Kristye Addison Dudley - Contemporary Fine Artist

Day 5 - Wildflowers (WIP) © Kristye Addison Dudley 6" x 4" Acrylic on Canvas Paper Day 5 of 30 Paintings in 30 Days Wildflowers (work in progress) for 99 Bottles of Art on the Wall. I am really enjoying working with landscapes. As a former athlete, I have always been drawn to the figure, but that is what this challenge is about. Stepping out of my comfort zone. Today was a very exciting day. Not only did I make it to day 5 of this challenge, but my family traveled to Tennessee to cheer on our niece as she competed in her final collegiate gymnastics meet. As a former gymnast, I remember the tears and sweat that goes into each meet. Seeing her perform with such power, grace and humility for her talent made me so proud. Her team finished first place in the NAIGC, and she placed 2nd all around out of 900 competitors from across the country and first place on vault. She is a reminder of how God gives us talents for his glory. There were so many people who admired h...

Day 4 - "Two Cherry Blossoms" © Kristye Addison Dudley Acrylic on Canvas Paper 6" x4" It's Friday! I have really been enjoying this painting challenge. Today I worked in a new way, 4-up. That's a printing term used to describe 4 images printing on the same sheet at the same time. I worked on 4 small paintings at the same time and it was really interesting. It forced me to think ahead on my layering in a way that I usually do not do. This painting and the other 3 on the sheet are for a charity auction that I am participating in. The event is called 99 Bottles of Art on the Wall. The exhibit and sale is to benefit Wholesome Wave Georgia. This organization strengthens local food communities by empowering networks of farmers to facilitate access to and awareness of healthy food choices...(They believe) that all Georgians should have access to good, wholesome and locally grown food. I am looking forward tothe event later this month. Hopefully...

Day 2 - "Brilliant Blossom" © Kristye Addison Dudley 8" x 8" Acrylic on Canvas; Purchase Original or Prints Day 2 of the challenge and I have some great news.  I have been accepted in to the juried CFAI group. I am honored and humbled to work with the other members. This is such motivation to continue to create daily. The work above was created mostly with a pallet knives and I have incorporated new colors into my spring series. Brilliant purple is a color that I have owned for years and had not full embraced. But now I am a fan! If you are wondering why the new obsession with Cherry Blossoms, my family lives in Georgia and last weekend we went to the south's largest Cherry Blossom Festival. It was in Macon, Georgia just 30 minutes from our home. Classic cars, carnival rides for my toddlers, cotton candy and yes lots of cherry blossoms.It was a great time and we accomplished our weekend goal. Wear out the kids before they wear us out. Be blessed...

Day 1 - "Cherry blossom's friend" © Kristye Addison Dudley 11" x 14" Acrylic on Paper; Purchase Original or Prints In the cherry blossom's shade there's no such thing as a stranger. Kobayashi Issa I am starting a new challenge this month, to paint one painting everyday for 30 days. I will be using this time to experiment with techniques, mediums and subject matter and get my creative "mojo" flowing again. Spring is a time to celebrate rebirth and I am ready to come out of hibernation. "Cherry blossom's friend" was created using brushed under painting and layering on a fresh spring pallet using a variety if pallet knives and sponge techniques. I look forward to hearing from you on my work. I will be offering the art for sale each day as well. Be blessed, Kristye kristye.com kdudley@kristye.com Purchase originals and prints

Hello, I wanted to share that I was featured in a magazine called Fabulous Floors Magazine . I am just seeing the tear sheet for the first time. I started painting these canvas pillows with screen printed art to extend my work and I was thrilled to see them in a national publication. I have also created floor cloths, handbags and screen printed cards that I will post more about in the future. Fabulous Floors Magazine - Hand Painted Pillows by Kristye Addison Dudley Purchase Pillows If you are interested in commissioning artwork, home decor or purchasing prints   please contact me, I would love to work with you. Be blessed, Kristye kristye.com dorilam.com kdudley@dorilam.com Purchase originals and prints

My dream car 1958 Corvette Ok, so one of my friends on Facebook posted this list of things people didn't know about him, the viewer was to then post the numbers that they knew and then you were given a number to make your own list. He gave me the number 7.  So here are 7 things most people don't know about me. It took 3 towns to make up my High School. I love to take things apart and make them better. Closet handy-woman who owns a Dremel and lots of other power tools. I am a kitchen beautician. I have been doing my own hair for the better part of 20 years. I am an art supply hoarder. Everything from screen-printing to ceramics, photography, painting and so much more. I have a patent and a registered trademark for my graphic design biz. I am one of the very few Black Homecoming Queens for Clemson University. (I was the second or third in school history) My dream car is a 1958 corvette. Baby blue with white detail to be specific. The one pictured ab...

High tide by Kristye Addison Dudley Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be. (Matthew 6:21 NLT) This was my scripture reading this morning and it made me think, what do I treasure? I remember when I got my first job, I was driven by my career, buying my first car, owning my first home, and looking the part of a successful put-together gal. I used to regularly get my hair, nails and eyebrows done. I shopped like it was a part-time job. Then one day I decided that I didn't want to spend anymore of my time in a salon. So I cut off my hair (really all of my hair). Then slowly but surely, I began to distance myself from the material things and "some" of the vanity. Now I get my nails and eyebrows done on special occasions. The cars and properties have come and gone and come again and represent more of a necessity than before. During our vacation I had one opportunity to reflect on the trip in pen and watercolor. I sketched KJ pickin...

"My perspective, your perspective" (Detail of diptych) © Kristye Addison Dudley January is almost over and I have only blogged once. I have got to get back to it! Well, here's an update. A memorial fund has been set up for Keasha, here is the link Keasha Rutlegde Draft Memorial . And I still can't believe that the new year started off with such a huge loss. I love you girl. On the home front, my 22 month old is settling in to all-things-toddler and keeping me and my husband very busy. My husband and I have been making plans on my career change and recently found that "our" best laid plans had some flaws. That's probably because, our plan veered slightly off of God's plan. The painting above has a partner that is right side up. It's always reminded me of how different a situation can appear from your point of view. Sometimes you need a new perspective. And I thank God for that. "Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is w...

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. ...

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...

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...

© 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 ...

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...

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