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| Michele Kempees |
1. Your name, location
Michele Kempees Lewis, Coupeville, Whidbey Island , Washington ,
U.S.A.
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| by Michele Kempees |
2. Describe your family
We are a large blended family of 6 grown children, 9 grand
children, and pets a dog, 2 macaws, a cockatiel, and an old double yellow head
amazon parrot. We recently lost our cat. My husband and I have been married for
7 years after both of us lost our spouse due to a long battle with cancer. He
is retired and does blacksmithing and that makes for a great artistic house.
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| by Michele Kempees |
3. Describe your work
I am fortunate that I am now retired from all the jobs of my
past working life. Some of these
included upholstery designer/seamstress/manager, retail sales, city councillor,
management, American Red Cross director
of an area over 3,000 square miles in Oregon, a business owner of "A Touch
of Dutch" specializing in imported foods, gifts, lace and locally made
items, and a store front studio and gallery.
Although I am new to illustration, I have been a portrait and fine
artist for more than 30 years (when I had time from my other jobs). I am loving
all the new art materials I have tried because of this amazing challenge. I
usually like using my "go to" medium of watercolors and then decide
what is next such as polychromos colored pencil, fine liner or iPad touch ups.
For me, having a little whimsy in each illustration is important.
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| by Michele Kempees |
4. What is your career goal?
Hmmm good question. I, like many in the challenge have
wanted to do children's books. I thought why not now. I have so many ideas that
I would like to get down on paper. If nothing else for myself then maybe for grand children. Second career goal would be if possible love
whatever I am doing.
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| by Michele Kempees |
5. Describe your art background
I have had no formal training and have gone the long route
of teaching myself about how to do things, even digital graphics. It started in
high school in the 11th grade. I needed an extra class so decided I like
doodling why not take Art 1, might be an easy class. I found I really liked it
and my teacher commented I was pretty good.
The next year would be my last year in high school. After finding out Art 2 would be similar such
as color wheels etc, I asked what about
Art 3 and 4? The teacher said they haven't skipped students before but would
talk to the head of the school. Well I lucked out and was able to skip both Art
2 and Art 3 and go right into Art 4. I was so happy, the only downside was it was my first time trying
oil, watercolor, ink and tempera. This opportunity put the love for creating
art down inside my core.
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| by Michele Kempees |
6. What do you love about the Challenge? What have you
learned?
Oh my . . . EVERYTHING!!! This Challenge was exactly what I
was needing. My sister-in-law from my late husband was commenting on Facebook
about her wonderfully talented niece's (Kathe Hennesey) artwork. I loved what
she was posting which got me curious as to why and what is it all about. I
joined right away and soon my computer screen was full of amazing art.
Because
I found out about the challenge late, I posted my first image in late summer 2014. I was bound and
determined if I was going to get my skills up and be able to do illustrations,
I better try and do every week in 2015. The people and artists I have met are
truly gifted, loving people who I am fortunate to now have as friends.
Because
of the supportive nature created here, the commitment of Tania, Nicky and the
Admin team, I have learned so much about
art supplies I had never heard of before. What the heck is Inktense, Gelli
prints, and Polychromos pencils? Well I just had to buy a few, then a few more,
then even more supplies. If being an artist for over 30 years taught me anything
it is supplies cost a lot of money. Well thank goodness for commissions because
one art form has kept me in glorious creative supplies. Thank you Heidi Cooper
for telling me about Polychromos pencils because I am hooked now for life.
7. What is your favourite illustration you have done for the
challenge so far?
This is really hard because each one I post is something new
I have just tried. I may have to pick the
first one I posted that I felt members got a kick out of. It was Week 38,
Giraffe 2014. When I first drew it there was something weird about it. I had an
OH MY moment when I figured out a giraffe's legs bend backwards.
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| by Michele Kempees |
8. Tell us something that we don’t know about you
Now my bio photo will make more sense. I have been afraid of
dogs all of my life. Not just scared terrified is more like it. I never owned a
dog because of it. I could go into why but there is not enough space, let us
just say it involved a friends small family dog and how it attacked her. One night
at 10:30pm looking at a
Facebook page of our local no kill shelter, I saw a post about a German Shepherd
dog that just came in. For some strange reason I asked my husband if we could
go look at her. Huh? Me? They just posted it so I sent a message are you open
on Sunday? Yes they were but not until noon .
We were there 5 minutes before. Well, Maggie came home with us and she is the
best thing ever. She has taught me not to be afraid and thinks she is a lap
dog. The best possible gift I could have given myself. My family was in shock
including my children who said, "mom you never liked dogs".
On another note I love doing construction, I
have remodel our kitchen, dining room, created a mud room and refurbished a job
site trailer into my studio.
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| Michele and Maggie |
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| by Michele Kempees |
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/michele.kempeeslewis
Redbubble: http://www.redbubble.com/people/mkempees
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| Book illustrated by Michele Kempees |
