Kathryn Lemaster

Art and Design

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Archives for February 2015

The Perfectly Imperfect “Come Back” Post

Hello friends! Near and far, old and new. I’ve missed you all while the blog has been in “hibernation” for several months. Here’s a bit of the back story on that – fellow bloggers, listen up – I betcha some of you can relate…

Initially, I pushed the pause button for some blog restructuring. Then, my wonderful clients kept me so busy that the plans I had for blogging had to take a back burner through the holidays to meet all of our deadlines. Once the new year hit, I wanted to come back and say hello, but I’ll admit I felt guilty for being absent so long. I wanted to have a perfect plan in place first, complete with a detailed blog calendar, a stockpile of posts on ingenious new topics stored up ahead of time – you know, all of the things the experts say you need for blogging “success.” The longer I waited, the more perfect I felt my “come back” post and plan had to be. I became petrified of not measuring up, and like petrified things do, I stood still.

Then, one day last week, I was listing to my favorite podcast and the whole thing was a very aptly timed, divine intervention. The podcast was episode 19 of Launching Creative by the brilliants Nik Parks and David Rock (which aired last summer, meaning I’m 34 weeks behind on my favorite podcast, if that tells you anything about how I’m falling behind in every area of my life…) The equally brilliant man they interviewed on that episode, was Ryan Hanley of Content Warfare.

The show was going along, being wonderfully enlightening and all, when suddenly near the end Ryan got all revved up and on a “soapbox” as he called it – this is what he said:

“Anyone who tells you – as a creative, as a business person, as someone who’s just starting out – that there is a way you HAVE to do something,  like, it HAS to be done this way in order to be successful, is just trying to sell you something that isn’t going to work. Every single case of someone becoming successful or just being happy with what they have and what they’ve created – they’ve done it their own way. Now, granted, there are some basic best practices and some things that can help you, but, no matter if you’re writing about something as boring as insurance or something as interesting as the “Humans of New York” guy – JUST DO IT YOUR WAY. If you’re up front with people and say like, “Hey, I’m not gonna post a blog for a month but I will be back in a month” – I promise you, that the people who actually are reading your content are going to come back in a month, because they like you.” -Ryan Hanley, Launching Creative Podcast.

That rocked my world. I suddenly felt a weight lifted. I felt free – to be myself, to be candid, unscheduled and unconventional. What’s crazy I don’t really struggle with authenticity in other areas of my life and work – just blogging, apparently. It was such an intimidating tight rope walk of thinking I had to do everything a certain way in order to be a “real” blogger. I was constantly comparing myself to others who have paved the way to blogging success and have it all figured out, so to speak. While I definitely want to learn from others, I really don’t want to do things “their” way.

As it turns out, all I really wanted is to be one of those people Ryan was talking about, who is “happy with what they have and what they’ve created.” It’s not about a popularity contest. It’s not about success by other’s standards. It’s not about a numbers game (although checking site stats can be addicting, as I like fun graphs and charts it makes…). It is about authenticity – sharing real stories, ideas, and beauty with real people. If what I share in this space resonates with or inspires even one person – then I am happy, and that to me, is success.

So if you stick around you will be following the candid journey of an eager creative, small business owner, imperfectionist in the making (I feel like we need an AA group for recovering perfectionists…) and I will do my best to do my best at sharing with you victories that are won, mistakes that are made, lessons that are learned, ideas that are had, and beauty that is created and discovered along the way.

This is me in my early days of creating pretty things (or “Get Well Soon” banners, apparently…) when I didn’t worry about what people thought of my art. I just wanted to hang with my girls, have some fun, and make stuff. Looks like success to me!

Thank you, Ryan, for your words of wisdom, thank you Nik and David for creating a platform where I could hear them, and thank God for the perfect timing. 34 weeks behind, yet exactly on time.

“If you’re authentic, people will connect with you and they’ll let you work through those troubles, as long as you’re moving forward.” -Ryan Hanley

Keep moving forward, and stay inspired.

Much love and gratitude,

Kathryn

PS: In all this sharing about sharing, I failed to mention today is a very special day… it’s Kathryn J. LeMaster Art & Design’s 2nd birthday, what what?!?! What a happy day, indeed. I will probably eat a bunch of victory cupcakes later and post pretty pictures about it. Oh wait, no – that’s what we did last year… hmmm. Oh right, and it was DELICIOUS!

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The coziest air bnb in Hot Springs, a couple of ou The coziest air bnb in Hot Springs, a couple of our favorite couples, icecream cake for all, hiking date for us complete with cupcakes + rosé in a cave… only for  @forrest_addison_roberts ‘s birthday!! 🥳😘 

I couldn’t let the year end without narrowing down a few favorite captures from such a special weekend earlier in December (which overlaps with our elopement anniversary now, but anniversary photos wouldn’t fit here too ha!) celebrating the love of my life. 

Thankful for such sweet friends to laugh and celebrate with. Thankful for keeping our birthday tradition of cake + wine in a cave, come rain or shine. Thankful to get to celebrate my favorite adventure partner for another year! Thanks for picking me to host your parties for the rest of your life. It’s a grande honor, and you’re the easiest to want to celebrate. I love you!

PS: if you’re traveling to Hot Springs, you absolutely need to check out @thewoodlawntudorandcottage and @thepaddockhotsprings - love these properties by @kaligoldenharris !! We didn’t want to leave and can’t wait to go back! 🏡
October highlights in 10 snaps (and a motion to in October highlights in 10 snaps (and a motion to increase the 10 slider limit as all the joy this month held couldn’t be narrowed to such a small smattering). 

This is merely a fraction of sweet memories from one of our two most festive months of the year: October brought:

- a road trip to Comfort, TX for my cousin’s wedding fest 
- Liam’s 5th birthday 
- my 34th birthday 
- Halloween parties, dates, and costumes book readings (not even enough room for all of those here!)

I can let perfectionism lead to procrastination in sharing, sorting, favoriting, editing - and then months escape me without letting a few favorites make it here to the grid, which is the closest thing to a scrapbook I have these days. So doing my best to let these few float up here like balloons to the sky before another month escapes me. 

So incredibly thankful for all of the sweet memories and grande adventures with my two fellas. 🥹 This first year together as a blended family is one I’ll always want to remember, for the treasures it’s held and the growth we’ve all experienced. 

Thanksgiving is the perfect day to remember to remember and hold it all a little closer. 🙏🏼💛

Much love and many more sweet memories moments to be thankful for to you and yours! 💝
Happy Son’s day to my sweet Liam love. Brightest Happy Son’s day to my sweet Liam love. Brightest little light of my life, teller of the most original jokes, giver of the silliest lick-kisses, imaginer of new games, snuggliest bug, the bravest boy with the strongest heart and fastest feet - and so many endless more magical things to me. Getting to be his mama is the greatest honor and a most unbelievable gift. 🥹🙏🏼🤍 I love you Liam! And I will always be so incredibly proud of you. Keep being you! The world needs all of your wonder, enthusiasm, kindness and joy. ✨ And all those “great ideas” you’ve always got brewing. ☺️😘 

📷 @brittanyrigganphoto
Cooking with Liam and “Michael Bubely”…🕷❤️🎶😂🙏🏼 While he’s loved the Spider-Man theme song for awhile, we recently discovered this version and it has been on repeat and we are happy about it. 😅 
 
#boymomadventures #thatsdarling #kitchenconcert #singingvideo #fouryearolds #cookingwithkids #thefoodnetwork #videooftheday #momlifebestlife #michaelbuble #spiderman #spidermanthemesong #kidsareawesome #childprodigy #michaelbublé #michaelbubleduet
Glorious, precious memories from “part 2” of o Glorious, precious memories from “part 2” of our wedding celebration - our reception this summer, 6 months following our elopement! Thank you to our sweet friend + amazing photographer @brittanyrigganphoto and to our friends at @reservehotsprings !! 🥹🙏🏼🤍

@forrest_addison_ - I am filled with wonder yet again as I look through these, trying and failing at narrowing down favorite moments, still in awe of this love of ours, beyond all we could’ve asked or imagined. 🥲🙏🏼

There’s a consistent calm + quiet in walking alongside you in this life, with the sound of puns + giggles, plans being made, hearts being shared, being the blessed echo for miles around. 

I’m thankful for all the space for us to learn and grow as individuals and together. Thank you for your willingness to learn with me. I love partnering with you in cultivating the kind of relationship and life we believe in! 

I’ve yet to see anger, bitterness, jealousy or other turmoil take up root in the sacred space we share, and somehow I know we never will. Your unending generosity of spirit, steady patience, and a truly unassuming heart that’s always believed the best of mine, softens mine more.

Watching and learning from you is an honor and joy. I’m still trying to wrap my head around your genuinely pure kindness. You’ve prayed for those who’ve persecuted us. You’ve “rejoiced with those who rejoice” even when they’ve wronged you. You keep no record of wrongs like I’ve never seen. You simply carry on loving well.

Thank you for being my safest place. For being to me among many things, one long exhale after years of oscillating between holding my breath and hyperventilating. 

Even as I have those moments still, you listen to my heavy heart and witness my weary tears without judgment I’ve known before, because like Jesus’s “banner over me is love” always - you, too, judge me forever and always as “beloved”. I’m learning to remember and rest in that to counter the self consciousness that comes with learning to be truly seen. 

Thank you for by your very presence and heart posture, inviting me to be myself, even when I am a taco level hot-mess.

I love you to the moon and back, to infinity and beyond! ♾
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It is a delight to work with Kathryn LeMaster. She is a good listener who has been able to help us transition into a smaller home while still keeping the essence of our family intact.

- CINDI C.

My husband and I decided to update our house focusing on the kitchen and bathrooms. We were so impressed from the beginning with Kathryn! She was easy to work with and took our vision and made it all come together! She was extremely professional and we highly recommend her. Thanks Kathryn!! We couldn't be happier!!!

- LAURA D.

I have been doing business with Kathryn for several years, where she had played an integral role to enhance the quality and appeal of the visual impact of our furniture in TV commercial s. She independently picks products that perfectly match each commercial. She is also an absolute pleasure to work with. She is flexible when needed, and always has a positive disposition.

- LAWRENCE ZIGERELLI, PRESIDENT/CEO, FFO HOME

We asked Kathryn to create sets for a food shoot with multiple items. She created sets with for each dish and had them passed them off with the client who was out of town. She was extremely organized and methodical about how she purchased and approved each set. Not only was her work exceptional, her presence made the client feel at ease.

- DERO SANFORD, OWNER, THINKDERO

We highly recommend Kathryn. She listened to us as her clients and executed ideas based upon our design style. We had bought a new house and asked her to help us furnish, design, and style It. We appreciated her detailed drawings and ability to "show" us the vision and plan. She is quick to respond and allows for flexibility based upon timeline needs. Once deciding together on budget, she works toward that goal. She is a lot of fun to work with!

- CHRISTY H.

Kathryn assisted me in styling and accessorizing our new home. She nailed my design ideas and style based on the questionnaire and my comments. I was amazed at how she was able to match my style exactly! It would have taken me years to accomplish what she accomplished in one day. I would highly recommend her and look forward to working with her again in the future.

- BEVERLY R.

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