artist – Page 4 – Kirsten Bailey: Art

Posted on June 7, 2017June 7, 2017 by Kirsten

Abstract watercolours

I love painting in watercolours – it’s definitely my favourite medium. My watercolours are a bit unusual compared to many I’ve seen, as many of them are abstract or naive in style. I love making abstract watercolours because it gives me a chance to let the paint have a ‘mind of its own’.

Many of my favourite abstract watercolours are inspired by science, like my ‘Moons of Jupiter’ series:

Some more ‘space’ inspired works:

Red Planet - abstract watercolour painting of Mars by KL Bailey Art — “Red Planet”

From the very big to the very small – some of my other abstract watercolours are inspired by microscopic images:

"Filtered" red and blue abstract watercolour painting by kirsten bailey — “Filtered”

"Needle" - original abstract watercolour painting by kirsten bailey — “Needle”

But I think my favourite overall is this one – it’s only a tiny painting, but it has a lot of detail:

Subterranean - original abstract watercolour painting by Kirsten Bailey — “Subterranean”

Posted on June 6, 2017June 6, 2017 by Kirsten

Little details

I’ve been enjoying doing some paintings with lots of little details lately. The first is one I started a LONG time ago, but only finished recently, entitled ‘Growth’. This painting includes lots of little details, including some embroidered elements, which is a first for me.

Growth by KL Bailey Art — ‘Growth’ – original watercolour painting by KL Bailey Art

The next two paintings were both inspired by ocean waves. One was done primarily with watercolours, with some ink drawing done afterwards. The other was inspired by zentangles, and I did the patterened sections with a sharpie first before adding the colour with watercolours later.

Blue watercolour ocean painting by KL Bailey Art — ‘Beneath the waves’ – original watercolour painting by KL Bailey Art

'In the Deep' - watercolour painting blue with black and white details — ‘In the Deep’ – original watercolour painting by KL Bailey Art

I’m not sure which one I like best yet, but I’m leaning towards the last one – what are your thoughts?

Posted on June 3, 2017June 6, 2017 by Kirsten

Don’t Forget to be Awesome

So I haven’t posted here in a while, for a lot of reasons – I haven’t had much time for creating since I had my kids, and I’ve had even less time for the more tedious aspect to having an art business: promotion. I’ve completed a few paintings since I last posted, but just didn’t get around to putting them up here. I’m also hoping for a long-overdue overhaul of this website, but I’ve decided not to wait until that’s done before I start getting organised again.

My latest painting is called DFTBA, and I think it’s very fitting that this is the beginning of my creative revival. I hope you like it!

Don't forget to be awesome - space painting by KL Bailey Art — Don’t forget to be awesome

Posted on September 19, 2010September 19, 2010 by Kirsten

Yesterday’s Market

I was very grateful yesterday when the overcast sky managed to hold back the rain for The Handmade Expo.

It was a quiet market for me this month, but I really enjoyed meeting the new people who came along to have a look at my little stall, and of course enjoyed seeing my regular visitors. Many thanks to all of you who stopped by and said hello!

I won’t be at the next Handmade Expo in October, but I’ll be there in November and December – perfect timing for those wanting to grab some Christmas presents!

Me with my newest painting at The Handmade Expo

I’m now enjoying a break from my day job (school holidays!) so I intend to get lots of painting done! I’m working on a couple of commissioned paintings, so I’ll keep you up to date with the progress of them.

P.S. I’m wearing my brand new Kellie Christie necklace in this pic – I can never resist going and spending my profits at other people’s stalls when I’m at The Handmade Expo (even on days like yesterday when the profits are non-existent)!

Posted on August 25, 2010 by Kirsten — 7 Comments

Illustration Friday – Atmosphere

Here’s my submission for this week’s Illustration Friday topic, ‘Atmosphere’. For once I’ve taken the topic very literally, and I’ve painted a picture of the Earth’s atmosphere:

The weekend just past was super-busy for me. I had a stall at The Handmade Expo, which was great fun as always. We had a great turn out this month with people out and about voting. A big thank you to all those who stopped by my little stall! After the Expo we visited family and then the next day attended a birthday party.

With a weekend like that, I was very pleased to be able to get a few evenings to myself to get some painting done! Of course, sleep is overrated 🙂

Posted on July 11, 2010July 11, 2010 by Kirsten — 1 Comment

More Owls…

I recently had a request for a painting featuring owls – I’d never painted an owl before until a bit over a week ago when I painted Satellite and Sage. Now I could be a little addicted!

Here’s my latest creation – I’ve titled it “Midnight Meeting”:

Midnight Meeting - Original watercolor painting by Kirsten Bailey — Midnight Meeting

I’m looking forward to this Saturday’s Handmade Expo, where I will have my original art, keepsake boxes, jewellery and cards for sale, including some owl-inspired pieces. Brand new to the market will be my wearable art rings, featuring prints of some of my most popular paintings.

I’ve still got a week to make new pendants and rings – are there any designs you’d just love to see on one of my jewellery pieces? Let me know and I’ll make sure I have them there.

Hope to see you there – stop by and say hello!

Posted on April 18, 2010April 18, 2010 by Kirsten — 1 Comment

The Handmade Expo

Yesterday I spent my morning at The Handmade Expo, at the Ipswich Turf Club.

After a bit of a shaky start (I am prone to stressing out at the best of times, and a mix-up over where to set up had me freaking out just a bit) – I had a great day!

It was definitely a better venue to sell than the Suitcase Rummage was – people were expecting higher quality items. I sold quite a lot of pendants, some cards and a couple of keepsake boxes.

Keepsake boxes, pendants and cards by KL Bailey Art at the Handmade Expo — Keepsake boxes, pendants and cards

The best thing about the Handmade Expo was all the lovely people I met. I really enjoyed being able to meet the people buying my work and hearing their comments. It also gave me a good idea of which styles were popular. One lovely lady who purchased two of my paintings at The Coffee Club Springfield popped in to meet me, which was wonderful. A huge thank you to all those who stopped by and said hello 🙂

Original art by Kirsten Bailey at the Handmade Expo — Original Artwork

The Handmade Expo is held every month at the Ipswich Turf Club. While I won’t be able to make the May market (I will be participating in Padua College’s Artscape Exhibition), I will be at the June Market on Saturday 26th June. I’m hoping to make it a regular event!

Posted on April 12, 2010April 13, 2010 by Kirsten

Two Happy Stampers April Colour Challenge – Take Two

I recently wrote about participating in this month’s colour challenge at Two Happy Stampers, which involves creating something using the following colours:

I wanted to have another go at creating a painting using these colours, and this is what I came up with:

It reminds me of the shrubs they have around my school which drop white flowers in a carpet all over the ground. The branch of the tree is actually painted in navy watercolour paint although it looks pretty close to black.

Posted on March 29, 2010 by Kirsten — 2 Comments

Media Mention

Well, sort of. You may remember I donated one of my paintings, a watercolour entitled “Reach” to the Young Variety Heart Art Show. While I wasn’t able to attend on the night, I was pleased to be able to support the charity with my donation.

Yesterday, a friend of mine mentioned she had seen a painting that looked very much like one of mine in the free newspaper given out on trains, MX. She gave me a copy, and Lo and Behold, it was my painting:

I’m not mentioned by name, but that is definitely my painting “Reach”. Even though it’s only a free newspaper, I was thrilled to see my painting there! I’m also really happy that my style is distinctive enough for someone to be able to tell it’s one of my paintings even though my name isn’t on it.

Posted on March 13, 2010March 13, 2010 by Kirsten

Saturday Selections – It’s a Jungle out there!

This week’s addition of Saturday Selections is inspired by the rainforest… which my garden is looking increasingly like. It’s been raining a LOT here recently, and it seems that every weekend we’ve wanted to get outside and tidy up the garden, it’s rained. This weekend the sun is finally out, and when I wandered out into the garden these are some of the images that greeted me:

The grass is knee high. There is a huge vine choking *everything*. The insects are out and about and LOVING it. It’s not going to last though, because I’m determined to get out there today and tomorrow and tidy it up!

Until then, let’s celebrate the beauty of the rainforest with these wonderful Etsy finds:

My first rainforest favourite is this ‘Rain Forest Rivers’ bracelet by Karmelidesigns. I love the combination of earthy greens, coppers and blues. It features a Pietersite nugget, rhyolite, yellow citrine, deep blue dumortierite, and small black onyx beads, a few antiqued copper spacers, and a stylish toggle clasp.

Matching perfectly with this bracelet is this beautiful Tropical Rainforest Necklace by Aquasphere. It also features the earthy beauty of rhyolite. This volcanic stone’s mossy greens, browns and grays are a perfect match to the rainforest.

Of course, once you’re decked out in rainforesty-goodness for your neck and wrist, you need to have something pretty for your ears as well! I just love these Rainforest Blossom Bouquet Earrings by Eighthnote. The flowers are pretty and feminine, and I love the way they hang together. The shades of green and blue are perfect for the rainforest and look beautiful together.

Long before I had ever heard of Etsy, I was posting my artwork on deviantART. I love the support other artists give with their comments, and am inspired by the work of the wonderful artists who also submit their art to the website. One of my favourite artists from deviantART is Angela Vandendogard. I’ve admired her work for years and was delighted when I came across her store on Etsy, Jellybeans. This print titled Rainforest is a great example of her beautiful, whimsical style:

I hope you all enjoyed this little trek through the rainforest – hopefully by the next time I post, my garden will be looking less like a jungle and more like a garden again!

UPDATE:

I think the rest of the garden will have to wait until after bin day.