Creating a Clear Vision + Sea-Inspired Collage by Guest Artist Kelli May-Krenz

 

This started months ago. I was sitting in a meeting, bouncing around ideas for potential blog posts, when someone brought up that lady. I marveled as my co-worker explained the story of an artist who had visualized her success and then achieved it. It would take a full two months before I was able to introduce myself to that talented lady — Kelli May-Krenz.

Kelli created a vision board, upon which she assured herself that she would one day be published in a Stampington publication. It wasn’t arrogance that led her to create a physical manifestation of her certainty, but faith. She had faith in herself, in the process of her artwork, and in her finished creations. Her work isn’t just well-made and beautiful, she herself is a breath of fresh air. Lighthearted, positive, and full of life, Kelli happily accepted our invitation to stop by Somesret Place as a guest artist. Today she’ll be sharing a little more about her creative process and giving a step-by-step tutorial on how to recreate an exclusive project that she made for us.

~*~

I live my life as a graphic designer, illustrator, and artist. I have a fine art degree from Iowa State University. I create every single day. For me, creating is like breathing. I live in a home that was built in 1846 in a charming little river town called Galena in the great state of Illinois. I live with my husband and Pearl Button, our little Jack Russell Terrier. My business card says, “Artist, Designer, and Lover of Life.” And it couldn’t be more accurate! I do love life and I celebrate mine every single day. I have a unique way of creating. It starts with being able to recognize when I really want something in my life. It can be anything. Once I know what I want, I create a vision board. Seeing dreams and goals written down makes them real for me. You see, I am a very visual person, so for me, being able to see the plan is key to following through. Seeing my dreams looking back at me from a vision board fills me with even more passion, which helps me to act on them and bring them to life.  

Breaking Down Dreams into Goals

 

 

Breaking down your dreams into manageable goals is the first step to making them come true. Last year, one of my biggest goals was to be published by Stampington. So I put it all down on a vision board, then I put aside all the self-doubt, and I stopped asking, “Why would they pick my art?” I’ve learned that until you start putting yourself and your art into the world, you’re only ever creating for an audience of one (yourself). So why the heck shouldn’t you try your very best and send your art into the world? What’s the worst that could happen — what’s the best that could happen?

My dream of getting published is what inspired me to create the vision board pictured above. As artists, we have to stay true to ourselves, we have to know what we’re passionate about, and we have to believe in our dreams so we can set the right goals to achieve them. We have to make sure we take time out to give ourselves positive affirmations and we have to make the time to create, create, create! And then, when one of your pieces of art jumps out at you, you have to make sure that you submit it quickly for publishing. If something about that artwork spoke to you, maybe it will speak to others. Get your art seen. Take a chance. It makes all the difference in the world.

Since creating my vision board I have been fortunate enough to be published in Somerset Apprentice, Somerset Memories, and my work was even selected to be on the cover of Art Journaling. I am beyond giddy.

 

Creating a Vision Board for this Blog Project:

When I was asked to create a project for Somerset Place, I started with a vision board. I decided that my project would reflect all the changes that had transpired in this past year. In a nutshell, I’ve had to make two major moves in that time. First, my hubby and I sold our home in Minneapolis, MN and moved everything in it to Sarasota, FL. We did this so I could fulfill a lifetime dream of creating by the ocean and focus on becoming a professional artist by growing my own brand. I have mainly created for big fortune 500 companies, and have worked through a representative for nearly 20 years. I finally decided to take the leap and create a line of cards and paper products so that I could inspire and spread joy.

I have found it incredibly healing to create in Florida. I have also found that it is not really where I belong. So yet another dream is happening (yes, I created a vision board for this one too). We are currently in the midst of moving to a small historic town called Galena, IL. This town is rich with history and has tons of charm, plus a huge bonus for me is that it’s a town filled with artists.  I have secretly wanted to move to this town since I was a child, and now it’s finally happening. Now that my priorities are finally right, I am ready to shine. I am so grateful that we are making this happen and this collage is a celebration of this new chapter.

Now, are you ready to make a Sea-Inspired Collage?

 

Sea-Inspired Collage Project Supplies:

-Gold Leaf Sheets (they’re tricky but fun)

–Acrylic Paint

–Paint Brushes

-Pencil 3B

–White and Black Journaling Pen

–Watercolor Paper

–Vintage Book Pages

-Sewing Machine

–Glue Stick

–Ephemera

 

Sea-Inspired Collage Project Tutorial:

Step 1 – Get your watercolor paper ready. Start by applying bits and pieces of ephemera. These can be cut out or torn into shapes. Adhere them down with your glue stick or sew them on for added texture. I made wave shapes out of mine.

*Tip: I use a dual quality thread in my sewing machine. It shows up better when stitching on heavy papers. Use a color you love. You can match your colors or mix it up and contrast if you want it to pop even more.

Step 2 – After you have your ephemera down on your paper, make a wash with your acrylic paint and apply it around the edges. Go back and add more bits of ephemera, torn painted paper towels, vintage book pages, and any images you feel need to be added. Keep adding and painting until you feel it looks balanced and you like it. I love layers.

*Tip: I cut out my mermaid from collage sheets of paper and applied bits of gold leaf, and then stitched it onto the watercolor paper. I then added white pen and ink onto her tail and some more gold leaf to the paper.

Step 3 – Once you have your bits and pieces and your main image down, start playing with lines, doodles, and drawings. Use your white pen or a black journaling pen. You could also use colorful makers.

Step 4 – Take the top of a brown paper shopping bag, leaving the handle intact so that you can use it to hang your artwork. Adhere your collage onto the paper bag. You can use a glue stick or sew it on. Feel free to add some illustrations to the brown paper bag with your white pen. The contrast between the white ink and the kraft-colored bag is beautiful.

Step 6 – Finally, make sure you sign your art! Be proud of everything you create; it is all a part of your journey to becoming the very best you can be. Hope you enjoyed the process! You’re all done.

~*~

Please join me in giving Kelli May-Krenz a big Somerset Place thank you for taking the time to create such a lovely project for us. Reading more about her creative process has been fascinating, and if you want to learn more you can visit Kelli on her blog: Here’s Another Way of Looking at It?

 

Get More Project Tutorials by Kelli May-Krenz

Do you want to see more of Kelli May-Krenz’s artwork? Pickup a copy of Somerset Apprentice and get even more tips and techniques from this fabulous artist.

Use the coupon code BLOG0914 to get $5 off this new September Publication. Be sure to hurry, coupon expires 9/30/2014.

 

 

 

The Bella Grace Blog Hop

Today’s unlocked link comes from Staci Austin-Ducharme. This insightful posts is about the correlation between gratitude and death, and it urges us not to wait until tragedy strikes to give thanks for what we have. Visit Staci’s blog and leave her a comment about what you’re grateful for and you might just win a copy of Bella Grace.

Click here to follow the Bella Grace Blog Hop