Adventure #106: KJ Is Back In An Office

Dear You,

So, back in Adventure #105, I mentioned a big commission project that I couldn't show off. 

WELL. 

Here are the details!:

Though all I've fought to do since I quit "the real world" is to support myself with my art and to prevent having to ever, ever again work a conventional 9 to 5...to stay OUT of offices -- it seems that I'm going to be back inside one, in a fairly big way.

Well...my art is anyway!

I am doing quite the collection of custom 11" x 14" paintings for a pediatric dental office in the northeast U.S. 

The process has been an absolute blast thus far and the dentist who commissioned the pieces is an absolute dream to work for.  I worked in a pediatric dentist myself for a while, while in college, so I know firsthand how scary those visits can be for little ones and it makes me so happy and honored to have my art on the walls of such an office, where maybe it can help calm some nerves and cheer some fearful hearts!

This is going to be the biggest number of my paintings in one place (other than my own house, that is!) and it's so exciting to  think of there being sort of a little gallery of my work!

The super cool thing about it is, though, that the majority of the paintings are going to be of the staff, with a painting for each employee, done in my style, based on their appearance and personalities and interests.   That was all the dentist's idea and I think it's such a neat one.

We're doing them in batches of three and are still only about 2/5ths of the way done...but the first fifth has been packaged up, sent off, arrived safe and sound (THANK GOODNESS!) and seen by everyone, so it's no longer a top secret surprise and I can finally share those with you!

So...without further ado...here they are!

There's a female dentist at the practice, so of course, I had to paint her as the tooth fairy:

 

(I had a really difficult time deciding what color the tooth fairy's dress should be, so I asked in the Etsy forums, and got a variety of opinions -- so I just made her dress ALL THE COLORS!)

I think the story behind this next one is the sweetest.  There's a girl who works there whose parents are both deaf, so she is fluent in sign language.  When I found out about that, I absolutely had to do her painting incorporating some kind of sign language...the sign for "I love you" to be specific!

 

And, though I don't like to play favorites, sometimes you just can't help it...and I think this one is my favorite out of these three.  I had such a difficult time with the unicorn, at one point, I really and truly believed I wasn't going to be able to do it.  BUT I did!  And I completely love him.  I will definitely be doing more paintings with unicorns in the future!

 

Well...as I said, we still have quite the ways to go, so I have painting to do, so I better go get busy!

Have a super duper weekend!

KJ

Comments

[greta]

oh, I wondered what you had been up to!
What a wonderful project!
My heart completely melted on the sign language one..
but they are ALL extra special wonderful!
Hooray for the dentist for having such a cheerful and welcoming office!
xoxox
Greta

[Lisa]

Those are soooooooo good. I love how you did the Tooth Fairy's dress different colors. And I agree, you should definitely do more unicorns! :)

[Johanna]

whooohooo KJ is back :) missed you sweets! Love the unicorn! Funny thing...Tyler was pretending to be a horse & neighing & it was sooo feminine ..told him he sounded more like a unicorn :)

[carissa]

girl... you rock! those are awesome!
how FUN to be working on that project! total treat! how neat is that dental office!

big hugs to you!

[sophie]

How funny, I just made appointments for my girls to have their 6 month check-ups at the dentist; so I had dentist on the brain!

Congrats! I know everyone in the office will truly enjoy them!

[Tricia]

These are beautiful! Congrats on the fun project!

[MeLisSa]

You are so talented... I LOVE YOUR WORK! OH MY goodness. I need to read your blog some more - just wanted to let you know that I'm super impressed and I'm going to try to see if I could maybe get a few personalized pieces out of you...You must be super busy though!

I'll be back :) Found you through Carissa (Brown Eyed Fox)

[kalina*]

Aloha KJ!
I LOVE your writing style...let alone your Works of Heart! Needless to say, I have a lot of catching up to do...reading it...(let alone, housework. Eeeeek!) ;0) Isn't Life interesting? I was quite amazed when you mentioned about working in a pediatric dentist office in college....and years later (or is it "months" later? tee.hee.)....here you are. Doing what you love to do AND for a dentist office! Surely, you are on the right path....to wherever you are headed for. tee.hee. And must I say, I LOVE all three of your dental-Personalities thus far! (I can hardly wait to see the rest of them!) Until then....Happy Creating, my friend!
With more Aloha,
Kalina*

[carissa]

hey my friend!

i had to stop for a moment & sent a quick note your way...

thank you soooo much for your kind words & support! it has been a tough time! my granmama is in stage four (a surprise to us all) with a very aggresive cancer... her time with us is limited! your words & thoughts... i can not tell you... i... my family really appreciate! thank you so much! God brings us whispers JUST when we need them... your comment went straight to my heart!

love to you! i really hope all is GREAT with you!