welcoming a new year

While this isn't a recent envelope, it was a favorite color scheme from this past year (mint & grey is my weakness) and it is one that makes me excited for new brides, new palettes, and new address calligraphy adventures for 2016. NOW, who needs me, and who will let me do fancy brush lettering? What do we all think of the new pantone colors for this year?!

All of me & all of the blues and golds

This palette totally gets me. When I caught wind of the colors of this wedding & heard mention of the first dance song, my mind was already swirling with a mix of geometric and organic patterns in blues & golds.  The lyrics I chose to use were just begging to be lettered into some modular illustration, and I would be lying if i said i wasn't a sucker for the traditional diamond wedding reference. The gold calligraphy accents have been a thing for me in 2015, and because I was recently gifted a new set of Finetec gold watercolor pans, i anticipate this young love budding into something truly magical!

(Also, first post of 2016 in the books! Not a resolution, but I'm doing my best, haha)

tiffany blue for every bride

This has to be one of my favorite color & style combinations, yet. This tiffany, robin's egg blue was so fresh & carefree feeling with the tails extending off the envelope. While I don't have a sample set of the entire ensemble in hand, it was paired with a beautiful letterpress invite overflowing with pattern and coral accents- stunning!

paint in gem tones anyway

This summer I was asked to do two very special pieces for a fellow RIT Alumnus. Working larger than my usual size, they were definitely a welcome challenge. For the Mother Teresa quote, I carved a linoleum block stamp to use over a raw edge watercolor border. It was a mixed technique experiment that pleasantly surprised me, & one that I definitely think suited the author. The second piece was custom vow artwork, co-written by the very sweet Mr. & Mrs. (I'll keep those sentiments mostly private, but there are some snippets shown below).

Calligraphy & Illustrations done with watercolor, gouache, & ink. Sized 18x24" and 16x20" on watercolor board.

the luckiest

I am going to have a truthful moment with you all right now: posting in a timely fashion is not a strength of mine. This custom song lyric piece is so far past due, that I am literally slumping in my chair just considering that this is my first update since November. To my dedicated subscribers- Thank you, & I'm still here!

This watercolor calligraphy piece was done at the request of an extremely kind former client, who wanted a special wedding gift for her friend. The wedding was to the tune of a charmingly rustic, pastel, garden party theme. If i do say so myself, I think even Ben Folds would feel all the heart flutters.

turn into love

This year (literally, completing this piece took me a year. Sorry, Alex) I had the extreme pleasure of creating a custom piece of artwork for a very special gal. She had just finished reading the book Love Does by Bob Goff, and was especially inspired by the concept of 'turning into love' & love in action. The colorful balloons are referenced in the book, and while I can't personally explain the significance, I have had a handful of other people recommend this book to me & it has since made my wish list. I will report back to you all.

In the meantime, check out the Love Does movement & this incredible lady's blog.

a vintage chic wedding

Know that feeling when you are asked to do some work for a super kind & down to earth bride whom also has great taste, and then said bride comes back and allows you more fun wedding goodies to do whatever your heart can imagine on? Yeah, that. I had the extreme pleasure of contributing to this wonderfully thoughtful and truly beautiful wedding, adding a personal touch to slate table numbers, a rustic bride & groom centerpiece, & a hand-painted chalkboard wedding sign.

photo credit: Natalie Sinisgalli

photo credit: Natalie Sinisgalli

photo credit: Natalie Sinisgalli

photo credit: Natalie Sinisgalli

photo credit: Natalie Sinisgalli

photo credit: Natalie Sinisgalli

rochester haiku project: inspirational places

This month I had the pleasure of collaborating with Rochester Brainery & Joe Bean Coffee on a First Friday show of 20 calligraphy pieces. Each piece featured a haiku written by fellow Rochesterians about places around the city. It was incredibly fun to see the variety of inspiration drawn from familiar parks and establishments, & i think a lot of that was reflected in the collective individuality of the corresponding artwork. 

The show is up until the end of November, so please stop by to view the collection before they all go their separate ways. More than half of the show has already been auctioned off to provide free seats to several Brainery classes. And (shameless self-promotion), check out this December workshop that I'll be teaching! I will be sharing my favorite resources, materials, & techniques, AND you'll be taking home a handful of envelopes and writing tools. :) Get prepared for that holiday card writing!

yellow & gray: an elephant baby shower

This has to be one of the most adorable invitations I have ever done. I will admit, I went a little overboard with the cute details, but I couldn't resist! It was done in the name of love; love being my cousin's most precious little boy, Emerson Red. The invitation features a hand-watercolored & lettered invite, custom calligraphy "you're invited" stamp, and an elephant wax seal.  I'm quite proud of this sweet little set.

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wearable watercolor

Has anyone else dreamed of creating artwork that they could wear in some capacity? Probably a lot of you. In fact, any one of you that has ever made a necklace, or scrunchie back in the day, or done any sort of printmaking on clothing knows what I'm talking about. It is awesome. For a while now I've been trying to find another outlet & I'm still seriously considering branching into fabric design; but for now i've begun a new venture into the world of jamberry nail wraps. I have to say, it's been a week & I'm already completed addicted. Simply, I love the idea of them. But the icing on the cake is being able to design them custom and wear my watercolor designs as an accessory. I'm hoping to create many more options in the coming weeks, but this is my first design for now. Can't you totally see bridal parties coordinating nails with the wedding invitation watercolors?!  I am stoked about the possibilities!

Kelly Place for Jamberry

Kelly Place for Jamberry

I'm placing a bulk order of this design on October 1st. Email me at hello@kelly-place.com for details or to order. You can also browse and order from the entire catalog of awesome Jamberry nail wraps at kaplace.jamberrynails.net


i will carry you

A fun anniversary commission for a former bridal client. My first time using gouache in a long long while & a fun experiment in doing an original piece on cardboard. Lots of playing around with layering & splattering techniques, alongside lots of trial & error testing the absorbent properties of the board. I'm quite happy with the organic feel of it.

agrotourism themed wedding shoot

When I look at these photos, one of the first things I think to myself is: "can I please get a do-over of my wedding?! Pretty please?". Because honestly, how breathtaking and whimsical are the colors and details of this mock wedding?! I am so honored to have been asked to contribute paper goods for this styled organic farm shoot, & so lucky to have done so amongst some serious talent. Carla over at Costamagna Design was the genius behind the design, & the stunning photos were taken by Jenn & Ben of Ayres Photography (I promise to share the other contributing parties once I have a full list).

I'm convinced. Farms + brightly colored quilts & flowers + tents & light garlands + food & drink stations = pure wedding bliss.

Photo credit: Ayres Photography; Invitations & Calligraphy: Kelly Place

Photo credit: Ayres Photography; Invitations & Calligraphy: Kelly Place

Photo credit: Ayres Photography; Invitations & Calligraphy: Kelly Place

Photo credit: Ayres Photography

Photo credit: Ayres Photography

Photo credit: Ayres Photography

Photo credit: Ayres Photography

Photo credit: Ayres Photography

Photo credit: Ayres Photography; Sign: Kelly Place

Photo credit: Ayres Photography

Photo credit: Ayres Photography

Photo credit: Ayres Photography

Photo credit: Ayres Photography; Farm to table menu: Kelly Place

Photo credit: Ayres Photography

Photo credit: Ayres Photography

Photo credit: Ayres Photography;  Cocktail menu: Kelly Place

Photo credit: Ayres Photography

sunshiney day-of stationery

Can I just say, this bright sunshine yellow for a wedding...I love it so much more than I anticipated!  The envelopes I addressed in the spring were a huge hit & got a very nice little feature alongside the invitations by Sugar&Type over on the Oh So Beautiful blog (seen here). So obviously I was thrilled to be able to create coordinating signage and place cards for the reception. What do you think? Can you get into all the happiness of these colors, too? PLUS, sparklers! Winning all around.

Photo credit: me (can you tell? haha )

Photo credit: me (can you tell? haha )

Photo Credit: Rich Paprocki

Photo Credit: Rich Paprocki

Photo Credit: Rich Paprocki

Photo Credit: Rich Paprocki

Photo Credit: Rich Paprocki

Photo Credit: Rich Paprocki

Photo Credit: Rich Paprocki

Photo Credit: Rich Paprocki

Photo Credit: Rich Paprocki

Photo Credit: Rich Paprocki

paint all the flowers

This has to be THE most floral piece I have ever done. It also has to be one of my favorite floral watercolors ever. I think it's the combination of the graphic negative space, the colors, the variety of flowers, & obviously The Avett Brothers. Plus, it is going to one seriously cool bride. I'm working on some other 'day-of' things for her now, and I just can't wait to see photos of everything put together. I anticipate it being one stunning wedding day. 

Psalm 139, for my son

This past sunday was a particularly special one for me. Firstly, it was Mother's Day, and what mama doesn't feel extra loved on a day dedicated to celebrating all that we do to raise children that are kind, generous, & full of life-giving spirit? I was especially aware this year of how full my heart is, just watching my two boys sit and stare at each other with beaming smiles & loving pokes. Contributing to this already blessed day, we also celebrated Henry's baptism. We were so proud to have him welcomed into our church community, and spent the rest of the day celebrating with family. It was a perfect Sunday.

I had created a special piece for Liam at the time of his baptism & have been excited to make something for Henry. Psalm 139 has always been one of my favorites, but I really like this more complete version of it.  Almost immediately after I had finished, I was in tears.  My hope is that these pieces are ones that my sons treasure into adolescence and beyond, not only because I made them, but because they are beautiful passages that carry truths about & wishes for them. 

 

That gold ink!

That gold ink!

Love, mom

Love, mom

 

home

Can I just say, illustrating first dance song lyrics is one of my favorite things. There is such a wide variety in sentiment, wedding style, and the personalities of the bride & groom.  The combination of all of those things into one piece is part challenge, part surprise, and always just plain fun. There's something so nice about having a memento for your home that doesn't have to read as wedding-themed, but is just as significant. 

A piece for some very dear friends of ours, who I hope are blessed with a lifetime of love & laughter! 

A piece for some very dear friends of ours, who I hope are blessed with a lifetime of love & laughter! 

 

it's golden from where i sit

Lately I've been feeling just so blessed to be able to work from home, even if it only amounts to 15 minutes of real productive time until the boys are in bed. When I look at Liam's little play area on the other side of the studio baby-gate barrier, I can't help but laugh at how both spaces are full of so much love and chaos.  There is no such thing as order in this shared room when it's time to play with paper & ink or cars & trucks.

I just finished a seriously fun bunch of wedding envelopes this month.  I found a new favorite gold ink & was thrilled with how it turned out on some very beautiful luxe blush envelopes. This was the second wedding suite that I did calligraphy for with Ilana of Sugar and Type, the first of which was just featured on the Oh So Beautiful Paper blog today! I am obviously thrilled and flattered! 

my golden haired boy. i love him so much. when I look at this photo I like to pretend he was interested in watching me work, but he was just waiting for me to play the lion king soundtrack. 

my golden haired boy. i love him so much. when I look at this photo I like to pretend he was interested in watching me work, but he was just waiting for me to play the lion king soundtrack. 

radiant orchid watercolor suite

Now this is a trend I can get on board with: the abundance of pantone's 2014 color of the year for this wedding season! The radiant orchid inspired palette is my new love. This invitation ensemble was so wonderful to work on, I'm afraid I will never stray from my current purple anemone & lilac obsession. Or at least I will never tire of painting flowers. We will find out after my next calligraphy project, that's for sure!

former bride, fellow mama

I've been patiently waiting to share a project that I finished this winter for a former (and favorite!) bridal client of mine. Her very thoughtful husband commissioned me to do a watercolor portrait of Lindsey & their daughter Carolina for Christmas. The two of them are framed with some floral motifs that I used on the wedding invitation I designed for them, and It's such a nice thought to know that that pretty girl is the result of the very special promise that they made to each other that day. Many more happy years of mamahood to you, Lindsey! 

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