the Kelly formerly known as artist

My name is Kelly, this blog is for my art! Primarily my drawings and paintings as I fumble through learning digital art, as well as my furniture-painting projects, writing, and anything else artsy. You will mostly see art of OCs and character fanart.

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I had a dream about these snub-tail snakes that hunted by blowing into the burrow-holes of their prey, and they did it so forcefully their bodies turned into waving streamers. 

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Rail and Moa, from Chris Wooding’s Storm Thief. I feel like I under-appreciated this one among his work when I read it the first time. 

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The Narrators of Nightvale Presents

This one was on my mind for a long time, so happy with how it turned out! I love the way these three podcasts have a clear framing device for *why* you are hearing these voices. 

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Oleta of Within the Wires

This series got my heart pumping and stole my breath. I was always grateful for the reminders to breathe. 

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This was a commission from a friend of mine to draw his dagorhir persona. A larping persona was an interesting challenge, since it doesn’t have as much room as like, a DnD character, as far as physical design, but definitely still some creative license. 

Anyway, the things I found were crucial to him was a puppy-like enthusiasm for the sport, wanting everyone to be doing their best, hence the “come on!” pose, while still clearly rushing into the fray.  Physically, I didn’t stray from reality much, except to pick my favorite hair and clothing style for him, despite many different choices over the years.  I incorporated the crests of every unit he has fought with, on his sword, armor, and tabard. The back ground uses the desaturated and deconstructed colors of the bipride flag. 

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Ice Giant Friend 

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Fan Poster for the recent Welcome to Nightvale Arc “A Matter of Blood”. Dana Cardinal, neck deep in The Blood Matter From Outer Space, was a mental image I just couldn’t shake. 

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“Captain! over here!” I scream. 

I have grabbed my would-be assailant in a wrist-lock, taking advantage of their shock. I use one that immobilizes without pain unless -they- move.  My captain’s rifle barrel swings sharply. It snaps into aim, fires once and switches back to their original firing zone.  I drop the now-limp body to the dirt. Amazed by my captain’s efficiency.  We were told. We were trained.  ‘Your country is your soul mate’

I step over the body and advance. 

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I got this strip of Birch bark while hiking in upstate New York, in the middle of a road trip that took me from home in St. Louis to Montreal and back. 

It was a trip I took to gain some clarity over my life after leaving my boyfriend of five years. I had been making so many sacrifices and given up so much of what I wanted, I was long over due to get reacquainted with who I am and who I wanted to be or be with. And I never feel more like myself than when I’m traveling--particularly on the road. 

This was nearly four years ago, and I’ve been holding onto the bark since then, too worried to ruin the only piece I had, even though I knew what I wanted to do. I’m about to leave for the Summer, starting with another long, eastward drive, so it finally felt like the time. 

I call this “driving into the sunrise”, hopefully the fact that most of the drive was eastward will excuse the cheesiness of the metaphor. All lines but the road and car were created by the natural peeling of the bark, I only applied a little chalk pastel color to imply the landscape/sun. 

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I got this necklace, made by Grace and Wood Co , and while I love it even in it’s original state, I especially picked it because I was inspired to add to it. I repainted one cell on each side to put a bit of my own personality into it.  I thought about a bee, but that seemed a little too obvious XD

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Apparently I like posting things out of season. Last year’s christmas cards, drawn with sharpie and colored pencil. We live in Texas but most of family lives in colder zones, so I thought I’d share some southern christmas vibes, lol

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New household project! To match the spring flowers one. sadly, it needs a backboard to mount because our house has its studs too far apart...

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Very out of season punkin friend. 

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Houseguests Who Leave While I Am At Work

You must have had some trouble

with the shower drain

because it was askew

I should have warned you it was tricky

I should have cleaned it

before you arrived

The driveway was empty

the doors are all

half locked

Because what good would a key

to a house in Houston be

when you are in England?

The sheets are folded

exactly

as I gave them to you

But the towel was hung to dry

somewhere

I never would have put it

And you ate the yogurt

that I wouldn't have gotten to

before it expired

In short

You made yourself at home

and I hope you come back

soon

[formerlyknownasartist]

Something Spooky for Halloween

Also unofficially fanart of @snakewife‘s comic Hazards of Love ( @hazardscomic ) as I used the protagonist/Amparo/Fawn as the person in the reflection. 

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Seasonal Meowth

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I played with colored pencils today! I don't normally do coloring books, but this was a lot of fun