December running full out

details i adore.

I knew that December would bring lots of emotions for me. It is the first time I have been lucky enough to be so close to home (where I grew up) in over 30 years. That is crazy but, true. For me the seasons, changing weather, bundling up, decorating for the holidays, listening to music saved special for Christmas time all adds up to being truly centered and happy.

I realize more and more that in this busy crazy month of December it is important to take the time to really listen to friends and family. Be there in spirit and being mindful of being present. It is so easy to just send off a gift or cards not as easy to drop everything you are doing and be there for others.

I have been trying super lots to be there for others by listening and sharing time. Granted I have few friends in Galena (as we just moved almost two months ago) I am listening and learning about what makes me feel whole. This town, this house, the streets and buildings all make me feel whole and alive. I feel like this December is so extra special blessed. Trying to hold every moment knowing they are the most precious of all.

Happy December. Happy life. Fill it up with all that matters most to you. It counts.

TODAY i am featured as the guest ARTIST at STAMPINGTON's BLOG !!! I know flipping to the moon.

entire piece of art

details detail oh i love those little details

closer up

lots of tiny illustration work

Today I had a really big dream come true. I worked and envisioned and built a dream board around my intentions and I am marching down the list. Checking them off one by one.

I cannot begin to gush how thrilled, excited, grateful, honored I am.

Please pop over and read the story. I have a full tutorial about how I created this dream and this piece of art.

Thank you Stampington for seeing beauty in what I create and finding my art in this big world.

http://stampington.com/blog/index.php/2014/09/22/creating-clear-vision-sea-inspired-collage-guest-artist-kelli-may-krenz/

shining open by art. my life. me.

section from a large painting.

section from a large painting.

section from a large painting.

so today has been a very full day of packing, designing, creating art and lots of reflection. it is impossible to pack up your life, my studio and not really take a hard look at what's around me.

i have been creating like a crazy person over for the past several months. as i look around my studio i see that i have over twenty original pieces of art just stacked up on my tables. wow. i thought to myself that i am have really been sharing lots of me on surfaces everywhere in my studio. i have created on canvas, boards, scraps of papers, notebook covers, my journal  = really i am starting to think no surface is safe.

i have long wanted to create for me. just take the time to play and see and feel all on surfaces. the tricky part then comes the sharing. i no longer feel like the opinions or judgements can touch how i create. i know that i am truly spilling from me. there is such a gift in this. i am grateful each and everyday for art in me. so so grateful.

these pieces are newly listed and most affordable in my etsy shop found here.

www.etsy.com/shop/kellimay

finding my voice = knowing it is all good

line work some of my most favorite = ink with bamboo skewer

handmade envelope + treats for friends

hand stitched quilt piece by me, print, collage elements, all good.

Funny how many days turning into months then years it takes to find ones voice (again).
I have had my voice and run with it for years and years. I have had wild success with being a graphic designer, illustrator = always creating for clients. Having a rep to find my work. Lucky me. I have traveled and been lucky enough to snag really cool clients (that even made me feel like WOW-they picked me)

Well essentially with our move across the country last May I claimed my voice again. I am just hearing it these days (yes, it took longer then I thought it would to settle) I am so grateful that I live in beauty daily, inspired by the ocean, the birds, the lush tropics. It is all good. Really great. Finding that peace inside, the knowing = it is okay to just create and send it out into the world.

So I am creating with deadlines for myself these days. I am creating a body of work that will be coming together to dance for others. I am risking, I am pushing, I am doing this. Yes, I had found my voice again. Here I go.

Not easy. Learning daily and pushing harder. Okay, mountain get ready to move over. I am climbing you now.
https://www.etsy.com/shop/kellimay

facing fears = knocking them down one by one = staying steady

mixed media collage designed by me framed in vintage (of course)

graphics created by me, quote by me. unframed.

mixed media painting collage all by me. unframed.

daisy darling pen and ink, watercolor by me. unframed.

pen and ink illustration, watercolor by me. unframed

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pen and ink, watercolor illustration by me. unframed.

mixed media illustration artwork by me. unframed.

Crazy goofy me. I have always been a graphic designer (really like forever) and illustrator. I learned many zillions of years ago after a friend told me this = if it comes easy to you it is a gift, use it, do it.
I was already a graphic designer, illustrator, artist at the time. I never charged extra for illustration.
I always thought that if it came easy to me it was worthless. After this conversation I hired an illustration rep.

So for the past thirty years or so I have made a living (gratefully) creating for clients. I really never found the confidence to create just for me and put it out there in this great big world. Crazy as that sounds it is very true.

So after many years of nurturing this thought of creating for me and sharing with the world = I begin. Yes, I begin again. I am creating. I am listing my art on Etsy. I am telling others that it is out there to be found by like souls. I am still trembling inside praying that the folks who receive my art will like it in person.

I so look forward to the day when the anxiety leaves me and I know this = Kelli your art is good, it helps others feel good, it is okay to put it all out there.

Thanking you for sharing my journey. You are greatly adored.