Art & Design of Kelli Murray

This weekend was such a blast! I wasn’t sure what to expect meeting so many faces I only knew about through the internet.  It’s kind of a weird thing to “know” someone online and then really get to “know” that person in real life.  But most everyone was just as I imagined!  It was so encouraging and inspiring to hear each others stories and learn from one another’s experiences.  Get 20 + female designers together and there is A LOT to talk about! haha.  Everyone was so open and willing to share! It really did feel like such a friendly collaborative community.  I even managed to make it through four whole days without blubbering on about missing my baby…..the girls made it pretty easy for me!  I love how the internet can bring us all together in this way! Thanks to Promise and Alyssa for coordinating this retreat! I am looking forward to doing it again next year, and seeing how this thing might grow!

You can see more pics from the trip on my instagram or through our hash tag #designlife2012

Or follow along on twitter at @designlifereatreat

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′

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’ – sold

Art prints available on my ETSY!

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

“WINTER DREAMS’ Original Framed Illustration

COZY – sold / HOME – sold

Contact me for prices!  xo -Kelli