Expecting…

Yes, I mean “expecting” in the traditional sense of the word! Nate and I are pleased to announce publicly that we will be parents in December!

We feel incredible blessed that God has deemed us worthy to bring a new life into the world. We’ve been following the progress of this little child in my belly, and I’m amazed at the intricate way that life is formed… A beating heart at just 11 weeks, eyebrows formed at 13. Our child is now the size of a peach, and is making ballet-like movements in my belly! I can’t wait to meet this little one and see what God has in store for him or her in the outside world.

And yes, I’m looking forward to creating works of art of my own child like this drawing in pencil I drew years ago:

I would love any words of wisdom or advice people may have for pregnancy or mothering. I’m already learning so much from those who have “been there.”

Kelly O’Neill Featured on the Today Show!

It’s not every day you get a call from an NBC producer, asking you to create a special piece of artwork to use on the Today Show.  When you do, you say “YES.”  Oh, you need an extensive drawing planned, completed, recorded on HD video, and delivered within 28 hours? “I’ll make it happen.”

And make it happen, we did! “We” refers to Ryan Osborn (@Rozzy and @TodayShow onTwitter), the tireless producer who had the vision for this project after he saw my speed drawing of Ellen Degeneres on YouTube, and my amazing husband, who came home from work early and stayed home the following day to make sure it got done. Nate is the video expert of this outfit. I’m just in charge of the things that involve pencils and paint. All in all, we spent the better part of the given 28 hours on this project, and rolled into bed at 5:00 am this morning, just 3 hours before the clip aired.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

So what that I’ve had 10 hours of sleep in the last 50?

Hearing Matt Lauer call me a “great artist” on national television, and watching Meredith Vieira and Al Roker admire the completed piece printed on a huge poster in Rockefeller Plaza was more than worth it.

To see more of my speed drawing videos, visit my YouTube channel.

To see my portraits, fine art, and graphic design work, visit TheArtistOfLife.com.

I am available for custom portrait commissions, logos and branding, and of course, high profile custom projects for major television networks.

The completed drawing, 18×24:

Becoming artwork when I expire…

Last night, my husband and I had a much-needed “Veg Fest.” If you know us well, you know we work hard and play hard, but rarely just veg! So we caught some of a new TV series called “Three Rivers.” It’s on CBS, and it focuses on a medical team that harvests organs from gracious donors who have passed, and find “homes” for them in very sick and needy patients, some of whom have been waiting for a long time. I enjoyed it, and it sparked some discussion between Nate and I.

I’ve had the organ donor box checked on my driver’s license since I was 16, and I’ve always thought I wanted everything possible to be donated except for my skin and eyes. Many people don’t even know that these can be donated, and I’ve kind of thought of it as “icky.” However, donating these organs would make a world of difference in the lives of a blind person or burn victim, so I’ve given it some more thought. Now, if you’re on top of things, you’re realizing that this extensive donation could make for an unsightly open casket. Enter my next preference: cremation.

Now, before you start thinking this will be a morbid blog post, be assured that you’re probably going to laugh very soon .

Cremation… the alternative to slowly becoming worm food over the course of many years. I’m rather fond of it. But, what do your loved ones DO with your remains? There’s the sprinkling into the ocean, off of a mountainside, and resting in the somewhat typical urn on the mantle which could be creepy for your home’s visitors or housekeeper.

I want something different. I am an artist. When I die and become ashes, I’d like to become art. (What?)

A Time-lapse Speed Drawing Video!

For years, people have asked me things like, “Did you really draw that?”, “Do you trace?”, and “How do you do it?”

Now, you have the answers, all wrapped up in a nice, neat 2-minute video! Enjoy, and take a little dance break if you feel the urge.

There will be many more of these to come, so I’d love for you to spread the love and share this on your own blog or Facebook page! Even Tweet it – you know you want to… *smile*

Two Paintings get Top Honors

“Eternal Song” won Best of Show!

I entered two art competitions in the past few months, and I’m pleased to announce that my paintings received high honors in each!  The first was the Central South National Art Competition put on by the Tennessee Art League.

In recent years, this competition has been a regional one, only accepting a handful of entries from Tennessee artists and those in neighboring states.  This year, they opened it up to the entire U.S.  I was honored just to have my painting “Maria” accepted into the show, but then I received the People’s Choice Award.

Many artists prefer to receive this award over others because it is determined by the visitors of the exhibit, and not by one or two judges.  Thank you to those of you who came to the opening reception and supported me!

The second competition was one that I entered on a whim: the Williamson County Fair Art Exhibit.  I figured that it would be a good show to be involved in if only for the sheer number of people who would be exposed to my work.  Little did I know that I would take home 3 top honors!

My exposure also resulted in several sales, new visitors to my studio, and not to mention my proposal!  “Eternal Song” won Best of Show as well as 1st Place in the painting category.  “Maria” won 2nd place in the painting category. Check out an online article about this event here. Thanks to all who attended!

I got engaged at an Art Show!

I am the happiest woman on earth… officially.  My amazing boyfriend of a little over a year and a half proposed to me on Wednesday, August 6th.  We are going to spend our lives together.  Here’s the story:

The Proposal

I had some of my work in the Williamson County Fair’s art show this year.  My painting “Eternal Song”  won Best of Show, and then 1st place in the painting category.  “Maria” won 2nd place.  I was thrilled, and I was invited to an artists’ reception Wednesday night.  Nate and I met at a central location and rode together to the fair.  He had come straight from work and had this bag with him.  He said it was for his change of clothes in case we wanted to do something later, but it really just had my ring box in it.

We get to the main fair building, and he excuses himself to the restroom.  I didn’t think anything of it.  I later found out that he had a guy meet him in the men’s room to hand off the car keys so he could run out to get the ring box and sneak it to the mayor without me knowing what was going on.  So sneaky!  I love it…

Photos of my Home

These photos of my home and studio were taken about a month after I moved in August of 2007. I love my home, and my studio provides an amazing workspace where I can be organized and creative!