ART IN MOTION :: Loved + Grateful

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.



For this one, I started with a painted and textured background that I created while teaching my painting e-course. One of my favorite things to do is to make a bunch of background and then use them later when I have a more complete painting idea. For this one, I grabbed the already painted/textured background, then drew a couple of heads, gesso'd the faces, and then randomly patchwork collaged what would become their bodies. 


I used the Shiva oil paint sticks (product links below) to fill in their faces and my Stabilo pencil for more sketching of hair and bodies. 
I added some green paint to the bottom of the piece, and some fluid acrylic (transparent) paint over the collaged area. Next, I played around with some collage placement but couldn't decide if I wanted the leaf wings vs the butterfly wings. Sometimes I'll snap a iphone photo of both options and take a look at them on my camera roll, side by side - ALWAYS helpful. In this case, I did that and I also posted the side by side image Instagram and Facebook for opinions. SUPER FUN. Love how opinionated everyone was and it was definitely a 50/50 response. 


In the end, I went with the wings...


Added a few meaningful words......

And called it done and done. Love how this one turned out. They are all such stories and chapters in the unfolding of my life....

Signed, matted print available here.
Thank you guys. I hope you enjoyed a peek into the process!XO,
Kelly Rae

ps: 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