning and helped me set up and stay on task.I really couldn't have done it with out you sis.

Here's me just trying to keep it real the morning of the taping.

Thank you the nice lady that did my make up...

and to all the help behind the scenes...

and to Julie,for her guidance on and off the camera and the round table chatter and for your kindness.

On the way home while waiting for the plane I thought about every single person that helped

me to do this.

Susan Brown for helping me coordinate with Alumilite.

The kind ladies at K&S Productions.

Every kind comment on FB and social media.(they helped me so much)

To the travel attendants,luggage handlers,hotel workers.

I believe my season will air in March,but you can get info on the show and Season One videos at...

http://www.makeitartsy.com/

https://www.youtube.com/user/ksproductionstv

https://www.facebook.com/makeitartsytv/

(Here's me and my sis Sandy taking a walk the morning I flew back.A perfect way to end my "Make it Artsy" adventure.

"Long ago God drew a circle in the sand exactly around the spot where you are standing right now. You were never not coming here. This was never not going to happen.” — Elizabeth Gilbert

Here's to making every minute count,

Friday, October 14, 2016

The answer to almost every question is...

The questions that creep in sound like...

Am I good enough?

How can I compete with the other amazing artists out there?

Am I different enough?

Should I try something new?

Should I stay the same?

As a working artist these same questions continue to come up over and over again.

Not only do I often ask them of myself,but they also come up in conversation when speaking to other artists. It's a comfort to think that we are not alone in feeling like this.

Fear has a way of doing that, it can make us question ourselves...fill us with self doubt, but after reading "Big Magic" by Elizabeth Gilbert I realized that those feeling...are perfectly ok. In fact, they're here to help us. Fear can be a very good thing. It helps us to focus,it helps us to push harder,it helps us to keep going. You have all the power you need to accept fear for what is. Yes, it can make your heart race,yes, it can make your hands sweat, yes,it can make you feel like you are not enough...but only temporarily. Because what is it really?

A reaction to something,to someone. An unpleasant emotion caused by something that could happen.

Whatever it is...however you define it...it will pass. It always does you know.

Today, I've learned to not only accept fear,but to also appreciate it and to even thank it. I've learned that there is nothing I can do to make fear go away, it will always stop by, it will always make my heart race and there's nothing I can do about that. But what I can control is how I deal with it when it comes for a visit.Instead of pushing it away,I've learned to embrace it and instead of focusing on everything that's wrong I'll just work on being the best me I can be.No more,no less. Because being the best version of me takes courage

and it shouts to the world

that the faith I have in who I can become is bigger than the fear of not trying at all.

So move aside fear.There's work to do.

So now the answers to almost every question.

You are enough

Work hard.

Be the best version of you.

Beautiful,smart,kind,loving,creative you.

This assemblage was created with these feelings in mind.

I first assembled the Retro Cafe Art Gallery Shrine and covered it in card stock.

I glued in all sorts of RCAG masonite bits!

I then covered them in gesso, and I painted it in assorted layers. I also glued on the word "You" on the hand.

I found this wonderful pre-made clear sheet in Micheals and cut out a piece to fit the front of the shrine. I made sure the words "Just be" were visible and highlighted them by using gold paint.

I then painted this tiny Circle Shrine with Pebeo paints and added an Face Paper Cuts, Rub Ons and lastly sealed it with Amazing Clear Cast Resin.

I then glued on the clear sheet to the front of the shrine. I covered the edges in a tiny scalloped Black Dresden. I also added some coconut fiber to the top of the shrine and glued the Mini circle Shrine to the top.

Masonite Bits:

More of my ramblings about fear can be found here.

Happy Creating!

Thursday, September 15, 2016

Brave Heart

I've taken art journaling workshops, I've purchased multiple media journals, along with countless supplies... but I have yet to start an art journal. This week I realized why that is. I mean I love the idea of art journaling...I really do,but what I dont like is that once you're finished with a page,you close it up and put it away. Today I have for you MY version of an art journal page... I approached it the same way I would a page layout and I love the way it came out!

"Brave Heart" unlike a traditional art journal page,when you finish with this, it can be placed on your desk for you to enjoy over and over again!

I first assembled the large Niche Shrine shadowbox.

Using a large art journal I placed these three stamps in random spots creating a pattern.

I then added Deco Art Fluids.(Primary Yellow,Primary Magenta and Teal)

I then ripped the page out of the journal and then shredded it into strips.

I glued the strips onto the shadowbox and then painted in between the spaces with black gesso.

I then added splashes of color with acrylic paint and extra dimension with a white sharpie.

Using the Pebble stone stencil,white gesso and a foam brush I added some additional design. Finished it with a layer of sealer and splattered Gold Color Shine.

I then stamped this image onto a piece of clear plastic sheet and sprinkled it with gold Color Shine spray.

The image reads in Latin "Alis Volat Propiis" which translates into "She flies with her own Wings"

Next, I spray painted a Niche frame black and again added gold shine spray.Added black and white card stock to the inside of the shadowbox and highlighted the corners with the same Primary yellow.

Painted a Rising Spirit Relics and Artifacts wing Teal and sprinkled with Gold Color Shine.Then I glued it in place.

I then placed the clear plastic sheet on top of the black frame and covered the edges in a mini Scalloped Dresden.

Lastly, I painted a compass rose in the same Magenta color and covered it in clear coating of Amazing Casting Resin then I glued it in the corner.

The back of the shadowbox has the journal part of the project. It reads

Finding my way

it's scary

but at some point

in order to grow

I have to be willing

to loose sight

of the shore,

Retro Cafe Art Products used in this tutorial:

Rising Spirit Relics and Artifacts

Mini Scalloped Dresden

Compass Rose

Thursday, August 25, 2016

"Love More" on Live with Prima USTREAMTV

Thrilled to be offering another Live With Prima class on Tuesday 30th 2pm EST on Ustreamtv!

This

free

"Love More" workshop is all about texture! I will go over the steps I take to add dimension to a RELICS & ARTIFACTS Rising Spirit Relic, along with adding texture to the base of the metal frame. I will also cover the frame in card stock,embellish it with paint, glitter and talk about the value of "Happy Accidents". Lastly, I will unite all of the components, creating a whimsical altered art frame. I hope you can join me!

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/primaflower

Friday, August 12, 2016

Zero Circle

"Zero Circle"

Be helpless, dumbfounded,

Unable to say yes or no.

Then a stretcher will come from grace

To gather us up.

We are too dull-eyed to see that beauty

If we say we can, we’re lying.

If we say No, we don’t see it,

That No will behead us

And shut tight our window onto spirit.

So let us rather not be sure of anything,

Besides ourselves, and only that, so

Miraculous beings come running to help.

Crazed, lying in a zero circle, mute,

We shall be saying finally,

With tremendous eloquence, Lead us.

When we have totally surrendered to that beauty,

We shall be a mighty kindness. -Rumi

"Zero Circle" is a poem that I read almost 6 years ago now and every time I read it,it has something new to offer me and I think I will continue to learn from it in the years to come.In a nutshell,this poem speaks to me about a specific moment in time that I continue to have over and over again. It's during the time when I fall flat on my face(and I do have many of those) and I want to give up,and hide. When I feel confused,alone and lost,... but instead of giving up, I give in. At some point we all give in.We realize that every action,every outcome is out of our control and we have to offer ourselves with open hands to something that is bigger and brighter than ourselves.In the darkness, something grabs hold of my hand and helps me back up on my feet. That "something" is different for everybody,but it is in this very moment that choices become clear. Only then will "a stretcher come from Grace to gather us up".

It's comforting to know that in our hour of need,in that moment of uncertainty,we are not alone.

This shadowbox was created with this poem,this feeling in mind.

I first assembled the shadowbox and covered it in old stickers(a great way to use up old supplies).I then painted the edges of all the stickers with Deco Arts Multi Surface Carbon Black,Coastal Waters and Chartreuse. I added additional texture with oil crayons. Lastly, I glued on Steampunk number paper cuts and highlighted them with paint.

There was too much color by this point and so the inside of the shadowbox needed to be anchored down.I used black card stock and added the poem to it with white ink.

I printed up the poem and cut it into strips. My original intention was just to paste it on to the black card stock in the correct order,but after looking at this pile,I thought,... this is exactly how I feel in those moments.

I then added some of the same colors to the Black Dresden and sprinkled it with watered down Metallic Lustre.

I painted the chipboard word "Clarity" with Deco Arts Multi Surface Lipstick Red and used a white sharpie to add highlights. I glued everything into place and when dry I added some Coastal Waters paint around the word.

I then added Deco Arts Gesso to the Fancy Flaming heart and then covered it in the same colors. I also added white sharpie and liquid metallic lustre splatters.