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.

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I don’t have photos of the VERY beginning layers of this painting, but safe to say that there were several layers of painterly mess-making here – no papers or collage in the above layer, just lots and lots of layers of paints inspired by all that I learned earlier this year taking Flora’s workshop in Bali.  

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At first I followed the urge to create boats and glued some beginning shapes down with Gel Medium (links below)

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And then I decided that I wanted to paint a figure, so simply removed the big boat form and drew a figure form instead and decided she’d have a boat on her head (why not). Face is painted with gesso (link below) at this stage.

#paintinginprogress
Used Shiva paintstiks (link below) to begin to fill in her face. 

She's coming together. #paintinginprogress

She starts to emerge…

Emerging. The piece on her head will be certain something. #ilovepainting #paintinginprogress

More emerging with hair painted in (used Golden Fluid Acrylics here).

I've been working on this painting in tiny spurts over the last few weeks. #readytofinish I am finding it hard to get a large chunk of time to create lately. Must work out my never ending time mgmt issue. #hardtojuggleitall #busymama

Considering boat placement…

A #sailboat makes an appearance in my #painting. #isortoflovethis. #paintinginprogress

First boat, complete!

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Decided to go for it with lots and lots of boats – all collaged with papers and gel medium.
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Painted her dress a bit with some white fluid paint.

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Began to stamp in her sentiment….

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Finished her sentiment….

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And then she was done. Ahhh, finally. It took a few weeks to finish her – but she was worth the wait. This piece speaks very personally to me right now. And I’m loving how she came out.
Signed/matted print available here or here (alternate sentiment).

She was on a voyage toward truth, love, and profound transformation. She found courage amidst the storms, and faith in her sails as she left the safety of the harbor for freedom, dreams, and possiblity.

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 🙂

Thank you guys. I hope you enjoyed a peek into the process!
XO,
Kelly Rae

Hi, I'm Kelly Rae Roberts!

Before I picked up my first paintbrush at the age of 30, I was a medical social worker. I followed my whispers and started playing with paint and everything changed.

Now I’m a full-time artist, author and Possibilitarian, who helps women explore and nourish their creative souls.

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