Skip to main content

Family Day

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 constantly trying to balance. But I am so grateful to have such a understanding husband. Part of the replenishing also comes from the lovely people who you work so hard for all week.
Detail Commission in Progress © Kristye Addison Dudley

So after we refilled the prescription, we went to the farmer's market in town. I met other artists who were selling there and I enjoyed watching KJ cover herself in sticky sweet Geauxsicles - gourmet ice pops (everything here starts with "Geaux" instead of "Go"). Then we grabbed some food and it was nap time for KJ and Mark (who never takes naps). Now was the perfect time for me to PAINT!! I couldn't wait to get in the studio. Here is  a detail of the painting I am working on. I am using mainly a palette knife and I am expanding my colors a bit. I really like where it's going.

It turned out to be a beautiful family day. 
Kristye

Popular posts from this blog

Today is a gift

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. ...
A family update. Mark has orders and this summer we are moving to the DMV (DC/Maryland/Virginia). We’ve found a rental home in Sterling, Virginia and have already signed the kids up for summer activities. I’m so excited to be closer to family! We have enjoyed our time here in Ohio, made some new memories, and new friends. I’m going to miss it here. Kristye.com   My Blog Purchase originals and prints   kdudley@kristye.com Twitter @KristyeStudio Tweet @KristyeStudio Like and share My Facebook Page Kristye's Studio    

Collecting Art - From An Artists Perspective

Flamenco Dancer in Red © Kristye Addison Dudley Painting ready to ship to it's new home. Art in itself is a subjective and very personal experience. The proprietors of the work, the collectors, have such a large impact on the art world. There is something for everyone, but finding your perfect match is not always so easy to do when there is so much to choose from. Some of my proudest moments in my art career stem from finding a new collector. Someone who "gets me." As an artist I have found my collectors making such a positive impact on my work not only financially, but by providing creative confidence. When an artist and collector find a match, it can be one of the most important components to an artist sustained career. I have also noticed that there is one common thread to my collectors, they like my work. This may sound so simple, but it really is. I have met buyers who search for the latest and greatest celebrity artists or masters for braggi...