J u l y • A R T

Hello CREATIVE MONTH OF JULY!  

I thought it would be fun to share a lot of the art I painted this month.  Each month I post new art just to mix it up a little.

I have 5 NEW PAINTINGS if you want to have a look- Bigcartel shop.

This month began with an "idea" which has turned into reality.  I have decided to paint each day for 15 minutes and let's just say it's been a success!  Most days 15 turns into an hour or so.  I have been sharing a lot of this process on my Instagram feed.  Where I have found other amazing artists to follow and find inspiration.  

Here's my instagram if you're interested... 

https://instagram.com/artstudiokm/

This is not the best photo of our room but I am showing the large 30x30 painting I did.  Which is currently in our living room because we cannot decide which space we prefer.

painting in my art studio... 

Bailey- for sale on BIG CARTEL

Finch- for sale on BIG CARTEL

Above is showing a box of goodies sent to me from my dear friends Kandyce and Lindsay.  It was so thoughtful and made me feel so loved.  Thanks again guys!!! 

sketch book I take everywhere...

At my in laws in the backyard painting one weekend...

Art Studio KM...

Crossfield- for sale on BIG CARTEL

Thatcher - for sale on BIG CARTEL

pastel lavender field

peaceful ocean

Blue on Blue... watercolor + pastel

Yes, I am wearing shorts... hah!

I tend to want big change right away...

Learning to live in the moment

and

enjoying

 the small victories! 

Up Close

Washes that have been happening in the studio

This week I made a decision to start painting every day for 

15 minutes.  So far what's not happening is the 15 minutes.  I always sit down ready to paint and it's 15, 30 and soon an hour.  I think the point is, to get me into the studio, and it's working.  I also believe that if you want to be good at something you have to do it every day.  Or at least often... 

So here it goes!

Purchased some oil pastels this week... oh, was it fun choosing the colors.  Being an artist and picking out art supplies is literally like taking a kid to candy shop... Except strangely as I child I didn't like candy.  Just those gummy worms that came in red, purples and greens...anyway you get the point.

Free to P A I N T

I 've been painting regularly each week.  I would say it's been the most I've painted on a consistent basis in years.  Probably since I was in school.  The process has been a lot of fun and I am enjoying it. 

With that, I have also felt a lot of frustration with my paintings.  I am defiantly growing as an artist and learning a lot.  Anything that takes growth and work comes satisfaction at some point.  I am so excited to be creating again and sharing the unique process with you.

This painting is sort of silly because I was just pushing the paint brush into the paper and watching it soak up... The best part about painting right now, is that I've aloud myself to experiment more.  FREEDOM TO EXPLORE!

I used to put a lot of rules on myself.  Such as, not wasting paints and paper and painting once I had thought it all out.  Just going for it has helped me create new ideas and techniques. Perhaps combining the controlled + free style of painting can create balance.

Beginning to draw again.  Each of my art teachers in school and personal art teachers told me to draw every day.  They said, "draw all the time, take your sketch book everywhere you go."

I will be honest guys, I used to not like drawing at all.  I am learning to train my thoughts.  I tell myself I like to draw now...

Thank you to my two close friends Kandyce and Lindsay for inspiring me.  They both are very talented artist.  

You should check out their Instagrams 

kandyceking 

lindsay_king

landscape studies

Hello beautiful friends,

On Monday I had to get up and hustle out the door to run errands and go to an appointment.   When I got back home I decided to stop what I was doing and paint.

I started a series of 6x6 landscape studies.  A sort of "new look" at creating a painting.  I did 5 total that day and plan on doing several more.  Hopefully to discover the next step in my next series.

Each painting has a personality of it's own.  The top painting is more controlled, while this one above is free and fun.  I like both of them but enjoyed playing with color, composition and perspective. 

mixing colors

This particular painting above is different than any landscape style I have ever done in the past. I used, watercolor, colored pencil, acrylic, pencil and oil pastels.  This is the very beginning and the end result is also free and fun.

Last week, I sold Beckett.  I wrapped him up and sent him on his way on Monday.  He was a 6x6 and The colors of grays, deep blues, burnt umber, white and bring pink felt exciting and fresh.  Part of making art is selling it.  I want to learn more of the business side of making art.  I love creating something out of nothing and then sharing it with you.  It's a wonderful feeling.

Moving into the C O U N T R Y

Moving into the country has been the best decision for us.  We moved at the beginning of the year so we've only been living here for about 6 months. After living in a city for almost 4 years,  I feel so much happier here.  

Living in this modern designed home has just been a bonus.  I wouldn't design it for myself but I always wanted to live in a modern home.  It makes us live more simply.  I love it!

This is the master bedroom overlooking the valley from these doors.  It was a little strange at first but now I like the separation from the main house.

This is directly behind our bedroom and the breezeway that connects the living area, garage and art room.  We have a nice garden which is pretty small.  But we have 2 other gardens we pick from.  I also have a succulent garden on this table because I am obsessed with succulents and plants in general.

The doors you see in this photo are to my art room.  There is another entrance by the garage area.  I love to open the doors and feel the breeze and listen to the birds.

Finding inspiration all around me

This snowflake looking flower is everywhere this month.  I love it's design.  I am always picking them and arranging them into glass vases to put on my marble coffee table, kitchen counter or really anywhere.  

I could see this photo in a large frame with a lot of white matting around it.  I love the black and white contrast.

July paintings at the shop - artstudiokm.bigcartel.com

landscape study on paper

Painting has always been a part of me.  In fact so much a part of me that when I was younger I would try to ignore my creative self when it came to "my job"  and try to search for my calling and pray that God would truly show me a sign of some kind.  I never got a sign, until I realized it just wasn't what I wanted to hear.  I believe God gave me a gift and he has been telling me for years my job is to be a painter.  I always thought, I am not hearing this right.  I cannot make money at this.  I even saw myself testing God, what was I thinking, testing God.  I would have art shows and ask God to show me a sign and give specific goals of how much I should sell to prove I could make it as an artist.  Or maybe just to prove to myself I was good.  This was all silly and I know that now.  The crazy part is, I would sell more than my goal each time I had a show.  But yet, each time I did this I would always say, nope I am not good enough, I can't make money at this.  I would talk myself out of it before it blossomed into anything.  Fear took over my dream and fear still takes over at times in life.

I am 31 years old and I am not letting fear get in the way. I want to pursue this dream and I am moving forward.  

Here it goes! I know this dream is a process. It will take time to create and mature, but I am excited to see where it leads. Wish me luck and I will see you next Wednesday.