Art & Design of Kelli Murray

On Saturday I took part in the Santaluz Holiday Trunk Show.  I love small, crafty events like this.  About 25 vendors set up shop in a big white tent filled with twinkling lights, evergreen and christmas carols.  Catered with bite sized holiday treats and hot cocoa.  It made me happy to say the least. Especially because I had the company of my husband and baby!  It was Rylee’s first art show experience, and I think I’ve realized I need to bring her to every show I have! That girl is the main attraction everywhere I go….and not to mention, quite the sales woman! haha.  She sure knows how to draw in the crowd.  I didn’t realize until looking at these photos that Rylee’s hat totally matches my “fox girl” print.  How fitting.  Anyway….if you are still doing your Christmas shopping (or haven’t yet started, like me!)….take a peek at my ETSY SHOP over the weekend.  I will be posting a handful of new paper prints (some of which you see in these photos) over the next few days.  I know I am a little late in the game, but not TOO late right?! If you order in the next few weeks….i’ll make sure to get it to you in time for Christmas!

Amy Grant is playing as we speak! Ohhh I just can’t get enough of Christmas….

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It feels like ages since I’ve done a mural.  I think the last one I was a part of was at the Boat House last year where I drew this fur hat antler girl. It’s so great to be able to collaborate with artist friends….especially when it’s for a good cause.

Jedidiah, the company I design for,  has been involved with a non-profit organization called Stand Up for Kids for quite some time now.  They are a national volunteer outreach organization dedicated to going to the streets and making a difference in the lives of at-risk, homeless and street kids.  I admire what they do and am humbled by the incredible impact they are making in the lives of these kids every day.  The fact that Jedidiah is able to help them in their mission is a blessing, and we are so excited to be partnered with such a great organization.  Our Fall and Holiday 2011 collections (which have yet to be released) will raise funds to help Stand Up for Kids open a new Drop-In Center in New York City!  But for the time being, we wanted to help locally in another way, through art.   The Oceanside chapter of Stand Up for Kids, which lies closest to home for me, just moved into a brand new center.  When Kim, the center’s director, contacted me about possibly creating a mural within it’s walls to serve as inspiration to the kids…I was all over it.   I rallied up a handful of talented and willing artists  to help me create a mural for the kids.  We took over one of the main walls….and 5 hours later….here is what came of it.

Thanks to Tocayo, Michael “Monstrinho” Amorillo, Skye Walker, Sam Larson, Eric Wixon, Christy Pepper Dawson and Brooks Sterling for helping out and giving the kids something to smile about.

VIDEO TIME-LAPSE

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StandUp for Kids mural from Skye Walker on Vimeo.

Have you heard of DARK DARK DARK?  Well, you should. The Minneapolis-based five piece band has quickly become a regular on my daily music rotation.

Sadly, I was not able to attend the intimate show they put on at the Habitat House in December….but I wanted to at least share the footage.  Perhaps you recognize the art in the background? Yes, still hanging in the house was my installation for my solo art show “Dreamer”.  What a lovely band to have play alongside my work.

Check out their new LP Wild Go on itunes. So good.

Dark Dark Dark ? Daydreaming from Brandon Tauszik on Vimeo.

I am sorry….this took too long.  I thought i’d have some better photos of the opening of my Solo Show “Dreamer” to snag, but no luck.   Here is what I snapped on my own.  Sadly, I don’t have a full view shot of the entire space complete, but hopefully you get the idea.  The Habitat House was the perfect venue for my first solo show.  It is small, intimate and inviting.  The main wall that I had to work with was a pretty decent size.  About 24′ X 10′ I would say.  I recruited my husband to build me some whitewashed wood panels using old recycled wood to use as backdrops….(adding to the whole cabin theme I was going for).  I LOVED the way they turned out.  We actually  have a few hanging in our house now!  I also hand painted huge braids across the wall, from floor to ceiling.  It took a while, but the final outcome made it all worth it.  In the center of the wall I spelled out the words DREAMER, using nails and thick yarn….just weaving it tightly along the nail path.  (I just might use this idea for my ‘one day’ nursery.)

“SOMEDAY” 3′X2′ (for sale)

I had a handful of one of a kind tee shirts printed.  (it’s nice working for a company with a screen print factory sometimes!)  All of them were gone by the end of the night!

right photo:  ’ANTLER GIRL’ original framed illustration- sold  / ‘FOXY ‘ original framed illustration – sold

‘STAY CLOSE’

Representing me and my kitty.   Keeping this one for myself.  But prints will be available on my ETSY soon!

‘POLAR – 11″X11″ (for sale)  /  ’HELLO DEAR’ – 11″X11″ (sold)

“WINTER DREAMS’ Original Framed Illustration – for sale.

COZY – sold / HOME – for sale

Contact me for prices!  xo -Kelli

Yes, It’s true.  And I’m freaking out over it a little bit.  You see…I signed up for this about two months ago thinking it would be PERFECT timing….just before Christmas and a few days before my sisters wedding (so family would be in town and everyone would be able to come!)  Well, little did I know how hectic work would become and how busy the wedding events and projects would keep me.   Anyway….it’s less than a week away and I’m still working!  But I think I just might pull it off in the nick of time….maybe given a few all nighters, we will see.  But I’m excited about what i’ve been cooking up!

The exhibit is taking place at the Habitat House….a lovely house in Golden Hill bought by the creative folks at SEZIO. They bought the space with the purpose of showcasing rotating artists and musicians throughout the year.  I am excited to be the first artist in the house for the DEBUT ART SHOW!  If you are in or near San Diego this upcoming Wednesday….I would LOVE to see you!  I ‘ve got big vision’s for the show and they are allowing me full reign to install!  eek!!  My favorite part!  Think hair braids, winter sweaters, log cabins and fuzzy animal friends….hope to see you there!

Read an article about the upcoming show HERE on San Diego 2Night.

The start of my first braid.  So much more to come.

In other exciting news!  Today is the day to announce the winner for the FANCY TREEHOUSE flower crown GIVEAWAY!  Lucky miss Lainey from LAINEY TURNS THE CAMERA ON…..you have won!  Congrats lady….you will be receiving your pretty crown shortly!