becoming more of me 2017

little me. i had a pixie haircut until i was 18. 

she believed she could so she did! I believe I can. 

2011 Paris France. I have such a connection to this city.

2017 changing all of my comfort zones.

March 1st seems like a perfect time to blog about ME. I have been thinking lots about what makes me - ME. I will share this with you I have suffered from anxiety and depression my entire life. Mainly anxiety and lack of self esteem. SHOCKED? Nope it is true. I work daily at filling myself up and practicing positive living. It is not easy. I might make it look easy but, I promise you it is not.
I am blessed with a knowing that my creating, my art is how I am meant to live my life. My art is truly my escape and my therapy.

Three years ago I made the choice to back out of my corporate freelance with graphic design and illustration. I have owned my studio for 25 years. I had really steady lovely clients. I made the decision to sell the home I had lived in for 17 years, sell most everything I could and move across the country with my hubby and Pearl Button. We did it!!! We moved to Florida (thinking this was the dream come true) Time would tell us that it was not.

I continued while I was there to start creating for me. Not for anyone but, me. I have been told my entire life that I need to pick one style, or try to fit into this mold, do this like they do and you will sell more. NOPE!!! I cannot, will not copy others, I will not just show that I can do one style. See God has blessed me to draw, paint, graphic design, sew, style spaces. Not only one style of these but, lots and lots. I am in no means bragging because see I have no ego either.

Rare to meet an artist that has no ego and not cocky with self esteem. So I am learning now at this time in my life that yes, I have anxiety and it is a big deal to face daily. I also know that I am not listening to those trying to hold me back. I am taking bigger risks, facing bigger fears no matter how much it is scary.

I am sending all sorts of my styles of artwork (very soon) into the world. I am determined to make a difference with my art! It matters to me that I succeed wildly. See I know what it is like to go to the very bottom and with help from others stand up again.

I am standing, I am walking along the rivers edge praying for the manifesting of my dreams. I am also working day and night to create this life.

I want others to know that my life is not easy. I wake up each day and pour more love on me and practice all of the words you see me right. The old bad habits fall away and new ones replace them.

Just like you I have big stuff that I must juggle with. I am only showing up real, honest and hoping to help.

Loving more.

www.kellimaykrenz.com

a calling. i answered. i am home.

blocks from the house we live in. Grants home.

history. yep, it makes my life better.

shadows, trails, sunshine, space wide open fields. yes, please.

When I was in 6th grade my school took a trip to visit the home of Ulysses S. Grant. I remember being smitten with this tiny little home. I remember the fake cherries in a bowl on the table. I remember thinking this is where I want to live (okay, not in the little house) the city of Galena.

Funny how the calling of my soul has been to live here for what seems like forever. We moved mountains and moved here from Siesta Key Florida. I know most think we are crazy. I do not feel crazy at all. I feel nurtured by the history everywhere I walk. I am so excited to see more then strip malls. I am thrilled with Galena. Okay, so the best of both worlds would be to have a little place on the beach in St. Pete too. Dreams still marching strong in my life.

I am drawn to this little house pictured above. It is two blocks from the house we live in. I visited today. It is clearly closed for winter. I peered into the windows and I filled with glee for on the little wooden table was a bowl with fake cherries. YES, I felt home.

There is a knowing in our souls. It matters to follow your heart. No matter how many opinions differ. Do it following your calling. Face every fear. I am still facing mine but, I happily say I am getting better. Grateful living in Galena.

more on grateful living and my art filled life here 

https://www.facebook.com/kelli.maykrenz

finding inspiration and marching on.

inspirational quotes on a deck of altered playing cards = done

So I am on this creative journey Hello Soul. Hello Business. class and finding great spirit and soul connections that just feed to inspire me to create even more. I know I too did not know this was possible. Sleep is rare around here for a bit, I think.

This was a side project offered by one of the other souls I connect with in the class. Take a deck of 53 playing cards, add a quote to each one (inspiring) trick out the deck as you like. Put your name and contact info on the backs. Send this to my soul connection in the class. She is taking these decks from all over the U.S. and mixing up all of them to create a new deck. Each of us creating will receive a mixed up deck from all over the country.

What a beautiful way to share positive energy. I absolutely adore this idea and project.

Most grateful to have completed this. Moving on to The World of Pearl Button. Her line continues to grow.

more creative found here by me http://www.facebook.com/730Thursday

love and light

beautiful quote from Martin Luther King Jr. 

I saw this quote this morning on facebook. I decided to quick design a little something for my studio page. I have been reading this off and on all day and I must say ~ I love this.

I was taught as a little girl to never ever use the word "hate". To this day I do not use that word. Actions can show this so strongly ~ I too try to never cross that line.

As I get older there are fewer things to not like. I tend to focus on the simple things like, waking up, going for a walk, having the people and dogs I adore healthy, being able to create for a living, still being able to learn learn learn.

I do think that love illuminates us ~ we shine brighter and share more. Just a little reflection on a most serious study of human nature.

Designs by 730 thursday here http://www.facebook.com/730Thursday