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Sea Gardens

I’ve recently been working on a new series of intuitive abstract paintings called ‘sea gardens’.  This is a series of 5 paintings (so far) which are all variations on a theme of underwater plants.  I made so many because I found them so peaceful and calming to work on!

These original paintings are available for purchase in my Etsy store.  Let me know if you’re interested in digital prints!

"Sea Garden" - intuitive abstract watercolour painting in green resembling water plants or seaweed
Sea Garden 1
"Sea Garden 2" - Original intuitive abstract watercolour paper in green, representing water plants or seaweed
Sea Garden 2
"Sea Garden 3" - intuitive abstract watercolour painting in green representing water plants
Sea Garden 3
"Sea Garden 4" - Original watercolour painting on paper in blue, purple and turquoise, in an intuitive abstract style representing water plants.
Sea Garden 4
"Sea Garden 5" - Original intuitive abstract watercolour painting in blue representing underwater plants
Sea Garden 5
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My New Obsession…

OK so I have a tendency to become obsessed with fictional worlds – be that TV, books, etc.  My latest of these is a television series called Our Flag Means Death – I haven’t been this crazy about a television show since I was a teenager contributing to fan-zines about the X-Files.  My friends and family will be well aware of this, because I haven’t shut up about it. 

I’ve been loving seeing the art of other fans on Twitter and Tumblr.  My favourite so far is Illustory art – I just love the way they draw the characters & had to get myself a “Lucius is not dead” T-Shirt from their Redbubble store.  My new office at work is something of a cave and I want to decorate with lots of things that make me happy – so I’ve also ordered this print to go on the wall.  

Anyway.  As much as I would love to do art of the characters, drawing/painting people is not really my thing, so I decided to have a go at making some artwork centered around some of my favourite quotes for the show.  I can see myself doing more of these, but this is what I’ve come up with so far:

watercolour painting of a wreath of different types of leaves with a handwritten quote in the middle saying "I bet there's some insane foliage"
Insane Foliage 2
Watercolour wreath painting featuring leaves, flowers, oranges, a lighthouse, teacups, a dagger, a moth, books, a seagull, a quill and a plant, with a handwritten quote in the middle saying "Talk it through as a crew".
Talk it through as a crew
Wreath of a variety of leaves and foliage painted in watercolour with the quote "I bet there's some insane foliage" handwritten in the middle.
Insane Foliage 1

 

I absolutely loved painting these and can see myself doing some more similar ones in the future.  If you’re a fan like me, leave me a comment with your favourite quote you’d like to see in a wreath!  If you haven’t seen the show, I highly recommend it!

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By The Bay – A set of three abstract watercolours inspired by our trip to the beach at Hervey Bay

By the bay - a collage of photographs and abstract watercolour paintings of children walking along a pier and playing on the beach
We recently took a trip to Hervey Bay – I was inspired to have a go at some abstract watercolours based on the photos we took while we were there

 

Over the school summer holidays, we took a short trip up to Hervey Bay with the kids.  I was inspired to create some abstract watercolour paintings based on the photographs we took while we were there.  As you can tell, the idea was not to try to faithfully recreate the photos, but rather use them as a point of inspiration.  I really enjoyed working on these, and want to try this painting style again.

By the Bay - Set of 3 abstract watercolour paintings inspired by the beach at Hervey Bay
By the Bay – Set of 3 abstract watercolour paintings inspired by the beach at Hervey Bay
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Plumage – Intuitive abstract watercolour painting of feathers and leaves in purple and turquoise

Plumage - Intuitive abstract watercolour painting of feathers and leaves in purple and turquoise
Plumage – Intuitive abstract watercolour painting of feathers and leaves in purple and turquoise

 

“Plumage” – another in my series of intuitive paintings.  I didn’t intend for this to look like feathers from the outset, but that’s what it ended up looking like to me!  That’s one of the things I love about this painting style.  I love just exploring the paint and seeing where it takes me.  It’s especially fun in watercolours, because they really have a mind of their own sometimes.

This original painting is in A4 size, which makes it easy to purchase frames for.  It is available for purchase from my Etsy store.  Prints and products like the ones featured below are available from Redbubble.  

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Reaching for the Sun – original watercolour painting of whimsical flowers and leaves, a meadow of flowers reaching towards a summer sky

Reaching for the sun by klbailey art
Reaching for the sun – original watercolour painting of whimsical flowers and leaves on a yellow sky

 

It’s been a while since I’ve put brush to paper, and I really enjoyed painting this one.  The yellows, oranges, and pinks in the sky make me think of a warm summer afternoon.

Original painting is available for purchase in my Etsy store.  Prints and products like the ones featured below are available at Redbubble.

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Bright Breeze – Whimsical blue, green and pink wildflowers painted in watercolour on watercolour paper

Bright Breeze - Whimsical blue, green and pink wildflowers painted in watercolour on watercolour paper
Bright Breeze – Whimsical blue, green and pink wildflowers painted in watercolour on watercolour paper

 

It’s early Autumn here, but it certainly doesn’t feel like it!  We are still having summer weather.  I love the feeling of a cool early morning breeze in early spring I get from this painting.  

You can purchase this original painting from my Etsy store.  Prints and products like the ones featured below are available at Redbubble.

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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?

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Xander’s Nursery

I hung up my latest painting in my son’s room this evening.  Here’s how it looks:

Tree painting on baby's nursery wall Painting on baby's nursery wall

I’m really happy with how it turned out, although now that I see it on the wall I’m thinking a bigger painting would go well there – I’m considering doing something similar on canvas!

Remember, if you like this painting, I can make a custom one for you, in the colours you like!  I could also do a ‘family portrait’ in trees.

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And Spring Arose…

I recently ordered from Etsy a set of vintage book pages:

According to the seller they are from 1889 and 1899, so I was very excited to receive them in beautiful condition!

I finished my first artwork featuring one of these vintage pictures today.  The title “And Spring Arose” was inspired by the following poem:

And Spring arose on the garden fair,
Like the Spirit of Love felt everywhere;
And each flower and herb on Earth’s dark breast
rose from the dreams of its wintry rest.

~Percy Bysshe Shelley, “The Sensitive Plant”

And Spring Arose - original watercolour and collage by Kirsten Bailey
And Spring Arose

I really enjoyed working on this piece, and I look forward to seeing what I can come up with for the other pictures.

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Is it Spring Yet?

Spring Trees - Original Watercolour Painting by Kirsten Bailey
"Spring Trees"

Because, seriously?  I’ve had enough of winter.  I’ve always been more of a warm weather girl.  I love the way everything seems to come alive in the warmer months.  The sun is up longer, people are out longer, and I get to wear nicer clothes (I get heartily sick of covering up everything in a big coat in the winter time).

So, even though it’s not *quite* spring yet, and the winter westerlies are still blowing strongly and sending the kids at school crazy (what is it with kids and wind?), I though I’d share with you some Spring Etsy favourites:

From left to right and top to bottom:

1.  Inspired by the new green leaves and fresh buds of Spring, this pretty necklace is called “Spring Talk“.  It’s one of the many beautiful jewellery designs from KuroNeko – I couldn’t resist adding several things to my favourites list!

2.  These pretty pink and green earrings from Treasured Lily Designs are called “Spring Kissed Me Bang” – the name is inspired by the following quote: “I stuck my head out the window this morning and spring kissed me bang in the face.”  I’m definitely looking forward to a big old smooch from Spring!

3.  I have a thing for little tins and boxes.  I have more of them than I have stuff to put in them, but I find them hard to resist!  These 3 Mini Tins in “Spring Field” paper from Annie Howes Keepsakes are just gorgeous!

4.  Who says stubbie coolers are just for the boys?  I would love to bring out these Preppy Pink and Green Can Koozies by Pink Gasoline at our next BBQ!

5.  This Poppies Pleated Bag by A Touch of Stardust would be the perfect accessory for that spring outfit!

6.  I’ve discovered a new favourite artist with Bit O’ Whimsey.  This gorgeous print of an original mixed media painting is called “Springtime Meadows” – be sure to click on the link because I couldn’t fit the entire picture into my little collage!  Like me, Kandy from Bit O’ Whimsey makes wearable art pendants from her work, so if you can’t afford an original or a print (or like me you are running out of wall space!), a pendant might just be the way to go.