Kelly Rae Roberts's Blog, page 17

Link love!

(Totally love these little hope notes from Compendium. It's just about a daily practice over here, opening one from the pile! Last week, I pulled three cards and was astonished that they all had to do with Joy. Made me think of my recent spiritual/joy awakening. I am so grateful for all the ways joy keeps finding me, reminding me, and nurturing me. Joy is possibly my greatest teacher.)
It's been such a full week over here. This weekend I'm heading to the forest to spend a couple of days with some girlfriends. There will be tents, music, late night chats, and I bet a little bit of dancing. I can hardly wait for the nourishment.

Have a great weekend everyone! I thought I'd share some link love for the weekend......

* Um, how adorbs is this? I might be the last to see this, but I am loving the positive body image vibes mixed in with full-on sillyness in this video.

* This book has my full attention right now
* Totally digging this DIY project. I think I'll try it for True's room!
* Completely in love with this amazing magazine. 
* My latest TV crush. Can't help myself. I cry just about every episode when I think about the dreams being realized by these kids. 
* As I continue to work on my new home, I'm back to being obsessed with Pinterest, especially my wallpaper and pattern boards.
* Recently bought these Angel Cards. Loving the daily picking of the card as a way to intentionally bring into focus a word. Also love that the first card I picked said "Trust" which is my word of the year!  How's that for sychronicity?

* My friend Betsy started a most amazing Kickstarter campaign. I can't wait to read this new classic to True this coming holiday season. You gotta see. The illustrations are STUNNING. And I think this will make an awesome gift for those of you doing early shopping.

Your invitation to Let Art Out & Let Love In

It's here! 
Registration is now open for my upcoming painting e-course, Hello Soul, Hello Mixed Media Mantras. I ran this course for the first time earlier this year, and my heart nearly exploded by the response, the community that formed, the artwork that my students produced, and all the joyful soul work that we did together.
“The moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision which no man could have dreamed would have come his way. Whatever you can do, or dream you can do, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it. Begin it now.” – Goethe
I believe in possibility, in serendipity, in providence. If your heart is whispering that now might be the time, I'd love if you joined me for what has been a beautiful, meaningful experience for so many (including me). If you haven’t already, you gotta check out what previous students have said about our experience together.



Come on over to my website to learn all the details and register. Class starts in just a few short weeks on Sept 8th!

I'd be honored if you joined us!



About 8 years ago, I was tired. Unfulfilled. Feeling stuck in a life that no longer fit.
For reasons I still can’t explain, I felt called to put paint on a canvas.
I’d never painted before, and had no training or experience.
But I followed the call.
And followed.
And followed.
And followed.
That one paint-splattered night sent my life spinning in a new & beautiful direction.
My joy was awakened, and a universe of love and lessons and light rushed into my life. The same is possible for anyone wanting to awaken their creativity with this ecourse. 
One of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned on this creative path these last many years is this: When we let art out, we let love in.

My vision and mission for this course was in direct service to that truth: when we let art out, we let love in.
And so. If I'm being really honest, I am not just excited for the painting fun that we'll have in class, but more importantly about how lives will be transformed when we dive deeper into all the ways painting is so much more than splattering paint on a canvas – that it’s a much deeper journey, an excavation of who we are and who we want to become. If you join us,  I can’t wait to see what personal truths unfold for you along the way. 

That's why I'm calling it Hello SOUL, Hello Mantras :)

Come join us, friends. We'll not only make gorgeous paintings that speak to the call of YOUR heart, but we'll create a tribe and community that will surely change everything. It's gonna be amazing.

XO
Kelly Rae





Below are a few testimonials from previous students. I’m so grateful for their taking the time to send over a little kindness. You can read more testimonials here.

“Thank you Kelly. This e-course is so much more than I thought it would be. Delightfully deep, thought provoking & healing.”

“Doors and windows flew open for me, never knew how to express myself in such a deeply positive way.” 
“This art class has been way more than I could of ever of dreamed of so far,Thank you Kelly Rae!!” 
“This class is amazing and having Lynx [on air student] there was sheer GENIUS!!!! Seeing both of you doing side by side was double value, double fun – thank you.” 
“Love loved every moment. I am going back to start all over. It’s like a favorite movie that you never want to end and watch over and over!” 
“I am feeling so liberated by this process, I have unearthed some truths I wasn’t fully aware of until I started writing….thank you Kelly Rae for taking us on this journey of self-discovery.”
“Heart opening and oh so worth it.”
“I feel like I am reading a great book and can’t stop, yet I don’t want it to end! Thank you!”
“Boom. Light bulb moment. Thanks again Kelly Rae, I’m loving this so much.”
“There are no rules, total freedom!!!!! I feel so alive!!!!!!!!!!!Thank you!”
“If there is such a thing as ‘too much fun” then I am so guilty.”
“I feel like my eyes are more open and I think less before seizing opportunities. Making space for coffee dates, found out one of my fave authors was speaking in my city this week, and honoring the urge to swim. It’s all connected to what we are learning. Mantras keep surfacing. Cultivating creative wholeness.” 

NEW ART: Our impossibility is our greatest gift

(This new print reads, "Our impossibility is our greatest gift" and is available here. It arrives signed, matted, and ready to frame)
"We are all faced with a series of great opportunities brilliantly disguised as impossible situations." - C.R. Swindoll
You know how they say that every crisis is an opportunity? When I was in my 20s, interning as a social worker, I began to witness this truth. I saw elderly men who were strong in spirit yet becoming quite frail, impossibly ask for, and then accept, help. I saw broken families reconnect over a sick child. I saw people with long term addictions take their first step toward recovery. I saw cancer survivors reawaken to their lives. I learned that it's true what they say. Every crisis really is an opportunity for personal growth. For spiritual awareness. For connection and community. For making the impossible, possible.
But sometimes our impossibilities show up differently. Instead of a full on crisis, they show up as everyday whispers. I call them Impossibility Whispers. My impossibility whispers reawakened my life years ago when I began to listen to their insistence that I put some paint down on paper and begin a creative life, despite having zero training as an artist. All of these years later, the impossibility whispers continue: write that book, say yes to that speaking gig, slow down, get more help. They seem downright impossible, but I've learned they are not. Instead, they're pointing me toward what is truly calling me. And that's something worth listening to.
I deeply believe in the power of listening to our inner voices and inspirations that nudge us to dream bigger, to simply begin, to acknowledge what is calling us.  No matter where we are in our journeys, the impossibility whispers of our lives want us to take notice, to nurture their message and to discover our own potential. Whether they’re quietly nudging us from time to time with long periods of silence in between, or annoying us with their persistence, their presence is important and meaningful. We must listen. It may just be a whisper, a small voice tucked deep inside the pockets of your heart, but really, it’s our life’s possibility calling us.

So, go ahead, friends. Claim your impossibility whispers. Write them down. Release them into the universe. See what happens. And begin to see how your impossibilities are perhaps your greatest gift.

Nourish Your Soul with our Favorite Products for Summer

Each week, I shine a spotlight on a few creations that I'm particularly proud of.  May you be inspired - and perhaps find a little something to nourish your soul.  Click here to see all the posts in this series.

It's full on summer here in Portland, and the living is easy! Celebrate the blooming, bursting, sweet heat of summer with some of our favorites!

Tote: 


Love this tote for trips to the farmer's market! It's super roomy and totally dig the message, perfect for carrots and berries and rutabagas, oh my! Get yours here. We'd love it if you checked out our other totes, too!


Thermometers:


Um, hello cuteness. Loving these new thermometers! There are four to choose from in our new Garden Collection. These sentiments really sweeten up the back porch. Get them here! Wanna see our full Garden Collection? Check it out here.


Necklaces:

You guys, I am in love with this vintage inspired necklace. The combination of art with vintage feel makes my heart happy. You can get yours here. Check out our other vintage inspired jewelry here. 

Happy birthday, August babies! I love my birthstone necklace, keeps me living my birthday wishes all year round! Get your month here, also great for gifts! 

There are more reasons to celebrate the season with our products over here! XO!


Thanks, friends. Our mission is to continue to create products that blend creativity with meaning, beauty with function. I so love what I do.

Warmly,
Kelly Rae
PS: The products featured above (and more) are sold online via Garden Gallery (a local shop here in the Portland area), but if you're looking for signed/matted prints and/or originals, you can get these in my online shop.  International customers, Garden Gallery is HAPPY to ship worldwide. Please email them at gardengalleryorders@gmail.com to get started. 

Flash Sale Update

Hi friends!

Thank you so much for the Flash Sale enthusiasm last week. We have NEVER received so many orders in one day! We are thrilled, though admittedly in a bit of (happy) shock. Please be patient with us as we (my mama and me) gather up these orders and ship them out. Our goal is to have them all out in the next two weeks.

Thank you again. I love this community and consider it a beautiful gift to be in this level of overwhelm with out little print shop!

XO!

ART IN MOTION :: Seeker of Hope + Love

With Art in Motion, I share the visual journey through the life of one of my paintings — from the blank canvas, to the first splash of inspiration, all the way to the finished piece. Enjoy to the fullest!
Click here to see all the posts in this ongoing project series.



Started with a really messy background, then added a piece of smooth paper that would eventually become her face.



Drew a really rough sketch of her face, body, and hair. Then, I painted her face with a mixutre of Shiva Oil sticks and PITT pens (links below), and painted her hair with fluid acrylics. Added a bit of yellow paint to the background.



A bit more definition to the sketch lines, some gesso to her neck, and experimented with some stripes toward the bottom.




Filled in her dress with white, collage the bottom of the canvas, and added a little collaged birdie.



Finishing touches include the stamped words, collage elements (wing and flower), white dots, and bit more paint to the background. I love what I do! 
I shared more about the meaning of this piece in my recent post about my joy-filled spiritual awakening. Head on over to read more. If you're interested, she comes signed, matted and ready to frame right here.
And for those of you interested in unleashing your creative joy with me, come take my on-line painting class with me! 

I get so many questions about which art supplies I use and love. You can check out my favorite supplies for making art  (with descriptions) over here or if it's easier, I've put some easy links below for you :)



Tabletop Easel Canvas Boards Golden Fluid Acrylics Spray Bottle Liquitex Soft Body Acrylics Brayer Gel Medium (Gloss) Stabilo Pencils (Black) Gesso Shiva Oil Paintstiks Alphabet Stamps Alphabet Stencils Face Color Pitt Pens White Sharpie Paint Pin (fine tip) Black Pitt Pens Ott light Heat Gun Stencils My Book (Taking Flight)InLinkz.com
Thank you guys. I hope you enjoyed a peek into the process!XO,Kelly Rae

Let's have a FLASH SALE

Friends, I've never done this before, but something about the ease of summertime has me in the mood to shake things up a bit.

So.............let's have a FLASH SALE!


Today only (Thursday, July 24th), all art prints in my shop are a whopping 50% off. They will arrive signed, matted, and ready to frame. Even better? We've just added several new prints to the shop, including this new personal favorite. 
Go, go, go! 
Use code FLASHSALE at checkout. Sale ends at midnight, July 24th, PST.
***********
Please note: Sale is for art prints only.  Domestic orders only. 

House update!

The house. The house! It's been a long time since I posted an update and I'm happy to say that it's totally, finally, sort of coming together. And we are loving it. 

Here's a peek at what we've done so far....mainly on the main level. I'll share better photos and full room tours in the coming weeks, but these iphone shots will give you an idea on where we're at. 

The entryway is coming together! Totally digging the patchwork rug from Dash + Albert (called Gypsy Rose). We found some wooden numbers for stairs, which has been on my dream list for a long, long time. We're thinking about using removable wallpaper on the stair risers because, well, it's also been on the dream list, and I'm so crazy inspired by my Pinterest board called "for the love of stairs" - so good. 

Not sure the yellow bench will stay and I need to put photos in many of the frames, but I am definitely loving this and it feels like a dream come true ( I have wanted a wall like this for years.)

John fell in love with this vintage botany scroll and I'm loving the vibe it's giving this little corner of our home. 

Really excited about the kitchen. Color pops everywhere! Considering painting the kitchen island or an accent wall - not totally sure yet. We will see, but man am I digging all the space. I want to pinch myself often. 
There is a teal couch in our living room. Omg! We bought this couch from a local shoppe that I've always adored, which made my heart happy. More pics of this room coming soon. 

I'm crazy over our little back porch. I find myself here often - morning tea, swinging with True, afternoon sun break. The double hanging chair is from Pier1 and we LOVE it.

I'm still transitioning from my studio move out of Soul Shine Studio, but this desk/work/office space in a spare bedroom is totally inspiring me while I'm in transition. 
That's the peek so far, friends! I can't wait to share more with you as we add more and more layers. I'm falling back in love with decorating, loving the process of making it our own, and definitely cultivating some patience as we consciously take our time. All so good. 
xo,Kelly Rae

Life with True

I stumbled on this photo today of when I was 7 mos pregnant with True and the beams of light connecting my heart to my belly give me chills and clarity all over again. Thank you Andrea for capturing this all those years ago. It delights the deepest part of spirit, this photo.

*******
I thought I'd share some recent capture of True and his shiny spirit.....

We put a swing in our new front yard. I'm thinking it's gonna be in our lives a very long time. It was so sweet to witness True seeing it for the first time in our front yard, running straight for it with a wide smile. It's the littlest things, no?






I was a nervous wreck, but boy did he LOOOOVVVEE it. Nothing but giggles. 

John recently took him to the kiddie ride park. When they got home True said (with squeals), "I tried something I've never done before. I rode the ROLLERCOASTER!!!!!' Yeah, yeah, I was super brave, Mama." Totally adore him. I love how our kids are our teachers. He teaches me to play, to be brave, to feel my emotions, and to try new things.


I cannot believe he was a newbie just three years ago. This time on earth really is the longest, shortest time. And motherhood made me a newbie too, in all the best (and sometimes hardest) ways. This is love. And it's a journey of a lifetime.


We love this shirt by Geo Fox. True is super athletic (bikes! scooters! soccor!), super loves big kids (doesn't quite know what to do with kids his own age yet), and super loves his guitar and music. It's not uncommon to hear him singing "all you need is love" to himself at the top of his lungs after bedtime reading. He loves dancing and running around wild while also sincerely asking about your day, your highs and lows, and more. If he's comfortable, he's also a natural director and likes to direct all activity, when it happens, how it happens, who does what, etc.  I just love his well roundedness. And his heart. 

And these two. An intuitive once told me that True had been knocking on our door for about 10 years. She said he and John had travelled together many times and he was insistent they travel together again. As soon as she said it, I knew it to be true. These two are deeply intertwined, and totally in love. It's a beautiful thing to witness. I am a lucky lady. 

The Wear Your Joy Project

One day I started to get more intentional about what I was wearing, choosing only to wear clothes that delighted my spirit and lit me up. And then I invited others to join me, using #thewearyourjoyproject as the hashtag over on Instagram. 
This project has reminded how nothing in this life is superficial - but rather when our hearts speak, we gotta listen. We just never know where it will take us. In this case, it's taken me to something bigger - it's not about boots or pairing together perfect outfits. It's about wearing our joy.
Click here to read the full story of how this project came to be. Click here to see/read all the blog posts in this series. Click here if you want to follow along in Instagram (use #thewearyourjoyproject to join in!)




I'm trying out leggings with slips peeking out. Kind of love it. Also, these shoes (from here). They are so cozy and sassy. Love!



Shirts under tanktops = one of my favorite things ever. I could wear this everyday.




Experimenting with belts and loving it! This one is from the sale rack at Anthropologie. And the yellow tunic? It's from Boden and makes me wanna picnic.


Why not? I'm digging the mix of patterns while keeping the colors similar. In the highschool yearbook I was voted most likely to wear stripes with plaid - total evidence that some things never change.



Hello yellow shoes. You are my favorite.



Had to throw this one in. I remember this dress like it was yesterday. And I loved it so.


Wanna join The Wear Your Joy Project? Feel free to join in with me over on Insta (use #thewearyourjoyproject to join in!) or Facebook or your blogs or just in private.

Feel free to join in with me over on Insta or Facebook or your blogs or just in private. I hope you'll learn what I'm relearning: Style isn’t superficial. It’s the call of your heart, made visible — and wearable.- See more at: http://kellyraeroberts.blogspot.com/s... hope you'll learn what I'm relearning: Style isn’t superficial. It’s the call of your heart, made visible — and wearable.
XO,
Kelly Rae

PS: Thank you guys SO MUCH for all the love and response to my last post. I can't wait to dive in with a new session of students. I really can't.