Kelly McKernan

I have a design up for voting at Threadless!

2012-02-07T09:03:00.000-05:00

Yup. I've made my first foray into the digital world with my art. (Okay, it's not my first, but those horrendous designs from 6+ years ago don't count!). It's something I've wanted to do for a long while, but I was having a tough time finding a way to translate my work into the digital medium and making it work on a t-shirt. Anyhow, I came across a few tutorials that helped me figure it out, and... voila!

Now, the actual design that's up on Threadless doesn't have the oval frame. I just couldn't get it to work for a t-shirt, so this above version will be the one that goes in my portfolio, while the below version is what is up for voting at Threadless.

Click to go see the design at Threadless!

Anyway, to get a little extra help from fans of my work, I'm giving away the original drawing (ink and graphite, 9" x 12" on Bristol paper) over at my Facebook page! The design is up for voting for 7 days total, and if you don't have a Threadless account for voting, it's an easy signup and they don't email you unless you ask them to. If I win this, it'll be a huge help to my financial situation. If not, no worries. Digital art and me were never meant to be. It's cool.

Click to be taken to my Facebook page!

Thank you so much for your votes, shares, and enthusiasm! <3

Predicate

2012-01-29T17:23:00.000-05:00

Here's "Predicate" - she measures 24" x 16" and was painted in watercolor. Here are some progress photos and then the completed painting at the end. You can see her in person this Saturday at Kibbee Gallery in Atlanta!

PRISMA Artist Collective

2012-01-28T17:33:00.001-05:00

I can't tell you guys how excited I am to finally be able to announce that I'm a member of an amazing new artist collective! Artist and friend Kaspian Shore organized the whole group of 24 other artists whom I've very honored to be a part of!

We have plans for two mini shows in 2012 of select artists in the group and one large annual group show in 2013 with lots of collaborations included. I'm so excited!

artist: Casey Weldon

Here is a list of the current members:

Mary Jane Ansell - England, UK • Tom Bagshaw - England, UK • Lindsey Carr - Scotland, UK • Hsiao-Ron Cheng - Taiwan • Leontine Greenberg - USA • Nicole Gustafsson - USA • Caitlin Hackett - USA • Daria Hlazatova, Ukraine • Ruben Ireland - England, UK • Sarah Joncas - Canada • Nom Kinnear King - England, UK • Kit Lane - USA • Alex Louisa - Australia • Rod Luff - Australia • Jen Mann - Canada • Kelly McKernan - USA • Lady Orlando - Mexico • Lilly Piri - Australia • Audrey Pongracz - USA • Michael Shapcott - USA • Kaspian Shore - Germany • Allison Sommers - USA • Kelly Vivanco - USA • Casey Weldon - USA • Bec Winnel - Australia

Here's where you can find us:

Website
Facebook
Twitter
Tumblr

Yay hooray!

Desinence

2012-01-16T14:23:00.001-05:00

My second completed piece of 2012! This is "Desinence" and she measures 14" x 18" and was painted in watercolor. You can see her in person at Young Blood Gallery for the "What's Not To Love?" show, opening February 4th.

This piece is a little different from some of my previous work. I think that after finishing "Clandestine" I wanted something more crisp, shocking, and emotive. The word desinence came up on Dictionary Word of the Day a little while back, and I put it in my archive of potential titles. It means "A termination or ending, as the final line of a verse." It seems permanent and committed, and I felt that it fits the piece.

Here are some process images, and then the final piece is at the end.

Clandestine

2012-01-12T10:52:00.000-05:00

Woo! My first completed painting of 2012! And I've actually got several more to do in the next couple of weeks...

This is "Clandestine" and she was painted with watercolor on 14" x 20" Fabriano 300gsm hot press watercolor paper. This is for an upcoming show at Beep Beep Gallery called "Another Green World" opening in February. Each artist in the show is creating a piece based on one of the 14 songs in the album of the same name by Brian Eno. My assignment was "Little Fishes." What I mainly pulled from the song were the colors. Murky greens, yellow-gold shimmers, and pops of red and pink (I'm a sound-color synesthete, by the way).

Without further ado, here are some process images with the final piece at the end.

Coming up in February, I am participating in three shows, including the aforementioned. I will also be at Young Blood Gallery for "What's Not To Love" and a nude-themed show at Kibbee Gallery. Yay Ponce Crush!

No Mere New Year

2012-01-02T12:18:00.000-05:00

Not too much going on around here, so here's just a few tidbits I can update on.

First off, I finally have an active Tumblr account. I've had it for a week and I'm already obsessed. I mainly post things that I find inspiring, but my own work will find its way in there too, so feel free to follow me! Click to be taken to my Tumblr!

I haven't been going too much painting lately, but I've been on a bit of a drawing spree! Here's something I was working on yesterday until it was attacked by rainbows:

Lastly, some very exciting news! I am organizing and curating a show this summer at MINT Gallery, bringing together many of my favorite local artists and some fantastic internationally exhibiting artists, including Kelly Vivanco, Allison Sommers, Kaspian Shore, Chelsea Greene Lewyta, Julia Sonmi Heglund, Naomi Nowak, and more!

2012 is already looking very exciting. :D

Catching Up & Looking Back

2011-12-11T02:54:00.000-05:00

Whew! Sorry for the long break - a lot has been going on!

Let's get this out of the way: I am currently in 5 shows and 1 event...

"Little Things Mean a Lot" at the Swan Coach House Art Gallery until January 7th.

My wares are with the ICE Pop-Up Shop from Indie Craft Experience taking place at Criminal Records in L5P Atlanta through December 24th.

"Alchemy" a group show at Beep Beep Gallery through December 17th.

"Neighbors" a group show at Young Blood Gallery & Boutique through December 30th.

"In The Nick Of Time" a group show at Kibbee Gallery.

"6th Annual Postcard Pin-Up Show" at MINT Gallery. One night only - December 10th.

Now that that's out of the way, here's what I've been up to...

1. I got my wisdom teeth out a few weeks ago. It was awful. I couldn't paint. I couldn't do anything, really. I basically lolled my head around on the couch drooling and watched Doctor Who and enjoyed my pain meds while they lasted. I'm still recovering - hurts to open my mouth and stuff. Also, my face was huge. Enjoy.

2. I've been busy preparing for the aforementioned shows. Here are some new works:

4" x 6" pieces for the Postcard Show at MINT

"Domicile" for YBG's "Neighbors" show.

In-Progress piece for Beep's "Alchemy" show. Never got a finished image - sorry!

3. Added a few more things to my shop:

"Atonement" and "Ingenue" ltd. edition print set!

"Amaranthine" open edition print, y'all.

"Domicile" open edition print. It's purdy.

Aaaand, I have 4 extra calendars for purchase. Git 'em!

By the way, did I ever post this video preview of the calendar?

4. I am ending 2011 with 17 shows and 25 completed paintings. Not bad! Here are my personal favorites from this year:

5. I'm looking forward to what 2012 brings! With that, I'm off to bed, since I'm pretty sure I've caught a cold.

Facebook Giveaway & Ingenue

2011-11-06T22:19:00.001-05:00

First off, if you're on Facebook and you haven't entered my giveaway, git yer butt over there and participate! There are many ways to enter, and you can enter more than once to increase your chances! Click on the image to be taken to the instructions...

Next up, I recently finished another painting for the upcoming "Little Things Mean A Lot" show at the Swan Coach House Gallery, opening November 17th. She's titled "Ingenue" and measures 6" x 8" with 1.5" depth and was completed in watercolor.

One of the progress images.

Meanwhile, I'm preparing work for several other shows at the moment. More information coming soon!

Atonement

2011-10-26T13:10:00.000-04:00

Here's another piece where I selected the title before making the painting... This is new for me, but I really like this process.

"Atonement" measures 6" x 8" with 1.5" depth and was painted in watercolor. She'll be making her debut at the Swan Coach House Gallery in Atlanta on November 17th for the "Little Things Mean A Lot" show. I will be contributing one other piece to the show too, and that's next on my list.

So! Without further ado, here are a few process images followed by the final piece.

What do you think?

Ten Things You May Not Know About Me

2011-10-14T12:37:00.004-04:00

Quick Post! Ten Things You May Not Know About Me:

photo by Michelle Scott Photography

1. I have a hole in my brain! I get chronic migraines and headaches and I got an MRI a few years back to make sure everything was a-ok up there. Turns out the tiny hole was formed with my brain, and it doesn't affect anything.

2. I have a lazy eye! I've trained myself to use it so it doesn't go wonky, so you don't really see it unless I'm sleepy or intoxicated. It was dubbed as Shifty McShiftimus years ago.

3. I have ridiculously tiny feet. I wear a size 5 in women's, but a good portion of my shoes are children's sized 2.5.

4. I love bugs and insects and creepy crawly things, especially spiders. There is only one thing I cannot stand: cockroaches.

5. When I have to keep a day job (since art-making isn't quite full-time-bill-paying-work), I work with children. I have been an art camp teacher, a preschool teacher, and a nanny. I'm currently the latter to 3 awesome kids.

6. I'm incapable of whistling.

7. I once wrote a fanfiction between the ages of 15 and 16 that reached 53,000 words before I quit it - which is the size of the average novel.

8. I'm a Jehovah's Witness. I wasn't raised as one and no one in my family is, either, but at 19 I was introduced to it, and everything made too much sense to not pass up.

9. I am an INxJ, according to the Myers-Brigg personality type indicator. The x means that I am equally an INFJ and INTJ. I've often a very rational thinker, but sometimes my emotions take over the reason.

10. When I'm stressed, I bake cupcakes.

Nascent

2011-10-08T16:12:00.000-04:00

With the Word-Smithery Contest came a plethora of fabulous words that are already inspiring paintings! The first place winner, Chris Patrick, provided me with the word "nascent" which means 'coming into existence; not fully developed.'

Here are a few progress images and then the final piece, which is available for purchase in my shop.

Also, did you see that adorbs kitten? That's my new little girl, Marzipan. She's a tortie-point siamese and she's only 3 months old!

In other news, are you on Google+? I have been doing a few live drawing "hangouts" with other artists! Keep a lookout for posts, as it's pretty random when I decide to do one/join one. You can add me to your circles at this link.

That's it for now!

Amaranthine

2011-09-19T12:47:00.000-04:00

It's been about 2 months since I last completed a painting. "Willful Wiles" totally wore me out, and I had also begun a new job as a nanny (which is awesome, by the way). I had bought a new scarf a few weeks ago with a beautiful lace pattern, and I wanted to get a new piece going. I also have a small collection of antique frames, and I've been itching to use a particular one, so this piece is inspired by the frame and the lace and the word "amaranthine."

So! I took plenty of process photos. Enjoy!

There she is! "Amaranthine" measures 10" x 12" and was completed with watercolor and color pencil. Coming up soon is a print and the original for purchase! But first... I need to do some work on her antique frame, which you can see a hint of in the last process photo. :D

Word-Smithery Contest!

2011-09-10T00:12:00.000-04:00

One of the most inspiring things to me are words. I have always had a fascination with words and their meanings and they way they sound and the emotions they evoke. This comes into play foremost when titling my work - I choose the titles very carefully because I believe they serve as an essential clue to understanding the painting.

I began keeping a list of words that I found interesting in my sketchbooks, starting in 2008. The lists began as only tangible things that would lend themselves as ideas to turn into elements in my paintings. The lists began to become more conceptual and heavier in meaning over the last year. I also began pulling titles for my paintings from these recent lists, and in a few cases, a certain word would inspire a large part of the painting's mood and then would later become the title.

Recently, I finished up a sketchbook I began in January 2011, so I ventured out to find a new sketchbook. This also meant beginning a new list, with a new challenge - to create a list void of tangible things, unlike my past lists that combined everything. This forces my process to evolve, which is always an exciting prospect!

Anyhow! Here's where you come in: My current list is small, and on average, I only add 3-5 words a week when I think of them (and I have to do it immediately, or I forget!). I would love for you guys to help me make that list larger!

RULES: Comment HERE with word suggestions! You can see with the photo above some examples of what sort of words I find appealing. More examples can be found by checking out the titles of my paintings.

You may enter as many times as you like! The contest ends Sunday, September 18th at 11:59pm EST. The winners will be announced Tuesday, September 20th.

WINNERS: Three winners will be chosen! While I'm sure I will fall in love with many of the entries, the top three that appeal to me the most will be chosen. There will be a first, second, and third place.

First place: $50 gift certificate to my shop

Second place: $25 gift certificate to my shop

Third place: $15 gift certificate to my shop

If you do not have/use Facebook, you may comment on this note for your entry (though FB is preferred!). Thanks!

Have fun!

Where it began - Part I

2011-08-05T17:16:00.001-04:00

So, I don't really have any fun, new, or interesting things to update on. I'm working on a couple of commissions and getting ready to start my new part time job as an after school nanny, since, unfortunately, art does not pay for all the bills, food, and rent just yet.

Oh, wait, I have two recent things to update on:

1. I made a Facebook album of all the current original paintings I have available for sale. You can view that here.
2. I released a limited edition print of "Asunder" today, and you can purchase that here.

Okay, so let's talk about things that are not so recent (and thank goodness for that, because...). I was thinking of all the horrible art I made growing up. I'm pretty sure that up until the age of 13, all I drew or painted were fairies, cats, princesses, and everything in between. Oh, and female superheroes... one in particular I remember beat up mean cheerleaders. Anyhow, I don't have access to those drawings, since they're in a box at my parent's house. I'll save those morsels for Part Two at a later date.

Hey, I could color in the lines!

See? Princesses, Kitties... Princess Kitty.

I do, however, have access to the horrible art I began posting online, beginning with my DeviantArt account, which I began August 15, 2002, at the beginning of my junior year of high school. I hope this experience isn't as painful for you as it will be for me... but let's dive in, shall we?

It begins with Harry Potter. Oh Lord. Probably did this at 13 or 14.

Pretty lady... Can't read that date, but it's not a terrible!

This is where it gets painful. I think I was 14 when i did this. Drawing things out of magazines.

Yikes. (At 15)

This looks like my first foray into Photoshop. I'm cringing.

Chalk pastel on velour paper. I remember being sooo proud of this one. Still 15.

So, this was apparently my 2nd attempt at watercolor. Ah, the beginnings of love!

I really loved charcoal. Still at 15yrs.

Ooooh man, I remember being so proud of this piece. Chalk pastel.

Ha! See, fairy lady thing! Hiding the hands because I didn't know how to freehand draw them.

Ugh, so much photoshop.

Aw, this was fun. Around this time I was drawing a lot of fashion-y things.

This is when things started getting weird and I loved it. This was in my senior year.

I was really interested in mixed media and using ink and watercolor. Also really interested in psychological stuff.

I think this was the last thing I painted my senior year. Fish obsession: Begun.

And... we'll stop there. Part two will happen the next time I visit my parent's.

Post-Willful Wiles

2011-07-17T20:28:00.000-04:00

Whew! It's all done, and it's taken me a full week to recover.

I'm so very, very happy with how the show turned out. The installation came together with very few bumps, the artwork was finished in time, and best of all - everything looked cohesive and the statement sat strong with the show.

If you missed the opening, haven't caught the show yet, and don't live in Atlanta, see for yourself!

Here are the finished pieces:

For the moment, there are only two prints from this series: Relinquish and Satiate, but don't worry, more will be coming soon!

In other news, I'm on Google+ and you can add me at this link.

That's it for now! Thanks to everyone who came out to the opening!

Almost There!

2011-07-02T18:02:00.001-04:00

The show, "Willful Wiles" is only one week away!

You might be thinking that I'm freaking out, overwhelmed, and ready to pull my hair out from the stress. Well, one year ago before "Fight or Flight" (my solo at Beep Beep), I definitely was. I think I only had about one half of my paintings completed and the other half in progress, if not even begun. I don't know what I was thinking either. And, honestly, that work could've been better. It's not to say that I wasn't prepared for a solo - in fact, I think I needed it to give me the kick I needed - but I definitely didn't prepare myself for the amount of stress it would cause.

a piece in progress

Anyhow, no, I'm not freaking out. It helps that for the last four months, I haven't had a real job and I've only been working on my art and any commissions that come along (a billion thanks to my husband for being mostly cool with this until recently... we're super broke now, haha, and I gotta find some work after the show). I have 5 pieces completed, 1 piece that's very close to completion (that I've been putting off) and two pieces that are halfway done (they're a diptych, so I'm doing them at the same time). I know I'll get all of my work done by Tuesday or Wednesday. I believe Marcy and I will begin our badass installation on Thursday and be finished by Friday night. Should be perfect timing.

However... for the last 24 hours or so, I've been dealing with an on-and-off migraine. I get them chronically, so... that's no fun. Unfortunately, I had to spend the bulk of today lying in bed zoning out and trying to ignore the pain. I'm better now... I'm in the kitchen, cooking my mom's recipe of goulash, drinking wine, and playing Scrabble on Facebook with my husband. Tonight I'll get back to painting.

another piece in progress

The thing is, I know things always work out. And, if they don't work out to the ideal, I don't feel regret... I just look at it as a learning experience. And I'm not a procrastinator, I'm an incubator... I know this, thanks to this article. Along with that, the other reason I seem to wait "until the last minute" is the rush and adrenaline that hits in the last few weeks to get the work done. It's not necessarily what provides the motivation, but maybe what I enjoy most about creating... is when it's under pressure. I feel more on point and more excited about the process. I feel a bit like a madwoman when it's at this point - a week before a major show that I have a hand in.

I'm excited for this show not only because of the work I've done for it - which I feel is my best yet and I'm quite proud of - but because it's with Marcy Starz. I asked James and Mark of Beep Beep if she and I could have a show together. We both went to KSU and had many of our classes together and I always admired the work that she did, but I enjoyed her work more because I connected with the feminine qualities in her work and I could sort of intuitively tell that we worked very similarly. Marcy graduated a year after me and has shown that she's not given up on her work or put it aside like many art majors have. I really wanted to see how we could work together and the dynamic our work would create in Beep Beep's space. Needless to say, I was right about our processes - they're frighteningly similar, but that was a very comforting thing from the beginning. We let go of the pressure of knowing exactly what we wanted to say with the work from the start. This is something that I've come to terms with myself - letting go of being a conceptualist and admitting to up front that I really just enjoy the act of creating. It doesn't mean I don't have anything to say with my work, it just means that I'm not trying to BS you with some fancy artist statement. There's discovery in my work, for both the viewer and myself. I can't speak for Marcy, of course, I'm just glad we see eye to eye in our processes, so this show has come together beautifully, in my opinion. I've extremely excited to have had the opportunity to work with Marcy.

The artist statement for "Willful Wiles" reads:

Not unlike a predator tracking prey merely for recreation, “Willful Wiles” exposes the animalistic impulses and desires that humans instinctively engage and subsequently indulge in. Choosing the contemporary female figure, Kelly McKernan and Marcy Starz explore the means by which their subjects entice and manipulate their unwitting victims, whether for the thrill of the chase or the affirmation of their adroit sexuality. The work draws correlations between the animalistic tendencies we continually exhibit as a civilized species and our own misguided self-perception - are we as composed and calculated as we'd like to think, or do we act on impulse more than we'd like to admit?

That's an artist statement I feel confident in. Previously my work was geared toward displaying various means by which my female protagonists displayed idealism in their youth and learning of its consequences. But my work has become more seductive since (have you noticed the boobs? Yup.). Marcy's work often involves wildlife and sexuality. It only made sense that our work come together in this sense. It's past idealism, and now it's onto "okay, I've learned from my mistakes - it's time to stop being the doe and getting hurt... it's time to be the hunter, to call my own shots." The work is powerful and sensual and very exciting. I can't wait to share it with everyone.

a completed piece from the show - "Relinquish"

Onto my second glass of wine...

Anyhow, another reason I love this last week before a major show is the things I learn about myself as an artist and a person. During the time I spend working on a painting, I reflect on myself and my decisions and who I am and who I am not. It's a very personal, introspective space, and with 8 paintings... there's been quite a bit of that. And like I said previous, I am in love with the act of creating - with taking images from my head and watching them come to life on the paper. One particular thing I've figured out is why I complete the woman's face first - so that the painting begins with a personality, a look, an emotion... so that the rest of it can be influenced by her. It takes a lot of the decision-making out of my hands. I've learned to let the woman (or women) dominate the painting and not necessarily myself any longer.

So, let's wrap this up.

July 9th will be pivotal, I believe. And I hope you'll be there to experience my work and Marcy's work at the opening. You can RSVP on Facebook here. But just in case, here is the show card.

I think I've talked enough... and I want more wine. Goodnight... I'll see you all in a week. :)

Hey There, Summer!

2011-06-21T18:45:00.000-04:00

Happy first day of Summer!

To celebrate, I thought I'd do a big sale in my shop! Coming up in the next month or two will be several new limited edition prints, and I need to make room for them in my shop and retire some older open edition prints. No say in which will be permanently gone yet, but sales and age and growing style will determine which stay and which go. I've also got some older originals that have been marked down to the bone.

Click on the image to be taken to the shop!

In other news, I've got less than 3 weeks til the big show next month at Beep Beep! So far I have 3 pieces completed, 2 in progress, and 3 in the planning stages. No worries, they'll all get done. I sort of purposely put off work til it's crunch time. I love the buzz and adrenaline that surface from the rush of completing these paintings. It helps that I work in watercolor, so drying time is never an issue. I can knock out one of these in 3-5 days, no problem.

And in unrelated, but severely cute news, here is a picture of my recently re-acquired cat (long story) in a yellow bow.

Isn't he the cutest? His name's Toulouse!

Anydangway, back to work!

Festival Festivities

2011-06-14T22:01:00.000-04:00

My craft show frenzy is over! Artlantis and ICE were a blast! I especially enjoyed Artlantis because it's run by my favorite Atlanta boys, James McConnell and Mark Basehore of Beep Beep Gallery. I swear, Atlanta would certainly be less of an interesting place without all of their hard work! I also enjoyed getting to display my wares in a sea of booths of some of my favorite fellow Atlanta artists! But best of all was getting to meet so many people that are collectors of my work, both recent and avid fans of years! It's totally humbling and encouraging to meet those that spend their hard-earned money on a print or, better yet, an original painting of mine. I tried to make a point to thank everyone I met for supporting local artists - seriously! Without you guys, I couldn't continue doing what I love for a living!

And, amazingly, the heat didn't get to me until much later in the day... it wasn't until about 5pm that I started doing goofy, heat-exhaustion inspired things. One of these was giving incorrect change on frequent occasions, or giving change when it wasn't needed. Whew!

The following weekend was Indie Craft Experience. It wasn't the easiest, smoothest, or monetarily successful of events for me... Darick Ritter of Lumi9 Painting(my booth-mate) and I ran into numerous problems over the weekend. And, due to unfortunate events, Darick had to skip out on Sunday, so I was on my own in our booth. However, like the previous weekend at Artlantis, I had the pleasure of meeting many people who already had prints or original paintings of mine.

Now, with the two shows over, I have some leftover items that I normally don't have available for purchase online... Notebooks and paper wallets! Click the images to be taken to the shop.

They're only available in extremely limited quantities, so be sure to grab them while you can!

Meanwhile, I'm still working hard on my upcoming show in July with Marcy Starz at Beep Beep Gallery. Here's an in-progress image of one of the paintings...

I think that's it for now! OH, nope, I lied! I have started an email newsletter, which is the best way to keep up with new, shows, new pieces, and whatnot of mine if you're not an avid facebook-checker. You can sign up below!

Mediasplosion

2011-06-02T22:16:00.001-04:00

Hello June! This is about to be an extremely hectic month! Artlantis is in two days and ICE is next weekend! Meanwhile, I'm still working hard on work for the July Beep Beep show and fitting in commissions on the side. Alas, I LOVE being busy!

A few things to update on:

Firstly, I was contacted a few months ago about being on a reality TV show called Let Us In, where they come to my home and talk to me about being an artist and whatnot. The episode just aired this past weekend, and it can be watched online too. If you click on the image below, you'll be taken to the site, where you'll need to click "Episode 4." Chris Appleton of Wonderroot is featured in the first half, and my segment begins around 13:30. Enjoy!

Next up, Brain Camp! Such a blast. Really enjoyed all the bands and working alongside some of my favorite people to make it happen. Check out some pictures from the event!

Much of my work from the evening is still available - catch it over at my shop before it swims away!

Welp, I need to get back to preparations for Artlantis this Saturday! I'm going to have a couple of new products that might just sell out before I can bring them to the shop... please make sure to stop by and say hello!

Excuses

2011-05-21T16:21:00.000-04:00

Hello hello hello!

Sorry it's been awhile. I totally expected to be bombarding my lovely followers with posts in lieu with my procrastinatory habits. Ah well.

I've been working diligently (or so I'd love to think) on my show this summer with Marcy Starz at Beep Beep. We just settled on a title - "Willful Wiles." I'm very, very excited to see it come together and watch the dynamic our work creates in the space together. I'm also excited to debut my new work. It's been really difficult not to show them off. I actually already let one slip...

"Redemption"

11" x 14"

I've been nearing a financial rut, so I released it to encourage some early print sales. [Click on the image to visit my shop!] Alas, no more teasers until the show, which is July 9th.

I think it is okay to share some progress photos, though! Here are a few:

Otherwise, I've been busying myself with side projects including drinking lots of iced tea, watching Veronica Mars and Doctor Who (um, Matt Smith is my newest crush), and making this paper cut card for my parents-in-law's 32nd wedding anniversary...

I had never made a paper cut anything before (other than on my unwitting fingers), so it's a little jaggedy, but I think it turned out well!

Speaking of in-laws, my mom-in-law, Micki Cavanah of Reed's Gold Leaf Studios, is doing a giveaway on her facebook page for three super cute/creepy gilded cicada shells! Head on over to enter to win one of these cuties.

Lastly, I've also just picked up a fun and exciting album art job. I can't wait to get it underway and show it off!

In other, other news, I'm just about stocked up and ready to go for the upcoming Artlantis Art and Music Festival and the Indie Craft Experience. I'm still looking toborrow a 10' x 10' canopy tent thing for the former, so if anyone has any leads, please let me know!

I think that's it for now!

ICE, Artlantis, Infectious, and Gallery Nucleus Oh My!

2011-04-15T10:16:00.001-04:00

I've got quite a few things to update on!

First off, I won Infectious's February contest with "Coy," so now it's available in laptop skins, iphone, blackberry, iPad, and like, everything else that can have a skin. Have a look! And keep an eye out on my Facebook page for giveaways of some of these items...

Also, the pieces I posted recently for Gallery Nucleus are now available! Well, one of them... I'm sure the other is on its way.

Next up, I have been accepted for Indie Craft Experience's Summer 2011 edition! I'm super excited, since I have LOVED the last two times I participated - it was such a blast. I'm working on some new products, ranging from journals to totes to wallets. Stay tuned! Also, I will be sharing a booth with Alabama artist Darick Ritter. His work is intense and a real treat to look at.

And finally, I have just signed up to be a part of the 3rd annual Artlantis art and music festival that Beep Beep Gallery puts together. This will be the weekend before ICE - June 4th.

OH! And don't forget that I still have my Spring Cleaning sale going strong! A few pieces have already sold, but the others are feeling left out. Please have a look!

That's it for now! I'm working on pieces for my show this summer with Marcy Starz at Beep. Hopefully I can sneak in some progress images and clips here and there to keep this blog interesting. :]

Spring Cleaning!

2011-04-09T14:24:00.002-04:00

As I'm preparing pieces for my upcoming show with Marcy Starz at Beep Beep Gallery, I'm going through older pieces and removing them from their stretcher bars so that I can reuse them (save money!). Also, it's that spring cleaning time of year, and I'm trying to consolidate my space. While I've got several older pieces residing at various galleries (there's quite a few at Cornbred Gallery, fyi), there's still a few at my home that I just don't have room for anymore.

So! Spring Cleaning Sale over at my Facebook page!

Many of the pieces are without their stretcher bars, so that shipping is a bajillion times easier (the painting can just be rolled), and they can then just be framed on the other end. A few others are smaller pieces that I don't feel have had much of an opportunity to be bought, so I want them to have one last chance before I stow them away indefinitely.

Here are a few of the things up for grabs:

"Withdrawal"
2010
22" x 22"

$150 + $10 shipping (in US, includes insurance)

Ships rolled in tube. If you would prefer the stretcher bars not removed from piece, the price adjustment is $200 + $25 shipping.

"Domestic Engineer" (alternate view)
2008
6" x 6" x 2"

$45 + $10 shipping (in US, includes insurance).

Stretcher bars are not removed.

"Everything Is Fine"
2009
15" x 20"

$115 + $10 shipping (in US, insurance included).

Created for a David Lynch Tribute show, this piece was inspired by "Eraserhead." If you would prefer the stretcher bars not removed, the price adjustment is $165 + $25 shipping.

More of the pieces available can be found here. Please follow the instructions at the page if you are interested in purchasing any of the pieces. Also, all purchases will include two postcard prints that will not be officially released until June. Yay!

A coupla new pieces

2011-04-07T23:23:00.001-04:00

Recently, the ever wonderful Gallery Nucleus via Alhambra, California, contacted me with an invitation to participate in their online exhibition, Power In Numbers. I kinda freaked out, since GN is a pretty big deal and shows many of my favorite artists and illustrators. Of course, I said yes. Unfortunately, I couldn't create anything until a couple days ago after working 5 weeks on illustrating the previously mentioned children's book (a post on that coming soon) and then 2 weeks in Nashville on a super-secret but awesome project (unfortunately, no post on that coming soon, since I signed a confidentiality agreement).

Anydangway, here are the two pieces I made for the exhibition. Both measure 5" x 7" and were created with watercolor on watercolor paper.

Dissonance

Detail Images:

Erstwhile

Detail Images:

Soon, the pieces will be added to the online gallery and will be available for purchase at $100 each, with a percentage going to the World Wildlife Fund. Yay!

Call for Brain Campers

2011-04-05T13:08:00.001-04:00

I'm a member of the Atlanta-based art collective lovingly named Brain Camp. The core group of us have been friends for years, and while all of us are creative in varied ways, Paige Hanserd took the reins in getting us to finally collaborate. Our first show was at MINT Gallery, one of my favorite galleries in Atlanta, and I think it was a total success (mainly due to Paige's super-hard work). Now we're in the planning stages of our next show, to take place at The Cottage (a vague, and not-yet-disclosed location in East Atlanta) and its surrounding quarries. We've found that we have an abundance of space outside of the cottage and that the show has room for some guest artists to participate alongside our core group.

So! A call to artists:

Brain Camp is seeking a limited number of installation and 3D artists interested in exhibiting with their core group and utilizing the outdoor space and the rock quarries for our next show, taking place May 28th. Traditional artists are welcome as well, though wall space is extremely limited, so we urge any interested artists in considering installing their work outside.

Please contact Kelly McKernan at she@kellymckernan.com with your name, contact information, website, and any other pertinent information including any proposals of how your work can be displayed in the outdoor environment. Those who are selected will be notified by April 15th.

Here are some images from our last show at MINT Gallery to give y'all a feel of our work:

More information on Brain Camp can be found at these links:

Brain Camp on Facebook
Brain Camp on Twitter
Brain Camp on Tumblr

Please pass this information along! Thanks yo.

Welcome Wagon

2011-03-09T23:07:00.002-05:00

{SO} it's been quite awhile since I last updated this blog, and most of those posts felt pretty adolescent, so I decided to start fresh and got rid of 'em.

A few weeks ago, I quit my job as a preschool assistant teacher and a few days later, began work on illustrating another book for Debbie Rankin, a local author I've illustrated 2 books for already. That, along with print sales and a couple of pieces selling too, as well as an upcoming exciting contract job in Nashville in a couple weeks, have secured in my mind that I can attempt to make being a full time artist and illustrator possible again. I'm so much happier being on my own schedule again. I go to bed feeling fulfilled, but not exhausted. I decided to start up this blog again since I have the time to devote to it again.

As a welcome back post, I thought I'd share what my current studio space looks like as well as share what my tools of the trade are. I love seeing detailed studio posts from other artists myself.

So, there it is. It's a mess, but it's kind of inspiring when it's this way. There are two chairs there because I'm currently lacking a chair that adequately supports my back, so I've been switching back and forth between those two (with a number of pillows). To the right begins my husband's workspace... He's a custom framer. We both work from home, and to our mutual pleasant surprise, it's working out quite well so far.

So! Let's get started with a tour of the crap that's on my drafting table.

1. Graphite transfer paper. This is really useful when I need to save time and just trace over any reference material rather than draw it out by hand. I don't consider it cheating since I'd get the same result anyway. Some artists feel differently, but eh. It works for me.

2. My fancy box of watercolors and gouaches. My supply used to be significantly smaller, but my mother-in-law, who is also a painter, gave me a bunch of her watercolors. So, if you see me using colors I haven't used much in the past, that's why.

3. Salt, for use with watercolor to create texture.

4. Acrylic UV matte varnish spray. I use this on top of my finished paintings. Because I don't like framing my work and prefer to stretch the watercolor paper in the same style as canvas, I need to still protect the paper in the way that glass does, so this is my solution.

5. Rubbing alcohol, another way to get texture with watercolor.

6. Miskit (friskit), for creating masks.

7. One of my palettes. This one was recently used on a piece I finished a couple weeks ago. I tend to reserve a palette per painting so that my colors stay consistent and don't get mixed with another set.

8. Painter's tape.

9. Rock salt, which does the same thing as the regular salt, just bigger texture.

1. My Macbook. It's not the best idea for me to have it there, because I take a lot of "breaks" to check my mail, update twitter, check facebook, etc. But I need it there to check references and my iPod was stolen, so it also serves as my source of music (currently on a mix of Tom Waits).

2. This is one of 4 pages of preliminary sketches for the illustrations I'm working on now.

3. Some of the completed illustrations for the upcoming book.

4. My kneaded eraser. I love this thing. I freak out if I can't find it.

5. My favorite mechanical pencil. I prefer to draw with it rather than a traditional graphite pencil. Much cleaner and less sharpening to deal with.

6. My trusty ruler. Often ends up on the bottom of the pile (as you can see here).

7. Painter's tape.

8. Some chocolate I devoured earlier.

9. Miskit.

1. Various pens. Sharpie, Microns, ball-point, etc.

2. My pencil case. This has been so useful when I'm on the go and take my sketchbook with me somewhere. I don't have to spend what feels like hours looking for my drawing materials at the bottom of my purse.

3. Gold paint pen, various brushes not in use, random things that find themselves there.

4. My phone.

5. Colored pencils. I've just recently begun using them with my paintings. I have an embarrassingly small collection of decent pencils. I'll have to remedy this soon.

1. Trusty paper towel. While I often find it on the floor by accident, it's my go-to undo button.

2. My favorite paints. I'm always running out of this color because I use it so much. (Payne's Gray).

3. Yup, that's a mallard duck mug that serves as my water cup.

4. Yes, that's a toothbrush. My old toothbrush which I retired a few days ago to use to "spray" miskit to create a texture.

5. My current palette for the illustrations.

6. My most used brushes. Unlike most artists I know, I keep a very small collection actually. I don't really need any more than that because I get everything done with that variety. Plus, working in watercolor keeps them cleaner and not needing to be replaced often.

7. That was previously used for india ink when I was doing children's silhouettes, but is now being used to keep pencil shavings and a pencil sharpener.

8. A maskoid nib thing. Actually very useful! I love this thing.

1. Stretcher bars, not yet with paper on it.

2. Supply of unused paper.

3. Two pieces I've sketched out that just need painting.

4. Graphite paper (used, and ready to be reused).

5. The netherlands. Things end up on this floor that I forget exist. Usually shoes.

Welp, that's it! I hope you guys enjoy! Stay tuned for more updates, as this will likely become one more vehicle for my "breaks" aka, distractions. <3