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Hope Within

Last weekend, I finished this painting, which I’ve titled Hope Within.

Hope Within - Original watercolour painting by Kirsten Bailey

It’s been sitting unfinished for a long time, and to be honest I wasn’t sure if I would ever finish it.

I started this painting last year when I found out I was pregnant.  When I later miscarried, I put the painting away because looking at it made me sad.  They say that time heals all wounds, and while maybe they never heal completely they do hurt less.  Last weekend I finally picked up the brush to finish this work.

After all that time (it’s been nearly a year), the meaning of the painting has evolved.  When I started it, it was a symbol of the life growing inside me.  Now I see it as a symbol of the fact that I haven’t given up hope.

Sorry for the sad (and maybe too personal) post.  I debated with myself about sharing this with you, but ultimately I think I needed to explain the meaning behind the painting.

 

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Illustration Friday – Immovable

This week’s topic over at Illustration Friday is Immovable.  The first idea that came to me was stone – but then I got to thinking that even stone isn’t really immovable.  Sure, it might take a long time but even stone is worn away by weathering and water.  So that was my inspiration for this painting – stone being worn down by water:

immovable - original acrylic painting by Kirsten Bailey

Please forgive the horrible photo – I took it at night without flash so it’s pretty grainy.  I’ll try to upload a better version when I get time to take a good daylight photo – but that probably won’t be till the weekend and I didn’t want to miss out on Illustration Friday!

One of my favourite books of all time is First Light by Richard Preston, which is about the Hale Telescope (and is a fascinating read for anyone interested in astronomy).  One of the passages that stuck with me was this:

“There is a saying among those who polish astronomical mirrors for a living that an optician never finishes a mirror – you take it away from him.”

I think that pretty much sums up how a painting like this is for me – I can’t guarantee the picture above is the final version because every time I walk past it I think about adding another brush stroke here or there, another layer or another detail.

I managed to remember to take pictures as I went for this one – here’s how it looked as it progressed:

What do you think?

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Satellite and Sage

This week’s topic over at Illustration Friday is Satellite.

I’ve combined this idea with a request I had for some owl paintings, and come up with this:

Satellite and Sage - Original watercolor painting by Kirsten Bailey
Satellite and Sage

The satellite is of course our moon, and the sage is my wise old owl.

I’m going to have a few more tries at some owl paintings, so stay tuned!

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Seeing Stars

Gravitation - original watercolor painting by Brisbane Artist Kirsten Bailey

I’ve always been fascinated by the stars – I love looking up at the night sky, especially when I’m away from the city and the artificial light no longer dims the stars.  One of my favourite childhood memories is that of looking through a neighbour’s telescope.  So it’s not surprising that stars feature heavily in my artwork.  Nor is it a surprise that some of my favourite Etsy items are star-themed as well.  Here are a few of them:

From top to bottom, left to right:

1.  Starry Night Cobalt Glass and Silver Charm Bracelet by Trash and Trinkets.  This charm bracelet features the prettiest shade of blue, along with star and moon charms.

2.  Stellar Stream – Indigo/Gray Freeform Crochet Necklace by Irregular expressions.  I am in LOVE with this necklace!  I love the title ‘Stellar Stream’, and it really does bring up memories of seeing the milky way clearly emblazoned across the sky.  Best of all, it’s totally unique!

3.  Starry Night Serving / Pasta Dish by Spinster Sisters Pottery.  This dish is so pretty it almost seems a shame to put food on it!  Glazed in midnight blue with white crystal stars, it would make a wonderful centerpiece to the table.

4.  The Original Velvet Purple Candileria by Blue Room Pottery.  How cool are these?  I can just imagine how pretty a room would look lit by candlelight filtered through one of these beauties, stars playing against the walls.

5.  Starry Night Necklace Lapis Lazuli, Pyrite, Sterling Silver by Red Chair.  If you were to trap the night sky in a string of pearls, I think it would look something like this.  This stunning necklace features lapis lazuli beads, blue as the night sky, offset by the shine of Pyrite.

6.  Starry Night Embroidered Cloth Napkins by Monkey Beetle.  These simple, elegant and beautiful napkins would add a little starlight to any dinner table.  You can even get a glow-in-the-dark version!

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Ode to Blue

Those who know me, know blue is my favourite colour – it’s not difficult to tell when you walk into my house.  So when I received a message today saying that one of my pendants has been featured on a blog called ‘Ode to Blue‘, it made my morning!

Ode to Blue

If you’re a blue fan like me, go over and check it out, there are some lovely blue items there!

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Latest Works

I love holidays!  I’ve been getting so much done 🙂

Today I’m delivering a commissioned painting to its new owner.  I’m looking forward to seeing it on the wall!

I have been working on a large triptych for a friend, and doing a few watercolours.

“Summer Field”

“Bright December Day”

“Growing Family”

Hopefully in the next few days I’ll be posting up some new wearable art pendants too 🙂

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Four Friday Favourites

Welcome to my second edition of “Friday Favourites” – this week I’m lising four of the items on my Etsy favourites list.

My first choice this week is this stunning Lace Noir Vintage Olga nightgown, from TiaLey Vintage.  I’ve been eyeing off this one for a while 🙂  Almost looks like an evening dress, not a nightgown!

The next item on the list today is also a nightgown (I have a lot of these in my favourites list – wish I could afford to buy them all!).  This nightgown from Haute Country Vintage is in the most gorgeous shade of blue – I just love it!

I hope my husband is paying attention to the Christmas present hints here! 😀

Next up is this beautiful turquoise and sterling silver bracelet from Julie’s Jewels.  I love the colour of the turqouise, and I think it would go with so many outfits – you could wear it with casual or more dressed-up clothes.

Last, but most definitely not least, are these stunning Versailles earrings by feminesque.  I love the colour and the swirly shape.  The matching necklace is just as beautiful.  These are definitely one of my favourite Etsy jewellery items!

Well, that’s my Friday favourites for another week!  Please check out the stores mentioned, as they have other lovely things available too!

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Inspire Me Thursday – Tree: Take 3

Yes, I have even more trees!

This painting was inspired by one of my favourite quotes:

“In the depth of winter I finally learned that there was in me an invincible summer.”
~Albert Camus~

"Invincible Summer"

In other news, I have posted my first fan special on my KL Bailey Art Facebook Fan Page.  If you’re not already a Fan, become one today – I will be posting weekly specials on paintings!!

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Inspire Me Thursday: Tree – Take 2

This week’s inpsiration topic over at Inspire Me Thursday is “Tree”.  Well, I love trees too much to just stop at one!

I’ve actually done several tree paintings this weekend but I thought I’d space them out a bit.

This one is called “Silver White Winter”.  I did the silver detailing with glass paint.  It keeps its shine and gives the painting a textured feel.

It’s a weird painting to do at this time of year, as it was stinking hot here today, but I am listing it in my Etsy shop and hoping that it’ll be picked for a winter feature, as it is winter in the northern hemisphere where most Etsy buyers are from!

More trees to come, so stay tuned!!

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Inspire Me Thursday – Dark

This week’s topic for Inspire Me Thursday is “Dark”.  The first thought that came to me on this topic was one of my favourite quotes by Ralph Waldo Emerson:

“When it is dark enough, you can see the stars”.

This painting was inspired by that quote:

If you would like to purchase this original watercolour, it is available at My Etsy Store.

I have recently launched a Facebook fan page – become a fan for exclusive specials!

Don’t forget that my calendars make lovely Christmas presents – just click the image below if you’d like to order one!