Donna Kern Ball

Illustrator

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donnakernball

Freelance Illustrator, Creative Art Projects. All original content.

Another labor-intensive project complete! This uni Another labor-intensive project complete! This unique set of Peter Rabbit sculptures spent 13 Connecticut winters outside and needed a good scrubbing and fresh coats of paint. We brought the 4 smaller bunnies to my art studio to work on, leaving the larger statues in the garden to be painted “en plein air”. It took 65 hours but spread over 5 months due to weather and other projects. 

Like Many Newtown Moms, I used to bring my son and his friends to visit this hidden garden near “The Pleasence” at the corner of Routes 25 and 302. Purposefully left in its natural woodland state, the garden is delightfully designed to be “discovered“ off to the side of the well-manicured formal gardens. Upon entering, one sees Mother Rabbit taking a break from her housework to check on her children who are out picking blackberries. One recognizes the triplets in their coral-red capes as Flopsy, Mopsy, and Cottontail. They are gazing towards the action taking place in the forbidden fenced-in vegetable garden nearby— their naughty brother, Peter, has just been noticed by old Mr. MacGregor, much to his consternation. Realizing he’s been caught red-handed, Peter is poised to make a mad dash, absconding with an armload of carrots. After all, as you may recall, Mr. McGregor had had Peter's father baked in a pie! 
The sculptures were created in 2007 by sculptor Ken Memoli. I really admire his masterful work. His compositions, proportions and details are perfect, right down to Peter's one shoe. He brought Beatrix Potter’s classic story into 3-dimensions for all to enjoy. They are dandy little works of art.

#newtownart
#connecticutart
#fairfieldcountyart
#projectjunkie
#ifitsnotlaborintensiveitsnotworthdoing
#peterrabbit
#paintedsculpture
#laboroflove
Ta-Da…the renovated foyer at the Botsford, CT fi Ta-Da…the renovated foyer at the Botsford, CT firehouse was unveiled and dedicated to the 343 Firefighters lost on 9-11, and the current members who selflessly give their time, skill sets, strength and compassion to the citizens of Newtown every day. Followed by a hearty roast chicken dinner. Thanks to Ava of @avapartydesigns of Bethel for donating the use of her laser to etch the glass. William and I spent many wonderful hours creating mosaics and listening to audio books. #newtownart #connecticutart #fairfieldcountyart #firetrucksofinstagram #ifitsnotlaborintensiveitsnotworthdoing #mosaicart #mosaictileart #mosaic #tileart #projectjunkie #botsfordfireandrescue
Sawblade Chandelier for my saw mill covered bridge Sawblade Chandelier for my saw mill covered bridge summer house. This project took 2 years (mostly Covid delays) but was a good learning experience. I found a very heavy old rusty 4 foot diameter sawblade at an old mill in New Milford. I used the laser at the @danburyhackerspace to make the mandala template, then had the heavy steel cut with a plasma cutter, and sandblasted all the old rust off. Then a fresh coat of silver Rustoleum and voila, sawmill decor! 

#newtownart
#fairfieldcountyart
#connecticutart
#sawmill
#sawbladeart
#projectjunkie
#danburyhackerspace
#plasmacutter
#oldsawmill
#coveredbridge
#summerhouse
#mandala
#funartproject
#wackyartprojects
Sanding, Painting, Measuring, Designing, Gouging, Sanding, Painting, Measuring, Designing, Gouging, Tiling, Grouting, Delivering! We are delighted to work our mosaic magic on this cabinet-table for the @danburyrestore Upcycle Challenge! All pieces will be for sale on April 24th.  #danburyct #mosaictileart #newtownart #bethelct #fairfieldcountyart #housatonichabitatforhumanity
Today and Tomorrow—Our annual Spring Flower Sale Today and Tomorrow—Our annual Spring Flower Sale fundraiser for Stony Hill Fire Dept 🌷🚑🚒 Hop on Over!!
Nearly finished with our Covid Winter project: Fou Nearly finished with our Covid Winter project: Four mosaics for the Botsford firehouse. We listen to fireman stories while working—it’s been a great way to get through the winter months! #newtownart #firetruckart #yellowfiretrucks #fairfieldcountyart #projectjunkie #ifitsnotlaborintensiveitsnotworthdoing #firetrucksofinstagram #mosaictile #mosaicart #mosaic #mosaicstudio #tiledesign
Two more mosaic tile up-cycled tables, a coffee ta Two more mosaic tile up-cycled tables, a coffee table and an end table, in 5 shades of gray. For sale in the Chamber Creations Pop-Up Shop on Main Street in Bethel, only open for the month of December!  #bethelart #bethelct #mosaictile #mosaicart #chambercreations #popupshop #fairfieldcountyart #newtownart #danburyart #upcycling #upcyclingproject #projectjunkie #farmhousedecor
A cute little farmhouse cabinet table that someone A cute little farmhouse cabinet table that someone will love and adopt! For sale in the Chamber Creations Pop-Up Shop on Main Street in Bethel, only open for the month of December!  #bethelart #bethelct #mosaictile #mosaicart #chambercreations #popupshop #fairfieldcountyart #newtownart #danburyart #upcycling #upcyclingproject #projectjunkie #farmhousedecor
Tables!! We have been rescuing poor little tables Tables!! We have been rescuing poor little tables that were on their last legs (ha ha) on their way to a landfill, and up-cycling them with mosaic tile designs! They are for sale in the Chamber Creations Pop-Up Shop on Main Street in Bethel, only open for the month of December!  #bethelart #bethelct #mosaictile #mosaicart #chambercreations #popupshop #fairfieldcountyart #newtownart #danburyart #upcycling #upcyclingproject #projectjunkie
We interrupt this art project to share our pond dr We interrupt this art project to share our pond draining day. We do this every 10 years to dry out the accumulated silt for pond dredging. Like a big bathtub! #somethingdifferent #caringforwetlands #oldmillstream #sawmill #newtownart #fairfieldcountyart #connecticutart #projectjunkie #mosaictileart #mosaictile #bethelct #bethelart #jacquelines_bethel
Hamburger! Last of the 8 pieces done ✅ and a day Hamburger! Last of the 8 pieces done ✅ and a day of grouting, looking forward to installation date next week! #newtownart #fairfieldcountyart #connecticutart #projectjunkie #mosaictileart #mosaictile #hamburger #hamburgerart #bethelct #bethelart #jacquelines_bethel
We wanted to create classic “diner art”, so wh We wanted to create classic “diner art”, so what’s more iconic than “Pie & Coffee”?. #newtownart #fairfieldcountyart #connecticutart #projectjunkie #mosaictileart #mosaictile #coffee andpie #ilikepie #bethelct #bethelart #jacquelines_bethel
Ok settle a bet for us. What is the green thing? I Ok settle a bet for us. What is the green thing? It’s obvious to me, the designer, but some people can’t seem to put it in context. #mosaicart #mosaictileart #fairfieldcountyart #newtownart #connecticutartist #jacquelines_bethel  #bethelart
What is it? If you said “butter and syrup on pan What is it? If you said “butter and syrup on pancakes” you were right! Having a grout-fest tomorrow, project nearing completion! #newtownart #bethelart #fairfieldcountyart #jacquelines_bethel #mosaictileart #mosaicart #projectjunkie
The finished mosaics are coming along now. We love The finished mosaics are coming along now. We loved working on “Sunny Side Up”. #newtownart #fairfieldcountyart #connecticutart #mosaictile #mosaictileart #sunnysideupegg #sunnysideup #jacquelines_bethel #bethelart #projectjunkie
Time lapse of our fun art project. This is piece # Time lapse of our fun art project. This is piece #3, “Utensils”. If it’s not labor-intensive, it’s not worth doing! #newtownart #fairfieldcountyart #connecticutart #projectjunkie #mosaictileart #mosaictile #kitchenutensils #utensils #bethelct #bethelart #jacquelines_bethel #laborintensive #ifitsnotlaborintensiveitsnotworthdoing
The next piece in our mosaic tile diner art series The next piece in our mosaic tile diner art series, “Place Setting”. And the future site of the finished pieces will be the 8 windows in front of Jacqueline’s Restaurant in Bethel—our favorite place to go for eggs, a BLT, or chicken soup on a rainy day!#newtownart #fairfieldcountyart #connecticutart #projectjunkie #mosaictileart #mosaictile #coffee #coffeelovers #cuppajoe #bethelct #bethelart #jacquelines_bethel
Time to start unveiling the mosaic tile art projec Time to start unveiling the mosaic tile art project that my Project Buddy and I have been working on since the start of Covid. “Coffee Cups” is the first of 8 pieces that will be on permanent display at Jacqueline’s Restaurant in Bethel center. #newtownart #fairfieldcountyart #connecticutart #projectjunkie #mosaictileart #mosaictile #coffee #coffeelovers #cuppajoe #bethelct #bethelart #jacquelines_bethel
There wasn’t much pretty about Storm Isaias, exc There wasn’t much pretty about Storm Isaias, except this. And amazing first responders who kicked into high gear. #hurricaneisaias #thankyouforyourservice #beautyfromdestruction
Just a fun little up-cycling project for a summer Just a fun little up-cycling project for a summer day with a project buddy and leftover tiles. This one’s for my garden! #projectjunkie #funartproject #newtownart #newtownartist #connecticutart #connecticutartist #fairfieldcountyart
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Donna Kern Ball