Kristine Fretheim.com is Live

My new web site, KristineFretheim.com, is up and I hope you all will take a look and let me know what you think. Posts from Watercolor Haiku moved over to the new blog page okay, but I can't figure out how to move Google Friend Connect along with them. Until I solve this dilemma, you can continue following Watercolor Haiku via the subscribe by email button on the new blog page. Does anyone know how to move Google Friend Connect to a WordPress blog?

Going to Watercolor USA 2014!

Hen & Chicks (detail)
19.5 x 15.5

My painting Hen & Chicks has been selected by juror Maggie Adler for the Watercolor USA 2014 exhibition at the Springfield Art Museum in Springfield, MO. The exhibit is open from June 7 - August 5, 2014.

Since 1962 the Springfield Art Museum has recognized and encouraged watercolor painting from across the United States by sponsoring the Watercolor USA annual national competition. I am thrilled to have a painting included in this exhibition!

How Long Will It Take

Mary Janet Allis Peterson
May 24, 1925 ~ February 15, 2014
Oil on Canvas by Kenneth R. Peterson

… for the sadness and this knot in my chest to go away? I didn't realize how often I thought of her, how often I called her to chat about this and that. I wasn't aware of the space she filled in my days. I wasn't aware. She was opinionated, outspoken and impatient, and I was often upset by our conversations. Even so, I called her frequently, happy to hear the sound of her voice. She was my mother, my rock, and my wake-up call. And she was a remarkable woman.

She married the love of her life, artist Kenneth Peterson, in 1948 and their life together was rich with family and friends. He died suddenly at age 49, leaving her with three children to raise on her own. She never re-married.

She created a good life for herself and her children working as an executive secretary, a bank teller, a fabric store manager. She loved fashion. She was always beautifully dressed. She was smart, out-spoken and direct, and while her daughter is prone to fits of day-dreams ('Kristy, you think too much!'), my mother became softer, more patient with me as she aged. She loved to read; her bookcase shelves were full and piles of books spilled out on the floor around them. She lived with passion. Her retirement was filled with creative projects, many more than she could ever finish. She was insatiably creative. A piece of her embroidery reads, "Busy hands are happy hands." She loved needle-work of all kinds, cooking, painting and drawing. My father once asked her to withdraw from his portrait painting class, because she was so good, she intimidated his students. (She really was that good.)

Once I told her, "I know the time is coming, but I'll be devastated when Munch-cat dies." She grew silent and stared hard at me with steely green eyes. She knew her time was coming and I couldn't face it. She seemed to push me out into the world, forcing me into a strong role that didn't fit.

Her picture is next to her number on my phone. I'm keeping her there for awhile, yet. If only we could have a little more time. I still have so many questions and so many, many things to tell you, Mom!

First Place Award and Acceptance to Missouri International Exhibition

Vajra Vision #4
Watercolor on Arches   22" x 22"   ©Kristine Fretheim

I'm happy to announce my painting Vajra Vision #4 is one of eighty paintings selected by judge Cathy Hegman for the Watercolor Missouri International 2014 Exhibition. The show is open from April 1 through May 16 in the National Churchill Museum, Anson Cutts Gallery in Fulton, MO. Beginning May 25 the 2014 Exhibition will be featured on the Missouri Watercolor Society website along with previous exhibits.

More good news! My painting Hen & Chicks, selected by judge Curt Pederson for the Arts in Harmony 2014 International Exhibition, has received a First Place Award. As the largest international art exhibit in Minnesota, the show received entries from 30 states and 4 countries, and includes multiple mediums ranging from painting and drawing to ceramics and sculpture. The exhibit is open from February 3 to March 27, at the Sherburne County Government Center in Elk River, MN.

It's Not Easy Being Green

Giclée Print of Original Watercolor
SIZE: 11" x 14" • Unframed  • RETAIL: $75
EDITION: Signed Open Edition 

It's not easy bein' green
Having to spend each day
The color of the leaves
When I think it could be nicer
Bein' red or yellow or gold
Or something much more colorful like that

It's not easy bein' green
It seems you blend in
With so many other ordinary things
And people tend to pass you over
'Cause you're not standing out
Like flashy sparkles on the water
Or stars in the sky

But green's the color of spring
And green can be cool and friendly like
And green can be big like a mountain
Or important like a river or tall like a tree
When green is all there is to be
It could make you wonder why
But, why wonder, why wonder?
I'm green and it'll do fine
It's beautiful and I think it's what I want to be



To acquire a giclée of "Bein' Green" please contact me in the comments below or on my web site. It's also available framed ($250). See more of my work at: kristinefretheim.com.

Giclées are museum quality fine art prints. Unlike large, lithographic print runs, giclées are printed just a few at a time with dye-based, archival quality inks on acid-free, archival watercolor papers. Each print is approved, signed and numbered by the artist. Giclée prints should be displayed in a dry location out of direct sunlight. Proper care will add to their longevity and to enjoyment of them for years to come.

Patches

Giclée of Original Watercolor
SIZE: 8" x 10" • Unframed • RETAIL: $25
EDITION: 100 Signed and Numbered


This little calico was my ever present gardening buddy for many years. She was thoroughly cat preferring to be outdoors right up to her last days. Our long Minnesota winters tested her patience. Forced by heavy snows to stay indoors, she begged for a sniff of the outdoors as though she could tell just how long winter would stay. I contrasted a loose, wet background with a crisp foreground to make her stand out. If you would like to give her a home, please contact me in the comments below or on my web site.

See more of my work at: kristinefretheim.com or @WatercolorHaiku.

This giclée is full size like the original painting. Giclées are considered museum quality fine art prints. Unlike large, lithographic print runs, giclées are printed just a few at a time with dye-based, archival quality inks on acid-free, archival watercolor papers. Each print is approved, hand-signed and numbered by the artist. Giclée prints should be displayed in a dry location out of direct sunlight. Proper care will add to their longevity and to enjoyment of them for years to come.

Say A Word Of Truth

Giclée of Original Watercolor

SIZE: 16" x 20" • Unframed • RETAIL: $125
EDITION: 25 Signed and Numbered

Meet Mr. Munchkins, benevolent ruler of our home. He is all sweetness and light. He came to us as a tiny orphan from Feline Rescue, and immediately won the hearts of our household. When I saw him laying in the sun on the blue and yellow patterned rug I had to paint him! I brushed the shadows and patterns in the rug loosely, focusing on his face with crisp detail. Do you think I captured that mysterious cat telepathy? P u u u r a m i t a...

Framed giclées are available at $375 and unframed $125. To acquire this sunny image, contact me in the comments below or on my web site. See more of my artwork here: www.kristinefretheim.com or @WatercolorHaiku.

This giclée is full size like the original painting. Giclées are considered museum quality fine art prints. Unlike large, lithographic print runs, giclées are printed just a few at a time with dye-based, archival quality inks on acid-free, archival watercolor papers. Each print is approved, hand-signed and numbered by the artist. Giclée prints should be displayed in a dry location out of direct sunlight. Proper care will add to their longevity and to enjoyment of them for years to come.