Growing up in a little river town.

I grew up in a little river town. I think we had one stoplight. I lived one block from the mighty Mississippi river. I loved the river. We lived on the river in the summer, my dad always had boats and mom and dad and I would pack the coolers, get gas for the boat and launch out for a sun filled boating adventure.

I have been looking at the spirit warrior paintings that keep coming to be for the past several months. They are changing (I actually am liking them) they seem to be bringing me comfort and a sense of home. They are teaching me what is important to my soul at this time in my life. I am listening, paying close attention, journaling and taking notes. How does my style work in this medium? Where is the graphic designer in all of this that I have been for most of my career? I can tell I am heavily influenced by color I was in my design work as well. I still continue to layer, layer and layer more.
 I too do that in my design work. I like these discoveries.

I love what the river and nature has taught me. It feels like home whenever I am around water, sand, fields, docks, cabins. I simply feel alive when I see water. I adore it. I have big plans in my life for this summer (perhaps we will be able to afford a small boat) that would be dreamy.

I know the river has much to teach me still. I feel it. My spirit warriors are starting to become more about nature and elements that breathe life into me. Fire, water, fields, flowers a delicate balance of seeing and capturing these elements with paint. I like it.

I have found that my favorite medium to paint on is heavy wood. I love being able to sand it, cut into it, layer and layer then remove and make marks. It is forgiving and still looks amazing with the raw attempts to texturize it. Yes, I am fond of wood.

Interesting I find that home for me is near water, with a fire, wind, rocks to discover, driftwood to collect, shells to wash ashore. The little girl from the little river town is becoming whole and healing here in this tiny new town of historic everything in the past two years that we have lived here in Galena Illinois.

I have much to give in this artful life I have created. This is the year I give. I show up. I create big huge stuff. I reveal all of my walks, challenges and pray that I help others believe in good, know pure joy, and really appreciate just being alive. I have really big goals this year that I will continue to share. I am full out blasting open every fear and going for it all. I am asking friends for help if I need the connections, I am learning programs, video skills for online class creating. Meeting others who can help guide me to be the best artist I can be.

Tomorrow it is suppose to be 44 degrees here (kind of a heat wave in January)
I will go to the river and thank it for all it continues to bless me with.

Perhaps you have a special place that makes you feel most alive? Maybe, you too can visit it.
I wish this for you.

www.kellimaykrenz.com

painting sold. words matter. 

from one of my journals. play today. 

every new day you can begin again

her spirit moved mountains. painting sold. words matter..

Happy day 10 and 11. So sorry yesterday was a blur. Hard as I tried I had deadlines in my design world that kept busting me. So proof that I am human and I missed our day 10 together. Every new day you can begin again. I love this and it is pure truth.

Now is a great time to talk about why we are so hard on ourselves? What good does it serve us? Why do we choose to not be as kind to ourselves as we are with others? I do not believe it is our nature to do this. At least I hope not. I believe that we think we are going to push ourselves more if we are hard on ourselves. I am learning that when I do this for month at a time, I just shut down. SO new way of thinking = every time I think I am going to be hard on ME, I say STOP, I train myself to say this, "you are doing your very best, showing up everyday, YOU matter keep going."

I know by practicing we can stop the negative self talk, the non positive positioning we but, ourselves in. No fun to feel trapped by your own limitations. Time to practice your way OUT.

You can write about what this looks like for you. You can paint about it. You can build a visual page about it with pictures and words clipped from magazines. Any way that you can express and work on releasing what it is that you are unhappy with. DO IT!!! In time it changes YOU for the healthier better YOU.

Let's share together how this journey of YOU is feeling. Thank you for being here and taking this journey of 100 days with me. Love Kelli


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#100 Days of Believing in YOU

Join me #100 days of YOU 

I practice daily at believing in positive living and doing my best to share this joy I feel for living.

I have a weakness in not believing in me. It is crazy as I have had lots of success as a graphic designer and illustrator, artist. Still I remain longing for more. I have a deep need to fill up the world with the joy, caring soulful goodness I have learned in my life. I need to do this. I must believe in myself more. I must affirm myself more.

I thought if I feel this way maybe, other talented artists, lovely friends feel the same way? So I am starting on May 1st which is this Sunday (May Day) my maiden name. My project is going to be called 100 Days of YOU!

I will post daily affirmations, soulful ways to start believing in yourself more. I am convinced that by practicing this for 100 days it will become a lovely new habit. One I can be blessed by and hopefully help others do the same thing.

So please find me on facebook and instagram. I will be posting each day one new thought. At the end of our 100 Days of YOU I am going to have a give away from me to you. I will have a day at the end where I ask you to tell me your story and how this worked for you.

I am going to have more videos, photos of my life and share more of my world. I hope you join me. I know this is going to be a really wonderful new practice. Loving and believing in ourselves more.


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https://www.instagram.com/kellimaykrenz/

www.kellimaykrenz.com

loving life - celebrating moments I am

Pearl Button cherished beyond 

magic when I hold her 

she is pure love 

nothing more real pure light 

This past week was a rush of living life out loud and fully. Friends visiting (who have never been here before). New journey into learning more scheduling and order to my creative days with a very talented mentor and coach. New online class that requires me to be brave, learn more and take more leaps into faith and a knowing in my heart.

Then came an hour of sunshine through the window, fun clothes to play dress up in, layering my pearl necklaces (all gifts from friends) putting a bit of silly on and holding my most precious little Pearl Button.

My hubby grabbing his iphone and snapping some photos of this space and time in my life.

Yes, I am 52 and still learning every single day. Yes, I am aging and changing both inside and out. I work daily at embracing all that I am. Loving me fully for the goodness I know I have. These photos are not retouched or doctored up to look special. For me these photos represent taking a moment in my life to say this, "Kelli you are so blessed to be alive, have love surround you and truly know beauty."

Celebrating the precious everyday. I am trying. It makes a difference. Loving more.

www.kellimaykrenz.com

being grateful and giving back tis the season

my biggest sale EVER. happening right now.

custom dream catcher. filled with many layers of beauty.

original painting. layers of dreams and truth found here.

handmade gorgeous. hands stitched tiny bits. vintage linen.

the most beautiful inspired secret treasure box.

a princess crown of love. 

I live my life practicing being grateful. I am grateful just to wake up each day. I do my best to make moments matter. I try hard to give back to others and really to over give (if there is such a thing).

I have said for many many years how I wish that I were independently wealthy and could create for free. I would in a nano second. I am not fortunate to be able to do this. I will keep wishing and doing and perhaps one day this will be so for me.

I build a wildly successful career as a graphic designer and illustrator working for big huge fortune 500 companies for lots of years. Two years ago I decided I wanted a life where I created from me for me. I had a dream where I would create happy and share with this big world. I have mindfully been finding my path to making this happen. I am once again living the life of a struggling artist financially. Hard facts to admit but, so true. I know deep inside that this will change. I will find the right people in the perfect time and space who will notice my talents, my passion and my desire to make a difference in some small way in this big world.

I am empowered to make this happen as I see it in my soul when I rest at night. I am driven when I wake each day to work harder, create more pure art and be seen.  I am not meant to worry about money each day. I am meant to share and give and then love more.

I think by being open and honest about my life I can inspire and help others. This is my wish. This is my gift that sits inside my heart patiently waiting to shine.

I am grateful for this time in my life to be able to create for me and try with all of my might to be seen. I am grateful to all of my friends and kindred spirits who follow me. I never ever take any of this for granted.

Loving more every single day. I am.

www.kellimaykrenz.com

believing in something with my whole heart. the great green okayness.

Rachel Awes

"The Great Green Okayness: A Field Guide to Seeing Your Uncommon Magnificence"

I have never blogged about another artist, writer, inspiration in my life before. I felt the need to do so with this new book by Rachel Awes. She has created another wonderful life helpful book and it is loving to the core.

I have a strong passion to spread more love and light in this big world. I am finding that like souls are just showing up that have a similar love. I am noticing that some of my friends are fields in front of me with actual physical books done (love this) I know in my heart that my little inspirational book is just waiting for my focus and attention. One day soon I shall have a trusty loved filled book. Yes, this is how passion + art + sharing work.

Rachel has created a magic filled indigogo campaign that is ending on the 4th of December. Super duper soon. I would love to have lots of my friends who share this passion for living take a peek and read about this most inspiring book. See link below.


One of the actual written endorsements = The Great Green Okayness is a field guide to discovering the beautiful wildlife within, infused with a dollop of nourishing honey and delectable color. Wise author and artist Rachel Awes, a psychologist of twenty years, created these works of the magnificent human heart from her reflections following client sessions. Each passage and corresponding artwork speak to the soul like a potent, powerful reduction of boiled-down truth and goodness that every one of us needs daily, a homecoming gift to our humanity. Open to any page and find the passage that you need now. From the African plain to the great cosmos, Awes takes her readers on a journey to discover the beauty around, within, and always.

I am always honored that you show up here in this space. Thank you. Love love love to you.

This is the trusty link to take you to indiegogo and read more.

https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/the-great-green-okayness#/

love more. 

my summer of learning and listening

stitch. pray. heal.

finding delight in the tiny details. every single day.

Wow it has been over one month since I have blogged. I have been living in a sort of constant days and nights rolling into one month of time. This is my summer of fighting shingles. Fighting is not the best word to use when describing non stop pain. I usually try to surround everything in my body with love and positive words. Lately I've been feeling like this really is a fight to survive with my mental goodness. I am not good at resting non stop. I like to do things. I love adventures and outings and finding unexpected fun.

This is a time in my life to learn lessons about healing, about myself and really listen. I am not sure I am really good at this listening part. I am practicing on getting better at it daily.

I have been stitching a great deal as I can rest and still create. I often write that creating is like breathing to me. I must do it. So I have found a way to create even while healing. I am so grateful for this.

My days are getting better as I do have more energy then I did one month ago. I know that good things take time. My healing is a very good thing so I will surround this time with as much love as I know how to.

I have been extremely blessed with the love from others. Prayers are being heard and I am most thankful. I will continue to create each day in the ways that I can hoping that my dreams will continue to grow and the mountains I need to climb will be waiting for me.

Looking forward to life after shingle pain.

what it takes to make a life long dream come true = by me

love with all my soul = Pearl Button

paint, illustrate, create more, layer more, be mindful

notice the path of my life that has me here right NOW

styling spaces = oh i love this stuff = watch out booth #1559 NYChttps://www.facebook.com/kelli.maykrenz

get published A LOT and get your artwork on the cover

be true to yourself = be raw and be seen

It has been way to long since I blogged. My days turn into nights into weeks into months lately.
I am good with that. I am grateful for that. I am so insanely blessed to be right here, right now and to really notice how very lucky I am.

Truth. I have created my own luck. I have worked seriously hard to be in this very place and time.
I have climbed a whole bunch of big scary mountains. Mountains that had winding paths of betrayal,
death, life changing illness, self doubt, anxiety, panic attacks and more self doubt. I have been an artist my entire life. I have created for fortune 500 companies for many many years. I have no real ego. Truth. I care most about loving and giving and yes, being loved back.

I thought it might be nice to share some bits of what I have done to arrive at this very space in time to get to my dream of debuting my line of ME at the National Stationary Show. I know I make it look easy as I stay positive and keep my life in good energy. I practice daily at showing up to do the really hard work. I know I am lucky to be given gifts and I am meant to share.

It took me so very many years and so much help from loves in my life to get me here.

We have sold a home I adored to be able to have money to design just for me. I let go of clients and income that I depended on to live. I have trusted in being good and giving and creating in life.

In the past two years come this May. We have sold 80 percent of everything we owned (with my darling hubby supporting and working with me to make this happen). We have moved from Minneapolis to Sarasota Florida then near the beach Siesta Key and now to Galena Illinois. I have created enough art to submit and be published in 8 magazines, continued working on my favorite clients in Minneapolis (okay, I need some income) and being mindful of having a good life, a true and loving marriage, being a good daughter, friend and showing up.

I am seeing the light of our travels to NYC on May 12th. I still have to reach the top of the mountain. Believe me I have tons of work to do to get there. I can honestly say (and I am SO hard on myself) but, I have 80 cards that I adore and other cool products for the show.

I hope that I can inspire one person to really go for your dream. No matter how big or small. We are blessed with one life (that I know of) and it matters that we show up and continue to love ourselves.

I cannot thank my hubby enough for believing in me. I really am very lucky. Love sweet love. Shine.


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sharing more of me. the big stuff. i matter most. today.

coming into my own. seeing the 12 year mark. knowing.

i was saved for a reason. knowing.

dreams keep unfolding. i am here and ready. knowing.

tiny old photo of me 12 years ago.

On the eve of the 10th of September I am sharing a big personal part of my life here. Twelve years ago I was sitting in my studio full of fear, anxiety and filled with prayers that I would live. On the 10th of September 2002 I survived a life saving surgery. At 39 years old I was very sick. I could barely walk up the steps to my bedroom. I was passing out and going by ambulance to the ER too many times to mention. Doctor after doctor no one could find anything wrong with me except that my blood pressure was to the moon high. I kept searching for the perfect doctor who would listen and help me. On my 8th doctor I was given the news that I had a serious problem. I remember hearing the news in the office, you have a blockage. Immediately I went to a Vascular surgeon. I then received the phone message saying this, "Kelli you have an aneurysm, please call the office immediately."

My life changed forever. Right in this time and place it was forever changed.

I met with my Vascular surgeon who said it was very possible and likely that I would not survive the surgery. Fate right there in the cold white office on the table I heard words that were very real. I asked if I would live again. He said I cannot promise you this, your aneurysm is wrapped around your right kidney and very tricky to know how we can help you. Okay, so he shot me straight news.

Soon after I had my life laid out in front of me and I went into the hospital for my surgery. I remember riding in the car and thinking I must live I want to feel the wind on my face again. I walked into the hospital and looked up seeing the blue sky and puffy white clouds mixed with the wind and prayed again. Let me live, I have big stuff to do. Really big stuff. Let me live.

After a very long surgery with a team of very talented surgeons. I woke up the next morning in ICU.
Hooked up to every sort of machine = breathing. I kept asking the ICU nurse where I was. YES, I was ALIVE. I could do the rest. I had life.

Ended up I had probably been born with this aneurysm and as I grew so did it. It had wrapped around my right kidney. My right kidney was mostly gone (thus being so sick from toxins etc) I was saved with veins from my left leg rebuilding my renal artery. Yes, very invasive surgery. Lots of big time surgery stuff. I am so forever grateful for my scars both mentally and physically. I lived.

I still have testing to make sure the artery stays open as it is not the one I was born with it is thinner.
I am proud delighted to say that I am a miracle. My life was saved. I get to go big things with great big love. I am trying with all that I know to live a grateful, giving, art filled life. I am sharing what I know and possible teach others.

I know that I have big love to get into the universe. I am doing this with my art and my life. I want bigger. I want to be noticed on a grand scale all because I want to share joy, love and the gift of living with others.

Gratefully celebrating me. ME alive. ME. Oh, how very lucky, beloved, blessed I am.


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so flipping excited about jumping in

mixing it up. i have been my entire life.

knowing simple can be stunning.

appreciating every little thing i can.

So flipping excited this week on the 5th Tuesday.  I will be getting an assignment from the 2014 Lilla Rogers Global Talent Search. I am thrilled to be jumping in with 10,000 plus other artists around the world. I know that I am meant to be seen in this world as Kelli May-Krenz. Blasting out with a full heart of knowing that this life is meant to be walked with pride and living full out.

Yes, I want to be in the top 50 you bet. I want each and every assignment. I want to show myself that I have arrived to the table of "noticing". Yes, I want to be noticed for my art, my giddy positive joy that fills me up each day when I am lucky enough to wake up and create.

So on this fine Sunday eve I am super happy to be looking at this fine week and celebrating on the 5th = the day I get my first assignment.

Let's go. Let's play. Let's create. Let's know that sharing creative energy is pure raw goodness!!!

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