Freedom Rides.

I'm watching Oprah right now.  It's May  4th, at 4:25 pm.  I have tears in my eyes and a lump in my throat as I watch this episode.  It is the 50th Anniversary of the Freedom Rides.  In 1961 a group of black and white men and women,  that were against the segregation and unequality, decided to take a bus ride from Washington DC to New Orleans.  They were making a stand for racial equality, for love and humanity.  They knew they were risking their lives by standing up for what was right.  They had all signed their wills before they left on this dangerous journey.   At one point, when they were in Alabama,  their bus was attacked by members of the KKK.  The bus was on fire and the KKK tried to hold the door shut so they would all burn.  When they finally got out of the bus, many were beaten and left to die.  This was only 50 years ago people!  It is heart breaking.

God bless these very brave people of the Freedom Rides.  They risked their lives for what was right.  I pray that someday, no one will be judged for the color of their skin, their religion, or the country they were born in.  God bless our souls.

Oprah Whinfrey-Freedom Riders 50th Anniversary

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I just LOVE my little family...the end.

Etsy treasury....

Another Etsy Treasury!  Yipeeeeee!   This one is full of lovely roses!

Loving me some sunshine....

Having a wonderful time seeing friends and family and soaking up all the sun I can.  Sat on the beach this morning with my coffee and a fresh maple bar, smelling the ocean and soaking in the warm sun.  A perfect way to start any day!  

Saw these two cool, mature surf buddies and had to capture the moment.  Aren't they just awesome!

A very sunshiney treasury....

So fun to be in such a bright and happy etsy treasury!

A little wine and cheese....

A little wine and cheese is always good....

Friendship makes the sun shine brighter.

Four Mermaid paintings, all done!

Here they are, all finished...these were so fun to make...I felt like a little girl again!

Mermaid with her seahorse

Mermaid talking to the fish

Mermaids' tea party

Mermaid friends

Number four of the mermaid paintings....

Here is the last of the mermaid paintings-all three mermaids together.

:)

I was just painting and looking at my pallette full of dried paint and fresh paint.  I was looking at some of my paintings hanging on my wall...and I was struck with the feeling that I can create ANYTHING with these little wet blobs of paint!  ANYTHING I want....that is such an exciting thought!  hahaha  It just hit me that my imagination is the limit...how fun is that?!    :)

Mermaid number three in progress...

Here's number three in progress...

working on mermaid number two...

Number two, in progress...

When they are all finished, I'll post them all together...

Some work in progress....

I thought you might enjoy seeing my work in progress.  I sketched out a little mermaid the other night.  You can see how I use tracing paper to make patterns for her tail and for the sea horse.  I will probably finish her today sometime.  I think I will do another with the same characters and make a set.  We'll see how that turns out.

Our Stories....

Heartwing Sisters

There is this woman, whom I so proudly call my friend.  Her name is Kolleen.  She has a way with words, this girl.  This is just one of her many gifts. She is caring and thoughtful.  She is creative and wise.  She has created a blog, and on this blog, each Friday, she shares truth.  She does this by simply asking some of the people in her life to share their "I'm Better For It" story.  She has shared her belief, that by sharing our truth with the world, we can heal and perhaps help someone else to heal.  She has given us a safe arena to share our stories, lighten our burdens, and celebrate our strengths.

I just finished reading April 8th 2011's "I'm Better For It" story.  A beautiful soul named Valerie tells of her truth and her awakening.  It is such a powerful story, in a very simple and beautiful way, that I just had to post about it.  It made me cry and it made me happy.  I hope you will read it also, and find healing in all the stories that Kolleen shares each Friday.

Thank you Valerie, and thank you Kolleen.  The truth is such a powerful thing.

A happy, Spring treasury....

My little Daisy Elegance made it into this lovely Etsy treasury!  

Quiet moments....

She Found Comfort In The Quiet Moments   This one reminds me of myself as a kid....

8 x 10

mixed media

acrylic, ink, pastel, collage

Hoping :)

I've been busy putting my art portfolio together, in the hopes of signing a contract with an art licensing company.  My work will be shown at SURTEX in May, and if the response is good, then I may have the opportunity to sign...I'm hopeful and excited. This artful journey is so much fun.  I love all the challenges and all the surprises!

Hoping, hoping, hoping..... :)

She Let The Music Fill Her Soul...

Another new painting...
She Let The Music Fill Her Soul
11 x 14
mixed media
acrylic, ink, pastel, collage

Sometimes you just have to make your own sunshine...

I just finished this painting today and I'm thinking it is a self portrait of sorts-haha  I'm hanging in there with this awful, wet weather.  I think my imagination must be helping!

Sometimes You Just Have To Make Your Own Sunshine
9 x 12
mixed media
acrylic, ink, pastel, collage

In need of. Sunshine!

I am trying very hard to keep depression at bay right now. Living in Oregon is not always so easy for me. It has been dark and rainy for the last 23 days now. In the last month we have had only one day of no rain. I think it is starting to take its toll on me today.

I grew up in Sothern Californis. My bones arent used to being cold all the time and the lack of light is making me just want to sleep all the time. My husband and I are planning on buying a condo in Californis, two years from now, but today that seems a million years away.

Tonight I will say a prayer, asking for patience and some relief from the wet, gray skies. If you have any prayers you can spare, i would sure appreciate it if you could help me pray for some sunshine in Oregon.

Love and thanks,
Kelly

A little sweet treat....

Well, I've been painting lots of animals lately...but these are a little bit different. Hahaha  Just a little sweet treat to mix things up a bit...I used to just love these when I was a kid.
Animal cookies Lion, Elephant, Rhino, Camel  Mixed media, 8 x 10 acrylic, ink, pastel, charcol, collage

 

Easy Canvas Prints....

I was recently approched by Easy Canvas Prints, and asked if I would help promote their product.  Well, I just sent off the email with the picture I want to have made into a canvas piece...I'm so excited to see how it turns out...I will for sure let you all know when it arrives in the mail.  Here is a link to thier website incase you'd like to check it out...
Easy Canvas Prints

my sweetie....

Just me and my sweetie <3

BIG Etsy sale.....

Hi friends...
I'm having a big sale at my etsy shop.  In honor of Spring time, I'm offering a buy one get one free on any of my six Farm Animal Collection.  Just order one of them, and  when you check out, write me a note telling me which free animal print you would like.  The sale will start today and go until the end of March.

The Farm Animal Collection would make a great baby gift.

Don't forget to type in the little note!       KELSETSY SHOP

Happy Springtime Everyone!
Love,
Kelly

Chirp...

Chirp
8x10
mixed media
acrylic, ink, pastel, collage

Quack...

Quack
8x10
mixed media
acrylic, ink, pastel, collage

Neigh...

A horse to go with the Farm Animals collection...
NEIGH
8 x 10 mixed media
acrylic, ink, pastel, collage

This life...

This life is so very temporary and fragile.  We need to remember to live it to its fullest and cherish those we love, every day.  I pray for all those suffering from the Japan earthquake and tsunami.  It's so strange to me to think that as I sit here in my warm home, safe and surrounded by love, that someone elses world has come to an end.  God bless those suffering souls.  My heart goes out to them.

Oink...

You can't have a farm without a little pink pig...
Oink
8x10
mixed media
acrylic, ink, pastel, charcol, collage

Baa...

So what do you do when you live in Oregon and it's pouring rain all day long?  You stay in your pjs all day and paint farm animals of course!

The cow needed a friend...
BAA
8x10
mixed media
acrylic, ink, pastel, charcol, collage

MOO...

Just felt like painting a cow today...not sure why! hahaha
MOO
8x10
mixed media
acrylic, ink, pastel, charcol, collage

127 hours

Just watched the movie 127 HOURS, starring James Franco. He was awesome and the movie was great. I really believe that if I was stuck like he was, that I would be able to cut off my own arm in order to stay alive. Im sure I could. Would you be able to cut off your own arm in order to save your life?

BLESSED WITH YOU

All finished with this new piece and adding it to my Etsy shop today.  I'm really happy with how it turned out.  Hope you like!
Blessed With You
mixed media
11x14
acrylic, ink, pastel, collage

Etsy Treasury....

A darling Etsy Treasury-so fun to be a part of....

New work in progress...

I started this piece last night.  It reminds me so much of my Mom with my brother and me.

Etsy treasury...

Feeling happy to be included in this bright and happy Etsy Treasury!