Paintings With Soul

  Moonbeam, acrylic on panel, 20"x24", $1100 plus s&h   to the first asking nicely . Questions can always come  to me. As an intuitive painter I never know where I'm going to end up. It's usually quite a bit downstream from where I started, but the best part is that in the process of making the art I learn more about myself and the things I truly value in the world.  There's also quite a bit of community involvement, too. And by community, I mean the other paintings and painting ideas surrounding me here in the studio, along with input from a few valued friends. I'm becoming a much better listener, and that sets me up to explore all sorts of things that might not have come to mind on their own. WIth Moonbeam, I listened to another in process piece (top left), so that when I discovered an intriguing passage I decided to showcase that on it's own in a new painting. Then, at the urging of my critique group, I explored that new in process painting (bottom

  Tendril, acrylic on panel, 24"x24", $1200 plus s&h   to the first asking nicely . Questions can always come  to me. One of my favorite spring hallmarks is the emergence of peonies. They first start as deep crimson tendrils, delicate leaves all twisted up together, waiting for the warmth of the sun to coax them out. The leaves green up, spread out and begin to take up space from their first full inhalation. Then the buds emerge like closed fists, growing slowly into bubblegum orbs, before the little dancing feet of ants cause them to unfurl. I tried to capture all of these stages, from the earliest shoots to the heavy opened blooms, in this painting. And of course there had to be a little fox kit tucked in, too, soaking up their fragrance while snticipating her next move. You can see Tendril in greater detail  here,  where there is also a link to purchase.  Let me know if you would like a payment plan (30% non refundable deposit with the balance plus s&h paid off wit

  Vernal, acrylic on panel, 24"x30" sold (thank you so much to my newest collector!!). Questions can always come  to me. This momma bear has been in process for quite some time. I think I started her last fall. My initial challenge was to explore what changed if the composition went from portrait to landscape and if I turned her gaze to the side. First off, the landscape orientation really softened her body language, and a molten effect settled into her form. And the averted gaze allowed the bear to become lost in her own thoughts. I took advantage of this shift to paint her as elements of the landscape, then fractured that further into bits of spring, which happens to be showing up (finally!) here in Michigan. I particularly like the echos of petals and leaf growth that flutter across the panel like butterflies and the warming sun beginning to peek out in the east, behind her right eye. You can see Vernal in greater detail  here . Here's a little  video  that showcases h

  Offering, acrylic on cradled wood panel with small shelf attached, sides finished (no need to frame), 21"x25"x3-1/2", $1700 plus s&h to   the first asking nicely . Objects pictured on shelf (shell, marble, sparkley rock and acorn) can be included. Questions can always come  to me. If you wish to befriend a crow, simply leave her small treasures. Food, trinkets, shiny things. Establish a schedule and an offering place. It won't take long for her to recognize your face and learn you can be trusted. The idea of adding painted offerings into my crow pieces surfaced pretty early on. I tucked some into a couple of my paintings. And then I got to thinking about going dimensionally and adding a little shelf that would allow for the literal offering to happen vis a vis the viewer. I took this painting while still in process to  my framer  and shared my idea. Thanks to DJ, who is a finish carpenter, I walked out with this lovely shelf constructed of scrap frame molding.

  Windswept, acrylic on panel, 24"x30", $1300 plus s&h to   the first asking nicely . Questions can always come  to me. “Listen, are you breathing just a little, and calling it a life?”― Mary Oliver, West Wind: Poems and Prose Poems When you listen to Windswept, what do you hear? what sense does she awaken? does anything shift in your body or mind? You can experience Windswept in greater detail  here  and even make her your own.  ALSO, I've just opened a free trial period inside   my student membership online classroom. Sign up   to check out the content for 7 days, no obligation, and see the magic that plays out over there.  Thanks so much for your interest in my artwork, All my best, warmly, Kim

  Fledged, acrylic and graphite on cradled wood panel, 8"x8", 1" profile painted with a mica infused dark gray carrying a hint of sparkle, no need to frame, $550 plus s&h to   the first asking nicely . Questions can always come  to me. here's another sweet nest I am continuing to explore the image of nests and their metaphorical meaning as our family celebrates yet another graduation - that of my daughter in law. This one feels particularly symbolic in that the bottom of the nest seems to be missing. She's also got a bit more complexity in both design and mark making because she's a bit larger than the other two. But still intimately sized. And with that mica infused dark brown edge that sets her off magically. You can see Fledged in greater detail  here  and even make her your own.  Thanks so much for your interest in my artwork, All my best, warmly, Kim

  Cumulous, acrylic and graphite on cradled wood panel, 20"x24", 1-1/2" profile, sides painted so no need to frame, $1500 plus s&h to   the first asking nicely . Questions can always come  to me. the crows continue to come off my easel I suppose I could officially call them a murder, right? This is the 4th crow painting in this avian-venture.  I thought it might be fun to treat this painting as a vessel using some of my treasured techniques, as a nod to crows collecting their own treasures. There's many layers of marks, random line work, drippy paint, carved brushwork, warped organics, nuanced color, a bright sky and floral filled heart. And of course an eye that is full of life. You can see Cumulous in greater detail  here  and even make her your own.  Also, the next live session of Watching Paint Dry will be on May 24th at noon eastern. This will be a show and tell, with the camera turned on YOU and your artwork. You can learn more  here . Thanks so much for yo

  nests are the proverbial image of spring In my case, they also represent a significant milestone in my youngest child's life. The Princess graduated college last weekend. For a little perspective, I began my career as an artist when she was an infant. While she and her brothers have been off adulting already, the ceremony sort of clinched the whole kids are all grown up aspect for me. And the fact that we are truly empty nesters. The day after her ceremony we came across an empty nest inside structure we were tearing down on our property. I carefully removed and brought her into the studio, thinking she would be wonderful filled with some of my polished stones and crystals. Monday morning I realized I had to draw her. A journal page turned into an afternoon spent making sweet little nest paintings. These two are ready to fledge and find new homes. They both are 6"x6"x1", with a mica infused dark brown painted edge that provides just a hint of sparkle. They will arr

  I have been making these video recaps for a bit now, but I don't think I have shared them with you. Today I am remedying that. This year I have been building art related content on   my youtube channel   - art journaling sessions, (both the new Art SOJOURNaling ones plus adding the #jouornalthroughit lessons from 2020-2021), sample painting lessons from   my online classroom , videos recapping the progression of paintings and various other recordings such as the live q&a Watching Paint Dry events.   Let me know   what you would like to see over there, and please, feel free to subscribe to that content. Thanks so much for your interest in my artwork, All my best, warmly, Kim  

  Gaia, acrylic on cradled wood panel, 30"x24", 1-1/2" profile, no need to frame, $1500 plus s&h to   the first asking nicely . Questions can always come  to me. Greek mythology tells us Gaia birthed the sky   Can you imagine bringing something as vast and untouched as the sky to life and then spreading your wings to embrace it? This is the first of my corvid paintings to hit the market.**  Gaia features an ancient and wise crow as bridge between land and sky, with an earth-like marble at her feet. You can see Gaia in greater detail  here  and even make her your own.  Thanks so much for your interest in my artwork, All my best, warmly, Kim ** Nevermore , 30"x40"x2", and Offering (not yet photographed), 21"x 25"x3-1/2", complete with a custom built shelf for her trinkets, are both pending juried exhibition results. Once I learn of their status, I will offer them to collectors accordingly.

  Sprout, acrylic on cradled wood panel, 36"x24", 1" profile, no need to frame, $2000 plus s&h to   the first asking nicely . Questions can always come  to me. this painting began in February after a heavy ice storm   and was signed last week, while the earth has been busy coming back to life. Along the way I incorporated elements of the changing season (and moon) in her design. She's a compilation of the shifts that have happened in my little neck of the woods. I am intrigued by this combination, a painting made up of multiple moments in time - you can bet it's been added to my "what if's" for future exploration! Meanwhile, you can  make Sprout your own  or oogle at a larger image of her. Also, if you are so inclined, there will be a new Watching Paint Dry episode tomorrow (May 26th) at noon eastern. I'll be talking about commissioned projects and my stint as the official artist of the 2015 Kentucky Derby. You can tune in via zoom  here . T

  Lisianthus, acrylic on handmade round cradled wood panel (by Bara Woodshaping), 30" in diameter, 1" profile, with cleated hanging system that allows the panel to hang flush against the wall (no need to frame), $2300 plus s&h to   the first asking nicely . Questions can always come   to me. lisianthus are one of my favorite flowers   there's something extra special about their twisted buds and delicate stems. I feel like they are little  fouette turns . Or maybe little party crackers. What do you think? Combining these florals with the fox was an exercise in self control. I think at one point there must have been 100 blooms in this piece - that was when I realized I needed to dial my enthusiasm down a bit! So instead of the actual flowers, I embraced mark making that felt like the lisianthus, and twisted my brush through marbled puddles of paint. Also, I cannot say enough about this substrate, a gorgeous handmade panel from  Bara Woodshaping  in Oregon. The wooden su

  Labradorite, acrylic on panel, 23-1/2" x 23-3/4", $1200 plus s&h to   the first asking nicely . Questions can always come   to me. labradorite is a stone of transformation   and she found me when I needed her. It was the holiday season. I was broken inside for a host of reasons. Grieving innumerable losses and uncertain what my future held. Everyone around me was happy, cheerful, soaking up the seasonal joy wildly on display, which made me feel an even greater level of despair. I was at the mall. I had shopping to do that I had put off for too long. I wandered into the Nieman Marcus outlet, one of my favorite stores for the eye candy factor, and thought perhaps oogling at pretty things might lift my mood a bit before I went deeper into the mall to complete my holiday shopping. And then I saw her. I had never seen anything quite as beautiful as this necklace. A tiny, delicate gold chain looped through a nearly 2" long emerald cut stone with such fire, moving from th

  April, acrylic on panel, 24" x 30", private collection (THANK YOU!!!). Which means prints are available   here . Questions can always come   to me. April showers bring May flowers Who says that Mother Earth looks like us? why can't she be a petal filled pony? There's no art police, so I can make her look however I wish. And guess what? you can do the same with your work, too. Plug your imagination in and have fun! If you missed last week's Watching Paint Dry live Q&A session on color, you can   stream it   from   my YouTube channel. . The next one will be April 26th at noon eastern and I'll talk about working for hire, and specifically being the official artist for the 2015 Kentucky Derby, which was a commissioned project. I'll share access info closer to the date. There's also a new   Art SOJOURNaling lesson   up, also all about Mother Earth. Tis the season to celebrate rebirth. Thanks so much for your interest in my artwork, All my best, warmly

  Enchanted, acrylic on panel, roughly 23" x 24", $1200 plus s&h   to the first asking nicely . Questions can always come to me. she is her own star, this one  complete with orbiting moons. There is something magical about ponies. I know I am most likely romanticizing things, having never been owned by one. I am well aware of their reputation of being obstinate, stubborn, downright trouble causing rabble rousers. But they are so darned cute!! SO darned cute. And painted ponies are even cuter. They are so even tempered. They require very little upkeep. No special fencing, no vet bills or feet trimming, no board fees or cute little halters (ok, that might be one of the downsides). They can even live in the house, no cribbing worries and no poop patrol needed. Here is  the link  to view Enchanted larger, peek at her in a room, or to make her yours. Also, tonite at 7pm eastern I'll be hosting another Watching Paint Dry session. This time around I'm going to answer you

  Rose, acrylic on circular pine, roughly 23" x 23" x 1", $1800 plus s&h   to the first asking nicely . Questions can always come   to me. I started this painting on June 24, 2022 after hearing that the United States Supreme Court had overturned Roe v Wade. It was a day of very big feels, no matter which side one was on. I took my emotions to the easel ,as I always do, and started a momma bear soaked in tears. Over the next 9 months I would return to her, adding layers of marks when I felt my own emotional well being slip and slide. On a personal note she's carried me through the marriage of my oldest, our first post pandemic holiday celebration with the entirety of family, children moving out, children returning home, two reunions with my high school BFF and the mass shooting at Michigan State University. On a larger scale, well, the world has been rife with it's own victories and tragedies, too, and art is never made in a vacuum. Something in the air the la

  Snowdrop, acrylic on 24"x23-1/2" panel, $1200 plus s&h   to the first asking nicely . Questions can always come   to me. Last week I was utterly delighted to see snowdrops peeking through in my garden  particularly after another spell of yechy weather - a major ice storm, lots of melt, then over 8" of fresh snow followed by lots more melt. Come March I am so ready for spring. I'm tired of the damp and always being cold. I crave a boost of color, something a bit brighter than the muted tones and high contrast of winter days. But March gives us a peek at warmer weather, then rips it away. She is a relentless tease and a horrible influence on April. So I celebrated the snowdrop. And I might just continue to do more. But wait - is that crocus over there......? (Also, did you know that snowdrops are a symbol of hope? seems fitting to latch onto them, then, for that reason alone.) Here is  the link  to view Snowdrop larger, peek at her in a room, or even purchase. Th

  Limestone and Lapis, acrylic and other materials on artists' paper, 18x24 (image is a little smaller to accommodate a white margin around the page), $400 each plus s&h   to the first asking nicely . Make both of them yours for $700 (purchase via my website and I'll refund the $100 difference). Questions can always come   to me. my paintings contain layers of marks  There's something about stacking them up, the marks, a little lopsided or haphazardly, so that all sorts of fascinating things happen between them. That's how these pieces were made. Over a period of about 6 months I layered paint and line work, scraped back in to the surface, smudged and smeared things together. I also leaned in to one of my new favorite mark making processes - something I call primal scribbling. And yup, it's just as it sounds! You grip your tool with a ferocity and scribble scribble scribble, madly, and hope that the paper doesn't tear. Here is  the link  to view these two la

  Vigil, acrylic on flat panel, 24x24, $1200 plus s&h   to the first asking nicely . Questions can always come   to me. we have officially entered spring and winter's rest is over. Or nearly - there is a crispness to the air that doesn't quite sing "spring" yet, but bulbs are popping and things are greening up here in Michigan. Vigil speaks to this pause between the breaths of Winter and Spring, promise and hope to come while rooted in a dark, cold night. Vigil could be yours. Here is  the link  to view her larger, peek at her in a room, or purchase. And for those interested,   here is a link   to today's Watching Paint Dry session where I walk you through my painting process. The next Watching Paint Dry will fall on April 5th at 7pm. Thanks so much for your interest in my artwork, All my best, warmly, Kim