Instagram Giveaway!!

Calling all card and paper lovers! And your FRIENDS!

I’m giving away 6 boxes of my floral notecards on over on Instagram! Each box contains 10 cards (2 different designs) printed on heavy, uncoated (100% recycled) paper and envelopes.

Send a handwritten note to connect with those kindreds you love the most.

Rules are below. I’ll choose 3 (random) entries. If you’re one of the lucky winners, we’ll mail a box of cards to BOTH you and the friend you tag. Double fun!!!

How to play!
1 – Follow me on Instagram @kellyangelovic and like my card giveaway post!
2 – Comment and tag the friend you’d want to receive a box of cards (like: “follow @kellyangelovic so we can both be entered to win a box of lovely notecards!”) Once they follow me too, your entry is complete!
3 – Enter as many times as you want, tagging a new friend each time.
4 – Winners will be announced this Thursday, July 21 on Instagram!

I’m an artist because it makes my soul sparkle. As I follow the whispers of my heart, my dream is to inspire you to do the same.

Rise and Shine, sister. The world needs your light.

Check out my new line of paper goods: Shop.KellyAngelovic.com

 

I Have a Big Announcement!

Fall has come to Colorado. Each gust of wind brings a flurry of leaves to the ground. I’m (reluctantly) reorganizing my closet, sending summer dresses to the back, moving my sweaters so they’re front and center.

I also just celebrated a birthday, which alongside the changing season, always incites introspection. I’ve been thinking a lot about the next 5-10 years of my life. About passion. The pursuit of a joy filled life. I’ve recently (in the past six months or so) taken up a regular meditation practice again (something that had fallen by the wayside with the demanding onset of motherhood).

We live in a crazy, fast paced world. As the mother of two young children, as an artist, as a wife, there is very little time for quiet.

That’s where the answer are though–the whispers of your soul.

In the stillness.

I’ve been getting up 15 minutes earlier than the rest of my household to steal a few private moments with my breath, my soul and my God.

This practice, this space, helps me step outside of the repetitive minutiae of everyday life. To reconnect with myself. To lean into my intuition and find trust in my inner voice.

Amid this stillness, I found the courage to make a big decision. I have something to share with you–and I can hardly wait!! Just a couple more days…

The Results are In!

I didn’t make it through to the next round of Lilla Rogers Global Talent Search.

The assignment was to design a pattern for a pair of sneakers for Antoinette, a fictional woman living in New York City. It was such a great assignment and there were some amazing interpretations.

The level of talent in the winner’s pool is definitely worth a peek–though there were a lot of unbelievable entries that didn’t make the cut as well.

When I decided to enter this contest, my goal was to end up with a piece that I was proud of. One that was 100% me.

I had so much fun making this, and I can’t wait to create a coordinating collection. Can you envision this design on tote bags, or funky purses? On note cards? Or maybe a pencil pouch or a throw pillow?

As an artist, everything I take in with my eyes influences my art.

Just as I am inspired by what I see though, the way I interpret that information is all me. Each and every one of us is blessed with our own unique creative voice.

Congratulations to the lucky 50 who made it to the semi-finals. Enjoy the ride…its a fun one! For the rest of us, keep at it–keep showing up. The world needs you.

I will leave you with the words of Howard Thurman, which have never been more true. 

“Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.”

How to Have More Fun

This illustration was our last assignment in Lilla Roger’s Assignment Bootcamp. Class started back in January, and (as was my experience last year) it has been a fantastic way to push myself and work on projects that are outside of my comfort zone. This month’s assignment was to create an editorial illustration for an online article entitled “How To Succeed At Becoming A Digital Nomad.”  

With Bootcamp wrapping up, we are now in the thick of summer (with the 90 degree weather to prove it).

What does summer mean to you?

I think of hot lazy days, dripping popsicles, staying outside until dark--and having FUN!!

Lately, I’ve been inviting more fun into my life. My husband is always trying to make me laugh, and I have two little ones who base their entire existence on having a good time.

So this should be easy. Right?

But sometimes…every so often, I can be the tiniest, slightest bit…uptight. I can get myself all worked up about all that needs to get done  (which, by the way, isn’t ever possible–the list never ends, so let it go already), or looming deadlines, or climate change, or how many vegetables my kids actually ate today…and on and on.

My kids are the very best at this–having fun. They are my greatest teachers (in so many ways).

This week my son (1.5 years old) and I have been making fish faces at each other, and he laughs and giggles like it’s the greatest thing, EVER.

Then there’s my daughter, who does a happy dance right there on the spot, when I tell her her friend is coming over to play.

There is no shortage of pain in this world. The key is to keep laughing–to have fun through the hurt and the tears.

So when I’m having a rough day, or I get some news about a friend that breaks my heart, I take some deep cleansing breaths, and then I get down and play with my kids.

We draw with chalk on the sidewalk and we splash in puddles. Sometimes we have dance parties where we turn the music up really loud and we shimmy and shake–no one cares if anyone is watching. We are wild and free.

What are you doing this summer? Are you having enough fun?? I’d love to hear from you.

***

I’ve shared my other Bootcamp projects from the past six months below (also lots of fun!!):

Collection of plates featuring a floral pattern and sea creatures (a side note about this one–I want to work on this a bit more. I’m not completely happy with some of the elements and I think I can push this a bit more to create a collection that I REALLY dig). I’ll let you know how it turns out 😉

Hand lettered poster design for the MATS Global Art Gathering that took place in the UK this summer.

Funky kitchen wall art.

Whimsical journal cover design.

Please contact me if you are interested in licensing any of the above artwork. I am also available for commissioned projects!

The Secret to Happiness

“I partly grew up on a ranch, and it reminds me of the days when we would ride far out afield on horses–it was funny because if you were on a horse alone, sometimes it could be a pain to get that horse to go. But if we had a bunch together, they were always champing at the bit to race each other–I loved their wild power and beauty. I get that same feeling here–of wild, chaotic momentum, drawing each other forward into the game.”

A lyrical analogy (made by Tanith Larking, Sweet Dreamy Designs) about Lilla Rogers’ Make Art That Sells classes–and one of the driving reasons so many of us keep coming back for more.

***

This week, I was awarded an honorable mention in Lilla’s alumni manifesto competition with my piece, “Follow Your Joy.” Yippee! You can see the (well deserved) winning piece (created by Shannon Newlin), as well as the three other pieces that garnered an honorable mention below.

I am honored and inspired to be included amid such talent.

Shannon Newlin

 

Tjarda Borsboom

 

Kim Johnson

 

Jane Newland

 

Pop-Up Holiday Market December 5th!

If you missed our sale last weekend (we had a blast!), not to worry. We (my mom and I, plus more than 20 other talented artists) will be participating in a pop-up holiday market. Yahoo!!

Next Friday (that’s December 5th), we will be in downtown Denver at the Backstage Coffee Art Gallery (located in the DPAC complex) peddling our wares at the “Deck the DPAC’s” pop up holiday market. Featuring metal work, ceramics and glass sculptures, paintings, jewelry, photography, art prints and wearable art, this is a one night only event where you’re sure to find that lovely, unique gift.

5:30-10pm, Art Gallery at Backstage Coffee, 1000 14th St, Denver.

The event coincides Denver’s First Friday Art Walks, and the 40th Annual Parade of Lights–so the festive energy will be bubbling over. AND…the bar will be open so come out and say hello!

 

 

 

Giving Back

This week, I had the privilege of sitting down with Erika Righter Ramirez, owner of Hope Tank  (a charitable boutique in Denver) to discuss the possibility of doing some work together. Selling an eclectic mix of cards, t-shirts, baby gear, menswear, art and more, a portion of every item sold supports a charitable organization or social cause. Buy a t-shirt from Fed By Threads, and feed 12 hungry people. Purchase a diaper bag from Bella Tunno, and a donation is made towards supporting at-risk children and teenagers.

Combining philanthropy with business, Erika is doing something special. Check out her shop (located at 64 Broadway in Denver) if you haven’t been in already.

Erika and I discussed the possibility of selling some of my art in her shop, and to do so, I will need to choose a charity to donate a percentage of my sales. There are a few organizations that are near and dear to my heart, but how to choose just one?

Our conversation got me thinking–I want to add a philanthropic element to my own online shop. So in the next week or two, I will narrow down my list of charities to try to add that feature to my online store. Stay tuned.

What are your favorite charities and why? I’d love to hear from you.