Paul Gauguin and Ruth Asawa at the de Young San Francisco

Last Friday, Maria, Meryl and I drove to the de Young in San Francisco to see Paul Gauguin: A Spiritual Journey. It was my first time at the de Young and my only regret was that we didn't have time to explore more of the museum. 

The exhibit is an intriguing sampler of Gauguin's work. I appreciated seeing the wide range of Gauguin's creative talent that included sketches, watercolors, etchings, oil paintings and sculpture. Before I go any further, I should confess that I'm not a huge fan of Paul Gauguin. I can appreciate it but there's something about the work that always leaves me feeling a bit cold (I'm not the only one to feel that way about this exhibit.)

I am very happy that I was able to see L'arlésienne, Mme. Ginoux (The Woman from Arles, Madame Ginoux) Gauguin's sketch was the inspiration for six paintings by Vincent Van Gogh (L'Arlésienne, L'Arlésienne: Madame Ginoux, or Portrait of Madame Ginoux.) I've always found it fascinating when artists bounce ideas off of each other. Seeing this sketch and realizing what Van Gogh did with it was the highlight of the exhibit for me.

Below are the other pieces that jumped out at me. Gauguin is an interesting part of art history and while I can appreciate his palette and his brushstrokes, he's not an artist that has captured my heart. The exhibit did leave me wanting to rush out of there to paint so if encouraging creativity is a spiritual journey, then it succeeded in that message.

Ruth Asawa has her own room of sculpture. I'm very grateful to Meryl for bringing us in that room. I'm still thinking of Asawa's work and I need to read more about her. 

More photos from our day at the de Young in San Francisco can be dound here.

Have you been to the de Young? What are your favorite pieces there? What did you think of the Gauguin exhibit if you've been?

Available for Pre-Orders: Deep Within: My Travels through Taos: My New Self Published Book

I have been asked several times to make this little gem available as one of my self published offerings. 

 

This full color, hand assembled journal is all me in the form of color, collage, paint, text and love. It is part diary, part visual dialogue, part travel journal.  I am taking pre-orders now:

Pre-order price US $25 which includes U.S. shipping. (Outside of the U.S., please email me for a shipping quote.)

 
Art opens doors to new worlds and experiences. It changes lives and creates magic. Like Taos, there's nothing else quite like it.

Journey vicariously to Northern New Mexico, a land of enchantment, magic, and sanctity. The colors, the scenery, the people, everything there pulls me in and won't let go. It is one of my most favorite places in the world. Every time I leave, I spend months thinking about my experience. I've been there twice and it's become a part of me.

In September, my Mother and I returned to Taos, New Mexico for several days. My journal never left my side. During the evenings, I would spend all of my free time working in this little book. I poured everything I have onto its pages. 

 
THESE WILL NOT BE RE-PRINTED. 

Each book is signed and numbered by me. 

Each book will also include a limited bonus surprise made by me.

I will be taking orders through December 19th. I'm taking the book to the printer on December 20th. Orders will ship on or before December 31st (I will try to get these in the mail as soon as possible.)

 
Thank you.  

Bringing Home the Goods from San Francisco

My friends and I trekked into San Francisco and Oakland today. We went to the de Young in San Francisco (more on that soon.) We ate lunch at Tartine before we crossed the bridge to Oakland. 

We went to European Book on Shattuck (none of us had never been. They are a great source for European books and magazines.) I didn't buy anything but took note for next time.

We shopped at Flax where I found brand new colors of Posca paint markers (they just were put out today):

Next stop was Issues in Oakland (they've moved, fyi) where I bought the above magazines. 

I'm looking forward to playing with my new toys this weekend in Fremont!

Scrap Happy

Ridiculous how happy little scraps of paper can make one person.

The Sky, the Moon, the Land...

I'm working on a new project. The project is finished and my plan is to announce it within the next week. It's something folks asked me about when I made it and since lots of you asked...

More soon.

That Sense of Space

My artist studies have really pushed my work. I'm itching to return to work in my Van Gogh journal. I've made two Frida Kahlo books, one Georgia O'Keeffe, started a Richard Diebenkorn and have one and three quarters books on Van Gogh. In fact, I am already planning my third Van Gogh book in preparation for my summer adventures. Ah, the brain of an artist... 

I don't understand artists who say that they never look outside for inspiration. There's inspiration everywhere! Whether you're walking down the street, looking at lines in the sidewalk or passing a store window and noticing a new-to-you color combination, inspiration swirls around us in a never ending way. You just have to have your eyes open and be ready to soak it in or squirrel it away.

I'm trekking North this Thursday. I'll be teaching at my friend, Maria's home studio in Fremont on Saturday and Sunday. The following week I'm in Los Angeles and San Diego. Want to close 2018 in a mindful, creative and fun manner? I hope to see you there...

My Eyes were Wide Open

“One’s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things.” – Henry Miller

Gratitude

What a week in the Kilmer household. First, Facebook decided several days ago that they don't like my blog (it "violates community standards", whatever that means.) So, that means until they fix it on their end, I am using linktree to post my links to Facebook. (Yes. I've disputed it multiple times but they have yet to respond.) Frustrating.

The day after the Facebook fiasco, AT&T decided since we haven't "migrated" to something beyond DSL, they had to mess with our internet connection. Our internet was out for a few days (it's finally fixed now.) 

We joke about first world problems but it is extremely frustrating when you're a one woman rodeo who depends the internet to share information about workshops, etc... and things stop working. 

I wanted to take a moment and say thanks to everyone who has helped pass along my information and try to help me out these past few days. The art community is a wonderful one and I truly appreciate each and every one of you. 

Thank you.

On my Shelf: Sketchbook Explorations by Shelley Rhodes

Last week I was wandering my local Barnes and Noble when a book JUMPED off the shelf, screamed, "TAKE ME HOME NOW!" and pulled me to the checkout counter. I'm so happy that I obeyed. 

Shelley Rhodes' Sketchbook Explorations is a gem of a book. Part how to, part why and pages FULL of visual stimulation will make this a necessary addition to every mixed media artist's library. 

If you love painting, sketching, Mark making, book making, journaling, and art journaling, you'll love this book. Every page is a visual feast. I can see myself dipping into this book repeatedly.

Sketchbook Explorations is definitely one of the best books on art making and creativity that I've seen in quite some time. I can't stop flipping through it.

Shelley Rhodes blog

Instagram

Sketchbook Explorations

Join Kelly Kilmer in France for The Journey of a Lifetime

Bonjour, les artistes!

 

This is a very special invitation for my former and current students... France awaits YOU!

 

I want to invite you on the journey of a lifetime: art, adventure, food, fun, new friends and more await YOU in the South of France!

Please click here for more information. Durfort is waiting for you!

I am buzzing with anticipation! Dreaming, scheming, and planning a week that's full of marvel and creative adventure. I'm bursting with ideas and I'm eager to share them with you! 

Travel sparks ideas and stimulates creativity. Our trip involves art making in the studio as well as on the go. After all, WE'RE IN FRANCE!

You could stay home and work in your studio but you'll miss a magical week unlike any other. Art making with fellow creatives in a new land opens the door to all sorts of exciting possibilities. Ideas have been pouring out of me since I was first asked to teach in Durfort.

We'll begin our day in our art journals. We'll start the week by making a new journal completely from scratch. What happens in France doesn't stay in France! It settles deep inside of us. We'll gather our group experiences and use them to spark and ignite our art and creativity. Pour out your thoughts, dreams, actions and adventures in the form of paper, paint and pens onto your pages. This journal is truly one of a kind as it will capture your journey and time spent in a land unlike any other.

(Here's a sneak peek at what we'll be making!)

After making sure that our bellies are full (with healthy, fresh, locally sourced meals), we'll set off in daily excursions. A castle, a book village, a waterfall, the Toulouse Lautrec museum, the famous French flea markets all await us. The week includes 7 breakfasts, 6 lunches and 7 dinners, wine, plenty of daily excursions, art, inspiration, daily guided hands on workshop time, and much, much more. 

We’ll leave Durfort invigorated, inspired, full of fresh, new ideas to keep creating and forever carrying a piece of this experience in our hearts. 

Paris can wait, but can you?

 

Should you have any questions, please feel free to email me at EGorey99@sbcglobal.net 

To stay inspired and receive updates on my latest workshops, please visit my workshop blog and look for "subscribe" on the right hand side of the page.

Here's to creativity and art making!

Kelly
Egorey99@sbcglobal.net  http://www.kellykilmer.blogspot.com/ http://www.kellykilmerworkshops.blogspot.com/

Additional workshops include: CA, FL, OR, MD, CO

2018 and 2019 Workshops

Here is my current list of workshops for 2018. Please check back as I will update this list often.

I'm ALWAYS looking for new teaching venues so if you know of any that may be interested, I'd love to hear. I have taught a wide range of ages from individuals to small groups to large gatherings. I have held classes at stores, museums, backyards, garages, studios, public and private schools as well as private homes. I also am available for teaching home schooling art classes.

My workshops are always process-based learning while creating a unique product. I am well known for not traveling light and bring a large variety of supplies including (but not limited to) collage material, rubber stamps, stencils, pens, markers, tape and more.

Please note the small supply list for each class.

If you're not near where I'll be teaching, but you're interested in taking a class, I do offer a variety of online classes (28 different online workshops as of December 2017.) You can find out more info on the right side of my main blog.

Information on my latest online workshop, An Artist's Study can be found here.

Thank YOU for your interest!

*Please note that I can also send gift certificates for workshops via email. Why not give the gift of creativity?

December 

7-9th Maria's Studio Fremont, CA Art & Play: A Weekend in Fremont in December (Two New Workshops + Art/Shopping/Creative Inspiration Adventure)

15th Mar Vista (Los Angeles) Solstice: A Season of Introspection

16th Pnina's Studio San Diego Solstice: A Season of Introspection

2019

March 

10-17th Art and Soul Portland, OR 

May 

28-30th Art and Soul Colorado Springs, CO 

June

June 11-18th La Cascade The trip of a lifetime in Durfort France

Hope to see you there!

Just Announced: Solstice: A Season of Introspection Sunday, December 16th in San Diego

 

We're coming up to the busy time of year, a time when it seems that each holiday or event is right around the corner. In the rush of the holiday season, we tend to lose track of the present and miss the smaller, every day things that are right in front of us.

I am teaching a new class that I've developed especially for this time of the year at  Pnina's home Studio in San Diego. 

 Workshops are open to the public. 

Details will be sent upon registration.

Solstice: A Season of Introspection 

Sunday, December 16th 



10 a.m. until 2 p.m.

My workshops aim to teach a variety of NEW ideas involving collage, creative processing, self expression, composition, design, layering, painting and much, much more.

My workshops are always process-based learning while creating a unique product. I am well known for not traveling light and bring a large variety of supplies including (but not limited to) collage material, rubber stamps, stencils, pens, markers, tape and more. Please note there is a small supply list.

Beginners to advanced are welcome in ALL of the classes.

Interested in signing up? Questions? Please email Kelly for more info! EGorey99@sbcglobal.net

You may send someone else in your place if you are unable to attend the workshop, or you will receive a kit for the class. You can either pay via paypal (see button below) or send a check or money order. Once you've signed up for the workshop, you will be sent the address and directions to the workshop location. If you have ANY questions you can email me. I will also give you my cell phone number so you contact me.

The class fee includes a vast array of mediums and materials to complete the necessary project. It is well known that I do not travel light to any of my classes. I will be bringing such things are: 

• all materials necessary to complete the project (handmade paper, decorative paper, board, glue, etc...)
• bookbinding supplies (thread, awl, needles)
• rubber stamps 
• ink pads 
• decorative tape
• stencils
• pens and markers
• gel medium
• collage ephemera and much, much more.
   
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Solstice: A Season of Introspection
  
  
  As 2018 draws to an end, come feed your spirit and nurture your soul. Create a handmade journal with unique fold out pages. 
  
  
  Connect with yourself and the experiences of the past year as we celebrate the season of light. Turn inward to capture and remember the past year as layers of paint, paper, pen and Soul work spill out onto your pages. 
  
  
  You will leave with several pages finished, prepped and ready to help you close out the year. 
  
  
  Hopefully, it will encourage a new ritual of art making, connection and celebration.
  Supply list: an apron, scissors, a small selection of favorite collage ephemera (think about reading this when choosing your images and papers), cork back metal ruler, a full roll of paper towels OR old rags, a container for your paint water, your favorite paint brushes,  a few of your favorite glue sticks (please trust me when I say that large glue sticks will last you longer. I always have two or three 40 gram glue sticks in my journal bag and that's more than enough for a long weekend. You WILL go through the smaller glue sticks in MINUTES), roll of waxed paper OR an old catalog or magazine to glue on (if you don't want to use all of your waxed paper for this.)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  I hope to see you there!