Message from the Artist: The Wild Tenderness Collection - inspired by compassion for childhood and Mother Nature’s creatures.

Last Year at this time I wrote about a Robin that crashed into my window and died in my hands. Read the story and see the painting that he inspired.

Last week, another bird hit my entry way window. I heard it from my studio and ran outside. He was a Varied Thrush, a relative of a Robin. I got to him immediately, but this time was different. As I held him, I had a good idea that his neck was okay. He was scared and in shock but alert and spent 30 minutes in my hands, staring intently into my face as I talked gently to him, convincing him that he would be okay. This time he was!! Unlike the Robin, this guy WAS okay!

He stayed so long in my hands that I wondered if there wasn’t an additional layer of meaning to him… was he a message from a loved one? If so, I certainly didn’t want to take him for granted. He was a beautiful meditation.

I checked out his wings and his neck and rubbed his head until his eyelids closed. I encouraged him to try out his wings and he hopped off, leaving me with a warm sweetness in my heart that lasted the WHOLE day.

This week… 2 THWACKS against my window. One right after the other. Two innocent Varied Thrushes, one gone immediately. The other I could tell was on his way out, past the turnaround. I held him and talked a gentle stream to him until he faded, then went to my bed for a full-on sob.

HOW? How can these beautiful creatures be so full of hope one second, cruising from the pear tree outside my window to what they THINK is another pear tree (a reflection)... going from the promise of more pears to death so quickly. From a moment of HOPE to the moment their life ends.

This question has gnawed at me. I cuddled the two birds together beneath a bush in my front yard that had recently carpeted the ground with small yellow leaves.

Simply Being is inspired by a piece named Watching You Sleep that I created for an early collection of art. Feeling protected and watched over by a friend who has the option of flying free, but chooses you instead.

A print from the Wild Tenderness Collection.

Looking for something a little different? Choose an Embellished Print to personalize eye color and/or hair color accents or Contact Katie if you can't find what you are looking for. See more details below.

In the CHOOSE PRINT SIZE box above, select:

~a Hand-Embellished & Signed Art Print (not available with all images)
~a Signed Art Print on Paper
~or a Stretched Canvas Art Print

All prints are created from original Katie m. Berggren paintings. Learn more about types of prints below.

Types of Art Prints:

Your Art Print will be created onto premium-quality heavyweight paper with an 8-ink process for vibrant, fade-proof color that illuminates YOUR space. Your smooth matte Archival Print will be hand-signed and carefully packaged for safe travels into your hands. I use archival materials so your ready-to-frame artwork will have 100+ beautiful years to inspire tender memories and touch hearts. Even when mom says she doesn't want anything, she may yearn for recognition of her motherhood journey.

Prints 12x12 or smaller are bagged to ship in a sturdy mailer, the title of the Art Print is written on the backing board. Most Art Prints have a small 1/8-inch border and fit standard frames. THICK MARGIN and EMBELLISHED Prints have 3/4-inch borders.

••Hand-Embellished and Signed Art Prints••

A 12x12 Thick Margin Print is hand-accented with paint for brush-stroke texture. I take your print to my clean work table and add an artist’s touch to make your embellished Art Print one-of-a-kind and collectible. I autograph the front and sign and date the back of your Embellished print. Your print is then packaged in an acid free bag with a backing board, and gift wrapped before shipping in a sturdy mailer.

An Embellished Print allows for eye color changes, or color accents added to hair. I can darken or lighten hair, or add some facial hair, all with paint. I can even add names or dates, written with fine marker. Provide notes at check-out if you'd like your Embellished Print personalized with eye or hair color adjustments.

Allow 1 day before shipping, for creation and drying time.

SEE SAMPLES OF EMBELLISHED PRINTS