Today’s showcase is all about my Auntie Vickie! She’s a fabulous artist and ever since I can remember she has been making pretty things. I grew up looking at her art from her amazing handwriting to logos, letterheads, t-shirts, decals, and signs she’s designed for small to very large commercial businesses.

A couple of weeks ago I spent the day with my Auntie just looking at all of her paintings and talking about all the classes she’s taken. Vickie has not only taken a gazillion classes but she’s taught workshops on many different art mediums. She’s worked in all types of watercolor paints, pastels, ink, wood, ceramic, plastic and anything else she can manipulate into art. I remember when I was little, standing in her kitchen one night, she was showing me how she cut a design out of a plastic film. I don’t even remember what it was I just remember the way her hands looked and how amazingly she was able to cut through the film like it was butter. I just always felt like everything she touched she made prettier.

Vickie doesn’t have an art degree, however, she’s attended the majority of art schools in Southern California. She’s also attended several colleges, taking as many art classes as she can. Every time I talk to my aunt she is either taking a class, getting ready or thinking about taking a class, or has just completed an art class. I feel like she should have two art degrees from all the education she has. I think it’s important to make a note of that because she doesn’t have a degree but has had a very long and full career in art. It is an encouragement to me and should be to others who feel like they can’t make a career out of what they love without a degree. She has had years of school and stays current with always continuing to learn. That’s huge!

Vickie began as a graphic artist and worked for a company called Sundance Graphics for 19 years. She is still doing freelance work and painting. She also started in photography when we were still using film and worked in the darkroom which translates to all the work she does now in digital with Photoshop and Illustrator. I’ve always been so impressed with how she’s grown with the times and technology to stay current in her craft. I just feel that is so important.

So, let’s meet my Vickie Killeen and I’ll share some of her work with you.

 

So, at this point I just sat down on the floor and went through the many pieces Vickie had in her office. I loved this so much, it was a little like going through a treasure chest looking for goodies.  Each piece came with different stories about a class or teacher. Stories of what the work was used in and what her process was at creating it. I really enjoyed this time of just being engulfed in all this wonderful art!

At this moment in Vickie’s life she has been designing greeting cards and paintings that you and I can buy. I love the cards and I am so excited to see what’s in store for her future! She has so many fantastic ideas for designs. You can check out her work at her Etsy shop, It’s really beautiful work.

 

 

I grabbed this book and just went page by page and took pictures of everything. You know, the secret of being successful is in the doing. My Auntie has been “doing” art her whole life. She has so much work to show and has made more than I could ever share with you. Evidence that if you want to be an artist, you MUST create art.  Just look through these with me and enjoy.

 

 

 

 

Who could this be?

Just as I was saying earlier, my Aunt and Uncle’s house is so darling and beautifully designed. My favorite room is the guest bathroom. I feel like every house should have at least one pink flamingo.

Seriously, art is everywhere. Totally my kind of place. I hope you enjoyed hanging out at my Auntie’s house and looking through her work with me. I hope you’ll visit her shop!

Thanks for joining me!