Kristye Addison Dudley - Contemporary Fine Artist

There are so many moments in our lives where we question why things happen. There have been times where I wondered "how did I get here?" and "why me?". I have been reflecting on this year, my relationships, my hopes and dreams. I have had the opportunity to see many of my dreams come true. I am married to a wonderful man. I have been blessed with a spunky little girl. I am able to not only create art, but to walk, paint, laugh and share my life with wonderful family and friends. In the picture above, I am standing with one if my childhood idols. Yep, we are the same age, but Keasha was always two or three steps ahead and without her knowing made a path for me. We met in high school at a science and engineering camp at Clemson University. She was so pretty and smart. She graduated from high school a year early, and then majored in engineering. She had her own car, I couldn't even drive yet, and a personalized license plate that some how spelled QT-PIE. ...

Willow Bayou, Water color/Mulit-media on paper 8"x10" © Kristye Addison Dudley Growing up my friends and I used to play in these little streams. We called them creeks. When we moved to Louisiana, we found these all over, but here they call them bayous. Just like creeks, you never know what you are going to find. It's been so dry here that the bayou near our home dried up and all the animals left. There were no more turtles sunbathing and plopping into the water. No blue and white herons, no frogs and crickets singing at night. But just recently we had a lot of rain, and before you knew it, life returned to the bayou. And it was like a breath of fresh air and a reminder of the renewing spirit around us. Just in time for Christmas. For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6 A few updates for you sinc...

Winds of Change , Acrylic on Canvas © Kristye Addison Dudley It's been a great holiday week so far. I am getting tons of rest and working towards a new year full of personal goals. One of which is running my first 1/2 marathon. So far I have only gotten new shoes, but you have to start somewhere. I am so grateful for so many thing I can't even count them. I hope you had a great Thanksgiving Day. We spent the day with friends of ours here in Bossier City. They have a 2 year old little girl, who our 18 month old KJ couldn't get enough of and a 5 week old little boy, who has given my husband a little baby fever. We did a pot luck and completely stuffed ourselves. I have been trying to make those left overs last as long as possible, I really don't want to spend this weekend cooking and cleaning up the kitchen any more than necessary. I have also been helping do graphics for a dear friend of mine who is getting married on Sunday. We are not going to be able to make i...

 "The Team" Acrylic on Canvas 30" x 24" © Kristye Addison Dudley Purchase Prints and cards Last Friday, the opening was great! I met so many kind and talented people in the art community and I was surrounded by our new family of friends here. It felt so good to share my art with them and receive positive feedback. Since art is so personal, art show openings tend to make me feel a bit like I am standing exposed in a room full of judges. But luckily I made it through without a scratch. The next morning, I awoke with an overwhelming feeling of gratitude. As I mentioned in my blog last week, I "Remember when..." I used to go and visit friends at the drop of a dime. Being married with a little one, makes that spontaneity a bit less spontaneous. But, because of my amazing husband I was able to catch a last minute flight out of town to go and visit with some girlfriends that I have really been missing. So Saturday morning, I got on a plane and flew back ...

Well after 5 years, I am going to be in my first show! This photo is of me setting up. The show is in a unique place here in Shreveport called mainspace @ artspace . It's an exhibition space for local, regional and national artists. This juried show includes 17 artists and is an introduction of sorts for me into the arts community here. Everyone has been so nice to me the "new girl" and the opening is this Friday.  If you live in the area, there are more details on my site, and I would love to see you there. The space is unique, the walls are black, 12ft tall and each artist has a tall column to show their work. I submitted quite a few works, but the ones showing first are the ones that looked the best together in the space. I am also showing my hand painted pillows (that's what the white shelf in the picture is for). I will post more photos from the show later. I have been thinking a lot about time lately. How to get the most out of it, how to be more disci...

Leap of Faith - 6ft x 6ft Acrylic on Canvas © Kristye Addison Dudley Purchase Prints of my work Last weekend I participated in a charity benefit at my church. It was for breast cancer awareness and pay tribute to survivors in the community. There was a great turn out, and I was one of the vendors on hand to share my work. I met so many wonderful people. I donated a print of " In the Huddle " To the speaker. Her story of her life's trials and tribulations was astonishing. But her spirit of thanksgiving was inspiring. The next day we went to the church of a family friend. The pastor is discussing a series on joy. And the message was right on time. One thing that I find myself constantly battling with is keeping my mind focused on pure and simple joy. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18  16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. I pray and I give thanks in all situations (not just for my b...

 Intuition - 30" x 40" Acrylic on Canvas © Kristye Addison Dudley Do you listen to those voices in your head? Do you sense danger by feeling the hairs on your arms stand up? Whatever your signal is that keeps you moving in the right direction that's true intuition and the higher power moving in your life. Earlier in the year I went to a women's retreat where we were discussing being anointed, transformed and redeemed. We talked about discernment and getting clear path from God. One of the speakers talked about the difference between "Good ideas and God ideas". That really stuck with me. I sometimes feel my head is going to burst with ideas and I don't know which way to go. Sometimes I hear clear next steps and then things usually go smoothly. But other times, I go on impulse and things always take more effort, cost more money and require more work than if I had just followed my intuition and waited. This painting was created in a time of stilln...

 Growth - 16" x 16" Acrylic on Canvas © Kristye Addison Dudley I've got some great news! I was just accepted into a juried show here in Louisiana.  There were 17 artists selected and the Holiday show runs from November 11 - January 7. I will also be showing work at a benefit for Breast Cancer later this month. This painting "Growth" will be one of the paintings for sale at the show. We just returned from a 2 week work/vacation. I say work vacation because, I was on vacation the first week and worked remotely the second week. The rest of my family was on vacay the whole time. It was a wonderful trip. Here's how the East Coast Tour worked: Bossier City, LA to Athens, GA (with a stop in Alabama overnight) - The beautiful wedding of my dear friends Angela and Chris Athens, GA to Atlanta, GA - Great time with friends and family. I could have stayed a week and not seen everyone I wanted to. KJ also got to go to the Georgia Aquarium. I could post a whole b...

copyright Johnathan Mak "Remembering that I'll be dead soon is the most important tool I've ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life. Because almost everything — all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure - these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important." - Steve Jobs With the passing of Steve Jobs I am thinking about how Apple has been a part of my life. I was introduced to Apple by my father, a self described gadget man. He thought that Macintosh computers were the coolest thing he'd seen. He thought it was important that I learned how to use all sorts of computers including IBM, Texas Instruments, Commodore 64 and of course a Mac. I remember jumping from one computer to the next to play games and draw in the applications. I always ended up on the Apple! My father also liked the culture of Mac and when he retired, he was the oldest member of his local Mac Group. A group ...

By Gods Grace - 30" x 30", acrylic on canvas © Kristye Addison Dudley We are on the road doing what I am calling the "East Coast Tour". Much of my family hasn't seen KJ since we moved away. Now she is 17 months old and full of personality (some of which are characteristic of all little toddlers). We are driving from Louisiana to Georgia to North Carolina to South Carolina and then a 14 plus hour drive back to Louisiana. We are so thankful for this time with our family and friends. We can't see everyone, but we are seeing as many people as we can. Today is my mother's birthday. I feel so blessed to be able to spend the next couple of days with her. Just a few weeks ago I was afraid for her life, but by God's Grace we are celebrating instead of morning. My husband and I are also having some uninterrupted time to think. To really listen to the wind in the trees, hear the birds sing and just have our minds eye opened to life around us. We ha...

The Dancer - 8" x 10" acrylic on canvas board © Kristye Addison Dudley purchase originals and prints This couple of weeks is a blur. We had a great anniversary. Mark took me out for a wonderful dinner and we reminisced and thought back over our lives so far and about our future. For Labor Day weekend we started a "remodel" of our apartment. We are trying to be present and not constantly feel in transition. When we married we knew we would only be in our first home for three years. We didn't take full advantage of that time. We didn't really put down roots until it was time to leave. Although we are only slotted to be here for 3 more years, we don't want to make the same mistake. We are making new friends, getting out and simply trying to enjoy the world around us. We aren't focused on what's next like we did before. What's next will come soon enough. “Do not make a noise about tomorrow, for you are not certain what a day's outco...

My 4 year wedding anniversary was Friday September 2. We had a great date night celebrating and thinking about our lives and our little family. I met my husband at a wedding and two years and a day later we married each other. He brings a harmony to my life that I can't explain. He is a true gift from God. I prayed for a man like my brother and my father, who was kind, liked to dance, loved the Lord and a few other things. I put my short list in a prayer jar and left it alone. About two weeks later, I met Mark. We laughed and danced the entire wedding reception, and I thought "he was such a breath of fresh air". We exchanged numbers and talked everyday from that point on. He met everyone in my family, including my father whose passed away two weeks later. My life was changing in so many ways so fast. Mark prayed with me and was able to help me work through the loss of my Daddy, since he had just lost his. We had such a deep connection, it was like we were in pe...

© Kristye Addison Dudley I just wanted to give you an update. My mother is doing much better. She is out of the hospital and with my sister. We have so many decisions to make, decisions that we have all put off for so long. But I do have faith that God will provide all that we need if we seek him first. I have a bad habit of knowing what is right and veering off on my own. Then God puts people in my path to remind me of the straight and narrow. I have said it before, but I am so thankful for my family and friends. All of the love and support over this last week has help renew my spirit and my faith. Instead of staying sorrowful, I have been able to look forward. I have been really hard on myself about where I am with my art career. But the truth is, I am where I am and that's that. If I am truly present, I am much farther along than I was last year, so I need to stop beating myself up and embrace progress. (Even if I feel a bit like I am moving at a snails pace. LOL) I ...

"Crashing Waves" 8" x 10" © Kristye Addison Dudley I have been having quite a week. I have felt like I have been riding on waves and being thrown and tossed around. From work, home and family it felt like a roller coaster. This past week my husband traveled to San Antonio for pre-deployment training. Although he goes to work in his Air Force uniform everyday, I still don't like to think about the commitment that he has made. My first cousin was deployed today, bringing the military life back into reality. Our plans for where we are going to live changed in an instant. And it seemed like there were challenges everywhere I looked. While Mark was gone I found myself appreciating all that he does for us. KJ and I went on with our usual schedule, but each night we Skyped "Da Da". KJ started waving as soon as I brought the computer out. It really made the week go by faster to see his face and hear his voice. I had been trying for days to ...

Hand sculpted ceramic figure © Kristye Addison Dudley I have always loved working with my hands. From building mud pies as a child to painting, I really find that the creative process of making something feeds my soul. The figures that I paint have always had a life of their own, but I have wanted to see them as 3D figures. So I just took a leap of faith and started to pull them off of the canvas. Small collections of figures like this, will soon be available on my site in limited editions. If there is a painting that you would like to see in 3D just let me know. I find myself always driven to make things. I can't seem to find enough things do do with my hands. The trouble comes in when instead of doing, I start to think and plan about the details. The devil truly is in the details. I am going to search for some new projects for this fall. I have been wanting to try to make jewelry. Maybe that's next for my busy hands. Blessings to you all, Kristye kdudley@kristy...

At Ease © Kristye Addison Dudley There are a few things about living in the south that are often talked about, but there are hidden rules that we abide by too. One of those things happened to me last week. In the south, we pull over for funeral processions. I remember growing up and seeing the cars go by and not understanding why we stopped and pulled over on the side of the road. My mother would say, we are showing our respect to the family who lost someone. I never really asked why, I just learned this was how it was done. This week while I was grabbing lunch, I saw a procession coming my way so I pulled over to the side of the road. I was kind of in a hurry, with a long list of things to-do, but for those few moments, I took some time to pay my respects to a family who had lost a loved one. I didn't know the family, but I have felt the loss. I took time to pray for them and for my family. So in the South, we do lots of strange things. As a matter of fact we do a lot of ...

"Iron Sharpens Iron" 24" x 24" © Kristye Addison Dudley Whew, I am tired. But, I am the best kind of tired. My brain is tired, but I keep thinking of new projects to do! The commission shown was a purchased as a gift. My good friend Dr. Antwan Treadway wanted a gift for his mentor, Dr. Paul E. Gates, brother of Dr. Henry Lewis Gates. I found a scripture that gave me inspiration to create this work. Psalm 27:17 Iron sharpens iron and one man sharpens another. We went through a number of drafts, and he selected this theme. The reflection of mentor and student. I have really found that using the palette knife and expanding my colors has brought an exciting dimension to my work. This painting does make me want to reach out to people who have encouraged me along the way. There are so many people that have in large and small ways touched my life and helped me to grow. That includes you. Thank you for reading my blog and sending your kind comments. Until ne...

Stephanie Blank (wife of NFL Atlanta Falcons owner), "In the Huddle" 36" x 48" © Kristye Addison Dudley In 2002, while I was a professional cheerleader with the Atlanta Falcons, I participated in a charity auction. Although I have drawn since I was a child, majored in fine art and received a graduate degree in graphic communications, I still found (find)  myself feeling insecure about my art. I think it's because when I share my work, I am not just sharing an image. I am sharing a part of myself. Exposing those things that most of us write only in our journals. My journals are there for the world to see and built by my own hands. When it's not accepted, it's like being personally rejected.  This was the first painting that I was publicly  displaying and I was pretty terrified about it. First of all, when approached about the painting I said "I don't do Football players", and didn't think that my work would work for this venue...

Recent Commission, Acrylic on Canvas, brush and palette knife © Kristye Addison Dudley This painting was commissioned for a wedding. The newlyweds wanted to have a painting made of their engagement photo. They walked through a beautiful park, holding hands stepping over stones that linked across a pond. I love the reflections of the figures and I was so happy to be a part of their new journey in life together. Also, I have finally updated my website. The new address is simply www.kristye.com . Let me know what you think. Have a great day, Kristye kdudley@kristye.com kristye.com dorilam.com

 Commission for Mo'Nique (Oscar award winner) © Kristye Addison Dudley Tonight I took some time to update my list of exhibits, collectors and charitable events. I was shocked when I saw them all together. I have really had some great experiences, met some wonderful people and have had the opportunity to share my heart. This is one of those divine things that happened to me. My first solo show was in 2002. I was so excited that I sold a large painting. I was walking on cloud nine and trying to learn more about how to become a "real" professional artist while pursuing my graphic design career. While delivering my first sale, my collector was in a meeting with a customer, but he told me to come and bring my book. He invited me in and introduced me to his customer. I was so surprised to see that it was Mo'Nique! She's a comedian, and won an Oscar for her supporting role in "Precious". She liked the work I was delivering and asked to see my work.  Sh...

Red chair in the rain - Watercolor and ink © Kristye Addison Dudley I have spent the last week on vacation with my family. We are coming to the last day of our vacation and I am on a sun-sand-seafood-induced high. This was KJ's inaugural beach trip. There was a "first" everyday. Her first time putting her little toes in the sand. Her first time waddling into the ocean and and then running back to me. The first time getting sea water up her nose and then laughing about the weird sensation. So many wonderful firsts. I love seeing the world through her eyes. I did find time to sketch, this one is from the one day it rained. Kristyeaddison.com Kdudley@Dorilam.com

Figure Study - acrylic on canvas with palette knife © Kristye Addison Dudley A few of our friends were in town last weekend and they were coming over to hang out. So you know what that meant...we had to straighten up around the house. It's so funny how we get in a habit of just moving things around without really getting organized. Then before you know it, everything is a mess a again. Our little toddler, aka "Sticky Fingers Dudley", has a masterful way of getting into EVERYTHING. Sometimes I just sit back and marvel at her cunning and acrobatic feats of strength to get to that one object that is seemingly out of reach. But more times than not, she finds a way. Sometimes I get frustrated with the things that are out of my control, instead of just letting God take charge. I can learn a lot from Sticky Fingers Dudley. I can stay focused on those things that are right there in front of me and challenge myself to make the most of the things that I can control. Like keeping t...

Dock at Sunrise - Mixed Media - Watercolor and Photo © Kristye Addison Dudley I was always Daddy's little girl. I was basically his shadow as soon as I could walk. He was an architect and a professor. I still consider him to be the smartest person I've ever known. He taught me to draw and see the world in a completely new way. When it was time for me to choose a major in college he asked me, "What would you do whether you got paid for it or not?". I said I would travel the world and paint. So, I majored in art. Now that my husband is a Daddy, I can see my little girl following him around! And already at 14 months she is a total Daddy's little girl. I can't be jealous of all the attention he gets, now I know how my mother must have felt. I am sure that he will be giving KJ lots of advice and I hope that she knows that one day she can live out her wildest dreams and fulfill her life's passions. My Father's birthday was on Monday June 13, he would ha...

Magnolia Study 3 - Mixed media: photo enhanced watercolor, 8.5" x 11" © Kristye Addison Dudley I used to be an exercise fanatic, but there's not as much time for it as I would like these days. Usually once or twice a week I get some time to go to Zumba (Latin inspired dance aerobics)! It really is a chance for me to let my hair down (or in my case let the curls loose!) and have some fun. The music is great, the people are nice and for an hour I get to dance, laugh and sweat my cares away. Yesterday, after my class I got in the car and turned on the xm-Satellite radio. Out of the hundreds of stations I could listen to, my two favorites are 80s and 90s! "Whoomp there it is!" was playing on the radio and I had the best time doing my "totally awesome" car-karaoke! For that short ride home, I was my good old goofy self. It's so easy to forget how to play. So I encourage you to get silly and "Whoomp" before you know it, you will be re-e...

The Dudleys 2010 - Photo © Gene Ho Photography Saturdays at the Dudley home are pretty low key. Mark likes to take KJ for a morning run in the jogging stroller and I get to enjoy a peaceful morning of painting, projects and maybe work out too. I look forward to this little bit of serenity all week. Ginger, our shy tabby cat and trusted art apprentice, keeps me company in between her naps in the sun. Yesterday started out to be another one of those mornings until...we realized we were out of one of KJ's prescriptions that she needed for the weekend. My husband, who is a man of few words, says "Are you coming with us?". The way he said it was innocent and sweet, he was really saying "Don't stay at home and paint alone, spend the day with us!" I immediately felt terrible and told him "Of course, I will come." Mother's guilt is an awful thing, trying to balance precious family time and time to replenish myself seems to be a ball I am cons...

Magnolia Study 2 - Mixed media: photo enhanced watercolor, 8.5" x 11" © Kristye Addison Dudley Before being married, I lived in a cool three story town home in the Grant Park neighborhood of Atlanta. It had a huge garage that I converted into my studio and I painted some great work there and used it as a place to try just about anything creative. I worked in clay and built small sculptures, had a screen printing press, and more. It was where I really felt most free to explore and make a total carefree mess. I would turn up my music and let my paint (and myself) dance with the canvas. We sold that townhouse yesterday! But even though there were great memories there, I am happy to step into this next chapter. KJ, my 13 month old daughter, just learned to walk a couple of months ago. She was very timid at first, but now she is trying to run. For example, we used to carry her out to the car in the morning, but now she wants to walk on her own. I guess that's just the way life...

Watercolor and Acrylic, brush and knife © Kristye Addison Dudley 2011 I am sure you have been wondering where the paintings are. Well, I am happy to report, I have been painting! I am currently working on two commissions. One is a wedding gift and the other is a gift from a student to his mentor. Both are figures and feel very blessed to be creating them for my collectors. I really love commissions and the development process between myself and my clients. They provide photos, feelings, quotes or a general concept and I look for inspiration to transform that into a visual medium that can speak volumes to others. While I am working on those I continue to work on smaller pieces too. This magnolia study was really fun (yes my work is fun). Since I am also a graphic designer, I have to sometimes force myself to loosen up and paint "outside" of the lines. I wanted to leave just enough of the form of the flower and the leaves to show the shape without taking away the airiness of t...

This is my first Memorial Day as a military wife. I didn't have any expectations, in fact I spent this day staying away from the fan fair, no fireworks, or flag waving. I really didn't want to think about the sacrifices so many families have made. My husband will be up for his first tour within the next year. It's hard for me to wrap my head around what he may be asked to do. But I am so proud of him and all of those who serve to protect and to liberate others. Please continue to pray for our soliders, their families and for those who make the decisions that impact so many.

This week I have been trying to take photos of magnolias to paint. Each day while driving out of the gate, I see beautiful flowers in bloom. I say to myself, isn't that beautiful, I will have to take a picture when I have more time. Of course when I return, the flowers have wilted, been abused by the heavy spring rain, or they are closed waiting to bloom another day. But early one morning I slowed down, I pulled the car over and took a photo of this flower still dripping with morning dew.  Why is it so easy to run on auto pilot than to actually live a meaningful enriched life? These flowers remind me to live life in full bloom. Have a safe and wonderful Memorial Weekend and if you can, take the time to stop to smell the "magnolias". Love and peace, Kristye The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I am come that they may have life, and may have it more abundantly. (John 10:10)

Aaron Koblin: Artfully visualizing our humanity | Video on TED.com I just have to share these. It's amazing what is going on outside of the box.

Amit Sood TED Talk I have to admit that I am sort of a closet geek. I think I get this from my father, who always had at least 3 cameras and computers around him at one time. He even had some spy cameras. A little writing pen and another was hidden in his glasses! Well I have not indulged myself as much as my Dad, but I do enjoy my latest gadget gift. For mother's day my husband got Apple TV for me (us).  I just figured out that I can watch movies from my phone on my TV. I am overjoyed. I have been watching these great videos on my iPhone from TED . TED is a nonprofit devoted to Ideas Worth Spreading. It started out (in 1984) as a conference bringing together people from three worlds: Technology, Entertainment, Design. These speaches are definately big screen worthy.  The one I have attached today is about Google's new art project. www.googleartproject.com . Enjoy!

Road from Main House to Studio at Selah Ranch during retreat. On the last night of the retreat, myself, Cathy, Jane and Lori (my new buddies in art) couldn't stop painting. So after dinner, we went back down to the studio space and painted until 9:45 pm! On the drive down I was also taking pictures. For just this short time, I felt free. The only thing I had to do was create, play and breathe. I wish I could reproduce that in my everyday life. Maybe I can, I just need to start with breathing first, then I can create and play.

More Paintings at KristyeAddison.com Latest Painting from Retreat. Acrylic on canvas, using palette knife.

Hello, I am venturing out into the big world of blogging. I hope this provides and opportunity for you to get to know me and for me to get to know you. I just returned from the most amazing art retreat and workshop at Selah Ranch with Texas Contemporary Artist Laurie Justus Pace . The weekend was more than just about painting, I had a chance to connect with some amazing women at the retreat. I really tried to step out of my comfort zone and try new things. I have always enjoyed acrylic painting, but I tried oils. I love figure painting, so I tried a landscape. I tend to lean toward earth tones, so I painted with bold bright colors. The whole expreience has enriched my life and I look forward to building new relationships with my friends. This was the longest amount of time I have spent away from my 1 year old daughter KJ. She is of course the most beautiful child on the planet in my eyes. When I returned home, my sweetie pie had two new teeth!!! They grow so fast. My husband wa...