Been a Long Time

Well things have certainly been crazy in the life of Kel. It has been so long since i have written anything for this blog! Here's the update, got a full time job, Ian turned 2, and I have been working on a lot of crafts. I'm planning on having a craftshow/party this fall to unload some of the stuff that I have been making and to see some friends. Tomorrow yard sale at my place!!!! Can't wait, you should come by...

I will post photoes soon!

K

My room

So my studio space has sort of gravitated out of our garage and into our spare room of late. It has really good light and has been great for the sewing and drawing projects that I have been working on. Thought I would share some pictures of the things that I have going on right now.



The Work Table




Fabrics I have out right now



Lovely Scraps



The never ending Crocheting Project





Close ups from the new drawing I am working on.


I also have some new items that I just listed on etsy...

I love you forever and ever...

So today for all intensive purposes I will say that I am feeling a little overwhelmed. I know that I configured this blog to showcase my work and other artists that inspire me, but somehow I have started to get into the habit of talking about myself, which is sort of weird...

I am coming to a point where I almost feel like I need a helper, an intern, or an imaginary friend to help me accomplish all of the things that used to be so easy for me to do before I had a child. I have about 5 projects in continuous rotation, but it never seems like I am getting anywhere with them at all. I guess this is from years of always sitting in my studio and working on something until it was finished or until my eyes started hurting. Well, having my son has sort of put the brakes on that. Between Ian, work, cooking for the family, looking for a new job, and artistic projects I feel like a piece of toast with not enough butter to spread across the whole piece. I keep going though.

Last night my son said for the very first time, "I love you mommy". I never understood how much hearing him say that while giving me a hug would lift my spirits so high. It keeps my perspective about things. He is almost 2 now, and some days I feel like a punching bag between the rough-housing, grouchiness, and temper tantrums, but in between he stops and smiles at me and gives me a kiss... that is the sweetest and makes it all worth while really.

I guess the point to this little story is that I am overwhelmed and maybe putting too much pressure on myself to be getting things done. I will be showcasing my work until I am old and my arthritis prevents me from being able to lift pencil to paper, so maybe I should try relaxing every once in a while. I can't really ever relax though, it is not in my nature. So I will be overwhelmed and push myself farther and farther but all the while I keep in mind that I do it for Ian.

Just a quick note

Just a quick note before I take off for my 3 day weekend. My website has just been updated with new sections, writings and my newest artwork thanks to my dear friend Manuel. If you have a second please check it out! Happy Valentine's day!
www.kelbrown.com

So much to do, so little time in my days...

So many new developments since my last post a few days ago. I may have found the answers to my business-prayers finally. A very good, old friend of mine has offered to help me with my new business venture. As I am not a business minded individual at all it will be really great to have someone helping me with the logistical things... like selling my new work.

After an evening of wine, food, and brainstorming we decided on the hand sewn/crafted toys with corresponding stories, and hand printed blankets to match. 3 different stories to start with. I have much sewing and pattern making to do this next week, but I am so inspired, enthusiastic, and grateful for someone that sees the potential in my ideas. I can't wait for my new serger to arrive on Friday... it is going to make my life so much easier. YAY!

I'm also planning on joining forces with my friend Emily Sontag. She is an amazing print-maker, sewer, crafter, and mom out in Atlanta, GA. Check out her site... there are some real gems there! www.pretty-simple-things.com

So the creativity is flowing...now if only I didn't have to work this desk job so I could have the extra 7 hours in my day that I need!!!

Elements - New Work!

Yay! I finally finished a bunch of new work. So here you are. The series is called Elements..more to come.












All work Copyright Kelly Correll Brown 2010

The Upcoming House Re-Do!!

Kevin and I have decided that the time has come for us to finally start making our beautiful house more of our own. When we moved in (2 years ago!!) I was 6 months pregnant and not in any state to repaint the walls or take on any sort of decorating responsibilities. I was having a very hard pregnancy at the time and now our house still looks like we just moved our stuff into someone else's space (be it a nice space). So I am trying to wrap my brain around what direction I want to take it. As we have to do this in installments I thought that doing inspirational collages for each room would be the way to go. I happen to be a collector of odd little antiques and books (I can not get enough of books!), dolls, I love rusty tools and the like, so I want to incorporate these into the design of the house. I also have a child so I need to come up with clever ideas of how to organize without it looking like Martha Stewart vomited in my space. We have a lot of antique furniture that is starting to look a little on the shabby side as well as a bunch of Kevin's grandfather's furniture that will need to be redone (currently my living room looks like a gentleman's club with all of the dark wood... help)!

Here is some inspiration for our master bedroom and connecting bath. I'm just looking at color right now and photos that share some of the same aesthetic as myself. I really want at least one slate gray wall, or to incorporate that color in somewhere in the space. I usually do not like posting other people's stuff... but I figure that in this instance it is ok.



**Most of these photos were found on other design blogs that I look at. If one of these photos is yours and you want it removed please let me know.**

Lists, Lists, Lists...

I find myself forever making and remaking lists for myself. It is a habit that is forever driving the people around me crazy because I can not come up with a good idea with out writing it down (I have an irrational fear of forgetting things). So this week I am posting my list for the next week (or so)

This week:
Finish sewing on new drawings, take photos, post.
Start 2 new drawings
Designs for prints
Read instructions for new silk screening kit
Make outline for new Etsy shop, research material costs
Read, read, read
Try not to get too depressed when birthday rolls around this Tuesday. (yes, I actually wrote this down on my list).

The Water Bearers

I spent a total of 2 hours last night working on one of my new pieces (although this may not sound like much to most people... trust me it is an exercise in discipline when you have a child and just want to vegetate after he goes to bed!) Since my research on alchemy began I have become increasingly interested in the concept of the Water Bearer. I, of course am a bit bias as I am an Aquarius. But to be truthful I know next to nothing about astrology and have never really thought too much about it until now. I have found that, inadvertently, all of my new pieces revolve around the magic that is associated with water. The newest painting/drawing that I am almost finished with (yay!) is the more literal of the two by far. Thousands of tiny tiny circles make up the dress of a faceless woman who is charged with the care of the Water Bearer. I have resisted the urge to post pictures of these pieces until they are finished. By I will share an image that is extremely interesting in it's simplicity and inspiring me for the next one.


Until next time...

Much Inspiration and Aspirations ~ The 30 Freak-outs

This week has been so very strange for me indeed. My usual tendencies to be very discouraged and nervous took hold at the beginning of the week, but today looks to be a brighter one. Upon reflection and encouragement from the most unlikely of places I have decided to try to take on an endeavor of massive proportions.

I have decided that time is too precious to waste my life away sitting behind a desk and being someone's secretary for the rest of my life and instead go out and go forth with a business of my own... making and creating (and hopefully someone will be buying). Of course this is such a long process that it is almost daunting for me to think about it. My 32nd birthday rapidly approaches and perhaps I am experiencing what my dear friend Kim called the "30 freak-outs", but if so I am glad that they are upon me because that in combination with my desire to be the creative woman that I am and wanting to make a good life for my son are motivating me to take the fates into my own hands. I am lucky that I am surrounded by supportive and creative people who can help me through, even if it is just the moral encouragement to keep me going and keep my perspective in tact.

This week also saw me forming an installation group with a dear friend of mine James Seevers (see posting below for more information on him). We have confirmed a venue and in April will be putting up an installation in San Francisco with a sound-scape to match.

My paintings and drawings are coming along splendidly as well. I feel so happy and positive about them after having "artist-block" for literally 4 years. So I move forward... slow and steady.

2010 Calendars are available in the store!

Have some very cute 2010 calendars available in the store right now. Simple, but that's the way I like them...

2010!! Happy New Year All

Well 2009 was a pretty bla year if you ask me, which is why I am starting to get very excited for what 2010 may bring. First off I am working on textiles again. Bought a silk screening kit and I am starting to warm up the 'ol sewing machine. I think that my #1 artistic resolution this year is to make hand-made textiles and continue working on my alchemy-inspired drawings. I am going to be joining forces with one of my oldest friends indeed, Patrick Ahern, in a new Etsy endeavor. We are going to be selling hand-made knits for wear and house, textile and paper goods... so keep an eye out for that.

On the home front... Ian in nearly 19 months old and has hit the terrible two's a bit early so patience is definitely a virtue at this point in time, but he is growing, loves building with blocks, and painting so the fun continues.

Hopefully I will have some new pictures to show you soon. And a reconfiguration of this blog's set up is in order too.

Happy New Year!
K~