©Teresa Kogut

Since the January give away had such a great response, I figured I should offer another angel print for the February give away!! So here it is……and God saw. The print measures 8″ x 10″ and will fit any standard 8×10 frame……wouldn’t a black frame look great?!?! 

All you need to do to enter is post a comment here or on my facebook page. Drawing will be held March 1st. Good luck!

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January’s give away winner is 

Congratulations…..isn’t this your third win now???

You have to play to win, right, Lisa?

acrylic over collaged papers on wood 7″ x 14″

©Teresa Kogut

acrylic over collage papers 11×14

©Teresa Kogut

I can’t get enough of painting in this style…acrylic over collage papers then antiquing. It is a very long process but worth every effort. This is one of four in this group. All of them have scripture reference but I didn’t write out the scripture verse……hopefully prompting people to go to their bibles and look up the verse themselves. All four of them have to do with friendship….something we all hold dear.

Blossom Bucket had a beautiful “Wings of Encouragement” Angel display on the 8th floor of the Atlanta Mart. I was sooo shocked to see this! I had no idea Cindy was doing this window display…..what a beautiful job they did making these products using my angel artwork. The translation is beautiful!

 Blossom Bucket window close up

 Blossom Bucket window close up

 Gallerie II created these paper mache figures from my Zippity Doo Da artwork

Deb Strain and Me in Blossom Bucket’s showroom for a signing (and Beth’s reflection in the window)

By the vibe that was going around the market…..looks like the economy is picking up!!! Long awaited news, right?

I missed going to Atlanta for the first time in 10 years last year so I was going to do everything in my power to go this year! I hope I never miss it again because connecting with my agents, licensees and fellow artists gives me a “shot in the arm” for the new year!

This year I had the pleasure of rooming with artist Deb Strain Sunday night! We first went to dinner with my wonderful agents, Linda and Ashley (poor Beth was ill, so she went to the room for some much needed r and r), then we had a nightcap, headed for the room for some sleep but instead sat up talking half the night! Thank you Deb for making this Atlanta trip extra special!

A HUGE thank you to my agents for all the work they do at the market. All three of them have scheduled meetings over a four day period! Plus they always make the plans for dinner and schedule my signings…..all I have to do show up!  So thank you, thank you, thank you for everything Linda, Beth and Ashley!

I always want to kick myself for not taking more pictures! I wish I had gotten a picture of my artist friend Beth Yarbrough, some pictures of my licensees and pictures of my agents, Linda, Beth and Ashley! Maybe they will have some pictures that they can forward to me…..if so, look for another post soon!

Lots of wonderful products coming out in 2012!!!! Thanks be to God!

8×10 print

©Teresa Kogut

I am offering this sweet print for the January give away!!! It measures 8×10 so it will fit in a standard size frame for hanging on the wall or find a frame with an easel back for standing on a shelf or table! All you need to do to enter the drawing is leave me a comment either here or on my facebook page!!! Good luck!

My wonderful brother-in-law and his wife gave this book to me on Christmas Day. They were moved by the book and thought Kevin and I might like to read it. Let me just say…once I started reading it, I couldn’t put in down (although I had to in order to carry out other responsibilities). 

A few chapters into the book, I spoke with my sister-in-law and asked her how she heard of the book. It was God’s hand at work…….while the children were attending REP (religious education program) after church, the parents had an hour or more to do something, they would go out to breakfast or just sit and visit. One of the parents found Matthew Kelly’s book among other books on a shelf at the church and began reading it. He was so moved that he had to share it with the other parents. Eventually, they formed a study group and would discuss each chapter of this wonderful and enlightening book….even if the kids didn’t have REP, they would still meet after church.

They also discovered that this book, Rediscover Catholicism, could be purchased in large quantities for the low price of $2 or $3 per book. Knowing the financial stress of their own parish, a few of the families pooled their money and bought 250 books. They didn’t want to just “hand them out” for fear that people would never read it…..you know how we unfortunately take things that are free for granted. So they decided to wrap them up as gifts and on each book they attached a tag writing their own words  how this book has inspired them in their faith and proceeded to give them free of charge to fellow parishioners. Isn’t that remarkable?!?!??!

I finished the book in just over a week…..which is REALLY good for me. As much as I love to read, I rarely make time for it. However, I just couldn’t get enough (and this book has inspired me to read more…..it is just the first of many spiritual books I intend to read in 2012) Each chapter was better than the last and I was moved to tears more that a few times. I can just tell you that if you are Catholic, this is a must read. If you are not Catholic, you should still read it! There is something for every one of us amongst these pages.  It explains many misunderstandings about Catholicism but it is more than just that……it will inspire you to become “the-best-version-of-yourself” by seeking the will of God. This book is full of inspirational stories and gives concrete examples of how to be more spiritual.

My dear in-laws sent us two more of these books and I plan to give one to Fr. George and our REP coordinator. My hope and prayer is that after Fr. reads this book, he will find a way for our parish to purchase these books and give one to all Holy Rosary parishioners. Great things are happening……….

ambition + perserverence + determination = a better you

In 1972, I weighed well over 200 pounds and my career was moving ahead very, very slowly.  I decided I needed to do something about my weight and my health but, frankly, I didn’t realize that career and family benefits would also come my way.  I started jogging and eating sensibly, and though it took me about nine months to really get enthusiastic about my lifestyle change, results began to show within the first month.  The weight started dropping, my endurance and energy levels increased and, finally, after over nine months, the enjoyment breakthrough came.

I was in Portland, Oregon, jogging on Portland State University Campus.  It was “high noon” and I had a seminar to conduct later that day.  As I was jogging, it suddenly occurred to me that I was actually enjoying myself.  It was fun.  I was breathing easily and literally enjoying every step of my run. 

That day I changed my vocabulary.  For years I’d been telling people with passion in my voice that you had to “pay the price” if you were going to be successful.  Today I tell people, “You don’t pay the price for success—you pay the price for failure.  You enjoy the benefits of success.  You don’t pay the price to build a good marriage; you enjoy the benefits of that good marriage.  You don’t pay the price for good health; you enjoy the benefits of good health.”

It’s amazing what the change in vocabulary can do for the enjoyment of what you do.  When I was in my 70’s my doctor, Dr. Ken Cooper, switched me from jogging to walking, I walked at a very brisk pace and, have maintained my weight and my energy level is unusually high.  My resting heart rate is 48, my cholesterol level is 152, and my blood pressure is 126 over 62.  That’s the reason I am convinced beyond any doubt that you really do enjoy the benefits of taking care of yourself.   Think about it.  Take care of you, and I’ll SEE YOU AT THE TOP! 

Wishing you all a very

and a healthy, happy and prosperous