I really enjoy the business side of being an artist. My knack for marketing is largely responsible for how I’m able to continue making a living as a self employed artist, but since Facebook has pretty much wiped out the large part of my fanbase from seeing anything I post, my sales and support have dropped significantly. I am really hoping to be able to make it to a full year as a self employed artist and illustrator, but a large chunk of that income has typically been from print sales. Facebook has directly impacted that. It’s not all about sales, of course, but let’s be real: the more exposure I receive, the better my chances are of sales of original paintings, prints, and bringing in new commissions, and the better chance I can continue to do what I love for a living. I mean, you guys — I’m living my dream. And I want to maintain this as long as I can.

So, I have a few links to share. These are in the order of most updated to least.

• My Instagram account. Yes, I post some photos of my cats (um, they’re adorable), but I also post a lot of in-progress photos of current work. This is the best way to keep up with my work right now.
• My Twitter account. Assuming you check yours often, I cross post almost everything from my Instagram, and all of my Facebook posts to Twitter.
• My Personal Facebook account. I have thought long and hard about sharing this, but I realize that if you choose to follow my account, the chances you will see my public posts–which include all important art related announcements and new work–are significantly higher than seeing posts from my page. Please realize that if you send me a friend request and I have not interacted with you on a personal level, I probably won’t accept your request. It’s a personal account for a reason, and I like to maintain a level of privacy. I hope you understand!
• My Email Newsletter. You can sign up from my homepage! Just scroll to the bottom left corner. I intend to make better use of this, but I’ve typically only used it to make important announcements, and have sent out a newsletter no more than once a month. If you check your email, this is a surefire way to be made aware of important updates.
• My DeviantART account. If you just want to be made aware of new work and not other fun updates, this is the place to be following me.
• My Tumblr account. I post a lot of things that inspire me, and my new work when I have it. I only use it when I’m either bored or looking for inspiration.
• And, of course, feel free to subscribe to my blog posts. I will also be doing my best to make more frequent and better posts.

This is possibly the best time yet to be a self-employed artist because of the internet and being able to directly influence your own exposure, and I am thrilled to be able to make the best of that. I am also endlessly grateful to those who follow my work, support me, and especially those who are able to purchase prints or originals, or commission me. I certainly wouldn’t be able to make the work I am today without you.

I am currently creating work for my upcoming solo show at Subtext Gallery in San Diego, California, opening May 3rd. I feel that this new body of work is more raw, emotional, and frankly, stranger than my previous work. My entire self is involved in creating these pieces, and they are directly drawn from my own struggles with conflict, weakness, and anxiety. I can’t wait to share it with you! Please consider purchasing prints in the meantime, as I have put many of them on sale to help maintain a livable income while I commit myself to creating this new body of work. Pending sales, I am doing my best to find a way to fly out to San Diego for my opening.

You can visit my online shop at this link.  I have just added one new print and three original paintings. Several other prints and originals have been put on sale as well. As always, sharing this post (buttons are below!), the new additions to my shop, and your enthusiasm is extremely appreciated. I couldn’t do this without you. <3

When my solo show work is complete, I will then be working on illustrating a novel my husband has written. We will be taking it to Kickstarter in an effort to self publish, so please keep an eye out for that in the late summer.

I put designs up to a vote, and here are the results! You can purchase cases at my Zazzle store for a limited time depending on sales.

When I’m not painting, she might be playing dress up.

Or irritating our other cat, Toulouse.

She might be exploring new places, too.

Or rolling around on the floor, meowing happily.

Or perhaps taking a break in the most unladylike fashion ever.

But if I am painting, she’s looking for opportunities to get involved. Such as, stealing my chair when I get up for a break.

She’ll scoot over, though, and make room for me when I come back.

Eventually, she’ll make her way onto her designated spot on my table, occasionally offering encouragement, suggestions, and smelly cat farts.

Marzipan makes regular appearances on my Twitter and Instagram. Both accounts are as @kelly_mckernan. Follow to keep updated with our antics!

However, a couple months ago, my Macbook and my digital camera both went kaput, and I was in dire need of replacing them. Thanks to a fundraising campaign and many donors, I’ve been able to replace them with a PC that my husband built and a new desk. A very generous friend donated a Canon Rebel digital camera to my cause, and my mother-in-law gave me her drawing table that is larger and more sturdy than my previous table (which was being held together by duct tape).

Without further ado, onto the pictures! Please let me know if you have any questions about specific things in my setup!

If you’d like to see larger versions of these photos, head on over to my Flickr account.

Click to be taken to 1XRun!

I’ve also released a limited edition print of “Predicate” at my shop! It’s a gorgeous print – take a look!

Click to be taken to my shop!

In other news, I am busy with a few commissions, but I am available to take on one or more in the next month, so please contact me at she (at) kellymckernan.com if you wish to inquire about commissioning me.

Click to go see the design at Threadless!

Anyway, to get a little extra help from fans of my work, I’m giving away the original drawing (ink and graphite,  9″ x 12″ on Bristol paper) over at my Facebook page! The design is up for voting for 7 days total, and if you don’t have a Threadless account for voting, it’s an easy signup and they don’t email you unless you ask them to. If I win this, it’ll be a huge help to my financial situation. If not, no worries. Digital art and me were never meant to be. It’s cool.

Click to be taken to my Facebook page!

We have plans for two mini shows in 2012 of select artists in the group and one large annual group show in 2013 with lots of collaborations included. I’m so excited!

artist: Casey Weldon

Here is a list of the current members:

Mary Jane Ansell – England, UK • Tom Bagshaw – England, UK • Lindsey Carr – Scotland, UK • Hsiao-Ron Cheng – Taiwan • Leontine Greenberg – USA • Nicole Gustafsson – USA • Caitlin Hackett – USA • Daria Hlazatova, Ukraine • Ruben Ireland – England, UK • Sarah Joncas – Canada • Nom Kinnear King – England, UK • Kit Lane – USA • Alex Louisa – Australia • Rod Luff – Australia • Jen Mann – Canada • Kelly McKernan – USA • Lady Orlando – Mexico • Lilly Piri – Australia • Audrey Pongracz – USA • Michael Shapcott – USA • Kaspian Shore – Germany • Allison Sommers – USA • Kelly Vivanco – USA • Casey Weldon – USA • Bec Winnel – Australia

Here’s where you can find us:

Website
Facebook
Twitter
Tumblr

Yay hooray!

This is “Clandestine” and she was painted with watercolor on 14″ x 20″ Fabriano 300gsm hot press watercolor paper. This is for an upcoming show at Beep Beep Gallery called “Another Green World” opening in February. Each artist in the show is creating a piece based on one of the 14 songs in the album of the same name by Brian Eno. My assignment was “Little Fishes.” What I mainly pulled from the song were the colors. Murky greens, yellow-gold shimmers, and pops of red and pink (I’m a sound-color synesthete, by the way).

Without further ado, here are some process images with the final piece at the end.

Coming up in February, I am participating in three shows, including the aforementioned. I will also be at Young Blood Gallery for “What’s Not To Love” and a nude-themed show at Kibbee Gallery. Yay Ponce Crush!