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Category Archives: art + travel

Oh hello, Venice.  What I wouldn’t do to be magically transported back to you right now.  I’d sit in your St. Marks Square, enjoy some pizza and beer, and take in the city- in all it’s rotted, beautiful decay.  I really don’t think there is another place like you in the world.  You are magical and confusing, crowded and smelly, lovely and mysterious, and I adored every second of my time spent with you.

A few selected images are available in my Fine Art Shop.  Go here to check them out: BUY PRINTS  (if there is a particular image you want- shoot me an email and I’ll make it available in the print shop)

  • Jess - Absolutely gorgeous, Kim!!

Okay, I’m going to do it.  I’m going to complain about the weather.  I’m sorry, but it sucks right now here in the PNW- and I’m grumpy.   It’s supposed to be summer, and I’m sitting in my office with the heater on, a cup of tea, and an incredible urge to bake something with pumpkin in it. (too early for christmas music?)  I know the rest of the world is suffering in extreme heat, so maybe I should be thankful for the cool and overcast days we are having…

That doesn’t change the fact that I’m in desperate need of some Vitamin D, so I’ve decided to post some of my Cinque Terre photos from our trip in May in hopes of satisfying that depleted part of me that needs sun.

This region is officially my favorite spot on earth, not because it’s the birthplace of pesto and foccacia or the makers of all things lemon (well, maybe that is part of it), it’s the totally unique and breathtaking beauty of it ALL. It’s a little slice of heaven on a remote part of the Italian Riviera that conjures up memories of tiny gelato colored houses balancing on hilltops, old men peering through their windows down at the square at sunset, church bells chiming on the hour, turquoise water as far as the eye can see, birds soaring over the town square,  wine on the breakwater,  sunburnt europeans in speedos, hikes on dusty trails lined with grape vines, scrappy cats soaking in the sun, and tiny glasses of delicious limoncino…

Aaahhhhhhhhhh.  Okay, I feel a little better.

You can download the last photo on this post by clicking HERE. (appropriatley named “I left my heart in the Cinque Terre.”)  I’ve sized it for you to use as a screensaver.  I’ve never offered a download before, so I know it will look good if you have a mac with a 1920×1200 screen, and probably just okay if you have some other kind of computer.  (sorry PC users, I just don’t get you) Please be nice and only use it on your desktop and don’t copy,steal, etc…

*A few of these will eventually end up in my print shop, but probably not until the busy wedding season is over.  If you see something that you need a print of, shoot me an email and I’ll put it up in the shop asap.

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*download this photo HERE for your desktop*

Cinque Terre translates to “Five Lands.”  Each town is connected by a hiking trail that weaves in and out of the surrounding mountains.  If you are feeling lazy you can take a quick train that connects each village, but most of the fun is on the trail where you can see how each town is nestled into the mountains.  Cars are not allowed in the villages (except for some parts of Monterosso), which only seems to make the place more magical.  We visited each town, but I think Vernazza (where we stayed 4 nights) was my favorite.  Rick Steves has a pretty good write-up on the area, and his suggestions were pretty spot on.  Check it out HERE.

  • kaya j photography - ahhh….i want to go there!!! Did you and Casey put a lock on the bridge? AHHH, I want to go!!! maybe some day :)

  • Heather - So lovely…. I want to be there.

  • lynda - your magic worked; the sun is out in seattle now!

  • Laura - this was my favourite spot in Italy. I LOVED it there. The walk was definitely the best part. I went about 8 years ago and your photos have just reminded me of my love of the area. Must go count the funds in the piggy bank to see when I can go back :)

  • Kip Beelman - Love this. It’s been nearly 12 years since my wife and I stayed in Monterosso.

Art is what we call… the thing an artist does.

It’s not the medium or the oil or the price or whether it hangs on a wall or you eat it. What matters, what makes it art, is that the person who made it overcame the resistance, ignored the voice of doubt and made something worth making. Something risky. Something human.

Art is not in the eye of the beholder. It’s in the soul of the artist.

Seth Godin

(from random winter outings at Golden Gardens and Lake Padden)

  • Heather - Oooh…I love these! So pretty!

  • Julia Brown - Beautiful images Kim! So serene…

  • Della - Stunning, Kim!

Fall is by far my favorite season; it passed way too quickly this year.  I’ve been missing the crisp cool days and vibrant colors lining the northwest landscape. Things are just too gray in the winter!!

In other news, I’m close to launching a new print shop and an etsy shop that will feature affordable prints!  Be sure to become a fan on facebook to receive updates when the store opens and when new prints hit the shop. (facebook fans will get special discounts, too!)

  • donaville - these photos are phenomenal :)

  • Christine - Wow Kim… these are seriously beautiful…. I would love to have prints like these on my wall! You are amazing. :)

  • Heather - So pretty! You’re a photography rockstar!