Creativity is Contagious with Kimbo Daniel

Eagle Cake Decorating

2011-11-27T10:34:00.000-08:00

"Eagle Cake"
created by
Ashley Anthony and John Cason

I recently had the honor and privilege
of watching, interviewing and filming

an awesome eagle cake being decorated
during a party! I couldn't believe the focus
and detail that was at work. Realize that this
took place while people bustled all around

during a birthday party for one of my friends.
Be sure to check out the link below. So cool

Creativity is Contagious with Kimbo Daniel
Webisode # 23

Kimbo interviews a dynamic duo as they create
a one of a kind American Eagle cake.

Click on this link to see the video:

http://youtu.be/bfW66CVQbHY

you can find more info on the web at:ashleyswhippedcreations.com
andwww.facebook.com/whippedcreations

Painting a Sunrise

2011-11-02T10:08:00.000-07:00

I wanted to share my newest creation
with you. I am painting a picture
for one of my clients.

Getting Started: Usually the hardest part.
I've already sketched my image on to the canvas.
Let the painting begin!!

Finally an image is coming through with some
painted details. Having a designated work
area really helps. I'll leave my painting supplies
out so that when I get the "urge" I'll be ready.

There's no need to hurry.
Relax with some nice background music.
I am softly washing in some color. I'll start out light
and gradually darken it.

The sky has been refined and detailed. Notice the

darkening of the water and the sun's yellow have been

added. The reflection of the clouds has also been

added to the beach. Next I'll continue

to enrich the colors as I "darken" everything.

A lot more gray and orange have been added.

Next I'll do a peachy/orange wash over the

bottom portion of the sky and the top/horizon

portion of the ocean. Then I'll be ready to

add the blacks and reds. (Always save your darkest

colors to paint last because you can build upon the

light colors but it's really hard to soften the dark ones.)

This "peachy" wash will become an important
undertone. Next I will add the darker color
to the waves and clouds in the image.
There's not much more to do and I'm getting
very anxious to see this painting finished.

Finally Finished!!!

www.kimbohemia.net

Pirate Ship Step Stool

2011-10-25T10:30:00.000-07:00

You can check out this project and others with the links below

This is a step stool that I worked on along with my talented woodworking husband. He built the two part creation so that it could get shorter as the child gets taller. I thought that was brilliant!! His daughter showed us the shower curtain that she wanted to match and away we went. Ships Ahoy!!!

www.kimbohemia.net http://youtu.be/MD6BNpJzuik

Start with your wooden object. Prime it, sand it and then paint it the colors that you want.

To get the lettering placed perfectly, I used carbon paper to mark it in place.

I made photos of the image on the shower curtain, then some computer skills to change them around a bit.
Check out copyright laws before using someone else's artwork & designs!!!
Then I used an Exacto knife and scissors to cut out around the images.
I made "mirrored/flipped" images so that I could put one on each side of the stool.

Carefully apply glue or decoupage medium to the back of the image.

I painted a "water" area on the stool with acrylic paint and waited until it was totally dry. I made sure that where I placed the ship wasn't going to be covered up by the wooden bottom layer of the stool. (Notice it's been removed for this part of the application?) Apply your image very carefully to spot on your work surface. Be careful to put it exactly where you want it and wipe away any air bubbles. Use a paint brush to apply more glue/decoupage medium over the entire surface of the front of the image. Brush the glue and extend it past the image atleast 1/8" so that it seals it totally. You don't want air gaps between the paper and flat surface.
Follow the instructions on the bottle of glue/decoupage medium for more information.

To make sure that you are happy with the placement of things, use chalk or removable tape to line it in first.
They can be changed much easier than painting something over again!!!

I chose a 3D wooden pre-painted craft item that I found at the local craft store. It was perfect to finish this piece with. I painted in the island and glued on the palm tree. It nicely added to the layered look that the stool already had from the levels. I also chose to "rough" up the edges of the wood by sanding them down to give this a "worn" look. I coated the artwork and painted surfaces with a matte finish sealant because this is going to be in the bathroom & needs protection.

And here's the back view of finished piece.
A very happy little boy is now enjoying this and will be able to grow with it too.

Faux Finishing

2011-08-10T12:22:00.000-07:00

I recently painted a dining room table because everything in the room was brown & boring. I wanted to add a pop of color to the room's centerpiece. Check out the before, during and after pix.

I started by picking a "happy" base color. This apple green was just right!
Before I began painting, I lightly sanded the surface of the table since it had a clear coat varnish on it.
This was going to help the paint "stick" better. Notice that I used a drop cloth of paper
and I lifted the table up on risers (made of paint cans). If any paint sticks to paper
it creates a problem for removing the object after it dries.

I chose a very dark, and thinned down brown/black acrylic for the "wash".
I use an acrylic "extender" to thin my acrylic paint out for "washes".

After applying a generous amount of "wash" I use a damp rag to softly "wipe and
pat" the paint off. Don't rub too hard or it will take all of the "wash" away.

I added a protective finish of water based polyurethane to make the surface stronger
and more durable for everyday wear & tear. It's paint so it WILL SCRATCH
with heavy abuse & scuffing. The finish also cuts down the "tackiness" of the semi-
gloss acrylic paint which can be very problematic & bothersome.

This is the finished result. Compare with the "before" photo at the top of the page.
Don't you agree that this is exactly what the room needed?
I love mixing up wood grains with painted surfaces. This is such a "happy" table now.
Think about how you can make the most frequently used rooms of your home
more personal, fun AND functional.

End of the World?

2011-05-20T13:29:00.000-07:00

Hey, I just heard on the radio that tomorrow's the last day of the world.
What??? I thought that wasn't for like another year & a half or something.
I didn't even have it marked on my calendar. I'm usually pretty organized.
This just ran up on me. Never knew a thing about it.

You'd think someone in the calendar business would have known about this one.
It would have helped me to have had more time to plan for it.
I could have thrown a party or something. Imagine...Geez.

Um, here's an idea to leave you all with for my last "official" blog I guess, because we're

not gonna be here after tomorrow, ya' know. ....

Mark your calendars for another date. It is February 21st, 2012, right??? I think so.
That's 9 months from now. I bet in 9 months there will be lots of babies!!!
I mean, if we're all still here, that is. ....but we're not privy to that info.
The appointment "will come like a thief in the night". Without our knowledge or preparation.
I'm just sayin. :)

So, what are you going to be doing tomorrow? It ought to be good. Have fun & enjoy it.

Be happy. Do stuff you love with the people you love & be thankful....don't do the dishes

or make the bed. Don't worry. Relax and rejoice!!!

We should all be excited because we're going to heaven.

All of us.

Right??????

Hope to see you soon.

Hi

2011-01-17T07:43:00.000-08:00

If you're reading this, you must be extremely bored or something like that.
I don't have much to say today, except, "Hi".
Hope you're doing well. I'm okay. No poetry today. Not feeling it.
The stuff I put on here is just a bunch of rambling most of the time.
Trying to think of things to say to a computer isn't what I call "fun",
but whatever. Glad you're here & taking time out of your precious day to
check in on me. I need to feed the birds. That's more important than this.
Have you made a peanut butter pine cone covered in seed lately?
Just an idea. Have fun, whatever it is that you do today. Count your blessings
and be a blessing to someone. I'll try to do that too. Bye.

Profiles

2010-12-19T12:09:00.000-08:00

(c) Kimberly "Kimbo" Daniel

Texting, blogging, e-mail, my face.
What's it all mean, who's invading your space?
Hey, are you out there? Where are you, my friend?
We're posting our memoirs but where does it end?

Stranger spells danger. Wait, how did you meet?
Twas no chance encounter on a cold, busy street.
Online you're dating, interview and take score.
Show them your wild side .You're fun, not a bore.

Truth be told, the profile you hold's a figment of imagining.
What you hear in what they convey is like when a songbird sings.
"Oh, how pretty, this song, how divine
and it fits so well in this world of mine."

Hear what you want and say what you please
May the phonies get to the ground, on their knees.
Pardon my opinion but this is my blog
My concern is if we should slaughter the hog.

Reality bites yet some don't want to taste
the crude meal they are serving, created in haste.
Facts and beliefs and likes and such
Does anyone care? Is this all too much?

Don't let your number of fan-friends be your guide
Don't let your computer become a safe place to hide.
Be yourself, be true and be kind.
If you don't understand this, well then, never mind.

Publish Post

Another Day In Paradise

2010-08-22T09:56:00.000-07:00

I live in paradise. I live on a beautiful planet in the best country in the world.
I am so glad that I have a job. A bed to sleep in and a place to call home.
I'm happy that I can worship in my church or in my home without being
arrested. Today is a pretty day. Sun is shining, day of rest. I will go out
in the world because I don't like being cooped up. That feels yucky to me.
I was lazy yesterday & I feel that I've gotta make up for it. Let's go adventure
somewhere. Gas is expensive but there are plenty of neat places to visit close
by. Who knows what the day will bring? I'm ready to enjoy it for what it's worth.
Hope you're having a good day too. Paradise is what you make it.

"Tales we Tell" (c) Kimbo Daniel

2010-04-29T05:46:00.001-07:00

(This piece won 2nd place at the April 2010 Fayette Co. Library Poetry Slam)

In telling the story of my life, where shall I begin?

The journey ahead is great. Don’t want to rehash the past again.

I only want to say where I’m going and not just where I’ve been.

Push it aside and see the glow which comes from deep within.

You’re going to get your hands dirty whenever you’re dealing with me.

Uncovering lots of layers makes that easier to see.

Laughter, pain and complex despair have dumped upon this soul.

It’s all a lot of messy stuff for even a tumble bug to roll.

But I’m okay and you’re okay so let’s leave it at that.

We tell our adventures with gleam in our eyes and a feather in our hat.

Why does it matter from where we’ve come and worry of what’s to be?

You are you, they are them and I am impossibly “me”.

Stories are woven to tell a tale but what parts do we take and give?

We’re a glorious tapestry on a loom and each thread we shall live.

Moments in time, hopes and dreams, aspirations and faults,

colors dancing, twisting, tangling, weaving us this waltz.

Hold my hand. Let me hold yours. I’ll follow. You can lead.

Please only give the best advice. Good counsel’s what I need.

I don’t pretend to know it all but what’s not known, I’ll find out.

Life’s too short to play the fool. That’s not what I’m about.

Good direction, soundness, truth, all things I shall explore.

I’ve seen the bad, the ugly too. Of those I want no more.

Positive energy, love and peace are welcome in my soul.

To get across the muddy river, I have paid the toll.

Tales we tell won’t make us well and sometimes leave a scar.

No matter how long the adventure I hope your journey take you far.

Travels sometime make us sick and a bit right queasy.

It’s all worth the effort though, it’s not always easy.

Enjoy the trip and buckle up. Check your gears and levers.

Cool it down when things get hot. Tend the colds and fevers.

A cup of soup can soothe the soul. An aspirin a day does well.

Remember the good outweighs the bad, whenever you tell your tale.

Where Does the Time Go?

2010-04-07T13:54:00.001-07:00

This week has flown by and I haven't even digested last week yet. Here comes another just around the bend. I hurry and plan and hope things work out for the best while I am reminded that I'm so NOT in control of things (except little tasks, yes and maybe.... but in the grand scope...not in the least). I'll keep on going like I'm supposed to and the clock will keep ticking, mimicking me as it does, along with each of my heartbeats.
Where does the time go as I write and read and talk and think and watch and listen and participate? Sigh. It goes away. Far away from my grasp. It giggles and I pray for more or less of it (depending on the moment). Time. Tick tock. Tick tock.

The Day Begins Again. I'm In.

2010-03-25T06:36:00.001-07:00

The Day Begins Again. I'm In.
What's the plan to be?
I'll take the list and mark things off.
So much depends on me.

Crazy Dreams and Poetic Themes

2010-03-07T12:39:00.000-08:00

"Crazy Dreams"
(c) Kimbo Daniel 03/07/10

A kangaroo jumped on my waterbed
and it flooded my bedroom floor.
A penguin traipsed down the hallway
and life was the same no more.

If you think I am crazy, maybe it's so
and perhaps in fact you are right
or this was a dream in my silly ol' head
from the sushi I ate last night.

www.kimbohemia.net

Creativity is Contagious with Kimbo Daniel

2010-03-02T06:51:00.000-08:00

I woke up today knowing that things had to get done. Frame jobs from clients await my loving touch. Calls need to be made and my brain needs to be open to creative concepts. I have to stay up to date on what's current and trendy, stylish and fun, decorative and functional. I love my job!!! I never know what the day will bring. I have paint under my nails & the smell of candles burning fill the air. My favorite Christian music station is playing songs on the radio. Hope is real. Sorrows loom but life goes on. I do my chores. I say my prayers and know that God is taking care of the big stuff. I'm here to take care of what I can and be a blessing to others whenever possible. I only wish that all of your dreams come true and happiness and love fill your hearts. Until next time, signing off with an artistic swoosh of the brush, yours truly,

Kimbo Fresh

(because that would be the name I'd choose if I were a rap singer)

What would your name be?