Paintings With Soul

"Fox Kit," 12" x 12", acrylics on museum quality panel, commission created for an outdoors themed baby nursery. Inquiries may always come  to me . We are on the cusp of not just a New Year, but a New Decade. So all the hope that comes hand in hand with the dawn of January 1st includes an extra heaping of wishes and dreams and intentions for a very broken world. That's a lot of pressure on a fresh new day. I hope that we can live up to the challenge. Have you chosen a course of action yet? (Really, there's no rush, because you can choose a fresh start any day you choose.) This year I am diving into learning - there's so much that I don't know enough about. Beautiful, splendid, magical things just waiting for discovery. I plan to spend my entire year actively learning, each and every day. There will be meditation, music, reflection, gratitude, movement, communication, and, of course, painting. And, hopefully, as my brain expands to hold...

"Tasso," 11" x 14", acrylics on museum quality panel, posthumous commissioned portrait of a beloved vizsla and partner in crime. I so delighted in having Tasso on my easel - she was far better behaved here in the studio than she ever was in life - but she did find trouble, true to form, on her way home. Read further to learn how. Questions may always come  to me . Tasso's painting had quite the adventure while traveling to her destination! Headed to Texas, the parcel got hung up in Detroit within the first 24 hours of her journey, where she lingered for 4 days. Or at least, that's what my tracking information said. Fearing the worst, because we all know stories of lost packages around the holidays, I went into my post office and kindly begged for an explanation or assurances of some sort. I didn't expect to learn much at all, but needed to cover all the bases before beginning Plan B, which was a total repaint and overnight shi...

At left, "Beanie, Garnished," 8" x 10", acrylics on panel, from 2009, private collection. At right, "Blue 2.0," 16" x 20", acrylics on panel, from 2019, my personal collection. Questions may always come  to me . My first day back in the studio has included a lot of computer work and returning of phone calls. And many breaks to sneak into the kitchen for a treat of some sort - I've gotta keep my strength up, right? I hope that each of you are enjoying this season and making good memories with loved ones. There's this new trend on social media, the "10 Year Challenge," where people share a photo of themselves from 10 years ago alongside a recent pic. I thought I would twist this into my own version of the game by placing two paintings side by side (because really, what matters more - what we look like or what we can do with our passions?) The goal of every creative is to get better with each piece. The passing of t...

I typically don't start my celebrations/preparations until after the last holiday painting is out the door, which happened on Wednesday. Since then, our household has been a hub of life and laughter, more so than usual. Gifts are all in hand (including, thankfully, one commission that got lost in transit, which I was readied to repaint and express shipt!), the house smells of gingerbread, and Elf has been watched. Twice. However you celebrate this sacred, end of year, time, may you do so surrounded by those you love, with the presence of those who have come before deeply rooted in your heart. Thanks, as always, for following along with my artwork journey, Happy holidays! Warmly, Kim

This is Izze, and she's now home, forever. It's such an honor when collectors return to ask for one final painting. It's always bittersweet, too, as I know all to well myself the hole they leave in our lives. Studio News, December 2019 Holiday commissions are winding down - Izze, pictured above, was part of the wave of paintings shipped out last week. There will be one final batch heading out in the next day or two, and then I can take a breath. This year I completed 26 pet portraits, 12 of which shipped out after October. Each a delightful addition to my portfolio, bursting with stories and delight the likes of which we all know and write when we welcome a four legged family member. However you celebrate the end of the year, I hope you do so in the warmth of the company of those you love and with a heart filled with memories of those who have traveled through. We are looking forward to having a full house and table. I've included   a fun c...

At left, Bumble 5, at right, Bumble 6. Both are acrylic on panel, measure 6" x 6", and are $99 each. I estimate $15 s&h inside the US. I am happy to combine shipping on these, too. Simply   reach out to me   and we can arrange your purchase. I accept Paypal, venmo, personal checks and payment plans. The last two bumbles went quickly, so I thought I'd try two more after signing a larger commissioned portrait today. It's fun doing these little studies, playing with color and line just for the pure fun of it. A nice contrast to the meticulous attention to detail required for portraiture. I'm entering the homestretch - three more commissions and I can tie that side of my business up for the year. After they are done I will pick up work again on   a larger painting   I'd like to enter in a competition, with a deadline of early January. And get to making gifts for those on my own list! Thanks, as always, for following along with my artwork journe...

At left, Bumble 3, at right, Bumble 4. Both are acrylic on panel, measure 6" x 6", and are $99 each. I estimate $15 s&h inside the US. I am happy to combine shipping on these, too. Simply   reach out to me   and we can arrange your purchase. I accept Paypal, venmo, personal checks and payment plans. Three gorgeous pet portraits were shipped out today - nothing feels so wonderful as wrapping these sorts of gifts up and sending them on their way. Except hearing back from the recipients about the reveal, maybe. I've got 4 more portraits to complete before I can start on my own list. I'm spending most of my days and a good chunk of my nights at the easel, which is pretty much typical for this time of year. But what is new is that, instead of watching paint dry, I'm working on little studies which will be used as references in the New Year for larger paintings. Bees, like the two above. And butterflies ( here's the last one currently available )...

For the first time ever, 12 original mixed media paintings by Kiki Kelly** available for purchase. TOP ROW, FROM LEFT  Applause, Bloom I, Constellations SECOND ROW, FROM LEFT General Admission Spring*, In Like a Lion, Petunias THIRD ROW, FROM LEFT Ranunculas*, Sea Serpent, Sea Urchins FOURTH ROW, FROM LEFT Snow Flowers, Valentine, Vivaldi Mixed media (collage, water color, acrylic paints, various pens, inks) on paper, archivaly corner mounted on foamcore and cello wrapped. All pieces excepting * are 11" x 14" and $200 ea, paintings with * are 16" x 20" and $300 each. S&H extra. I accept paypal, venmo, personal checks and payment plans. Inquiries may come   to me .   I'm currently taking an online class called   Symbolotry . The class is focused on finding a deeper understanding of the role symbols have in our lives, and then consciously using this knowledge to build a personally meaningful dictionary of symbolic marks in our ar...

An untitled Daydream on my easel, along with a handful of studies, in a relatively clean studio.  All things are relative, right?! Am feeling very full this morning - and no, I've not started eating already!! Just sitting in the studio, thinking about all the beauty that you have allowed me to create for the past 19 years. Whether it's been with a purchase, a referral, a social media share or comment, or simply encouragement, I'm here today because of it. I am so very grateful - thank you. There will be pie, in your honor, across the United States tonite. Thanks, as always, for following along with my artwork journey, Warmly, Kim

"Specimen 8," 6" x 6", acrylics and graphite on panel, $99 plus $15 s&h to the first asking nicely. Inquiries always welcome to come  to me .  I got a new shipment of 6" panels today, which means there are more butterflies on the horizon. These are original paintings, each one uniquely individual, and all will be priced at $99. I'll be listing them via   my FB page   and here in this email group, in between finishing up commissions and readying those for shipment. Not sure how many will show up, but it sure promises to be fun! Thanks, as always, for following along with my artwork journey, Warmly, Kim

"Surfacing(Daydream 41)," 20" x 24", acrylics and graphite on panel, $849 plus s&h to the first asking nicely. I accept paypal, venmo, personal checks and payment plans - inquiries always welcome to come  to me .  This painting evolved from the same reference photo as   "The Butterfly Effect (Daydream 40)," yet they have entirely different feels. I think it's a reflection of my mood and frame of mind at the time I create them. Even just the span of a few days can have a significant impact. Thanks, as always, for following along with my artwork journey, Warmly, Kim

"The Butterfly Effect (Daydream 40)," 20" x 24", acrylics and graphite on panel, $849 plus s&h to the first asking nicely. I accept paypal, venmo, personal checks and payment plans - inquiries always welcome to come  to me .  As cliche as it sounds, I WISH I could show you this one in person. There is nuance here the computer simply cannot display. This is a breakthrough painting for me, as was   Mother , who I completed a few weeks back. To have both of these happen so closely together tells me I'm asking the right sorts of questions. Props to   Lauren Everett Finn   for encouraging me to embrace darker values in my work. And talking about all sorts of other things that have given me a larger arsenal from which to create. Thanks, as always, for following along with my artwork journey, Warmly, Kim

Clockwise, from top left: Specimen 2, Specimen 3, Specimen 6 and Specimen 7. Each painting is an original 6" square panel, done in acrylics and graphite, signed on front and back, and varnished. Each painting is $99 plus $15 s&h (yes, I will combine shipping on these). I accept paypal, venmo and personal checks. Inquiries may come   to me .  As I've been archiving, studying and making notes on the studies that are amassing in the studio, I decided I should let a few find homes. These four make a lovely grouping and, I imagine, will be flying off rather soon. Thanks, as always, for following along with my artwork journey, Warmly, Kim

Four tulip inspired Daydreams, each 6" square, just a few of the studies I've been creating. They will be available for purchase at a future date. Inquiries may come   to me .  You might have seen   the large tulip Daydream painting   I've been working on the past couple months. These little studies are helping me plan the resolution of this larger piece. And, it seems, they will also inspire other pieces. I've been playing with various arrangements of the panels, building interesting compositions and relationships. Thank you again - wishing you all my best, and here's to continued sharing of artwork and creativity, Warmly, Kim PS   FineArtAmerica   has a promotion running today, 25% off all greeting cards. Through midnight.

"Daydream 39," 30" x 15" x 1", mixed media (acrylics and graphite) on gallery wrap canvas, image painted around sides so no pressing need to frame, $699 plus s&h to the first one asking kindly. I accept paypal, venmo, personal checks and will work with you to build a payment plan - just  ask me .  Earlier today, this painting looked like   this . And in the interest of procrastinating and putting off my entire to do list, it now looks like the image above. I'm starting to think that everything is better with butterflies added. Or bacon. Thank you again - wishing you all my best, and here's to continued sharing of artwork and creativity, Warmly, Kim

"Specimen 11," 6" x 6", acrylics and graphite on panel, not currently for sale. Inquiries may always come   to me .  I want to paint a giant Daydream piece based on butterflies. In flight. I know very little about butterflies or how they move when flying. The best way to learn, I figured, was to start painting little studies. Start with the butterfly frozen, like a specimen, and work my way from there, using photographs, videos and my imagination. The last two days I've been painting these studies madly, and learning quite a bit about these lovely little fragile things that totally reinvent themselves during their lifetime, which is incredulous enough. And then you factor in the whole migration bit and my mind is blown. Meanwhile, if you are curious about seeing how this particular painting was created, here's a couple links to my process. Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 If you find the above intriguing or wish to follow more closely along with this par...

Me at the   Rebecca Louise Law installation currently at Meijer Gardens   through March 1, 2020. Photo courtesy of My Better Half. Studio Newsletter, November 2019 I'm still adjusting to the time change - now the afternoon light wanes long before I do. It's a reminder to slow down and settle in for a season of reflection, both personal and professional. While the fourth quarter of the year typically represents more than half of my annual sales and can be a bit crazed, it is also followed by time specifically set aside for introspection and goal planning. I look back to November of last year, when I was unpacking and consolidating two studios into my compacted little home space, and truly wish I had held greater trust that the universe would deliver beauty from the upheaval. I'll carry this lesson into 2020 - who knows what wonder awaits me (although I most definitely have a wish list!!)? It's bound to be m...

"Daydream 38," 24" x 30" x 1-1/2", mixed media (acrylics and graphite) on cradeled panel, $1299 plus s&h to the first asking nicely. I accept paypal, venmo and payment plans; inquiries may come directly to  me . Thanks so very much. It was a busy weekend, full of moments that will make me feel blessed in the coming months, when the colder weather keeps me closer to home and mostly bundled up inside (it's a standing joke with the neighbors that I go into hibernation between Halloween and Easter). Meanwhile, here is the newest Daydream painting. I see one slight change to make with a couple of glazes once the surface is fully cured, but otherwise, she's ready to find a new home. Is it yours? Thanks so very much for following along on my art journey, Warmly, Kim

"Mother (Daydream 37)," 24" x 30" x 1-1/2", mixed media (acrylics and graphite) on cradeled panel, $1299 plus s&h to the first asking nicely. I accept paypal, venmo and payment plans; inquiries may come directly to  me . Thanks so very much. I hesitate to title the majority of my Daydream paintings because I feel that guides viewers' perception and perhaps limits what they see inside a piece. And I debated this for days here, ultimately choosing a generic title, "Mother," that could itself become interpreted in a variety of ways, similar to the image. She, this painting, needed something more significant than just another number. I'll keep the true meaning to myself. It's mostly important that I painted my story - it's not so important that I shout it out overtop everyone else's voice. Because we all have stories. I'd love to know your interpretation, though, what do YOU see here? Thanks so very much for fol...

"Daydream 36," 30" x 40" x 1-1/2", mixed media (acrylics and graphite) on gallery wrapped canvas, $1999  plus s&h to the first asking nicely. I accept paypal, venmo and payment plans; inquiries may come directly to  me . Thanks so very much. This painting was, just a few days ago,   Daydream 2  (and here's   another link to an even earlier stage) . I felt that I could tell her story better now, with all I've learned in the past 4 months exploring this concept. She went back on my easel, and became this. I could sit and look at her all day long. As a matter of fact, I did just that for a good chunk of time last night. Michigan friends, she (and another Daydream friend, as yet not chosen) will be debuting at   Starkweather Arts Center's 20th Anniversary Exhibition , opening on November 2nd. Come soak them up in person. Thanks so very much for following along on my art journey, Warmly, Kim

"Loui," 30" x 30" x 2", acrylics on cradeled museum quality panel, featuring my grand-puppy. If you would like something similar starring your own puppy (or any pet - I don't discriminate), please shoot  me  an email. THIS portrait was a huge surprise. We gifted it yesterday to The Caped Crusader for his birthday. And I'd been waiting a looong time to reveal it, too, having wanted to paint this little guy since he first showed up in our lives. Loui and his siblings were dumped in a cardboard box at about 6 weeks old. My son found him online via a rescue group, just a short time after our family had said goodbye to Finnigan, the dog he grew up with, in July. Loui is an adorably sweet mixed breed, clever and honest, with gorgeous brindle coloring and ears he might never grow into. His larger than life portrait was hung with great pride over the fireplace. And I'm sure Loui is stretched out on the couch right now, too, taking it all ...