Merch shop up and running!

Working on my merchandise shop!  Yes finally, t-shirts!  I'm very excited to make this an option for anyone interested in sporting my dreamy designs on clothing.  I have received an overwhelming, yet encouraging amount of requests to create a variety of merch such as clothing, jewelry and stationary, so check it out at... Creature Culture

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Turkish Angora Envy

He will be mine someday! Multi-colored marbled eyeballs to match.  I'm calling him/her in but not after I travel somewhere for another minute and fill up a sketchbook.

Farewell, California

 

My adventures in California o'er the past 3 years could fill the average decade.  I discovered herbalism, alchemy and falconry, forested at the fungus foray, practiced violin, traveled around Europe twice, swam in the Yuba river and her emerald waters with many beautiful friends, and fell in love.  All because I said yes to living in the woods!  That was an adventure all in itself with all the animals I encountered and human festivals I attended.  I cannot possibly express how amazing life has been on the Ridge, nor explain the quality of people.  Such jewels are virtually impossible to explain.  And sadly, but with bravery I am so excited to begin the next stage of my artistic expansion in Portland Oregon.  Portland was the first city I traveled to without my parents when I was 14.  I fell in love at Canon Beach, and felt home in Oregon.  I'm now 30 and established in my watercolor wielding abilities and would like to fulfill my long awaited dream of creating books and sharing my work on a larger scale.  Portland is the place for me, so please come visit the verdant city and we'll do spectacular rides on bicycles and see art around town.  XOXO California, I love you, and I will not be a stranger!!

Full Moon Mushroom

I was delighted to create this super magical painting for my friends Corrinne and Daniel. It looks like an imaginary fairy tale, and the beauty of this couple is they are both incredible artists and real elves living in the Sierra foothills! Both nature lovers and musicians, it was easy and a pleasure to depict these two frolicking through the forest. A glimpse into a lifestyle that many people indulge in, on the ridge.

Painting Furry Rainbow Foxes on Quartz

This picture is a glimpse of a piece I'm working on over a pile of crystals in my living room.  Sam went mining in the Nevada desert and came back with two cases full of quartz crystals.  They have a strong ability to heal and beckon creative spirits.  I must say painting on a pile of these babies helped my focus and really moved the painting of the fur and detail quite nicely.  I had to be careful not to over do it, once you lay down a wash of watercolor, there's no gettin the same luminosity if you layer too much paint.

Commission Missions

River dragon channeling light; swimming with the current, charging a crystal in the sun. I'm fond of this idea! First I draw freehand on the canvas, from a selected sketch. Then I outline everything with my brush using acrylic paint. The rest of the coloring happens in between the lines, this is how I keep the detail on a large piece.

Still in process, there is much to do from this point. This is just showing my basic steps.

Here are the final drawings for a tattoo design of the mother earth goddess, this piece will likely be rendered further on canvas and turned into a painting.

A commission for a lovely woman from a secret admirer.

2012 Sketches

Gift Shop for my new products!

I am pleased to announce a new gift shop opening for my prints, greeting cards and books
click the link on the right column of my blog called "Kelly Patton Gift Shop"

Special requests for additional prints found in my gallery can be custom printed, just email me and I will package them lovingly and send to your doorstep.  Thank you for all of your support and recognition!

"The Shaman"  8"x10" signed print by Kelly Patton

$20 (plus tax) FREE SHIPPING!

Garden of Monsters, Italy

Sardegna and Berlin Art Endeavours

New bookplate in progress. I began sketching it at the comfy artist's studio where I had temporary residence in Sardegna, Italy. The plants and animals in the image are from the island.

"Nutrisco and Preserve" mixed Italian and English, "Nourish and Preserve"

Bookplate number two, another Sardegna landscape inspired drawing featuring the ubiquitous poppy.

Watercolor painting mixed fantasy with realism...

Movable mural detail for my friend Annalisa.

Tree mural in Berlin!

Warmest Mountain Cafe

Good morning, I am the Ridge Cafe, now decorated by my new sign painted by Kelly Patton. It's a new day and I feel like this fresh makeover really stands out, don't you? Don't be shy! Come inside and sip my fresh juices and conversation.

Yellow is the color of my true love in the morning...

July on the ridge

Connecting to the Stars

I recently discovered another depiction of intertwining sentient animals and the stars. This drawing by Leonardo Da Vinci is a perfect example of early animal alchemy. Leonardo declared in order to become the best in your skills, practice copying the works of masters. This use of the sundial was already in my subconscious somehow, but I will take the tip of practicing my drawing skills in the style of Da Vinci.

Beautiful Fables

Gustave Dore a gorgeous recommendation from a friend in Paris
He was born in 1833 in Strasbourg France where he illustrated his first collective work in lithographs at age 11!
It was clear he was a young prodigy and was sent to Paris to begin his career as an illustrator. He died at age 51 and left a massive body of work behind including many lushly illustrated fully packed gems of books.
I particularly am fond of his illustrations of fables, of course.

Amsterdam...Paris... Rome!...

Well, the time has finally come! I am off to visit Europe for 3 months. Over there I will see friends, visit dance venues, paint and draw statues, frolic through gardens and swim in the mediterannean, all accompanied by my wonderfully sweet boyfriend, Sam.
Those are just a few things I anticipate, not to mention all of the most random magical randomness yet to be discovered. Then I will come back and paint the memories to my heart's content.

Keep watching for new exciting discoveries along the way.

Vernal Equinox, the series is complete

My first time lapse watercolor painting accompanied by acoustic guitar instrumental by yours truly...

This painting completes the series for Winter Solstice, Autumnal Equinox and Summer Solstice.
I loved the time lapse, it really helped my process move along and kept me focused. What a great reward to see it in fast forward after completing it. And now my book is complete...stay tuned for the announcement of it's availability.

Supernatural

When I was a young'un I had perpetual dreams involving alien visitation. They were not always as pleasant as this encounter, (mostly influenced by the tv show x-files) maybe that is why I felt the need to see them in a different light.

This piece will be up at the art opening "Free the Alchemists" at Willow Springs in North San Juan. We'll be throwing a departure art show/dance party/yummy soup night/stargazing through telescopes/bonfire wonderment. This show will be up for one day, so come and bask in the cosmos if you are nearby.

Free Because of Me!

I just finished illustrating my first children's book written by Tamara Venus Star;  "Free Because of Me" is a small book full of common household bugs given a second chance at life by the hands of a little girl. The pictures are lovingly painted and the story is very simple. I will update this page with an announcement as soon as it is ready to buy!

Livin' the Dream: Europe Art Tour

This is going to be a very exciting year in our lives. So much is changing so quickly, so many people are becoming aware of the need to make improvements in this world and are educating themselves about global policies and where they fit in the big puzzle.

So what better time to spread awareness and ideas, and to have a kick ass life and do what you have always dreamed of doing, its 2012! So to this I declare my partner, Sam and I, are traveling to Europe for 3 months, to immerse ourselves in all things art.



This has been my dream for a long time. To see great works of art throughout history that paved the way for so many artists who thrive in my generation.

I traveled to 12 European countries in 2010 with The Pleasant Revolution Tour, on a schedule with other musicians. This trip is all being negotiated by myself, where I will be free to roam and absorb more art than I could during those years.

We'll also be checking out mystical gardens, apothecaries, fantastical architecture, toy stores, absinth bars, dance parties--as much eye, ear and tongue candy as possible and at a nice pace without rushing it.

Everything is going towards this trip, every moment, every thought. Stay tuned for more cool updates!

What I have been up to...

Painting on the new deck, my dream studio with natural bright light from all angles, nestled in the woods. I am working on a special new watercolor, the final piece to appear in my first BOOK.


Using acrylic paint to decorate Bolete mushrooms on a sign going up at the Fungus Foray and Mushroom Exposition in downtown Nevada City.


Mushroom Exposition at the Miners Foundry! You can see the poster I designed for the event up on the projection screen.


Painting mushrooms. I did three separate watercolor studies, and sold all three the same day!


Here I am displaying a variety of prints, postcards, greeting cards, amigurumi's and hats all made by me. I'm standing next to Bill. He is a huge fan of my work, and is a very good friend!


A commissioned portrait of a beloved lost friend.


Practicing violin and posing for a photo.


Ahhh yes, back inside the fishbowl, or as Sam calls it, "the incubator"