Growing Up

"Girl With A Watering Can"
Auguste Renoir

"Church of le Sacre Coeur from Rue Saint Rustique"
Maurice Utrillo

"Sunflowers"
Vincent Van Gogh

"Young Woman at a Half Open Door"
Rembrandt

"La Sylphide"
Edgard Degas

I grew up in a small family.  My parents were hard-working entrepreneurs-they ran their own small restaurant in a major city in New Jersey.  It was hard work, hours were long, and it left virtually no time for leisure activities for us as a family. My fun was working in the restaurant after school and meeting our customers and helping out where I was needed.  I didn't mind really.  As long as as I was able keep drawing and coloring as a child I was quite happy. And I loved being around my parents and their loyal patrons.
My parents made an effort to provide me exposure to the arts even though they had no time to take me museum trekking or to live performances.  Classic literature and contemporary novels were scattered through the house, music was always playing, either on the radio or through a vast collection of vinyl LP's, from classical to show tunes. And my exposure to visual art came through books.  We also had various prints in our home, which were at that time reproduced and "framed" ready to hang.  These were available at department stores and my mother made sure they were scattered throughout our apartment.
The images above are what I remember seeing each day as a child.  I did not particularly ask for them -- they appeared and decorated our living room and my bedroom.  A book of Utrillo prints was always available for me to look at.  And although I don't recall I am sure a book of Monet's art was on the shelf somewhere.
I always loved these images and rarely thought that I of them as "art."  They were part of our family and our lives.  Looking back I realized that my parents in their very great wisdom laid a foundation for me to create and appreciate a beautiful and extraordinary way of looking at life.  I see now that I was influenced by these images in my work.  And for that I am thankful and very grateful for two very exceptional people who were my parents.  Everyone should be so very lucky.
Visit my website to see more of my work and how my early days have influenced the work I produce now:
Krys Pettit Artist

Does Size Matter?

"Windswept"
Krys Pettit
Watercolor on Acrylic Yupo Paper
4/12"Hx 3 1/2"W

I once showed a watercolor painting to a friend who has been following my progress with the piece via images sent in emails and instant messages.  His comment when I physically showed him the work of "I thought it was a lot bigger" took me aback for a moment.  And got me to thinking.
Is the size an element of how the artist tells the story with their work?  Because in essence each painting I or any other artist produces tells a story to you, the viewer.  True, an gigantic canvas depicting huge event makes a tremendous statement as you view it in the Louvre -- a little man making it really big -- and crowning himself in the process.  But this was the style then. And if you had the wall space, what an item to show off.

"Coronation of Napoleon"
Jacque-Louis David
20 feet, 4 inches x 32 feet
Courtesy Wikipedia and The Louvre Museum

Wall space is a real consideration for many collectors, not a tremendously romantic notion but a reality we artists must live with.  In an era of downsizing, relocation, and redecorating in an instant that 10 foot canvas you think will look great over someone's couch is not a reality.  So much for romantic notions of where your work hangs!
But the essence of this is that I have always felt small work has a certain intimacy.  If I can get a viewer to come in close for a look, whether it be for the brush strokes or small items hidden in a piece I think I have communicated on a more personal level with my work.  Not unlike the whisper in the ear from someone you love or a knowing glance from a close friend, small gestures can sometimes reach in much deeper than the huge ones.
For me, I will always paint intimately, whether in size or message, hoping I can bring a viewer in close to my work and closer to how feel about it and themselves.
For more information on my nicely sized artwork please visit my website:
https://www.kryspettit.com/

Too Many Images Too Little Time

"Tools of The Trade"
iPhone Photo
Krys Pettit

Someone asked me what I like to paint.  I thought it easier to reply with what I DON'T like to paint. Because there are so many images, so many stories to tell with a brush that I don't feel I can express with words.

I've run the gamut of still life, florals, street scenes, landscapes, figurative, portrait, architectural detail. I've captured the steamy south, the clear and crisp southwest, the freezing and snowy north. Big cities, small towns, unknown roads to unknown destinations. I've painted oceans, lakes, skies, canyons, red rocks, fields, oranges, peppers, plums, geraniums, irises (no never a rose), old houses, new houses, windows, doors, fences, full figures, naked figures, and only faces.  Never an animal. Can't seem to capture those in my art. I've used watercolor, oil, crayon, charcoal, pastel, graphite, color pencil, pen and ink and at times a little spit and a thumbprint.

If someone looked at my body of work once I pass they would say, "She's all over the place.  Doesn't even look like its by the same artist."  And I say, good.  Let's just keep it that way.

For more of my work visit my web site at: https://www.kryspettit.com/
Or if you prefer follow me on Facebook and Instagram.  There is always something new and fresh posted there.  And no two are ever the same if I can help it.
Krys Pettit Original Artwork Facebook
kryspettitartwork

Just accepted for The Art of Healing Gallery exhibit

"Goodies for Your Garden"
Krys Pettit
Watercolor Painting on Yupo Plastic Paper
24"H x 16" Wide framed and Matted
Price upon Request

I am so delighted to announce I have been accepted to show my original watercolor painting "Goodies for Your Garden" in the Watch Your Garden Grow Art Exhibit at The Art of Healing Gallery at Florida Hospital Altamonte, Altamonte Springs, Florida.  The art will be on exhibit beginning March 14, 2017 and will remain in the gallery for 2-3 months.
Florida Hospital Altamonte has for many years hosted juried art exhibits for their onsite gallery at the Hospital. While you may not think of a hospital as the ideal place to display art, I have always welcomed the opportunity to be a part of these wonderful exhibits that Florida Hospital so graciously puts on.  Art is part of healing and many patients, visitors and staff members welcome the opportunity to take some time to set aside the challenges of their day and take in some beautiful and inspiring artwork.  Florida Hospital also kindly allows us to sell our work with part of the sale price going back to Florida Hospital to enable them to keep this gift to the community going.
Art is about sharing and giving and itis an honor to be a part of this particular venue.

Anything But This

"Shell Ginger"
Krys Pettit
Work in Progress
Watercolor

My daily routine is stress free but I find it requires more dedication than some realize.  Getting yourself into the studio every week day for 3-6 hours sounds like heaven but every once in a while you find yourself, well, blocked.  Tapped out. Not motivated.  Emptied.  Uninspired. Wanting to sit all day and watch an NCIS marathon on Netflix.  Clean out your kitchen cabinets.  Do multiple loads of laundry.  ANYTHING except paint.
I work in regularly in two mediums, watercolor and oil, three if you count the sketching and drawing I attempt to do on a weekly basis.  I work in my home studio so I can pretty much have everything set to go with little or no reorganization. But there are days I don't like, almost dread, going back there. It's certainly not a lack of inspiration and I try to not ponder the deep, dark meanings of why this occurs.
I like to think that the greats, like Michelangelo, DaVinci, Rembrandt, Rubens, Monet, Van Gogh, Turner, even the Wyeth clan, had down days. And can you burn out on being too creative, producing too much work, being pulled into too many creative directions?
So maybe a bit of binge watching and snacking on Cheetos is in order.
I'll let you know when my next inspiration hits -- it'll probably be tomorrow.
Visit my website below.  Send me an email if you have some ideas that will inspire me -- I'm always open to reasonable suggestions!
Krys Pettit Original Artwork

Is That For Sale? How to Own My Artwork

After I post my artwork on social media channels people often ask me if that particular piece is for sale.  It occurred to me that many of my followers, collectors and subscribers may not be aware that creating art is my full-time job – I paint for the joy of sharing my interpretations of images but I also paint because it is my business and livelihood.  So today’s blog is about how you can own my art. 

An Empty Easel Is Never Happy

Working on A Florida Landscape

To be honest I haven’t been too transparent with my loyal viewers concerning the particulars of my art.  I find that I have been negligent telling you the nuts and bolts of the painting, like the size, whether it is oil or watercolor, or whether it is actually for sale.  So, in an effort to be a better communicator, I will be posting more information about a painting when I share it.   I’ll also be adding a page with information on how to buy my work on my website.

Pricing can be a negotiable thing in the world of art.  If you send me a personal message or email I will happily give you a cost and we can come up with a final price that will work for us.  I make a effort to keep my prices very reasonable especially when selling privately and to collectors who own my work.

If you happen not to be in Central Florida, I can easily ship to you.  I have shipped my originals and prints all over the continental U.S. Items have arrived undamaged to many a happy collector.  

A Commission in Progress

If you see something that inspires you to want your own special work of art I am happy to work on an original one-of-a-kind commission just for you.  Commissions are no problem even if you live far away from me – we can email, message, Skype, etc. and I can provide you updates and concerns as I work on a piece.  

My Studio-and yes those are crayons!

If you want to just look at my work on my various social media pages and my website please do so and keep liking and sharing it – you are all a part of my process and your input helps me become a better artist.  If you live in the Central Florida area I usually am in an exhibit somewhere so you see my work in person.

Chatting with a happy collector
at a recent painting demo

I like to keep my “sales pitch” to a minimum but I don’t want to have you miss out on how to purchase one of my paintings or prints.  

And that’s the reason I like to create art – to be able to share it with you.  Thanks for being a part of my “team” and my continued inspiration. 

Visit my website so a sampling of some of the work I have available:

Krys Pettit Original Artwork

Proud to be chosen for this juried exhibit!

"Good Neighbors"
Krys Pettit
Watercolor on Paper

Each year the Central Florida Watercolor Society has an annual exhibit.  As a member I am eligible to submit paintings for acceptance but there is no guarantee my work that my work will be chosen and juried in.  But I am happy to say my watercolor painting, "Good Neighbors" was one of 45 pieces chosen to show in this special exhibit.  I have been a member of the Society for about 20 years and it is always an honor to participate in a show like this.
The exhibit runs February 1st through April 1 at the SoBo Gallery in Winter Garden, Florida.  The Gallery is open Wednesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.  You can find directions and information on their website:
SoBo Gallery Winter Garden Florida
Thanks for stopping by and I hope you enjoy the show!