Kelly Rae Roberts's Blog, page 47

Ask Kelly Rae: What Inspires You (cowgirl art camp included!)

YOU ASK. I SHARE. WE TALK.Ask Kelly Rae is your chance to prompt me with your thoughtful, soulful & beautifully complex questions about just about anything! Art, love, relationships, friendships, business, creativity, home decor, where I got my cowgirl boots — the doors are wiiiide open. 

Click here to submit a question for a future post. And enjoy today’s conversation . . .



Q: What is your greatest inspiration?

My greatest creative inspiration comes from finding connections inside everyday conversations. It’s exploring the small moments in life that hold all the deep meaning. It’s finding, then releasing, my very own possibility into the world with the hope that it will do good work out there, perhaps inspire someone else, and maybe come back to me in some other moment or shift. It’s the stories of the women in my life – all the courage and tenderness and strength. I find myself (often) inside a wonderful conversation with a friend and thinking about all the ways I want to express the soul of that conversation in a painting. I am so grateful for the women who walk with me, in flesh, and in paint, on my journey into life, love, and art.

So, yes, I would say that it’s our stories that inspire me the most. It’s how we learn from one another. How we unearth treasures and wisdom inside ourselves. It’s how we connect to the joys and hurts of the human spirit. I like to think that each of my paintings express a piece of my own story, or the stories I catch from my friends, from my community, and all the women that have come before me – the broken pieces and the joyful pieces. It all matters and it all connects us.

I also find inspiration in doing things that get me outside of my normal routine and life – unique experiences and adventures. Recently, I attended a cowgirl art camp (in celebration of her birthday) where I, along with about 20 other women, gathered for a weekend of creative play out in the great wide open of Washington state.
(you can read more about cowgirl art camp and see more photos over here)
The retreat was gorgeously styled with vintage couches (in the middle of the field), flowers, candles, and all things rustic and beautiful. I even got to sleep in the most charming pink vintage trailer you ever did see.

(the belt buckle I made at cowgirl art camp)
Our host, Terri Brush, led the creative workshops where we made fun cowgirl art projects (think funky, jeweled-up belt buckles, artful canteen sleeves, and more), sat around the fire, told stories, danced, and admired one another’s cowgirl boots and skirts. I heard so many amazing stories of love, heartbreak, courage, and creativity throughout the weekend. Truly, I marveled at the joy I experienced and witnessed in these women.  They were pioneers of their own lives - creating and seeing beauty at every turn, even the messy + complicated ones.

Truly, it was a weekend that filled my well and left me inspired. These kinds of adventures lift me up, give me perspective, and inspire me to tell the story on the canvas.

(New work. Signed/matted prints available here.)
Thank you, cowgirl art camp. Thank you, inspiring women. Thank you, stories. I am inspired. 

Click here to submit a question for a future post.
Click here to see all posts in this ongoing project series.

stunning store displays

Stunning Store Displays is a series that highlights some of the extraordinary displays that retailers put together in an effort to showcase the Kelly Rae Roberts collections in their stores.  It's a major talent to create displays and I want to celebrate not just their creativity, but their support of my product lines! 
Are you a retailer with a great display of my products or a customer who has spotted a great display? I'd love see! Get in touch OR simply post them to my Facebook page where I can easily grab them. Thanks!

This shot came from a great store in Gunnison, CO called Tango. Totally digging the mixture of my products in with other treasures. Love the vibe. 
All the way from Australia! This is a display in Magnolia Gallery, a lovely boutique we've been hearing a lot about from our friends in Oz. LOVE!

These are camera photos sent in via Liv who spotted this great display at the Minnetonka General Store. I'm loving the mixture of my products with others, especially the clothing. I love stores like these that have a little bit of everything. 
My Aunt took this shot (what did we do before camera phones?) at Paddington Station in Ashland, OR. This feels like a dream...a little fort of a dream. LOVE! 

Thank you, retailers!

Also, I know it's sometimes hard to find these products for sale. Good news! ALL of the products you see above in the photos are available for sale online. More info on this page in my online shop.

We're all just walking each other home.

(available here)Big truth. Parenthood, like any other big transition in life (marriage, separation, moves, etc), throws you into major opportunity to grow into new versions of yourself and into new versions of partnership and marriage.  They aren't kidding when they say it's life changing. I think it's self changing. Marriage changing. All the changing isn't easy, but there is wholeness and healing at every turn.Two years into our parenthood journey, the dust is starting to settle so to speak. We are fully adjusted to our new life (both our child's and ours), comfortable being parents and no longer feel so acutely raw or new to this extraordinary experience. And of course, we're totally in love with True (seriously, friends, we can't get enough). But as all of the dust settles, we're finding the pieces just don't fit together the way they used to in the marriage puzzle, the self puzzle, the community puzzle. The pieces have changed. And so have we. Our edges are in some cases, more sharp, and in others, more soft. In some cases where there used to be tenderness there is anger. Where there used to be anger is now tenderness. The triggers are different. The lessons are different. Totally new landscape of a life. Totally new puzzle. In the end, we are bravely and tenderly creating our new marriage puzzle. Hard work. Meaningful work. Important, self changing work. And I'm grateful how parenthood has given us this extraordinary opportunity to go deeper, and expand and tug and pull and brave it out. We're all in. 
“We're all just walking each other home.” - Ram Dass
I was talking the other day with a friend who is going through a hard (but amicable) separation. I was telling her about all the things I'm learning in my marriage and she was telling me all the things she is learning in her separation. I was surprised that we are learning the same thing: that the people we choose to live significant parts of our lives with are the exact people that can help us heal something in ourselves - old wounds, new wounds, all of it. In this sense, we really are just walking each other home. Home as in healing. Home as in the best versions of ourselves. Home as in wholeness. Home as in our divinity. 

It has occurred to me that not only are John and I walking each other home. We are walking True home. And he is walking us home. We're all just walking each other home. 

In this stage of my life where parenthood seems to be changing everything, I'm so thankful for it's blessings and lessons as it moves all of us forward along the path of learning. Of healing. Of lovingly tumbling, stumbling, grasping, reaching.....toward home. 

It's a blessed life. 

ps: This new print is now available in the shop - comes signed and matted (ready to frame). Sign up for the newsletter if you want to know when the original painting is available (soon!). Thank you! 

Hello Inspired

Obsessing: Parenthood, the TV show. I started with season 1 a couple weeks ago (via netflix) and am currently in the middle of season 2. LOVE this show. Wouldn't have likely loved it pre-parenthood, but love it now. The nuances, the still moments of reflection, the chaos - all good, all lovely. And the Bob Dylan theme song? Best song ever. Ever. Ever. There are these lyrics in the song that are exactly why we name True "True." They go like this:
May you grow up to be true
May you always know the truth
And see the lights surrounding you
May you always be courageous
Stand upright and be strong
May you stay forever young

If you don't know this song, stop what you are doing and listen. Seriously. 


Reading:  Daring Greatly by Brene. She's written another meaningful, important book. It's already a bestseller, and for good reason. Because she's my friend, I want to brag, and brag some more. But I'll just say this: this book is a life changer. John and I are reading it together. We're talking about what it means to be dare greatly in our everyday lives (hello parenting, hello marriage!), what it means (really) to show up and be seen, to share our hearts and our vulnerability (and how this is strength), and how we can bring all of this to our parenting, our relationship, our careers. The book reads as if Brene is talking to you. And if you've ever heard her talk, then you know this is GOOD. Really, really GOOD. Highly recommended. 


Loving: These stairs that belong to Michelle Allen. I went for a studio visit at her home (it's lovely) and fell in love with these stairs. So true, no? Dreams really don't work unless you do :)
Pinteresting: I've joined the Pinterest craze and holy smokes, am I loving it. I'm collecting major inspiration over there for all things house, DIY projects, art, and yep, even a whole folder dedicated to cool and artful stairs. Come on over and join me. I'd love to see you over there! 
Superhero-ing: Loving my dear friend Andrea's new superhero life website. She's been working on it a long, long time and let me just say. It's perfection. I called her the minute I saw it and screamed in her ear about how big, big this is. Inspired. You have to go and see. 

Amazed: Have you guys seen this new iPhone camera lens that snaps on your iPhones? Just got mine. Loving the macro, the wide lens, and the super fun fisheye - all in one lens. Amazing!

Getting in: Speaking of cameras, this article made me tear up. It's all just so, so true (for you mamas).

Best Jeans Ever: I'm thanking my lucky starts that I discovered the Not Your Daughters Jeans. In the weeks since discovering them, I've bought three pairs and have not missed my old jeans one bit. These are the ones, friends. They hide the muffin top and make the bootie look good. Finally, a stylish (and cozy) jean I can wear since becoming a mom and holding onto some extra weight. I bought the skinny (cute with boots over the jeans), these straight leg ones, and these boot cut. I'm all set and in love. 
Wandering: I think this DIY project is brilliant and I think this is super sweet (and it works).



Sending bright lights to each of you and hoping you find a bit of inspiration in your day. Hello, Inspiration!

ps: We're about halfway through our stock of the signed 2013 calendars (and we just listed them!). Reserve yours now before they're gone! (psst: they make awesome Christmas/New Years gifts :) 

How Cute Is That: Pumpkin Arrangement

How Cute Is That? is my mom’s favorite expression — and our ongoing home decor & DIY series. From aprons to attics to alternative offices, we’re breathing new life into anything old, sharing inspired ideas, and spinning mismatched scraps into charming decor. And YES, you can try this at home! 



I came home from work the other day to find this adorableness in our kitchen. Mom got crafty and created a pumpkin arrangement using a pumpkin, kale from our veggie boxes, and a late blooming dahlia from our garden. Love. And had to share with you guys...
Click here to see all posts in the How Cute Is That series. 

2013 Wall Calendars!

Hi friends!
Big news! Today is the day we're launching sales for the new 2013 Wall Calendars. I am so excited. They have sold out every year for the last few years before we even reach Dec 1st. This means you gotta act fast.

All calendars arrive inside a special gift jacket that is printed in full color, and signed by me. It's special, friends, and a lovely gift that will inspire all year long.

Limited quantities...get em' while you can! All details and more images over in the shop :)

XO,
Kelly Rae


PS: We're only selling the wall calendars this year, not the day planners (so sorry for you day planner fans!)

we are the ones

Here's what I'm learning (loud and clear these days).......

We are the ones we've been waiting for.

It is our very own heart, our spirit, our own internal compass that knows how to get us back to center yet we rely on something (or someone) else's compass to lead the way.

"I wish someone would love me how I need them to love me"
"I wish my job was more soul filling""Maybe this new outfit, this new home, this new boyfriend will fill in the void"
We put so much pressure on the external things to give us what we need without ever turning inward to see that it's us.
We are the ones we've been waiting for. 

Our spirits are being delicately housed inside our bodies. It won't always be this way. It's up to us to express the essence of who we are - our specific medicine we give to the world - while we are here, while we have time. We're not going to that by searching outward. We are the ones we've been waiting/searching/longing for.

So turn inward, friends. Get back to center. And when you're there, standing in the center of your very own heart and compass, I want you to radiate, radiate, radiate so that we can all feel your vibe, your spirit, your warmth. This is your medicine to the world, dear girl.

You are the one you've (and we've) been waiting for.


ps: Before I added words to this piece, I posted the above version on Facebook and Instagram and asked you to finish the sentence. I was astonished (and inspired) by your replies. Hundreds of them. A steady stream of gorgeousness. Thank you. I think of this piece as a collaboration of your hearts and mine :)

pps: Prints are here. (Thank you)

the afterglow effect

I had NO idea back then how lucky I was. How blessed I was. How cute I was.  Looking back always has an afterglow, doesn't it? It is as if we don't have access to how others see us until we get some distance from our very own selves. Five, ten, twenty years later, we finally see a different view of ourselves, a softer view. We see how charming, how put together, how fragile, how amazing, how perfectly imperfect, how cool we once were. We see ourselves through the new lens of astonishment: Wow, she was only 23, yet she was so brave to move 3000 miles away for the sake of creating a life. She was adventurous, smart, open hearted. Which brings me to today. Chances are we're all of those things now, but we don't see. Probably won't for another five, or ten years when we stumble on a photo of where we're at today and say things like she was brave for letting go, embracing change, healing her heart. It's the afterglow effect. The remember when effect. The I-hated-that-photo-of-myself but now-I-love-it effect. Everything becomes precious, and some might say precise, when we look back with a new vantage point. A vantage point birthed from traveling a few well worn paths along life's journey and knows, knows what it really sees. 
We had just started dating 12 weeks before. Deeply in love. Brave in love, even. This shot was taken the very day we crammed a tiny black Honda Civic Accord hatchback with everything we couldn't leave behind. Photo albums, jewelry, books, all three pairs of my treasured overalls. The most memorable item, though, was a large Yucca tree, one that John's mom had given him years before, a memory and a gift that he couldn't part with. It took up the entire back seat. 
We set off for Portland, Oregon. We were 24 years old, and hadn't a care in the world thanks to our new found in-love-ness. We were on an adventure. And we still are.
Thirteen years later, after traveling miles and miles of life with one another, the photos look very different, but the lens from which I see, really see, is shifting. The gap is closing on the afterglow effect as I work to see my life, our life, from the perspective of a softer lens right here today instead of years from today. I can look now (vs five, ten years from now) at recent images and see the preciousness of a life being lived in the thick of crazy schedules, overwhelm, tangled up hearts, uncertainty. I can see him for what he is today. I can see me for what I am today.  And I see clearly what's happening here. There is purpose. There is gratitude. And there is meaning. I don't want to look back from 10 years and finally see all of this. I want to see it today. 
And so, the afterglow is turning simply into....glow.
Here's to capturing it all so that we can cherish, then and (especially) now.XO

The Possibilitarian Project: Lilla Rogers

The Possibilitarian Project is more than a blog series, it’s a movement. Because when you step forward as a Possibilitarian — and share the truth about how you created your beautifully messy, magnificently complicated & exquisitely joyful life and career — you give everyone else permission to dream bigger, be braver, and create what they want. And just like that, the impossible simply . . . . . isn’t.



As a newbie artist, I once sent a cold email to Lilla Rogers herself. The visionary. The artist agent icon. The creative powerhouse behind Lilla Rogers Studio. Honestly, I had no idea what I was thinking, except that I was practicing being fearless and taking small steps toward my dreams, and that included asking Lilla if she would consider being my agent. It was a long shot, a pipe dream.  And so you can imagine my surprise when she sent me a personal reply. Although it was a rejection letter (my work wasn't a good fit for her clients - true!), tt was the most gracious rejection letter ever , and it ended with her encouraging me to keep pursuing my art dreams. She asked if I could send her a copy of my book (it had just released) and so I sent off my book along with a thank you note, delighted that she even asked for one. How cool!

Fast forward a year or so and I'm at Surtex (and five months pregnant!) and I meet Lilla. She remembered me, was incredibly warm and encouraging, and continued to encourage me along the creative path. I loved meeting her, being around her energy, and thought she was remarkable for how she embodied the spirit of nurturing creative souls out in the world.

Fast forward another couple of years and I get to meet her again at The Creative Connection Event. We dove straight in: conversations about art, love, business and more. She is a natural teacher, inspirationalist, and mentor. Later, I interviewed her for a fascinating conversation for Hello Soul, Hello Business and walked away from that conversation feeling more firmly planted in the wild ride of the creative life than ever before. She has lived this ride, knows it well, trusts the ebbs and the flows, and thrives.

I'm a fan. Of her work, of her business, but mainly of her story and how she has beautifully weaved in doing what she loves while also inspiring others to do what they love, too. Once she told me that her life's work is to "doodle and talk, doodle and talk", meaning be creative and teach. And she does both beautifully.

I haven't even mentioned her new book (soon to be released - order it here!) or her recent new launch of her Ruby Violet products - which I LOVE. More on both of these amazing ventures below!
Everybody, meet Lilla Rogers. She's a Possibilitarian. Here's why..... ::Roots::Who were you before you became a Possibilitarian? What was your ‘early’ career, or ‘previous life’?
When I graduated from art school I was thrilled to get an art teaching job in a public middle school. While I loved those kids and gave that job everything I had, I knew it was essential to my well-being to take the risk to make the big move back to art school for a Master's in painting. So after three years of teaching, I left. I gave up tenure. I let my teaching credentials lapse. I was terrified. I had a yard sale and sold most everything but clothes and art supplies, packed up my little car, and left the east coast for San Francisco.

::Dreams::What did you (secretly) long for, in that previous life?
If I could just make a living making pictures, I would be the happiest woman alive.


::Moment of Truth::Was there a pivotal moment when everything shifted? What happened?
Funny thing happened. I didn't get into the Master's program at the Art Institute. They said my work was too illustration-looking. It was feminine and figurative. So now what? I took a painting class there but also an illustration class at the Academy of Art University in San Francisco while I worked as a secretary at the groovy Bay Guardian newspaper and taught calligraphy classes in my apartment at night.

Turned out I LOVED illustration. I treasured the assignments. First there was the research. Then sketches. Then finishes. There was a process. I adored the energy of "commercial" art. (Of course any time you sell your art it's commercial.) Guess what? I went on to receive my Master's in Illustration with Honors. And my first job was from New York Magazine while I was still in San Francisco.


::Courage::How did you gather the courage to cross the threshold into a Possibilitarian life & career? How do those early lessons keep you going today?
My life has been a series of risks. They just get easier and easier to take. Success builds upon success. I went from being an illustrator in New York City with agents in New York, Paris, and Tokyo to falling in love, moving to Boston, and becoming an agent myself.

My kids are now teenagers and my son starts college in the fall so I'm at a great place in my career. I love to think this thought: If you told me a year ago that I would be (fill in the blank) I would have said you were crazy! The first time I said that was in 1974 when I arrived in Oakland ready to attend art school at California College of the Arts. And it's been like that more or less ever since.




(Note from Kelly Rae: Above is a glimpse into Lilla's Ruby Violet craft line. Imagine the coolest embellishments ever that you can then use to glue on anything and everything. Watch the video above for how it all works. AWESOME.) 
::Awesomeness::Where are you NOW? What have you created, what’s on the horizon, and how have you been applauded & recognized for your work? (This is your chance to brag away & BIG yourself up! Go for it!)I ADORE being an agent and nurturing careers and getting work for the artists. It's very social and has the teaching component. I have a staff that I completely love and respect, and the artists love working with them as well. We are now in the lucky position of getting thousands of submissions by artists per year wishing to be represented by us.

This past year I launched the Ruby Violet craft line out of my insane passion for craft, vintage goodness, and jewelry. Whew, that was a scary move! Yes, it's true. I still get scared! And I just finished writing a book where I give every bit of advice I can on making a successful art career which can now be pre-ordered on Amazon. It turns out that I LOVE writing books!






(Note from Kelly Rae: Above is a glimpse into Lilla's Ruby Violet necklace kit collection. Watch the video above for how it all works. I love these DIY necklace kits.)
::Advice::What’s ONE piece of advice or encouragement you’d give to someone who’s facing their own pivotal moment, right now?
Oh, I know how hard and scary it is! I feel for those of you that are scared but dying to make a change! The big questions you may be facing are these: Am I good enough to leave my job and go for it? Am I ready? Am I making the biggest mistake of my life? What am I, nuts? The truth is, there is no wrong thing to do because, as my mother always says, "One thing leads to the next."

So guess what? If plan A doesn't work out, you may actually like plan B even better! It's really true. Your plan doesn't have to be perfect, and it doesn't have to be a sure thing, because of course it never is either of those things. Life is a work in progress. You start getting sea legs and learn to go with the flow of life, making decisions along the way.

My advice:

Get as much information as you can.Get as good as you can at whatever it is you want to do.Make sure it's really what you're passionate about. (For me my core passions are these: talking and doodling.)Take risks but don't be impulsive.Have a few people that support you like crazy.Don't put all your eggs in one basket.Remember that every successful person started at the beginning just like you.Everyone has rough patches. It's just how you decide to handle them.Use affirmations. Kelly Rae's products are wonderful for that. (She didn't pay me to say that! Ha ha.)You can change your life in a day. Take that step!
(Lilla's new book - available for pre-order here!)
Thank you, Lilla!
You can connect with Lilla through
Facebook  |  Website  |  Blog


Lilla Rogers Is a Possibilitarian...Are You?Feel free to snag any and all of these for your sidebars. I just ask that you kindly link it to ThePossibilitarianProject.com so that others can join in the fun. Thank you!



Do YOU know a brave, tender & wildly inspiring person . . . someone who has created their dream life & career, on their own courageous terms? Nominate them for The Possibilitarian Project!

who i want to be

 (These adorable rocks are part of my home decor line with Creative Co-op, but how cute would this be as a DIY project with a few rocks and alphabet stamps?)
I've been a little restless.
About what's next. About the next thing, the next move, the next evolution - in my work, in my art, in my everyday life. This part of the creative process always feels a bit frustrating - lots of reaching, grasping, reconsidering, and hoping you find your footing soon - a solid foundation from which to leap into new experiences/endeavors.  I've been here before. Many times. I know it feels restless and frustrating now, but I also know this time of searching and reaching and questioning will most certainly birth something new and creatively inspiring - not just in my work, but in my life. It happens every time. The uncertainty becomes certainty. 

In my restlessness and while I wait for my uncertainty to birth clarity,  I keep coming back to this favorite quote:
"The deepest secret is that life is not a process of discovery, but a process of creation. You are not discovering yourself but creating yourself anew. Seek, therefore, not to find out who you are, seek to determine what you want to be” – Neale Donald WalschSo, for the first time in years, I'm writing again in a private journal everyday. Instead of reaching and grasping for what I'd like to do next, I'm working on who I want to be.
Who. I. want. to. be. 

Not who I am today, what I'm doing today, what I want to do tomorrow. 

But rather, who I want to be.

Friends, it feels like an important aha. I'm trusting that becoming who I want to be will organically flow into what I eventually do next.

And I'm wishing the same sweet aha for you if you happen to be in a space of restlessness as well.



ps: I was telling her about all of this recently during a phone call. She's a fellow creative friend who totally gets that the restlessness, however frustrating, really is just a part of the creative/life/learning process. During our chat I moaned, "Ugh. It's just not the most joyful process." And her reply shook me out of my boots: "No, but it's useful."

Useful. Useful!

I thought about that reply for days. It has helped me understand this process with so much more understanding and calmness. Love insightful friends.

So a few days later, I am inside a friend's vintage trailer at a cowgirl art camp (more on this soon), and I look up and see the word "useful" pinned onto the wall of the trailer. Seriously, friends. I love how the universe works.


xoxo