Taking you into the backstory of my art (and as it turns out, this last year of my life)

There are a couple F bombs! So maybe headphones or listening away from sensitive ears are good choices for this episode today.

I love when it happens that stories that I hadn’t really been intending to share just present themselves as what feels right to say in the moment.

It turns out that taking you into my art means taking you into my LIFE over this last year-ish, a time of disruption, growth, relocation, retreat… In a word, transformation.

Zoom summary below - it did a good job reflecting this episode.If you'd like to see my artwork, go to https://kaylockkolp.com/art – and if you are there before December 5, while my annual art sale is taking place, you can enjoy 50% savings on everything that you see!

* If you’d like to become a subscriber to my newsletter, you’ll receive all future episodes directly into your inbox, as well as have access to all the newsletter archives… These podcast episodes as well as other goodies… Subscribe for free by going to kaylockkolp.substack.com.

Thanks for being here with me. This one felt pretty vulnerable in some spots! Means a lot to have you along on the ride. <3

Love, Kay

Here are the Zoom AI Summary Notes.. they were pretty spot-on today

Art, Creativity, and Personal Stories

Kay introduces a bonus episode of her show “Art, Creativity, and Wellbeing,” where she shares her recent art creations and the stories behind them. She discusses a series of small pastel paintings, including a moonlit scene inspired by a drive home and a series of six sunset paintings that were later transformed into moonrise pieces. Kay explains her creative process and the emotional impact of sharing her art with others.

Mini Paintings and Pricing Strategy

Kay discussed her mini paintings, explaining that they are the size of a Pokemon card and come with a protective plastic covering and a mini easel for display. She described her shipping process and mentioned that she includes a care note on the back of each painting. Kay also talked about her pricing strategy, noting that as her art becomes more successful, she has made some pieces more affordable to make them accessible to a wider audience. The sale is set to run until early December, with a possible extension to the 8th.

Art Sale and Promotion Updates

Kay discussed her ongoing art sale, highlighting discounted prices for smaller pieces and a 50% off website-wide savings using the coupon code GRATEFUL2025. She explained her decision to offer more affordable options, particularly for smaller studies, and mentioned plans to introduce prints based on customer feedback. Kay also shared details about a pastel painting she created while sitting in her car, inspired by a scene from a park in Massachusetts.

Plein Air Painting Experiences

Kay shared her experiences with plein air painting, including a pastel piece of Hopkinton State Park and a painting titled “In the Bee Garden” created during a trip to England. She described the reactions of innkeepers and fellow travelers to her artwork, particularly the appreciation for her depiction of Yorkshire’s timber and stone elements. Kay also discussed her progression as a plein air painter, highlighting a 5x7 inch painting of Riverbend Farm and a diptych piece, expressing her love for the artistic concept of diptychs and triptychs.

Artistic Journeys and Landscape Inspiration

Kay shared her artistic journey, highlighting her fascination with diptychs and triptychs, and described a recent commission piece and an art demo in Colorado. She explained the inspiration behind a painting of Loveland Pass and the Continental Divide, expressing her awe at the natural landscape. Kay also discussed her experience creating watercolor paintings during a trip to Spain, emphasizing the ease of travel with watercolor materials compared to pastels.

Galicia Co-Living Retreat Experience

Kay shared her experience of staying at iSlow Co-Living, a restored stone house in Galicia, where she and seven others had exclusive use of the property during their week-long retreat. The hosts, Julio and Ines, who grew up in the area, provided generous hospitality and shared insights about the historical features of the house, including an indoor well. Kay described her artistic process of creating a drawing on-site and later incorporating it into a painting using colors from her other works.

Impressionist Coastal Art Discussion

Kay shared her latest painting, which depicts a coastal scene reminiscent of the beach near Laxe, and expressed satisfaction with her decision to embrace an impressionist style rather than striving for photorealism. She explained that her work often conveys a sense of motion and energy, which she now appreciates as a strength rather than a shortcoming. Kay also mentioned a previous painting of her son playing the guitar, and expressed relief at completing her latest work.

Pastel Prints and Life Transitions

Kay shared her excitement about new pastel prints and discussed the process of creating and signing them. She explained how she used a pastel diptych as a reference for a larger painting, which was then turned into a print. Kay also talked about a painting of amaryllis that helped her find mindfulness during a turbulent winter, and one of a Maine sunset that symbolized her family’s intention to move to Maine. She described the challenges of selling their Massachusetts home and finding a new one, ultimately discovering their current home through a Facebook Marketplace posting.

Moving Homes and Artistic Journey

Kay shared her personal story about moving homes, highlighting the emotional journey and the overwhelming response to their previous house, which received 22 offers and sold quickly. She described the serendipitous process of finding their current home, which they viewed during open houses for their old property. Kay also discussed her artistic process, mentioning that she often creates watercolor paintings in sketchbooks, and she showcased her first watercolor painting, which she made in England.

Kay’s Artistic Inspirations

Kay shared her recent artistic creations, including paintings and prints inspired by her experiences at Wachusett Mountain and Coast Guard Beach. She explained the process of creating prints from two of her sketches and expressed her love for her sketchbook, which she is not yet ready to part with. Kay also described her vision of a beach in Laxe, Spain, called Sea Glass Beach, located on the Costa da Morte peninsula.

Sea Glass Beach Cultural Exploration

Kay shared her experiences exploring a sea glass beach in Laxe, where she learned about its history as a result of centuries-old shipwrecks. She described the local culture and language, noting the kindness of residents despite language barriers. Kay also recounted a chance encounter with a gardener who redirected her to a different path, highlighting the welcoming nature of the community.

Chapel Art and Holiday Sale

Kay shared her experience painting a chapel called Santa Rosa de Lima, located on a hill above Laxe town, and described the surrounding landscape and her visit with Gloria. She explained the details of her art sale, offering 50% off all items on her website with a coupon code, and mentioned that the sale would likely end on December 5th. Kay expressed gratitude for the opportunity to create and share art, and shared of a new series of mini episodes aimed at providing support during the holiday season.

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