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    • Why I Love To Paint

Nathalie Kelley//Artist - Instructor

Why I Love To Paint

MARCH 14, 2009 and APRIL 2009 – This article is a reprint from my old blog.

This past Christmas (2008), my mom and dad gave me this great photo album. As I took a little trip down memory lane, it was easy to see why I have such a passion to paint. When I first saw the album I was hoping it was already loaded. To my extreme delight – it was. They had scanned old family photos and newspaper articles. They included wonderful stories that need to be remembered not only by me but by my children and grandchildren.

I want to share some “evidence” of what I already knew. I used to wonder why I had no interest in nursing or bookkeeping. Why do I love to paint?

Well, it would seem that “it is in my blood”. This is a picture of my mom when she was a child.

My grandad painted this mural. I don’t have any photos of him painting anything. But, I know that he was also a sign painter. He would very carefully letter on glass doors and office windows and then very carefully (while the paint was still wet) blow very fine gold powder onto the letters creating very elegant and impressive lettering. He would sign his work “Venable, of course!” Check out the panties on my momma. Probably made of sugar sacks.

I love this picture. My mom is keeping my dad company while he paints a landscape on the panels of the truck. I remember him painting on lots of things. There was an old car that had a rounded trunk. The trunk had a dent in it and he painted a landscape with a waterfall. The waterfall tumbled right over that dent. When I look at this photo of my dad, I can see my brother and my middle son, Josh in him. It’s amazing. That’s me in the foreground.

And this is my grandma (dad’s mom). She started painting in her latter years. She painted beautiful seascapes. Her second husband, my step-grandad was also an artist. This one is not a seascape, obviously. I am not sure what she is working on in this photo but you can see from the easel board that this was not her first painting. She lived in California.

When I was 5 years old, I remember living there for a little while. Actually, what I remember is Disneyland. My parents were sidewalk artists at Disneyland.

They had some wonderful pieces. My mom still paints occasionally. Maybe this gives you a little insight about “why I love to paint”. I just can’t help it!!!

Here is Mom working on an old service station/store. It’s got to be in Texas. There are bluebonnets.

Here’s Dad working on the same painting. They share the canvas now. That is so precious to me. Daddy has always had an artistic flair. I remember him painting and donating countless signs for churches. My mom had an easel set up in our garage where she painted huge landscapes of majestic purple mountains, tall pines, and log cabins.Daddy actually went to school and received art training. I think that he is the only one in this family of artists that has an art education.

As you can see, he is wearing magnifying glasses. Daddy just celebrated his 82nd birthday (In March 2009, when this was post was first written). His eyesight is not what it used to be but that doesn’t stop him. He still creates and sells works of art. He and my mom are a great team, working together in so many ways.

One of the most precious things about my parents is that they
gave me the most awesome sense of what a relationship with
God is like. I have shared this with them before but it bears repeating.

As I looked through the album of old photos I was reminded once again what it was to be loved, accepted, and encouraged. Just like my Father God, they were and are interested and involved in every detail of my life. That is a welcome thing now but as a teenager I wasn’t quite so excited about them being so involved.

Looking back, I could see that we didn’t have a lot but I was never aware of any lack. Daddy always provided for us. And just like Father God, he was firm and fair in his discipline. He used to say, “This hurts me more that it does you.”
At the time, I didn’t believe that but now I know that was true. My relationship with my dad taught me the security of the love of God and also what it means to fear God. I am not afraid of God but I sure do not want to disappoint Him and I do not like trips to the “Holy Ghost woodshed”. Been there, done that.

I have also learned about the character and nature of God from my mom. She has taught me what unconditional love looks like and feels like. The times when I was and am so difficult to love, she continued. And she never gives up hoping and believing for God’s best for her children, her grandchildren, and her great grandchildren. What a blessing and great heritage they have given me. I pray that I have that same impact on my children and grandchildren

As it is written: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him, but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.1 Corinthians 2: 9-10

WELCOME

I am so glad you stopped by and I hope that you will stay for a bit.

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This is so exciting and it's happening today. Mary This is so exciting and it's happening today. Mary hit the publish button on her book, "The Weather in Texas Was Perfect That Day." It is a cute, quirky rhyming book about the unpredictable Texas weather and the dilemma it caused the kids on picture day at school. She wrote it and I illustrated and formatted it for her.
It will be available for purchase in a few days. It will be on Amazon as print or ebook. 
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As I create in my journal, I will share some process videos for inspiration, just in case you snag one of these.

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#junkjournal #junkartjournal #smalljunkjournal #junkjournaling #nathaliekelleyartist #handmadejournal
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These will be in my etsy shop on Friday.

#junkjournal #junkartjournal #smalljunkjournal #junkjournaling #nathaliekelleyartist #handmadejournal
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nathkelley

I FOUND IT!!! What a trip down memory lane!!! Comp I FOUND IT!!! What a trip down memory lane!!! Completely hand stitched! 

#handstitched #handstitching #eveninggown  #memorylane #momstreasures
This is so exciting and it's happening today. Mary This is so exciting and it's happening today. Mary hit the publish button on her book, "The Weather in Texas Was Perfect That Day." It is a cute, quirky rhyming book about the unpredictable Texas weather and the dilemma it caused the kids on picture day at school. She wrote it and I illustrated and formatted it for her.
It will be available for purchase in a few days. It will be on Amazon as print or ebook. 
The gray stripe across the book shows that it's a proof copy!!! LOL!

#illustration #illustratedkidsbooks  #illustrator #nathkelley #nathaliekelleywatercolors #nathaliekelleyartist #texasweather #childrensbookillustration #childrensbook
Cover illustration for a children's book that my f Cover illustration for a children's book that my friend, Mary wrote. Prep for publishing with KDP. it will be released about the first of March. 

#bookillustration #watercolorillustration #watercolorillustrations  #kidsbookillustration #childrensbookillustrator #childrensbookillustration #selfpublish #kdpselfpublishing #nathaliekelleyartist
Kitty No really liked these marbled paper mixed me Kitty No really liked these marbled paper mixed media flowers for some reason. She wouldn't believe me when I told her she wasn't really helping!!!

#mixedmedia #mixedmediaart #mixedmediaflowers #marbledpaper #gelliprints #gelliprintpaper #collage #upcyclededpapertowels #art classes #nathaliekelley #nathaliekelleyartist
A little bit of marbled paper, gelli print paper, A little bit of marbled paper, gelli print paper, a salvaged paper towel, and a few marks and messy outlines...this just might work. I am working on ideas for a mixed media class for spring!!!

#mixedmedia #mixedmediaart #mixedmediaflowers #marbledpaper #gelliprints #gelliprintpaper #collage #upcyclededpapertowels #art classes #nathaliekelley #nathaliekelleyartist
These will be in my Etsy shop - myhallcloset - at These will be in my Etsy shop - myhallcloset - at 7 CST. They are so stinkin' cute that I have kept one to work in myself. 

As I create in my journal, I will share some process videos for inspiration, just in case you snag one of these.

#junkjournal #junkartjournal #smalljunkjournal #junkjournaling #nathaliekelleyartist #handmadejournal
#myhallcloset
I am almost finished with these junk journals. The I am almost finished with these junk journals. They will be in my etsy shop - myhallcloset - tomorrow. Hope you snag one of these to fill with your dreams and ideas! 

#junkjournal #junkartjournal #smalljunkjournal #junkjournaling #nathaliekelleyartist #handmadejournal
Junk Journal covers in progress. Snow(less) snow d Junk Journal covers in progress. Snow(less) snow day projects. The pages will be removable, TN style. That makes them easier to work on: paint, stitch, stencil, stamp, etc.

These will be in my etsy shop on Friday.

#junkjournal #junkartjournal #smalljunkjournal #junkjournaling #nathaliekelleyartist #handmadejournal
My junk journal with the handpainted cover is almo My junk journal with the handpainted cover is almost finished. Help me decide what color button. Let me know in the comments! #junk

#junkjournal #junkartjournal #smalljunkjournal #junkjournaling #nathaliekelleyartist #handmadejournal
 #junkartjournal #smalljunkjournal #junkjournaling #nathaliekelleyartist #handmadejournal
Junk Journal cover. The process continues. I used Junk Journal cover. The process continues. I used a thrifted pillowcase to line the cover. 

#junkjournal #junk journals #junkjournalsofinstagram #thriftedfinds #nathaliekelleyartist #junkjournalsofinstagram #junkjournal #junkjournalideas #junkjournals #thriftedfinds
Junk Journals in progress. Some for my etsy shop a Junk Journals in progress. Some for my etsy shop and one for me. 

#junkjournal  #junkjournals #junkjournalsofinstagram  #nathaliekelleyartist  #handpaintedcover #myhallcloset
What to do!!! I need advice!!! #egg #eggs #eggpri What to do!!! I need advice!!!

#egg #eggs #eggprices
I painted this yesterday during a funeral service. I painted this yesterday during a funeral service. I have painted at numerous events, but this was my first time to paint at a funeral. I also brought the message. God unfolded a lot to me concerning this "old life" and being transformed.

#butterfly #butterflypainting #butterflypaintings #nathaliekelleyartist #nathaliekelleyart #acrylicpainting
DON'T STOP - creating! Mini junk journal cover. Mi DON'T STOP - creating! Mini junk journal cover. Mixed media. I took a few papers with me in my travel kit. A little late night project.

#minijunkjournal #junkjournal #mixedmediaartist #mixedmediaart #dontstop #mini journal #nathaliekelleyartist #nathaliekelleyart
One sheet of gelli printed paper, a bit of washi t One sheet of gelli printed paper, a bit of washi tape, and glue to make this cute mini junk journal!:

#junkjournal #gellipaper #gelliprint #miniartjournal #minibook #mini junk journal #nathkelley #nathaliekelleyartist #igartist
The tea cup collection! Sweet. Hot tea always tast The tea cup collection! Sweet. Hot tea always tastes better in porcelain or China teacups! Just sayin' 

#teacup #teacups #teacupcollection #vintageteacups #limogesfrance #limogeschina #teacupcollector #myhallcloset 
#teacup #teacups #teacupcollection #vintageteacups #limogesfrance #limogeschina #teacupcollector
WTAG Art Show, Colorado City. Watercolors Division WTAG Art Show, Colorado City. Watercolors Division "Grandma's Buttons" received 1st place and People's Choice. Congratulations to  @reneepfloyd  for winning 2nd place, and she also sold her painting!!!

#nathaliekelleyart #nathaliekelleywatercolors  #pouredwatercolour #pouredwatercolors #artcompetition
Fall leaves @gelliarts . Printing papers for an ar Fall leaves @gelliarts . Printing papers for an art/junk journal. Love using my gelli plate. The biggest issue is finding a place to stop printing!

#gelliprinting  #gelliprint  #gelliarts  #nathkelley  #nathaliekelleyart  #gellipaper #igartist  #mywithallmyart #mixedmediaartist
It really does start just like that! Now, to deal It really does start just like that! Now, to deal with what I have without adding to the stash. The project? Fiber Bundles! Available in my Etsy shop. Link is in my bio!

#yarnbundles #fiberbundles #mixedmediasupplies #yarn #nathkelley #destash #destashyarn #artsupplies #etsyshop
Check out the details on the Monarch butterfly win Check out the details on the Monarch butterfly wings!!! #monarchbutterfly #monarch  #monarchbutterflypainting #nathkelley #nathaliekelleyart  #igartist  #nowyouknow
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