Monday 30 November 2015

meet challenge member: Michele Kempees

Michele Kempees


1. Your name, location
Michele Kempees Lewis, Coupeville, Whidbey Island, Washington, U.S.A.
by Michele Kempees

2. Describe your family
We are a large blended family of 6 grown children, 9 grand children, and pets a dog, 2 macaws, a cockatiel, and an old double yellow head amazon parrot. We recently lost our cat. My husband and I have been married for 7 years after both of us lost our spouse due to a long battle with cancer. He is retired and does blacksmithing and that makes for a great artistic house.
by Michele Kempees

3. Describe your work
I am fortunate that I am now retired from all the jobs of my past working life.  Some of these included upholstery designer/seamstress/manager, retail sales, city councillor, management,  American Red Cross director of an area over 3,000 square miles in Oregon, a business owner of "A Touch of Dutch" specializing in imported foods, gifts, lace and locally made items, and a store front studio and gallery.  

Although I am new to illustration, I have been a portrait and fine artist for more than 30 years (when I had time from my other jobs). I am loving all the new art materials I have tried because of this amazing challenge. I usually like using my "go to" medium of watercolors and then decide what is next such as polychromos colored pencil, fine liner or iPad touch ups. For me, having a little whimsy in each illustration is important.

by Michele Kempees
4. What is your career goal?
Hmmm good question. I, like many in the challenge have wanted to do children's books. I thought why not now. I have so many ideas that I would like to get down on paper. If nothing else for myself  then maybe for grand children.  Second career goal would be if possible love whatever I am doing.
by Michele Kempees

5. Describe your art background
I have had no formal training and have gone the long route of teaching myself about how to do things, even digital graphics. It started in high school in the 11th grade. I needed an extra class so decided I like doodling why not take Art 1, might be an easy class. I found I really liked it and my teacher commented I was pretty good.  The next year would be my last year in high school.  After finding out Art 2 would be similar such as color wheels etc,  I asked what about Art 3 and 4? The teacher said they haven't skipped students before but would talk to the head of the school. Well I lucked out and was able to skip both Art 2 and Art 3 and go right into Art 4. I was so happy, the  only downside was it was my first time trying oil, watercolor, ink and tempera. This opportunity put the love for creating art down inside my core.
by Michele Kempees

6. What do you love about the Challenge? What have you learned?
Oh my . . . EVERYTHING!!! This Challenge was exactly what I was needing. My sister-in-law from my late husband was commenting on Facebook about her wonderfully talented niece's (Kathe Hennesey) artwork. I loved what she was posting which got me curious as to why and what is it all about. I joined right away and soon my computer screen was full of amazing art. 

Because I found out about the challenge late, I posted my first  image in late summer 2014. I was bound and determined if I was going to get my skills up and be able to do illustrations, I better try and do every week in 2015. The people and artists I have met are truly gifted, loving people who I am fortunate to now have as friends. 

Because of the supportive nature created here, the commitment of Tania, Nicky and the Admin team,  I have learned so much about art supplies I had never heard of before. What the heck is Inktense, Gelli prints, and Polychromos pencils? Well I just had to buy a few, then a few more, then even more supplies. If being an artist for over 30 years taught me anything it is supplies cost a lot of money. Well thank goodness for commissions because one art form has kept me in glorious creative supplies. Thank you Heidi Cooper for telling me about Polychromos pencils because I am hooked now for life.

7. What is your favourite illustration you have done for the challenge so far?
This is really hard because each one I post is something new I have just tried.  I may have to pick the first one I posted that I felt members got a kick out of. It was Week 38, Giraffe 2014. When I first drew it there was something weird about it. I had an OH MY moment when I figured out a giraffe's legs bend backwards.
by Michele Kempees
8. Tell us something that we don’t know about you
Now my bio photo will make more sense. I have been afraid of dogs all of my life. Not just scared terrified is more like it. I never owned a dog because of it. I could go into why but there is not enough space, let us just say it involved a friends small family dog and how it attacked her. One night at 10:30pm looking at a Facebook page of our local no kill shelter, I saw a post about a German Shepherd dog that just came in. For some strange reason I asked my husband if we could go look at her. Huh? Me? They just posted it so I sent a message are you open on Sunday? Yes they were but not until noon. We were there 5 minutes before. Well, Maggie came home with us and she is the best thing ever. She has taught me not to be afraid and thinks she is a lap dog. The best possible gift I could have given myself. My family was in shock including my children who said, "mom you never liked dogs".  

On another note I love doing construction, I have remodel our kitchen, dining room, created a mud room and refurbished a job site trailer into my studio.

Michele and Maggie


by Michele Kempees


Follow Michele online: 
Website:    www.michelekempees.com

Facebook page: 
   https://www.facebook.com/michele.kempeeslewis

Redbubble:  http://www.redbubble.com/people/mkempees
Book illustrated by Michele Kempees

bonus CHRISTMAS ADVENT challenge


BONUS CHALLENGE – CHRISTMAS ADVENT SERIES

In the spirit of Christmas, and to celebrate the end of our second fantabulous year of the 52-Week Illustration Challenge, we would like to offer members a sparkling, optional BONUS CHALLENGE.

From 1 December to 24 December, we invite you to post a Christmassy, advent-style series to the wall. Each day’s image should include a number from 1 – 24, and make sure you tag each artwork BONUS: ADVENT in your post description.

We realise this is very short notice and it’s a busy time of year! But here at the Challenge, we love to foster the importance of taking time out, slowing down, being mindful and practicing your art! If spending 30 minutes a day or an hour a week on this CHRISTMAS ADVENT bonus allows you to Be—during this mad-rush time of year—our task is done.

So, if you can take up this bonus challenge, fantastic—but if you can manage only a few days, no worries at all. Whatever you'd like to do is wonderful by us.

Advent images should not be posted until that particular day has arrived. So on 1 December (Day 1), only Day 1 images can be posted. On 2 December (Day 2), both Day 1 and Day 2 images can be posted, and so on. Just like the Challenge’s weekly themes, Advent days CAN be back-dated (you can play catch up at any time).

We hope you have fun, we and we look forward to seeing what you can produce for this sparkling, Christmassy, bonus challenge!

From our team to each and every one of you—we wish you a joyful and utterly creative Festive Season.

Tania, Nicky and the Team


Tuesday 24 November 2015

heidi's picks - week 46: ENDANGERED

I can't BELIEVE how fast this year is flying by.  Though I'm disappointed I haven't been able to post much lately (my kids are bonkers), it's been wonderful to see so many other artists going from strength to strength - your creativity and commitment is truly inspiring!  The auction has taken some of the limelight this week, but I've still been blown away by the beauty filling my feed... albeit rather melancholic given the theme.  The following are my absolute favourites...
Irina Zatica Trzaskos

Jess Racklyeft

Jolanda Jarman

Patricia Ward

Peter Hinton

Raffaella Picotti

Ramona Van Bakkum

Richelle Sanders

Susan Ruming

Vanessa Pritchard
Belladonna Raudvee

Belladonna Raudvee

Demelsa Haughton

Joanne Lew-Vrithoff

Leonie Cheetham

Leonie Cheetham

Mel Paul

Melissa Tan

Paul Heppell

Ramona Davey
Beatrice Giacomini Marques

Cara King

Damien Thomasz

Joyee Neogi

Katha Schwarz

Kimberly Stubing

Nicky Johnston
Amy Louise Ruane

Andrea England

Danny Zemp

Karen Allen

Katharine Harper

Sally Fawcett

Sophie Pittaway




Monday 23 November 2015

meet challenge member: Amanda Hunt

Amanda Hunt

1. Your name, location
Amanda Hunt, Sydney

2. Describe your family
My hubby is a Pastor at a Congregational church here in Sydney. I have two primary school aged daughters. We have Lewis the lab cross, George the cat and six chooks!
by Amanda Hunt

3. Describe your work
I have been painting in oils for many years but love to draw and paint using many mediums including watercolour, acrylic, charcoal, watercolour pencils, pastels and copic markers. Whatever suits the image I am trying to create is what I use. I paint everything from landscapes to portraits as well as smaller works on paper which are more illustrative.
by Amanda Hunt

4. What is your career goal?
Ultimately I would love to illustrate a children’s book. I would also love to have an exhibition of my oil paintings one day and be able to sell them more regularly.
by Amanda Hunt

5. Describe your art background
Originally we are from Perth in Western Australia which is where I grew up. We moved to Sydney nearly four years ago when my hubby was employed here as a Pastor. I spent around four years studying art, including a BA Arts (painting) in WA before I had my girls. One of my greatest influences was the time my hubby and I spent as missionary teachers in the west African country of Niger. We were there for a year but the experience was important for my worldview, our understanding of another religion and culture and what it’s like to live somewhere else. Often Africa comes out in my paintings.
by Amanda Hunt

6. What do you love about the Challenge? What have you learned?
Before joining the challenge I was already painting every day but my goals were more for entering art competitions. These became expensive so this year I have only entered a few. The challenge allows me to have a weekly goal which forces me to think outside my usual box. This has taught me once again to try new things, to think on my feet at times (when time is pressing for an image) and to try subjects I wouldn’t otherwise try.
by Amanda Hunt

7. What is your favourite illustration you have done for the challenge so far?
Week 22 Childhood, watercolour on stretched paper.
by Amanda Hunt

8. Tell us something that we don’t know about you
I teach two art classes out of our church hall and at the moment I’m the only teacher and do all the setup, preparation and pack away each week. It’s all worth it though to see the looks of achievement on people’s faces.
by Amanda Hunt

Follow Amanda online
Website: http://ahhunt.wix.com/amandahunt


Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/AmandaHuntKeLu/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Amanda_At_Home

Instagram: painterpw

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/AHHunt74/

Redbubble: http://www.redbubble.com/people/kelu/shop