Art by Kelly Brown

Latest drawing done in Charcoal. I like the moodiness and the drama . It’s all about building up the layers 🙌🏻

Reference is from Robert Kelley Art

REBRANDING

The time is now that I've decided to change my business name from Raymonds Rose to Art by Kelly Brown. It feels like its something I need to do at this point in time in order to grow personally. I have been producing a lot of portraits and experimenting with different mediums with the idea of still keeping a link to colour. I will still be working on my furniture but more smaller pieces. I'm hoping to get a website put together which showcases my work. All my drawings are currently for sale and I'm happy to do commission work. Please DM for details.

‘Living in Colour’

It’s the perfect name for this piece. Sharing a few stills, It is a self portrait and I wanted it to depict my love of colour and show you shouldn’t shy away from it. I wouldn’t do without it! ❤️

All colours on canvas from .colours

As a side line to my furniture business , I have been drawing portraits. I am thinking of turning some of them into prints so if you’re interested please let me know.

This piece is now sold and now on its way to Edinburgh! Absolutely over the moon 🙌🏻🤩

It was one of the first piece’s I worked on. It features a hand painted geometric design.

Will be sharing what I’ve been up to recently so watch this space.

🌹LEST WE FORGET 🌹

On Remembrance Day we remember those who paid the ultimate sacrifice.
The quote by John Maxwell Edmond gets me every time.

‘When you go home tell them of us and say for your tomorrow we gave our today’

We wear our poppies with pride and honour. Coming from a family who have served it’s something it’s vital that we do. I believe it’s important to remember those who gave so much for us and this is for them. Also to remember how lucky we all are, particularly with what’s going on in the world right now.

The wardrobe which I have hand painted and illustrated, tells the story of a World War 1 Albert Ball V.C a pilot from Nottingham which is where I grew up. He is flying in a prototype bi plane which he jointly designed with the Austin Motor company. Unfortunately he never got to fly this, as he died before the prototype was made in 1917. I’ve spent hours researching pictures of his planes, and also buildings in Nottingham at that period. Its been a labour of love. This wardrobe now belongs to a little boy called Austin, a little nod to Albert and his Austin - Ball plane. Not many people know about this remarkable man and what he did. If you do anything today, I urge to read up about it him and please remember him.

We will remember them ❤️

Finished in &





🌹

I’d really like for more people to see what I can do and get my business back off the ground.

Meet ‘Zero’ the sausage dog who when I first saw a picture of him, I couldn’t resist painting. He was a wedding gift for a colleague at work and a first attempt at painting.

Isn’t he just gorgeous 😍

Acrylics & Marker pen on Canvas

Background colour is Joyful Green by

One thing I have learned about myself this year is how resilient I can be when faced with some really tough times.This year, like for many on here, has been really hard with many finding additional avenues to supplement their business. I have also had to do this. It’s been either sink or swim. I have been learning fast to be a very strong swimmer!
So with this in mind I have starting painting. It started very much as a way of coping because at times I didn’t know where to turn and the constant rate of juggling just was too much. I needed an outlet from the noise and being in a constant state of overwhelm and suffering from major burnout.

I decided to paint a colleague’s dog as gift. and received some wonderful feedback. I will be sharing this very shortly.

Here’s my self portrait as part of the challenge by the wonderful and her group . Colour to me is therapy, it’s a healer a joy giver. I will continue to bang the drum for colour ❤️💙💛💜💚

I’ve opted for my favourite colour: Electric Blue by .colours who have always been so supportive of my work ❤️❤️
I mean what is not to love about this colour?!?! it’s just fabulous 💙
I’ve also used Joyful Green as a complementary colour also from colours range.

I was hoping to offer this as another part of . Producing colourful portraits and would love to know people’s thoughts on this? Obviously I would continue with furniture. I’ve just recently taken a commission which I’m incredibly grateful for 🙏🏻 I really hope the rest of this year is going to be a bit brighter than it has been for me 🤞🏻

Sending much love to those who have had a tough year ❤️

Desperately looking for the sun today..as it’s disappeared after having a glorious weekend.
Hope the sun is shining wherever you are.

Taken the day off work today to enjoy with the family and a rare date with the husband at the cinema later as it’s my birthday 🥳

You know you’ve done a good job when a customer leaves a review like this. It meant so much to receive such wonderful feedback on something I had created. My first commission in fact. From the very start, my customer trusted my judgement to create this truly unique cocktail cabinet all drawn freehand.

I was so tempted to keep this one myself 🤭.
Available for commissions. Please DM me.

Sharing a local business 👇🏻

About Us
We are a small independent family run furniture repair and restoration company.
A 2nd generation upholsterers with over 25 years experience that specialise in antique and modern furniture.
Antique Furniture, we offer a full range of services including french polishing, frame work, eradication of wood worm, removal of straw padding replacing with a modern alternative.
Modern Furniture, we provide all aspects of reupholstery including leather repairs, electric and manual recliner repairs or replacement also offering conversions from manual to electric recliners. Pet damage, replacement of springs and spring clips, replacement interiors, refitting of buttons or supplying new buttons if lost.
Carrying out work on behalf of major Retailers and Manufacturers including:
Nattuzi Additions
DFS
Harveys
Furniture Village
We are a Guardsman approved contractor and also, Fenice approved after training in Italy for leather repairs and restoration.
Added to our portfolio this year is The Harts Hotel Nottingham, The Nottingham Trent University, Hopewell's and Removal Firms.
Please feel free to contact us. If we cannot help, we may know who can.

Did you know that today is ? This is my attempt at the March challenge by founded by the wonderful . It’s a reference from a book by titled ‘Jerome’. The original reference has been finished with pens which have been used to create form and texture through hatching and mark making. I’ve just simply drawn this freehand with a 4b pencil and colourised using an app. I know this is cheating…slightly 🙈 but i’m not yet confident enough to paint. I see faults with my version as the face is much wider but that’s what makes drawing process enjoyable. You’re always learning and improving!
⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣

Here’s what trusting the process looks like. Believe me when I tell you it’s been tough getting to this point but the smile from this little chap just says it all. He’s chuffed and so is his mum!
If you have been following my progress with this you will know I have been working on this for some time. However good things take time right?! 😅
The original design has changed significantly and I actually sanded it all off to start again in order to achieve what you see now 🥺🫣 Even though it was a slow (and at times painful) process I’m glad I did it, I’ve learned lots along the way and also used new techniques as well as paints. It’s all been one big learning curve 🙌🏻
For those new here, this design is based on a World War 1 fighter pilot Albert Ball from my home town of Nottingham. I’ve added some of the iconic buildings from the city such as the Council House Building, Theatre Royal and Nottingham Castle. I’ve used countless pictures and references from books in order to achieve an accurate representation of his plane and buildings.

International Woman’s Day

It’s international woman’s day today and I wanted to celebrate a remarkable woman I knew nothing about until recently. This incredible lady is Bessie Coleman (1892-1926)
She was the first African American woman to hold a pilots licence. She was born in a era where racial inequality was rife and poverty was high. Her race and gender meant that she was refused into flying schools. Using all of her savings and with support from an entrepreneur In 1920, she set off from New York to Paris to pursue her trip of becoming a pilot. Being the only person of colour in her class, did not deter Bessie as in 1921 she received her licence. When she returned to America in September 1921 she received a standing ovation. Over a period of 5 years she performed in countless air shows using her prominence to encourage others. Tragically Bessie died in 1926 when her plane unexpectedly plummeted to the ground. Bessie, who wasn’t wearing a seatbelt fell to her death. Thousands of mourners paid their respects to this remarkable woman who pushed through barriers with determination. She continues to be celebrated today with an Bessie Coleman Aviator club being formed in 1977.

I’ve decided this year to take part in the challenge run by . Today’s prompt is Brand Origin.

These two people are Raymond Rose (well that’s not their actual name 😉) They are Charles Raymond (Ray for Short) and Jean Rose. Affectionately known as Charlie and Rosie. They are my in laws, and I decided to use their middle names to create . Most people reading this may think why would you name your business after your in laws?! Well actually it’s for love and respect. Both have been a constant with both love and support, never asking for anything in return and always having my back when others didn’t. When we lost Ray in May 2020, I felt rather lost to be truthful. I’ve never physically lost someone so close apart from my Mammar. This really hurt.
At the time my garden design business was going nowhere and with the pandemic going on, everything seemed very dark.
I had been searching for a creative path involving colour, and stumbled upon up-cycling furniture. I did my research and instantly enrolled on a course. The love of colour has always been with me from a very young age (swipe to see me as a 7 year old, that jumper eh?! 😳) I’ve collected vintage pieces since having my first job and having the money to pay for them myself. I love collecting those pieces which you know have had a life and stories to tell. My initial idea was to combine both colour and vintage furniture together, a match made in heaven. Over the last few months, I have seen my business change direction. I have been experimenting with different techniques and I’m feeling genuinely excited 🙌🏻

Let me know if you’ll be joining in the challenge. Would love to know!

Some of what I have been working on over the last few months. My Aeroplane wardrobe inspired by Captain Albert Ball VC, DSO and Two Bars, MC a world war 1 fighter pilot from Nottingham. It also features buildings from Nottingham such as the Nottingham Council House, The Old Trip to Jerusalem pub, Nottingham Castle and The Theatre Royal. Everything has been hand drawn and painted.

WORK IN PROGRESS

Here’s a sneak peak on a project that I’m currently working on. It has been forever since I created something new but I’m genuinely excited about this one.
It’s a design I did 2 years ago! It’s based around WW1 pilot from my home town of Nottingham, so a project very close to my heart. I’ve been itching to start this 😅 But I had a baby last year and currently in the midst of major home renovations. Basically life got in the way! 😂

I’m making my way back, trying new techniques, new paint brands and lots more exciting projects to come! So keep your eyes peeled if you want to see this one being unveiled. It’s something completely different! 🛬

‘May flights of Ángels sing thee to thy rest’

Moved beyond words watching the Queens state funeral on T.V today. What a send off and something we will never forget.
We paid our respects to the queen as a family as we felt this was incredibly important. A drawing my daughter did as part of a competition at school for the the Queens Platinum Jubilee celebrations earlier this year. We had it laminated and laid to rest amongst the thousands of flowers at Green Park, London 15th September 22.

Thank you Ma’am, for everything 🇬🇧❤️

Queen Elizabeth II 1926 -2022

God Save the King

Here it is my design as part of the challenge. A Jubilee Theme.

My second piece of furniture completed within a week!

Had lots of fun with this one, using inspiration from my collection of commemorative silks as inspiration. All drawn and painted my hand using paints . This was a record cabinet but it can be used to store books, drinks or as it was originally intended records!

I hope you like! 🇬🇧

Hands up if you fancy a weekend dose of colour? Well look no further 👇🏻💙💖 These nest of tables have been on quite the journey. I originally set out to create a Bauhaus inspired design with use of bold primary colours but they didn’t quite work for me so I went back to the drawing board and decided to mix it up!

These are a Macintosh triform nest of tables with the real statement being underneath! A truly unique piece that can easily fit into smaller space and create a wow factor.

Available to buy, please DM if interested

Have a lovely weekend everyone! 🌈

🔴⚪️🔵 I n s p i r a t i o n 🔴⚪️🔵

The Queens’s Platinum Jubilee may be over but that doesn’t mean you can’t find inspiration for projects from everyday items such as this original 1953 silk of the Queens coronation. I mean just look at those colours! 😍 I may be using this for inspiration as part of the challenge this month. This is part of a number of commemorative silks from my personal collection.

Where do you find your inspiration from?

Hope you have a lovely day 🌈🇬🇧

https://www.instagram.com/raymondsrose/

Here’s a peak at something I’m currently working on…Think summer vibes 😎💙

I’m loving the paint by .colours . I already have a few of their colours that I’ve been itching to sample, but this certainly has to be my favourite (so far 😉) The intensity of the colour is a real talking point! I’ve already earmarked this colour for more projects and inside my own home 😄

I went into full work mode yesterday as it was my first day back from Maternity leave. How I have missed it all 😁
I’ll be working on the detail on the table tops next which promises to be very colourful! ❤️💙💜🧡💚

Let me know what you think to the colour 💙

Throwback to when I created this colourful beauty. Love how all the colours work together 😍🦜🌈
I took a step back from work after I had my little boy last year. I’ve been really looking to getting back into creating some new pieces. I have lots of ideas I just need to showcase them! Yesterday was my first day back…so watch this space 🙌🏻

If you like to commission a piece, please drop me a message 🌈

⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣

✍️Hands at Work ✍️

An oldie, but very appropriate for ’s prompt ‘Hands at Work’ Behind the scenes of me working on the Mary Poppins Wardrobe. Another transformation, which started off as an idea I had and a love of Mary Poppins which myself and my daughter share.
I couldn’t resist finishing off with with the over sized bag which was from many moons ago!

🔵🟢🟡 C L A R I C E 🔵🟢🟡

Another pioneer, the Ceramic artist that is Clarice Cliff. If I’m being totally honest, I knew very little of her life until I watched the film ‘The Colour Room’. I can highly recommend it though! as I found it very inspirational as an artist myself. The wonderful who plays her; really captured Clarice’s level of determination as she fought to achieve her ultimate goal as female designer.

Clarice is regarded as one of the most influential ceramic artists of the 20th Century. She launched the famous ‘Bizarre’ range in 1927 which featured some of her most colourful pieces.

This is my nod to this incredible inspirational lady using her design ‘Blue Firs’ as inspiration for my post.

❤️💙💚💜🧡

3 Things……

by

3 things about me:

1. I’m a mum to a 6 year old, 3 year old and a 6 month old.

2. I trained as a Architectural Technician and in Garden Design but my passion has always been for illustration and animation.

3. Oddly enough this picture is where my furniture business began! Started during the first lockdown using lots (and lots!) of tester pots. I set about drawing on the walls one afternoon with no real plan, other than something to cheer us all up! It now serves as a toy room for the kids 👌🏻🙌🏻

Day 3 of is all about the planning. I have always been a planner as I like the control elements. Planning keeps my brain happy! 😂
However, more recently I found that by not ‘planning’ and winging it, my work tends to be more adventurous.

I tend to lean towards the more colourful designs as colour is a big part of who I am 🌈
I am also known for sketching on my furniture. Take a look at the Commission I did based on ‘New York’!

I have a a few projects in the pipeline, and I’m currently working on some designs of who (in my opinion) were movers and shakers in society. I’m aiming to do one a day (but already behind 🙈 but loving the process so far!

Surrealism

I’ve been sorting through some things recently and happen to stumble upon this..A piece of artwork I created 22 years ago! 😱 still looking as vibrant as ever.

I love looking back how far you’ve come with your style over the years. If you’ve had a wobble recently… a little reminder that you still have it 😉🙌🏻

Anyone still keep their artwork from years ago?! Or is just me?!🤣

Have a lovely weekend everyone ❤️