Painting with the Duke of Yale

We are currently working on a watercolor painting commissioned by a man who loves his dogs. He really wanted to see them featured in a poster, well, I was all about it! Doozer, aka "The Duke of Yale" gives me a few suggestions along the way...

Studio Shots

Capturing Light

Nature and Process

On painting days, I like to wake up knowing there will be no phone calls.  I like to have a yummy assortment of fresh foods prepared/to prepare and a playlist of music ready to go.  I take a break every 2 hours to water my garden or clean my house and stretch.  And if I'm lucky I get to engage in conversation with a book for the evening.  All the rest falls on this blog and the canvas.

Night Time Muse

Once their lived a girl who perched in a loft like a bird.  She would peer out the window on a moonlit night and look for wings flapping and things crawling from dark corners.  She would lull herself to sleep imagining them scurrying through her window and flying around the room before hiding in the shadows.

When day broke, the world came alive in light and playful wonder. The sky was an endless abyss, each individual leaf would wave, and animals could read her mind.

These are the woods, this is the forest of contemplation, a cherished place, safe for any creature of the imagination to thrive and sleep.

Author and Illustrator in One

Hello out there?  Anybody out there?  I know I have neglected my blog and have been posting all the fresh stuff on facebook, but can you forgive me?  More writing shall ensue.  This little cottage dream house I live in out here in the woods has sure been an incubator for creativity.  Many creations have developed over the last 4 months, and although I am anxious to report about all of them, I must say first and foremost I finished writing my fantasy children's book!!  I am currently writing a query letter to send to my favorite agent to get her attention!  I am beyond excited and insist to persist until all options are exhausted.  Here is sneak peek image from the book...see you soon!

Running the Eye

Running the Eye...the yurt has a giant circular window in the ceiling and is connected to the top of the wall by a ray of 42 beams. It feels like being in a giant eyeball, so here I work, running the eye.

Morning Light and Caress at Night

Damn.  Beach House..., dark and beautiful, hypnotic and deeply dreamily wonderful. Thank you for your powerful sound.   

Life Force

I am so truly touched by so many encouragements I have been receiving lately.  Thank you everyone, my fires are burning brightly these days, and have been painting diligently all day and into the nights to express my gratitude for this gift.

 

Women Icons Art Show

Yma Sumac was an exotic opera singer, a strong woman with an incredible voice range, and a hauntingly beautiful deep tone, you've never quite heard anything like it. She weaves a jungle of wild images in your mind while listening to her sing. Yma is descended from a Royal Incan family, and owns the title of an Incan Princess. And to top her powerful talent she is incredibly beautiful. I hesitated none to paint this woman's portrait for the Women Icons show happening in Portland.

After painting Yma Sumac's portrait in watercolor, I add a few dabs of gold leaf glue to her headdress and necklace. 

My favorite part, gently brushing away the delicate gold leaf to reveal the adornments. 

I usually hunt for antique frames and paint the painting for the frame, as I did here for Yma Sumac. There will be one more of my newest pieces up at the Women Icons show at the Mini Gallery, (it's a secret). The opening is Thursday June 27th, 6-10pm. I am very excited to be exhibiting alongside some of my favorite artists at this group show and would be delighted to see you there!

Kelly Patton Commissions

Hello wonderful readers, I am pleased to announce my availability for commissions! I have had many diverse requests and I truly love creating original graphics and paintings from your ideas. Much of this blog features past commissions, to see what I have done in the past, consult the archives of this journal. Email me at pattonillustration@gmail if you would like to inquire about a commission. Here are some works I created last year...

 

Above: Ex Libris Personalized Bookplate design.  Small stickers that go on the inside cover of your book to let your borrowers know it is from your library.  "Ex Libris" is latin for "From the Library"  This was created for a man who is a chemist and loves a sophisticated room with a view.

Above: Original logo created for a woman with a vibrant colored Indian food truck.  She really wanted a bright and colorful image to attract festival wanderers. 

 

 

Above:  Business logo created for a woman who loves to serve organic, local, medicinal and nourishing foods at her catering company.

 

Above:  A woman who talked with me about her lucid dreams inspired this heavenly image.

 

 

Above:  Original graphic created for a fabulous clothing designer from Nevada City.  He loved my bookplate images and wished to mimic the bold inked style for his eye catching graphic.

Above:  Raccoon couple in process, I like to paint people in their animal likeness.  Otherwise known as an anthropomorphic portrait or spirit animal commission.

Above:  Me working on a commission for a mystic woman who loves the river and has a gift for hunting crystals.  She and I had a beautiful meeting and she described her idea of a water dragon and the spirit of nature channeling light.

To arrange your commission please contact me at pattonillustration@gmail.com

I sincerely look forward to our composure!