Involuntary cut of apron strings

We just dropped our oldest (she turns 21 in Basic😫) off to fly out to Chicago cor Naval Basic training, and then Air Rescue school after that. She has completed three years of college, but this last quarantine year has left her looking for purpose. I get that. We are so proud of you Tara. Love you to the moon and back. @tbw_dynamite #navy #navybasictraining #navymom #cuttheapronstrings

I’ve been so focused on editing my novel, as well as starting another suspense book - that I’ve neglected to nourish my art. Awe, it is so vital to my well being.
I worked on these two figurative paintings the past two days. I rose with the sun (a small house and four older daughters creates a difficult creative environment), and dove right in.

My oldest, who is about to turn 21 leaves for Naval basic training with Air Rescue on Tuesday, but all of you parents/guardians out there know how it can be foreboding when a adult child leaves for active service.

So I stuck my hands in the paint, and let it sooth me. I feel like I can breath deep again . #art #painting #motherhood #artist #gallery #figurativeart #USNavy

Working on two figure pieces in the early morning. My almost 21 year old daughter leaves for Navy Basic and Air Rescue Tuesday. Painting helps put my mind at ease and stop worrying. #art #Artist #artwork #painting #gallery #motherhood

Working on an majestic elephant for my friend @melissapurvis53 as a thank you for being the boss editor of my manuscript. #elephant #savetheelephants #elephantart #art #sketch #artwork #decor #bohodecor #artist #writer

The Guardian

This painting “The Guardian” is from my book. Painting or sketching helps me be more connected, and births inspiration to start writing book 2. My AMAZING friend Melissa is an editing boss! She is catching things I never would have. Love you @melissapurvis53. #guardian #art #painting #writer #fiction #romancebooks #scifibooks #figurativeart #angel #abstractart #artist #amquerying #fictionbooks #artwork #contemporaryart #contemporarybooks #novel

Dragon lovin

🐉Adding in some umber, ochre, and contrasts on my dragon. It’s summer when your paint sets quick...time to by that paint retarder. #dragon #dragonart #art #painting #streerart #neon #modernart #contemporaryart #artist #artwork #artist #writer #bohodecor #decor

Where One Ends The Other Begins

Two are One. #sketch #lovers #art #drawings #artdeco #artist #sketchaday #figurativeart #abstractart #artist #writer #artlover

🌱This post it may look a little weathered but the meaning behind it strong. It’s the simple, salient truth behind my work’s purpose. It came to me upon finishing my novel. HELP ONE PERSON. That was all I wanted. I’ve placed this post it around my house as a reminder, and it has changed my thinking. I have found when I took my life’s goal away from myself, my mindset slowly changed. It has become my mantra, even if it’s folding my husband’s laundry-even though I hate doing it. Or giving money to a homeless woman, even though she may use it to buy something she shouldn’t. I urge you...bring it down to the Simple. HELP ONE PERSON every day. Let’s change things together. #helponeperson #changeyourlife #love #bethemiracle #helpothers #mentalhealth #writer #artist #art #longbeach

Painting my dragon. I’m utilizing a pallet mixed with Golden neon chartreuse and green...two of my FAVORITE hues. Oh...and listening to Howel’s Moving Castle& Spirited Away soundtracks. #dragons #dragonart #dragon #streetart #modernart #painting #art #artgallery #artist #femaleartist #contemporaryart #interiordesign #decor #writer

Of course it’s not finished. Those close to me know that I have about a ton of works in progress. I DID a finish my book though, and no it’s not about angels. It’s a psychological drama about genetic time travelers 🌱#angel #angelart #seraphim #angeldrawing #angel #art #abstractart #figurativeart #charcoaldrawing #writer #artist #longbeach #yafiction #scifi

Sometimes when two people are wrapped together - you only see one. The characters from my book whirl around in my head, repeatedly. I see them as if they are real. Sketching them helps me bring them alive. #sketch #art #drawing #artist #writer #writersofinstagram #fictionbooks #fictioncharacters #scifibooks #galle

Query letter for my book

Writing my first query letter draft. It’s all a new process for me. I know how the art world works. Gallery submissions, exhibition guidelines. Blah, blah blah. I’ve been piling over Pinterest on how to submit to literary agents or publishers.
General perception on book publication is this: you write a book, revise and edit…and POOF! You publish it for the masses. I admit, I once had this idea, but this past year I have come to realize what I had was an ideal.
How many times do people ask me, why am I know showing my art everywhere. Point blank, it’s not that easy. There’s a world of amazing artists, and now I am realizing that the literary world is an astoundingly similar model.
My book is almost ready to start submitting, but I am afraid. That same apprehension that caused me to take a step back from exhibiting my art is gnawing beneath my skin. I know my book can help people. That is my full intention. This past year, the need for hope has become more acute than ever. I don’t desire fame or riches. If I leave this world knowing I helped one person, I leave satisfied.

So, today I forced myself (after I lit my Black Cherry Merlot candle) to sit down and write my first agent, publisher query letter.
Painting/drawing a person is so much easier. I keep telling myself it will get easier. I used to suck at painting. Small moves Kellie. I remind myself over and over. Significant change doesn’t come immediately. It births its way from an idea, the gently molds it’s path over time. #amwriting #query #literaryagent #publishing #art #yafiction #scifibooks #unsteady #sketch

Three generations of artists

My daughter Reese Dylan, along with my mother Diane Heesen, will be joining me in the group exhibition at the Ultra starting this weekend in LA. This is my daughter Reese’s first exhibition at a gallery. You can view her work on Instagram at @ReeseDart, or contact me.

Kellie Thomas-Walker

Reese Dylan Walker

Diane Heesen (my mother)

Faces

Decomposition of today’s sketch. To start something from nothing, you must realize that nothing doesn’t exist. There is always something, the paper, the pencil, even the air around you. #art #sketch #artist #drawing #portrait

Valentine’s Day

Sketched my take on Haku from Spirited Away, and earlier we walked our daughters and two dogs at the park. This is where Boe tries to befriend the massive Swan, and then the swan hissed at Boe. No friendship there. Ha! #dragon #dragonart #spiritedaway #art #swan

the Guardian

Impasto touches on The Guardian. I am really enjoying working with this subject, so I think I will create a series of angels…they’re just so needed right now. #angel #angelart #painting #art #contemporaryart #modernart #figurativeart #artist

The Guardian

Work on “The Guardian”. Angels are often depicted through out history as beautiful and sometimes meek beings. They are strong, and force immortal warriors of God, with beautiful souls. My goal is to portray that.

Second day on #The Guardian”. Being a crucial part of my book, painting what I see in my head helps me immensely with the endless editing🙂. I remind myself, repeatedly - that once I couldn’t paint for crap. I’ve been throwing out pages here and there. Hopefully I can bridge my writing with my art. #guardian #art #painting #angel #angelart #artstudio #artist #artistsoninstagram #artwork #writer #youngadult #fiction #literaryfiction #contemporaryart #interiordesign #kelliethomaswalker #book #gallery #artcollector

Varnish, then off to its new home! #art abstractart #figurativeart

Hidden

Finishing up on another large abstract and couldn’t waste time the extra mixed medium, so I grabbed one I started months ago and added in a highly transparent layer. I’m not sure if it will set like this-but can see the figure in it? I love hidden figures. #abstractart #art #painting #modernart #interiordesign #acrylicpainting #acrylicpouring #artprocess #artistsoninstagram #artist #artstudio #gallery